GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEA LAND.

Waikato Argus, Volume I, Issue 46, 24 October 1896, Page 2

GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEA LAND.

TilK fcnii-niniual communication of the Grand Lodge of New Zcahiu I was held on Wednc day nftemenn at New l'lynicmtli, Grand Master \V. Barron presiding. Twenty one Givnd Lodge officers were present, and '2O lodges were rcprestuud. The Hoard of Benevolence repotted grants of moneys to tin amount of £53 to distressed brethren of the Scottish, New Zealand, and Engli Ii Con-stittitioi-s and widows and chihlnn of deeeisfd Masons. The benevolent fund stands at £107!) 14s 7d. and the \v : d ,ws •and orphans fund at £303 13s. The report was confirm 'd. The report of the hoard of General Purposes stated that since the annu\l communication at Duncdin in April list, the English Lodge [Jtuuiim'ty of Marlboruigb. had transferred its allegiance to the Grand Lodge of New Zea'and, and two new lodges have been created (Lodge Ohinenmri, at Pacroa, and Lodge Winton, at Wtnton, Soulhl and), the number of lodges now on the roll being 10S. The monument to the inenioty of the last Past Grandmaster Bro'her I ; . T. Gillon, towards the costs of which the Grand Lodge vo'cd £SO, has been erected in the Wellington Cemetery. Fraternal recognition lias been extendcl by Grand Lodges .Michigan, Oregon, and districts of Co'nmb'a, an I prand representatives nominated. The English Masonic pipers contain reports c t a special communication of the Grand Lodge < f England he d on the 27'h July last, when a message from the Prince of Walts recommending the recognition of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand was adopted by I.3b' votes to 3, hut up to the present no otlieial advices had been received. The ISo'.rd recommended that the next annual commmiicatio > in April, 15',17, be hehl in Livercargill. The .statement of icceipts and expenditure for the halfyear etnle 1 SOih September showed a revenue, exclusive ot balances, <f d I!) lis Id, £350 I2s be-ng on account of the general fund, and £I(JS l!ts 41 for charities. The Grand .Mister in his opening address referred to the question of recognition by the Grand Lodge of England. He hud looked forward to tell iig the brethren that information concerning the recognition had been continued. He h 'ped, however, by the time of the next communication to be able not only to state that lodges under New Zealand constitution were la fraternal communication, but to see members from Knglish. Scottish, and Itish lodges taking part in the proceedings. A committee was appointed to con-ider the matter of Masonic scholarships, and report to the Grand Lodge at next comnmiiicaMon. The same committee was empowered to consider and report upon tho question of «stablisbing a system of permanent relief to aged indigent Misons, either l>y an alternative system, or in addition to scholarships. The proposed committee consists of Brothers Barron and Barton, all Superintendents, and other ex oflieio members of Board of General Purposes, and Brothers Witherill, Eo dwick, Ronnldson, Lippeit. In moving the resolution, Brother Williams pointed out that the Grand Lodge had reached a vciy sati-factory position, and such resolution was in turtheratlec of Masonic prino'ples. The W.G.M. stated that the I'.oird of (Jencral Purposes hid a scheme for dealing with scholarships under coil-s-idcrntinii. G.N. Brother Williams moved that the Board of General l'ur-po-os he asked to have a Bill prepared tor the purpose of incorporating the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, and report at the annual communication. Tho mover thought it desirab'e the Lodge should have a legal status. Brother (,'orkill, 5.0. W., seconded the motion, which wis carried. Invcrcargill was fixeil as tiio place for holding the annual eotnmunica'ion. Brother Barron reported eulogistically on the excellent service done by Brother Bell in connection with the reoogii'tion (|Uestion, and addc i that at the if xt cenunuirciition a rcso'nti n would he submitted thanking Brother Bell and other brethren for the service rendered. A compliment to Lodge Ngtinotn for the heat ty manner in whioh the olliccrs of the Grand Lodge had heen received and cn'eitair.ed terminated the proceedings. The social in the evening was the most brilliant ever held in New Pj-mouth.