ST. ANDREW'S DAY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1907, 1 December 1874, Page 3

ST. ANDREW'S DAY.

The weather yesterday was exceedingly suitable for a holiday. The temperature | was exactly that in which one could walk I about without being oppressed by the heat, or sit down in the open air and ruminate without being chilled, while thin clouds shaded the rays of the sun as if with an umbrella, without discharging any rain. The banks were closed, the Government offices, and moßt of the shops and places of business, but many of the mines continued at work. There were no set sports or public amusements for the day. We had a Prince of Wales birthday a few weeks ago, on which we had horseraces and footraces at Parawai, and close ahead of us lie the series of Christmas and New Year's holidays, when we shall have races and sports to our hearts' content. To have had sports yesterday, would only have spoiled those we are bound to have at Christmas, and we are not sure if, after all, those who gathered at Tararu did not derive as much enjoyment from seeing and being seen as in watching sports. The day was proclaimed a holiday in Auckland also, and the ' Hauraki,' Captain Farquhar, left there in the forenoon, reaching here shortly after 3 o'clock, and returning at 7- The Aucklanders, however, do not seem to have thought St. .Andrew's Day worth celebrating, for we learn there was very little appearance of a holiday when the steamer left. The ' Hauraki' brought only between 20 and 30 passengers, which may be accounted for .by the fact that during the previous .night, aud just! before the steamer's advertised time of sailing a smart shower fell.' >

THE ODDFELLOWS 0 GATHERING, . The anniversary celebration 'of the Oddfellows' Society took place yesterday, assuming the shape of a picnic or excursion to Tararu,'and of. a soiree in the evening. The brethren of the Waikato Lodge, 1.0.0. F., to the number of about 190, met at their lodge-room in Rich-mond-street, Shortland, where met also the members of the band of the Thames Scottish Volunteers. The members. of the Charles Bruce Lodge, 1.0.0. F., met at the Masonic Hall, Queen-9treet, and joined the procession of the Waikato | .Lodges from Shortland, as did also the membersof the Hunter l odge, G.U.O.F;, who met at the Thames Scottish drillshed. The Charles Bruce Lodge mustered 50 members and the Hunter Lodge 45. The procession was marshalled by Sergeant-Major Grant. The whole body then marched to Tararu, preceded by the Thames Scottish Band, and under the newly« arrived grand banner, j which we have recently described in detail. When the Oddfellows arrived at Tararu, a very large number of persons had already gathered in the gardens, consisting in great part of the wives and children of those who had come out in the procession, and who had been despatched per train. We may say that the trains, which have been stopped, wpre again started yesterday morning, and did good work throughout the day. Tararu Gardens looked their best. The borders and flower-beds were glowing with every beautiful hue and shade of colour, the summer houses and arbours were covered with fresh and leafy creepers, the lawns had still the flush of living green from the last rains, while the native bush on the steep slopes of the mount was eharming in its wildness. Picnic parties were everywhere, while the consumption of strawberries in the large house was something enormous. But the consumption could not overtake the supply-that was more than equal to the demand. The broad acres of strawberry plants seemed to mock the efforts of the eaters, and we have no doubt there will be abundant fruit for all the visitors at Christmas. Some would doubtless have preferred if there had been horse racing on the flat which they could have viewed with so much pleasure and comfort from the hill-side, but the majority did not seem to suffer from lack of means of enjoyment.' Ihe band played at different parts of the ground, but, for the most part, on the lawn to the right of the entrance gate, along the side of which are multitudinous recesses in the form of alcoves, covered with hydolicus resplendent with flowers. These and the rising ground wero occupied with spectators, while the centre of the green was filled with dancers. In the intervals of the dancing some foot races were got up, and caused considerable amusement. A popular gentleman talked strongly of his running powers, and 'was taken up for a small bet by a "learned counsel." The lawyer was 'cute enough to hold his tongue about what he could do in athletics, and so the spectators, who were in such good humour that they: would have given even the devil his due, allowed him three yards start by acclamation. A sharebroker officiated as starter. The race was gamely contested, and amidst the tremendous cheering of the multitude, the lawyer came in a winner by more than th'e three yards he had got for a start. The slakes were duly pocketed, and then another engagement was made to run even, and in this the lawyer was again victorious. The jovial landlord of the Provincial Hotel won 15s by running, but instead of pocketing the money he must needs stake a pound on another event, which he lost. The spirited proprietor of that powerful organ, the Thames Exchange, collected money for several boys' races. Altogether, the Oddfellows and those who passed the day with them at Tararu enjoved themselves immensely, A severely precise sporting contributor furnishes the following report of the races The following events, under the management of Stewards Yaughan.and $Vooderson, came off at I.3o:—Members' Race (a handicap), 150 yards, for which nine competitors appeared, and were started by Sergeant-Major Grant. The throe placed being: J. C. Williams (scratch), 1; Morecroft (4 yards), 2: Preece (4 yards), 3.—For the All Comers, 150 yards, eight showed up, and were sent away with a good start. The first place was won in a canter by J. A. Millar; second, H. Wright; third, Morecroft,— 1. Boys' Race, a free handicap for all boys under 12 years or thereabouts. Some of them were tall for their age, and were handicapped proportionately: Ist

prize, Gs, won by Melnerney; 2nd prize, 4s, won by Battery; 3rd prize, 3s, won by Baxter,—2. Boys' Hace, all comers, Ist prize, ss, W. Gribble; 2nd prize, 3s, lieid; 3rd prize, 2s, Shappere. THE SOIBEE. In the evening a soiree was held in the Academy of Music in connection with the celebration. It was largely attended* probably not fewer than 500 persous being present. Amongst those present were— Foresters: 0.1t., T. L. Murray, Court Pride of Parnell. Oddfellows: Manchester Unity, Loyal Fountain of Friendship Lodge, JP.P.G.M., O. 'Robinson, and Good Loyal Intent Lodge, Auckland, P.P G-M,, T. Cole; Loyal Charles IJcuce

Lodge, Thames, W.G. Whitaker, "V.G. Crampton, G.M. Carthew, Treasurer Sandes, P.G-. Thackray; Loyal Waikato Lodge, W.G. Pavey, E. Sec. McCowatt, G.M. Taylor, P.G.'s Grant, Bugnall, and Yowles: Permanent Secretary, Ahier; Loyal Hunter Lodge, G.U.0.0.F., P.M. G. Wooderson, W.G. Moore.

After tea, the chair was takeD by his Worship the Mayoh, who in opening the meeting said that he had been requested to preside upon the occasion of the anniversary celebration,- and had great pleasure in anceding to the request. He believed that the objects of the Oddfellows should bii encouraged, and sympathised with by those outside the lodges as wall as those inside. The Oddfellows society was extending all over the globe, and their organisation had done a great deal to relieve distress. No doubt they were aware of what Oddfellowship professed. It professed to unite men, to make them better brethren, better husbands, better men; it inculcated lessons of thrift, it taught them toprovide for sickness. Many of them had no doubt experienced its : benefits when laic] on beds of sickness, and who should say.how often the pangs of death had' been soothcdto a brother when he remem- 1 hered that his family w'ould not bo utterly dependent upon charity. He had often been struck with the beautiful emblems of' ddfellowship, especially the emblem of the heart and the open hand beneath the all-seeing eye, and had thought that men would be preserved from evil by knowing that they .were in the sight of Him who saw and knew all..things.. He was not going to given them a lecture upon Oddfellowship, although he was an old Oddfellow himself. He became .one: in 1850.in Auckland, and was initiated in the Loyal Good Intent Lodge, but through unforeseen circumstances he was not an Oddfellow now. Still he knew that the society had greatly advanced, and he had no doubt it would still continue to advance. He would say to all mother's present to encourage thensons to become Oddfellows, to wives to persuade their husbands to become members of the society,, to sisters to endeavour to get their brothers to join, and to young ladies to try to persuade their sweethearts to become Oddfellows. To the members of the society he would say, persevere iu the duties you have' undertaken, and strive to make Oddfellowship honoured among men. He would urge them to keep faithfully to their motto, "Faith, JKope, , and Charity." If they did so, the society would be a blessing from generation to generation. Mr E. F. Sandes, representative of the Charles Bruce Lodge, then addressed the meeting. He congratulated the order upon the very large attendance that night and at Tararu. He could not say that they had'had a large addition to the members of the Charles Bruce Lodge. Twelve members had been initiated, and the number of losses from various causes were also twelve. A 1 though th ey had not had an accession of numbers, the funds were in a substantial position, and had materially increased. On the 31st December they had £290 invested and bearing interest, while the total assets were £290, whereas at the 'end of last quarter they had invested £350, the total assets being £477. As the chief aim of Oddfellowship was tho relief of sickness, he might state that the amount paid for that purpose during the three quarters of the year was £32 5s id, during the last quarter £20 lis, in addition to which £52 5s had been paid for medical attendance.

Mr Woodebson, representative of the Loyal Hunter lodge, then addressed the meeting, quoting the opiuion of Mr Tidd Pratt, late Registrar of Friendly Societies, as to their working and influence. He said the order did not interfere with religion or politics; each member was at liberty to follow the dictates of his own conscience.

Mr Bagnuli, M.P.C., then addressed the meeting as representative of the Loyal Waikato Lodge. He said that the last speaker had referred pretty fully to the object of friendly societies, and ho would not go over the same ground, The last speaker had alluded to the benefits to be derived from friendly societies, and said that they offered more in proportion to the monies paid than , life assurance societies. Ho (Mr Bagnall) believed there was no doubt as to the correctness of that statement, becauso there was not the expense of management iu connection with friendly societies that there was in connection with life insurance companies. A friendly Bociety provided that men should be paid a certain sura weekly during aickness; they provided for medicines and medical attendance for members, their wives and children; they also provided a small sum to bo paid at, the death either of a member or of a member's wife, He thought it was a weakness of friendly societies that they did not provide a sufficient sum to be paid in case of death. Not more than £20 was paid in case of the death of a member, and not more than £12 in the caae of a member's wife. These were small sums, sufficient "only to pay the expenditure incurred in the burial—in fact, that was the object of the payment, But when people talked of making provision for wife and family by joining a friendly society, they, talked wide of the murk so far as that was concerned. He (Mr Bagnall) thought the time had come when the friendly societies might make a much better arrangement than they had been able to do hitherto. The Government had prepared a means by which members of friendly societies were placed in a position to secure, greater benefits in cases of death, than were provided by the societies. Jiecently the Government bad prepared means by which by small weekly paymeuts by members of friendly societies only they might secure payments at death of not less than £5 nor more than £200. He thought when the advantage." of this became known, that uiauy members of friendly societies would avail themselves of it, and thus would iusure for a larger sum to be paid to their representatives at death than they were able now to obtain by joining [a friendly society. Jio thought the Dovernmeut had taken j this matter in hand, because in connec-1 tion with the management of the funds of friendly societies there, was a certain amount of danger incurred—more than a society was warranted in undertaking— in entering into arrangements to pay larger sums at death, than they now did. By paying small sums'to the Government they would have the security of the Government, and members would be in a much better position than if they were entirely dependent upon tho society. Government had also taken another step in respect to the rates of contributions paid by members of friendly societies. The Act under which all these societies were registered iu New. Zealand provided that it should be certified by a competent actuary that tho scale of contributions was sufficient to pay the benefits promised, but it was not until the prosent year that tho Government had made any- ' attempt to carry out this provision-

indeed it was not till within the past few months lhat any steps had been taken with reference to it. In his opinion they had now gone somewhat beyond the mark. In fact they would ask, from the tables which had been prepared by the Government, that members of friondly societies here should pay higher rates than actuaries in England required should be paid by persons there. The Government seemed to say that people in New Zealand were more liable to sickness than people in England, and he ■ thought. they were hardly justified in seftingabroadsuchanidea. Considering the difference on the rate of interest on money invested- here, and the rates obtained iu England, he was right in saying that the contributions, even supposing that sickness were equal in Few Zealand, should be very considerably less. 'Instead of that the Government would put them down as much more. Another anomaly in connection with the procedure of the Government was this, that they would ask the societies to charge higher rates than the societies in Rngland, while at the same time they were willing to take assurance risks at lower rates than were :'charged in England, They would seem to say that there was more, sickness in New Zealand.than in England, and at the same time' 1 that the people lived longer, That was an anomaly which they would not be able to pl'bve. 1 He thought it was now time that the societies should take this matter in hand and by co-operation with the Government "endeavour ■to have the contributions placed on such a scale as would be satisfactory to all parties. Mr T.,L. Mubbat, of the Court Pride of Parnell, Foresters, then spokei He urged upon,tho members to make themselves acquainted with. the rules and regulations of this new scheme which had been.promulgated by the Government.: He thanked them on behalf of the. Foresters for the invitation'they had given him. He hoped the day was not far distant when there would be a muster of all the friendly societies at the Thames—a demonstration of something like a thousand strong.

Mr 0. .Robinson, of the 1 Fountain of Friendship.Lodge, Auckland,-, was then called on to address the meeting. He said the Manchester Unity was the most flourishing society in Auckland.

• Mr Cole, of the Loyal Good Intent Lodge, Auckland, also spoke briefly. .Between the speeches songs were sung by Mr Trewhela, Mr Yowles, Mr Creamer, Mr Mills, Mr White; and Mr Beed. The hall was then cleared for a dance, in which a large number took part. ; SOCIAL GATHERING. OE THE LODGE • SIR WALTER SCOTT. The brethren of the Lodge Sir Walter Scott No. 533 8.0. celebrated 8t Andrew's Day by a social gathering at the Freemasons' Hall, Qiieen-street ' About 50 brethren sat dowii and partook of the spread plentifully provided by the Tyler, Bro. T. Bawden,, which was laid and served with taste and finish, and the wants of tho guests were well attended to by the stewards of the lodge. Bro. Brodie, Past Master, presided, and Bro, J. D. Grant occupied the vice-chair.

After the viands had been disposed of, glasses were charged, and the Chairman proposed 'the usual Masonic and patriotic toasts. In proposing the toast of "Bro. the Marquis of Nor inanby," the Chairman /said that it was expected he would land in Auckland to day. Hfe was an enthusiastic Mason, highly spoken of in the " Freemasons' Journal." He attended the Masonic meetings and gatherings, and was in every respect a good Mason. Responded to by Macduff honours. Bro Watson then proposed the " Health of Sir James Fergusson." They were in communication with him before he was many hours in the colony, and he answered their telegram in a courteous and gentlemanly manner. Now that he was leaving, they could do no less than drink his health, and a prosperous voyage to him.

The toast was enthusiastieallyresponded to, with Macduff honours. The Vice ■ Ohaibhan proposed the toast of the " Army, Navy, and Volunteers," iSong —" Bed, White and Blue." -Bro Swanson responded briefly, Bro. Watson also, responded, making humorous allusion to the Eugineer Volunteers. Bro. Jackson responded on behalf of the Navy and the Naval Brigade. Bro. JiJiKS Lowfl then proposed the " Grand Lodges of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and every other Grand Lodge' recognised by them." The toast was honoured in the proper Masonic form The Chairman then proposed the toast of " Our native land, and the day wo celebrate." He said that although it was essentially a Scotch day, it could be joined in by other nationalities with equal enthusiasm. The toast was responded to with cheers. Song—" Land of the free." Bro. Watson proposed the toast of " Our Sister Lodges." Ee alluded to its universalily of the toast, but said that he would couple it with the name of the Worshipful Master of the lodge of Light, a gentleman of whom they all in the Lodge Sir Walter Scott could speak well. .Responded to with Macduff honors. Song—" The Flag that Braved a Thousand Years the Battle and the Breeze." Bro. S. Young, W.M. Lodge of Light, responded. He said that he had only come to apologise, but he had been induced to remain. He acknowledged indebtedness for their kind feeling towards the Lodge of Light and Masonry generally. It was a feeling which should always prevail. They should meet on the level and part on the square, putting down all feelings of jealousy. They should, when they met, meet as Masons should Ho thanked the lodge for their general kindness and good feeling to the lodge to which he belonged. (Cheers.) Bro. Young then proposed the toast of the "Lodge Sir Walter Scott and the Eight Worshipful Master, Bro. McOullough." The lodge had reason to be proud of the high position which it had attained, and Bro. iVlcCullough had 'showu himself an enthusiastic Mason. Song—" Kautin* liovin' Bro. GnANr responded on behalf of the lodge and the K.W.M. He gave credit to the manner in which Bro. McQullough had worked, for the advancement of Masonry in general and the Lodge Sir Walter Scott in particular. It was, he: said, proposed to present Bro. McCul-. lough with a Past Master's jewel on his : retiring. He thanked the meeting on behalf of tho Worshipful Master Lodge, i Bro. Sims, of the Lodge of Light, pro-i posed the loast of the Ii.W.M. and; .officers elect of the Lodge t-ir Waller Scott. He expressed the pleasure which ho folt iu having this toast allotted to him. He thought they made a judicious selection in Bro. Hill as H.W.M. Ho was a gentleman and a bfothor Mason. He had thrown his whole energies into

the progress of Masonry, and especially the Sir Walter Scott Lodge. They would have a gentleman in the chair who could be looked up to with respect, and although he (the speaker); had come iuto collision with-Bro Hill, there was no person whom he respected more. Ho also referred to the great services rendered by the tyler, Bro Eawden. The toast was very enthusiastically drunk, with Macduff honours. ■Song-" Let's be Faithful." Bro' lowa, S.W. elect, responded, jBro Ghaut. J.W., and Bro Eawden (elected Tyler for the third time),; also responded. Bro Jackson proposed the toast of ".Our Visiting Brethren, coupled i with the name of Bro Sutherland." Bro Sutherland responded briefly. Song-" The b'ongs of Scotland." ■'.! The toast of "Poor and Distressed Masons throughout the World" was drunk in silence, with apron, heart, and hand. toast of " Masons' • Wives and ; Bairiis" was proposed by Bro Samson, ;and was responded to heartily. ; The (Chairman ■ then -proposed the ■toast of "The Worthy Tyler, Bro Haw:den and Mrs Eawden." The manner in .which they enjoyed the good things provided was ample corroboration of what he would say. He hoped they would ■long be spared. i The toast was drunk with Macduff ;honours, : Bro Eawden responded.' iThe, toastvof " I'he. Press" was •proposed By Bro Laubie, and responded to. by Bro Eobinson. : v There were several i songsr'sungiiafterwards, and those present heartily enjoyed the social gathering by which the anniversary of St. Androw's Day ;■ was celebrated by the Freemasons of the Thames. j EXCURSIONS TO OHINEMURI. ; According to announcement.the., Bteam(era ' Manaia' and' lialla Roolch' made excursions from Grahamstown to Ohine;muri yesterday. Mr P. Bonfield piloted ithe ' Manaia' and Mr H. Dalton the ' Lnlla Bookb.' The latter, which was crowded from stem to stern, was the first |to start. She was soon followed by the ' Manaia,' which had also a large number jof excursionists on board, and as the day !was fine as could be wished, we have no :doubt the excursionists not only enjoyed ithe trip, but were pleased with their visit ■to that' much talked-of locality the Ohine!muri district.