ODDFELLOWS' ANNIVERSARY

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 293, 11 September 1873, Page 5

ODDFELLOWS' ANNIVERSARY

The Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge of the M. U. Independent Order of Oddfellows celebrated their eighth anniversary on Friday last, the sth inst., by a supper, in the Commercial Hotel. There were present about 60 gentlemen, amongst whom were three members of the Provincial Executive, viz., Mr. Bastings, Dr. Webster, and Mr. Shand. Mr. Bastings, being a P.P.GKM. of the Order, and a member of the Lodge, kindly consented to occupy the chair. The supper was provided by Bro. ArmStrong in a style which gave thorough satisfaction to all present. The toast of "The Queen" was drank, after which the National Anthem was sung. The Chairman said he could only repeat the very old saying that he had honor thrust upon him by being placed in the position of chairman on the occasion of their anniversary. He could only attribute it to the fact of his being a very old Oddfellow — one of twenty years' standing;. He had the pleasure nine years ago of opening the Tuapeka Lodge, and it gave him unqualified pleasure in being present at their eighth anniversary. He was glad to find that the twig which he planted in 1863 had fixed its roots so deep in the soil, and become a strong, sturdy tree, spreading its branches far and wide. The Lodges of which they might consider theirs the parent were now quite numerous. There were Blue Spur, Waitnhuna, Koxburgh, Waipori, Tapauui, and Switzers, numbering in the aggregate 600 members ; thus showing there was something more in the Order than many were aware of. He was a thorough believer in OddfeUowahip, as it was capable of doing a vast amount of good. It was a duty incumbent upon every man to make provision for the hour of adversity, and these societies were admirable means to that end He never knew of a case of real distress laid before one of their Lodges which did not meet with a ready response from the members. He had much pleasure in learning "that the membership of the Lodge was on the increase, and that the Urge sum of £460 had accumulated. After referring to the sure basis upon which the financial calculations of the society were founded, Mr. Bastings concluded by appealing to those who were not Oddfellows to join the Order, and thus do something towards leaving the world better than they found it. Bro. Downes sang " Rule Britannia." Bro. Coverlid, in proposing "The Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows," said after what Bro. Bastings had said, there was but little left for him to add. He gave the following statistics from the last annual meeting of the Unity in England : — Number of members was over 4§5,000 ; accumulated capital, £3,000,000 ; expenditure for sick and funeral benefits and medical attendanoe, £500,000. In Dunedin, aome years ago, there were very few members, but now they are rapidly growing in number, and he believed that by and by the society would be unsurpassable. Bro. E. Thompson : — Song. Bro. Buck responded to the toast. Bro. Menzies, CR. of Court Star of Tuapeka, A. 0.F., proposed " The Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge." He said he was present to represent a sister society, whose objects were, he might say, identical with the Oddfellows. He hoped the spirit of good fellowship which existed between the two societies would loDg continue. Mr. Lachman (of Dunedin) : Song and accompaniment. Mr. Matheson (of Dunedin) played a piece on the piano. N.G-. Bro. Anderson responded to the toast of the Pioneer Lodge. He had been connec' ed with the Lodge nearly eight years. The Lodge meets every fortnight, and the business is conducted in a very brotherly manner. Any calls that had been made on the society had always been responded to liberally. Bro. Menzies sang " Work, boys, work." Bro. Mears proposed "The District Officers," ooupled with the name of Bro. Bastings. Bro Littlejohn sang " The garb of old Gaul." Bro. Bastings responded. He regretted that there was not some of the District officers present. He thought the Lodge should endeavor always to have one or two of them present. As a District officer he used to visit the Clutha, Oamaru, and other places. He was molined to think that as ! soon ns the railway was constructed Lawrence ! would be the District, and Dunedin the brancK. Bro. Bastings sang "Johnson's party." Bro. Hay proposed "Sister Lodges." Bro. Redman, of the Blue Spur Lodge, responded. Bro. Lachman also responded to the toast. ■ He considered these friendly societies fine ' institutions for the working man. In the experience of his own family he had proved the truth of his remarks. Bro. Armstrong sang "Rocked in the cradle of the deep." Mr. Mouat, in a neat speech, proposed " The Provincial Council of Otago," coupled with the names of Dr. Webster and Mr. Shand. Dr. Webster responded to the toast on behalf of himself and fellow-councillors. He said they were but & youg family — only two j months old; but although youthful he thought it would be acknowledged they were growing rapidly. He considered the present Council superior to any that had gone before it. He should be very sorry to think it was worse. As at present composed, he believed it was well able to carry on the affairs of the province successfully. As tho country advanced and became populated, no donbt a superior class of councillors would from time to time be returned, and there would be more competitors for office. In the Provincial Council they had more of the retail business to look after, and although he at one time felt and thought that Provincial Councils might be done away with on the ground of economy, still, he had reason to alter his opinion, and he now felt convinced that the Provincial Counoil was a very essential institution for this province. His friend who proposed the toast had remarked that the Executive was present. He might state that he (Dr. Webster) had come to Lawrence to look after some matters in connection with the Governmeht. In common with other members of the Government, he believed in their personal inspection and inquiry into the business of the province. He had never seen any diggings in this country before, and he could assure gentlemen present that it pleased him exceedingly to look upon the successful development of the mining industry in this part of the province. He thanked the meeting for their kind reception. — (Applause.) Mr. Shand, in responding to the toast, considered it one of the highest honors that could bs conferred upon a man to be returned as a member of the Provincial Council. The Council had the expending of half a million of money in their hands, and to do that profitably was a matter of great importance to th» province ; but in addition to this power they had a still greater one— that- of disposing of the Waste lands of the province. Mr. Bhand spoke strongly in favor of returning local men to the Council. Let each district, he said, return the best possible men (hey have got. After referring to the roads in the district and thanking the company for coupling his name with tho toast, he resumed his seat, Bro. E. Thompson sing "Came whaamta the, childer and. tb.ee. *

Bro. Fargherproposed " Kindred Societies," Most present, he said, are members of some of these societies When a party of men join together with a benevolent object in view, it does not matter whether they are known as Oddfellows. Foresters, or Druids, they extend their benefits to nil who join them. He would like to see these societies meeting together, as they do in London, and having a grand pic-nic. He remembered a gathering of 2000 Oddfellows in the Surrey Theatre. Here they might not have a live lord to preside over them, as they had on that occasion, but they could have a Goldfielda Secretary. He condcluded by proposing health, wealth, and prosperity to the kindred societies. Bro. Marx : — Song. C.R. Bro. Menzies responded to the toast. Bro. Burns proposed the "Ladies," coupled with the name of Mr. M'Kimmie, who responded. Bro. Littlejohn sang " Eate Dalrymple." Mr. MKimmie proposed the "Press," which was responded to by Mr. Ferguson. Bro. Lachman sang "It's nice to be a Father." Bro. Fargher 'proposed the " Host and Hostess," and congratulated Mr. Armstrong upon the excellent spread he had given. Bro. Bastings sang "Little Cocksparrow." Bro. Armstrong was glad he had given satisfaction. It would always be his endeavor to do so. Mr. Ferguson proposed the health of the " Chairman," to which Bro. Bastings responded. " Auld Lang Syne" was sung by the company, which then separated after a pleasant evening's enjoyments.