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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Taranaki, Hawke's Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts]

Social

page 548

Social.

Masonic.

Lodge Rawhit, No. 66, N.Z.C. This lodge was founded in the year 1890 by Messrs H. G. Shannon, Rev. E. Robertshawe, F. G. Cowper, Charles Baddeley, Thomas Baddeley, Charles Scarfe, and others. Meetings were first held in a hall connected with the Anglican Church, and subsequently in the Town Hall. The lodge later on acquired a valuable property, comprising half an acre, in High Street, on which a commodious lodge room has been erected. Mr. G. Wratt was the first worshipful master to hold office in the new lodge room. The lodge has a membership of fifty-five, and meetings are held on the Thursday nearest full moon in each month. Officers for the year 1906–7:— Messrs D. McLennan, W.M.; W. Haines, l.P.M.: R. N. Blakiston, S.W.; A. Crnickshank, J.W.; W. Dobson, Treasurer; M. Morgan. Secretary; Rev. E. Robertshawe, P.M., F.G.C., Chaplain.

Mr. Walter Dobson, J.P., formerly secretary of Lodge Rawhiti, was born at Tolago Bay. Gisborne, and was for some years connected with various businesses on the East Coast. In May, 1902, he became accountant for Mr. W. Rose, of Dannevirke, and subsequently joined the firm of Messrs A. L. Gordon and Company in a similar capacity. Mr. Dobson is a member of the council of the Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce, and as interim secretary took an active part in the resuscitation of the institution. He also holds a commission as a Justice of the Peace.

Druidism.

Ruahine Lodge, No. 28. of the United Ancient Order of Druids, was founded in January, 1903, with Messrs J.T. Channon, C. L. Thomsen, J. H. Rediern, and S. T. Smith among its principal promoters. The first roll contained about thirty names, but the membership has since increased to 110. The sick and funeral found shows a credit balance of £200. Meetings are held on alternate Thursdays in the Oddfellows' Hall, and officers are elected half yearly. The officers are: Arch Druid, Mr. S. T. Smith; Vice-Arch Druid. Mr. T. Falconer; Treasurer, Mr. J. Crist; Secretary, Mr. E. Evernden.

Mr. Samuel Thomas Smith, Arch Druid, and formerly secretary of the Ruahine Lodge, No. 28, was born in London, England, on the 2nd of December, 1872, and is the seventh son of Mr. David Smith, and a nephew of the Hon. W. C. Smith, of Waipukurau. He was educated at private schools in Kent and Sussex, and in 1889 went to Australia. He landed in Tasmania, was employed for about three years by Messrs Ellis and Sons, of Greenponds, and in 1892 came to New Zealand. He then found employment with Messrs Cobbe and Darragh, Feilding, and in 1893 settled in Dannevirke, where he subsequently studied for the ministry. He was for some time stationed as a home missionary at Ormond, Herbertvile, Fordell, and Kimbolton, and then resigned in order to return to commercial life. For two years he managed the grocery department of the D.C.A., for sixteen months managed the D.S.C., and in May, 1905, established his present business, which he has since successfully conducted. Mr. Smith has been a member of the Order of Druids since the establishment of the local lodge, of which he was secretary for three years. He is a staunch prohibitionist, and was for twelve months president of the No License League; and he is also an elder of the local Presbyterian Church, and superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Smith is married, and has three sons and one daughter.