DRUIDISM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12599, 28 February 1903, Page 10

DRUIDISM.

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND. The sixth annual mooting of the' District , Grand Lodgo, U.A.0.D., was hold in the Friendly Societies' Hall at South Dunedin ! yesterday. The following officers and representatives were nresont:—D.G.P. Bro. W. Wardrop, D.G.Y.P. Bro. W. Hopkins, D.G. Secretary Bro. D. Larnach, D.G. Treasurer Bro. W. 0. Kvans, D.G.G. Brn. 15. Kellctt. Otago Lodgo-I'.D.P. Bro. Bryant, D.P. I Bro. Hobbs; Enfccrorise—P.D.P. Bro. X ' Bond, D.P. Bro. Oldenburg, P.A. Bro. Jas. Stewart, sen.; Royal Oak—P.A. Bro. Norman; Linden—P.A. Bro. Sutherland; Good Intent—P.A. Bro. Smith; Acorn— P.A. Bio. W. Anderson, P.A. Bro. Strang; I Gore—P.A. Bro. Laurenson; Endeavour— j P.D.G.P. Bro. G. Mcnzies; Rose of FalmcrI ston-D.G.V.P. Bio. W. Honkins; West Hnrbom-D.G.G. Bro. E, Kollett, Bro. Osborne; St. Patricks—Sec. Bro. Wilson; Oraki—Sec. Bro. Nicholas; Lily of the Valley—P.A. Bro. Mitchell; Pride of Morn-, in'glon—P.A. Bro. Jelly. Apologies were received from A.D. Bro. Lowry (Royal Oak), D.P. Bro. Matthews (Pride of Tuapeka), and : P.A. Bro. Grenfell (Endeavour). D.G.P. Bro. Wardrop, in his address of welcome, referred to tho satisfactory progress made during tho year, which he hoped would ho maintained. Ho also referred to the special funeral levy, which now placed the benefits derived from this fund far in advance of any other friendly society in the South Island of New Zealand, and he trusted that members, in seeking for new Members, would givo prominence to this special feature of their society. He mentioned in complimentary terms tho Friendly Societies' Council which had been organised, and predicted that most satisfactory results would he derived therefrom; and ho concluded by hoping that the decisions arrived at would prove to be for the prosperity of the Druidic Order. It '.was. resolved that tho president's address be minted in the annual report. See. Bro. U. Bolt (Pacific Lodge, Wellington) was present, and duly recognised as a visitor. , The Board of Management reported that the membership had increased by 80, making tho total 1162. Tho sick pay amounted to £910 13s 4d, being a decrease of £29 7s on tho previous year. This payment is equivalent to 15s 8d per member, being a decrease of Is 8d per member when compared with 1901. Tim funeral claims during the year had not been so numerous as during tho preceding year, amounting only to £130, being £80 less than in 1801. Tho sum of £82 17s lOd had been received in interest during the year. The total funds of the D.G. Lodge amount to £2157 lis 9d, and to this should bo added £2b 12s, which had been advanced in payment of a special funeral levy, and which would be refunded by the lodges. This represented an increase of £223 12s 9d. Tho various funds of the lodges show an increase of £805 5s Bd, making a total increaso in the funds of the district of £1028 18s sd. Tho total accumulated funds of the district and lodges amount to £12,226 0s Id, co.ual to £10 10s 4d per financial member. The auditors' report and balance sheet were received and adopted. Tho roport of the Board of Management was considered seriatim, and, after discussion, was adopted in globo. ■ The unsatisfactory condition of the Royal Arch Chapter was considered, and it was deemed advisable to delay any action in the

} meantime. j It was resolved to change the quarter nights to February, May, August, and November. A long discussion took place on tho subject of organising a supremo body for New Zealand. On the motion of Ero. Strang, it was rosolved—" That this D.G. Lodge do now appoint delegates to confer with delegates appointed by tho other D.G. Lodges, with the view of drawing up a suitable constitution for a supreme, body for New Zealand." Bros. G. Menzios, W. Wardrop, and D. Larnach wore appointed delegates. The election of officers resulted as follows :-D.G.P., Bro. W. Hopkins; D.G.V.P., Bro. E. Kollettj D.G. Sec, Bro. D. Larnach; D.G. Treasurer, Bro. W. 0. Evans; D.G.G., Bro. J. E. Bryant. Board of Management—Bros. E. Sunderland (Linden) 1 , J. Smith (Good Intent), Mitchell (Lily of

tho Valley), Osborne (West Harbour), and Hobbs (Otago). Judicial Apoeal Committee—Bros. Bryant, Kellett, Shelton, Strang, and Norman. Auditors—Bros. Harvoy, Birt, and Lowry. Tho now officers were presented for installation by P.D.G.P. Bro. Mcnzies (Oamaru) and Sec. E. Bold (Wellington). A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the retiring D.G.P. (Bro. Wardrop), and instructions given that he bo presented with a P.D.G.P. collar at the oarlicst convenience of tho board. It was resolved that the next meeting be hold in Dunedin. BANQUET. In the evening the representatives at the annual meeting were entertained at a banquet held in tho Shades Hotel. -About 40 persons attended tho banquet, and after 1 they had given due attention to the excellent dinner placed before them by Mr Tilburn the company honoured a number of toasts and alsor carried out a short musical programme. D.G.P. Bro. Hopkins presided, and was supported by D.G.V.P. Bro. Kellett, D.G.S. Bro. Larnach, D.G.T. Bro, Evans, D.G.G. Bro. Bryant, P.D.G.P. Bro. Menzies, and P.D.G.P. Bro. Wardrop. There were also present: P.D.P. Bro. Butler, D.P. Bro. Hobbs, D.P. Bro. Oldenburg, P.D.P. Bro. Hunter (No. 19), D.P. Bro. Harland (No. 19), representatives P.A. Bros. Strang, Stewart, Osborne, Anderson, Smith, Nicholas, Wilson, 'Laurenson, and Mitchell. After the toast of "Tho King and the Druids" had beon'honoured, Secretary Bro, E. Bold (Pacific Lodgo, Wellington) proposod "Tho Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland," which, ho said, ho did with

J very groat pleasure. He had always had a ' warm corner in his heart for the Otago and \ Southland Grand Lodge, which was the last ; of the three lodges to take on Mo task of home rale. This meant uphill work, but the .Otago Lodge, he was pleased to say, ! had got on in a first-olass manner, and : by conserving its funds as far as possible I had attained to a good position. Ho was ; pleased that tho lodge had had so successful | a year and had increased its funds and mombers and suffered eo slight a loss by deaths, The year passed had been an exceptionally favourable one. There had only been four deaths out of 1200, which was : Tather. below, .the, average.. In tho North Island they had been more fortunate still. Referring to tho increase in the funds of tho lodge, ho spoke of the necessity for making money in its early days. In these , days there wera foiv claims. As tho lodgo j grew older, however, tho claims would | come in. ll© oppressed his satisfaction at | the step taken in regard to the proposal ; to establish one supreme body for New ', Zealand, with the idea of getting uniformity ; all through tho colony. They had endorsed the proposal unanimously, which he hod been given to understand they would not i do. j D.G.P. Bro. Hopkins, in responding, expressed his gratification at tho manner in which tho meeting had closed. He folt quite" proud at tho position occupied by tho lodgo to-day—both in regard to its finances and membership. Ho would like to ice a little more enthusiasm displayed by .the officers and mombers, so as to got as many into 'their ranks as possible, and by doing this build up tho society into the position it should occupy in Now Zealand— viz., ono of the foremost in Iho colony. Ho folt sure that tho legislation passed that day would have a beneficial effect on the lodge.—(Applause.) P.D.G.S. Bro. Shelton proposed "The Grand Lodge of Victoria," which was their parent lodge, and ono respected by them all. He referred to tho mission to Victoria on which he and Bro, Monzies and tho late Bro. Morrison had gone with the intention of securing home rule for the Otago and Southland Lodge, and which liad resulted so successfully, and alluded tc tho great kindness with which they had been met. D.P. Bro. Harland and P.D.P. Bro. Hunter responded. D.G.V.P. Bro. Kollett proposed tha health of P.D.G.P. Bro. Wardrop, and paid a tribute to the excellent work done by him in the past, P.D.G.P. : Bro. Wardrop, in acknowledging the compliment paid him, testified to the great onthusiasm many of the brethren with whom ho' had been associated had displayed, and said that if only all thoso present showed it in the samo degree their order would profit in groat degree. He spoko of the advisability of all the lodges in the colony becoming unified. It would be to the advantago of all • concerned if this wore done. D.G.G. Bro. Bryant proposed tho health of the District Grand Lodges of Canterbury and North Island. Secretary Bro. E.' Bold, in responding, denied that there would'bo any danger of Wellington ruling tho roost by tho constitution of a supremo court for New Zealand. One uniform system of contributions and payments was desirable for the colony, and this in itsolf was worth a sacrifice on the part of any individual district. P.A. Bro. Strang (Gore) proposed " Past and Present Officers in Otago and Southland." D.G.S. Bro. Larnaoh responded. Tho toasts of "The Press," and "The Host and Hostess". were also honoured, and the proceedings then conoluded.

, During the evening songs were given by Bros, Foreman (3), Bold, and Hobbs. Bro. Collett officiated at the piano.