MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 209, 15 May 1915, Page 7

MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

ANNUAL CQMUNICATION. Press Associat ion—Copyright. WELLINGTON, May 12. The Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand has opened its annual communication here this morning, M.W. Bro, J. J. Dougall, Grand Master, presiding The report of the Board of Benevolence stated that £349 had been dispensed in casual relief during the year, and three sums of £259, £224, and £2OO had been raised by circular appeal The report of the Annuity Board showed that the capital value of the fund was £24,447, of which £lßl3 had been added during the year. The total annual charge upon the fund was £Bl5, and a margin of £216 per yezlr existed for the creation of new annuities. The report of the Board of General Purposes showed that the amounts to the credits of the various funds were: Annuity fund £24,447; fund of benevolence £3914; circular appeals £1664; special war benevolent fund £897; representation fund £512; general fund £3937; total £35,374. The report of the Board of General Purposes approved the proposal for the formation of a new Masonic district to be known as "Ruapehu," extending from the Manawatu river to the boundary of Taranaki. The report also urged upon the craft the scheme initiated by the Grand Master for the creation of a special war benevolent fund for the relief of Masons or their dependents suffering* through the war, towards which the sum of £1353 ihad been voluntarily subscribed. £IOO had bean forwarded to the Grand Lodge of France towards its war relief scheme. Bro. J. J. Dougall (Christchurch.) ->.vas re-elecfad Grand Master, The election of officers resulted as follows for the Wellinartcn district:

Grand Chaplain, Bro. Rev. W. Stirrer; Junior Grand Deacon, W. Bro J. Rod"; Grand Director of Ceremonies. W. Bro D. J. Macfarlane (Wanganui); Grand Sword Bearer, W. Bro J. M«> Tnt.yre: Grand Stewards, W. Bros. H. T. T. .laggard and R. Jenkins; members of the Board of Gen'eral Purposes. v 7. Bros C. W. Nielsen and T, W, TCivk; members of the Board of Benevolence, W. Bros A. W. Chapman and •=?, J, Booth,