Grand President Welts Opens New Druids Hall

Northern Advocate, 29 November 1948, Page 7

Grand President Welts Opens New Druids Hall

WITH the official opening of the new Druids’ Hall in Bank Street, Whangarei, on Saturday night the Whangarei Lodge of the United Ancient Order of Druids also experienced its first Grand Lodge executive meeting for 20 years. So important was the occasion deemed that the Grand President of the Order (Bro. H. E. Wells, of Onehunga) performed the ceremony in person. He was accompanied by executive officers. It was a happy occasion for the attendance of approximately 400 when the hall—hardly recognisable as the dilapidated' structure it had been at Kamo—was declared open. An atmosphere of something attempted, something done, prevailed throughout the evening. ; \ vijaHOßJ®-

On Friday, the installation of officers of the lodge had- taken place. This was the first official function to be held in the new building. Main guests on Saturday night were the Mayor and Mayoress of Whangarei (Mr and Mrs W. Jones). Mr Jones was himself a member of the UAOD when he lived in the South Island. Also present was Bro. E. J. Hill, cf Blenheim. Arch Druid, Bro. R. P. Redwood introduced the Mayor. “This Druidic business is nothing new to me,” Mr Jones said. “So it’s no use your grand Druids trying to put it over me. Say 60 —no 50—years ago I was an active member of the Druids Lodge in the South Island, and I filled every office in the order, up to district president.” i Mr Jones digressed a little to say| that he had entered public life against his wife’s wishes. “I may not be in order, but, being half Irish and half Welsh, you will have to accept me out of order,” he joked. “I have spoken a good many times in this hall at the other location, but I hope it will be more peaceful than it was when I was standing for Parliament.”

LAND TOO VALUABLE The Mayor congratulated the Druids and the contractor (Mr J. Haigh), who had rebuilt the hall after shifting it from Kamo. “I am going to make a prophecy,” he said. “I believe you will have to get out of this hall and build somewhere else because this land is too valuable to be the site of a hall. According to the last census the population of Whangarei was 9297 —it is now 10.350. "I can’t sec the town growing anywhere except up this road,” Mr Jones added. “Towards Kamo,” chipped an interjector. “If Kamo wants to stay where it is, well, let it stay where it is!” was the Mayor’s answer. (Applause). Mr Jones said he hoped the evening would be the forerunner of many other happy evenings to come. “We want cooperation today,” he added, “arid let it spread internationally. In the words of the old hymn, ‘Let us scatter seeds of kindness, for the reaping bye and bye.” ~ [' The Mayor received an ovation as he resumed his seat.

“I need not say how happy and indeed privileged I am to be with you this evening,” said the Grand President (Bro. H. E. Wells), speaking after the Mayor.

TOWN’S GROWTH SURPRISING “It is a happy moment in my life. Since I have been on the executive this lodge has been one of my babies. The brethren of the Order who planned the day when they would have their own hall must feel happy and satisfied with the position tonight,” he went on.

“I remember when the executive went to Wellington, cap-in-hand, asking if we would lend them only £IO,OOO. I admired the way they came at it—making the trip at their own expense.'

*’’ “We had to explain to them that when we borrowed the £IO,OOO it would cost them about £6OO a year to carry on. That is a big sum in a growing town, the growth of which has surprised me over the years,” the Grand President continued.

“GAMEST MAYOR” “I want to thank and congratulate those who have been the means of putting up this hall. They have the best wishes of the Grand Lodge executive. “I must thank you most sincerely for the opportunity of being with you to carry out this great duty of officially opening the hall. Your hospitality in the past has been wonderful, but tonight it has been excelled. “Your Mayor is the gamest Mayor I have ever struck when he can get up and say things about his wife,” Mr Wells went on. “I have my\wife with

me- and I know what she’d say. She’d say only about five words! There, did you hear her?” he asked. “She said, ‘Wait till I get you home!” When the launghter had subsided the Grand President formally declared the halj °P en - Arch Druid Bro R. P. Redwood presented the Grand President with the key of the hall. “This is more than I ever expected,” Bro Wells said on receipt of the key. "Coming to Whangarei has always been a pleasure to me and this key will be one of my treasured possessions for all time.” The Grand President said a few words about the Order. .

“The Lodge executive is an eightyear term,” he said!, “and it has been said that a past Grand President doesn’t live long after—and I can quite believe it!”

Mr Wells said that in 1895 the New Zealand Druids felt they would like to run their own Order, instead of being controlled by Australia. The order then had £175.. 12,000 MEMBERS

“Now we have 96 lodges, with a membership of 12,000, and a fund of £1,000,000,” he revealed. “Last year £SOOO was paid out. One in every six members is drawing from the old age fund, which costs £SOOO a year. Sick pay in 1947 amounted to over £25.000 to 2400 members, so you see what a good thing a friendly society is,” he concluded.

During the evening items were given by Bros C. Banbury and M. 11. West. Bro. West accompanied by Bro Bambury on the piano, sang a song which told the story of the hall, Bro. E. Smith (musical saw) and Mrs G. Green (songs). Opportunity was also taken to make a presentation to Mrs W. Flower for her great help in connection with the new' hall. The presentation was made by Bro W. H. Corbett. Toasts honoured included those to the King (District President, Bro. F. IT. Rodgers), the Lodge, Executive and Trustees (Bro. M. H. West—-Bro. H. E. Wells), the Whangarei Lodge (Bro. R. A. H. Dunderdale—Bro. R. P. Redwood).

Three hall-length tables, besides the official table and more seating accommodation along the walls, were necessary to scat the' guests. Refreshments and a varied array of delicacies were provided in abundance, and it was a friendly society in every sense of the word.

Lodges represented were:—Edgecurnbe, Te Puke and Whakatane, Star of Albertland, Kai Ora, Pacific, Turanga, Light of Manukau, Miro, Star of Egmont, Clifton, Waitemata, Royal Oak, Grey Lynn, Eden, Northern Oak : Pride of Te Awamutu, Newburn, Auckland, Collingwood. Other orders:—lOOF, MUIOOF, Rebekah and AOF.