MEETING OF DRUIDS

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1934, Page 12

MEETING OF DRUIDS

VISIT OF GRAND LODGE OFFICERS.

A special meeting of New Plymouth Druids was held in the lodge room, Gill Street, on Wednesday night for the purpose of meeting the Grand Lodge executive officers, who are visiting the district. The visiting officers are the vicegrand president, Bro. Gregory, Auckland; past grand president, Bro. Jackson, Palmerston North; grand treasurer, Bro. Mawhinney, Wellington; and the grand guardian, Bro. Williams, Petone. Each of the visitors gave an address on the work and the progress of the society, and at the conclusion of their addresses invited questions. The reports showed that the society in all its bran -hes was in a sound condition, and that in spite of the years of depression through which the Dominion has been passing, had continued to make steady progress in every department. At the conclusion of the meeting supper was served by the women’s committee, the remainder of the evening being given over to harmony. ARRIVAL AT INGLEWOOD. CIVIC RECEPTION GIVEN. Mr. Lethaby, grand president, and Mr. Laughton, grand secretary, officers of the Ancient Order of Druids, were tenr dered a civic reception at Inglewood on Wednesday by the Mayor, Mr. J. Gibbs. Mr. F. Spurdlc, secretary of the Inglewood lodge, introduced the visitors. The Mayor on behalf of the borough Of Inglewood extended a welcome to the visiting members. Although he did not belong to a lodge, he was in a position to appreciate the work done by friendly societies. No doubt they had passed through difficult times regarding finance during the past four years. The motto, “United to Assist,” was admirable. During the last four years he had seen the wofst cases of distress. Men worked all their lives for wages, and at the age of 60 or 65 were thrown on to the oldage pension. The solution of this might bO in the hands of the friendly societies if they could take up some old-age pension scheme. Tire societies were wealthy dnd might be able to foymiiUte some national scheme. No men did greater work than grand lodge members, stated the Mayor, and he was pleased to be able to give them a civic reception. Mr. Lethaby thanked Mr. Gibbs and traced the movement of the friendly society from its birth 300 years before Christ. With reference to the old-age scheme mentioned by the Mayor, Mr. Lethaby said that first the societies would have to have a surplus. At present the lodge had formed a fund to assist oldage members. Inglewood’s was the first civic reception during a tout of eighteen months and they were , very proud of it. The secretarj’ spoke similarly. They had visited the Inglewood lodge room and it was one of the finest in the Dominion. Tire Inglewood Lodge was particularly favoured by having a secretary with the ability and the interest of the lodge at heart, as had Mr. Spurdie. Mr. Spurdie spoke on behalf of the Inglewood lodge. Mr. Burnip, the treasurer, also spoke.