United Ancient Order of Druids.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6237, 9 June 1890, Page 2

United Ancient Order of Druids.

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF CANTERBURY.

The first half-yearly meeting of the District Grand Lodge of Canterbury, United Ancient Order of Druids, took place in the Druids Hall, Worcester street, Christchurch, on Friday evening. The chair was taken at 7.30 by the District Grand President, Bro. E. Harris, of the Hope of St. Albans Lodge, and there were also present the District Grand Yice-President, Bro. J. Taylor, Star of Anglesea j District Grand Secretary, Bro. T. Walker, Hope of St. Albans ; District Grand Treasurer, Bro. T, Bullivant, Pioneer ; District Grand Guardian, Bro. B. Petrie, and representatives from each lodge in the district (with the exception [of four), and a goodly number of visitors from lodges that are not as yet affiliated to the Grand Lodge. The District Grand President, in opening the meeting, congratulated the board of management on the present assemblage, as a governing power, and trusted that their united deliberations would bo for the universal good. Since the board had last met a change had taken'Jplace in the executive, District Grand Secretary, Bro. H, B. Rowe, having left the shores of New Zealand in quest of employment. Qhe board took steps to fill the vacancy in the person of P.A. P.B. Bro. T. Walker, of the Hope of St. Alban’s Lodge. In consequence of this appointment it was necessary to appoint an auditor in Bro. Walker’s place, he having resigned to take up the Grand Lodge secretarial duties. With regard to the District Grand Lodge exercising control over the Christchurch galas it had

been agreed that they bo left in the jurisdiction of the lodges as hitherto, and that the gala committees be composed of one delegate for every 25 members in the respective lodges within a radius of 20 miles, lodges at a greater distance to afford all the assistance they possibly could. The question of lodges holding freehold property was to be left in the hands of the revision committee, who were now at work. The board felt gratified that since last meeting the Timaru lodge had obtained sanction from the Grand Lodge of Australia to affiliate, and in their having a representative present in the person of secretary Past Arch Bro. /. Boulden, at this the Grand Lodge meeting. They felt assured that the time was not far distant when the other remaining lodges would unite with the District Grand-Lodge, The revising committee had been at work since last meeting framing laws for the district, but as yet had got no copies, on account of revision work taking up their whole time. A Royal Arch Chapter bad been formed and two meetings successfully conducted. The next meeting ot the Chapter was to be held in the Ivy of Linwood Lodge on a date to be named. The board deeply regretted, since last meeting, the demise of Bro. George Madden, of Lyttelton Hearts of Oak Lodge, who had lost his life by accident whilst in the discharge of his duty, this being the first death claim through the District Grand Lodge. In conclusion the president said that the board felt it to be a matter of congratulation that the question of local government had taken such deep root and was a topic of continued and widespread interest. There were now 17 lodges in Canterbury, and 12 of them were affiliated with the District Grand Lodge movement. The appointment of Bro. Walker as Grand Secretary was then confirmed, and with respect to the death claim it may be hero explained that the Grand Lodge of Australia will at the end of three years refund to the District Grand Lodge the total amount of claims paid on account of death, and also pay interest on claims.

The balance sheet was then read and adopted. It showed the district funds to be in a good state, the cash balance being £Bl 8s lid, Timaru stands second in importance as a contributing lodge, the Pioneer being first. Before adopting the revised Grand Lodge laws Bro. Boulden brought forward the business the Timaru Lodge wished the Grand Lodge to consider. Firstly, the Timaru Lodge wished the Grand Lodge to adopt the reduced scale of initiation fees as laid down in the quarterly report for September 1888. The new or reduced scale was as follows s 16 and under 20, 7s fid ; 20 and under 25, 10s fid j 25 and under 30,15 s 5 30 and under 35, £1 5s ;35 and under 40, £2. The present rates are for the ages as named, 10s fid, 15s, £l, £1 10s, and £3, respectively. He also desired to table a recommendation from the Timaru Lodge to be allowed to adopt the sliding scale of contributions. After discussion, members unanimously agreed to grant permission to the Timaru or any lodge in the district, to adopt the reduced scale of fees.

As to the contributions, the Revision Com* mittee were agreed that a sliding sale of contributions was necessary, and reported that a scale was being drafted subject to the approval of the Registrar and the Board of Directors in Victoria.

Secondly, thoTimaru Lodge ashed that the Grand Lodge do business with the lodges under their jurisdiction so as to enable the board to arrange with a fidelity society at a cheaper rate than now obtainable, in the matter of the secretaries’ and treasurers’ fidelity bonds. This matter was left in the hands of the Grand Lodge members to make such an arrangement if at all possible. Thirdly, the Timaru Lodge asked the Grand Lodge to pass second class travelling expenses of representatives from lodges situated at a greater distance than seven miles from the Grand Lodge meeting place. It was resolved that the Grand Lodge would pay half of first class travelling expenses of one representative for every lodge situate over 50 miles from the Grand Lodge room.

Fourthly, the Timaru lodge considered that the expenses of the installing officer should be defrayed by the Grand Lodge. Members present expressed a wish to deal fairly with all, and agreed to meet their Timaru brethren in this matter by stating that if the Timaru Lodge would pay the half of the expenses they would probably agree to let the installing officer come to Timaru for the purpose desired on July Ist; Secretary Bro. Boulden to report on this after quarter night. ,

The District Grand Lodge revised laws were'then brought forward, and were adopted clause by clause after several alterations and amendments. This closed the business of the session. Bro. Boulden desired to return the Grand Lodge a very cordial vote of thanks on behalf of che Timaru Lodge for the reception they had accorded him. The adoption of the reduced scale of initiation fees would be hailed with keen satisfaction by all the brethren, and would bring their lodges into great favour.

After the exchange of congratulations and greeting to the various brethren, the rough minutes were road and a very orderly and enjoyable meeting throughout was brought to a close by the President (Bro. Harris) in “ Unity, Peace, and Concord."