FREEMASONRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1921, Page 5

FREEMASONRY.

GRAND LODGE MEETING

ANNUAL GATHERING.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland. May 11. The annual' communication of the Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand opened to-day, Mr. Thomas Ross, grand master, presiding. Mr. Ross was reelected grand master, and the other principal officers elected were: grand treasurer, J. A. Fredric, Dunedin; grandreg, st rar, W. G. Hay, Dunedin; president board of benevolence, J. J. Clark, Dunedin; senior grand deacons, J. E. Wade, West Coast, and J. L. Ching, Nelson; junior grand deacons, A. H. Waring, Auckland, and E. L. Ironmonger, Ruapehu. The annual balance-sheet showed that the total funds amounted to £73,438. of which £5761 belonged to the general fund, £46,356 > the annuity fund, £12,940 to the pedal war benevolent fund and £3655 to the fund of benevolence. The report on the widows and orphans fund showed that sixty-one persons were in receipt of Masonic annuities up to the maximum of £52. A special effort made during the year for the augmentation of the fund realised to April 12 £9747, and further returns are to come in. Grants and loans out of the special war benevolent fund. amuonted to £lBB4. The report of the board of general purposes stated that seven new lodges had opened during the year, and charters granted with respect to three more. Steps were on foot in six other districts for the formation of new lodges. The poll of lodges as to the time of year when the Grand Lodge communications should be held had decided in favor of November. FURTHER BUSINESS. INSTALLATION CEREMONY. Auckland, Last Night. At the annual convocation of the Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand reports of various boards were considered in detail and adopted. Christchurch was chosen for the next meeting. Mr. Malcolm Nicool’s resignation from the office of Grand Secretary was received with regret. It was decided to grant him a pension of £4OO per annum for life. The business session was adjourned until to-morrow. In the evening Mr. Thomas Ross was re-installed grand master, and other officers installed or invested were: Deputy grand master, Mr. J. J. Esaon (Wellington); prominent grand masters, Messrs. Oliver Nicholson (Auckland), George Russell (Wellington), H. B. Bishop (Canterbury), A. Field wilds (Otago), E. Warners (West Coast), R. W. Stiles (Nelson and Marlborough). A. B. Hoggitt (Southland). J. M. Ritchie (Hawke’s Bay), H. W. Ewing (Taranaki), J. H. Perritt (Ruapehu) ; grand secretary, Col. George Barclay; senior grand warden, Mr. .1 Armstrong (Auckland); junior grand warden, Mr. K. McKenzie (South Canterbury) ; senior grand deacons, Messrs. J. E. Wade (West Coast), J. L. Ching (Nelson); junior grand deacons, Messrs. A. 11. Waring (Auckland), E. L. Ironmonger (Ruapehu); grand chaplains, the Rev. A. V. Chandler (Dunedin) and the Rev. A. Macdonald (Auckland).