DRUIDS' GALA.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7264, 25 January 1889, Page 6

DRUIDS' GALA.

The very successful gala which was promoted oy the Druids of Canterbury, which took place on Boxing Day, was fitly and most jovially concluded by a supper last night to the delegates at Storey's Terminus Hotel. The delegates, it may be explained, in conjunction with the working officers, have had to bear the heat and burden of the day, and the gathering of last night was a fitting crown to their labors.

About one hundred gentlemen sat down to a very excellent spread provided by Mr Storey, who deserves every credit. The Lodges represented were—Pioneer. Mistletoe, Hope of St. Albans, Ivy of Linwood, Xyttelton Hearts of Oak, Perseverance, Oak of Sydenham, and Anchor.

The chair was occupied by Bro. Davis, D.P., No. 20 District, and the vice chair by P.A. Bro. Bullivant, No. 13 District. Messrs A. Loughrey, M.H.R., and J. Joyce, M.H.R.. were also present. Apologies were read from Mr Jones, M.HJEL, the Mayor of St. Albans, Drs. Stewart and Jennings, and Inspector Pender.

The usual loyal toasts having been duly honored.

Bro. Penfold, D.P., proposed "The Grand Lodge and Board of Directors." He trusted that ere long they would be able to propose the toast of the New Zealand Grand Lodge and Board of Directors. The toast was coupled with the name of the President, Bra Davis.

The President briefly responded on behalf of the Grand Lodge and Board of Directors.

Bco. Harris proposed "The House of Representatives,*' paying a high compliment to the two gentlemen belonging to the Parliament present. ■ Mr Loughrey had given the Braids a great deal of assistance in connection with the gala, which had been brought to so satisfactory a conclusion.

Mr Loughrey spoke in response to the toast, and congratulated the Druids on the success attendant upon the first gala. Mr .Joyce also responded to the toast, expressing the opinion that during the naming year they would see an era of prosperity set in for New Zealand which would place her in the forefront of the colonies of Australasia.

Bro. Bullivant proposed the next toast, "The Founders of the Gala," the nembers of the Lyttelton Hearts of Oak Lodge. Had it not been for that Lodge the gala would not have been held, as it was due to them that the gala was held at aIL He coupled the toast with the name of Bro. Brown, the Treasurer of the Hearts of O*k Lodge. Bro. Brown briefly responded, giving a Terr interesting account of the way in which the gala was started. He urged ■the amendment of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, so as to enable the friendly societies to hold art unions in aid of their funds.

Bra. Loughret then rose to make the presentations which had been awarded to those who had taken a leading part in the woik of the gala. The first presentation he had to make was that of a purse of thirty guineas to Bro. Isaacs, the indefatigable Secretary. Then he had to hand Mr Penfold a cheque of £5 Sβ, as a slight recognition of his services as Treasurer. He had now u> present Bro. Bullivant with a cheque for £3 3s in recognition of his having •old the largest number of tickets, Bro. Oass with £2 2s, and Bro. Hauptfleisch JBl Is for the second and third highest number sold.

Bao. Hauftfleisch proposed the next toast, •* Oar Guests," coupled with the tuune of Bra. Hopkins. Bro. J. H. Hopkins briefly responded to the toast. J

.clSf iL/ OTCE Proposed the next toast, The Officers of the Gala," coupled with the names of the Chairman, Bros. Isaacs and Penfold.

Et^P , and Pexfold. responded briefly, thanking the brethren for of the services they had been able to render to the gala. «^ rL 2F eHBBT P pe P° sed the next toast. "The Chairmen of the various suWW gitteee. Messrs_Bullivant, Alpe, Gillies, ntnnxKi and Hauptfleisch responded. The toasts of "The Press," "The Ladies," »ad The Moet," concluded a most pleasant evening.