DRUIDS' JUBILEE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18673, 23 April 1926, Page 13

DRUIDS' JUBILEE.

CELEBRATION BANQUET. GATHERING IN CALEDONIAN HALL. Representatives from all parts of the Dominion assembled at the Caledonian Hall last night, where a banquet was held in celebration of the jubilee of Druidism in New Zealand. There were fully four hundred brethren assembled over whom Bro. E. H. Parker, Grand President, presided. Among those present were: The Mayor, Mr J. K. Archer, the Town Clerk, Mr J. S. Neville, Mr H. T. Armstrong, M.P., Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., Bros. A. Bailey, Grand VicePiesideut; T. Burgess, Grand Guardian; J. Burgess, Grand Secretary; J. Towsey, Grand Treasurer, of the Canterbury Order; Bro. E. H. Harris, one of the first grand presidents, Bro. J. H. Stewart, a Charter member, Bro. H. E. Smith, chairman U.F.S.D.; Bro. J. Laughton, Grand Treasurer North Island, and Bro. Ollivor, Grand President, Otago and Southland. The hall was tastefully decorated, the twenty-two banners of the vavious Canterbury Lodges being displaved on the walls. The banners were: —Ethelbert No. 4 (1880), Olive Branch No. 18 (1897), Ellesmere No. 17 (1895), Lily, of Richmond No. 20 (1902), Ivy No. 21 (1903), "Star of Angelsea No. 6 (1880), Bud of Hope No. 23 (1880), Hope of Amberley No. 8 (1880), Hope of St. Albans No. 2 (1879), Queen of the Oak No. 24 (1908), Pioneer No. 1 (1876), Mistletoe No. 3 (1879), Old Oak No. 16 (1883), Lily of Temuka No. 25 (1922), Oak of Sydenham No. 15 (1879), No. 11 (1882), Ivy of Linwood No. 13 (1888), Trafalgar No. 12 (1882), Success of Ashburton No. 22 (1904), Auchor No. 9 (1880), Star of Ashburton No. 14 (1883), Perseverance No. 7 (1880), with the Grand Lodge of Canterbury (1900) at the head. Prior to opening the banquet, the Grand President read a telegram from the secretary Sir Charles Fergusson, regretting his Excellency's inability to attend the jubilee function, owing to prior engagements, and wishing Druidism,in New Zealand every success and prosperity. Apologies for absence were also received from the Prime Minister, Mr Coates, the Hon. Sir Heaton Bhodes, M.L.C., Mr E. J. Howard, M.P., and Mr H. J. Otley, all of whom conveyed congratulations to the Order of Druidism in New Zealand, upon its fiftieth anniversary. Other Orders represented at the gathering were the Hibernians, Rechabites, Foresters, M.U.1.0.0.F., Sons and Daughters of Temperance, and Protestant Alliance.

A long toast list afforded opportunity for many reminiscences and congratulations. Two speaker, Bro. J. H. Stewart, a Charter member, and Bro. E. Harris, one of the first Grand Presidents, spoke of their own experiences in the earlv days of the Order in New Zealand. On the call of Mr D. G, Sullivan, M.P., cheers were given for these two brethren, as being among the founders of Druidism in this country. During the evening items were contributed by Messrs E. S. Maloney, E. A Dowell, Phil. Jones, E. Stewart, and C. Harraway (songs), R. Olsen (cornet solo), and A. Dey (recitation). Mr G. Eusscll acted as accompanist.