GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 26 April 1901, Page 4

GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND.

[Per Pjjess Association.]

CniuSTCHTFKCn, April 25. The annual communication of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand opened today; there was a large attendance. W. Bro. A. S. Russel, G.M., presided. A letter was read from W. Bro. lit. Hon. 11. J. Scddon, who was to have presided, expressing regret that owing to pressing public business he was unable to be present. The report of the Board of Benevolence was adopted and showed that £l3O 10s lid had benn granted during tho year. Tho statement of accounts presented by tho Board of General Parposes showed amounts to the credit fonds to be, General, £791; Fund of Benevolence, j£2201-; Masonic Widows and Orphans, £716 ; Aged and Indigent Masons, £243; balance of assets over liabilities. £"5402. The proposal to make the Board of General Purposes colonial instead of local was agreed to. The matter of the. invasion of the territory by the Grand Lodge of Scotland by opening a lodgo at Opunake was discussed and the matter ultimately left in tho hands of tho Board of General Purposes to make such representations as it sees fit.

W. Bro Alexander S. Russell wis installed M. Vv r . Grand Master for the ensuing year, and the following officers were invested : —~D. G. Master It. W. Bro G. J. W. Griffiths ; Senior Grand Warden, V. V,'. Bro H. J. _Widdow son 5 on ; Junior Grand Warden, W, Bro D. A, Jolly. The following appointments were also made—Prov. G.M. at Auckland, W. Bro Murdoch M'Lsaa; Wellington, B.W. Hzb H. J. Williams; Canterbury, B.W. Bro W. Giffkness ; Otago, W. Bro John M. Brown; Southland, B.W. Bro W. Smith : Hawlces Bay and Gisborne, B.W. Bro W Beilby. The dudes of Prov. G.M. for Nelson and Marlborough wiil continue to be performed by B.W. Bro Griffiths D.G.M. ' V.

ChntisTciiCECir, April 25. The annual meeting of tho Grand Masonic Lodge has begun. The report shows that £l3O was granted by the Benevolent Board during tho year. The balance of assets over liabilities was £5,462. A recommendation was made that the half-yearly communications should be abolished, and a system of district representation at the Grand Lodge communications bo introduced. It was also proposed to make Boards for general purposes colonial mstcad of local. A suggestion to establish another Dcnevolent institution to inaugurate the new reign and i\\c new century was discountenanced, as the Board is convinced there arc already in existence as many masonic charities as New Zealand masons can properly and effectively maintain.