U.A.O. DRUIDS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15218, 4 March 1915, Page 9

U.A.O. DRUIDS.

CANTERBURY GRAND LODGIi

ANNUAL SESSION

Tlio 25th annual session of the Canterbury Grand Lodge, U.A.O. Druids, was opened yesterday .in tho Druids' Hall. Grand President \V. J. W. Neatc presided, and was supported by tho Grand Lodgo officers. Grand VicePresident Brp." It. Walls, Grand Secretary Bro. T. Walker, Grand Treasurer Bro. J. Jbwsoy, Grand Guardian Bro. J. Baty, Past Grand President Bro. E. Muchiuoro. .

Tlie Grand President welcomed Bro. J. Grant. Grand Secretary. N.S. Constitution, Grand . Vice-President Bro. Crawford, Otago and Southland Constitxition. Bro. J. S. Adeano. P.S., Waiteuiata Lodge, Auckland.

Tho representatives were:—Bros. H. E. Smith, P.G.P.; C. Barnes, P.D.P.; T. Marriott, D.P. (Pioneer Lodge); J. W. H. Francis, I.G:; E. Chapplo, P.A. (Hope of St. Albane); C. Ives, P.G.P.; P E. Talbot, P.D.P. \ J. McLay. P.A. (Mistletoe);' W. Davison, P.D.P. (Ethelbert); J. Furneaux, P.G.P.; C. Johnstone. P.S. (Lyttelton Hearts of Oak); J. H. Restall. P.D.P., <Star of Anglesea); J. W. Thornton, P.A.; P. W,. Stephens, P.D.P. (Perseverance); F. 0.. Cunningham. V.A.B. (Hope of Amberley); J. A. Rhodes. P.A.: J. Gatehouse, A.D.; D. J. Wright, P.A. (Anchor); P. Pearc'e, P.D.P. (Ohoka); C. E. Rawlings, P.A.; F. H. Ward, P.A.: W. Hathaway, P.D.P. (Timaru); E. J. Monk, P.A. (Trafalgar); G. Bates, P.G.P.: H. Luxton. P.A. (Ivy of LinwoodV; H. C. Shrimpton, P.T.; J. D. Gebbio, P.D.P. (Star of Ashburton); F< George, PJL; C. Hole. P.IXP.; E. Cameron, secretary (Oak of Sydenham) • Jas. Simpson, P.D.P. (Old Oak); A. Werner. P,D.P. (Ellesniere); L. Mullaney, D.P. (Olive "Branch, Hornby); J. A. Jackson, secretary (Lily of Richmond); P. Hendrv, P.A. (Ivy, Waimate); T. J. Hughes, J.P.A.; G. Bridget, A. (Bud of Hope, Raneriora); Sister A. Furneaux, P.A. | (Queen of the Oak). . j GRAND PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. ! The Grand Prosident, in his address, said that out of the: number of gallant men-who were at present engaged in tho war hostilities, a great number were brothers of tho Order, and Canterbury was- largely represented. Ho, was proud to know that so largo a number from Canterbury had taken up arms in the. defence of tho Empire. , Under these circumstances immediate steps should be taken to'provide that contributions of all eucH brethren should be paid up durinjc; tho time they were serving their country, arid to secure that they be retained in a financial position. To meet this demand- members would be asked to contribute 6d per quarter •to the. "Active Service Fund" m accordanco with the proposed amendments. Tho Order in Canterbury, he was extremely sorry' to cay, had notmnde numerical progress, and no new lodges had been opened. Finances were in a most healthy condition, , and funds invested were obtaining an average of 5$ per cent. In January, 1915, a further conference was held in Wellington, regarding: the unity proposals, to consider the business papers of each Grand Lodge, in order that proposed amendmonta from each Grand would not in any way ..militate-against the furthering of a Grand ;Loclp:o for New Zealand. In company with, the executive officers, he visited most of the lodges in tho district during tho past year and received,a most cordial reception from the members present. The. expense of visiting lodges by the executive officers and the amount of time occupied, was not warranted by the email representation in some instances. He would strongly recommend Grand Lodge officers' visits being paid only when invited by lodges co to do. Subordinate lodges showed a perceptible improvement in management, and in most cases the officers wero assiduous in endeavouring to »m----provc local conditions in making lodge rooms attractive, and Ho appreciated the efforts of those lodges which were carrying out syllabus work as a mean*? of interesting members and mamtain'ng a good attendance at meetings. In other countries it was customary for Druids to wear a distinguishing bad4<* or etnWom -which was of » -unirersaJ character, the design of which would bo placed before the session for acceotance.