THE DRUIDS ANNIVERSARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 265, 14 November 1885, Page 8

THE DRUIDS ANNIVERSARY.

Tiik second anniversary ball of tho flourishing local branch of tho Ancient Order of Druids took placo laat night in the Masonic Hull, Princeastreot, and pas.sed oil with tho utmost i-ttlal. About 60 couples wero present, and tho proceedings were marked by tho groatest sociability. Tho arrangements had boon entrusted to a Committee consisting of Messrs G. H. Leaning, P.A., A U., .J. Btralhern, Y.A., S. Wood, It!., .). Flanagan, P. A., and E. Mace (Secretary), und tho manner in which they were carried out fully attested the wisdom which led to the seloclion of theso gentlemen. Moro thun this, tho Druids had secured tho sorvicos of a most attentive Master of Ceremonies in tho person of Mr G. H. Powloy. The ball was impressively opened with a stately processional march, headed by the Druids in full costume of whitogownand hood, wig, and flowing beard, and a9 they unexpoetedj'yentoredthoballroom lod by their Inner Guardian in his sablo gown, and with drawn sword iv hand, a thrill of surprise wont through tho cumpauy. After a fow dances had beon gone through, tho strains of tho March wero again heard, and the Ancient Britons, reforming in procession, withdrow as they had ontored. They returned immediately alterwards in the claw hammered guino of modern Britons, and displayed a wonderful degree of "touch-and-go jocularity" for such lately venorablo personages. Mr F. Reed (pianoforte), Mr J. Davidson (violin), and Mr A. Hunter (cornot), disconrsod most oxcollont music, and Mr Bristor catorod very satisfactorily for the refreshment of tho inner man. Tho ball programme was as follows : — Quadrille, "Royal Invitation;" polka, "Coquettcrio;" mazurka, "Eatallito;" lancers, "Pirates of I'enzauce ;" schottieche, " Marguoriro;" valse, "Con Amoro;" Caledonians, " Kftie Doans ;" mazurka, "Fairy Bolls;" d'Alberts, " Bolphegor.;" lancors, " Echo;" polka, "Triplet;" valse, "SeeSaw;" quadrille, "Chants dv Soir;" mazurka, " Silver Strand;" Bchottische, "My Favour'to ;" lancers, "Druids;" valso, "Arlino dv Suite;" H. echottische, "Lothians;" d'Alborts, "Traviata;" polka, " Helona ;" mazurka, " Trebollis ;" valse, " Spring Flowers ;" country danco, " Triumph ;" galop, " Night Bell." There woro a number of representatives of kindred socioties prosont, viz., Messrs Morgan (1.0. Kechabites), P. Kearney (II A.C.B. Society), Tibbutt (L.O. United Friends), W. McCullough (District Chief Ranger, Devonport Lodge of Forestors), and Quigloy (Auckland Foresters). As Druidism is, comparatively speaking, a recent innovation in Auckland, a few facts respecting it may not bo out of placo. The first lodge established in Hew Zealand was opened in 1879 at Christchurch, and is known as the Pioneer No. 47. So astonishingly did tho Order progress throughout tho colony that in 18S1 it numbered 800 members, and at the present time its strength stands at 3,100 members. Should it conticuo to increase in like ratio, it is bound ere long to take a loading placo among our benefit societies. The Auckland Lodge was formed in ISS2, and has prospered both financially and in point of numerical strength far beyond expectation.

A united meeting of good Templars for the purpose of according a welcome to Sir William Fox will tako place at the Temperance Hall on Wednesday night. Sir William, who arrivsd by tho mail steamer this morning, i s ; n excellent health and spirits, and Lady Fox'b health haß also much improved. Tho distihguished couplo proceed to Wellington on Thursday, bu we understand thrtthoro is Bomoprobability of their ultimately settling in Auckland. Weatoo, Sir William's estate at Rangitilsei, was sold Beveral months ago.

Ivo lectures on "Tho Sin and Fall of Man, or Why Were We Damned ?" at the Opera Houbo to-morrow evening. Selections of musio will bo given by members of the Opera Company and others.