PRESENTATION.

Evening Star, Issue 12926, 14 April 1908, Page 6

PRESENTATION.

A very pleasant function was held the other evening in the new West Harbor Lodge Room, Ravensbourne, when the lodge members presented the secretary (Bro. Larnach) with a gold albert with acorn pendant. The chair was occurred by the Arch Druid (Bro. Churchill), and there were also present D.G. President Bro. Haymcs, D.G.V. President Bro. Shelton, D.G. Treasurer Bro. Kellett, D.G. Guardian Bro. Sunderland, executive officers P.A. Bro. Harvey and P.A. Bro. Steel (Board of Management), P.D.G. Presidents Bros. J. C. Smith and Johns, P.D.P. Bros. Scott and Ford, Bros. Butler and Earnshaw, D.P. Jacobson (No. 1 district), D.P. Bro. Alexander (No. 2 district] ; and brethren from the Otago. Enterprise. Royal Oak, Linden, Good Intent, Lily of the Valley. Ivanhoo, and All Nations. Apologies were received from Bro. M. Cohen, P.D.P. Bro. J. M. Callaway, P.D.P. Bro. Burkenshaw, Secretary Bro. Wilson, Bro. Sidey, M.P., and His Worship the Mayor.

The Treasurer (Bro. Kellett), in making the presentation, said : Worthy District G. President, Arch Druid, and "officers and brethren, the object of our meeting here to-night is to do honor to our esteemed secretary, Bro. Larnach, who has served us faithfully for the last twenty-five years. The success of the lodge is due to-day to his untiring efforts in past years to keep the lodge together. The lodge was started twenty-live years ago with a membership of sixty financial members. Unfortunately it soon dwindled down, till there only remained some seventeen members—a very serious condition for any lodge to be in. (At this time Bro. Larnach was away in Wellington for six months, and had just returned.) In fact, there was a motion in the books that they should disband; and it was hero that tho perseverance and wisdom of our respected secretary was shown in advising the brothers to "stick to tho lodge. A move was made to town, with the object of making more members. Unfortunately the exodus to Melbourne set in, so it was decided to come back to Ravensbourne. In course of time tho membership rose to thirty, and stood at that for many years. (Jwing to the energy the secretary infused into his work, the'lodge then started to go ahead, until we are in the proud position of having a property which sneaks volumes for the management, considering the limited district we have to work ill. In looking at tho position of the lodge to-day and comparing it with the struggles of post years, wo think some recognition of the services rendered in the past is due to Bro. Larnach. Bro. Larnach, on behalf of the members of tho West Harbor Lodge, I have verv much pleasure in presenting you with this gold albert and pendant as a small token of esteem in which you are held by your brothers in the lodge, and may you long be spared to work in the cause of Druidism.—(Cheers.) Bro. Larnach thanked the members of the lodge for their handsome present: he also thanked those who had come a long distance to be present. It was pleasing indeed to see so large and representative a gathering of the Order there, not only because he had been the secretary of the West Harbor Lodge for a long pe'riod, but also because he was the D.G. secretary, and he took it that he must be fairly respected by the members of the" Order. He was extremely pleased to inform them that the first quarter of the year was promising well, one lodge having initiated twenty - four new members. He exhorted the brethren to do their best to bring in new members. They need not be afraid to push the Order, as there wa.s not the least doubt it was progressive and progressing. He again thanked the brothers for their token of esteem, and he would always wear it with pride. He had a former mark of their appreciation, which he would attach to the present.—(Cheers.)

D.G. I'iesident Bro. Hayincs said it gave hiin the greatest pleasure lo be present that evening to do honor to Bro. Larnach. He was a Druid when Bro. Larnach joined. He was in a position to speak of the great interest Bro. Larnach had taken in tlie Order, and more especially of his own lodge, in the earlier days, which would not now have been in existence but for their respected secretary's determination that the lodge should live. He hoped other members of the Order would emulate what had been done in W<st Harbor Lodge, and push the Order along. He thanked the members for the coro.ai manner in which they had toasted the Grand Lodge. Bro. Gibson (secretary of the Ivanhoo Lodge) said he had come a long way to be present to do honor to Bro. Larnach that evening. Ho could speak with authority of his qualifications as secretary, and his ability as the D.G. secretary. It" would have taken a good deal to have induced him to leave his house that night, but he could not let the opportunity jwss of paying his respect* to their secretary. Others spoke in similar strain. During the evening songs and recitations were indulged in, and a very pleasaJit function ended with the singing of 'Auld king sync.'