BYGONE DAYS OF YORE: De Valera ‘might as well use a pitchfork to stop the tide’

The chair was occupied by Sir Knight Thomas Davis, PCGM, Co Down.

There was a large attendance, which included members of the Women’s Orange Institution.

The chairman spoke of “the flourishing state of the Black Institution in County Down and the sterling loyalty of the brethren, which was not surpassed in any other part of the Six Counties”.

Mr Davis noted that: “Mr De Valera is anxious to add Ulster to the Free State, but he might as well try to stop the tide with a pitchfork, for he will never succeed as long as loyal men make a united stand. That is what is needed today.”

Mrs Cowan was presented with a pair of silver scissors, and then unfurled the banner, amid enthusiasm.

Miss Florence Dugan then presented Mrs Cowan with a bouquet of flowers.

The Reverend Archibald Duff offered the dedication prayer and addresses were given by Brothers the Reverend Andrew Fullerton and Captain Fryare.

NEW BANNER DEDICATED AT THE WEST BELFAST ORANGE HALL

Meanwhile, another new banner had also been unfurled at the West Belfast Orange Hall by members of the Royal Black Preceptory No 391 (Golden Crown).

The News Letter noted that the new flag took the place of one which had been in use for the previous 16 years.

The work of Sir Knight T Robinson, one side of the banner depicted Moses viewing the Promised Land, and the other represented a red cross and crown.

At the unfurling ceremony, the chair was in the first place taken by the Worshipful Master, Sir Knight Andrew Lyttle, who extended a cordial welcome to the brethren, and subsequently the Worshipful District Master, Sir Knight A M McMath.

The County Grand Master, Sir Knight John Hume, DGMI, performed the ceremony, and congratulated No 391 upon “the acquisition of such a beautiful piece of work”.

The Reverend J R McDonald, MA, conducted the dedication and the ceremony was closed with votes of thanks, after which, the flag was paraded in the neighbouring streets, the procession being headed by the Kitchener Memorial Prize Band.

Among the officers of the lodge present were The Deputy Master, Sir Knght John Scott; Sir Knight Victor Hunter (registrar), W J Ballard (treasurer), R J Best (chaplain), and W McAnaly (foreman of committee).

‘DIFFICULTIES’ IN THE WAY OF A UNITED IRELAND

A service under the auspices of District Black Chapter, No 4 had been held in Downshire Road Presbyterian Church, Newry, this week in August 1932, reported the News Letter.

The service was conducted the Reverend J G Pooler, County Grand Master, who, in the course of his sermon, said that Mr Joseph Devlin believed that if Ireland were united “all our difficulties would disappear”.

He continued: “We of the Orange and Black Institutions are difficulties in the way of a united Ireland, and if by chance Ireland were united, I fear we will disappear as the prisoners from Newry disappeared when they were murdered at the Bloody Bridge on January, 1642.”

ORANGEISM AT SCARVA AS WOMEN’S LODGE FORMED

Much enthusiasm was witnessed in Scarva on the evening of Thursday, August 11, 1932, reported the Portadown News when Scarva First Women’s LOL No 148 was inaugurated, the officers installed and 18 members initiated.

The ceremony took place in the Orange Hall, Scarva, and sisters and brethren from various parts attended, including many of the Women’s Grand Lodge Officers from Belfast.

The lodge came into being largely through the instrumentality of the DM of LOL No 71, Glasgow, who was at that time on holiday in her native Scarva.

The Grand Lodge officers present included: Sisters Mrs Maginess, General Secretary; Mrs McAlpine, General Chaplain; Miss Dorman, AGS, and, also present, Brother the Reverend Canon Marks, BD, DM, of Tandragee. The office bearers installed included: WM, Sister Mrs Greenaway; DM, Sister Miss L Martin; chaplain, Sister Miss S Greer; secretary, Sister Miss F Johnston; treasurer, Sister Miss F Greer; tyler, Sister Miss O Greenaway; sponsors, Sisters Mrs Sinton, DM, Armagh, and Mrs Rutherford, LOL 62, Portadown. Eighteen members were afterwards initiated.

Speeches were given by Sisters Maginness, McAlpine, Dorman, McLeod, Hogarth and Rutherford and also Brother Canon Marks.

Sister Mrs McLeod presented the Grand Secretary, Mrs Maginess, with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Tea was served by the ladies and later a social and dance was held. Thanks was returned to all who had helped to make the event a success.

INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED IN ORANGE HALL ATTACK

Incendiarism was suspected after the Orange Hall at Allistragh near Armagh had been burnt down late on the night of Monday, August 15, 1932, reported the News Letter.

The News Letter reported: “The fire was extinguished by people who live in the neighbourhood, with the assistance of police from Armagh, but not before the sheeting in the interior of the hall was destroyed and the corrugated iron on the exterior damaged.

“Shortly after 11 o’clock Mr Thomas McCarragher and Mr Thomas Stoops were in conversation not far from the hall, when a noise near the building attracted their attention. The hall stands on a byroad close to the main highway from Armagh to Moy.

“The two men went to investigate, and found the front door of the hall open. Mr Stoops opened the inner door and and was met by a tremendous burst of flame, which scorched and burned him badly.

“He went home, and sent his brother, Max Stoops, for the police.

“Dr McMahon was also summoned, and he found that Mr Stoops was so severely burned on the face, legs, arms, and hands that his removal to the County Infirmary was necessary.

“In the meantime Mr McCarragher and Mr Maguire, a neighbour, succeeded in removing the drums and other property from the hall. Other residents arrived and formed a chain of buckets. The Armagh police gave valuable aid, but when the Armagh Fire Brigade arrived the flames had been extinguished.

“It was then noticed that one gable of the building was forced away from the roof, as if by explosion.”

The News Letter’s report concluded: “Threats to burn the hall were made a few months ago, and since then lodge documents have not been kept in the building.”

INTERESTING NEWTOWNARDS CEREMONY

It was also reported this week in 1932 that the Newtownards Orange Hall had been the setting for “an interesting ceremony” when a portrait of Brother Senator T R Lavery, DL, who had been District Master of Newtownards No 4 for more than 30 years and an Orangeman for about 60 years, and another, of the late Brother David O’Prey, JP, who had been for a number of years chairman of the committee of trustees of the hall and an Orangeman for more than 60 years, were both unveiled by Brother Samuel McVeigh, JP, County Grand Secretary.

The portraits had been the gift of the trustees to the district and it was intended that they would “in future occupy prominent positions in the Orange Hall”.

The chair was occupied by Brother James Smyth, Deputy District Master, who paid tribute to the great work that had been done on behalf of Orangeism by the two brothers, “whose names were thus honoured”.

He continued: “And while we regret that Brother O’Prey has passed to his reward we are delighted that our District Master is still able to be with us.”

The portraits having been unveiled by Brother McVeigh, complimentary speeches were made by Lieutenant-Commander James S Henry, JP, District Treasurer No 11; Brother Robert Foster, District Secretary No 4; Brother Alexander Filson, County Representative; Brothers Robert Morrow, Herbert Gaw, Joseph B Blakely and Sisters Thompson, WM, and Tate, representing the women’s branch.

Mr Thomas O’Prey, a son of the late Brother O’Prey, returned thanks to the brethren for the manner in which the memory of his father was being honoured, while Brother Senator Lavery also spoke and, in thanking the brethren, made reference to the growth of the Orange Order “practically all over the world”.

Thanks were accorded Brother McVeigh on the motion of Brother Filson, seconded by Brother Morrow.