U.A.O.D.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 772, 17 December 1886, Page 10

U.A.O.D.

RECEPTION OF THE GRAND SECRETARY. Members of the Druid Lodges in Wellington on Monday evening formally and heartily welcomed Bro. Brenan, Grand Secretary of the Order. At half-past 7 a meeting was held in the Rechabite Hall, at which there was a very large attendance, representatives being present from the Excelsior, Pacific, Poneke, and Star of New Zealand Lodges, as well as from Auckland, Canterbury, and Otago Lodges. Bro. Lepper, A.D., presided. The meeting having been formally opened, the Grand Secretary, Bro. Brenan, was introduced by P.D.P. Bro. W. K. Bishop, and was treated with Druidical honors. Duriug the evening the whole working of the Lodge, both in the mode of conducting business and ceremonial, was gone through in a manner that elicited warm encomiums from the Grand Lodge officer. At the conelusion of the meeting the Lodge adjourned to the Fire Brigade Hall, where a capital spread had been prepared. At the banquet Bro. Jones, District President, presided, supported by Bro. Brenan on his right, and P.D.P Bro. W. K. Bishop on his left. The Arch Druids of the Pacific and Excelsior Longes sat to the right and left of the chair. The usual toast “The Queen and the Druids ” was duly honored. Bro. W. K. Bishop gave “Our guest, Bro. Brenan, and the Grand Lodge aud Board of Directors.” He eulogised Bro. Brenan as a gentleman who had done a very great deal for the Order, and hoped he would carry back pleasant reminiscences. Bro. Bishop also eulogised the members of the Board of Directors, and expressed a hope that their example would be followed by young members of the Order. The toast was drunk with musical honors. Bro. Brenan, responding, said Bro. Bishop had only given the members of the Grand Lodge and Board of Directors their due, for they were gentlemen who devoted a great deal of time and trouble to the advancement of the Order. Bro. Brenan went on to pointoutthatthe Order had advanced in New Zealand as much as anywhere. Seven years ago when he visited this Colony there was one lodge in New Zealand numbering 25 members, and with funds of less than £25. They were thinking then of allowing the matter to fall through. He had been able, however, to assist in the formation of new lodges, and had inaugurated one in this room. At the present time there were in the South Island 25 lodges with 2260 mem bers, and funds £7500; and in the North Island 16 lodges, with 782 members, and funds £2lls—a total of 51 lodges, 3042 members, and funds £9615. He thought the Order was greatly indebted to Bro. Bishop, who, he said, was well worthy of any position the Druids could give him. It appeared to him simply wonderful that such progress had been made in the Australasian colonies. When he took office there were 40 lodges with 1584 members, funds £11,383 ; and at the end of 1885, ten years after, there were 114 lodges with 5913 members, and funds of £39,342. The Order, he believed, would soon be second to none in the British Empire, and he hoped soon to see an amalgamation of all the Druid Orders, of which there were four known now. He expressed his gratification at the manner in which he bad been received throughout the Colony. He hoped to see juvenile branches established, from which, he pointed out, great advantages were to be derived both by the children themselves and by 1 the community at large.

“The Pacific Lodge” was proposed by Bro. Lepper, Arch Druid of the Excelsior Lodge, and responded to by Bro. Williams, who remarked that the rivalry between the two Lodges was a friendly rivalry. He expressed gratification at the advancement of Druidism in New Zealand, and wished, the same extension to other friendly societies. Bro. Williams, Arch Druid of the Pacific Lodge, gave “The Excelsior Lodge.” Bro. Howden responded. Other toasts were honored as follows “Sister Lodges,”proposed by Bro McLean ; “No. 18, District,” by the Grand Secretary ; and “The Municipal Fire Brigade,” responded to by Superintendent Page. At a late hour the company broke up, having spent a most enjoyable evening. The proceedings were enlivened by songs, &c., given by a number of the brethren, the aocompaniments being admirably played by Mr E. Wright. The catering for the banquet was done by Mr W. Freeman in admirable style. ' '