MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 19, 14 May 1914, Page 2

MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

INVESTITURE OF OFFICERS. [Per Press Association. J Christchurch, May 13. The annual Communication of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Now Zealand opened here to-day, the Grand Master, M. W. Bro. Maurice Thompson, presiding. The report of the Board of Benevolence showed that £169 had been distributed in relief during the year, ami sums of £236 and £220 had been raised by two circular appeals. The report of the Board of Management of the AVidows’ and Orphans’- and the Aged Masons’ fund showed that £778 a year was being paid in annuities. The increase of the fund during the year had been £2OOB, and its capital now stood at £22,634.

According to the annual statement of accounts, the total funds of the Grand Lodge amount to £31,924, distributed as follows: —General i’und, £3881; Fund of Benevolence, £3504; Widows’ and Orphans’ and Aged Masons’ Fund, £22,634; Circular Appeal Fund, £489. The report of tire Board of General Purposes stated that three lodges had been opened during the year, viz., two at Oamaru, and one at Middlernarch, and a charter had been issued for a new lodge at Whakatane. The, Board recommended that the next annual communication he held at Wellington. R W.; Bro. J. J. Bengali, of Christchurch, was unanimously elected Grand Master. The Lodge adopted the reports of the various Boards. A motion to rescind a resolution of last year’s communication in favor of the' centralising of the Grand Lodge Office was carried by a large majority. At the evening session, Right Wor. Bro. R. Bengali was installed as Grand Master, and the following officers were invested, in addition to those elected in the morning: Beputy-Grand Master R. W. Bro. Ernest Page Lee, of, Oamaru; Prov. Grand Masters, W.M. Bro. Oliver Nicholson, Auckland Disfcrict; R.AV. Bro. T. A. Peterkin, WeL lington District; R.W. Bro. William Timpauy, Southland District; R.M r . Bro. R. W. Sargent, Taranaki District;'W.M. Bro. F. C; Binns, Canterbury Province ; RIW. Bro. J. J. Clarke, Otago District; R.W. Bro. M. L. Harstou, Hawke’s Bay District; R.W. Bro. W. E. Redman, Nelson and >Marlborough District*,- R.W. BroJ J. H. Darkness, West Coast District;; Senior Grand 'Warden PR.AV. Bro. Joseph Catch|pol c, of Auckland; Junior G rand Warden, R.AV. Biro! 'Herbert AVJ Seaton, of Wellington?* • >'■" ! ' ! , ■ ■ t.J j' I.