MASONIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 93, 23 April 1891, Page 7

MASONIC.

The ordinary monthly meeting of Lodge Ara, 348, 1.C., was held on April 6th in the Freemasone , Hall, Princes-street, when there was a fair attendance, several visitors being amongst those present. In the absence of the W.M., Bro. J. Hanna, P.M., presided. The principal business was the nomination of officers for the ensuing year, the following brethren being selected :—W.M., Bro. Moat, tf.M. ; S.w., Bro. A. Hanna; J.W., Bro. F. J. Whittaker ; Chaplain, Bro. Dr. Kidd ; Treasurer, Bro. J. Savage ; Secretary, Bro. W. J. Rees ; S.D., Bro. G. Gribbin ; J.D., Bro. Houghton : D.C., Bro. A. Wright; organiet, Bro, J. Hanna; S.S., Bro. W. McCullough ; J.S., Bro. F. Weston ; 1.G., Bro. W. BLomfield ; and Tyler, Bro. E. Tonge. The annual installation of officers of Lodge Albion, New Zealand Masonic Constitution, took placeabDevon port on April 17. Bro. J. F. Logan, having been re-elected W.M., appointed and invested the following subordinate officers :—I. P.M., Bro. A. B. Burgess; S.W., Bro. G. C. Walker; J.W., Bro. A. Benge ; Treasurer, Bro. J. Mays, P.M. ; Secretary, Bro. Burgess, P.M.; D. of C, Bro. S. Vosper, P.M.; S.D., Bro. R. Duder ; J.D., Bro. Nairn; Stewards, Bros. Bailey and Avenell; 1.G., Bro. Grahame; Tyler, Bro. Varcoe. Bro. M. Niccol, Grand Superintendent, acted as Installing Master. After the Lodge was closed, an adjournment took place to an appetising repast prepared in the Council Chambers, where a very pleasant hour was spent, songs, speeches, and recitations being judiciously blended.

At the meeting of the Papakura Lodge, N.Z.C.held on March 31, the new Masonic Hall was duly consecrated and dedicated by the R.W. Bro. M. Niccol, Grand Superintendent for Auckland, assisted by V. W. Bro. W. H.Cooper, acting D. Grandmaster, and Bro. G. H. Powley and S. D. Hanna, Grand Wardens, F. M. Ilewson, D. of C, Dr. H. Walker, Grand Organist, and Past Masters E. D. McLennan, O. McLennan, Dunwoodie, Evana, Walker, Craig, Symons, Fowlds, Dr. Carolan, etc. The large gathering included representatives of all the citj and suburban lodges. The ceremony was performed by Bro. Niccol, MASONIC GRAND LODGE. The Grand Lodge of New Zealand held their third quarterly communication at Inveercargill on April 10, when tnere was a largeattendance from all parts of the district. Tho lodge was opened by the W.C.M., Bro. H. Thomson, assisted by the Acting D.G.M. Bro. A. Burton, the G. Warden, Bro. H. Feldwick, and a full complement of acting officers. In the course of the opening speech the Grand Master referred to the negotiations that had taken place with the view of inducing the Governor to accept the Grand Mastership. Nearly every lodge under the N.Z. Constitution favoured that course, but unfortunately unanimity with Lodges holding under the other Constitutions had not been obtained. To show His Excellency's position, he read tho following telegram :—"II. Thomson, Christchurch (confidential). Yours received. Have been in communication with a number of brethren in different parts of the colony. I am hopeful of reconcilemant, but cannot accept oli'cr at present unless some means of reconcilement can be devised. I can never consent to head a party, anr) still prefer not to be put forward in any capacity except that of peacemaker.—Onslow." Since the receipt of this the following had come to hand and enabled him to read the conlidential telegram :—" H. Thomson, Tapa* nui: I think you may say that but for the inflexible determination to take no step tending towards reconciliation exhibited by the Southern Masons, 1 should have persevered in my elTorts to bring about auch a state of affairs as would have enabled free intercommunication between all tho New Zealand lodges to bo resumed. My telegram of the 2nd is not confidential. —Onslow."

The report of the Board of General Purposes was adopted without discussion. The Board of Benevolence reports showed that the Benevolent Fund had already reachod considerably over one hundred pounds, on which calls for charity had been made up to date to the extent of twenty pounds. Nominations for the election of officers, to take place at next quarterly communication, were received from lodges in all parts of the colony.

The proceedings closed, and tho Grand Lodge adjourned to a banquet in Johnson's Southland Club Hotel.