GRAND LODGE OF GOOD TEMPLARS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1328, 16 April 1885, Page 3

GRAND LODGE OF GOOD TEMPLARS.

The Grand Lodge of New Zealand opened its annual session in the Orange Hall, Ashburton, ou Tuesday, April 7th, rt 12 o’clock. Bro. J. Harding, G.W.C.T., presided, and tho following officers were present ; Bro. K. Sando, Tirnaru, G.W.C.T. ; Bro. R. Neill, Lawrence, G.W.V.T. ; Bro. D. C. Cameron, Dunedin, G.W.S. ; Bro. W. Carr, Dunedin, G.W.T. ; Bro, B. C. Robbins, Hawera, G.S.I.T. ; Bro. E. Eyre, Wanganui, G.O. ; Bro. J. A. Effort!, P.G.W.C.T. ; Bro, A. Cook, Ashburton, Acting Grand Messenger ; Bro. Simpson, Kaiapoi, G. The following representatives were present and took their seats: Bros. G. Mac Neil, Vincent; W. W atson, Selwyn ; J. Stead, Invercargill ; —McLauclan, Port Chalmers ; T. Potts, Hokitika ; A. J. Bennett, Wellington ; W. S. Sherwood, Blenheim ; J. Pickard, Nelson ; R. Evans, Rangiora ; A. Cook, Ashburton ; and J, Young, Christchurch ; M. W. Green, Christchurch ; J. W. Jago, Dunedin ; S. Davis, Timaru ; Miller, Tai-Tapu ; and Simpson, Kaiapoi. Several members of the local Lodges, were also present, after the opening ceremony had been conducted. Bro. S. Capper, P.R.W.G.0., G.W.C.T. of N.W.G.L., was introduced to the Grand Lodge, and at the request of the G.W.C.T. took the chair, conferred the Grand Lodge Degrees, and conducted the business during the morning sittings. During the day several reports were read and adopted, and an Address of Welcome to the members of the Grand Lodge was received from the Church of England Temperance Society, through the Rev. B. A. Scott, President. Bros. J. Harding, G.W.C.T., and J. VV. Jago made suitable replies. During the evening a grand tea was held in the I. Hall. After the tea a public meeting was held, when addresses were delivered by Bros. J. Harding G.W.C.T., S. Capper, M. W. Green, and J. W. Jago. An efficient choir had also been procured, and rendered several anthems during the evening. After several votes of thanks to the Chairman and others, a very pleasant evening’s entertainment was brought to a close. Tho Grand Lodge resumed business on Wednesday at 9 a.in. During the morning silting the following representatives took their seats :—Bro. G. H. Patrick, Geraldine ; Bro. W, Watson, Greymoutli ; Bro J. Sawle, Greendale. Fraternal greetings were received from Bros, Turnbull and McDonald, Greymouth, and from the Grand Lodge of Victoria in session. An address of welcome was presented to Bro. S, Capper from the Grand Lodge. Nearly the whole of the day was occupied with the business sheet, after which the Grand Lodge Degree was confirmed ou five candidates. The election of officers was next proceeded with and the following duly elected for the ensuing term Bio. J, Harding (re-elected), G.W.C.T. ; Bro. J. W. Jago, G.W.C.T. ; Bro. Simpson, G.W.V.T. ; Bro. B. C. Robbins (reelected), G.S.I.T. ; Bro. D. C. Cameron (re-elected), G.W.S.; Bro. W. Carr (reelected), G.W.T. ; Bro. M. W. Green, Grand Chaplain; Bro. J. Stead, G.W. Marshall ; Bro. W. Waton, A.G.S. ; Bio. W. Watson, G.D.M. ; Bro. A. Cook, Grand Guard; Bro. J. Young, Grand Sentinel ; Bro. J. Mulvanny, Grand Messenger. Bro. S. Capper then installed the officers as elected, assisted by Bro. S. Davies. The meeting was then closed at 12 p.m. and opened on Thursday morning at 9 a.m., Bro J. Harding, G.W.C.T., presiding, Business being resumed a long discussion took place with reference to the next place of meeting and Christchurch was agreed on as the place. After several accounts had been passed for payment the session was closed by the G.W.C.T, at 11.30 a.m. The next session will be held in Christchurch on tho first Tuesday in Easter week, 1887.