DRUIDS’ LODGE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 December 1928, Page 10

DRUIDS’ LODGE.

VISIT OF FATHER CHRISTMAS

CHILDREN ENTERTAINED

A big hall at the Winter Show Buildings was last night, turned into a reception room for the children of the Druids’ .Lodge on the occasion of the visit of Father Christmas and liis providing from his capacious store of nosts of presents on the Christmas tree, an annual event to which the little ones look forward with eager anticipation. It was safe to say that from the number of the little ones' and the evident delight and pleasure shown by them the function was in every way the success the members of the lodge desiycd. The inception of the celebration dates back to 1914, when, in order to give pleasure to the children of men who were abroad on active service, the first Christmas tree Was provided. It proved such a success that it was kept up each year, and the movement has continued to grow until it became one for all Druids’ children, who now number several hundreds. This growth was shown bv the fact that first the Foresters’ Hall, then. St. Mary’s Hall, and of late years the Winter Show Hall have been used. Last night there were about 550 children present, whose pleasure was witnessed by nearly 200 parents. With appropriate ceremony and heralded by two attendants, Father Christmas entered, and the gathering was formally opened by Bro. W. J. Grant, A.D., assisted by Bro. Vowless. To each child was presented in due form a gift, and all were thus made happy. The whole ceremony was appropriate to the season of the year, and showed a spirit of kind thoughtfulness that was heartily appreciated. Various games were organised and enjoyed by the children. The winners, were as below:

Skipping.—Seven to eight years, J. Walker 1, B. Archbold 2; .9 to 10 years, Nancy King 1, Ngaere Bevan 2; 11 to 12* years, A. MacDonald 1, ,T. Lendrum 2 j 13 to 15 yeans, 0. Watkins 1, G. Lendrum 2.

Quoits. —Girls: Juniors, A. McKain 1, J. Brav 2; seniors, Joan Harding 1. J. Lendrum 2. Boys: D. Yorke 1, M. Cann 2. Laughing.—G. King 1, M. Dymond 2.

Recitation. —Girls : Open class, Ron aCann 1. R. S. Macdonald 2; 6 to 8 years, E. Wheeler 1, 0. Crombie 2; 9 ito 10 years, G. King and M. Brough; 11 to 12 years! R. Bray 1, J. Harding 2. Boys: Eight to 10 years, H. Bray 1; .11 t° 12 years, M. Dymond 1, S. Richards 2. Comnetitions, wore won as follow: Lingerie set- (correct 939), winner, J. M. Mitchell. 933: photos (dozen cabinets). winner, W. Moody, 913 ("correct 908): cake, Margaret Fox, 1040 (correct 1047). A nice supner was arranged and dispensed by Mrs. W. A. Adams and a. strong ladies’ committee.

VISIT TO HOSPITAL. This evening, in order to give the patients in the children’s ward a treat, a. nnrtv comprising Bros. W. Adams, P.D.P.. W. J. Grant. A.D., S. Ingham, P.F., and W. Warcup, P.D.P., will pay a. visit to the public hospital, taking gifts for all.