DRUIDS' JUBILEE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18670, 20 April 1926, Page 12

DRUIDS' JUBILEE.

FIFTY YEARS OF PROGRESS.

FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS. On Thursday next the' United Ancient Order of Druids will celebrate its jubilee, for it is just 50 years since Druidism was founded in Xew Zealand. The U.A.O.D. had its origin in a meeting of working- men held in a tavern in London in 1781, and.is therefore 145 years old. The object of that handful of Druids was self help, and the. same spirit obtains to-day, as is seen in the motto "United to "assist." Druid lodges exist to : day in the United States, Germany, Sweden, and other European countries, and the order is wellestablished in the British overseas Dominions. The movement took root in Australia in 1850, where it prospered to such an extent that the number of Druids in that country to-day is actually greater than in Great Britain, while the funds in . Australia amount to £1,700,000, as compared with • about £500,000 in England. Last year there was a total membership of 215,372 and the total funds amounted. to about £2,500,000

For' some time after Druidism was established in New Zealand, all lodges here were under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Victoria, and it was in the Orange Hall, Christchurch, that the first meeting of the Pioneer Lodge was held, when 80 members made the declaration. A few years elapsed before other lodges were opened in Christchurch, the Hope of St. Albans, Mistletoe, Oak of Sydenham,' Christchurch, and the Excelsior Lodge, '"Wellington, commencing in 1879. In 1880 lodges were opened at Addington, Springston, Lincoln, Amberley, Woolston, Kangiora, Dunedin, South Diinedin, Masterton, and Hutt, after, which new lodges sprang up every year until the outbreak of the war, when' activity in this direction temporarily ceased. At the conclusion of the war, Druidism again came into its own, with the result that since 1925, fourteen new lodges have been brought into existence. At the end of last year the total membership of Druid lodges in the Dominion wa9 20,496, making it the second largest, friendly society, in New Zealand. At the same time funds amounted to over £600,000.

Self-Governmerit for Canterbury. Iu 1889 the District Grand Lodge of Canterbury became a ; separate- organisation, ' and self-government was. granted by the Victorian constitution, the first district meeting- being held in the Druids'- Hall, Worcester street, in June 6th, 1890. • Bro. Edwin Harris, who is still alive, was the first Grand President, and the late Bro. T. Walker the first Grand Secretary. Mr Walker was also secretary of the Hope of St. Albans Lodge. In 1924, the Grand Lodge of Canterbury was opened, and the Charter was presented by. Past Grand President, Bro. J. Liston, of Victoria, at a special meeting held in the Druids' Hall on May 29th, 1924, all the Supreme Grand Lodge officers of Australia being present at the function. During the war the affiliated lodges of Canterbury nobly did their work on behalf of King and 'Country. Of a membership of 2634, in 1914, 495 were enrolled for active service, and 59 made the supreme sacrifice. To-day the Order in Canterbury consists of 3160.members and its funds total £97,883 15s lid, proving conclusively that the financial administration is in capable hands. The whole of these funds represent the frugal and thrifty accumulation of small amounts gathered together >over a long period, tended carefully, and invested safely until in .the aggregate they'have assumed wonderful proportions when compared with their very small. beginnings. Since the Grand Lodge was established in 1889,. £83,725 6s 5d has been paid out in sick pay, £93,658 15s 7d for surgeons' and chemists' fees and £27,525 in death claims. If every form of benevolence is taken into 'consideration, fully a quarter of a million has been distributed on account of benefits.