ORDER OF DRUIDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15706, 7 March 1913, Page 3

ORDER OF DRUIDS.

GRAND LODGE SITTINGS. (Per United Press Association.) CHBISTGHUBCH, March 6. The twenty-third annual session of the Grand Lodge of Druids was opened today. A motion of condolence was agreed to in respect to the Antarctic disaster. The.Grand President (Bro, J. Burgess), in his address, said that the year had been a quiet one. Since 1890 the membership of the district had. increased from 780 to 2760, and the funds from £207 to £12,580. The assets had risen from £9397 to £48,364. In 21 years £36,964 had been paid in sick pay, £42,533 in doctors' and ch-emists' fees, and £12,925 in death claims. The election of officers resulted as follows :—Grand President, Bro. E. Muchmore (Timarn): vice-president, Bro. W. J. W. Neate (Pioneer); secretary, Bro. T. Walker (Hope of St, Albans); treasurer, Bro. J. Jowsey (Hope of St. Albans); Board of Management—Bros. J. W. Ba-ty (Mistletoe), C. Davidson (Ethelbert), George (Oak of Sydenham), H. Luxton (Ivy of Linwood), J. Rhodes (Anchor), H. E. Smith (Pioneer), Thornton' (Perseverance) ; Judicial Appeal Committee—Bros. Svvinnerton (Pioneer), Talbot (Mistletoe), Bates (Ivy of Linwood), Carpenter (Lily of Richmond), Furneaux (Hearts of Oak); auditors—Bras. A, L. Gray (Trafalfjar), C. Johneon (Hearts of Oak), and J. Burgess (Ivv of Linwood).. The meeting decided that the next Grand Lodge session bo held in Timar'u.

Proposals for preferential voting in tlie election of Grand Lodge officers were agreed to unanimously. At a special meeting Bro. Batlcy, P.G.P., was elected trustee in place of Bro. Manhire, resigned.