The Banquet.

Manawatu Times, Volume IX, Issue 395, 27 October 1883, Page 2

The Banquet.

The above took plaoe m the Foresters' Hal], and at the appointed time upwards of sixty sat down to partake of the excellent repast set out by Mr J. D. Fraser. Apologies for non-attendance were received from the members residing at Feilding and elsewhere,. The chair was occupied by the N.G. of the Loyal Manawatu Lodge* Bro. W. T. Wood, who was supported by P.P.G.M. Bro.. Bamb'er, G.M. Bro. Garner, D.G.M, Bro . Benefield, and Biro Ferry, of Waoganui. 'The Vice chairs by P.G. Bro. Keif and Bro. Cowper. " [ The usual loyal and patriotic [ toasts were duly honored, arid after i a song ; by Brother Eade, "I -will stand by my friend," the Chairrh.au proposed the toast of "The Manchester Unity Independent; Order of Oddfellows," coupled with the name of Bro. Bamber, P.P.G.\T. Song — "Babies on our Block," Bro. Ferry. In responding, Bro Bamber said he had great pleasure m being present at this, the first district meeting which hadbe-^nheld out of Wanganui. The increased facilities for travelling had enabled them to thus visit other lodges. Like other institutions, Oddfellows had a legendary as well as a historical record. They might consider Adam m the garden of Eden while m a state of Binjrle. blessedness as the first Oddfellow. Societies generally had sought to connect themselves with the famous of ancient times, but he was not there to dispute these claims. Referring to statistics, he found that the Foresters butn umbered the Oddfellows by. some 18,000 or 20,000 members. But while the Oddfellows had au accumulated fund of £5,000,000, the other had £280,000. Outaide of the last cemt j tury, Odd^ellowship and Forestry were comparatively unknown, and great strides had been taken during thepast fifty years. . The two societies met on mutual ground m relieving affliction «nd distress, and this common abject should be kept m view by all members. Bro Bamber , also gave some excellent counsel m regard to tbe conduct of members towards each other. There was room for a large Lodge m Palmer* ston, and it was very gratifying to him to notice the progress* which was being made by the town. The toast of il The Volunteers," was next proposed by Bro. Cowper, and was given with musical honors. Responded to by Sergt. Bryant. Song — " the Picture on the wall," Bro. Scott. The next toast wag that of " Sister Lodges," coupled with the names of Bio. Foster, of Feilding, and. Bros. Ferry, of Wanganni. ' : Recitation — " The Auld Sark sleeve," Bro. Hood. Bro. Foster responded on behalf of the Loyal Manchester Lodge. Alluding to the district meeting he said he had been much pleased at the manner ia which the business had been conducted. Bro. Eerry also . responded m a comical vein. " Mercantile Interests," proposed by Bro. Collins, and coupled with the name of Bro. TtiffneH, wag next honoredSong — " The public by the way," Bro. S. Lane.Bio. Tuffnell, m responding, said the mercantile interests showed their belief m the future of Palmerston, as was evidenced by the large num.* ber of stores m it, and also by the fact that when one store was closed two or three others succeeded it. Recitation — " Beautiful Snow," and " Bingen on the Rhine," Bro. Dillon. " The toast of «' I£indre.a Societies," proposed by Bro Relfj and coupled with thi name. .f Mr WooJroffe (A.O.Fj and Mr Poad (1.0. G.T.). was next given Reading Murphy and Te Whiti"— Bro Moylem. Bro Poad, m lesponding, alluded to bis past connection with the Oddfellows, and returned thanks on behalf of the Good. Templars, he represented. Bro Wood/offe thanked those present for the very kind manner m which he had been received as representative of the Foresters. Referring to the statistics quoted by Bro Bamber, he said that the Fore9ters had nearly four millions of money invested at 4? per cent. The two orders, however* had a boad of union m the fact that they were striving for the .good of society, and he felt sure that if anything .detrim.ntal to the interests of Friendly Societies^ should arise, both wculd make common cause against it. He. deprecated tbe introduction of Major .Atkinson's schenie and also the valuation 'system introduced by Government. . - The toast of "The Visiting Brethren, was proposed by Bro Scott, and responded, to by Bros Seaton and Eade, of Feilding. *Song— " Roy bowl's : Dream," Bro Garner. Song— " Dearly Beloved Brethren,," Bro Ferry, firp Cfcwjper proposed the toait of

The District Officers," which was responded to by Bro Garner. Song " Franco-Prussian "War " — Bto j Eade. V | The N. G., Bro W«od, then proposed the toast of the Board of Directors, coupled vith the name of Bro Batnber. Song—" Nellie Grey," Bro Nichols. In responding to the toast, Bro Bam* her gave an txfelltnt exposition of t h e duties of the B<jard^ and took the op-' po-tunity of com-ctiug tht- figures he had mad" use of enrl'er m the tvoning, and which had heeii referred to by the rtprcsfn'^-ive of ?h«- P -re ters. The to.»st of " Tlie Lidii-s," was then proposed by Rro Iftiwlom, and very ably Tvsponded to by Bo Dillon. Song — "Ten thousand miles away^" Bro S- I-ane. The toi*t of the Loyal Maoawa^u Lodge," was r-ex» n, and was re« spondee! »o by the Ch-'irmari. Song— • Good old Jtff," Bro Foster. The toas s of* The Press" The Host and Hostess," concluded a very pleasant evening. The latter was responded, to by Bro J D. Fra^e*, whose m catering wis erideutly appreciated b) ihoso presen'.