UNITED ANCIENT ORDER OF DRUIDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13835, 23 February 1907, Page 7

UNITED ANCIENT ORDER OF DRUIDS.

ANNUAL REPORT. Tho following report will he presented by tho management at the tenth animal meeting of tho Grand Lodgo of the Anciont Order of Druids of Otago and Southland district:—

The board at the beginning of the year I was .asked to appoint a delogaic to. attend a confercnce of the United Friendly Societies, to be held in Wellington. P.A. Bro. Harvey was appointed, and attended tho meeting, and 011 his return gave a full report to the board of the business transacted. In view of tho revision of tho Friendly Societies Act, it is anticipated that the business transacted, at the conference will result in good to tho Order. P.D.G.P. Bro. Menzies, appointed by you, paid the courtesy visit to the Canterbury Grand Lodge annual meeting, and was received in the moat hospitable manner. P.D.G.P. Ilro. Hei\7.ies was accorded by tho Board a special vote of thanks for tho great work ho has done and interest ho has taken in all matters pertaining to 1.110 Order, Tho board sent p.ll engrossed letter of sympathy rto Mrs Seddon, which was answered in a moat kindly manner. The Southern lodges wore accorded a very hearty vote of thanks for tho efficient and hospitable manner in which they had catered for tile comfort of tho delegates when in Gore. I'.D.P. Bro. Adams, who was appointed one of the board, through illness was unable to attend, and sent in his resignation, P.D.G.P. Bro. Kellctt bting appointed in his stead. Several firms in town havo been' asked to design a diploma for P.D. President, and they havo promised to do so. In October D.G.V.P. Bro. Mitchell removed to Gore, jut has attended tho board since. Tho board is pleased that it - was ablo to get the rules put through so expeditiously by the Registrar, and thanked him for his promptness in doing so. A letter was received from the Grand Lodge, Victoria, stating that they bad had an application from the 1 District Grand Lodge, North Island, to bo made a Grand Lodgo for the North Island. A reply _ was sent stating that the board, had 110 ob-' jection to tho North Island district being created a Grand Lodge so long as it was confined to the North Island. The All Nations Lodge, Port Chalmers, wroto applying for affiliation to this district, and stating that tho Grand Lodgo ot Victoria had agreed thereto and would guarantee three years' funeral claims as from the Ist January, 1907. Tho board agreed to this subject to the approval of tho Grand Lodge when in session. Tho board is sorry to record tho death of P.D.G.P. Bro. Wardrop. As you are aware, Bro. Wurdrop to"ok a keen interest in Dmidism, aud his voice will be missed from the councils of the Order, which, can ill afford to loso a good member such as Bro. Wardrop has proved himself to be.

Tho total membership now stands at 2019— an increase ot IGG on Ilia previous year. The gick pay for tho year is £IGIO Os 3d—an increase ot £33G '9s 8d iipon last year's amount —being equivalent to .about lis 4ld per member, a decrease of la on Inst returns. The cost of sickness for the last half of tho year was £389 17s 9d moro than the first half. The funeral claims 1 amount to £310, and special lovy £580 13s Gd; total for death claims, £890 13s Gd. Tho funeral allowance has now reached the limit. £70. Increase for tho year is £174 19s Gd. Twelve members and seven members' wives died during tho year—an increase of two members and decrease of two wivfcs on previous year. The interest on investment for Grand Lodge is £149 2s 7d, tho amount proving the satisfactory manner in which tho -trustees attend! to their duty. Lodge funds are now £17,4G7 18s sd, being an increase of £1701 5s 9d; and the Grand Lodge funds are £85G5 7s 7d, an incrcftso of £489 4s 3d, to which should be added tho sum of £2G 14s Gd, special levy to bo collected. Tho accumulated funds of the district amount to £21,033 6s—an increase of £2191. In conclusion, the board arc extremely pleased to put before you so satisfactory a report of the great progress made by the lodges both numerically and financially, and liopo the incoming board will have even a mors successful term of office. The board have appointed the following D.P.'s for tho ensuing term, viz.:— No. 1, P.A. Bro. J. Dove (Otngo Lodge): No. 2, P.A. Bro. AY. Scott (Good Intent Lodge); No. 3, P.A. Bro. P. C. Barium (Acorn Lodge); No. 4, P.A. Bro. Alex. Tait (Endeavour Lodge); No. 5, P.A. Bro. AV. H. Pearson (Star of Tuapeka No. 6, Bro. J. E. Goodwill (Roso of Palmerston).