DRUIDISM

Evening Star, Issue 22328, 2 May 1936, Page 8

DRUIDISM

The Otago Lodge met, when Arch Druid Bro. Harbour presided over a good attendance of members. Correspondence included invitations from Royal Oak, Linden, and West Harbour Lodges, all being received, and it was decided to play Ivanhoe Lodge for the euche shield next meeting. After business the members played cards and quoits.

The fortnightly meeting of Royal Oak Lodge was held in the lodge room, Eorbury Corner, on Monday night last, A.D. Bro. J. C. Henderson presiding over a small attendance of members. Special tributes were paid by many of the officers and members to the memory of the late Bro. John Robertson, and the lodge went into mourning for the deceased brother. A member for 48 years, most of which were spent in office, Bro. Robertson fully upheld the highest ideals of the order, and was Held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. The record attendance of members of the lodge and sister lodges at the funeral service on Sunday last was a tribute to the life and works of the deceased brother. The balance sheet of the Booklet Committee came up for discussion, and it was decided to congratulate the committee on its fine effort for the 1936 Syllabus. Two candidates were elected as members of the lodge. Arrangements were completed for a social evening next lodge night, when it is hoped to have a reunion of members and their lady friends. At the conclusion of the meeting a shooting competition was held, Bro. H. R. Hunt proving to be the champion.

Arch Druid Bro. C. Carolin presided over the meeting of Lily of tho Valley Lodge. An invitation from the Royal Arch Chapter was received inviting all officers to tho next meeting on May 12, when the Primitive Degree will be granted. The Ross-Stewart Shield will be competed for on May 20. On candidate was initiated. P.G.P. Bro. 0. Jacobson of All Nations Lodge was a welcome visitor. The lodge adjourned for the purpose of entertaining the ladies at progressive euchre, and after an enjoyable game the following were declared the winners:—Ladies: Mrs Aitken 1, Mrs Campbell, sen. 2; and men: P.D.P. Bro. R. Morris 1.

A.D Bio. Dale presided over the fortnightly meeting of Ivanhoe Lodge held in the Manchester Unity Chambers. There was a fair attendance of members and visitors. The lodge decided to attend Otago Lodge on May 4, to play for the euchre shield. One candidate was initiated by the R.A. Chapter Officers. Tho lodge decided to invito Good Intent Lodge on .May 6. The R.A. Chapter visited the lodge for the purpose of holding an opening and closing competition, the same three lodges—lvanhoe, Pride of Mornington, and Lily of the Valley—competing. It was very disappointing to the Chapter Officers to find only three lodges entering. Tho judges, P.G.P. Bro. Ruston and P.D.P. Bro. Wilson, commented on tho competition and placed the competitors ns follows:—Lily of the Valley 1. Bride of Mornington 2, and Ivanhoc d.

Arch Druid Bro. Wadsworth presided over an early lodge meeting held by Linden Lodge, when two candidates were initiated. A short meeting was held, and the lodge adjourned for the purpose of carrying out the major business of the night—namely, the installation of Bro. H. Tyrrell as D.P. for No. 1 district, and the presentation of the Efficiency Shield. A splendid gathering of Druids from all lodges in Nos. 1 and 2 districts were honoured by the attendance of G. President Bro. Johnston and the G. Lodge and Board of Management. A lengthy programme was put through with the utmost despatch, the various toasts and replies being interspersed with items by the party of entertainers present. Past District President Bro. Paterson performed the duty of installing Bro. H. 'Tvrrell. Past G. Pres. Bro. Hunt, on behalf of Grand Lodge, presented the Efficiency Shield to Linden Lodge. The toast list included the following toasts: —“ Grand Lodge,” replied to by G. Pres. Bro. Johnston; “Past G. Presidents,” replied to by P.G.P. Bro. Ralston; “Past D.P.s,” replied to by P.D.P. Bro. Bundle; “ District Presidents,” replied to by the D.P.s for Nos. 1 and 2 districts; “ The Judges of the Efficiency Competition,” replied to by P.A. Bro. Sinclair; “ The Royal Arch Chapter,” and “ The Visitors.” Linden Lodge is grateful to the large number of visitors who were present, including a number of past grand presidents, past district presidents, and a past district president from Whangarei. A memorable evening closed with a toast to Linden Lodge, proposed by Grand President Bro. Johnston.

At the last meeting of West Harbour Lodge a complimentary social was held in honour of Bro. T. Johnston, who has attained the highest honour which the order can bestow, that of Grand President of Otago and Southland. Past Grand President Bro. W. Connor, who was in the chair, welcomed the visitors. The toast of the guest of the evening was proposed "by Grand) Secretary Bro. W. B. Steel, who related at length the task which confronted the head of a friendly society, and congratulated Weet Harbour Lodge on having a brother of Bro. Johnston’s calibre. Bro. Johnston thanked tho proposer of the toast for his kindly remarks, and said that he was hopeful of success, as he was supported by a good team of officers. A pleasant interlude took place when the grand president, supported by D.P. Bro. Tyrrell, presented Past District President Bro. Paterson with his D.P. collar and framed diploma. Bro. Paterson had carried out his duties during the year in a very credible manner, and his ritual work was of a very high standard. The grand president expressed the hope that Bro. Paterson would continue to take an interest in the order and at some future time aspire to the office of grand president. Other toasts honoured were past grand presidents, district presidents, lloyal Arch Chapter, and visitors. Past Grand President Bro. Bates, from Canterbury, was a welcome visitor. Past Grand President Bro. Connor intimated to the gathering that their esteemed grand secretary, Bro. Steel, was leaving shortly on a visit to the Homeland, and called on Past Grand President Bro. Geo. Thompson to make a small presentation from the lodge as a mark of the esteem and goodwill in which he was held. Bro. Steel thanked the lodge members for their kindly .sentiments, and said that he hoped when he returned to pay the Jodge a

visit and give an account of some of his experiences. .During the evening items were given by the following:— Mrs Stone, Bro. Butler, and Leslie R. Connor (songs), Bro. Nash (recitation), J. Connor (flute), and Mr U. Wilson (ventriloquist). The half-vearly meeting and installation of officers of the Olive Branch Juvenile Lodge, No. 1, was presided over by A.D. Bro. Calder. There was a good attendance, including members from Linden's Pride. An official visit was received from V.P. Bro. Johnston, of the council, who received a welcome. Bro. Johnston, assisted by P.G.G. Bro. Reid, carried out the ceremony, which was performed in a creditable manner. Bro. Johnston gave a short address, which was listened to with attention. The syllabus for the evening being ‘ Pound Night ’ was cariredl out in the usual way, after which harmony was indulged in and a comic recitation was given by Bro. 3£. Connell. For the first “time in the history of the movement an M.C. was appointed in the person of P.A. Bro. Bradshaw, and P Pro. Avery was elected treasurer.