MASONIC GRAND LOOSE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9439, 8 May 1909, Page 2

MASONIC GRAND LOOSE.

At the annual communication of above at New Plymouth the tirand Master, Lord Plunket, in the course of his address, said * ‘ Yon have again, for the fourth time, elected me ap vour Grand Master, »nd I desire to reiterate how highly I appreciate the honour, how gratified I have been made by the unanimity in my favour shown by your lodges’ nominations, and last, but not least, how fully I realise the responsibilities this honour carries with it. The year which has passed since I last met Grand Lodge assembled has perhaps been an uneventful one, but beneath its calm there has been a rapid current flowing forward in our favom. Seven new lodges have bean created, 700 names have been added to onr roll of membership, one funds have increased by £35855. and an nnnsoally large number of new lodge 'rooms have been built, or existing ones improved. I would especially call .your attention to the striking figures which are to be found in the current report of the Board of General Purposes. Furnish the bare bones of that column with flesh, and the history of the New Zealand Constitution comes to life, ft is easy to picture from the first time, “30th April, 1891, £72,’’ the pioneers (several of whom are on the dais with me to-night) straggling against indifference, opposition and misrepresentation, thankfully congratulating themselves that the first year’s balance was on the right side. Ten.years later we see them proudly pointing to the substantial figure of four thousand pounds, hat I venture to doubt whether even the most sanguine amongst that gallant hand anticipated that eight years later the Grand Master would be ab.e to announce to Grand Lodge that their credit balance was practically £20,000. / '•Brethren, such progress is most encouraging, bus what is more satisfactory still is that the' rapid increase in our funds is not due so much to fees consequent upon enlarged membership as to the voluntary sacrifice shown by onr brethren in the cause -of charity. It is this fact which makes onr financial position a real oaase for congratulation, and an evidence that the true spirit of Freemasonry permeates our Constitution. You will notice in the report of the board managing the Widows’ and Orphans’ and Aeed Mason’s Fund that the capital value of that fund is now about £11,900, bnt I would, venture also to call your attention to the fact that after providing the necessary annuities the Board .have only a margin of £6O per annum to meet any deserving oases which may at any moment urgently demand their attention, I earnestly trust that every Worshipful Master of our lodges will constantly bear in mind that if this fund is to continue to be a credit to ns all and to be capable of dealing with even a small increase in annuities, it is his duty to lose no suitable occasion for taking up offertories towards its support. Brethren, the reports of my Provincial Grand Masters, and the information I have taken some trouble - to gather myself whilst travelling throngh the country, satisfy me that every year marks a step forward towards rising to the high ideals of onr Order. Almost everywhere true harmony exists, charity takes a prominent place, and excess of any kind after lodge has closed is seldom heard of. This happy position is mainly due to two things—-greater ogre in choosing the officers of the lodges, and a firm determination that no personal friendship or other interested motive will induce a Mason to propose as a brother one whom he cannot honestly believe would make a worthy one. The urgent necessity of carefully guarding the porch has been referred to by me in every address to Grand Lodge I have delivered, and you-will find it occupying a prominent place in the speeches of my predecessors. lam loath to weary you by repetition, but I would ask the younger brethren present to bear in mind that it is the keystone of their arch, and if ever allowed to become weak will shortly mean the destruction of the, noble building which their fathers have raised for them. Brethren, my period of public office in New Zealand, and my jposifcioa in the Chair of King Solomon, come to a close in about a year’s time. 1 shall find it hard to leave this country, where I have spent some of the happiest years of my life. To you, my brother Masons, 1 owe many debts of gratitude. Notwithstanding the wise counsel and whole-hearted loyalty ;whioh the members of Grand Lodge have ever extended to me, I feel very conscious of much work ill done and much not dqne at all. I can only say that during my final year as Grand Master I will do all Z can to merit the confidence you have again shown in me and advance the welfare of Freemasonry in general and onr own Constitution in particular. ’’