DRUIDISM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14359, 31 October 1908, Page 14

DRUIDISM.

The District, Grand Lodge Executive decided that, owing lo tlio great, progress being made in Southland, the oliicial visits Ihcro should be in accordance with tho importance of those, lodges. It was arranged that all of the executive who could get away should visit. Invercargill, Gore, and Colac Bay. The party, consisting of IJ.G.P. Bio. J. Ilavmcs, D.G.Y.P. Bro. A. If. Shelton, D.G.T. Bro. K Kellett, D.G.G. Bro. i'j. SuiKlerland, P.D.P Bro. W. Connor, and II,A.I I ,A. Bro, W, B. filled, left Duncdin hy the moraine; train on Wednesday, October 21, and were joined at (tore by P.U.I'. Bro. .T. Mitchell, and heartily welcomed by Secretary Bro. IT. Adams and I'.D.l'. Bro. T. Sherborne. Arriving at Invercargill, Ihe oflicers were mot by the D.l'., Bro. .1. 11. Keen. Secretary Bro. W. Anderson, I'.D.l 1 . Bro. W. Strang, P.D.I'. Bro. I'. ('. Barham, and; I'.D.P. Bro. >f. W. Hill in a very cordial! manner. The wet. weather prevented much sightseeing, but did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Acorn Lodge members, who attended the evenimr meeting, and gave with great spirit the "Welcome" chorus. After initiations, which were capitally conducted by the A.D., Bro. Frascr, and his officers, (•he Jodgeadjourned for harmony. The following toasts were honoured:—"King and the Druids"; "District Grand Lodge, Otago and Southland" (I'.D.P. Bro. Hill), responded to' hy the D.G.P., Bro. Ilaymes, and D.G.V.I'. Bro. Shclton; "No. 3 District," (P.A. Bro. 9. W. Cooke), coupled with the names ot D.P. Bro. Keen; "Kindred Societies'' (I'.D.P. Bro. (I. M'Dcrmott), replied to by D.(v.Ct. Bro. E. Sunderland; "Otago Lodges" (P.D.P. Bro. W. Strang); "Juvenile Lodges" (f.G. Bro. J. Tattersfield) ; " The Acorn Lodge," proposed by the D.G.P., Bro. ilaymes; "Visitors," leplied to ;by P.A. Jfyo. Macfarlano, of Gore. The visiting officers and brethren wcro entertained by Bros. Mills, TattorsGcld, Coxon, Faith, Hill, • Anderson, and Stott, and the members of the exccutivo all added items to the programme. Bro. Duerdon accompanied tho singers in (i.'S usual able manner. Tho A.D., Bro. Frcscr, closed the lodge by calling upon tho brethren to sin? "Auld lam; syne," and the pleasant evening will be remembered with satisfaction by the visiting officers and brethren.

Tho Bay Lodge will celebrato its anniversary on Tuesday evening next by holding an "open night," to which arc invited all members of the order, friends, andresidents. A capital programme will be provided, and, judging 1»y the manner in wliicli the officers have arranged, previous "open night," those who attend will no doubt, spend a pleasant evening. D.U. President Uro. .T." I-laymcs and his ofliccrs will be present.

A.D. Bro. Fowler presided at tho fortnightly meeting of Iho Ivanhoe Lodge on Monday evening, when there was a good attendance. ; Visitors present wero D.lj. President Bro. J. Ilaymes, D.G.V.l 1 . Bro. A. 11. Shclton. D.l'. Bro. Jacobson, P.A. Bro. Jelley (Pride of Mornington). P.A. Bro. Blair (Lily of the Valley), and A.D. Bro. J. P. Whitty (Bay). D.G. President Bro. Ilaymes gave an interesting account of Ihe visit of the Grand Lodge olficcrs lo the Southland lodges, and made special reference to the good worlc done by the members in advancing Druidism, ono lodge alone having increased its membership by one-third in 12 months. P.D.P. Bro. Mces was .the recipient during the evening of a case of pipes, in recognition of bis past, services to the lodge. A programme of songs and a recitation was carried through.

The Linden Lodge met 011 Tuesday evening, when the A.D. was greeted by a good attendance of members. Visitors present were: D.P. Bro. Jacoteon and members of the Ivanhoo Lodge. Funeral allowance of £70 was received from tiie Grand Lodge 011 behalf of a latcJ>rother. A resolution was carried to convey the congratulations of tlie lodge to Bro. F. Clough on the celebration of .his golden wedding, also wishing him and hits wife mquy more years of health and happiness. A card match with the visitors was contested, honours being even on this occasion. Light refreshments were sewed, and., a pleasant hour was epenl; in harmony.

Tho Otago Lodge* met 011 Wednesday evening, when there was a good muster of members. Otlieial visits wore received from D.G.V.P. Bro. A. H. Slielton. DJ?., Bro. Jacobson, and All Nations Lodge,: the brethren, being welcomed with musical honours. Visitorshverc also present from. Ivanhoe, Lily of the' Valley, and Bay Lodges. Two candidates were received by clearance. It was decided to donate $2 to the_ proposed cottage hospital at. Port Chalmers, members expressing their appreciation of the efforts being made to establish stick a needful place in that suburb. The lodge then adjourned to contest a card match with visitors. Refreshments were handed round, and a most enjoyable evening was spent by all those present. Tho usual toasts were honoured, and responded to by D.D. Bro. .Tacobson, A.D. Bro. Voisey (All Nations), Bro. Ford (Lily of the Valley). Bro. Hintz (Ivanhotf, ami Bro. Wilson (Bay).