ORDER OF DRUIDS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7620, 18 December 1886, Page 3

ORDER OF DRUIDS.

Mr Brenan, Grand Secretary of the U.A.0.D., arrived overland from Wellington last evening on an official visit to the lodges of this district. He was met at the railway station by D.P. Bro. F. Cassin, KD.P. Bro. Gibson, P.A. Bros. Barrows arid Wyatt, A.D. Bro. Hebden, and a number of other brethren. After an exchange of mutual congratulations the visitor was driven to the Masonic Hotel, and later the party repaired to the Albion . Lodge - room, where a large and representative gathering of members from all the . lodges district awaited the' visitor. A very pleasant arid instructive time was passed, Druidic business being discussed for nearly two hours. The party then adjourned to the Caledonian Hotel, where a smoke concert was held in honor of Mr Brenan's visit. The District President was voted to the chair. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were disposed of, D.P. Bro. Cassin proposed the toast of the evening, " Our Guest," in a neat and appropriate speech. He said that lie could urge, without fear of being accused of flattery, that the Order throughout New Zealand felt pride in the Grand Lodge and tlie-gentleman composing the board of .directors. More particularly they felt pride in the Grand Secretary, who had given universal satisfaction during his term of office. Bro. Brenan, who on rising was received with enthusiastic applause, thanked those present for their hearty reception. He stated that his visit to New Zealand was of a two-fold. character— to inspect the lodge books, .and to supervise the working of the Order. Since his arrival in the colony he had visited 16 lodges, and inspected the books of 40 others, and he was happy to inform them that the result was eminently satisfactory, the accounts being well kept, and reflecting great credit upon- the various secretaries. The progress of the Order in New Zealand had been wonderful- Seven years ago there was but one Lodge of 25 members in the colony, hut at the end of last year there were in existence 40 lodges, numbering 3200 members, with funds amounting to £9615. Since that time many other lodges had been formed, and a great' increase in the funds had taken place. During the ten years he had been Grand Secretary the lodees- under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge had increased from 40, with a membership of 1584, andfiinds amounting to £3841, to 122 lodges with 8913 .members, and a capital of £39,342. That . increase was up to the end of 1885, and did not include the large increase since that time. During the same period the funds of the Grand Lodge had increased from £1448 to over £15,000. He urged the brethren to work together in advancing the cause of, Druidism ' and extending *he grand principle of human brotherhood. To that end he advocated the establishment of juvenile lodges, as the young members were made better as boys, and selfreliant and good members of society when they became men. He assured them that lie would never forget the hearty reception he had met with" from the Druids of Napier. During the evening songs were aung by brethern present, and a very pleasant gathering was brought to a close shortly after midnight.