Freemason's lodge to close

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 272, 31 January 1989, Page 1

Freemason's lodge to close

Lack of interest has forced the Waimarino's Ngauruhoe Lodge of Freemasons to close. While the service organisation has more than 70 members the lack of interest in the group's activities means the lodge will close on March 11. The group started in 1916 and has had 497 members over that time. Don Hancock of the lodge said the group faced a dilemma in that while Freemasons shun publicity, the lack of it means it is hard to create interest these days. The group's activities centre around community benevolence. Nationally they run old people's homes, find financial assistance for aged members and widows and provide bursaries for students. Mr Hancock said last year they gave away, nationally, $2.5 million.

The hall and the land the group owns is to be offered for sale and a proposal to invest the money for tcn years, with the interest going to the organisation's various activities, is to be considered. This option would allow for the reforming of the lodge within the ten year period if interest was regenerated, said Mr Hancock. Along with the lodge closing will be the end of a long tradition. Mr John Nation has been catering for the lodge's monthly meetings "for years" after taking over from his father. Mr Hancock said he remembers the price to members for the catering being £1/5/(one pound five shillings) and that the price in 1989 was still only $2.50. "I'd like you to mention that and express our thanks to Mr Nation," Mr Hancock told the Bulletin.