DRIUDISM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 December 1936, Page 8

DRIUDISM

MEETING OF MURCHISON LODGE INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS The half-yearly summoned meeting of Murchison Lodge No. 86, U.A.0.D., was held in fhe lodge room at Murchison on Saturday evening. There was a fair attendance presided over by the Arch Druid (Bro. M. Gibbs). The following visitors were present from Maitai Lodge (Nelson): P.D.P. Bro. F. M. Day, P.A. Bro. P. Smalley, P.A. Bro. S. Stephens, P.A. Brc. C. Dermant. An official visit was received from the District President (Bro. W. W. Delaney), who was accorded full Druidic honours.’

Included in the correspondence received, was a message of seasonal greetings from the Grand Lodge executive.

Bro. T. French was elected as delegate to attend the biennial conference of Grand Lodge to be held in Wellington in March.

After two ballots had been taken for lodge officers, the installing officer (Bro. Delaney), assisted by P.A. Bro. Smalley, installed the officers for the current term: A.D., Bro. A. Bruce; V.A., Sister E. French; secretary, Bro. T. French; treasurer, Bro. P. Clough; 1.G., Bro.. G. French; 0.G., Bro. K. W Brown; A.D.B.’s, Sister French and Bro. G. Brown; V.A.D.’s, Bros. J. McLaughlin and Evans; minute secretary, Bto; M. C. Gibbs.

A : hearty vote of thanks to the Installing Officer, for the very capable and efficient manner in which he carried out the installation ceremony, was carried by acclamation. After all the officers had returned thanks for their election, the lodge entered into social harmony. A most enjoyable supper was served, and during the evening the following toasts were honoured: “The King,” proposed by the chairman; “Grand Lodge,” proposed by P.S. Bro. French, who made appreciative reference to a recent visit by the Grand President (Bro. W. J. Gregory) and also that two delegates to attend the next conference of Grand Lodge were present at the function that evening. Bro. Delaney, in replying on behalf of the Grand President and executive officers, gave some information concerning the large volume of business transacted by the executive and trustees. The toast of “The Visitors” was proposed by Bro. Bruce and responded to by P.D.P. Bro. DSy; “Maitai Lodge” (Bro. T. French) and P.A. Bro. S. Stephens); “Murchison Lodge (Bro. Day and Bro. M. Gibbs). The proceedings were concluded with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE STATEMENT FOR NOVEMBER, 1936 Estates of a value of £433,361 were reported and accepted for administration by the Public Trustee during the month of November, 1936, compared with £443,424 for November, 1935. The total value of the estates under administration by the Public Trustee on the 31st March; 1936, was £60,660,310 and the new business for the eight months ended 30th November, 1936, was £3,923,291. Grants of administration made by the Court in favour of the- Public Trustee numbered 133 for the month. During the month 347 new wills appointing the Public Trustee executor were deposited for safe custody by living testators and 272 existing wills were revised to provide for changes desired by testators. The total number of wills held in the Public Trust Office is 87,550.