DRUIDISM

Evening Star, Issue 21512, 9 September 1933, Page 17

DRUIDISM

The quarterly meeting of Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 17, was held in the Manchester Unity Chambers, Stuart street, on Wednesday last, when A.D. Bro. Spinner presided over a large attendance of members and visitors. Correspondence was dealt with, including invitations from Palmerston Lodge for two delegates to attend its annual ball from Mistletoe Lodge to attend its anniversary social, and the tickets for the combined free and easy night for unemployed members. One new candidate was initiated. The sick bards gave a full report their visits to the sick members, and sick pay was passed for payment. Treasurer Bro. Wilson gave a full report on the Booklet Committee, and Secretary Bro. Brockie reported fully on the combined free and easy night. The challenge from Linden Lodge to a game of football at an early date was accepted. D.P. Bro. Morris, of No. 1 district, attended officially. The lodge was also favoured with a visit from P.D.P. Bro. Ford, of Enterprise Lodge, and Treasurer Bro. Robertson, of Lily of the Valley Lodge. A.D. Bro. Winter presided over a good attendance at the Lily of the Valley Lodge. Correspondence and details were attended to. Improvement in the health of sick brethren was reported. V.A. Bro. Ingle reported re the annual dance at the Rose of Palmerston Lodge, and P.A. Bro. Carr reported being present at the anniversary of the Royal Oak. A report was tabled regarding the meeting arranged for the 19th inst., when a repetition of last year's successful function is anticipated. Members were asked to interest themselves in bringing along those for whom the _ meeting _ \yas originated. It was decided to invite Linden and West Harbour Lodges and lady friends. The secretary reported that the general efficiency judges were expected shortly, and the officers would have to be careful about their various duties. The judges are P.D.P. Bro. Bezett and P.A, Bro. Maslin. The secretary was instructed to invite Dr Fulton to give an address during the month of November. At the last meeting of West Harbour Lodge, A.D. Bro. R. Walker was greeted by a largo attendance of sisters and brothers. Four candidates were initiated. The D.P. Bro. R. Morris was also present, and received a welcome, as also were Bros, Faulds (Ivanhoe) and Laing and Paterson (Pride of Mornington). The business of the evening was the completion of the solo competitions, there being nine competitors, and the judges awarding first place to Sister Rhoda Connor, sister Doris Slater being second. The aggregate for the three charges was won by Sister Slater, Bro. J. Connor being second, and Bro. G. Thompson third. The judges (Bros. J. T. Faulds and T. Johnston) expressed great pleasure at having the privilege of hearing the various competitors, and complimented the sisters and brothers on the high standard of ritual work. After the usual toasts had been duly honoured the lodgo was closed. All the arrangements nave been completed for the celebrations in connection with the jubilee, and it is hoped the brethren will keep the various dates clear. Linden Lodge met on Tuesday last at the lodge room, Roslyn, A.D. Bro. D. Neasou presiding over a. good muster of members. D.P. Bro. Morris was admitted officially, and received a warm

welcome. V.6.P, Bro. Ruston, with G.L. officers and B.M. members, was also admitted, and all received a hearty welcome from the A.D. Routine lodge business was disposed of quickly, and a report from Bro. Morrison was received, also one on the unemployed social evening. It was decided to support the syllabus this year. Toasts to G.L. and the D.P. and visitors were honoured, and the lodge was addressed by G.T. Bro. Birt on ‘ Finance,’ P.D.P. Bro. Brockie on ‘ Membership,’ and Sec. Bro. Webb on juvenile matters. After supper the following visitors spoke;—P A. Young (Bay Lodge) and V.A. Bro. Grant (Otago). It was decided to send delegates to Royal Oak Lodge on its anniversady night. A.D. Bro. H. A. Adams presided over the meeting of Bay Lodge, held on Monday in the Masonic Hall, St. Kilda. There were several visitors present, including P.G.P. Bro. E. Sunderland and Bro. Milne, of Linden Lodge, who were present to judge the debate between Enterprise Lodge and Bay Lodge on ■ the question ‘ Should the Order of Druids be Commercialised?’ Bros. Webb, Bozett, and Leathley were the speakers for Enterprise, while Bros. D. A. Young, J. Clinch, and W. B. Ruston spoke for Bay Lodge. Bay took the affirmative and stressed the fact of the overhead expenses in running the twenty-six lodges, pointing out the saving to bo gained by running the order from a commercial standpoint. The opposition brought along chiefly the main points that the social side of the'order would be greatly affected, as well as the ceremonial part deleted. Enterprise Lodge put up a sound opposition and were declared to be the winners of the debate. P.G.P. Bro. E. Sunderland and Bro. Milne _ were thanked for their services as judges. One member was admitted by clearance, and one proposed for membership.. Members reported on their different visits to other lodges. Supper terminated a very interesting and instructive evening. Recent attendances of the Rose of Palmerston brethren have been very good. On one night the past officers worked the lodge very efficiently, with P.G.P. Bro. Hopkins in the chair. It has been decided again to advertise in the syllabus booklet and to publish a photograph of P.D.P. Bro. Earley, together with a brief resume < of his work for the order. The social side has been well catered for with 500 tournaments, one Past Officers v. Present, in the lodge room, and Druids v. Railway, in ,tho railway social hall. A good muster attended the recent church parade in the Presbyterian Church, when the Rev. John Badcock ‘delivered an impressive sermon on ‘ Friendship.’ It has been decided to make these parades a regular feature of the lodge. A.D. Bro. • D. Abercrombie presided over a good muster of members at the quarterly meeting of Mistletoe Lodge, Green Island. Correspondence included letters from the Grand Lodge Booklet Committee and an invitation from Royal Oak to attend anniversary celebrations. Committee reports were received as follow:—A.D. Bro. Abercrombie, re 1934 syllabus; P.A. Bro. D. L. Burt, re free-and-easy social for unemployed members; P.D.P. Bro. Dmnble, re Booklet Committee; and P.A. Bro. Mildenhall, re Euchre Committee. Bro. Mildenhall reported that as a result of Saturday’s euchre evening the committee was able to hand over the sum of £2 10s to the mayor’s (Green Island) unemployed relief fund. A hearty vote of thanks and appreciation was accorded Messrs Harraway (miller), D. Buchanan (grocer), A. Sickles (grocer), J. Barnes (coal merchant), D. Reid (fruiterer), and W. Brown (vestry) for donating prizes. An election to fill vacant offices took place, and resulted in the following being elected: Secretary, P.D.P. Bro. A. C. Durable; treasurer. P.D.P. Bro. D. Reid; M.C..

Bro. A. Mildenhall; and V.A. Bard, Bro. E. A. Chandler. Final arrangements for the anniversary celebrations were left in the hands of the Social Committee. The usual toasts were duly honoured, after which the A.D. closed the lodge in harmony. Anniversary night was celebrated last lodge night at Linden Pride Lodge, A.D. Bro. Harneiss taking the chair. Delegates from other lodges were present, and V.P. Bro, Tyrrell (J. Council) attended officially. An election for the positions of I.G. and O.G. was held, Bros. MTntosh and Bevin being duly elected and installed by the V.P. The evening was devoted to games and competitions, and prizes were given. Supper was provided, and after the usual toasts had been honoured the lodge was adjourned. The next meeting is to take place at Progress Lodge, When Linden’s Pride will play for the handball shield. Correspondence from the council re the _ doming elocution competition was received, and a motion of sympathy was passed to a brother who had suffered a bereavement in his family , , The Olive Branch Juvenile Lodge was presided over by A.D. Bro. Bradshaw, there being a good attendance. No correspondence was received, except a declaration on the sick fund. Superintendent Bro. Morris addressed # the officers and members on being efficient, s the judges would be present next meeting night. A rehearsal was carried out, and the officers acquitted themselves in a creditable manner. A.D. Bro. Macfarlane (Southern Oak) was a welcome visitor, and thanked the lodge for the reception accorded m. Several officers reported having visited the Southern Oak and Linden s Pride and spent a pleasant evening.