DRUIDISM.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 592, 24 March 1908, Page 4

DRUIDISM.

THE DISTRICT PRESIDENT. INSTALLATION OF BRO. HASTINGS. P. A. Bro. T. A. Hastings, of the Maki.no Lodge of Druids, No. 51, was installed as District President of No. 11 District of the New Zealand Lodge of Druids last night. There was present a largo number of brethren of the local and other lodges, and the installation ceremony was performed by P.D.P. Bro. S. Fullbrook (Oroua Lodge, Palmerston). 'After the ceremony, which took placo in the Foresters' Hall, the brethren adjourned to tiro Od-dfellows' Lodge-room, where a banquet had been spread by Bro. A. J. Hart. A meeting of the Royal Arch Chapter was held before the installation, P. A. Bro. Mitchell acting as Royal Arch Druid, and D.P. Bro. S. Fuillbrook conferred the degrees on P.A.s Pros. Hastings, Robinson, ami McMeekan. Three new members were initiated, and three proposed for membership. The banquet was presided over by P.D.P. Bro. Rush (Oroua Lodge), who had on his right the newly-elected District President. There was also present amongst tho visitors, of whom there were about 100 present, Mr F. Y. Lethbridge, M.P. for the Oroua electorate, who had been initiated a member of the Lodge that evening. After tho toast of "Tho King," JBro. Lethbridgo proposed "The G<rand Lodge." In the course of his speech, ho said that, in tho brief timo ho had had at his disposal to study the rules of the Order, ho found that the best men were chosen by tho Distract Lodges to represent them at the G<ran<l Lodge. Ho coupled with the toast tho namo. of P.D. Bro. Fullbrook. The toast was replied to by Bro. Fullbrook, who referred to the growth of tho Grand Lodge, giving special mention to tho men who were instrumental in tho formation of it— Bros. Mackay and Purnell. He pointed out tliat the Druids' Lodge was tho ortiy one, with such a small weekly contribution, which paid a death feo of £120, and the credit of this was principally duo to tho two men whose names he had mentioned. Ho pointed out tho grand scheme this had proved to be, and stated further that tho death levy made on each member, 6d, would be able to bo reduced shortly, as the funds paid had created a surplus, which had been set a'sido for the purpose of lessening tho levy. Mr E. D. Hoben (Palmerston North) proposed "The Parliament." He stated he had never been a member of Parliament, but had been a member of the Press GaSllery— which was a great deal worse. (Laughter.) Ho mentioned some of fcho disabilities which clung to the member of tho Press Gallery, and went on to say that New Zealand had every reason to bo proud of her Parliament, some members of whom would have be£n lenders in tho House of Commons. He mentioned particularly Sir George Grey, Sir Harry Atkinson (who had been sent to a premature gravo by Parliamentary duties), John Ballajice, Sir Wm. Russell, Richard Seddon, and others. He referred to Mr Lethbridge as one of the men who had won tho affection of botli sides of tho House. (Applause.) Th-o remainder of the speech was taken ud with the subjects or' the absoluto majority at elections and the elective Executive, and he concluded by stating that the Government, .^should financially encourage FrientUy Societies. Mr Lethbridgo responded. Ho Avas glad that tho description which Mr Hoben gave of a sleepy Parliament did not apply to the House since he had become a member. Nowadays, it a member spoke after 10 p.m. he was not .reported. The leader of the House was responsibile for lato sittings and for the great strain put upon j members. It was pointed out that ■ Parliament was a reflex of the people, I a,nd ho stated that, while some members did their duty faithfully, others thought only of getting back again after the coming election. He refer- j red humorously to Bellamy's, and 6aid that members had to pay for what they got the same as any private citizen did in a hotel or restaurant. He urged constituents to take greater interest in the doings of their representatives, aaid to follow the progress of the sessions of each Parliament. Other .toasts proposed were 'Tho District President," by P.D.P. Bro. Rush, responded to by D.P. Bro. Hastings; "Friendly Societies," by Bro. Hyland, responded to by Bro. G. Hill (Feilding) and P.D.P. See. Bro. Rush ; "Retiring District President,' by D.P. Bro. Hastings, responded to by Bro. S. Fullbrook; "Visiting Broth- . r<m " by V. A. "Bio. Garrett, respond- , ed to on behalf of. representatives pre- ; gent by A.D. Bro. Ellis; "The Makino Lodge," by P. A Bro. C. Page, responded to by Bro. Robinson ; "The Secretary," by Bro. 1 «^ 1 «««J; ed to by See. Bro. H. Hill; The Caterer," by Bro. H Hill, responded to by Bro. A. J. Hart; and "The Press," by Bro. J. S. Tangey, responded to by Messrs E. D Hoben (Manawatu Times) and #co. Fitzpatrick (Feilding Star). During the evening songs were rendered by Messrs J. S. Tingey. Allen, T. Haybittle, Pritchard, Fitzpatrick, T*. Bucknell. . • In the course of tho banquet, the retiring District President was presented by the chairman with a P.D.F. colllav, with a Royal Arch Chapter jewel attached, on behalf of th© District Lodges, and Bro. H. Hill, secretary of the Makino Lodge, was presented by Bro. Hyland, 'A.D., with a sash for "bringing in the largest number of new members during the year.