U.A.O. DRUIDS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15219, 5 March 1915, Page 10

U.A.O. DRUIDS.

CANTERBURY GRAND LODGE

ANNUAL MEETING

The 2ot!i. annual session of tho Canterbury Grand Lodge. U.A.0.D., was continued yesterday. Grand President Hro. W. J. AY. Neatc presiding. The president' was accorded a vote of thanks for his address (published yesterday). Past Grand President Bio. J. Burgess was elected minute secretary for the session. Correspondence was received from tlie editor of the "Druidic Gazette." It was decided to refer tho letter to the incoming board of management for favourable consideration. The balance-sheets and auditors' reports for tho two half-years wero adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Grand President. Bro. R. "Walls; Grand Vice-president, Bro. J. ■W. Baty; Grand Secretary, Bro. T. Walker f Grand Treasurer, Bro. J. Jowsey; Grand Guardian, Bro. F. George: Board of Management. Bros. ! C. Barnes, P.A.. F. Talbot; P.D.P., J. I). Gebbie, P.D.P.. P. "\Y- Stephens P.D.P., IT. Luxtou, P.A., J. Rhodes, ! P.A.; Judicial and Appeal Committee, Bros. H. E. Smith P.G.P.. J. Furneaux, P.0.P.. G. Bates, P.G.P., E. Muchiuore, P.G.P.. J. McLay P.A.; auditors, Bros. J. Burgess, P.G.P., J. AY. Jl. Francis. 1.G., .S. Kennedy, P.G.1 , ; MAYORAL "WELCOME; His AVorship tho Mayor (Mr ir. H. Holland) was introduced by the Grand President, and welcomed tho visiting representatives. He congratulated the Society on the fact that they had decided to keep financial thoso members who bad gone to fight, and hoped that the 2hth session would bo the most successful of any yet held. On the motion of Bro. F. George, P;A.. seconded by Bro. C. Ives, D.G.P., a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to his "Worship the Mayor for his address. BOARD OF MANAGEMENT. The annual report of the Board of Management stated that the application t-o the Grand Lodge of Australia for a Grand Ixidge charter, was - granted ' without hesitation, and was duly J presented by Past President Bro. J. I Liston. ;it a representative gathering I hold on Saturday. May 29th, 1914, tho Supreme Grand "Lodge officers of Australia being present at the function. The registration of the change of name was effected on December 4th, 1914. i The riuestion of utilising the services ! of public auditors was enquired into, but finding the scale of charges so high, the Board decided to proceed no I further. In connexion with the remit from the Grand Lodge meeting.held in 1013 regarding a Grand Lodge for New ! Zealand, a meeting of delegates, representing the throe jurisdictions, was held in Timarn last March, but no re- I commendation was made. Subsequently j tho delegates met again in Duncdin, ' and the format'on of a Unity Board was the. result. The functions of tho Tlnity Board were the control of the j appeals for assistance, and generally | to endeavour to bring tbe chief rules ; of the jurisdictions into harmony. About 57 members have joined the Forces for active service, and, a.s those members hnvo to bo kept jzoocl on tho i books, a serious inroad would be made j on lodges' incidental funds; to over- j come that a proposed temporary amendment to the rules vill be submitted. There bad boon a decrease in the financial membership of 19. The i year commenced with "830 members. and finished with 2SII. tho particulars i beins; a.s follows:—2l4 new members j were initiated. 1 -lo ir.nde good, and 24 joined by clearance. Against that. 348 were returned utifinancial. 27 left by ! clearance, 19 died, and 8 resigned. Tho j Grand Lodge funds showed an increase i of £777 12s <>d. namely, from £13 244 I 10s 2d to £M! 022 2s Sd. 'Hie interest ! earned was £«:">$ IGs lid. Tlio total accumulated funds of the jurisdiction had advanced from £o 1.303 2 S 3d to j £54207 ISs 2d. the increase' being ! £2509 15s lid. Death allowances paid i totalled £G3o. representing claims on \ account of 19 members and 17 mem- j bors' wives. * The report with slight alterations, was adopted. GREETINGS. Telegrams were received from Bros Green, P.D.P., Duncdin ; Steel P.G P ' Otago and Southland: Alexander. Gil , !! ! Otago and Southland, conveying fral I terna! greetings. " j MEMBERS ON ACTIVE SERVICK. I In. reference to the payment of mom- i bers' contributions whilst on active service with his Majesty's im-cvz, it wasdecided to levy tho lodges <kl per member por quarter, any surplus to be de- i voted to the assistance of - incapacitated brother* rturning from the war. ALTERATIONS TO RILES. The proposed alteration to the Scale of Contributions lor now entrants was

I lost by a largo adverse vote, after con- . siderable discussion. f The alteration to riiles necossitating I tile payment of medical fee carj ried by 22 votes to 16. Alterations proposed to Rule 147 regarding superannuation 'were ruled out ! of order, as the actuaries' certificate did J not pronounce it actuarial]}* sound. An alteration to Jtule 144 regarding date of sending in proposals for the Grand Lodge Agenda Paper was negatived on the voice-s. The basis of representation, an alteration to which was proposed by the Oak of Sydenham Lodge, was retained as heretofore. The proposal to extend tho term of lodge officers for a further period of six months was also defeated. Proposals standing in the name of tho Ashhurton Lodge, referring to biennial sessions of the Grand Lodge were lost, and the other motions by the sarm; branch depending thereon were with* drawn. Alterations to Rule 2, proposed by tht Ivy of Linwood Lodge, making the immediate Past Grand President a member of the executive, were carried unanimously. The amendments to Eule IS. also standing in the name of the Ivy of Linwood Lodge, allowing Past Grand Presidents the privilege of a .seat on the Board of were defeated. Alterations to Rule 9 and the insertion of n new Rule 9a regarding substitute representatives, were carried by large majorities. The proposal to make the subsidiary lodge trustees eligible for re-election every three years was defeated. The alteration proposed by the representatives of the Ivy of Linwood Lodge abolishing pence-books and eubstituting/ duplicate receipts for members' contributions was carried by 25 votes to Q. After considerable discussion, including the dealing with''several amendments, the proposal to issue a new llule Hook was delayed for a further sesfeion. The-formation of a Supremo" Grand Lodge for Zealand was discussed, and it was decided that the matter be referred to the Board of Management i for a report, which shall be discussed !at tho next Grand Lodge session.. I A hearty vote of thanks was carried by-acclamation to the visitors, Bros. J. Grant, Grand Secretary (N.I. Constitution), W. Crawford. Vice-Grand Presi- I dent (Otago and vSouthland Constitution), and B. Adeane, Wai tenia tn Lodge, Auckland, who suitably responded. INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS. The installation of officers was proceeded with, and the retiring Grand President. Bro. W. J. AY. Neate, installed the President Elect, Bro. 11. Walls, who in turn installed the. other Grand Lodge officers, who suitably responded amidst enthusiastic applause. A set of Past Grand President's regalia was presented to the retiring president, who in turn presented a beautiful ebony and silver shield to the Canterbury Grand Lodge, on behalf of himself and son. for competition amongst the various lodges in Canterbury, to bo won and held by tho lodge initiating the most members each year. Appreciative acknowledgment was tendered to Bro. W. J. "W. Neate and his son for the handsome trophy. A vote of thanks to V.G.I*. Bro. Muehmore. and the carrying of the I usual resolution regarding place of next i year's meeting (Christchurch) ter- I initiated the session. j