MASONIC GRAND LODGE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 55, 28 November 1929, Page 12

MASONIC GRAND LODGE

ANNUAL COMMUNICATION FAREWELL TO GOVERNOR • THE NEW GRAND MASTER (Special Correspondent.) Auckland, November 27. The dominant note in tlie proceedings of the Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand, which held its annual communication in the concert chamber of the Auckland Town Hall to-day, under the presidency of the Grand Master of the last four years, Sir Charles Fergusson, was tlie deep regret generally felt at tlie inevitable relinquisnment of office, in view of his early departure from the Dominion, by one of the most popular heads the institution has had in its 39 years of existence.

Sir Charles Fergusson is the third representative of the Crown who has occupied the throne of Grand Lodge. The others were the late Lord Plunket, 1906-10, and Earl Jellicoe, 1922-4. The terms of office of all three have been markedly the most prosperous in the history of the Craft in the Dominion, whether the comparison be made on the basis of increase in membership, or of that building up of funds which enables the extension of the beneficent ministrations of Freemasonry in tlie relief of the distress that comes within its scope. Further, all the vice-regal Grand Masters have taken much more than a perfunctory interest in the office. The enthusiastic personal participation in even the small details of lodge management which was displayed by Lord Jellicoe has been emulated, and in some ways even exceeded, by his successor at Government House; and members of Grand Lodge made it clear to-day that they felt they were parting officially with an intimate and not. consciously condescending friend.

New Grand Master; Elective Officers. After the ceremonial opening, Grand Lodge proceeded to the election of the Grand Master for 1929-30. By general assent of the lodges of the territory, the choice fell upon Mr. James John Clark, Past Deputy Grand Master, of Dunedin, but formal election was necessary, and on the nomination of Past Grand Masters he was unanimously returned to the office, the retiring Grand Master, however, retaining the chair pending the installation of his successor in the evening. Further elective officers were, in accordance with the scheme of distribution submitted by the Board of General Purposes, chosen as follow: — Grand Chaplains, Rev. N. H. Finch (Otago) and W. H. Nicholas (Ruapehu) ; Grand Treasurer, Mr. C. W. Grater (Otago) ; Grand Registrar, Mr. A. E. Gascoigne (Otago) ; President of Board of General Purposes, Mr. W. G. Hay (Otago) ; President of Board of Benevolence, Mr. S. F. Bridgman (Otago) ; Grand Directors of Ceremonies, Messrs. A. Smith (Otago). W. C. Finnis (Auckland), H. Hobbs (Wellington), and F. C. A’Court (Canterbury) ; Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies, Messrs., A. D. Wilson (Southland), A. B. Gilmour (Ruapehu), W. H. L. Williams (Hawkes Bay), W. G. Rudd (Nelson and Marlborough), E. L. Peter’s (West Coast), and W. C. Gleimy (Taranaki); Senior Grand Deacons, Messrs. N. G. Armstrong (Ruapehu) and J. J. Breeze (West Coast) ; Junior Grand Deacons, Messrs. C. Blackburn (Auckland) and H. J. Baron (Canterbury) ; Grand Superintendents of Works, Messrs. G. T. Puddle (Auckland) and J. Buchanan (Southland) ; Grand Bible-bearers, Messrs A. Bullock (Auckland) and C. H. T. Bowater (Ruapehu) ; Grand Sword-bearers, Messrs. A. E. Kennard (Wellington) and C Mclntosh (Canterbury) ; Grand Stan-dard-bearers. Messrs. J. Budge (Auckland) and M. H. McLeod (Canterbury) ; Grand Organist. Mr. H. W. Godier (Wellington) ; Grand Pursuivant, Messrs. W. V. Bremner (Auckland) and R. J. Shakes (Wellington) ; Grand Stewards, Messrs. W. Miller and C. Lambourne (Otago), A. H. Curtis. A. J. S. D’Ewes, J. T. Graham. J. Hodge, and J. B. Page (Auckland), G. Cameron, J. Kerr, and H. A. Lamb (Wellington), J. G. Humphries, A. McPherson, J. R. Smither and A. L. Taylor (Canterbury), G. H. Curie and J. Dennis (Southland), G. Cowan and H. Johnston (Ruapehu), W. P. Pickett (Hawke’s Bay), .A. Gibson (Nelson and Marlborough), W. Colltgan (West Const), and A. L. B. Ross (Taranaki) ; Members of Board of General Purposes, Messrs. J. R. Quaile, G. R. Henderson. J. JI. Rodger, I<. W. A. Clayton and J. G. Dykes (Otago), K. King and G. Laurenson (Auckland). I*. G. Roe (Wellington), P. H. Harris (Canterbury), G. Kerr (Southland), L. J. Thompson (Ruapehu), W. Dobson (Hawke’s Bay). C. JI. Collins (Nelson and Marlborough). D. McGregor (west Coast), and H. E. Lawrence (Taranaki) ; members of Board of Benevolence, Messrs. W. It. Brugh, J. Bissland, J. D. King, .W. B. McEwan. W. E. McLean. W. O. Smellie. G. Swan and 11. Turner (Otago), A E. Snaith and S. W. Turley (Auckland), L. C. Gibbins (Wellington). J. Moyes (Canterbury), W. J. Watson (Southland). R. E. Toogood (Ruapehu), L. Wood (Hawke's Bay), W. 11. Marriott (Nelson and Marlborough). H. Campbell (West Coast) and W. J. vil( lers (Taranaki). Funds and Bequests.

The statement of accounts presented by the Grand Treasurer indicated sub( stantial increases during the year in the capital accumulations of the various funds from the interest on which the means for Masonic benevolence are derived. The aggregate balances on September 30 amounted to £127,403, an increase of £9391 in the year. The principal headings were: —General Fund, £13,823: Widows and Orphans and Aged Masons Fund, £1)4,719; Special War Benevolent Fund. £S3OS; Fund of Benevolence, £5931 ; Circular Appeal Funds, £1673; Earthquake Relief Fund. £<Bl. Two bequests from deceased members of the Craft, were reported. Jlr. William Stewart, an Irish Freemason resident. in the Dominion for 40 years, had willed £250 to Hie W. and O. and A.JI. Fund. Mr. James Jloir, of Stratford, who had left an estate valued at £ll,000, had bequeathed one-third of it to the fund—another third to the Leslie ITosbvterial Orphanage. Auckland —to be divided on tlie death of annuitants nominated in his will. , . , The reports showed increased interest on tlie part of the lodges in the augmentation of the Annuity Fund, as indicated by an increase of £1617. in their subscriptions, making _their total assistance for the year £6837.

Progress of the Craft.

Statistics presented by the Board of General Purposes in its report showed that tlie membership of lodges under the national constitution on June 30 last was 26,945, a net increase of 727 in the year. An analysis bad been made of the registers of lodges, to ascertain the extent of dual membership—enrolment in more than one lodge —and had disclosed the fact that out of a grand total of 26.783 at the end of 1928, there were 1294 insUmces. The consecration of three new lodges was reported—Te Mata, at Havelock North; Lower Hutt, at Lower Hutt; and Herbert Teagle, Wellington City. Tlie principle was laid down by the board that in the naming of future new lodges, no name of a living person should lie chosen, except perhaps in the case of Royalty or Vice-Royalty. Distinctions Conferred. Notable members of the institution were, on the board's recommendation,

given Grand Lodge rank, honoris causa, as follows: —Past Grand Master Mr. E. W. G. H. Watts, Dunedin; Past Deputy Grand Master Colonel George Barclay, the present Grand Secretary; Past Grand Treasurer Mr. C. A. Myhre, Christchuch. The constitution of a juridical committee was reported, consisting of Messrs. J. J. Dougall, Christchurch, Past G.M., J. J. Clark, Dunedin, and C. W. Nielsen, Wellington. It was also mentioned that the Grand Master had appointed three Grand Lecturers, viz., the Rev. A. M. Niblock, for Auckland district; Mr. O. C. Mazengarb, Wellington; and Mr. F. C. J. Cockburn, for Nelson and Marlborough. Centralisation Negatived. One of the burning questions of the past —whether the Grand Lodge office, instead of moving periodically between the four chief cities of the Dominion, should be settled permanently _in one or other of them—had been subjected during the year to a vote of the individual lodges, and the result of the poll was reported by the board as being in favour of retention of the peripatetic system. The voting was: For centralisation, 151; against, 139; and it had been agreed that the centralisation proposal should not be considered carried unless a two-thirds majority were obtained. Miscellaneous Matters. Other matters contained in the board’s report included a statement that Auckland city was providing a Masonic temple at a cost of approximately £25,000, and reports generally showing progress in all parts of the Dominion in the provision of exclusively Masonic halls. In Canterbury the whole of the 47 lodges meet in halls built for Masonic purposes. In reference to the new temple lately opened at Katikati, it was mentioned that the half-acre site and the cost of the building were donated by Mr. George Alley, a member of the lodge, the value of the gift being £l4OO. » A sum of £lOO was sent in the course of the year to Porto Rico, West Indies, in aid of the Freemasons who sustained losses in the hurricane of September, 1028. It was recommended that next year’s communication be held in Christchurch. After discussion the various reports were adopted. Installation Ceremonies. The attendance in the evening was largely augmented by members of the lodges of Auckland and suburbs, assembled to witness the installation of the new Grand Master, Mr. J. J. Clark, and the installation of his supporting officers. The central ceremony was carried out with all the dignity that characterises the cyift, and with fine musical accompaniment. After his investiture and enthronement the Grand Master announced his appointment to the position of Deputy-Grand Master of Dr. W. E. Redman, of Blenheim, who was duly invested and inducted. Provincial Grand Masters were appointed by the Grand Master, and invested as follow: —Auckland, Mr. O. Nicholson; Wellington. Mr. E. J. Guinness; Otago, Mr. J. H. Moir: Southland, Mr. A. Derbie; Ruapehu. Mr. A. J. Graham; Hawke’s Bay, Mr. J. Morling; West Coast, Mr. E. Dacre Dunn; Nelson and Marlborough, Mr. W. J. Girling; Taranaki. Mr. G. W. Rogers. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Canterbury had elected its own Provincial Grand Master, Mr. J. N. Du Feu. The Grand Wardens of the year, also appointed by Grand Master, are: Senior, Sir. C. E. Dutton, Auckland: Junior, Mr. G. F. Allen, Christchurch. Other officers appointed under prerogative powers were: Grand Lecturers, Rev. A. M. Niblock, Auckland; Wellington. Mr. O. C. Mazengarb. Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, Air. S. S. Allen, Samoa, and the Rev. E. L. Harvie, for Auckland district;; Mr. H. H. Edwards for Nelson and Marlborough; and Mr. Symes for Ruapehu. The executive officers chosen at the morning session were also invested. Address by Grand Master. The newly-installed Grand Master, in his address to the assemblage, commented upon the satisfactory position shown in the annual reports as to the progress of the craft in regard to numbers and finance. The success of the institution was not, however, he said, to be estimated by increase in membership, accumulation of funds, erection of splendid temples, or even contributions to the Masonic virtue of charity, but by the extent to which Freemasons made themselves serviceable to their fellow-creatures. Freemasonry provided a science of true living, moral development, and altruistic service. “The present day,” he continued, “is full of hope, but also of peril. Men are troubled and confused, and there is a profound unsatisfied hunger. We are on the threshold of a bewildering revolution of social and industrial life. Can we not, as Freemasons, weave our teachings into the everyday life of the community? There are many questions in dispute, and the outlook is. obscured by the mists of discord and strife. . . . Freemasonry, should bring together men ot every rank aud creed, so that they can talk and not fight, discuss and not dispute, so that each may learn the viewpoint of the other. Our hope for humanity is in the fellowship of man with man. Our teaching makes an appeal not for tolerance but for fraternity, not for uniformity but for unity of spirit. From this wonderful gathering we may disperse to radiate the beautiful teachings am influences of our craft. The brotherhood of man and the Fatherhood of God should be a real, vital part of our lives, and enable us to lift our Dominion to a higher and nobler field of life and action. . . . Let us live so that we leave behind us a trail of shining glory that will illuminate the pathway we have trod. _ Greetings were conveyed to the Grand Master by representatives of Grana Lodges from all parts of the British Empire. the United States, and some foreign countries. Location of Head Office. One of the principal motions brought forward for amendment ot the laws of Grand Lodge was one by the Board of General Purposes that under the peripatetic system of Grand Lodge office, the continuance of which the poll of lodges had affirmed, the period for which the executive shall be stationed in each o the four main centres in rotation be three years instead of two. . After some debate the motion was decisively negatived. , The afternoon sitting was devoted to the consideration of matters peculiar to lodge administration and of no interest outside the craft.

Presentation to Retiring Grand Master. With reference to the fund raised for the purposes of a presentation to the retiring Grand Jlaster, it was mentioned that Sir Charles Fergusson had expressed a wisli that any such presentation should be of a limited character, and that any surplus out of the fund raised should lie handed over to the widows and and orphans and aged Maoris’ fund. Hie surplus had actually amounted to £275, and had been applied in the manner suggested. As a further memento of its regard for His Excellency, Grand Lodge resolved that a sum of £l5O from its general fund be presented to I.odge Fergusson St. James, No. 566, SC.. Dailly. Ayrshire, Scotland, which was founded by his father and in which he himself was initiated. to be applied either in rebuilding its lodge room destroyed by fire or in refurnishing the lodge as he may see fit.