DRUIDISM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 22 June 1936, Page 8

DRUIDISM

MEETING OF MURCHISON LODGE INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS The half-yearly summoned meeting of Murchison Lodge No. BG, U.A.0.D., was held in the lodge room at Murchison on Saturday evening. There was a fair attendance, and the follow--1 ing visitors were present from Maitai Lodge (Nelson): P.D.P. Bro. W. J. Bray, P.A. Bro. P. Smalley, P.A. Bro. S. Stephens, and P.A. Bro > L. Delaney. One candidate was proposed and accepted as a full benefit member, and the initiation ceremony was carried out by P.A. Bro. Smalley with the assistance of the officers of the lodge. Bro. S. Stephens acted as M.C. P.S. Bro. T. French expressed the pleasure of the lodge and congratulated Bro. Smalley upon the very efficient manner in which the ceremony was performed. Bro. Smalley briefly replied. The election of officers for the ensuing six months resulted as follows: A.D., Bro. J. Rolling; V.A.. Bro. A. Bruce: J.P.A., Bro. K. W. Brown; secretary, Bro. T. French; treasurer, Bro. P. Clough; 1.G., Bro G. H. Brown; O. Bro. M. B. Warne; A.D.B.’s, Sisters Mrs French and E. French; V. Bros. G. French and S. Peyton; minute secretary, Bro. M. C. Gibbs; organist, Bro. A. Fleming. The installation of officers was carried out by the Installing Officer (Bro. W. W. Delaney), assisted by P.A. Bro. Smalley and P.D.P. Bro. Bray. All the officers returned thanks for their election, and on the motion of P. Bro. Fleming a very hearty vote of thanks to the Installing Officer was carried by acclamation. The District President (Bro. Delaney) returned thanks, and Bros. Smalley and Bray addressed the meeting, after which the lodge went into social harmony. The toast of “The King” was proposed by the chairman (Bro. French). In replying to the toast of “Grand Lodge,” the District President stated that the membership of the North Island jurisdiction totalled 13,250, an increase of 229 over the previous year. During the 40 years that the North Island Grand Lodge had been in existence the total funds had accumulated to over £780.000. which represented one-fifth of the accumulated funds of the Druids lodges in the world. The increase in the funds of the Society during the 1 past year amounted to £38,444; and during the same period £33,706 had been paid cut in benefits to members, while the interest earned on money invested totalled £35,000. The speaker also made reference to the great amount of work carried out by the Grand Lodge trustees, and assistance given to old age members of’7o years and over, and grants made to necessitous cases from the Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund. P.D.P. Bro. Fleming in proposing the toast of “The Visitors” referred to the great benefit received by the lodge from such visits of members of other lodges and hoped more frequent visits would be paid in the future. In replying on behalf of the visitors, P.D.P. Bro. Bray stated that he visited Murchison with the Grand Secretary at the time that the lodge was opened and he was indeed very pleased to again meet Bro. French and Gibbs who were two of the original members. The toast of “Murchison Lodge” was proposed by Bro. Smalley who referred to the interest and work of the secretary, treasurer and minute secretary. Bro. M. Gibbs suitably replied. At the conclusion of the singing of “Aulcl Lang Syne” and the National Anthem the Nelson visitors left on the return journey.