DRUIDISM.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11701, 10 March 1902, Page 3

DRUIDISM.

The annual meeting of the District Grand Lodge of Canterbury, United Ancient Order of Druids,* was held in Christchurch on Thursday, the 6th inst., the chair being taken by D.G. President Bro. Newton. There was a full attendant of representatives from the various lodges in the district, P.D. Presidents Bros. R. W.' Simpson, G. J. Sealev, and C. E. Knight representing the Timaru Lodge, and the principal visitors were D.G. Vice-President Bro. Hopkins (Otago and Southland D.G. Lodge), P.S. Bro. Bold (North Island D.G. Lodge), and P.D.P. Bro. Swift (Sandhurst, "Victoria). The election of officers for the ensuing twelve months resulted as follows :~D.G.P., Bro. R.. Dyer; D.G.V.P.. Bro. H. E. Smith: D.G. Sec., Bro. H. D. Raynor; D.G. Treas., Bro. T. Walker; D.G.G., Bro. J. Jowsey (an old memEer and P.A. of the Timaru lodge); D.G. Auditors. Bros. J. Swinnerton, W. T. Barnes, J. Israelson ; Board ef Management—Bros. C. Tomson (Pioneer Lodge), W. Bartram (Star of Anglesea), W. T. Thomas (Anchor), A. C. Bartram ((Ethelbert), T. Smith (Ivy of Linwood), J. Hooker ((Perseverance). W. H. Manhire (Olive Branch); Judicial Appeal Committee—Bros. J. J. Hunter (Hope of St. Albans, T. J. Gledhill (Pioneer), W. Bailey (Mistletoe), W. T. Thomas (Anchor), A. Werner (Ellesmere). The balance sheet showed an increase of funds for the year of £421 17s sd, aftej the payment of £3BO for funeral allowances, etc., and a total credit of £5841 2s Id. The aggregate funds of the districi are now, £23,990 5s 6d, an increase for th< year of £1202 6s 4d. The total membership is 1670, the net gain being 53The chief .items of interest in the Tepor of the Board of Management were Btate ments to the effect that two new lodge h

ad been opened, and that enquiries had >een made with respect to the Band_ of lope Lodge. Ranpiora, joining this district, she members of that lodge being unanimously desirous of doing so. Various amendments of roles "were then dealt -with, the principal being the institution of a special fund, with a view to increasing the present fnneral pay; this was carried with an amendment that myments to the fund be (rational, and the D.G. President also ruled that honorary members <r«r« included in such' benefit. It was resolred that the female lodses in the order in the district be taken over by the D.G. "Lodge, and bro"trht under their jurisdiction, as also the juvenile Todees. After the installation of officers, heartv votes of thanks accorded to the visitors for their attendance.

The next annual meeting will be held in diristchurch.

Handsomely framed dinlomas were presented to the rfltfnnfr District Presidents. Bro. C. K. Knight beinn- the recipient of on«. as P.D.P. of.No. 5 District.

Thf. D.G. L(v?p» w)5 closer l by the newly installed Grand President, Bro. R. Dyer, at 6 p.m.