U.A.O.D.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 473, 12 June 1912, Page 5

U.A.O.D.

The Pride of Te Kuiti Lodge of Druids held their half-yearly meeting in the Congregational Church on Tuesday evening, when there was a very good muster of brethren present. After the usual routine business had been transacted, three new members were duly initiated to the Order. The election of officers for the ensuing half-year then took place, and resulted in the following being elected:— Bro3. A. Simpson, P.A.; D. Fletcher, A.D.; E. L. Eodgers, V.A.D.; E. Warburton, Secretary; A. E. Robinson, Treasurer; G, Scott and Ritchie, A.D.B, • H. Connell and Moore, V.D.&:;' B. Adams, 1.G.; H. E. Lever, 0.G.; H. E. Lever and E. C. Tasaell, Auditors. The officers were installed in the various chairs by the District President, Bro. S. Chaplin, P.A., in a most impressive manner, P.D.P. Bro. Jones acting as Master of Ceremonies. After the installation congratulatory speeches and responses were given, and the District President and visiting brethren were thanked for their attendance and assistance. After the lodge closed those present adjourned to the Town Hall, where refreshments were laid out under the capable direction of Mrs A. Simpson, whom the Lodge desire to heartily thank for her valuable assistance. A long toast list was gone through, interspersed with songs and recitations, and a most enjoyable evening was thus brought to a close in the "wee sma' hours."

During the evening reference was made to the efforts which had been instituted to quash the Special Death levy of the Druids, which has been a great stumbling block to other societies in comparing their benefits with that of this Order, and which in a word entitles the parents or relatives of 2 deceased Druid to receive the sum of £IOO, which is raised by means of a special levy on each member of the Order under the North Island Grand Lodge jurisdiction. The District President explained that although these efforts had been somewhat successful, and the special death levy would probably cease to exist sometime next vear, the Grand Lodge waa preparing another scheme which would then be brought into operation, and the alteration would not materially affect the benefits of the Order. It is gratifying to note the keen interest being displayed in Druidical matters at present, and it is to be hoped that the membership of the Pride of Te Kuiti will steadily increase, thereby placing it upon a sound financial basis, and at the same time putting it in a position to very materially respond to those who have the misfortune to need its assistance.