THE NEW ZEALAND MASONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 118, 19 May 1892, Page 7

THE NEW ZEALAND MASONS.

April 27th was a red-lebter day in Auckland amongsb thoso Masons who work under the constitution of the Grand Lodge o£ New Zealand. The annual communication took place in this city, Brobhor Malcolm Niccol having beon selected to till the important position of Most Worshipful Grand Master. Tho following are the names of tho office-bearers who carried out tho arrangements of tho installation, etc. : — Installing Grand Master, M.W. Bro. E. T. Gillon ; P.D.G.M., Grand Secretary, V.W. Bro. Rev. W. Ronaldson ; Grand Diroctor of Music, Bro. Prof. Carl Schmitt, X.C.C.I. ; Grand Diroctor of Ceremonies, Bro. J. F. Logan ; Assistant Grand Organist, Bro. Dr. Walker ; Chairman of Catoriug Committee, Bro. Alfred Kidd ; Executive Committee—Bro. George Powley, S.G.W. (Chairman), Bro. W. tl. Cooper, P.S.G.W. (Secretary), Bro. G. W. Baeley, P.M. (Treasurer). Proceedings commenced with the officers of the Grand Lodge entering tho hall in regalia, preccdod by Bro. J. P. Logan, Grand Director of Ceremonies, and Bro. A. King, P. G.S. (Lodge Coromandel). The Grand Lodge ofliccrs present wero: — M.W. Bro. H. Thomson, G.M.: M.W. Bro. E. T. Gillon (Wellington) ; R.W. Bro. M. Nicco), G.S. (Auckland); R.W. Bro. Williams, G.S. (Wellington); R.W. Bro. G. A. Powley, G.S.W. ; R.W. Bro. Cooper, Acting G.J.W. ; V.W. Bro. Alfrod Kidd, Acting Treasurer; V.W. Bro. Ronaldson, G. Secretary ; V.W. Bro. Logan, G.D.C; V.W. Bro. Walker, G.O. ; V.W. Bro. King, Acting G.S. Deacon; V.W. Bro. Basloy, Acting G.J. Deacon; V.W. Bro. Petorkin, Acting G. Sword Bearer ; V.W. Rev. Neill, Acting G. Chaplin ; V.W. Bro. Clark, Acting G. Sword Bearer; V.W. Bro. Raid, Acting G. P. ; V.W.S.D. Bros. Hanna, V.W.S.D. Bro. Symon?, V.W.S.D. Bro. Chapman, V.W.S.D. Bro. Gatland, Grand Stewards. M.W. Bro. Henry Thomson, Grand Master, occupied tho chair, supported by Bros. M. Niccol and E. T. Gillon. The G.M. duly opened the Lodge, and Bro. S. J. Neill (P.M., Sir Walter Scott, Thames), otl'ered up prayer. Bro. Goorgo H. Powley, S.G.W., and Bro. G. W. Basley, P.M., occupiod tho Wardens' chairs. The balance-sheet was read, showing the balance in hand amounted to £210 17s Bd. Tho fund of benevolence showod a balance of £230 8s 6d, and the loan fund a balance of £45. Tho Board of Benevolence reporb stated that no claim or application for assistance had been received during the quarter ending 31st December, 1891. Tho balance to the credit of tho fund to date was £230 8s Od. A potition for a new lodge at Mangonui was granted, and charts authorised to be issued. Tho following brethren wore elected ofiicors of tho New Zealand Grand Lodge for tho ensuing year:—M.W,, the Grand Mastor, Bro. Malcolm Niccol ; Deputy G.M., Bro. Kaye (Canterbury); Grand Sups., Bro. Williams (Wellington), Bro. Burton (Otago), Bro. Hall (Southland); S.G.W., Bro. Hamorton (Wellington); J.G.W., Bro. Titchener (Otago); G. Chap.. Bro. Rev. J. S. Noil (Auckland); Bro. Rev. Thos. Porrict( Wellington), Bro. Rev. E. E. Chambers (Canterbury), Bro. Rot. W. Blathwayb (Otago); G. Treasurer, Bro. Russell (Auckland); G. Registrar, Bro. Basloy (Auckland) ;G. Assistanb Rogistrar, Bro. Caplen (Wellington) ; G. Secretary, Bro. Rev. Wm. Ronald son (Auckland); Asaiptanb G. Secretary, Bro. Lyon (Wellington): P.8.G.P., Bro*. Kidd (Auckland); P. 8.8., Bro. Logan (Auckland); S.G.D., Bro. Harkness (Nelson), Bro. Thompson (Canterbury) ; J.G.D., Bro. Groijr (Wellington) ; J.G.D., Bro. Brce (Obngo) ; G.S.W., Bro. Wundram (Napior); D.C., Bro. Towsloy (Auckland) ; A.D., Bro. Malmtfcy (Southland) ; G.B. 8., Bro. Anderson (Auckland); G. 5.8., Bro. Anderson (Canterbury) ; A.G.5.8., Bro. McWhirter (Canterbury) ; 5.8., Bro. Hamilton (Otago) ; A.D., Bro. Jolley (Napier) ; G. 0., Bro. Dr. Walker (Auckland) ; A.0., Bro. Seavell (Cantorbury) ; G.P., Bro. Edgecumbe (Auckland); Grand Tyler, Bro. Tonge (Auckland) ; stewards, Bros. Harris (Auckland), Chapman (Auckland), Towgood, Bniley, Kirbon, Aitken, Skeeb, Coveney, Black, Howard, ,lohn Pickotb, Indor ( Coromandol ), Allan, Wilby, A. B. Blacketb, Boyd, Keibh, Broadhead, Rovell, Millar, Russell, Hopkins, Creagh, Smith, Nichol.

Board ofGeneralPurposes:Bro.G.Po\rley, Bro. W. H. Cooper, Bros. T. \V Ellison, J. Page. T. W. Allen, S. Vosper, S. D. Hanna, H, J, Williams, Geo. Robertson, E. T. Gillon, A. H. Burton, T. G. De Riugg, C. P. Hulbert, R. C. Ristion, W. H. Hall.

Board of Benevolence :Bros. A.B.Burgoss, T. Thomas, A, H. Jones, Geo. Hardy. W. Dnnwoodie, Thomas L. Murray, E. T. McLennan, J. H. J. Eliobt, Thomas MeKonzie, C. A. C. Hardy, A. R. Kirk, Goummitt, J, P. Corkill, A. Cross, A. W. Bain.

Bro. A. Kidd thought thfeb the time had arrived when tho New Zealand Constitution should have a ritual of its own. Aftor discussion, it was resolved " That it is advisable to provide a ritual for the Now Zealand Constitution, and that the Board of General Purposes be instructed to i'ecommend at the next communication what steps they have taken in that direction."

The success attending the formation of a Grand Lodge of Freemasons for this colony was fully manifested by the brilliant assemblage in the Choral Hall in the evening, when Bro. Malcolm Niccol was installed as Grand Master of New Zealand. About four hundred brethren assombJed at the hall, lodges in all parts of the colony being represented. It was evidenj; that neither trouble nor expense had been spared to ensure success as far as decoration was concerned.

The Masonic orchestra and choir attended in good numbers, and contributed greatly to the enjoyment of the imposing ceremony of installation. Bro. Carl Schmitb ably officiated a3 conductor, Bro. Dr. Walker, Grand Organist, presiding at the instrument, and Bro. Westpfahl officiating as leader of the orchestra.

After tho Grand Lodge had been opened in ample form, the M. W.G.M. presented to Bro. A. S. Russell his cert ideate aa representative of the Grand Lodge of Montana.

The minute re the election of officers having been read by the Grand Secretary, the Rev. Bro. W. Ronaldson, a blast on tho trumpet announced the approach of Bro. Malcolm Niccol, who marched up the room under a crimson canopy attended by eight W.M.s and four stewnrds, and preceded by Bros. Towsley and Peterkin, who bore the regalia of the Grand Master on two purple velvet cushions, which were deposited in front of tho dale. As the procession passed up tho hall, the orchestra performed the March from " Athalio." On either side of the Grand Master elect walked Bro. Jones, W.M. of Lodge Ponsonby, and Bro. Walker, W.M. of Lodge Albion. The Director of Ceremonies, Bro. J. F. Logan, announced the candidate for installation. Bro. Gillon then descended from the daia and administered the oath, after which the

Grand Master was invested with tte regalia of his office. Another hymn was sung, and tho G. Chaplain prayed. After the obligation, the choir sang the anthem, " Let) .Nob Honour and Truth Forsake Thee. When Bro. Niccol had assumed tho chair of the Grand Master, a chorale was sung, the solo being rendered by Bro. G. Seed. Bro. E. T. Gillon then addressed the nowly-inßtallod Grand Master. He said that two years aeo ib became his duty to call this Grand Lodge into existence. H# and bhose who had worked with him fe!6 tho responsibility of what they were doing. Sustained though they were by a consciousness thab bhoy were acting rightly, thab the interests of Freemasonry in New Zealand demanded the establishment of a National Grand Lodge, thoy had acted in strict accordance with Masonic law and precedenb, still ib was wibh some natural degree of hesitation, fear, and trembling that they took the final and irrevocablesbop. Ib might bo asked if the Grand Lodge had justified expectations. Ho mighb state thab ib had pub new life into Masonry in Now Zealand. Nob only had their own lodges thriven wonderfully under the new rulo, bub ib had stirred up the dry bones of other Constitutions as well. Tho benefits of self-government, of Masonic Home Rule had been thoroughly appreciated by every lodge which had joined. The lodges had grown, thriven, and prospored, increasing in strength and numbers, and exercising stricter discrimination in choice of candidates. The national idea in connection with Freemasonry had, as ha hoped ib would do, " caughb on" with Young Zealand, and a most desirable class of young men werothronging to their lodges, to enter the Craft under a Constitution which bears the name of the land of their birth. Bro. Gillon argued that no possible good could now result from recognition being wibhheld, and ho urged wavering lodges to throw in their lob wibh the New Zealand Grand Lodge. He concluded by congratulating the new Grand Master. The Grand Master was then duly proclaimed and saluted with musical honours.

Bro. Thomson then tendered his hearty and cordial congratulations to the G.M. The G. M. then announced the appointment of Bro. A. Kaye as D.G.M., and Bro. R. C. Hamerton as S.G.W., and Bro. H. J. Williams superintendent for Wellington, Bro. A. H. Burton, for Otago, and Bro. W. H. Hall, for Southland. These appointments were duly confirmed, and the officers present were invested and saluted. Bro. Niccol said this noble gathering of Masons, thedignity andsolemnityof theceremouy, and the vitality and heartiness pervading their whole proceedings, muat have thrilled the breasts of all, and they would bo abie in some measure to realise his feelings. He could scarcely find words to fittingly givo utterance to his feelings. Usually, the office was conferred upon a brother of great wealth and rank, whereas ho felb he had nothing to recommend him beyond his 25 years' faithful service aa a member of the craft. He trembled lest he should fail to do honour to their choice. He felt that durincr his pasb career in Masonry, they had always been "to his virtues over kind, to his faults a little blind." Referring to those who had not yet joined the Grand Lodge of New Zealand Constitution, the Grand Master said that the misunderstandings were passing away, and it would nob require many moebinga like the present one to convince the most prejudiced that their Grand Lodge was one of which they might well be proud. He ardently desired to see recognition accorded to them, because though they were strong enough to go alone, still they wished to remove the reproach of the existing division. Bro. Russell tendered the congratulations of the Grand Lodgo of Montana, Bro. A. Kidd those of Switzerland. Tho Grand Master then read a letter from Bro. W. J. lleos, P.G.M., 1.C., tendering his personal congratulations. A similar letter was road from Bro.. H, Ree3 George, E.G. Bro. James Hill, P.D.G.M., E.G., Canterbury, tendered his personal congratulations, as did also Bro. Slater, S.C.

The Grand Lorlgo was then closed in due form, after which the brethren retired to the ante-room, where refreshments were provided. A number of toasts were honoured, including " Queen and Craft," " The New Grand Master," " The Past Grand Master," and " The Three Constitutions."