UNITED ANCIENT ORDER OF DRUIDS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2646, 8 March 1898, Page 3

UNITED ANCIENT ORDER OF DRUIDS.

The eighth annual meeting of the District Grand Lodge of Canterbury was held m the Druids' Hall, Lincoln, on Thursday, March 3rd, at 11 a.m. The chair was taken by D. G. President Bro. J. J. Hunter, and there were present all the officers and twenty three representatives, P.D.P. Bro. 11, W. Simpson and P. A. Bro. G. J. Sealey representing the Tiraaru Lodge. After the calling of the roll and reading;correspondence the nomination and election of officers was proceeded with, and resulted m the following being elected for the present year :— District Grand President, Bro. W. H. Manhire ; District Grand Vice-President, Bro. T. Smith ; District Grand Secretary, Bro.-H. D. Rayner ; District Grand Treasurer, Bro. W. Bar tram. The auditors' report and balance sheet were taken, showing that the funds are steadily increasing, and now amount to £4095 6s Id, all being well invested. The Board of Management report showed that the total membership at the end of December, 1897, was 1450 as against

1358 at the commencement of the year, and that the total funds of the lodges m the district, not including the District Grand Lodge funds, now stand at £18,743 10s, being an increase for the year of £2123 2s sd, though the sickness m many of the lodges had been very heavy. It was notified that the Board had obtained diplomas for Past District Presidents, and had decided to present each P.l>.P. with one datingfrom the inauguration of the District. There were eleven proposed amendments of rules, but they were all rejected by large majorities, excepting the 11th dealing with clearances, which was cai-ried. It was decided to hold a special meeting of the District Grand Lodge m September, to consider a graduated scale of contributions, and any other business that may be brought forward. The meeting was then duly closed by the newly-installed District Grand President, Bro. W. H. Manhire, at 9 p.m.