DRUIDISM

Southland Times, Issue 19223, 19 April 1924, Page 6

DRUIDISM

GRAND PRESIDENT ENTERTAINED. The newly-elected Grand President of the Otago and Southland Grand Lodge U.A.0.D., was entertained by the local Druidic fraternity on W’ednesday night to mark the advent to office of the first Southlander (Bro. F. E. Barham) to that position.- There was a representative attendance of brethren, including visitors from lodges throughout the province. The chief toast of the evening, that of “Our Grand President Bro. F. C. Barham,” was proposed by Bro. A. A. Low, who said that the honour gained by their guest, was one that had been fully earned and was a' fitting reward for all the services and talents that he had given of so freely in the cause of Druidism. Their worthy guest had a fine record of activity in Druidic affairs. He had attended 15 meetings of the Grand Lodge, and had been an active member of the Order for 23 years, so with all those years of experience in Friendly Society work to his credit he was well worthy of the highest honour that the Order could bestow. For 26 years their delegates had attended the Grand Lodge meetings, and this was the first occasion that Southland had been honoured with a Grand President, not because they had not the brethren who could fittingly fill the position, but because of their inability to devote the time necessary to the office. The position of Grand President was a very dignified one, and called for a Brother of decision. He must also possess outstanding ability, tact, be a good judge of character and firm on the lofty principles that their Order stood for. From his personal observation of their G.P. the speaker believed he had, in a marked degree, all the characteristics that w*ent to make up the G.P., and if he displayed the same ability during his term as G.P. as he did in general lodge work—he had no hesitation in expressing the opinion that he would^—the speaker confidently prophesied a successful term of office.

Bro. Barham, who was enthusiastically received, appropriately acknowledged the toast.

During the evening a lengthy toast list, interspersed with music, song and recitation, was gone through, proceedings terminating by the singing of Auld Lang Syne and God Save the King, after a very enjoyable evening marked by unity, peace and concord.