KEEN LODGE MEMBER

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1046, 9 August 1930, Page 10

KEEN LODGE MEMBER

PONSONBY NONAGENARIAN’S ACTIVE WORK ! MASON AND FORESTER Seventy-nine years ago, the Great Exhibition was held in London. Mr. Edwin Auger, of 34 Ponsonby Terrace, ! who is 90 years old today, clearly re- | members incidents at this exhibition j Mr. Auger and his wife came to New Zealand on the ship Ironsides in 18C4. Apart from a brief period at Thames in the y<?ars following his arrival,’ Mr

Auger has lived in Auckland. Until eight years ago, he carried on business as a bootmaker. Ho was born at Twickenham. Middlesex, and has had a remarkably healthy life. This is shown in the fact that, during 68 years as a member of a friendly society, he has not .drawn any sums for sickness from the organisation. Mr. Auger has always been keenly interested in lodge work, and he continues to take an active part in the business of the societies with which he is connected. For 57 years, he has been a Mason. He holds office today and regularly attends meetings of the lodge. He has been chaplain of the Waitemata Lodge, E.C., for 26 years, and he holds a similar position in the Royal Ark Lodge. In the Masonic order, too. he is secretary to the Union Mark Lodge, and is a Past District Grand Senior Warden. JOINED LONDON LODGE Almost since the date the activities of the Ancient Order of Foresters pegan in Auckland, Mr. Auger has been closely associated with the movement. Two years before be left England tor New Zealand, he joined a London lodge of the movement, but, on reaching Auckland, he found no court able to accept his clearance. Before the dues paid in London had e xpired. Court City of Auckland had completed the first year of its existence. Mr. Auger was then able to become a member. When Court Pride of Parnell opened in February, 1865, there were prospects of the formation of a district. Mr. Auger was an enthusiastic advocate of this advance, and he was appointed the first District Chief Ranger in October, IB6o*. For 34 years until 1904, he was treasurer of Court City of Auckland. He was president of the first juvenile court in Auckland. His eight sons were initiated as members. There aro seven sons, 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren living. Mrs. Auger died about nine years ago. Another happening in London of whicli Mr. Auger retains a vivid remembrance was the fire at the Tooley Street Wharf, which released a flow of tallow, which spread over the Thames and became ignited.