FORMATION OF BRANCH.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20456, 8 November 1934, Page 14

FORMATION OF BRANCH.

Royal Society of Saint George.

At a meeting held in the Masonic Hall. Gloucester Street, it was unanimouslv decided to form a branch of the Royal Society of St George, under the denomination of Canterbury branch. Mr S. Clifton Bingham was elected president, Messrs C. Flavell and A. TT. Hobbs vice-presidents, and Messrs .1. B. Borthwick, A. 11. C. Cavell, .1. W. Hillary and Ross Hepburn as an executive cofmnittee, and Mr C. G. Curtis secretary and treasurer. The society was founded in 3 894 by the late Mr Howard Ruff for the purpose of encouraging and strengthening the spirit of patriotism among all of English birth or origin throughout the world, irrespective of creed or party, and, inter alia, to further English interests and kindred patriotic movements. The annual festival is held on St George’s Day (April 23), which is also the anniversary of the birth and death of the greatest of Englishmen. William Shakespeare. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is president of the parent society, and their Majesties the King and Queen are patrons. All people of English blood, although citizens of other countries, are eligible for membership. It is hoped that the formation of other branches in New Zealand will follow and that eventually a grand council for the Dominion will be found neces-