United Ancient Order of Druids

GRAND LODGE OF AUSTEALIA. The twentieth annual session of the Grand Lodge of the above Order took place at Melbourne, on Tuesday, 3rd Maroh, 1885. From a special correspondent we learn that 97 rftpreßentives answered the roll oall. New Zealand was strongly represented, there being eight delegates, three from Otago, a similar number from Canterbury, and two— Bros. W. K. Bishop*, P.D.P., and Edgar Jones, P. A.— from No. 18 UUtriot, North Island. Bro. W. E. Bishop wat unanimously elected minute seoretary. The report of the Board of Direotors showed that the Order still continues to make rapid strides, both in funds and numerical strength. The sooiety at the end of 1884 had 8913 members, showing ft net inoreaie for the year of 613 members. The fundi of Lodges had increased from £22,108 18s to .£28,253 4s, and the funds of tho Grand Lodge from .£9256 19s 2d to 411,128 10b lid. The sum of .65717 18s Id had been disbursed in isiok pay; £9769124 7}d for medical attendance and medicine; and £6429 13s Id for general management, inoluding funeral claims. During the same period 10 new Lodges had been opened. Tho Grand President, in his address, heartily congratulated the New Zealand brethren for their seal and energetio efforts to eztond tho usefulness of Druidism throughout this colony, and offered hearty and fraternal greetings to the New Zealand representatives present, requesting them to convoy to their respective Lodges the best wishes of the Grand Lodge for continued snocets. The compliment was acknowledged amidst loud oheers. The question of forming District Grand Lodges in this colony evoked a lengthy disoussion. The Otago and Canterbury representatives advooated the formation of a Dwtriot Grand Lodgo for the South Island, on the condition of the Grand Lodge of Australia guaranteeing funeral olaims for two years, and accepting a contribution fr'qrn that part of the colony of one half.panoy per annum to the management fund of the Australian Grand Lodge. The North Island representatives offered no opposition, but intimated the intention of their (liatriot, and aleo that of the Maryborough and Westland Lodges, to remain under the mrijidiotion of the present Grand Lodgo. 'flje proposal of "one half-penny" was rejected, and after several amendments a motion to substitute "fonrpenoe" was ultimately oamod. The two years' guarantee was also lost, and a resolution adopted offering to refund to any D.G.L. formed, to consist of not lots than five lodges and 500 members, all monies paid by tho lodges oonoerned, after deduoting funeral claims paid and proportion of expenses inonrred by the funeral and inanugoment funds during the period the said lodges have been in existence. The proposal of D.P. No. 18 Distriot to abolish lodge representation in Victoria, and substitute district representatives as now applying to New Zealand, was reieoted. A new law was adopted after a warm disouaaion, that the committee of management of all lodges shall consist of the J.P.A., A.D., V.A., treasurer, secretary, and two A.D. bards. The officers so named to be of the full age of 21 jearß. This alteration was made imperative in aooordance with the Friendly Sooieties Aats of Victoria and New Zealand. Various other amendments were made to the general laws, but of no general interest. It will be of special interest to friendly sooieties gonerally to learn that the Grand Lodge trustees have £10,435 invested in freehold security, and bearing interest ranging from six to eight per centum. The election nf Grand Lodge offloers resulted as follows :— W B. Glover, President; W. B. Tarvcr, VioePresident ; J. J Bronan. Seoretary (unanimously re-eleoted) ; W. T. Simpson, Treasurer (unanimously re-elected) ; T. Barrie, Grand Guardian (six nominations). For Board of Directors, Bros. Curtis, Boyd, Hartley, Skinner (Past Presidents), Leathead, "Walsh, and Evans ; Auditors, Bros. Curtjs, Mitohell, and Ralph (re-elooted) ; Judioial Appeal Committee, Btob. Elliott, P.P., Simpson, G T., Walsh, and Leathead. The New Zealand (8), Tasmanian (3), and Queensland (2) representatives have been moat kindly treated during' their stay in Melbourne, the various places of interest in and around the oity being pointed out to them hy.tbq Grand Lodge officers, especially so sy' thet courteous Grand Secretary, Bro. J. . Brenan, and Grand Treasurer, Bro. W. T. Simpson, to whom, and the Viotorian brethren generally, the best thanks of the visitors are due. On Thursday evening, they are to be entertained at a banquet arranged specially in their honor. Invitations are constantly extended to them to visit the oity and oountry lodges, many of whioh are availed of, a manner of oxohanging fraternal greetings between Australian and New Zealand Druids whioh cannot fail result in lasting benefit to the order. Bros. Bishop and Jones return to New Zealand by the Eotoraahana on tho 10th instant.