DRUIDISM.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 799, 9 February 1909, Page 4

DRUIDISM.

15IKNNIAL MEETING OF THE GRAND LODGE. Tlh« Im-nniail meeting of the Grand LiuW> of Druids \v;is held at tlie OddiVllmvs' Hall lasr i-vening. G.P. Hro. GillitMt prt'skluig. THli DEI.IiGATES. Amung the large mnulier <>i dolomites present :uo: Brothers Mclntosh. Auelclaml ; (i. A. Pickering. Masterton ; H. Fletcher. Auckland : \V. \\ . .\lausfiekl, Carterton; G. 13. Smith. vVanganui; Geo. Gibson, Blenheim; b\ Jackson, Palnierston North: G. Darton. Oisborne: E. Bold. Wellington: A. Christensi'ii, Patea ; U. H. Carey. Marron: J. Johiiston. WeWin^ton: J. Chapman, Levin; J. K. Bills. Otaki; E. Allen, Johnsonville ; ;5. Waclsworth, Tapawera ; A. Seiger. liower Hutt ; F. Smith, Millerton : P Hussell, Hamilton; J. J- Langridm«. Takaka; \V. Lotz. Stratford: ;'. 'Kt'niifdv. Kumars; H. Spunlh'. inylcwood;' J. li.. Fergurson, Groymou'.h; E. Dowey, Te Aroha ; A. Cniig. We.stport; A. U. Thompson, Auckl:siid; H. Field, Waikino : G. Tudohopc. Napier; F. Grayson, Auckland ; J. H. A. Laughton, Wellington : T. Lind, Shannon; A. Chote, Upper Mutt ; T. E. ]\[uir, Hawera ; A. Newhiirn, Ponsonby; W. Nicco l !. Paorot : G. Harvey, Moturoa, New Plymouth : J. Malcoimson. \Vaihi ; Geo. D:ivis. Potonc: J. Collins, Island Bay. Wrl{fnKton; C. Algie. Blackball: 11. Baker, Denniston ; W. T. Bonefiekl, Aramoho; V. H. Clifford, Melrose, Wellington; J. fl. Lepper, Ron.-i Bay, Wellington; L. B. Mulholland. Auckland. ANNUAL REPORT. The Executive's annual report showed that tho year had been one of success. The following Lodges have opened:—Eastbourne, llona Bay, Wellington; Clifton, Waitara; Dominion. Thames; Earamea, K-aramea; W^iiroa, Wairoa; Tvlanawatu, Foxton ; Okotuku, Waver He y; making the total number of Lodges now under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge 74. The steady increase of Lodges speaks r<ir itself as ro the satisfactory public opinion of the Society. The executive feel confident by the next Grand Lodge meeting that we will have at least 100 Lodges. The total funds are £13,356 14s 6u ; namely, funeral £12,750 19s Bd, management, £176 2s 6d, special death U:vy £429 12s 6d. The value of assets are £14, 260 6s sd. The Grand Secretary during the past year visited every Lodge on tho West Coast of the South Island. The Lodges, as a whole, were found to be working in the best cause of Dru'lism; at the same time in most oases the G.S. found the method of keep ng books far from the correct way, rut it is to be hoped that the instructions imparted will bear fruit. With regret the Executive heard cf the death of Bro. Geo. E. Ricieis, Grand Secretary in England, and of past year visited every Lodge on the our much-esteemed D.P. Bro. H. J. Lepper, No. 2 District. During the past sitting of Parliament, the Government Brought in a. new Friendly aoeieties Bill, with two very objectionable clauses, which your Executive, assisted by the G.L. of Canterbury and Otago, and several private members, showed sttrong objection to. The Government referred the Bill to a Select Committee to report on. The evidence was circulated by the Registrar of Friendly Societies. In the dying hours of Parliament, Government , dropped the Bill, but from what we can learn they propose to bring the Bill in again this year, when your Executive feel confident that they will be able to bring enough pressure to bear that sections 15 and 16 will not become law. The death roll during the year was 32 members aaid ; 19 wives. BALANCE-SHEET. The balance-sheet showed the total receipts for the year to be £9206 3s lid. comprised as follows: — Fuiierad £4054 15s, management £1394 10s sd, special death levy £3756 18s 6d. The disbursements total £8053 7s 9d, made up of : Funeral £3740 18s sd, management £1112 9s 4d, special D.I. £3200. The assets .total £14,360 6s sd, and the liabilities £100, leaving a balanco of £14,260 6s sd. The Report and balance-sheet were adopted. Nominations have been received for various offices for the ensuing year, and the election will take place to-day.— M.D. Times.