MASONIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 279, 26 November 1890, Page 5

MASONIC.

GRAND LODGE OP NEW ZEALAND.

The first communication of the New Zealand Grand Lodge held in tine city took place last night in the Masonic Hall, Prin-ces-streeb, when close on 200 brethren of the crafts were in attendance. Thefollowing Lodges were represented ; —Albion, St. Augustine, Abercorn, Victory, United Service, Beata, Coromandel, Leinster, Waterloo, Sir Walter Scott, Manukau, Tβ Aroha, Wairoa, Papakura, Otago, Franklin, Ara, Ponsonby, and St. Andrew's. This Lodge was well represented, the W.M. Bro. Page and 40 brethren being present. At 7.30 o'clock the ordinary meeting of Lodge Ara took place, Bro. S. D. Hanna presiding. The business was speedily despatched, and at 8 o'clock the Grand Master and his officers arrived as follows :—Grand Master, Brother H. Thomson; Deputy G.M., Brother A. S. Eussell; P.G.M., Brother E. T. Gillon; Grand Superintendent, Brother M. Niccol; S. W. Brother Dr. Boor; J.W., Brother W. B. Franklin ; Chaplain, Rev. W. Mulgan; Acting Treasurer, Brother T. L. Murray; Secretary, Brother Rev. W. Ronaldsonj Acting Secretary, Brother W. H. Cooper ; S.D., Brother W. Craig; J.D., Brother W. Edgecumbe; 8.C., Brother G. H. Poirley; 5.8., Brother J. Page; Pursuivant, Brother A. Kidd; Tyler, Brother E. Tonge; Stewards, Brothers T.« H. Tewsley, J. L. Logan, S. Vosper, F. M. Hewsoa. The Grand Master, in opening the proceedings, expressed pleasure at seeing such a large attendance. He said that since the lasfe communication the Grand Lodge three ve*y important facts had taken place. The first was that four lodgee had given in their adhesion to the Zealand Constitution, and all of these had belonged to the English Constitution. In his journey up from Wellington to Auckland he had opened two new lodges and consecrated a Masonic Hall. Another important fact was that recognition had been received from the Grand Lodge of Orient of Italy, and the Grand Lodges of Victoria and Tasmania. Perhaps the most important fact kad been the refusal of recognition by the Grand Lodge of England. That was no doubt greatly owing to the information that had been before the English Grand Lodge when the decision was arrived at. Sir John Monckton was to be thanked for the manner in which he had referred to them when introducing the subject at Home. He spoke temperately, and expressed sorrow that unanimity did not prevail in New Zealand. The result was the decision " that for the present the Grand Lodge of England cannot grant the application." The brethren would notice that was different to a bare refusal. Hβ regretted that recognition had been refused by the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and as the Grand Lodge of Ireland had noKanswered the letter forwarded, he took that to mean that it was simply waiting for further information. Fraternal letters had also been received from various lodges in America, so that as soon as the respective Grand Lodges met there was little doubt that recognition would be extended. During receßS a Constitution had been drafted, and was being revised by the Board of General Purposes. No doubt, most of them had seen a circular recently forwarded by His Excellency the Governor to the various Lodges. Ho hoped that it would resulb beneficially, though he did nob see thab ib would affect the New Zealand Constitution very much, because they were already doing their best towards securing general unanimity. Hβ urged upon the brethren to show every kindness they possibly could to the brethren who were nob at one with them. Let any argument be temperate, and invite them to visit the Lodges. He felt that he must allude to the resolution passed by , the Prince of Wales Lodge r E. C., that they would not nnder any circumstances join the New Zealand Constitution. It seemed like pledging the Lodge for all time, but he learned that the resolution was most) likely unconstitutional, having been carried without previous notice being given. Hβ did not think that the Prince of Wales wquid be very much pleased at the resolution arrived at by the Prince of Wales Lodge. (Applause.)

Board op Benevolence.—The Secretary reported that during the past quarter no application had been received for relief.

Reports.—The report of the Board of General Purposes was read and adopted, also the reports of the Grand Superintendent. That from Wellington district stated that owing to the courtesy 9hown by the D.D.G.M. of the English Constitution in not issuing edicts against the New Zealand Constitution there had been an absence of the ill-feeling manifested in other districts. The Grand Superintendent of Auckland district reported thab 500 brethren were now enrolled under the New Zealand Consbibution in his district*.

Roll of Lodges.—The roll of lodges connected with the Grand Lodge of New Zealand was asked for by Bro. Niceol. The Grand Master explained that ab present it was impossible to prepare an official roll, as the lodges were nob to be numbered for the first twelve months. He mentioned thab 69 or 70 lodges were working under his dispensation. The brethren must be aware thab a large number of lodges passed the resolution to join, but had not doae anything further. He had issued 92 dispensations, of which number 5 had been returned and 3 re-issued. A great many lodges appeared to be simply waiting. Recognition. — Brother A. S. Rnssell moved a resolution thanking the Grand Orient of [taly for recognition and appointing Brother Seigner Achilli Bullari 33rd degree as representative. This was adopted with applause, and similar resolutions were carried on the, motion of Brother Gillon with regard to Grand Lodges of Victoria and Tasmania. Brother Martin was appointed representative ab the Victorian Grand Lodge, and Brother E. Robinson for of Tasmania. The following were appointed representatives at the New Zealand Grand Lodge:—Brother V. Pyke, P.P.G.M. Tasmanian Grand Lodge, Brother G. Robertson, P.G.5..,, Grand Orient of Italy, and Brother Hammerton to the Grand Lodge of New South Wales. Sympathy.—Resolutions expressing sympathy with the brethren of Lodges Ponsonby and Otago in the treatment they had received were passed. Votes of thanks were accorded to the officers, after which the lodge was closed. The Banquet.—The brethren then adjourned to the lower hall,where an excellent collation had been laid by Bro. G. Robson. The tables were rendered attractive by a number of pot plants in btoom. After justice had been done to the viands the toast " Queon and Craft" was proposed by the G.M., the brethren singing the National Anthem. Bro. Niceol proposed "The M.W. Grandmaster," which was drunk with enthusiasm. The Grand Master, in responding, said that he had accepted the position with reluctance, as he bad hoped to see that place filled by His Excellency the Governor. However, LordOnelow declined to accept the post for what were no doubt good reasons from hie point of view, and he was himself placed in the position. He exhorted the brethren to show the greatesb tolerance, as they would not gain friends by abusing them. Hβ hoped that next year Lord Onslow would occupy the position of Grand Maeter. (Applause.) Bro. Gillon proposed "His Excellency the Governor," and referred to the attempt now being made by Lord Onslow to secure unanimity. He asked the brethren to be careful nob to do anything that would cauee ill-feeling. Hβ hoped they would all follow the example set by Bro. the Earl of Onslow in bis attempts to secure, unanimity.

The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Bro. Russell proposed, ."The Grand Masters of Sister Constitutions," the brethren singing "Joiri all in Harmony." Other toasts were : —" The Grand Superintendent of Auckland," "The D.G.M. and the Grand Lodg-e Officers Past and Present " (proposed by R. W. Bro. F. Lawry, M.H.R.), " The Worshipful Masters of the Craft Lodgeß," " The Visitors," and "The Tylers' Toast." The musical portion of the service was led by a selected choir, Dr. Walker officiating at the organ.