United Ancient Order Of Druids.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 128, 10 June 1901, Page 3

United Ancient Order Of Druids.

SOCIAL GATHERING AT PATU TAHI.

The social gatherings held wider the aus pices ol the above Lodge having proved such a great success in town, the Social Committee decidod that similar gatherings should occasionally bo held ill the country, so that members living at a distanco, who arc unable to attend the gatherings in town, should have an opportunity of spending an evening in social intercourse together. The first of these functions was hold at Patutahi on Friday' evening, and judging by the large attendance, the step taken was in tho right direction, and is highly appreciated by the country members and settlers generally. At 6.30 two brakes left town for Patutahi, carrying their full complement of passengers. On arrival at their destination everything was found in readiness, and shortly after eight o’clock dancing commenced, there being present between 90 and 100 couples, all parts of the district being well represented. Everything went with a good swing until 11 o’clock, when a halt was made for half-an-hour to allow refreshments to be handed round, which were • done full justice .to by all present. On dancing being i resumed tho social went on more merrily ! than over, and was continued until 2.30, by which tirno a programme of twenty dances had been gono through, when all wended their way homoward. All present voted the gathering to be the largest and most successful one, both from a social and financial point of view, ever held in that part of the district, and they are already looking forward to the nest sooial the • Druids will hold at Patutahi. The success of the function was in a large measure due to tho efforts of the Committee, consisting of Bros. Miller, Spiers, Greaves, Wade, McKcague, Bean, Eaton, Franklin, Griffin, Thomson, Eade, Lyons, Angland, Bryson, Ferguson, Hepburn, Matthews, Atkins (2), Hepburn, Craill (2), Harris, Maxwell, Ballard, Baird and McCredie, with Bro. PI. Burns as Secretary, who all worked hard to bring it to a successful issue, aud they wore well rewarded for their labors. The music was in the capable hands of Mrs Fernandez (piano) and Mr Cullen (violin), and, as usual, was highly appreciated. Mrs Stevens, of Patutahi, had charge of the catering, and the eatables supplied by her were all that could-be desired. Bros. Spiers, Bean, Eade and Thomson carried out the duties of M.C.’s in a highly satisfactory manner. Tho thanks of the Committee are due to Mr B. Craill for tho use of his piano, which he generously lent for the occasion, and also to Mr Harrison for tho assistance he gave in preparing the supper. The Druids’ next country social will be held at Patutahi, and its success is already praetially assured. Although the Patutahi members of the Order have set them such a stiff task, they are sanguine that they will be equal to the occasion. The arrangements for tho Druids’ annual social, to be held on Tuesday, July 9th (night of first day of Steeplechase Meeting), which is the most popular social gathering held in the district, are now in a very forward state, and this year’s function promises to any of .ts predecessors. .Several innovations are to be introduced, which will add largely to tho attractiveness of the function.