ROYAL MASON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 169, 20 July 1939, Page 11

ROYAL MASON.

IMPRESSIVE SCENE.

Duke Of Kent's Installation

As Grand Master.

KING GEORGE OFFICIATES

Lnited I'ress Association.—Copyright.

(Received 9.."!0 a.m.)

LOXDOX, Jt,lv 19.

There was a memorable and impressive scene at, Olympia at the installation of t} K . D llk( , K( , nt as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge ot England in succession to his gieat uncle the Duke of C'onnaught, who occupied the position from 1901 to 1938. His Majesty the King installed the Duke of Kent and gave a perfect rendering of the dignified ceremony, which was witnessed by 10.000 brethren from all parts of the world. United Kingdom applications for admittance were three times in excess or the seats available, necessitating a ballot tor seats. I lie Duke of Kent had previously been installed head of the Koyal Arch and Mark <lo«jroes. I lie Karl of Harewood. for the (.rand Master, received deputations from overseas, including New Zealand, Australia. Canada. Scandinavia. Holland and the I nited States. The King was heralded bv a fanfare of trumpets. He wore Masonic regalia and was given a great ovation as he passed slowly in '"procession to the dais. The Duke of Kent was similarly welcomed. Royalty's Long Association. 1 lie King, speaking from the Grand Master's throne, recalled that except for a period of ,"5(1 years, members of his house had occupied the Grand Master's throne for over a century and a half, during which knglish Freemasonry had prospered remarkably. "it will be no easy task for anv Mason to follow in tile footsteps of Kdward VII. and the Duke of Connaught. he said, "but I have every confidence that you will succeed in the ollice to which you have been elected."' While the Duke of Kent knelt before him, the King administered the historic Grand Master's obligation, then the Duke was invested with the regalia of office and took his seat on the throne. Addresses followed from foreign and overseas representatives. Viscount Bledisloe, Sir Stephen Allen and Mr. J. W. Jack represented Xcw Zealand.