DRUIDISM

Evening Star, Issue 21784, 28 July 1934, Page 17

DRUIDISM

The fortnightly meeting of Royal Oak Lodge was Held on Monday nigut last, A.H. Bro. W. Hudson presiding over a fair attendance, More sictness amongst members was reilected in a large increase m sick pay, wluen was tne Heaviest tor some time. The lodge decided to enter'ror the efficiency competition. for this year. Uunug the evening two candidates were initiated into tue mysteries ot JJruidism on behalf of Mistletoe Lodge. The proposals of the B.IVi.A. were again considered, and the lodge affirmed its satisfaction with the present system. After the business was disposed of the euchre tournament was continued, an hour of keen play being indulged in. This tournament will conclude next lodge night. ;V

Arch Druid Bro. A. M'Cutcheon presided over a good attendance of members at the regular meeting of the Lily ot the Valley Lodge on Wednesday. Welcome visitors included Bros. Marr and Henig, of Otago Lodge and sisters of West Harbour Lodge. The' lodge decided to attend officially the annual church parade to the Central Mission on Sunday, August 5. It was moved that the lodge; enter for the efficiency shield competition. The bards reported on sick members, and sick pay amounting to £5 6s Sd was passed for payment. _ The Arch Druid reported on, his visit to West Harbour Lodge for the presentation of the Ross-Stewart shield, and P.A. Bro. J. Robertson reported on visiting Bay Lodge. Both brothers were thanked for their reports. The ladies were then admitted and entertained at progressive euchre by_ the lodge members, and after an enjoyable game the following were the successful players:—Ladies: Mrs Farquharson first and Miss Ellis second. Successful gentleman: Bro. R. Morris. Owing to the visitation of the ritual and efficiency judges to Court Wood-_ lands Pride the proposed visit by the’ combined lodges will be postponed. The brothers were reminded that, next meeting is a “hard-up” night, and the lodge is also playing off Ivanhoe Lodge for the cribbage shield. The fortnightly meeting of Mistletoe Lodge was held in St. Mark’s Hall, Green Island, on Tuesday last, Arch Druid Bro. D. L. Burt presiding over a good muster of members, A large amount of correspondence was received. It included invitations from Rose of Palmerston (annual ball), West Harbour (presentation of Ross-Stewart shield), U.F.S Council (annual church parade), and District President, No. 2 District (return visit to Court Woodlands Pride)., The judges’ report on Ross-Stewart competition was received and discussed, members showing appreciation of the judges’ work. The bards reported on sick brethren, and sick pay and accounts were passed for payment. Committee reports were received from Bro. P. Jacobs re euchre and from Bros. D. L. Burt and A. G. Dumble re B.M.A. proposals. Secretary Bro, Dumble was appointed delegate to the 1935 Booklet Committee. Medical certificates were received for two candidates and ballot taken. Being in favour of candidates, they were elected as full benefit members, _ the initiation ceremony to be held in Royal Oak Lodge. The P.A. charge ritual competition was then held. P.D.P. Bro. E. H. Bezett, assisted by P.D.P. Bro. Dumble, acted as judge. Some good renderings were given, butthe judges had no difficulty in declaring I.G. Bro. L, G. Cox the winner. The usual toasts were duly honoured, and replied to by P.D.P. Bro. E. H. Bezett (Enterprise Lodge), afterwhich the lodge was closed in harmony. The regular meeting of Enterprise Lodge was held last Wednesday, when Arch Druid Bro. A. P. Macfarlane presided over a good attendance of members. As soon as the business of the evening ivas commenced the Guardian announced the arrival of District President Bro. A. J. Metcalfe, who was given a warm welcome. The Bards’ report again disclosed that a large amount of sickness is , prevalent amongst the members, and sick pay amounting to £24 was passed for payment. Amongst the correspondence was the judges’ report on the recent Ross-Stewart Shield competition. The report was fully discussed, and advice given was noted. Secretary Bro. R. S. Webb reported to the lodge on the recent meeting with the 8.M..A. re the. list system as proposed by the B.M.A.*, and after several mefnbers had asked questions it was the unanimous decision of .the lodge not to support the proposed alteration. The matter re the unveiling ot the .merit board came up for discussion,, and it was decided to hold the unveiling ceremony _ next quarter night. As next lodge night is anniversary night, it was decided to hold a‘social evening and extend an invitation to all lodges in. Nos. 1 and 2 districts. The XJ.F.S'. 1 Council wrote re the annual memorial church parade to be held on August 5 at the Central Mission, and the lodge decided to attend officially. After the business was completed a'vice-arch competition was held, Bros. A. J. Metcalfe, J. B. Welsh, and S. A. Workman acting as judges. Seven, competitors came forward. and after a keenly-contested competition Bro. A. T. Workman was declared the. winner. Supper was then handed round, after which the customary Druidic toasts were honoured. A welcome visitor was P.G.P. (Canterbury jurisdiction), who at one time was a member of. Enterprise Lodge. • A.D. Sister Thompson presided over a large attendance of members of West Harbour Lpdge at their last meeting. The business of the evening was quickly gone through, when visitors representing the lodges in Nos, x and 2 districts were admitted. The occasion of such a large gathering was the presentation of the Ross-Stewart Shield to the West Harbour ladies’ team, who were successful in the recent competition. Among the visitors were Grand President Bro. Huston, accompanied by G.G. Bro. Johnston and the members of the board District Presidents Bros. Rundle and Metcalf, Royal Arch Druid Bro. Morris, and members of the chapter, while the, donors of the shield (Bros. Ross and Stewart) were, received with musical honours. A.D. Bister A. M. Slater accepted the shield on behalf of the team, and Bro. Morns, who made the presentation, congratulated the ladies on their splendid performance. G.G. Bro. Johnston presented an enlarged photo of the ladies’ team from the male members of the lodge to the A.D.' of the lodge, to adorn the walls of the room as. a memento of their meritorious win. Grand President Bro. Ruston was called on to make a presentation of a writing set to P.G.P. Bro. G. Thompson for. services rendered during the recent jubilee celebrations. A lengthy programme of vocal and instrumental items were gone through to the pleasure of the large gathering. A lengthy toast list was honoured, the visitors expressing their appreciation of the hospitality received. ■ , . The fortnightly meeting or Linden’s Pride Juveniles was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall. Roslyn, Arch Druid Bro, W. Jones presiding over a good muster of members. Business was disposed of in a quick arid efficient manner to enable the members to entertain Myrtle Lodge, Linden’s Pride continues to make steady progress, and recently initiated four new members, which augurs well for the future of the lodge.

and if the enthusiasm is maintained prospects for future Druidism indeed looks bright. Next night being “ hardup ” night the necessary arrangement* were left in the hands of the secretary, A vote of thanks was accorded to Bro. Isaacs, Arch Druid of Linden Lodge, for his donation of. a prize for the best “hard-up” costume.