JUVENILE DRUIDS’ LODGE.

Grey River Argus, 7 June 1922, Page 3

JUVENILE DRUIDS’ LODGE.

OPENING AT WESTPORT. The new Pioneer Juvenile Drieds’ Lodge No. 2 was opened at Westport in the Social Hall on the ground floor of the Friendly Society Building on Monday evening last. A large gathering of the adult members of the Buller Lodge No. 42, also visiting brethren from Denniston, Waimangaroa, Millerton, and Karamea, also visitors from other lodges in the Dominion, assembled .at the lodge room to witness tho initiation ceremony of the juveniles. The District President, Bro. Elhers, of Denniston, assisted by the Buller Lodge officers, opened the Juvenile Lodge in legal form. Bros. W. Hart and E. Easton, P.D.l’.s, then marshalled 52 juveniles into the romo for initiation. Bro. IM. Mathieson performed the obligaI lion, and the young members took the I vows and secrets of the order, the adult members singing the odes. Bro. E. Easj ton installed the following into office: —• Jno. Past Arch, 11. Farr; Arch Druid, A. Farr; Vice-Arch, R. D. Moloney; secretary, IL Caldwell; treasurer, C. Elley; Inside Guard, L. Nesbitt; Outside Guard, IL Wood; A.l). Bards, Bros. Easton and Craig; V.A. Bards, Bros. Cooper and Easton. At the conclusion of the installation reremony, Bro. Easton congratulated the fine set of officers and the large number of members present, and he in formed them that this lodge was the first Juvenile Druids Lodge opened on the West Coast, and the second one opened in the Dominion. Bro. Elhers then closed the lodge and an adjournment wsa made upstairs, whim a social evening was held. He informed the lads that the lodge would be held every other Wednesday evening al 6.30. THE BANQUET. The sight of the spread in the Banquet Room was one that will long ro main in the memory of the juveniles Four long lines of tables were laid up the room, and a cross table at. the heal. The juvenile officers took the head tabcl, which was nicely decorated with coloured papers, flowers, and laden -with meats, vegetables, trilles, salads, fruit and assortments of cakes, and soft drinks, tea and coffee. The wives of the brethren were responsible for the catering. Bro. Master A. Farr presided and about 115 sat down at the tables,! incuding tho juveniles and members and visitors of the adult lodges, also members’ wives. Bro. A. Croy presided at the piano. After the toast of “The King ami the Druids’’ was honoured, the kiddies got their ears back, set to work at the eatables, and in a few moments were fairly under way for the rein- inder of tin’ evening. Messrs Croy (piano), Wheatley (flute) and Hatton (viola) gave the first musical item and rendered several mor during the. evening. Bro. Gooding read a letter from Bro. N. A. Ingram 1 y •rinteiident of the Dominion Juvenile Lodges) regretting being absent, but wishing the lads a successful long life, and he enclosed some good advice ns to lodge work and citizenship. .Bro. Knight proposed the toast of “The Grind Lodge” ami it was responded to by the District President (Bro. Elthers, of Denniston). A song, “Won’t Aon Buy My Pretty Flowers” was given by Bio J. Parr, of Burnett’s Face. Bro. J. Eskine, P.A., proposed tho toast of ‘'The New Juvenile Lodge,” and Bro. Easton, P.D.P., responded, 'flic next item was a song “ Lul-a-byc,’' by Bro. Master Joe Caldwell. Bro. Easton stated that the first juvenile lodge in New Zealand had been opened three months ago in the North Island ‘with 15 members and "Westport was now eolobrat’jig the opening of tho second lodge with 52 members. Tho boys c out ributions will be 1/- per month and !/- entrance fee, with 5/- per week benefd in sickness or accident. 110 stated that the next move would be to open a ladies' branch of the Druidj in Westport, and at present he was communieating with the Grand Lodge re the starting of n female lodge here. Bro. Golding, 8.A., proposed the toast of the “Vistore,” and several members jt Denniston, Millerton. Ivarametl and other lodges in the Dominion responded | Bro. Farr, the juvenile A.D., proposed the toast of “Buller Lodge,’’ and Bro. Mathieson responded. A recitation “The Coal Miner,’’ was given by Bro Morris, of Denniston. Bro. D. Moloney P.A., proposed the toast of “The Ladies,’’ mentioning tho names of Mcsdames li. Gooding, E. Easton, D. Campbell, :nd F. Harder, who were responsible for the splendid spre-ad. Bro. Moloney stated, in the course of his remarks, that when the Buller Lodge was opened in Westport by Bro. E. Ashton, of Greymouth, in 190 G, Im was a Charter member, and the first Vice-Arch Druid. To-night his son, Bohan, was a Charter mmeber of the Juvenile Lodge, and the first Vice-Arch Druid of it. Bro. W. Hart responded on behalf of Miss Smith sang “When the. Evening Shadows Turn to Gold.” Bro. Morris”' proposed the toast, of “The Boyal Arch Chapter,” and Bro. Knight,, P.D.l’., responded. Bro. Mathieson, P.A., recited “The I Sailor.' ’ Community singing of “Swannec Giver” was then carried out iu great style, being led by Bro. ( roy. Bro. Gooding proposed the toast of the orchestra, and Bro. Croy responded, Bro. I'rov gave a very comic recitation, entitled “Moloney's Moaning Cat” which brought down tho house. Bro. Bohan Molony played a piano solo, “The Wayside Chapel.” The singing of “Auld Lang Syne' brought a pleasant and enjoyable evening to a close,