ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOYAL BLUE SPUE LODGE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 166, 13 April 1871, Page 4

ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOYAL BLUE SPUE LODGE.

The fourth anniversary of the Loyal Blue Spur Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., was celebrated by a soiree, concert, and ball, on the evening of Friday last, in the schoolroom, Blue Spur, and we are happy to say that the Lodge maintained its reputation for providing an excellent evening's amusement, as was proved by the large number of ladies :ind gentlemen present. The tables displayed such an abundance of good things as would have satisfied the most fastidious epicurean, comprising, as they did, the greatest dainties and the choicest fruits of the season ; and certainly they were done ample justice to. No one <^tt scarely have risen from the table unSMsfied, as the pressing invitations from the * fair ladies who presided to " take another cup," "have a tart," "try this cake," Ac, &c, were such as, after being repeated several times, might indi«^ne to take a little too much of even goodiQ^gs. After the company had partaken of tea, the tables were cleared, and the room put in order for the concert, and the addresses which were to follow.

P.G. Bro. Williams occupied the chair, who, in opening the proceedings, said that he wished to explain "why he, a comparative stranger, occupied the position

of chai^nan that evening. When the subject was fir3t mooted, it was thought that as he was still connected with the Lodge, and had mos_fc " cheek " <>f any in *it, he was the most suitable officer of the Lodge to occupy" the chair that evening. It was usual at the anniversary meetings for the chairman to giro a retrospective view of the Lodge, but the Secretary had taken the wind out of his (the chairman's) sails. However, he was glad to sny that the Lodge was progressing. There had been only one death, during tlie past year. He mentioned this merely to praise the liberal manner in which the Lodge and Order had come forward to assist the widow and orphans of their late brother. He had another matter to mention, and that was that he often wondered why the residents of the Blue Spur had not a better place to hold such meetings in. He was sure they could afford it. He would not detain the meeting longer, but call upon the Secretary to read the annual report.

The Secretary (Bro. T. F. Morris) said that being their fourth anniversary, and for the information of those present, he might state, with respect to the Lodge, that the total receipts for the past twelve months were £225 6s 6d ; and the total expenditure, £223 15s 3d — thus leaving a balance in favour of the Lodge of £1 11s 3d. As many of those present were unacquainted with the working of the Order, perhaps it was necessary for him to explain more fully the details than had hitherto been done. By the financial statement, which he had just read, it would be seen that the increase of funds to the credit side of the Lodge was small, but that was owing to an unprecedented amount of sickness, besides two deaths. They had 47 member good on the books, with the exception of one who, a month ago, had received his clearance in order to join the Loyal Roxburgh Lodge, and who, he might say, was one of the founders of the Blue Spur Lodge -he referred to P.G. Bro. Manuel. They had made three new members during the past twelve months, and four others were proposed. He thought that most people would agree with him in saying that the figures he had recapitulated that evening spoke volumes for themselves. It must be apparent to all that "unity is strength " when 47 members could amass such a sum of money together as he had just mentioned, at. the rate of Is 3d per week each member fcr the purpose of spreading" benevolence, and alleviating those labouring under affliction. That was what he considered the very root and branch of philanthrophy, and he could scarce find words to express his admiration of the Order. When he first joined the Blue Spur Lodge of tho Order, it appeared to him as an embryo. When he said embryo, he meant something wanting, not finished ; but as a few Lodge nights passed, his ideas began to expand, like the " rosebud in the thorn." He recantedjJws opinions, as he saw there was virtueyK the Order of Oddfellowship. He had been in office ever since he joined the Lodge, and he still hoped to hold office. There was something noble in tl^Oj;der. In the Lodge they admit of *^[iolitical toast or sentiment, or indecent song, and religious disputes were never allowed. They met for the common object of assisting each other in sickness and disrress ; and he could assure ladrs and gentlemen present that the decorum of brothers in the Lodge would be a credit to some of their provincial institutions. — (Hear, hear.) With these few remarks, he hoped the chairman would complete that which he (the Secretary) had left incomple'.e.

Bro Kendall sung, "Ring the bell, Watchman."

Mr. M'Lelland next addressed the meeting. It gave him great pleasure to be present that evening. He wished that these meetings were held every six or three months. It did them all a great deal of good to be Oddfellows once is a time, and he had every sympathy with the objects of the Order. With regard to the office of Registrar of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, which he now occupied, he said it gave him great pleasure, to be able to supply the demand. He thought it was a great hardship for people to tramp away to Lawrence every time they had a birth to register, and as the people on the Spur had an enviable notoriety for having large families, it was but right that they should have a Registrar on the Spur. He represented the matter fairly to the Government, and the result was his appointment. With regard to what the Secretary had reported, viz. , two deaths having taken place in their midst, it was a grand thing to think that the widow and orphans were so well provided for by the Lodge. It was a grand thing to be an Oddfellow. If these deaths had happened in heathen lands, the unfortunate widow would have been bxirnt. But that practice, he was glad to say, was gradually becoming extinct. Religion had a great deal to do with that, and he was sorry to say it did not get justice done it. He would like to see them all brothers in Christ. He believed with the poet Burns,

" That man to man, the world o'er, Will brithers be, and a' that."

He would now give place to another speaker. — (Cheers. ) P.G. Bro. Tranter, Loyal Waitahuna Lodge, sung, " There are good fish in the sea."

N.G. Bro. Russell, Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge was • next called upon. He gave a very appropriate recitation on " Oddfellowship," and then sung, " Star of the evening."

The Chairman said they had fallen off in one matter since last year. They had no ladies on the programme on this occasion. However, he would call upon a ladies* man, Bro. Kell, for a song.

Bro. Kell sung, "I asked her for a flower, and nothing more." Bro. Moggath, Loyal Waitahuna Lodge, sung a song. JBro. Hewitt, Loyal Tapanui Lodge, ing " Calico printer's clerk." Mr. Christie sung, " The barrin' o' oor door, weel." The Chairman theu called upon Bro. Kendall to propose a vote of thanks to jj the ladies. ™ Bro. Kendall said the Chairman might have called upon, one who would have done greater justice to the toast. However, he had much pleasure in proposing a vote of thanks to the ladies- who had au3isted iri the entertainment.

The Chairman said he had a remark to make on a point that was current about

fifteen yeare ago. He referred to the jealousy that existed between the Kindred Societiesof Oddfellows and Foresters. At the time he referred to, a Forester would not attend an Oddfellow's anniversary, and vice versa. Now a better understanding existed between the two societies. He had much pleasure in calling upon C. R. Bro. Herd, of Court Star of Tuapeka, to address the meeting. The Chairman sung "Marching through Georgia. "

O.R. Bro. Herd, said lie thought he would have escaped. He believed Forestry to be akin in principles to Oddfellowship. The principal object was to assist the weak and destitute. He hoped he would be excused from making a speech, as he was not a speaker. However, he had much pleasure in saying that the Foresters worked harmoniously together. A good Forester knew a good Oddfellow. They did not live for themselves only, but to aid the sick and distressed. A good Oddfellow or a good Forester don't care whether they get any of the benefits of the society — all the better for them if they did not- -then what they paid into the funds of the societies went to relieve and assist those less fortunate brothers. — (Hear, hear.)

N.G. Waight, Loyal Waitahuna Lodge, sung, " Let me kiss him for his mother."

Bro. Cummins was called upon to second the vote of thanks to the ladies. He said he hoped ' ' they would always deserve thanks." — (Laughter. )

Bro. Kendall sung, " Tommy Dodd."

" Auld lang syne," led by Mr. M'Leiland, was sung by the company, and concluded this part of the programme.

The room was then cleared for the dancing, which was indulged in heartily by a good number until " daylight did appear."