FIFTY YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT

Southland Times, Issue 23794, 17 April 1939, Page 4

FIFTY YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT

ANCIENT ORDER OF DRUIDS JUBILEE OF GORE LODGE NO. 10 The fiftieth anniversary celebrations of the United Ancient Order of Druids Gore Lodge No. 10 began on Saturday night when a banquet was held in the Returned Soldiers’ Association club rooms. There was a big attendance of members and visitors at the banquet and A.D. Bro. A. J. Parsons presided. A church parade was held to the Gore Presbyterian Church yesterday morning, the Gore Brass Band being in attendance. Tonight the celebrations will conclude with a jubilee social and dance. . An interesting talk on the history ot the lodge was given by Mr Andrew Martin, a foundation member ox the lodge and a past district president, at the banquet on Saturday night. Mr Martin said that fifty years ago there was only one friendly society at Gore, and it was felt by many people that there was room for another. Several preliminary meetings were held and a meeting to discuss the matter and ascertain the prospects of establishing a lodge at Gore was held in Mr J. Knight’s Commercial Hotel, East Gore, on April 20, 1889. There was a big attendance at this meeting and in addition to local enthusiasts, the district president, Bro. Moss (Dunedin), Bros. A. H. Shelton, D.S., P.D.P. Bro. D. Larnach, P.A. Bro. Canter (Caversham), PA. Bro. Logie (Royal Oak Lodge), P.D.F. Bro. Wohlers (Invercargill), A.D. Bro. Anderson (Invercargill) and P.A. Bro. C. 3. Bryant (Dunedin) were also present. The principles and rules of the order were explained by Bro. Moss and at the end of the address 36 of those present expressed their willingness to join and constitute a lodge at Gore. Mr Martin read a list of charter members as follows:—I. S. Simpson, Andrew Martin, A. C. Johnston, R. Boag, J. Hoffman, J. Bucholz, W. Ballantine, D. J. Telfer, A. Middlemiss, E. Ryder, F. Hoffman, E. J. O’Keefe, N. Frederickson, J. McEwan, W. Boag, J. Pacey, P. Hood, H. Houston, C. Peterson, W. Perry, W. Young, P. Leahy, J. H. Smith, J. Clark, J. Jamie, John Watt, G. Newman, W. Barraclough and E. and E. Finch. Mr Martin said that the charter was signed by W. Boyd, grand president, Victoria, W. Main, G.V.P., W. Simpson, G.T., J. Black, G.P.P., A. Peacock, G.G., and J. J. Brennan, G.S. “Of the 30 foundation members who signed the charter only two are now alive,” said Mr Martin, “myself, and Mr A. C. Johnston, of Christchurch.

“The first anniversary of the lodge was celebrated on April 23, 1890,-” said Mr Martin, “with a torchlight procession, concert and dance. The Town Hall was packed and the celebration was -carried off most successfully.” Mr Martin concluded by giving a review of the lodge’s progress. THE BANQUET Before the start of the banquet 'A.D. Bro. A. J. Parsons extended a welcome to all present and expressed the hope that they would have an enjoyable time. The toast of the “Grand Lodge” was proposed by P.D.P. Bro. J. Fraser, who referred to the band of enthusiasts who had formed the Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland. They had started in a small but very sound way and had left a solid foundation. Members that day were reaping the benefit of -the work done by the first members. Bro. Fraser expressed the opinion that the ordinary member of the lodge did not see enough of the workings of the Grand Lodge. He concluded by paying a tribute to the work of P.S. Bro. T. J. Sherborne, sen.

In reply, G.P. Bro. A. J. Hinton, of Dunedin, said that the officers of the Grand Lodge were at the service of lodge members. He could not let. the occasion pass without paying a tribute to the work of the Gore Lodge during the last 50 years. He was proud to be present at its jubilee and to be associated with one of its foundation members, P.D.P. Bro. Andrew Martin. He expressed regret that Bro. T. J. Sherborne was not present and paid a tribute to the latter’s fine work. He referred briefly to the Social Security Act and assured members that as soon as the Grand Lodge had anything definite to disclose about the Act all lodges would be informed immediately. The Mayor of Gore (Mr A. T. Newman) was present at the banquet and he extended a welcome to all visitors on behalf of the citizens of the town. He said he understood that a number of old “Goreites” were present at the celebrations and he was pleased to welcome them back to the town. Mr Newman said that he had taken a keen interest in friendly societies for the last 40 years. The movement was very strong in New Zealand and he estimated that about 500,000 people were getting some benefit from friendly societies. SOUND FOUNDATION In proposing the toast of the “Gore Lodge,” G.S. Bro. W. B. Steel said that 50 years was a wonderful slice in the life of an individual, a great thing in the life of a society, but only a drop in the life of a nation. He was proud to think that the Gore Lodge was celebrating its jubilee. Bro. Steel paid a tribute to the work of Bro. Sherborne also, and paid a tribute to the members who had founded the lodge. The lodge had started in a small way and had grown to what it was that day. It was the duty of the present members to increase the lodge’s membership and hand it on to their children a stronger and more powerful organization.

A.D. Bro. A. J. Parsons and P.D.P. Bro. Andrew Martin replied. The toast of “Past Grand Presidents,” was proposed by P. A. Sister D. M. Slater, who said that she was very proud of the order to which she belonged. She considered that in the past grand presidents they had the cream of the order. Sister Slater said that several past grand presidents had died during recent years and she considered that they should be given a passing thought. P.G.P. Bro. J. W. Dove replied. Other toasts honoured during the evening were:—“Doctors and Chemists”; “Kindred Societies”; “Absent Members”; “The Visitors”; “New Zealand Parliament.” P.D.P. Bro. W. H. Briggs, of Gote, was also presented during the evening with a diploma and a P.D P. collar. The presentations were made by P.G.P. Bros. G. F. M. Stewart and G. Thomson respectively.