LOYAL WAITAHUNA M.U.I.O.O.F. ANNIVERSARY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 1, Issue 14, 16 May 1868, Page 3

LOYAL WAITAHUNA M.U.1.0.0.F. ANNIVERSARY.

(From otjb Own Cokbespondbnt).

Nrhe second anniversary of the Loyal Wa^iijxuna Lodge of Oddfellows recurred on Tuesday last, and was celebrated with great re>i&ngß. In the afternoon, a goodly number of . the brethren, arrayed in their Bashes \and other regalia of the Order, marched \* procession under the command of N.G. M'Hattie, to the Wire Bridge, whence having partaken of the hospitality of Brother Coghill, they returned, their number augmented by the accession of the brethren resident in that part of the district.

During the day, and indeed for some days previous; a committee of ladies were busily bustling about, on hospitable thoughts intent, and the result of their labors was seen when the doors of the hall were thrown open at six o'clock, revealing a feast, which, for variety, deli- 1 * cacy, and abundance ■ of ' viands, left nothing to be desired. After the keendemands of more than two hundred appetites had been satisfied, the tables were removed, and the seats arranged for the second part of the programme of the •vening.

25T.G, M'Hattie took the chair, supported on the right by N.G. Williams of the Blue Spur JDodge, and on the left by P.(jh Edie of Waitahuna. From the Waipori, Blue Spur, and Tuapeka Lodges, there were more than twenty brethren attended, Borne of whom considerably assisted in promoting the hilarity of the evening.

In opening the proceedings, N.G. M'Hattie briefly adverted to the objects of Oddfellowship, and the position and doings of the Waitahuna Lodge. Though the Lodge had been established but two years, it numbered between sixty and setenty members ; and though it had expended a large sum in charitable and other purposes, its Sick and Funeral Fund showed a balanoe to the credit of the Society of over £270.

Songs and readings then followed in rapid succession, till about eleven o'clock. Where all did well, it would be invidious on the part of your correspondent (even were he competent) to discriminate between the performers. When I instance the readings of Brother Carey of the Blue Spur, and the songs of Brothers Cox and Stevens of Waipori, and of Brother Donovan of Lawrence, it ia not merely that they wore excellent in themselves, but because they were specially grateful on account of the distance which these brothers had come to give their assistance. During the evening, V.G. Tranter proposed a vote of thanks to the Visiting Officers and Brothers, accompanied with musical honors by the Lodge, which were

given with an emphasis which evidently npt a little astonished the uninitiated. This was sensibly acknowledged by N.G. Williams.

N.G.Edie also proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies who had given thenassistance in getting up and presiding at the entertainment, which was heartily accorded.

The rooM was then cleared for dancing, which was vigorously carried on to the music of Mr. Marriott, till a late hour on Wednesday morning.