DRUIDICAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 4539, 30 November 1889, Page 2

DRUIDICAL.

The brothers of the Endeavour Lodge met last evening to welcome the Grand Lodge officers now passing through New Zealand. There were aboat 40 brothers present, A.D. Bro. Kaight presiding. Upon the visiting brothers entering the room they were received in trae Druidlcal manner, with musical honors. The President, Bro. Boyd, addressed the meeting on several matters affecting the Order, and specially recommended the Lodge to go In for a district for itself. He thanked the brothers for the very friendly welcome extended to him and his col' leagues. The meeting then went into harmony, Bros. Dorward, 6.5. Brennan, Rosa, and P. A. Moascrop contributing songs. The several toasts of the Queen, and Druids, P.D.P. and Grand Lodge officers were proposed and enthusiastically given. The Grand Secretary (Bro. Brennan), in returning thanks for the hearty manner in which the health of the Grand Lodge officers had been given, spoke of the pleasure he always experienced In his visits to New Zealand, as he was always received as an old friend. Ge was very pleased to see the way the Order was progressing. He had gone over the books of tbe Lodge, and had to compliment the Secretary on the able manner in which they were kept, It was quite clear to him that the present Secretary had made t special note of the clear manner in which his predecessor had kept the bookß, and if he (the Secretary) would only aontinne in the same groove, the Lodge need have no fear for the fatnre. Regarding actuarial reportß, he was sorry to eee that the Actuary was not a servant of the Government, as then he would be more oareful in his statements, and not show a bias in favor of particular orders, He had great respect for actuarial figures, but he knew that figures could be made to show anythlDg. Actuaries failed to take into consideration the fact that seoesßlons were a great source of strength to Societies. The speaker had been Grand Secretary for about sixteen years. In January, 1873, the Order consisted of 32 Lodges, 1307 members, whose average age was 34; total funds, L 906 5s Sd, the average per head being L2 ss. In 1881 there were 86 Lodges, 5386 members, average age 32J years, bein? six months younger; and funds, L 20,206 123 5d ; average per head L 3 151 6d. In 1889 there were 144 Lodges, 10,907 members, average age 32J years ; funds, L 72,274 53 2d; average per head, L 6 123 6d. These figures showed considerable progress on all hands, and could not be got away from or beaten. Interest on oapltal now paid two-thirdß of the funeral claimß, and he ventured to predict that in five years, or perhaps less, it would meet these claims altogether.

P.G.P. Bro, Boyd also responded, expressing his surprise and pleasure at the many beauties of New Zealand and the manner In which the Order was progressing. The Lodge was then closed in due and ancient form. Several Past Officers then received their degrees from the G.S., when a" adjournment was made to Bro. Perry's, where a a pleasant hour waß spent in harmony.