DRUIDISM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13888, 27 April 1907, Page 12

DRUIDISM.

Tho 23th April, 1007, will long bo .remambarcd as a "red letter day" in tho history of Drtridisin at Port Chalmers. Tins occasion w:is tlx official ti-iinsfevcnce of tho All Nations J.-odge from tho Grand Lodge of Australia ■ to tho'jurisdiction of tho District Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland. Fur this purpoaa the District G'rand Lodge officers, supported by representatives from Lodges Ota»o, Enterprise, Ivanhoe, Royal Oak, and West Harbour, and Bro. Bold (of North Island District G rand Lodge) journeyed to Port Chalmers. On arrival at the hall a lively scone met the eye of the visitors, thero being nearly 100 Druids present. Tho Arch Druid (Bro. J. Pope), luring formally welcomed the' District Grand Lodgo officers and visitors, who were received with musical honours, vacated tho oliair in favour of tho D.G. Vice-president (Bro. J. Haymos), who conducted the ceremony of transfer, declaring All Nations Ledge part of the District Grand Lcdgo of ■ Otago and Southland, official No. 20, and entitled to all the privileges conferred by acceptonoo by, and affiliation with, tlio said District Grand Lwlge. Bro. Haymes also briefly reviewed the position of the Druidic Order, and pointed out tlio more particular benefits to be dorivod from int-mberahip in this district, especially the funeral benefit, which rendered a sum of £70 payable to the relatives of a deceased member.

The Arch Druid then requested the D.G, Vice-president "to present P.D.P. Bro. W. Gibb with a P.D.P. colter as a slight token of recognition of services' rendered as D.P. of tile lato No. 19 District'. 'Ilia duty Bro. Haymes cnrriocl out in a very pleasing nnnnor, referring in felicitous terms to the service.? reudoreil by Bro. W. Oibb to tho order. Bto. Gibb suitably responded, utter which an adjournment was made to tho eupper where a light banquet was spread. A varied programme of songs, etc., was gone through, the following contributing to the hanuony: — Bros. V. G. Manning, 11. Johnson, M'Grcgor, T. A. Hughes, Eyre, Jladigan. (2), D. Pope, Baird, Haymos, W. H. Wallace, J. Walker, W. Gibb, J. Driver, mid i£r Gashjraan. Bro. G. Driver acted as aocompanist. The various toast-3 wore responded to aa follows:—"Bis-Lrk-t Grand L:xlge of Qtego and Southland •by tho D.G. Vice-president; " Visiting Officers and Brother" by P.D.P. Bro. Earnshaw (Lodge Enterprise), Larnach (Lodge West Harbour), Havmas (Lodge' Ivanhoc), and Bnttcrfield (Ledge Otago); " District Grand Lo%o of tlic North Island of l\'ow Zealand " by Bro. Bold. " Tho Pioneer Members of All Nations" was responded to by P.D.P. Bro. J. S. Gibb and Bros. \Y. H. Wilson, W, F. and W. Graham, these four brothers having taken part in the formation aud open.bg of the ledge 24 years ago. D.G. Sec. Bro. Lamach proposed the toast of " All Nutions Lodge," which was responded to by P.D.P, Bro. W. Gibb.