TAPANUI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 88, 16 October 1869, Page 3

TA PAN UI.

(By our Travelling EeporUr.) On Monday, the 4th inst. , a Lodsre in connection with the M..U.1.0.0.F. wag opened at Tapanui. Several of those who had given their names for initiation did not put in an appearance, and on that account the Lodge did not open in circumstances so auspicious a3 had been anticipated. Still a goodly number mustered at the Hall by seven o'clock, when the Lodge was duly opened by P.G.M. Bro. Geddes of JDunedin, assisted by P.P. G.M. Bro. Bastings of Lawrence. The office-bearers appointed were as follows : —Bro. Dr. M'Lauchlan, F.G ; Bro. A. Kilgour, Y.G.- ; Bro. G-.S. jSieish, Secretary ; Bro. A. Allan, Treasurer ; Bro. George Williams, Warden ; Bros. M'Millan, Symes, and Kerr, Trustees. The Lodge was then formally closed, when the newly-initiated adjourned to Bro. Symes' Tapanui Bush Hotel, where they were met by several gentlemen who v/ere friendly to the cause of Oddfellowship, and where a splendid supper awaited them. Host Syme3 is highly deserving of praise for the variety and abundance of dishesprovided j and no more convincing proof of this fact could have been afforded than the hearty manner in which they were partaken of. Bro. Bastings occupied the chair. After the usual loyal toasts had been drunk, Bro. K. Williams of Lawrence proposed " The Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows," which was responded to by the chairman. Bro. George Williams sang " Hard times come again no more." Mr. Ferguson gave a recitation. Bro. Bastings sang " John's party." " The Districb Officers " was proposed by the chairman. Bro. Kerr sang a Scotch song, after which Bro. Geddes responded to " The District Officers " by referring to the great strength of the Order, financially and numerically. He gave many interesting statistics of the present position of the Society, whiuh augured well for its fu+ure stability and success. Bro. George Williams, sang "Nelly L Gray." I The chairman then proposed "Proa-

perity to the Tapanui Lodge." Bro. Naish responded in a neat speech. Although only an Oddfellow of a few hours' standing, still he felt he had taken a step in the right direction ; and trusted the Tapanui Lodge would not only extend its influence, but its benefits, far and wide. Bro. Geddes — Recitation. Bro. Bastings sang the " Lost child." The next toast was " The Fourth Estate," to which Mr. Ferguson responded. Bro. Kerr sang " Away on the wings of the wind." " The Ladies " proposed by the chairman, and responded to by Bro. Neish in a humorous speech. Bro. R. Williams sang " The soldier's tear." The health of the chairman and the host were drunk, and several other songs sung, after which the company broke up, highly satisfied with their social gathering.