MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 116, 7 May 1908, Page 2

MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

ANN UAL COMMUNICATIOX.

For Press Association. Auckland, Last flight. The annual communication of the Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand was opened this afternoon, MAV. BroLord Blanket, Grand Master, presiding, The report of the Board of General Purposes stated that the 'funds of the Grand Lodge now amounted to £10,138, of which ,€3248 belonged to the Fund of Benevolence. There were now 1 *37

lodges in the Dominion, and applications were likely to be received shortly for the establishment of others in several growing townships.

It was decided that the next annual communication be held at New Plymonth in May, 1900. His Excellency Lord Plimket, in returning thanks for liis election for the third time as Grand Master, reviewed the progress of the New Zealand constitution. During the past year the membership had increased by 1200, and eight new lodges had been opened. The event which stood out most prominently was the success which had attended the appeal he had ventured to make two years ago to brethren to substantially increase the capital accounts of the widows and orphans and aged Mason's fund. He warmly welcomed Brother Fielding, Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales, who liad been deputed by the Grand Master of New South Wales to represent him at the installation. At the evening sitting, M.W. Bro. Nicholson was installed as Pro-Grand Master. Tlie Grand Master announced appointments as follows:—Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Bi'o. T. J. Withers (Canterbury; Senior Grand Warden,R.W, Bro. James Monerielf, juiir. (Wairarapa); Junior Grand Warden, M. Rein (sic) (Invereargill). Grand Superintendents were appointed as follows: West Coast: R.W. Bro. J. H. Harkn&s, Wellington: R.W. Bro. Fletcher; Canterbury: U.W., liro. S. J, Bingham; Otago: R.W. Bro. T. KoSs; Nelson and Marlborough: R.W. Bro. W. Jloyes; Southland: R.W. Bro. M. Thompson; Hawke's Bay. R.W. Bro. J. W. MeDougall; Taranaki: R.W. Bro. F. I\ Corkill. The Auckland district remains under the direction of the ProGrand Master. These, with the other grand lodge officers, were duly invested.