ORDER OF DRUIDS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12095, 24 March 1925, Page 6

ORDER OF DRUIDS

GRAND LODGE CONFERENCE. REPORT OF FINANCIAL POSITION, Per Press Aieociation. TE KUITI, March 23. The cbnference of the Grand Lodga of the North Island of the United Order of Druids was opened here this afternoon. The Grand President, Bro. ,E. Tude hope (Napier) presided, and in his annual report stated that the member, ship of the Order was 14,387, a sub stantial advance upon the previous re port two years ago. The ' sick and funeral fund showed an increase of £24,335, and the special insurance fund an 'ncrease of £10,442. The main features of the balance-sheet over the heading of assets embody the investments. Properties and mortgages totalled £346,571, including £291,817 to the credit of the sick and funeral fund, and £50,207 to the credit of the special insurance benefit. The expenditure of the sick and funeral fund was £2449, and that of the special insurance benefit £2775. The Grand Lodge supervisors of the juvenile lodges reported that the movement was making excellent progress. It was an innovation which time alone could prove, but the experience gained since the opening of the first juvenile lodges in 1922 proved beyond doubt that the movement had justified its existence. There are 18 lodges, having 554 financial members. The officers so far elected are as follow.—Grand President, Bro. L. Price (Petone) ; Grand Vice-President, Bro. T. H. Wilson (Auckland); Grand Treasurer, Bro. L. Laughton (Wellington). n