ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2404, 20 January 1909, Page 3

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

GISBORNE ENCAMPMENT.

The annual installation of the Gisborne Encampment of the 1.0.0. F, A.C., was held in the Oddfello-'-s’ Hall last evening, when Bro. R. Robb was installed as Chief Patriarch, Bro. F. Gray as .Senior Warden, Bro; E. D. Smith as Scribe and treasurer, and Bro. F. Eure as H.P. The following appointments were made : Junior Warden, Dvo. W. Lijssant Clayton; Inside Sentinel, Pro. F. J. Hardy; Outside Sentinel, Bro. H. East; Guide, Bro. iSwihherton; First. Second, and Third Watches, Bros'. J. Smith, G. Hall, P. Raven, and Sohrieb; Guards of Tent, Bros. McPherson and 'Hodge. The installing officers were Special Deputy Bro. E. D. Smith and Grand Senior Warden Bro. W. Lissant Clayton.

At a social held after the ceremony, Bro. R. Robb, the n eudy-install e d presiding officer, occupied tlie chair. After the toast of the King had been honored, Bro. Robb proposed the Grand Encampment, coupled with the -names of Deputy Grand Patriarch E. D. Smith and his officers. The toast u r as enthusiastically honored. Bro. Smith, in replying, said that the office he held in the Encampment hid been thrust upon him during the day. The Older was the emblem of truth, and truth was -propounded by a series of symbols. Primitive man had learned truth from time immemorial from symbols, and to-day the human race was following symbols with progressive -results. To tlie primitive man the universe was a symbol of God, and from those symbols he formed liis idea of God as it was realised by him, and in after times realised his God with the attributes of humanity and the authorship of the -powers of nature -which he saw around him. Bro. (Smith detailed the meaning of the symbols used in the subordinate lodges and the Encampment. He trusted that the newly-instalded Chief Patriarch would bo" given the loyal support of the brethren, and that his term of office would‘bo successful. Bro. Tustin proposed the toast of the Grand -Lodge, coupled with the name of Bro. Robb. In doing-so, tlie speaker said tlie Grand Lodge was the parent lodge- of tlie subordinate lodges, land watched over the lodges as a father over liis children. In -replying to the toast, Bro. Robb said that lie -had had the honor of attending two sessions of the Grand Lodge, and had hellped to bring about tlie centralisation of the sick and funeral fund. He felt honored to occupy the position of Chief Patriarch, and hoped success would attend the Encampment over which he was to preside. It would be liis effort to leave the cliair with as much credit as his -predecessors. Bro. E. D. -Smith proposed the toast of the incoming officers, coupled with the names of Bros. Clayton. Gray, and Swinnerton, and presented Bro. Sohrieb with the badge of the Lodge. Bro. Clayton, in returning thanks for the manner in which the brethren of tlie Lodge had honored him, said tlaht he recognised there was a good deal of work in front of the incoming if they would attend diligentlv to their duties. The officers should have more regard for the solemnity of the Lodge. A great deal more earnestness should be shown in regard to its affairs, and ho hoped that he would always do bis best to aid the -Lodge to elevate the brethren. The symbolism told them to appreciate •toleration and to do works of charity. He desired to see the Encampment elevated, honored, and made an example to all friendly societies throughout New Zealand. Bros. Gray and -Swinnerton also briefly responded. Bro. (Nicliol proposed tlie health of the officers of the Star of Gisborne Lodge, and -the toast was drunk wit Ik enthusiasm. During the evening Bro. Barraclough played a -pianoforte solo, Bro. Heathcote- sang a song, and Bro. Nicho'l gave a recitation.