MASONIC GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13110, 8 May 1908, Page 8

MASONIC GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND.

ANNUAL COMMUNICATION.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS

(SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.")

AUCKLAND May 7

Having disposed of all its ceremonial Tvork yesterday evening, the Masonic Grand Lodge devoted the whole of today to solid business. M.W. Bro. Lord Plunket presided. R.W. Bro. Moncrieff was in his place as Senior Grand Warden, and R.W. Bro. Kearsley again filled the- Junior Grand Warden's chair.

Bro. R. X. Blennerhasset, A.1.A., was elected auditor for the ensuing year, and M.W. Bro. Nicholson and R.W. Bros. Powley. Girdler. Bartlett awl Rhodes were elected trustees. The representation levy for 1908 was fixed at 9d ncr member as heretofore.

Some discussion arose upon a. motion by R.W. Bros. Ross (Dune-din) to amend" the constitution in the direction of abolishing the- power of plural voting now given to representatives of lodges. Eventually the motion, was rejected by a largo majority. An undertaking was jriven by the new president of the Board of General Purposes that during the year the Board will endeavour to devise an improvement upon the present cumbrous method of recording representatives' votes.

A motion by R.W. Bro. Powley in favour of locating the Grand Lode© office for three years instead of two in e-ach of the principal centres did not meet with favour, and was negatived.

W. Bro. W. j. Gibbons (Hawke's Bay) moved the rescinding of tho power given to lodges to recommend to the Grand Master candidates for tho office of Grand Superintendent. This also was defeated by a large majority. The principal question of the day was a proposal by tho Board of GeJieral Purposes to enable an application for a "warrant to form a new lodge to be signed by seven master Masons, and to be considered by Grand Lodge, even though the endorsement of one of the two nearest lodges be not obtained. After being exhaustively debated, the motion was carried by 115 votes to 90.

An important change was arrived at by carrying a motion by R.W. Bro. J. J. Dougall. Past Grand Registrar, that the title of Grand Superintendent of Districts bo abolished, and that of Provincial Grand Master -substituted, with corresponding rank to past holders of the office. A motion l>v W. Bro. J. W. Warren in favour of the creation of district boards to make nominations to Grand Lodge office was, aftex discussion, referred to the- General Purposes Committee.

Another motion in favour of the permanent location of the- Grand Lodge office in Wellington, which was expected to provoke strong opposition, was withdrawn.

Resolutions were passed in favour of the Board of General Purposes procuring a design for Master Masons' certificates, moro characteristic of tho craft and the Dominion than that now in' use, and also approving the establishment of Boards, of Enquiry throughout the Dominion. The business session concluded with a vote of- thanks to the Auckland brethren for their hospitality. The completed return of the state of the Widows' 'and Orphans' and Aged Masons'. Fund shows that the amounifc raised -within the last two years, in answer to the Grand Master's appeal, is £4(362 16s 7d. The amounts subscribed in the several districts wero: —Auckland. £1226: Otago. £824; Canterbury. £807; Wellinorton. £686: Southland, £532; Hawke's Bay and Gisborne. £203; West Coast- £172; Taranaki, £143; Nelson and Marlborough, £65. The capital value of the fund 'is now £10.660. This will probably vet be sunnlemented by another £200 still in transit.

A conversazione and reception by his Excplkncv was held at the Royal Albert Ha]] this evening, and was attended by a very largo gatherins of ladies.and gentlemen;