DRUIDISM.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3588, 31 March 1886, Page 3

DRUIDISM.

Tho qnarlerly meeting of tho Timaru Lodge, No. 152, U.A.O. Druids, was held last evening at the Foresters' Hall. Bro James Fullart-on, Arch-Druid, presided. Xhero was a fair attendance of niembH'3 present considering that at t-hii season of tho jear many are unadvoidably absent m the country engaged m various occupations and sent apologies. The inimitrs of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Accounts amounting to £11 183 7d, and sick-pay members for £1 IG3 8(1, were passed for payment. The committee, appointed by tho Lodge, to dccidii m what shape the proposed tcstimoni-.il to Bro J. S. Keith should tako brought up their report, which showed that they had procured a l'aat District President's collar from Melbourne, and also a gold albert chain with pendant from the well-known local I jcwelleri Messrs Bower and Ferguson, and which would be presented to Bro Keith that evening. Tho recipient had bcon a member of tho Lodge from its opening, and had filled tho offices of V.A., A.D., and P.A., and on tho District being separated from North Canterbury was elected the first District President, the duties of which were carried out by him with considerable ability and satisfaction. Tho testimonials wero thpn handed round to tho brethren for their inspection and approval, and were much admired. The material of tho collar was of purple silk, bordered with silver fringe threo inches deep, baring on tho right sido a very handsomo silver shield bearing the following inscription — "Presented to Bro J. S. Keith, P.D.P., by the Lodges of No. 30 District, March 1856," and on the left side P.D.f. worked m silver laco. The gold albert was of bc3t colonial gold, attached to which was a gold medallion pendant, the caste being an acorn embellished with oa'i leavc3 and beautifully chased. The inscription was as follows — " Presented by Timaru Lodge No. 152, U.A.0.D., to Bro J. S. Keith, on completing his term as D.P., March 188 G." Bro W. Beckingham, District President, presented the former, and Mr J. Fullarton, Arch Druid, the latter. The speeches of both brethren wero brief and to tho point, and when concluded met with hearty applause from tho brethren. Bro Keith m returning thanks for tho two presents Btated that he had been taken by surprise, and could not

understand why his humble efforts to do his duty should have been rewarded with such a substantial recognition, and gave nn outline of the success! of Druidism m Ibn district. There are now three, lodges m the Timaru district, with a membership ii about 300, and us DruiJUni was only initiated here scarcely . four years ?ince, it nviy bo assumed Hint it has mado very rapid progress. The remainder • of tho evening was spent m linrmuny. Receipts, £G3 l'Js. The lodge closed at 10 o'oloek.