DRUIDS IN CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 233, 7 February 1911, Page 5

DRUIDS IN CONFERENCE

GRAND PRESIDENT'S REJORT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The delegates attending the biennial conference of the North Island Grand Lodge of Druids were accorded a civic reception this morning by the mayor, and the conference was opened in- the afternoon. The mayor, in welcoming the delegates, spoke of the importance" of the work of friendly societies - ;' not only in providing sickness and funeral funds, but as social and educational institutions, lie said many citizens who had risen to important positions in the State acknowledged their indebtedness' to these institution*. Messrs. W. Hunter (Grand President), R. Fletcher (Wellington), H. J. Gilbert (New Plymouth), G. T. Batlev (Canterbury), and others returned thanks for the cordiality with which they had been received. After the conference had been formally declared open, the Grand President submitted his report on the work of the year. Three new lodges—at Roturoa, Port Albert, and Northcote—had been opened, and the funds showed an increase of £3781 for the year, the total amount being £20,283. This amount was allocated as follows:—Sick and funeral fund, £18,340; management, £775; special death levy, £ll6B. The membership of the Order in November last was 9,820. The Grand President concluded by urging the, members to co-op-erate in the work of building up and strengthening the Order.