MR. W. J. GIRLING NEW G.M. OF MASONIC ORDER

Chronicle (Levin), 12 November 1947, Page 5

MR. W. J. GIRLING NEW G.M. OF MASONIC ORDER

WELLINGTON, Nov. 12. By unanimous choice of 326 lodges in the territory, Mr. W.- J. Girling, of Blenheim, has been elected Grand Master ' of the Masonic Order in New Zlealand for the next twelve months. His appointment was confirmed at thc 58th annual communication in the Masonic Temple today of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. Mr. Girling, who is a former member of Parliament, and ls Mayor of Blenheim, has been eonnected with the administration of Freemasonry in New Zealand for over 30 years. Ete was appointed Grand Superintendent of Works in 1916, was Provincial Grand Master of the Nelson and Marlborough district in 1927, 1928 and 1929, and d'uring the past year held the office of Deputy Grand Master. The principal administrative officers of the order, who hold office for two years, are: Messrs. P. C. Browne, Grand Treasurer; H. H. Hanna, Grand Registrar; J. C. Forsyth, president of the Board of General Purposes; and A. S. Drayton, president of the Board of Benevolence. All are resident in the Canterbury Province. It was reported that four new lodges were consecrated during the year— two in Auckland, one in New Plymouth and one in Ashburton. There were six inmates of the orphans' home; for boys at Papakura, which has accommodation for a maximum of ten, and the management eommittee. records that the boys who left the home are proving to be fine examples of the good care and training received. The Kirkpatrick Institute for Girls, in Nelson, which has been considerably improved during the year, has 14 inmates.