MASONIC GATHERING.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 105, 4 May 1920, Page 9

MASONIC GATHERING.

ANNUAL COMMUNICATION. QUESTION OF UNITY. (By Telesrrwpti.—Prese Association.) INVERCARGILL, this day. The annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of New Zealand opened this morning. A large number of representatives of Otago, Southland, Canterbury and Wellington lodges attended, but there were few from the more dietant parts of the North Island, only delegates who left before the railway strike occurred being able to reach Invercargill in time. M.W. Bro. Maurice Thompson, Past Grand Master, Invercar-i gill, presided. An apology for absence was received from the retiring Grand Master (Mr. Justice Herdman), who wrote of the urgent desirableness of bringing about the union of all the Masonic lodges in New Zealand under the Now Zealand Constitution, and also mentioned the necessity of establishing a grand secretary in one centre instead of the present system. R.W. Bro." Thomas Ross (Dunedin) was elected Grand Master. .It was decTde&tO'endeavour to raise an additional £ 10,000 within twelve months for the annuity fund. The proposal to subdivide the Auckland district was opposed by the North Auckland delegates and referred to the Auckland lodges for consideration. It was decided to hold further communications in the month of February. The draft address to be presented to the Prince of Wales was approved. The installation of the Grand Master elect took place this evening, Mr. W. Thompson acting as Installing Grand Master. Other appointments were announced as follows: Deputy-Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Sydney "c. Bingham, Ohristchurch; Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bros. 0. Nicholson (Auckland), Geo. Russ«ll (Wellington), F. C. Bishop (Canterbury), A. Feldwick (Otago), E. Wamcs (West Coa9t), E. W. Stiles (Nelson and Marlborough), A. B. Haggim (Southland), R. S. Chad wick (Hawke's Say), H. N. Ewing (Taranaki), J. H. Perrett (Ruapehu) ; Senior Grand Warden, G.W. Bro. J. J. Esson (Wellington) ; Junior Grand Warden, L.W. Bro. R. T. Leighton (Auckland) ; Grand Treasurer, V.W. Bro. J. A. P. Fredric; Grand Registrar, R.W. Bro. W. G. Hay; President of the Board of General Purposes, R.W. Bro. G. W. G. H. Watts; Assistant Board of Benevolence, R.W. Bro. J. J. Clark, all of Dunedin; Senior Grand Deacons, W. Bros. J. S. Hope (Auckland) and D. D. Enge (Wellington) ; Junior Grand Deacons, W. Bro3. E. Nordon (Christchurch) and C. L. Thomas (Hawke's Bay). Officers in attendance were installed, and the communication has concluded.