MASONIC

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1929, Page 5

MASONIC

GRAND LODGE MEETS. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 27. The annual communication of the masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand opened- this morning, Sir Charles Fergusson presiding as Grand Master. The Treasurer’s report showed the accumulated funds to bo £127,403 of which £13,283 stands to the credit oi tne General Fund, £94,719 to that of D mows. Orphans and Aged Masons i'mid, £83.) <to War Bouev.,lent Fund, £5!/3L to J-'und of Benevolence, £1623 to Circular Appeal Funds,. and £7Bl to the Earthquake Fund. James John Clark, of Dunedin, was elected Grand Alaster lor the ensuing year. Other principal elective offices we refilled as follows: Grand Treasurer: C. W. Grater. Grand Registrar: A. E. Gascoigne. President of Board of General Purposes: W. G. Hay. President Board of Benevolence: S. F. Bridgman. All the above arc of Dunedin. Grand Directors of Ceremonies: A. Smith (Otago), W. C. Finnis (Auckland), H. Hobbs (Wellington) and T. G. Acou.rt (Canterbury). Senior Grand Deacons: N, G. Armstrong (Ruapehu), J, J. Breeze (West Coast). Junior Grand Deacons; C. Blackburn (Auckland), H. J. Baron (Canterbury). The report cf the Board of General Purposes showed a nett numerical increase of 727 in the' year, and the opening of three new lodges, bringing the total to 300.

A return of the voting on the question of centralisation of the Grand Lodge office, showed that the proposal had failed to receive the necessary two thirds majority. A further gift of 9) acres of land at Papnkura. was made by Mr F. S. Potter, for the purpose of erecting-a Masonic Orphanage.