LOYAL ALEXANDROVNA LODGE, I.O.O.F.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2703, 25 August 1894, Page 2

LOYAL ALEXANDROVNA LODGE, 1.0.0. F.

A social meeting of the members of the above lodge was held in Mr Leonard Tombs’s restaurant, Temnfca, on Thursday evening. Under the capable Damagement of Mr and Mrs Tombs a really choice repast was provided, and some twenty members of the order, with a few visitors, duly appreciated it. The chai* was occupied by Mr C. Story, the N. 0., and the vice-chair by Mr W. MoCallum, V.G. Bro. Pye was present as a representative of the Grand Lodge. The toast of “ The Queen, and Royal Family” having been duly honored, a song, “ Scotland Yet,” was sung by Mr J. A. McCaskill,

Bro. W. Holwell then proposed the toast of “ Our Order,” associating it with the names of Bros. C. Story, W. McCallum, and J. Pye. Mr Story, in replying, said that he it a great honor to occupy the position he did that evening. He had been a member of the lodge some 14 years, and believed it to be a very good society, and one that commended itself to all. . There were now 30 lodges in New Zealand, with a membership of nearly 2000. The funds available amount to £22,400, and the sum paid for benefits was £964. At the last valuation of the assets and liabilities of the order the result was such as had never been surpassed by any other benefit - society in New Zealand. The behind funeral fund showed a surplus of £lßl7s. No brother need therefore' feel diffident ■in bringing in new members. They were joining a society that was at the top of the tree, and one which offered social, intellectual, and educational advantages to young men second to none. He would advise members to use their amongst their acquaintances to strengthen the lodge, and it only required a little ' unity of action to make the lodge, the premier one in the-district. Bro. McCallum, in responding, expressed his satisfaction with the working of the order, and his pleasure at seeing the brethren assembled for enjoyable social intercourse.

Bro. J. Pye, in responding, said that probably next session the District Grand Master would endeavor to meet the ; lodges at Winchester, and he thought that a meeting of the kind would do good. A visit from the district officers would be a great encouragement to the brethren, and he sincerely trusted it could be arranged. The toast of “ The Army, Navy, and Volunteers ” was proposed by Bro. O’Grady, and responded to by GoL-Seigt. Coira, Sergi. Carr, and Private Phillips. “ Trade and Commerce ” was proposed by Mr Carr, and replied to by Messrs J. H. Walker, McGaskill, and Whitehead. Mr Coira proposed the toast of “ The Fire Brigade,” and associated it with the names of Lieut. McS. Gentleman and Branchman O’Grady, who stated that the brigade were only anxious to do their duty at all times. At the last fire .the insurance companies were saved some £IOOO of a loss, and they felt sure their services were appreciated. Bro. McCalium proposed the toast of “ The Visitors,” to which Sir William Blundeu and Messrs Gaze and Pye responded. Bro. Archer, the secretary, proposed “ The Grand Lodge Officers and Representatives,” coupling the toast with the names of Bros. Pye and Bennett. Bro. Pye, in a brief speech, eulogised the services of the Grand Lodge Secretary and Treasurer, to whom were mainly due the successful upholding of Oddfellowship in the colony. Bro. Bennett, in the course of his reply, said there were many who did not know of the benefits of the society, and he gave several instances. If carried out in a proper spirit, benefit societies were of the utmost value. As a district deputy, he could fully endorse all that Bro. Pye had said of the Grand Lodge officers.

Bro. Archer proposed the toast of “Sick and Absent Brethren,” and regretted that several could not be present that evening. Other toasts were “Success to the Loyal Alexandrovna Lodge,” proposed by Bro. Pye, and responded to by Bro. Story and Archer ; “ The Ladies,” proposed by Bro. McGaskill, and responded to by Messrs J. Lee and T. Knight; “ The Press,” associated with the name of Mr Gaze; and “ The Host and Hostess,” acknowledged by Bro L. Tombs. In the course of Hie evening songs were sung by Messrs McGaskill, Phillips, Story, McCalium, Tombs, Gaze, and O’Grady, and the gathering broke up at eleven, when Auld Lang Syne was sung.