The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-03-24 00:00:00

THE GRAND ULSTER OF THE MANCHESTER uNrrT

OF ODDFELLOWB.

A dinner wm given at the Odd/allows' Hall, Poole, on
'Tuesday evening in honour of Mr. Councillor W. N. Western,
who at the lam Annual KOVOlgthl CommMee of Oddlellows,
held at Weymouth, wee elected Orand Master of the Manches-
ter Unity. The dinner was pro,li.d in an editiot wanner by
Mr. T. Norbury, of the Loudon Hoist The chair was occupied
by the Mayor wbo was well supported, and the riowchalr by Dr.
Tim CuAtaxAx proposed the usual introductory tosata, and
also " Sumas to the Manchester Unity," coupling with the
toast the name of Mr. R. Watson, of Nottingham, the Deputy
Grand Master.

r 01, di •Mr. WATSON spoke of the valuable services
to Unity by Kr. Western. uderring to the
history of the society be Marred to the bap-beard ystein that
formerly prevailed in sick dote, and the bandits that had
resulted from the Friendly Societies net, which pve protection
to their funds. He adverted with pride to the recent valuatioa
of the society, and in conclusion spoke of it as an instilution
fostering provident habits among the population, which would
be the means of removing poverty from the land ; It would pre-
vent eau man being degraded by the odious name of pauper,
and would give him, hotted, the means of claiming Irma his
society this which was his right and dite—(dtems).
The Vice-Cosmoses in the most cordial terms proposed the
health of the Grand Master of the Unity, enlarging on his
stralghtforintrdnites, 000rtesy, and ability amid the approving
cheers of the company. The tom& as trunk with great
enthusiasm.
- . . .

Wismax, Ommi Master, who was again rewired
with cheen, mid he assured them that he rows with fe63.1.12e of
to considerable emotion respond to the west pro and
received in such a very kind and flattering way. Thin wee not
the first time by many—be might almost my hundreds—that
he had received marks of kindliest at their bands, and he
hoped it would not be the last time; but, In all probability, it
would be the last occasion on which he elmukl receive euch a
token of regard iron them aa Onind Master of that great
unity. In the first piece, he fieed to thank them on the part
of the officers of the unity. They had had the pleasure of
hearing his Deputy Grand Master, and he might mention that
the Corresponding Secretary of the unity, Mr. Henry Radcliffe,
of Manchester, who was the firm man in the world in COD lICIT
Gun with friendly societies would Mrs been delighted to be
penitent, but this was impueeible owing to the multifruiou•
duties he had to discharge. 'There were afro the 'Ward .4
Directors, who were all worthy of filling the offices to which
they were elected by the unity, lie could enure them
that, in fulfilling his duties aa Orand Master, be had
received the kind and cordial support of those gentlemen ;
In fact, it that had not been the ease, he should
not have been able to carry out his duties to his own
satisfaction and to that of the unity. Many of those
present, although Oildlellows, were ammely aware of the duties
which the officers had to perform. They had to manage the
alai..s of the society, and upon them to •grest extent depended
Its rise and well-being, or its downfall. They bad beard from
his deputy what the order had been doing for • great number
of years pest. He (Mr. Western) was delighted to belong to
that body of own ; he looked upon them with pride, and he was
sure he was prophesying the truth sheet he maid that in alleges
to come they would be looked upon as the seeks's' of friendly
societies for the working claims of this cutuitry—(mer, hear).
It was useless for young men to join • society and pay their
money, unless the society nsa a sale one,and it wage fraudulent
act on the part of gentlemen who received their money, know.
Ing that the promises they hela out could not be realised—
(hear, Mari As the society was originally constituted, its
promises could not be fulfilled. The direeturs and officers
knew this, and they had bestirred themselves for years met in
codes, ouring to establish a society that Mould be one which at
the present day and in future ages men should be able to join
with perfect security. He had lived to see this, be had assisted
In his humble way towards that perfection, and be hoped
before he died to be able to say to the world, "litre is •
perfect society "—(spplause. If this was brought about, the
consequence would be that other societies must becombe
eCtt,
other.. Ise, the thidtellows would have the credit of ins
pioneers in the emu work. Ile thanked Menton behalf of h
and Me other officere,butbe had alsotothank theist kr something
which nag dearer to himself, and even more valuable than his
being Grand Master to the Unity—their kindness to him in.
divklually and Madly. Dr. saablb had spoken truly of their
long connection with the society. The' had laboured in its
,as it were, band and fool; the 'ties chairman had been
throughout • moat melons worker, and he (Mr. Western) said
without fear of contradiction that the society owed a gnat
deal to Dr. Crabb—(hear, hear). There were present some
medical gentlemen who were younger members of their pro.
femion than Dr. Crabb, and to them be (Kr. Western) said that
the welters of the 'misty would greatly depend on the dm of
mom wbosii lhey allowod W emir It, tot d they WWI sot