UNITED ANCIENT ORDER OF DRUIDS.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 576, 24 April 1876, Page 2

UNITED ANCIENT ORDER OF DRUIDS.

Opening op the Pioneeb Lodge. This lodge was opened on Saturday evening, in the Orange Hall, according to the ceremonies of the order. The lodge waa opened by Bro Solomon, who was deputed by the Grand Lodge of Australia. The Pioneer is No 47 of the order. Over fifty members came forward for initiation, and Brother Solomon performed the ceremony in a very impressive manner. He afterwards described the purposes for which the order was established, viz, for the promotion of social and intellectual intercourse among its members, and the mainten once of a system of general philanthropy. The order was, he said, one of the most ancient in the world, and although their history previous to the Romans was involved in traditionary obscurity, their influence aB the great high priests of civilisation, "the lawyer*, physicianp, and instructors of youth," was well known to all readers of ancient British history. In ancient times the Druidp, by their justice and benevolence, rendered themselves bsloved by their countrymen ; and this was the point of initiation which the Order of Druids would impress upon its members. After the initiatory ceremony Bro Solomon opened the lodge in due form, as the Pioneer Lodge of New Zealand of the Ancient Order of Druids. The following brothers were then appointed as officers for the first term :—Arch Druid, Bro A. M. Gaul ; Vice-Arch, Bro R. B. Harris; Guardian, Bro J. Harris; Arch Druid Bards, Bros J. O'H. Anthony, and G. A. Whitford ; Vice-Arch Bards, Bros Ellis and Rose ; Secretary; B>o Haggett ; treasurer, Bro J. Gaul ; trustees, Bros Asquith, Tomson, and Anderson. The officers were (hen installed in their several, offices, with the usual ceremonies. Several items of business were disposed of, and the Worthy Arch Druid closed the lodge in due form. The meetings will be held every alterr ate Monday, commencing on Monday, May Ist. THE DINNER. After an interval of half an hour, to allow the caterer to lay the table, the members assembled for the purpose of celebrating the opening of the lodge. The Arch Druid occupied the chair. After the usual loyal toasts the Arch Druid proposed, " The Ancient Order of Druids," coupled with the name of: Bro Solomon. Bro Solomon responded. He gave a brief resume of the position of the order. The order now occupies the third place in point of numbers in Victoria, and one of the first as to the manner in which its business was conducted. There were over 100,000 in America, 80,000 in England, and a great number in Germany. He paid a compliment to the Pioneer Lodge as to its membership, being, he considered, equal to any in the order. Bro Solomon then gave " The Pioneer Loige." He said its members had it in their power to make it a great power for good, and hoped soon to see the first acorn sown in New Zealand germ into a gigantic oak, with innumerable branches spreading over the colony. Bro Meadows proposed the health of thei founder of the lodge, Arch Druid Bro GaoA He said they were all greatly indebted to the worthy Arch for the trouble he had taken and labor expended in getting up the lodge, extending over a period of six months. Bro Meadows trusted they would drink it in a. bumper. The toast was cordially responded to v The Arch Druid Bro Gaul briefly responded. He trusted the Pioneer Lodge would beprosperous ; and he considered himself well repaid for any trouble he had taken, in knowing he was the founder of a lodge composed' of such a body of men. Several other toasts were given and responded to in fitting terms. Daring the evening several songi weK) given, and the brothers separated, after enjoying them.sejve| thoroughly,