FREEMASONRY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1929, Page 3

FREEMASONRY

N.Z. GRAND LODGE,

ANNUAL COMMUNICATI ON AT AUCKLAND.

AUCKLAND, November 15

Freemasons from all parts of the Dominion will assemble in Auckland iii the course of the next few days for the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, which will be held in the Town Hall on November 27th and over'which the Gov-ernor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, will preside for the last time. His Excellency has held the office of Grand Mustek of the craft in New Zealand since 1925, and so far from being merely a figure-head to the institution, has shown the deepest personal interest in its administration and detail work. There are not many lodges in the territory with which, in the course of his four years of office, he has not come into direct contact in the, way of official visitations. In the last twelve months he has been present at more than 30 lodge functions. Until a few months ago Sir Charles also filled the highest office, that of First Grand Principal in the Supremo Grand Koval Arch Chapter of New Zealand. It is no Masonic secret that members of the Grand Lodge purpose signalising in a special way at the coming communication the affection which his Excellency has awakened in the hearts of members of the’ various lodges in New Zealand during his. residence in thq Dominion. The opportunity will bo afforded when lie vacates as Grand Master and bids his official farewell. , .

The new Grand Master designate of the Dominion is Mr James J. Clark, of Dunedin, a past Deputy Grand Master, who has been chosen by the unanimous vote of the lodges and whoso election, has only to he formally confirmed at. the communication, while his installation will be one of the principal acts of the gathering. The headquarters of the Grand Lodge for the last twelve months have been in Dunedin, where in the ordinary course it would remain for another year, but one of the questions to be considered next week will be. a 'proposed -amendment of .the: constitution providing that under the peripatetic system by which the Grand Secretary’s office is stationed in turn in each of the four centres, the term of its stay in each city shall be extended from two years, as heretofore, to; three. The proposition for the centralisation of the office permanently in |oiie place has failed to receive the support of the majority of the lodges, so that the system of periodical removal, which has been in operation for the last 39 years, is to continue. '