MASONIC GRAND LODGE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 85, 6 May 1909, Page 3

MASONIC GRAND LODGE

GREAT GATHERING AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

LORD PIAJXKET REINSTALLED AS GRAND MASTER.

.Every year the Masonic Parliament of the Dominion, us the annual Communication of th e Grand Lodge of -New Zealand, which opened at .New I'lymuuth vesterday, may not inaptly be called, grow* hi importance and interest. Ih.it interest is not confined entirely to the members of the institution; for the Masonic body has now become an important asset to the country. It is ao iiguru of speech to state that the substantial charities which it is developing, though primarily applied for the benclit of the aged and distressed members of the Craft itself and their dependents, are relieving the public funds every year of thousands of pounds of expenditure which would otherwise fall upon them, and at the same time setting a valuable example to the community. These benevolent funds may fairly be described as the raison d'etre of the lirand Lodge of New Zealand. It was mainly because,' under the old regime, when the Freemasons of New Zealand owed allegiance to three separate British lirand Udges, and through their divided management were to a great extent dissipating their strength for ■naught, that "iTie majority of their lodges decided, nineteen years ago, to form a colonial Grand Lodge, which should aim at the erection of substantial institutions for the relief of the unfortunate, emulating on a more modest scale, the grand charities which are the glory of English Freemasonry. Even if this had been the sele purpose of the promoters of the Grand Lodge, it lias been more than justified by the results. Under the old system such, funds ae were not eaten up in the management ol eeven or eight District Grand Lodges were chiefly sent away in contributions to distant Grand Lodges that did not require them, and New Zealand possessed nothing worthy of the traditions or the charitable purposes oi the Craft But mark the progress that has beer made in the nineteen years. Besides maintaining a large annual expenditun upon the administration of an unobtrusive system of charity, the Grand Lodge of .New Zealand has accumulated a capital fund which at the end of Marcl: amounted to £ 19,738, and must now have passed the even figures'. This sun is solidly invested in Government and local body debentures to the extent ol £IB,OOO, earning interest at 4 and i'A per cent. From the income thus derived there is a liberal stream of expenditun upon casual relief, in addition to whici a system of annuities to aged Masons -«nd the widows and children of deceasei Masons has been ins'tituted, which is annually increasing in scope as the funds accumulate and the needs arise. This plan of Masonic superannuation is tin pride of every member of the Masonis lodges under the Grand Lodge, from th< Governor of the Dominion down to th( humblest new initiate, and devices foi raising special additions to the funds which are its' motive-power are continu ally being contrived in the lodges throughout the Dominion. Since the adoption, three or four years ago, of a scheme of direct represent* tion of the lodges of the colony, by par tial payment of the expenses of tbeii delegates out of th e central fund, thi interest shown in the annual gatherings has been intensified. Last year's Com niuuication, when some three hundred nremners" of the Craft assembled ir Auckland, reached the high-water marl so far in point of attendance, but th( present assemblage falls little short o the same total. Lodges are representee from places as far apart as Mongonu and Hokianga in the far North and In vereargill and the Bluff in the extrenv South. The business meetings will, a; usual, extend over two days, but th programme also includes the enjoymen of hospitality extended to the visitor by the local brefhren of their awn Con stitutiou and also by the Freemasons o New Plymouth still adhering to th Irish Constitution. MASONIC BENEVOLENCE

First and foremost in interest in the record's of the past year is the work of the Charity Boards of Grand Lodge, which, in common with the other administrative work of thp head office, is at present, and will be for the next year, carried on in Auckland. After next March they will, under the peripatetic system of Grand Lodge office which is a concession to the provincial spirit that obtains' in Xcw Zealand even in Masonic matters, be transferred to Wellington.

The Board of Benevolence, then, has disbursed in the year £220 in relief of casual cases of distress, chiefly to widows and orphans, and without distinction of Constitution, for amongst the beneficiaries appear the dependents of former members of all three of the British Constitutions' and tile Australians. Besides this direct expenditure from the central Benevolent Fund, s ix special funds have been raised during the year by circular appeal to the lodges i-a respect to eases that called for more than momentary relief. Only three of these funds arc yet complete, and they represent a total sum of £584, in amounts ranging from £238 downwards, but the other funds are filling up in about the same proportions. Tlic course followed in such matters' is to apply the funds raised in such manner as the lodge initiating the appeal advises as being most suited to the needs of the beneficiaries.

Th e Widows and Orphans and Aged Masons Fund has been the most active and practically useful branch of Masonic work in recent years. From it annuities to the aggregate amount o£ £420 have De«n dispensed in the last twelve months to twenty persons in various parts of the Dominion—fourteen old Masons and six widows or daughters of members of the Craft, The amounts range from '£26 to £l2, the smaller suras being paid to persons in receipt of the State oldage pension, which would suffer diminution if the Masonic allowance were made any. larger. The capital value of this fund at the end of the financial year was £11,860, an increase of £2904 for the year, made up from the voluntary contributions of lodges, personal donations, and £317 from interest on investments. The new year stnrts with an earning power of £4BO per annum, which leaves a margin of £OO for the creation of new annuities. The report of th« Board of Management calls attention to the fact that £OOO of additional capital is required for the creation of each extra annuity, and an appeal is made to lodges not to relax their exertions to provide for the growing claims upon the fund. An amendment has lately been made by the Board to the regulations under which it work', providing that in addition to members over fifty years of age, as at present, the benefits of th e fund shall be extended to those ■who have become permanently incapacitated from earning their livelihood. To this amendment the approval of Crand Lodge is asked. PROORKSS OF THE CKAFT.

During the past year five new lodges have been opened in the territory—viz.. the Waikaremoann (at Wairoa. Hawke's Bav), Runanga (at Runanga. near Greymouth), Piako lAlorrinsvillc). Masters' Lodge (Dunedin). St. Martin (Pleasant Point, near Timnrui, and others about t.> be constituted arc—Plunket (Te Kuiti. Auckland), and Knrow IKurow. Otago). This' brings up the strength of the Grand Lodge roll to 1(14 lodges. Petitions have also been received for the establishment of new lodges at Oamarn and AVaihi. and both are submitted to Grand Lodge for consideration. As to finance, the cash balances of the ■ .veral funds are as follows:—General Fund, £2574: Fund of Benevolence. <::is4fl; Widows and Orphans and Agtd Masons, £11,085; Representation. £372: '"•'■cular Appeals, £ls7o—making, with 'lings and pence, a total of £10.752. The total accumulated fund s show an increase of £3583 for the i"«>f. *•!"' remanent investments an increase oi £3OOO, and the benevolent funds an increase Of £3024.

Further, the Grand Secretary congratulates Grand Lodge on the fact that no lodge has made default in the prompt payment of all dues, nor has any lodge hall serious trouble of any kind during the year. "Activity prevails throughout the territory, and all the evidences are in favor of the existence of healthy conditions, sound and satisfactory progres's. and steady improvement in all that makes for harinonv and happiness." AHSCELLAXEOUS. The Board of General Purposes, which may he called the Cabinet oi' the Grand Master, has considered during the year the proposal remitted to it last May by Grand Lodge for the creation of a system of District Boards, but has decided that it cannot recommend it for adoption. Designs' have heen invited for a newform of Master Mason's certificate, and one of these is submitted by the Board for the consideration of Grand Lodge. A proposal has been made for the creation of a new Masonic district to embrace the towns and settlements ranging northward from Palmcrston Xorth to Tailmpe in one direction and Wanganni in another, but the Board merely reports the fact and leaves the decision to Grand Lodge. A proposal from Gisborne "to-transfer tlieAbercorn Lodge from the district- iff the jurisdiction

id-Slaster of \«olr

More than two-thirds of the lodges in Canterbury have petitioned for the creation of a Provincial Grand Lodge, the ilrst of its kind in the Dominion, ami in accordance w th the laws the proposal in remitted for consideration.

The levy for representation purposes is proposed to he ninepenco per member upon all the lodges in the territory. OPENING tip THE SESSION.

The ceremonial opening of (he Communication took place ill (InTheatre Royal vestcrdav afternoon. iI.W. iSvu. Lord p'lunket presided, as Grand Master, ami was supported on the iliiiri In- iI.W. liro. 0. Nicholson, pro-Grand iiasler. and iI.W. liros. il. N'iwol and 11. .1. Williams. Past Grand Masters. KAY. liro. ,). iloncrieff occupied his i-liaii- as Senior Grand Warden. and II.W. Bio. T. Allen. P.GAV.. that of Junior Grand Warden. There was a very large attendance 01 both delegates and Taranaki brethren. Immediately after the opening the Grand Lodge took into consideration the report? of the Executive, which embodied, bc-ides other matters of purely Craft interest, the facts set out above! Excepting a» regards the proposal to create a new Ma-sonic district in Wellington province, and a Provincial Grand Lodge ill Canterbury, and fixing the representation levy, all of which were deferred until to-day's meeting, the various reports were adopted. Kules and regulations drawn up by the Hoard of General Purposes to govern the system of consecrating Masonic buildings, were agreed to with slight amendment. The question of adopting a new design for ilaster Masons' certificates was referred back to the Hoard of General

Purpose*, with power to ant. A petition in favor of the opening of a new lodge at Ouinaru was ruled out of order under the Constitution, and a similar petition from Waihi lapsed through the non-representation of its promoters. It was resolved to confer the rank of Past Grand Chaplain upon V.W. Bro. the Rev. T. G. Hammond, of Taranafcl. Votes of thanks for their services to Freemasonry were given to E.W. Bros. J. W. McDougall (Xapier), 11. Thompson (Southland), and R.W. Bro. Moves (Xcl60n), Past Provincial Grand Masters, and also to M.W. Bro. F. C. Binns (Uiristehurch), Past Pro Grand Master. Bro. R. X. Blenncrhassett, A.X.Z.A.A., was re-appointed auditor Other Grand Lodge officers were elected as'follows:

i Senior Grand Warden, E.W. Bro. 0. H. Moller, of Dunedin; Junior Grand Warden, R.W. Bro. G. AV. Hulme, of Christchurch; Grand Chaplains. V.W. Bro. Rev. E. J. McFarland (Auckland), V.W, Bro. Rev. Canon Tuke (Xnpied); Grand Treasurer, V.W. Bro. Wm. C. Rolfe (Auckland); Grand Registrar, V.W. Bro. F. H. Mueller (Auckland); President of th e Board of General Purposes, R.W. Bro. G. H. Powley (Auckland) ; President of Board of Benevolence, V.W. Bro. 0. T. Gintler (Auckland): Grand Secretary, M.W. Bro. Malcolm Xieeol (Auckland); Senior Grand Deacons. W. Bro. R. R. Groom (Danncvirke), and W. Bro. R. W. Sargent (Taranaki); Junior Grand Deacons, W. Bros. W. A. Tribe (Christchurch) and J. T. Muir (Wanganui); Grand Superin tendents of Works, W. Bros. A. C. Andrews (C'liristclnirch) and F. A. Stems (fnvercargill); Grand Directors of Ceremonies, W. Bros. C. M. Page (Auckland) and X. J. King (Stratford); Grand Bible Bearers', W. Bros. J. J. Clark (Dunedin) and 0. J. Anderson (Gore); Grand Sword Bearers, W. Bros. A. Colvillc (Waimate) and Jas. Brownlec (Havelock) ;. Grand Standard Bearers, W. Bros. E. Bosher (Feilding) and A. A. Wilson (Westport); Grand Organist. AV. Bro. R. Hawcridge (Dunedin); Grand Pursuivants. W. Bros. A. Burns (Thames') and A. Stonvham (Dunedin); Grand Stewards, W. Bros. Wm. Ilill (Rotorual. 0. E. Nicholas (Tauranga), 1!. Baldwin (Christchurch). John Thornton (Christclinvch). ('. It. F.astber (Levin 1. 1!. Colquitt (Petone). T. A. li. Bailev (Palmcrs'ton). J. C. Ray (Waikaka). E. BasilJones (Hastings). C. Marple (Blenheim), E. Beardsmore (Denniston). If. J. Hopkin? (Stratford); Members of Board oi' General Purposes, W. Bros. J. R. Hetllerington (Auckland). Geo. Tutt (Auckland). Geo. G. Kenny (Auckland). R. AA 7 . Gallaitglicr. (Auckland). V. AV. Weston (Wellington). J. I!. Bairstow (Wellington). R. B. B. Willis (Canterbury). J. A. Frostick (Canterbury). 1). A. AlcXicoll (Otagol, .1. K. -lamicson (Southland), J. AV. Bates (Hawke's Bay), L. 1). EasOn (Xelson and Marlborough). D. 1«. Brown (West Coast), G. P. Armstrong (Taranaki): Members of Board of Benevolence. W. Bros. J. E. Hammond (Auckland). J. 11. Hansel] (Auckland), AV. R. C. Walker (Auckland). G. F. Mellars (Auckland|. ('. E. Smith (Auckland). G. B. Perkins (Canterbury). ,|. C. Watson (Canterbury). F. J. Hnmi (Wellington), J. -1. Ashwood (Wellington), Alfred Jolly (Otago), J. AteXeilage (Southland). D. A. Baxter (Hawke's Bav) B. W. Buttle (Xelson and MarlboroWlii; C. F. A. Broad (AVest Coast). James Kenny (Taranaki). IXSTALLATIOX CEREMONIES. Grand Lodge sc-assemblcd in the evening, when M.W. Bro. Lord Plunket was re-installed as Grand Master, ami other officers were installed and invested. The ceremonies were conducted bv MAY. Bro. H. J. Williams. Past Grand Afaster. and M.AV. Bro. Nicholson, Pro Grand -Master, and were embellished with brilliant musical accessories and carried out with marked dignity. IXSTALLIXG MASTER'S ADDRESS. M.W. Bro. AVjlliams, in enthroning the Grand Master, said:— Most Worshipful Grand Master, I greatly esteem the privilege of being permitted to enthrone you in the principal chair of Grand Louge on this occasion, and though the position of Grand Master may not rival other honors of your exalted station, I still venture to assume that you do not hold it in light esteem, and that in the tim e to come, when tar removed from the field of your present labors, you will look back with some pleasure and kindly remembrance to the years when you controlled the destinies of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand and used your best efforts to add lustre to the institution of Freemasonry. It will, I hope, be reassurin" to you to know that your active and indefatigable exertions in the cause of Masonic philanthropy; the admirable precepts you have at all times endeavored to inculcate for the elevation of the Craft: the efforts you have put forth to promote unitv. peace, and concord; and the knowledge of the many personal sacrifices you have made, will be embalmed in the hearts of all' your hrethren. and especially those who have been privileged to be' more intimately associated with you in the work. There is just one feeling oi general re<*ret which may fittingly find expression at this meeting, and it is in the possibility that before another period of annual in", stallation in (.'rand Lodge the exigencies of State service and your dutv "to His -Majesty the King may have necessitated your departure from our midst. But even this poiguant regret mav not bo unalloyed, as we shall have the comforting intuitive assurance that in any differences with the Home Grand Lodges—and 1 pray that no others may arise—we shall have as an advocate'one .who is intimately acquainted with the position of the Craft in this jurisdiction, who knows the hopes and aspirations of th» brethren and the veneration in which tlie mother Grand Lodges are held in this country, and. if I make take the liber I y of saying so. one who ha« a fellow-feeling born of a, stronger influence than mere official association Most Worshipful Grand Abater, in asking you to accept the submission and greetings of your ten thousand Atasonic subjects. I would beg you to believe that, whereas your first" election as Grand Master was by general assent, your present installation is by universal acclamation, and, were it possible, the brethren would ask you to accept their suffrages in perpetuity. In proof thati this is more than mere words. T hope that prior to your departure, if in consonance .with your wishes, a great Afas'onic reunion may be arranged, the result of which would leave no doubt in your mind as to the loyal and affectionate esteem in which you arc held by the brethren of this Dominion. Most AVorshipful Grand Master. I have the greatest pleasure in tendering you the heartiest greetings, congratulations, and sood wishes of Grand Lodge and oi the Freemasons of this jurisdiction. After the completion of the enthronement of the Grand Agister and its proclamation in formal fashion. AI.W. Bro. Nicholson was invented, inducted and proclaimed as Pro Grand Afaster. OTHER GRAND OFFICERS. The Grand Afaster announced the appointment of the officers that lay within his prerogative as follows:—Deputy Grand Master, R.AV. Bro. Robert Fletcher (Wellington); Senior Grand AVarden. AV. Bro. Odin 11. Moller (Dunedin); Junior Grand Warden, A'.W. Bro. O.AA 7 . Hulme (Christchurch): Provincial Grand Alastcrs of Districts: Auckland, under supervision of M.W. Bro. Nicholson, Pro G..M.: Wellington, under supervision of R.AA r . Bro. Fletcher. Deputy 0.M.: Canterbury. R.V. Bro. S. C. Bingham; Otago. R.'AA". Bro. Thomas Ross; Southland. AA r . Bro. Thomas R. Rankin; AA'est Coast, R.AV. Bro. J. H llarkness; Xelson and Marlborough, W. Bro. W. AA 7 . (De Castro; nawke's Bav, R.W. Bro. V. T. De Lisle; Taranaki, R.AV. Bro, F. P. 1 own. .

j The Deputy Grand Master and mos't i of the Provincial Grand .Masters weK' present and wore duly invested and initiated, and the Grand Wardens and the officers elected at the afternoon sitting were also invested. TI'IK GRAND MASTER'S ADDRESS. TTis Excellency the Grand .Master addressed the giuheriiii! as follows:—Most Worshipful. P,t. Worshipful. Vvrv Worshipful and Worshipful lircthreii. -You have again, for Hie fourth time. elected "me as your Grand Master, and I dcire lo reileralc how highly 1 appreciate the honor, how

gratified 1 have been made by the mianiinity in my favor shown by your lodges' nominations, and last, but not least, how fully I realise (he responsibilities this honor carries with it,

The year which has passed sinee I la«t met Grand Lodge assembled has- perhaps been an uneventful one. but beneath ils calm surface there has been a rapid current llowing forward in our favor. Seven new lodges have been created. 7ufl names have been added to our roll of membership, our funds have increased by .C3,i83. and an nniKuallv large number of new lodge rooms have been built, or existing ones improved. I would e*peeialiv call your attention to the sinking figures which are (o be found in the current report of the Board of General Purposes. Fnrnis'h the bare bones of that column with flesh, and the history of the New Zealand Constitution comes to life. It is easy to picture from the first time, '-30lji April. ISOI. ,t>72." the pioneers (several of whom are on the dais with me tonight I _ struggling 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, hut I venture to douht whether won the most sanguine amongst that gallant hand anticipated that eight years later the Grand Master would be ahle to announce to Grand Lodge that their credit balance was practically £20.00.0.

Brethren, such progress is most encouraging, but what is' more satisfactory still is that th P rapid increase in our funds is due not so much to ices consequent upon enlarged membership as to the voluntary sacrifice shown bv our brethren in the cause of charity. It is this fact which makes our financial position a real cause for congratulation, and an evidence that tin: true Freemasonry permeates' our Constitution.

You will notice in the report of the board managing the Widows' and Orphans' and Aged MasoiW Fund, that the capital value of that fund is now about £ 11,000, but I would venture also to call your attention to the fact that after providing the necessary annuities the Hoard have only a margin of £OO per annum to meet any deserving eases 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 us 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.

1 do not intend to-night discussing the negotiations' which arc taking placf between ourselves and the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland, but I think the. dignified and firm vet moderate manner in which our case is stated in the report of Hie Board of General Purposes should commend itself to all fair-minded members of the Craft. In connection with the English Grand Lodge I anticipate that Lord Onslow will bo of great assistance in urging «nr views, and in the ease of Scotland T feel true fraternal feelings toward* colonial constitutions' have been brought closer now that a Past Grand Master ~f Scotland is Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Victoria. Brethren, the reports of mv Provincial Grand Masters, and the information 1 have taken some trouble to gather myself whilst travelling through the country, satisfy me that every year marks' a. step forward towards rising to the high ideals' of our Order. Almost everywhere true harmonr exists, charitv takes a prominent place, and excess of a.nl kind after lodge has closed is seldom heard of. This happy position is mninlv due to two thing's—greater care in rhosing tile officers-of the lodges, and a firm determination that no" personal friendships or other interested motive will induce a Mason to propose as a brother one whom lie cannot honestly believe would make a worthy one. The urgent necessity of carefully (warding the porch has been referred to by me in every address to Grand Lodge I have delivered, and yon will find It occupying a prominent place in the speeches of my predecessors. I am 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 (he destruction of the noble building which their fathers have raised for them. Brethren, my period of public office in New Zealand, and my position in the Chair of King Solomon, come to a close in about a year's time. I shall find it hard to leave this country, where T have snent some of the happiest years of my life. To you. my brother Masons, f owe many debts of gratitude. Notwithstanding the wise counsel and whole-hearted loyalty which the members of Grand Lodge have ever extended to me. I feel very conscious of much work ill done and much not done at all. T can only say that during my final year as Grand Master T will do all T can to merit the confidence you have again shown hi me and advance file welfare of Freemasonry in general and our own Constitution in particular.

AVor. Bro. C. Page (.Auckland) acte.V as Grand Director of Cere uics. and Wi.r. Bro. Bain (Christchurch) as assistant director. AA'or. Bro. I!. X. Remind (New Plymouth) acted as'musical director. Proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem, after which the members of Grand Lodge were hospitably entertained by the Taranaki lodges.