MASONIC FAREWELL TO GOVERNOR

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 55, 28 November 1929, Page 11

MASONIC FAREWELL TO GOVERNOR

“MOMENTS FOR SOLEMN THOUGHT” PRESENTATION OF ADDRESS Dominion Special Service. Auckland, November 27. An outstanding event of the communication of the Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand, held to-day in Auckland, was the affectionate farewell extended to His Excellency Sir Charles Fergusson, who presided for the last time as Grand Master. Out of a special fund which had been subscribed by all lodges in the Dominion, His Excellency was presented at the evening session with an appropriately worded illuminated address in book form contained in a casket fashioned in Maori carving, consisting of a greenstone slab surmounted with a little structure in the form of a cigarette-box carried out in New Zealand words inlaid with gold and greenstone, and underneath it a drawer which holds the address, also the jewel of a Past Grand Master, and inscribed as being the gift of the Freemasons of New Zealand.

The presentation was made by the retiring Pro Grand Master, Mr. E. W. G. H. Watts, who spoke in glowing language of the high devotion to duty evinced by His Excellency in his long and honourable record of service to the cause of his country and Freemasonry. His Excellency’s earnestness, his zeal and his ability in promoting an uplifting influence for good, said the speaker, had endeared him to every member of the Craft. “Moments for Solemn Thought.” His Excellency, in acknowledging the presentation, said the expressions contained in the address were such as any man must feel proud to have applied to his work, and they would ever remain in his memory. The four years during which he had filled the position of Grand Master had been very happy years on which he would always look back with grateful memory. He thanked all members of the craft for the loyal support given to him, and the genuine friendship extended to him at all times. During his tenure of office he had tried to emphasise the conviction that the forms and ceremonies of the institution were but as drv bones unless quickened by a realisation of their spiritual meaning and inspiration. The greatest of all facts emphasised in Masonic teaching wag that the only foundation on which the craft could build was to be found in realising the guiding hand of the Almighty. “To-night,” said His Excellency, 1 take leave of you, and in a few weeks time I shall be leaving the countywhile you enter to-night on a new Masonic year, under new leadership, these are moments for solemn thought and reflection. Let us make it a time to reallise our faith, to look on it as a summons to leave behind us bad and worthless wavs to tighten our hold on what is good and strong, and to go forward with faith and confidence in Him who has he!lied and guided us in the past.” ? His Excellency then performed the ceremony of installing and investing his successor, and was assisted in the further investments of the evening by Air. E W. G H. Watts. Past G.M.; Mr. O. Nicholson, Past G.YJ : Mr S. Gingham, Past G.M.: Sir George Fowlds, P.D.G.M.. and Mr. J. Keesing and W. J. Smith, Past D.G.M.S.