I.O.O.F. M.U., A.D.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5238, 31 October 1885, Page 2

1.0.0. F. M.U., A.D.

Annual District Meeting.

The annual meeting of the abore Society was held at the Oddfellows' Hall yesterday afternoon. The presiding officers were — P.D.G.M. Akers, who officiated as G. Master ; P.P.D.G.M. Mills, District Warden ; and P.P.D.G.M. Wright, who acted for the Provincial Secretary. Apologies were received from P.G.M. Connolly and P.S. Smith. The following were the delegates present from the various lodges in the district :— P.P.G.M.'s Guird, Leahy, and Gee, PP.G.M. Wright, and P.G. Culpitt, Fountain of Friendship Lodge; P.P.G.M. Cole, and P.G.s Rule, Ruge, and Lowis, Good Intent Lodge ; P.G.s Fowler. Burgess, and Edwards, jarnell Lodge ; P.G.s Foy and Shaw, Charles Bruce Lodge; P.O. Gentles, G.M. Syms, and Secretary Barlow, Waikato Lodge; P.G. White, Howick Lodge; P.G. Bennett and N.G. Swales, Ponsonby Lodge ; P.G. Warren (who came from Gisborne expressly to attend the meeting), Gisborne Lodge; and P.G, Ahier, Te Aroha Lodge. Several Past Grand officers who had served the offices of their respective lodges, received the degrees to which they were entitled, after which the business of the district meeting was gone through, occupying the representatives' attention until a late hour of the evening.

At the close of the session, the officers and delegates were entertained at a banquet in the Governor Bowen Hotel, which was got up in a most unexceptionable and recherche style. E.G. Foy of the Loyal Waikato Lodge occupied the chair, having on his right and left Acting G. Master Akers, aqd P.P.Q.M, Cole 5 in the vice chair was.N.G,. Eiley of the Waikato Lodge. In addition to the members of the Order, there were present many who belonged to kindred societies, and in nil about 60 sal down to partake of the good things provided for them. After they had done fall justice to these, the usual loyal toasts were proposed, and received most patriotically, 'a hen came the following toasts; " Army, Navy, and Colonial Forces," proposed by P.P.G.M. Cole and responded to by Bro. Greenville, Bro. Barlow and PP.G.M. Leahy; "The Manchester Uoity and Board of Directors," proposed by P.P.G..&J. Leahy was responded to by P.p.G.M. Cole, who has mst returned from, England where he visited the meeting of the A.M.C. in May last at which he represented this district. The following brief figures will show the progress the Noble Order of Oddfellows, M,tJ. has made, number of members in January, 1884 was 57.9.366, and during the year there were 38.377 admissions in Great Britain, and 5*32 ia the colonies,

and after making deductions for death and secessions, &c, the total membership on the Ist January, 1882, was 593,850, being an increase of 14,484 during the year. I The total receipts for the year were £817,862 14s Id, and the payments £561,239 5s 2d, the increase being £256,223 8s 11. The aggregate sick and funeral funds of lodges throughout the world showed a total of £5,367,089 19s 2d, and other funds connected with the same lodge make a grand tot'il capital 0f£5,804,788 5s 6d. "The Provincial Grand Master and District Officers," proposed by P.P.G.M. Leahy, and responded to by acting G.M. Akers, and Warden Mills. The toast of " Visiting Delegates," proposed by Bro. Shaw was acknowledged by P.P.G.M. Leahy and P.G. Warren of Gisborne. " Kindred Societies," proposed by P.P.G.M. Syms was responded by Messrs Delahunty and Barlow. " The Members of the House of Representatives," were toasted by P.G. Warren, and Dr Oallan responded in a very felicitous manner. " The Local Governing Bodies," was acknowledged by Bro. Greenville. " The Oflicers and Members of Thames Lodges," were toasted by the visitors present, and responded to by P.G. Stevens, and N. G. ftiley. The final toasts were " The Sick and Distressed of the Order," given by P.G. Vowler, " The PreßS," by Secretary Wright, "The Ladies" and " Our Hostess."

Daring the evening songs were given by Messrs Leahy, Wren, Hardman, A. and J. Wells, Bennett, Gee, Jenkins, Challis, Christey, and Biley, accompanied on the piano by Mr Trewheela. The singing of the National Anthem at a very early hour this morning closed a most enjoyable evening.