THE DRUIDS' GRAND LODGE.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 32, 8 February 1899, Page 5

THE DRUIDS' GRAND LODGE.

[BY TELEGRAPH— PBESS ASSOCIATION.] Auckland, 7th February. At the annual meeting of the North Island Grand Lodge of Druids, the report and balance-sheet of the Board of Management and the auditors' report was adopted. The balance-sheet showed that £500 had been added to the fund during the year. Some 157 members had been added to the roll. The roll of the District Grand Lodge now stands at 1600 and the fund at £1700. Ie was resolved— "That as the district has now been four years in existence, the first quinquennial valuation be obtained before the next Grand Lodge meeting." The recommendations of two Auckland lodges that the initiation fees be reduced and brought more into line with the fees of other societies was considered ; but it was pointed out that even with the high fees the progress of the Druid Order had been phenomenal, and the delegates saw no reason for the reduction of the fees. During the day telegrams bearing fraternal greetings were received from Wanganui and Wellington district friendly societies. The following members were appointed officers for the year :— Bro. A. R. Thompson (Blenheim), D.G.P. ; Bro. J. F. McKenna, Vice-D.G.P. ; Bro. Gardiner, D.G.C. ; Bro. R. T. Mitchell, D.G.G. ; Bro. James Mackay, D.G.T. ; Bro. R. Fletcher, D.P.S. ; Bros. Wynyard, Stephen, and Pullen, auditors. A motion from the Pacific Lodge (Wellington), "That in future all Grand Lodge officers shall be nominated by the lodges in the district, and elected by the representatives at the annual meeting," was carried by one vote. A scheme brought forward by the D.G.P. , for relieving members in distress, was postponed for 12 months, the D.G.S. in the meantime to obtain an expression of opinion as to how many members would be likely to support the scheme. It was resolved that the next annual meeting be held at Gisborne. This afternoon the Grand Lodge officers were elected and installed. The Druids of Auckland gave a smoke concert to the Grand Lodge officers and visitors in Cook's Hall to-night.