SECOND EDITION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 16, 17 December 1883, Page 3

SECOND EDITION.

THE DRUIDS. As a Lodge of Druids is about being established m Palmerston North, some facts about the Society, its history and progress, may be found interesting. The United Ancient order of Druids was established m England m 1781, that is over a hundred years ago. Subsequently its influence and value as a Friendly Benefit Society has extended to America and more recently to Germany, where the Society now numbers many thousands. Introduced to Australia about twenty, yeavs, the Pioneer Lodge; being opened m Melbourne, it soon, made B'ich rapid headway that branches were opened m the various centres of population. In due course "'The Grand Lodge ot Australia" was tbrmed., ■whibh at the present time numbers some" 180 Lodges, and over 9000 members, the funds m aggregate amounting to about £30,000. As showing 'the progress of ,the Grand Lodge of Australia, which is a mere branch of the parent oak tree, it may be interesting to learn that during the half year ending August; 1883, ,16g6' n<e# lnentfiers were initiated m ; the various liodgps m Victoria an4|New Zealand. Daring the same period nine new Lodges Here established. A Grancf Lodged Sydney, and' District Grand Lodges for South Australia and New castle ttre alsb m existence. Druidism •was first introduced into the Colony about i\ years ago, sin.cc when over 50 Lodges have" been established m the North and South Islands, possessing some 3000 or 4000 itaftjicial members, and the numbers are being constantly added to. ' These facts are sufficient tp show the gi eat popularity the order of Druids has attained m our midst. Mr "W. K. Bishop, at present m Pfllmerston h a past officer of the Society, and as a representative of the Grancl Lodge for the North Island, has had the honor of establishing, "with one exception, the wn'ole 6F the Lodges now flourishing throughout Wellington,! H*wk;es' Bay and Auckland provincial districts. The last venture, was at Wanganui m June last, where a Lodge of over 70 members was opened, and m compliment to his diaiite,rested exartipus m the cause of Druidism, the Lodge, waa named the " Bishop Lodge." The ,Graiid Lodge also w,as iiot unmindful of his services, as during a recent visit to Melbourne, to attend the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge, (at -which by the way ther^e were, present between 90 and TOO representatives) a handsome illumm ated. address_flnd massive gold locket were presented to him. During Mr Bishop's presence m Palmerston, a large-, number of intending members have intimated their wish to forrii tKe proposed branch of the Order her^e, and it is : intended to inaugurate trie Lodge to-morrow evening at the Oddfellowif Hall. jWe are! requcate'd to-tidention ! tliat J Dr ' Marnner will exanune' 'candidates' 1 , prior to initiation, aiSdall thbte iifhd intend! joining the Order had letter give m their hamesat once it) either Mr ' Bishop or the committee, as after the Lodge is formed the entrance fees^re, considerably heavier. Charter m&nhibers up to the age of 35 are admitted fqr hall : .,a guinea, from tbit; toW&l lOs; and proportionally higher aa . the, . age increases. The weekly contoibtition is one shilling up to 40 years' Bf age. The benefits include 1 medical 'attendance and medicine tathef rnemfeer^wife, and|family, £lpper week during illness, and funeral benefits £20 on the death of a member, and £10 on the death of. a. member's wife. T^esjOjparticulars jsho,^ th^e impoitance^ and^stability of/ the Order, and we heartily recommend, all those who can appreciate . the value of friendly Soqletiesjto take advantage of the pregept .occasion to join the followers of Stoi^ehenge m their efforts to plant the sturdy .oak tree m this district. :