MASONIC LODGE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 54, 27 November 1930, Page 12

MASONIC LODGE

Grand Master Installed LORD BLEDISLOE Annual Communication By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, November 26. The installation of his Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, as Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge of New Zealand, was the principal function of the annual communication of the lodge, which opened at Christchurch to-day. The Grand Master, Mr. J. J. Clark, C.8.E., of Dunedin, presided. The election of the new Grand Master resulted in the unopposed return of Lord Bledisloe. Mr. J. H. Harkness, of Westport, was elected Pro-Grand Master. The business sessions, morning and afternoon, were devoted to matters interesting only within the craft itself. Installation of Grand Master. A hearty reception was given to Lord Bledisloe on his appearance in the Grand Lodge, shortly after his election to the Grand Mastership. The Civic Theatre was used for the evening session, the chief business of which was the installation of Lord Bledisloe as Grand Master, and the induction of Mr. Jas. H. Harkness as ProGrand Master, and Mr. Odin H. Moller, of Dunedin, as Deputy-Grand Master. The attendance of visiting and local Freemasons was very large. Mr. J. J. Clark, retiring Grand Master, and Mr. J. J. Dougall, Past Grand Master; officiated as installing Grand The provincial Grand Masters for the various Masonic districts were appointed by the new Grand Master and invested. All were reappointed with the exception of Mr. F. S. Wood, West Coast district; Mr H. H. Edwards, Nelson and Marlborough; and Mr. F. Symes, Ruapehu. Grand Wardens for the year were appointed, invested and inducted as follow: Senior Grand Warden, Mr. M. J. H. Colebourn, Hastings; Junior Grand Warden, Mr. W. G. Mason, Auckland. Officers elected at the morning sitting were also invested. His Excellency’s Address. In his address to the assemblage after the installation Lord Bledisloe said that the invitation that he should accept the highest Masonic office in New Zealand had been so cordial and pressing that it appeared to him that a refusal would have been ungracious and ungrateful. He had also been assured that the brethren of the Dominion would be willing to provide him with a most experienced, popular and energetic Pro Grand Master in Mr. Harkness to exonerate him from personally conducting many of the more important tasks normally undertaken by the Grand Master. If in these matters he sought friendly indulgence it was due to no lack of Masonic zeal but simply to the limits of human strength and the belief that in these days, when we were faced with grave industrial and economic problems, such surplus physical energy as he might possess should be devoted preponderantly to their attempted solution. The welfare of the craft and all connected with it would ever be his constant concern and an object very near to his heart. Concluding, his Excellency said: Allow me to express the earnest hope that Freemasonry my be an ever-increasing power for good throughout this country during.the period for which I shall have the honour and privilege of acting as your Grand Master, and that if, as we all believe, righteousness exalteth a nation, such exaltation will characterise the future history of New Zealand, and that our craft may be a potent influence in the process.” Financial Statement. The statement of finances showed that the aggregate balance of various funds of Grand Lodge was £133,795, as against £127,403 last year. Three new lodges were consecrated in the year Pukemiro, First Temple (Auckland), and Chevalier —bringing the total number of lodges on the register up to 303, with a metnbership of 27,259, a net increase of 30a. An advance in the arrangements for the establishment of a Masonic Home for boys in Auckland was reported. Last year an Auckland Freemason presented to Grand Lodge an area of land at Papakura for the purpose. Since then the donor has executed a declaration of trust appropriating property of an estimated value of £50,265 as an endowment to the proposed home, and the trustees of Grand Lodge have accepted the trust. The institution is intended for the reception of sons of Freemasons not less than three years of age. Wellington was chosen as the place for the next annual communication. Grand Lodge Officers. Grand Lodge officers were elected as f °Riiapeliu district —Assistant Grand Director of ceremonies. C. D. Fraser; grand sword bearer. K. W. Deighton; grand stewards. .A Mogridge and J. Ross; member of the board of general purposes. W. H. Sandford: member of the board of benevolence. A. H. Sutton. Taranaki district —Assistant grand director of ceremonies. W. A. E. Washer; grand stewards. L. H. Carrel and M. D. Stagpoole: member of the board of general purposes. A. Diprose; member of the board of benevolence, J. W. Darby. Hawke’s Bar district—Grand chaplain. Rev. R. D. B. Waugh: assistant grand director of ceremonies. T. 11. Barclay: grand stewards. E. E. Bott and W.’ A. Wilkie; member of the board of general purposes. W. Dobson ; member of the board of benevolence, G. W. Wardrop. __________