Druids to Celebrate Golden Jubilee

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7105, 14 March 1933, Page 8

Druids to Celebrate Golden Jubilee

FIFTY YEARS OF UNIQUE FRIENDLY SOCIETY WORK

This year members of the United Ancient Order of Druids in Palmerston North can look back on 50 years of almost unequalled progress in friendly society work and though this most important jubilee of the Order docs not actually fall duo till December 10 next, opportunity is being taken of the meeting of the Grand Lodge in tho city at the end of the month, to commemorate the lodge’s successful completion of a half-century of valuable work. Tho lodge was formed by Mr. W. T. Wood, who later represented Palmerston in the House of Representatives, and was opened by tho late Mr. Bishop, assisted by Messrs Akers and Grindrod. Mr. Wood was appointed A.D. and the lato Mr. J. S. Jolly, secretary. Of the charter members, only two arc still alive, namely, Bros. W. T. Wood and W. Milverton. However, Bros. (Uncle) W. H. Cox and F. A. Lambarth, who joined the lodgo in 1885, are still hale and hearty. Bro. Wood, who is now residing in Australia, held the office of trustee for a period of 40 years, and Oroua Lodge, and the Order in general have much to thank him for. That Bro. Wood still takes a keen interest in his lodge is evident by the fact that he has notified tho secretary, that should his health permit him to travel, he will be present at tho jubilee. Bro (Uncle) Cox, who lias been a trustee for the past 46 years, in spite of great disability in getting about, still attends each fortnightly meeting of the lodge. Ho is a shining example of tho principle of Druidism. The first secretary, tho late Bro. Jolly, held oflico until 1887, when he Was succeeded by Bro. C. E. Shortt, who held office for one year to enable Bro. Jolly to go through the chairs. Bro. Jolly then resumed the office and held it till the time of his death in 1890. He was succeeded by Bro. H. J. Watson, who held office until January, 1898, being succeeded by P.D.P. Bro. Charles S. Rush, who held office for 23 years. Bro. J. H. Mcrrett, the present secretary, has held office for the past 12 years.

The first treasurer was Bro. S. M. George. Others who havo held the office are Bros. W. T. Wood, J. S. Watchorn, G. Kidd, P.A. Bro. Thomas Mitchell, Bros. Ellis, Jackson, Cooksley, Evans and Elsmore. P.D.P. Bro. Thacker held the position of trusteo for 21 years. The present trustees aro Bros. W. H. Cox (46 years), F. Pycroft and W. H. Skinner.

The lodge seems to have experienced a hard struggle in its early days to keep going, and at the time of the death of its first secretary in 1890, its membership was only 50 all told, dwindling down to 43 in 1898, initiations being few and far between. In 1900 things took a turn for the better, and tho membership reached tho 100 mark, and from that date never looked back. The membership to-day, including honorary members, is 430. The lodge has been fortunate in having such ardent Druids as Bros. W. T. Wood, W. H. Cox, Thacker, Bastin, Watchorn, G. R. Richardson, Canton, Goble, T. Mitchell, J. Ellis, C. J. Page, F. Jackson, W. F. Cutler, A. G. Lyail, Marshall, Pycroft, F. and W. Robb at its head, and owes its present excellent position to the many years of service put in by these brethren. P.A. Bro. J. Ellis holds a record of having introduced 52 members into Oroua Lodge in one year, and -was presented -with a gold medal and certificate by Grand Lodge for this achievement. This member has won five gold medals and four gold rings for his efforts in this direction. In 1911 P.A. Bro. J. Ellis and P.G.P. Bro. Bloomfield, of Auckland, represented tho New Zealand Druids at tho International Conference of Druids held at Hull, England. The lodge has always been blessed with a good number of Druids, who, although not taking office, have been ardent -workers for the cause. In helping the cause of benevolence and anything for tho welfare of tho town, the lodge has always taken a leading part, and has assisted in many ivays towards the advancement of the city and district. In 1927 P.A. Bros. Rennett and Canton and the late Bro. Banks saw that there was an opening in Terrace End for a branch of the Order and on June 15, 1937, Acorn Lodgo No. 96 was opened and is a keen, efficient and thriving lodge.