United Ancient Order of Druids.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2020, 21 January 1887, Page 2

United Ancient Order of Druids.

OPENING OF THE WAIOHINE LODGE AT GREYTOWN This lodge was duly opened under most favourable circumstances last night. Perhaps it has never fallen to the lot of any society to inaugurate a lodge in any town with more encouraging prospects than the Druids, who were interested in this new undertaking. In the brat place the physique of the new members, was such as would be calculated to make the heart of a medical mao rejoice, and Dr Smith should have had nodifficulty in deciding that each and everyone of the new candidates lot initiation were fit and proper subjects for becoming members of ‘a sick benefit institution. Tbe members roll of the now lodge contains 40 names and most of these presented themselves and were duly initiated last night. At about 8 o'clock the members of the Totara Lodge, consisting of Bros Arch Druid George Yule, Past Arch George Gardener, Gayfer, A Armstrong, Me.vriek, Horn (secretary), aud seven other hn.-turen members of the same lodge, arrived in Greytowu.

The ceremony, which was a most imposing one, was conducted by Bro District President Kdgar Jones, and that gentleman performed the duties pertaining ;to his important office with great success! Bros I'S ]'. Wallace of the Star of Now Zealand and Poiieko ':odgns and T P Morley of the Pacific midge, Wellington, were present an 1 rendered valuable service. Bro Wallace road the interim dispensation very clearly a. 1 distinctly. After the ceremony of initiation was completed, The lodge was duly opened for the purpose of the election of the first officers and Bro C Fabian was elected Arch Druid. Bros Johnston and Beck were nominated for Vice Druid and Bro Johustou retiring Bro Beck was duly elected. Bro H de Cl ifton was duly elected secretary. Bros Higgins, Johnston and Campbell were nominated for Treasurer, Bro Higgins declined and Bro Campbell was elected Inner Guard, Bro Matthews; AG Bro Rollings ; AD Bards, Bros A Gardener, and Alhuvav ; VD Bards, Bros G Varnham and Salisbury. After the ceremony of investiture was completed the Brethren adjourned to Bro Fabian s Club Hotel, where a most recherche spread was provided, and without any attempt at flattery it should be remarked that Mr Fabian certainly was most profuse and liberal in this, his first, public dinner in the Club. If the affair of last night is a prestige of what Mr Fabian intends to do in the future, he will certainly get a remarkably good name u a caterer. The chair wee

occupied by the Arch Druid and right and left of him respectively were Fast Arch Q M Gardener and the officers and brethren of the Totara Lodge, and District President Jones aud the visitors from the Wellington Lodges. Alter the luxuries supplied by the host bad been duly discussed the chairman gave the toast “ The Queen and the Druids." The toast having been suitably acknowledged, Bio Wallace sang " All That Glitters is Not Gold ” with much effect. DP Bro Jones in some suitable and well pointed remarks then responded to the toast, and his speech was much applauded; he recommended the Druids of New Zealand to join with their brethren in Australia in Stbe movement now being instituted there for a Gala and Art Union ; he hoped if the lodges in this colony assisted, they might secure some of the prizes. He trusted something on the same scale might be arranged in New Zealand before long ; he spoke of the great success that bad attended the Order daring the last few years and he hoped that the youngest branch (the Waiohine Lodge) would have a propoitionate measure of success attending its efforts, and from the way they had started he felt confident that they need not fear the result. P A Bro Gardener proposed “ Kindred Societies," complied with the name of Mr Nation, hon member of the Oddfellows. Bro Gardener said that there was a good opening for a Druids’ Lodge in Oreytown, and be trusted that all the Friendly Societies wonld cultivate a fraternal spirit and ecch work in their several directions for the public good ; be hoped that the foundation of the " Waiohine Lodge " must create a healthful stimulant to that end. Bro Gardener then gave the recitation called “ Becalmed.” The Chairman said be hoped that they wonld ■how their good feeling toward " Kindred Societies” by drinking the toast in a hamper ; the Societies generally bad always good work in hand. The toast was drank with enthusiasm. Bro Oayfcr then sang "The Gipsy King." Bro De Clifton eaid he owed an apology to the Foresters' Lodge for omitting to invite their officers to the banquet, it was hie fault and his alone. He had invited the NG of the Oddfellows’ Lodge that afternoon, but be was unable to attend. Mi W C Nation responded on behalf of “ Kindred Societies ” he hoped that the different orders wonld soon be blended together in the desire of doing the mighty work they had respectively undertaken. They already had done some great work in the past; he hoped that the United Order of Druids might do still more in the future. Bro A 'Armstrong sang “ McCarthy’s Mare,” and Bro Armstrong’s natural humonr lent extra enjoyment to his rendering of the comic song. Bro Motley proposed " the Waiohine Lodge ; ” be said he would not be surprised to see it the largest lodge in the district before long; he had been most favourably impressed with what he had seen that night; he coupled the toast with the name the of A D. Bro Mason of the Totara Lodge, favoured the company with the song " Mohawk Vale.” Bro C Fabian said, in response to the toast, that he was satisfied that all the members with himself wonld nse their utmost endeavors to farther the interests of their lodge. Bro De Clifton sang Castles in the Air. Bro Johnston of the Waiohine Lodge then proposed “ Sister Lodges ” coupled with the name of Arch Druid Bro 6 Yule of the Totara Lodge. Bro Jones sang "We are a Merry Family.” Bro Yule next responded in a neat speech to the toast of Sister Lodges and his remarks were well received. Bros Morley, Wallace and Jones (Excelsior) also responded on behalf of their respective lodges. Bro Meytick then sang " The Moon Behind the Hills.” Bro A J Barnard proposed the Ladies. Responded to by Bro Armstrong. Bro He Clifton gave the Press, and Messrs Nation and Butcher responded. Bro Matthews sang Kitty Gray. Bro Jones sang It is all over now with the Ladies. The toasts Out Host and the Chairman were duly honored. Auld Lang Syne and God Save the Queen then terminated the proceedings. Dr Smith, the Lodge Surgeon occupied the vice-chair during the Banquet.