DRUIDISM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21148, 4 October 1930, Page 24

DRUIDISM.

The Gore Lodge of Druids held its fortnightly meeting last Friday, Arch Druid Bro. A, Ferguson being in the chair. The f nests of the evening were Grand Presient Bro. George Thompson, accompanied by the Board ot Management—Bros. Buston, Hunt, Webb, and also P.A. Bro. Bezett, superintendent of the Progress Juvenile Lodge, Dunedin. All were received with Druidie honours. The A.D. and officers of the Pride of Mataura Lodge also attended officially. The Grand Lodge, .at the request of the Gore- Lodge, conducted the business and also > initiated three candidates in a very impressive manner. During the course of the evening, the Grand President, Bro. Thompson, gave an interesting address on the growth and development of the Order generally, especially in Otago and Southland, and stressing more particularly the juvenile movement which had made rapid strides since the first lodge was opened. Bro. Huston . confined his remarks to the finances of the Order, dealing at length with the special funeral fund. He showed the good effect of consolidation of all lodges’ sick and funeral fund controlled now by the Board of Management. Bro. Hunt referred to the membership of the Order, He also stressed the point that the juvenile movement was the best recruiting ground. Bro. Webb dealt with the Grand Lodge visitations, and the benefit derived by the country lodges from such visits, Bro. Bezett, in returning thanks for the cordial reception received, gave a very interesting account of the work as a superintendent of a juvenile lodge, and urged the brethren to give it every consideration. At the conclusion of the business, an adjournment was made to Milne’s Tea Rooms, where a dainty supper was served and a toast list honoured. The toast of “ The 'Grand Lodge of Otago and South-, land ” was proposed by P.D.P. Bro. Martin, and responded to by Grand President Bro. George Thompson and PA.. Bro. Hunt. “ The Visitors’ ” toast was proposed by P.D.P. Bro, Sherbourne, and responded to by the A.D. of the Pride of Mataura Lodge. The fortnightly meeting of the Mistletoe Lodge was held in St, Mark’s Hall, Green Island, on Tuesday last, Arch Druid Bro. A. Reynolds presiding. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and correspondence dealt with. A large muster of officers and members of Pride of Mornington Lodge were received into the lodge with musical honours and warmly welcomed by, the arch druid. An invitation from Ivanhoe Lodge to attend its jubilee meeting, also for delegate to attend the banquet was accepted, the lodge deciding to attend officially, while A.D. Bro. Reynolds was appointed to represent the lodge at the banquet. Ope candidate was initiated into the lodge by the officers of the Pride -of Mornington, who carried out their duties in a most creditable manner. P.‘A. Bro, A, C. Dumble, reported on behalf of the Euchre Committee and also submitted the balance sheet of the anniversary social. Secretary Bro. Birt (Mornington), acting on behalf of Mistletoe. presented A.D. Bro. Reynolds with a silk scarfe for winning the vice arch charge competition. One proposition for membership was received. The usual toasts were duly honoured and were replied to by A. D. Bro. Richardson (Mornington), P.A. Bro. Kilgour (Enterprise), and Bro. Butler (newly-initiated brother).’ The arch druid then adjourned the lodge for the purpose of playing oS for the euchre shield. A pleasant match resulted in Mistletoe defeating Pride of Mornington by 18 games to 8, thereby retaining possession of the shield. Royal Oak Lodge held its meeting in the lodge room, Caversham, A.D. Bro. F. Hudson presiding. The, invitation to Ivanhoe Lodge was accepted, all the officers to attend officially, and A.D. Bro. Hudson was elected to represent the lodge at the jubilee function at Ivanhoe Lodge. Vice-Grand President Bro. M'Leod, accompanied by Grand Secretary Bro. W. B. Steel and members of the board of management, were announced and welcomed by the arch druid. Grand Secretary Bro. Steel was called upon to unveil an enlarged photo of the late P.D.P. Bro. J. Hudson. _ The lodge then adjourned to celebrate its forty-ninth anniversary. Representatives from other lodges, with their lady friends, spent an enjoyable evening in dancing, games and competitions. The most enjoyable competition, dressmaking for men. was won by Bro. T. Thorburn. The singing of “ Auld Lang Syne ” concluded one of the best evenings spent in Royal Oak Lodge.