U.A.O.D.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18063, 8 March 1923, Page 3

U.A.O.D.

PRESENTATION TO P.G.P. BRO. R, W. SIMPSON.

A very enthusiastic) function took placo on TuoiUay evening in nusseii's lea Rooms, cue occasion ueing a complimentary social and. presentation to i'.G.P. ±>ro. Simpson* of tne lnnaru image of Druids. P.D.P. Bro. VV r . G. Eussell occupied the chair, and there were present Die. hi. Cameron (Grand President of Canterbury;, 1J re. Le-iUartin (Grand President of the North Island;, and a large number of tiie Timaru brethren. The Chairman stated that Bro. Simplon, who had been a member of the Timaru Loclgo for thirty-nine years and the senior trustee for the greater part of that time, was about to take a trip to the Old Country, and the brethren felt that they could not allow him to depart without wishing him bon voyage, a pleasant time when'he got there, ai d n safe return. Bro. Simpson had always been a brother of sterling worth, was a hard hitter in an argument, but never hit below tho belt, and was, above r.ll, a respecter of other men's opinions. The toasts of “Tho King” and ‘ n 1-9 Druids” and “Tho Grand Lodge of Canterbury” (proposed by D.P. Bro. Pring and responded to by G.P. Bro. Cameron and G.G. Bro. Collins) wort) then honoured. Tho Grand President (Bro. Cameron), in proposing tho health of P.G.P.' Pro. It. W. Simpson, gavo a resumo of lus work in Canterbury for Druidism, r.nd jstatod that Bro. Simpson had been appointed 'tho Now Zealand delegate to the Biennial (Session at the Drutdio Order in to be held in Portsmouth; also the delegate to the World’s Conference, to be held in Antwerp, and no brother in New Zealand was more worthy of- this honour and distinction. He then presented to Bro. Simpson, on behalf of a number of his Druidic friends, a handsome travelling i ug. • Several other brethren spoke m sn Import of the toast, and testified lo Bro. Simpson’s ability and sterling wori.il, and wished him a pleasant journey and a safe return. Bro. Simpson thanked all pre3ont for their kind remarks, the handsome f resent, and tho honour _ done _ 1 im. Spoaking of Timaru Lodge in particular, he stated that it was formed in Auguit, , ISB2, and when he took over the trustee- j ship tho funds amounted to £BOO. To- i day the funds amounted o £9394 is 2d, and tho membership was - ill t>>er 4.00; sick pay paid out since tho . I,edge’s inception amounted to £.1.2,187 ! 19s 3d; doctors’ and chemists’ fees, ! £11,036 os lid; and interest earned 1 £6274 8s lOd. During the last 11J years tho interest had provided ret | out of overy £1 paid out. Tho Frionn- ; [y Societies of New Zealand held a very proud position. On December 31, 1921, their total membership was 7 (,814; total funds £2,445,8-13; interest earned £lll 825; average rate of interest 5.4< ; sick benefits £90,994; funeral benefits £25,267. The average capital per member'in New South Wales was £l2 0s lOd ; Victoria £22 3s lOd; New Zealand £3l'Bs Bd. .. Bro. Simpson resumed bis seat- an ici loud applause. . i Other toasts honoured were: North Island Grand Lodge” (proposed by P.A. 15ro. O’Hagan, and responded to fy G.P. Bro. Le-Martin), and “Tho Timaru Lodge” (proposed by P.D.P. Bro. Gibb and responded to by V.A. Bro. Pearce). Tho following contributed to tho I musical portion of the programme:1 Bros. Knv. Firkin, and Wilson (songs), , and Bro. Collins (recitation). I Votes of thanks wero accorded tc nil. I who had nasisted in the arrangements and tho programme. J A very enjoyable gathering came to a conclusion nfc a- Into hour wirii the rinsing of “Auld Lang fiyno” and j ebony for Mr and Mrs Simpson and