MASONIC.
ANNUAL CONVOCATION GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER.
.The annual convocation of tho Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Zealand was opened at the St. Augustine Hall yesterday.
MORNING SESSION. M.E. Comp. C. J. W. Griffiths, G.Z., presided, and there were present about fifty Grand Officers and Companions. The reports of Grand Superintend.ents of toe various districts were received and adopted. The statement of accounts was taken as read, and adopted, and the report of the supreme committee was discussed seriatim. It was resolved tnat £150 be set apart for the purchase of clothing for the Grand Ofbcers. of the Chapter, that for Grand Superintendent- to be provided first. The design for «* jewel for Grand Superintenden_s submitted by the supremo committee was adopted. Several amendments to tue coi—titution—l laws, including the granting of the title "Right ExceUent" to Grand Superintendents were agreed to. It was resolved that the Supreme Grand Chapter should adopt the chair degrees of Ark Mariner and Red) Cross Knight. The rank of Past Third Principal, honoris cxiusa, was conterred on V.E. Comp. H. C. A. Wandram, of Victoria Chapter, Napier, for services rendered to Royal Arch .Masonry. Tho amount at credit of Benevolent Fund was stated as being £191 8s 9d. Tho balance to credit ot general account at date of closing the books was £20b lis lOd, with eeven Chapters who had not made returns, so that tho operations of the year had been very successful financially. Tho cash to credit was £719 os 4d. against £642 6s last year. The receipts had been £313 bs 6d, against £373 17s 6d last year; expenditure £238 lis Bd. against £2o« 18s 7d.
The Grand Scribe E. reported as follows:—Number of Chapters making returns 24, number of Chapters tailing to make returns 3, new Chapter 1, total 28; total number of members for 24 Chapters 1036; highest membership 89, lowest membership 19, average for 24 Chapters 43; Chapters, with largest membership—Waitaki Kil. 89, Southern Cross 88, Waterloo and Auckland Pro. 73. Chapters that have made annual returns since tlie closing of the books —Wanganui, Maori, Brooklyn, Waterloo. The estimated numerical strength of tho four Chapters not making returns is 97, which, added to the membership of the other 24 chapters, would give a total membership of 1133. V.E. Comp. W_n<_*_m invited Grand Chapters, on behalf of Napier, to hold next year's convocation there. It was, however, after some discussion, resolved to hold it at Dunedm. EVENING SESSION. Tho Grand Chapter .met again at St. Augustine's Hall at 7.30 last night, for the installation of Grand Chapter officers for the year. There was a very large attendance both of Grand Lodge officers and' companions, it being the largest assemblage of Royal Arch-Masons yet seen here.
M.E. Comp. O. J. W. Griffiths, Grand Z., acted as installing officer, assisted by officers of the Grand Chapter.
The installation of the three principals was carried out with much effect, and this was followed by the investiture of those Grand Chapter officers who were present. The following are the officers of Supreme Grand Chapter for the year 1909:—First Grand Principal Z., M.E. Comp. S. Clifton Bingham; Deputy Grand Principal, R.E. Comp. Arthur Chattner; Second Grand Principal H., R. E. Comp. J .D. Webster; Third Grand Principal J., R. E. Comp. R. H. Cathcart; Grand Superintendents— Auckland: M.E. Comp. O. Nicholson;
Wellington: M.E. Comp. Rev. T. Porritt; Canterbury: R.E. Comp. Arthur C Andrews; Westland: R.E. Comp. Dr. Dunn; Otago: R.E. Comp. W. G. P. O'Callaghan; Southland: R.E. Comp. A. R. Porter; Grand Scribe E., M.E. Comp. H. J. Williams; Grand Scribe N., V.E. Comp. J. Walker; Grand Treasurer, M.E. Comp. H. J. Freeman; First Grand Soj., V.E. Comp. A. H- Thorpe; Second Grand Soj., V.E. Comp. A. Graham; Third Grand Soj., V.E. Comp. F. H. Mueller; Grand Chancellor, V.E. Comp. S. Harvey; Recorder, V.E. Comp. A. L. Herdman; Grand Supt. of Works, V.E. Comp. E. O. Nielsen; Grand Dir. of Ceremonies, V.E. Comp. A. Colville: Grand 1 Sword-bearer, V.E. Comp. F. Hyde; Assistant Grand Dir. of Ceremonies, V.E. Comp. G .W. Hulme; Assistant Grand Sword-bearer, V.E. Comp. W. McLean; Assistant Grand Standard-bearer, V.E. Comp. W. M. Duncan; Grand Organist, Ex. Comp. F. C. B. Bishop. At the conclusion of tho ceremony, at the ir-vitatioii of the Canterbury Royal Arch-Ma-sons, the Grand Chapter officers and , companions proceed-d to the Canterbury Hall, where a very excellent banquet was laid. Tho newly installed Grand Z., M.E. Comp. Bingham, presided, supported by the other principals of Grand Chapter and Grand Chapter officers. A number of loyal ano. 1 Masonic toasts were given, and responded to, aud a most enjoyable evening was spent. Tho arrangements made for the entertainment of the visiting representatives of the various Chapters by the executive committee here were excellent. Yesterday morning the visitors were taken to the Racecourse by tram and thence to Sumner, where they wero entertained at luncheon.
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Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13333, 27 January 1909, Page 8
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817MASONIC. Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13333, 27 January 1909, Page 8
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