HISTORY OF PROJECT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 187, 9 August 1930, Page 13

HISTORY OF PROJECT.

SECURING THE FUNDS.

VISIONS WHICH CAME TRUE

In September 1909, Ara Lodge, No. 1; St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 8, and the Auckland Provincial Royal Auckland Chapter, No. 9, all under the New Zealand Constitution, realising the advisability of acquiring their own Masonic home, purchased a site in Symonds Street. This site was, however, subsequently considered an unsuitable one, and as an opportunity arose to sell it at a profit it was disposed of in July, 1911, and a more suitable one in' St. Benedict Street was purchased at the same time. . In the following year the. adjoining property was bought.' The lodges mentioned were not able to find sufficient 'money at that time to build —nor even to pay the whole cost of tlio .properties —but they put all their available savings, from time to time into the building- fund. The

mortgages were ultimately paid off, and further funds set aside from the nucleus of the amount necessary to pay for the proposed building. In 1927. the two lodges and the Chapter felt /they "could ,no longer ; tolerate the unsuitable e6h'ditipns' : of their old meeting"place,", and feeling that the time had arrived when- a' temple- devoted solely* to Masonry -could/ bo/ erected, proposed to commence the~ new- building. - Before taking any,definite.action, however, they decided,to! give other lodges ah oppor-, titnity 'of pooling 'their building funds with them so that "all might enjoy the privilege of meeting in a suitable building." The Provincial Grand' Master, M.W. Bro. Oliver Nicholson, accordingly convened a meeting of the W.M.'s and Wardens,, which was held in August, 1927. The, lines upon which it was proposed to proceed were outlined by the Prov. G.M., and . the Masters and .Wardens reported to their respective lodges, who agreed to pool their resources and make the necessary financial sacrifices to secure the erection of a Temple suitable for the use of all city lodges and chapters. ■ The lodges appointed delegates;, who,' after various meetings, approved of plans and specifications prepared by Bro. W.G. R; Bloomfield, and tenders were called in June; 1-929. Mr. H. C. Curlett was the successful tenderer. ; Tlie foundation/stone was laid by M.W. Bro. Nicholson on • September 29 last year, and a 'Temple has now been completed which the fraternity may justly be proud of. Last evening appreciation was recorded of the splendid work performed by the contractor, sub-contractor and workmen employed in the erection of the fine building. Thanks and grateful acknowledgments were extended to the generous brethren who have made or promised presentations to the Temple.