A DRUIDICAL DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 207, 6 September 1897, Page 3

A DRUIDICAL DISPUTE.

An application waß made to the Chief Justice of New South Wales, Mr Justice Stephen, and Mr Justice Owen on August 17th, at Sydney, to make absolute a rule nisi for a writ of prohibition to prevent a decision by Mr District Court Judge Fitzhardinge from being carried into effect. The case arose out of a dispute between the Grand Lodge of Druids and the Lodge Boadicea of the same order, aud was one which came before His Honor in the form of an application by Edward John Hill, a member of the Boadicea Lodge, for the rescission of a rssolution passed by the Grand Lodge suspending the Boadicea Lodge. The Boadicea Lodge had been directed by the Giand Lodge to pass the following resolution at its first summoned meeting : " That all or any of the amendments which have been made, or may hereafter be made, in the laws or rules of the United Ancient Order of Druida by bhe Grand Lodge of New South Wales, according to the existing laws or rules of that body at> the time such amendments were made, shall become incorporated with the rules and bylaws of this lodge immediately on their being certified to by the Registrar of Friendly Societies as being in conformity with the law." The Boadicea Lodge, by resolution refused to do so, and the Lodge was in consequence suspended. The Grand Lodge refused to remove the suspension, and the applicant and the other members of tho Boadicea Lodge had consequently been deprived of their right to participate in the funeral and other benefit funds, which were administered by the Grand Lodge. Bill, therefore, asked that it should be declared that the by-law was ultra vires, and that the Grand Lodgo should be directed to remove the suspension; also that he should be reinstated in his rights and privileges as a contributor to the benefit funds; in default that the Grand Lodge pay him such money compensation as the Court might deem meet. In his judgment his Ho"nor held that the bylaw was altogether invalid, by reason of the requirement as bo notice 'nob having boen complied with, and declared that it could have no legal effect. He therefore, ordered the removal of the suspension. Againsb bhis decision bhe board ef directors of the Grand Lodge now appealed. After argument, the Court held *bab the District Courb Judge, in granting the_rehef prayed, was right, and discharged the rule, with costs.