druids and forresters lodges

[Canterburynorth]

Hi Barry,

Thanks so much for the post.   My gg grandfather was in the Druid Lodge from about 1895 until 1940.  My other Grandfather was in the Foresters from about 1930 until the late 60's.

Cheers

Leandra

[BarryW]

Hi Leandra

This is the info I can find. There were two main Druid orders; an original Ancient Order of Druids (AOD) formed in 1781 and a United Ancient Order of Druids (UAOD) formed in 1833 as a split from the AOD. The AOD was a fraternal society like the masons. The UAOD were a friendly society, similar to a fraternal society but offering members defined benefits like sick pay, funeral costs etc.

Your relative was most liklely a member of the UAOD. The info I have is from a 1878 lodge list when the first NZ lodge is listed as Pionerr; Templar Hll in
Worcester-street, Christchurch, by Past Arch Druid Bro. Solomons, of Melbourne, at that time residing at Dunedin.

Two further Lodges were opned  the Hope of St. Albans and the Mistletoe Lodges;
By 1882,  44 lodges, with 2536 members. There were eight districts in New Zealand, numbered respectively, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, and 27. The District Presidents in Canterbury are Bro. D.S. Sutherland, P.A., Mistletoe Lodge, Christchurch; Bro. J. Taylor, P.A. Lyttelton Heart of Oak Lodge, Lyttelton; Bro. G.W. Luxton, P.A., Bud of Hope Lodge, Rangiora; and Bro. G. Bishop, P.A., Star of Anglesea Lodge, Southbridge. In Nov. 1883, the advisability of forming a Grand Lodge of the Order in New Zealand (from http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-MosIllu-t1-body1-d6-d8.html). There is also info on the same site about the Forresters.

Hope this helps

Barry

[Canterburynorth]

Hi again Barry,

Thankyou ever so much for the information, you are very kind.
I found it very interesting, my gg grandfathers obituary said he held every office in the Lodge over the years. He also wore a large ring, my Dad thought it might be part of being a member.
Hopefully I will find out more, I have found a contact phone number now for the Druid lodge so I may be able to find the details of gg grandfather.
I live in hope

Thanks again so much Barry

Leandra

[woodharthodges]

There is one piece of information incorrect in this quote.

The first Ancient Order of Foresters did not start in Victoria in 1849 because there was a group in Sydney in 1848 (my gg grandfather) being one of the brothers!!!

I have a newspaper article showing this. I think they started in Sydney around 1846 but I stand to be corrected on that date.

[sandynz]

I know it's been a while since this topic was started but would be interested to know if the original poster had any luck tracking down any records, I have discovered my husband's Great grandfather William Bailey was a Druid in Christchurch, and wondered if they might have a photo of him.

[spades]

Hi Sandynz,

The OP hasn't been on the forum since 2020. I hope you get a reply.

Spades