MASONIC. GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND.

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 101, 30 April 1895, Page 4

MASONIC. GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND.

The fifth annual communication of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand was held yestorday afternoon in the Masonic Hall, Boul-eott-street. The Most Worshipful: Grand Master (Bro. H. D. Bell) presided, and was snpported by M.W.P.G.M. Bro. Henrj Thompson (Canterbury), M.W.P.G.M. Bro K. T. Gillon (Wellington), B.W.P.D.G.M. Bro. A. H. Burton (Otago), R/W.P.D.G.M. Bro. H. J. Williamß (Wellington), and R.W. Bro. H. L. Michel (West Coast). The varions offices were filled as follow :— Grand Senior Warden, B.W. Bro. Dr. Boor : Grand Junior Warden, B.W. Bro. Beilby ; Grand Senior Deaoon, W. Bro. France; (jrand Jnnior Deacon, W. Bro. Coveney ; Grand Direotor of Ceremonies, B.W. Bro. Wetheriltj Grand Secretary, B.W. Bro. E«v. W. Bonaldson ; Grand Chaplain, R.W. Bro. ReT. Dean; Grand Pnrsuivant, W. Bro. J. Picket. Tha annual balance-sheot for the year ending 3 1st December, aB well as quarterly statement to 31st March, were presented and adopted without discussion, as was also the quarterly report of the Board of Benevolence, showing an expenditure of £26 7s 6d in charity during the quarter. The report of the Board of General Purposes was presented, and the President (M.W. Bro. Gillon) Baid that as it contained much controversial matter which, referring to proposals pending before the lodgOß, could not be dealt with by the Grand Lodgo at present, be did not intend to move its adoption, bnt only that it be received He commented at some length on the varionß clauaes. R.W. Bro. Burton moved that the consideration of proposals for a better representation of tbe Craft in Grand Lodge be referred back to the Board to formulate a soheme on certain lines which he indicated, snob, soheme to be submitted to the lodges for consideration. After some discussion this amendment was withdrawn, the President undertaking that if Bro. Burton formulated proposals in form of an amendment to the Constitution, the Board would submit them to the lodges for consideration. On the motion of tho President of the Board ot General Purposes, seconded by B.W. Bro. H. L Michel, further consideration of the recommendation from the Board of General Purposes sitting in- Auckland, to the effect that the Grand Secretary's office shonld be established permanently in Wellington, was adjourned tine die. ti.Vf. Bro. Burton warmly advocated the XL val of the Grand Lodge headquarters to i/unedin next year The various amendments to the constitution whioh had been submitted to the Lodges were then considered. Those proposing the abolition of provisions for establishing Provinoial Grand Lodges were adjourned sine die. The others were adopted, with the exception of the proposed addition in Part VI., bottom of page 86, reducing the annual contributions of Lodges. M.W. Bro Bell' then vacated the throne, which was occupied by M,W. Bro. Thomson, P.G.M. M.W. Bro. Gillon, P.G.M., said it was again his pleasant duty to nominate a Grand Master He bad tho greatest pleasure in proposing tho re-eleotion of M.W. Bro. Henry Franois Dillon Bell That Brother had more than fulfilled the expectations entertained when he was first eleoted. Probably no other Brother in the colony could have rendered the services Bro. Bell had done, or so well maintained the dignity of the Grand Lodge while endeavonrincr to restore unity in the craft. E.W. Bro. Burton had great pleasure in seconding the nomination. W hen Bro. Bell was nominated last year, several -of tbe Otago brethren demurred at the selection, but the impression the Grard Mastermade when h e visited the Lod ges of Otago and Southland dispelled all such erroneous ideas, and he was certain that at tho present moment the Grand Master had no more dutiful brethren under his control than the members of the Lodges in Otago and Southland. When the Grand Lodge was to be removed to Dunedin, he thought they would be in a position to nominate a brother for the office of Grand Master of the New Zealand Constitution who wonld do it every credit. The motion was carried by acclamation, and Bro. Bell, on resuming the chair, briefly returned thanks. It was unanimously agreed that the next communication be held at Auckland. The reports of the Grand Superintendents of the various districts were taken as read. The Lodge then adjourned until 7.30 p m. INSTALLATION OF GRAND MASTER. There was a large gathering of members of the city lodges and of visitors when Grand Lodge resumed its sitting at 8 p m. for the installation of the Grand Master. M.W. Bro. Bell vacated the throne in order to receive re-installation, giving place to M.W. Bro. Thomson, P.G.M., who conducted the ceremony. It was curtailed to the simple re-investment of the Grand Master in the regalia of his office and his formal enthronement, followed by the übuol proclamations. Congratulations having been offered to him in the name of tbe brethren of varions parts of the colony, The Grand Master thanked tbe members of the Craft for the honour sliown to him in bavins re-elected him to office, which, he said, he accepted with almost the same amonnt of diffidence as when it was first offered to him a year ago. '1 ouching briefly npon the question of recognition of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand by the mother Grand Lodges, he expressed confidence that that h&ppy consummation was now nearer at hand, and would be attained before hia new year of office had expired, as the result of negotiations which he wob at present esgiaucting. He thanked the members of tlie various Boards of Grand Lodge ior the assistance given him during the year, especially naming P G.M. Thomson for his exertions in the Canterbury district ; and acknowledged the warmth of the reception given to him in Otago and Southland during his late visit. Last year he had asked the members of the Craft to let the dead past of the early struggles of Grand Lodge bury its dead, and he now thanked them far their absolute acceptance of the spirit of that appeal, and looked forward with hope to an early acknowledgment of the sovereignty of Grand Lodge in New Zealand. It was announced by the Grand Msstei that he had appointed R.W. Bro. Fowlds, of Auckland, to be Deputy Grand Master ; R.W. Bro. A. G Creagh, of Oamarn, to be Grand Senior Warden ; and R.W. Bro. J. J. M. Hamilton, Cbristohurch, to be Grand Junior Warden for the enening year, and the last-namid was duly invested. The appointment of the following officers was approved b/ the Grand Lodge : — R.W. Bro. H. J. Williams. Grand Superintendent of Wellington; M.W. Bro. H. Thompson, Grand Superintendent of Canterbury ; R.W. Bro. J. A. Kirby, Grand Superintendent of Otago; Wor. Bro. M. ti. Bree, Grand Superintendent of Southland; R.W. Bro W. Beilby, Grand Superintendent of Hawkes Bay and Giaborne; B.W. Bro. H. L. Michel, Grand Superintendent of Nelson and Weßt Coast. The following other officers were ap. pointed : — Auckland — Grand Chaplain, Rev. T. A. Jonghin, Te Aroha; Senior Grand Deacon, D. H. Ross, Auckland ; Grand Sword-bearer, A. Eriokson, Auokland ; Grand Organist, Thomas H. Webb, Auckland ; Grand Stewards, Archibald Kelso fCoromandel), Henry Odell, E. W. Page, R. H Matthews (Auckland) ; Member of Board of General Pnrpoßes, Henry C. Tewsley, Auckland ; Member of Board of Benevolence, John Fawous, Coromandel ; Member of Board of Benevolence, W. C. Walker, Auckland). Wellington Grand Superintendentof Workß, F. P. Corldll, New Plymouth ; Grand Chaplain, Rev. J. Dumbell, Wellington; Grand Treasurer, George Wilson, Wellington; Grand Registrar, R. C. Hamerton, Wellington ; President Board of General Purposes, E. T. Gillon, Wellington ; President Board of Benevolence, Thomas M'Kenzie, Wellington ; Assistant Grand Secretary, Hector Dempsey, New Plymouth ; Grand Steward, W. G. P. O'Callaghan, Wellington : Board of General Purposes, Robert Fletcher, H. J. H. Eliott, H. J . Freeman, F. J. Dawes, T. P. Coveney, H. Wetherilt, fiev. Thomas Pojritt; Board of Benevolencs, Arthnr Clothier, George Maomorran, Richard Mothes, Wm Wills, George France, Herbert Tiaillie, Rev W. J. Dean; Auditors, J. H. Richardson and W. D. Lyon. Canterbury— Grand Chaplain, Rev. E. E. Chamber?, Lyttelton ; Junior Grand I'eacon. Hobert Webster, Southbridge ; Grand Director of Ceremonies, John Claries Roy ell, Lincoln ; Assistant Grand Sword bearer. Henry William Baker, Tvltelton; Grand Pursuivant, H. J. Hobden Th U o r mL 5 ESS* .* SteTardg S- omith, Lyttolton; ' ,-noe. fl'3l mU el John Adams (V .Grand lO* onnington (Christohurr- ,aimate) &—^art (Christcburch), C. l?). Georg. Otago-G . D. Hardu Hey James Pinfold. Dnnr .-.-and Chaplain DeaconiCharlesJohn ' /'»! Senior Grant ijeai.«", xfonaldson, Dnnedm £ r Wntha* Asßis< • J ". WiU.am Hargood r m WaddeH * -* nt 6rand Organist. Wil f General Ja™»«U Members of Boar( ?n,,ned& Purposes, A. H. Burtoi (Dunedin charl £ 8 Crnmp (Palmerstoi boning Meniber of Board of Benevolence fi „o'Lippert, Dunedin ; Grand Stewards 'Uenry Bucklaod (Waikouaiti), John S Kennedy (Mosgiel), Robert. Hosie (Na9eby) R. J. Keys (Waitati). Southland - Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies George Crosbie, sen., Wyndham ; Membe of Board of • General Purposeß, Thomai Menteath, Wyndham ; Member of Board o Benevolence, J. W. Raymond, Wyndham Hawkes Bay and Gisborne— Junior Grant Deacon, H. 0. A Wundram, Napier ; Grant Bible -bearer, John Joseph Piokett, Wai rt^M|uJ)lember of Board of General Pur ■•s!sjT^v"T"M'Donpall, Napier ; Membe Board of Benevolenoe, P. H. Jolley TWaipnknran. NeUon and West Coa&tMernbera of Board of General Purposes va W. da Castro (Nelson), A. E. Cresswel m'okitika); Members of Board of Benevc lenee, A. W. Bain (Nelson), T. R. W. Phil notts (Reefton) ; Graud Steward, Theo. Aup Oodfrey, Denniston. On behalf of tho brethren of the Welling tnn district, the Grand Master presented t fff. Bro. H. J. Williams, P D G.M., a ■H am inated address and pnrse containing 5 eninefts, iv acknowledgment of his service E, the Craft since the establishment c Grand Lodge, as Grand Superintendent c the district. - In doing so he spoke of th enthusiastic and neeful work done b Sjrc^^Williams throughout the distrioi ~^aß|B£he complete self-effacement whic that gentleman in all that h The address wa H|^K^|^Villumumted by Mr. W. R. 800 l ■BS^^Hv in befitting style by M'Gregc HHBjHHn Co. Bro. Williams, in replying i^H^^^^B^Baacgfintation could notinoreoe H^^^^^BHBttßl o{ tba Craft ' Hi BE^E^^^^^HHH^Ke interests of th to fail him, nnlee B^^^H^^^Hfl^^^^^Hßkgbeen done, th B^^^^^^^^B^^HH^Hfatherilt aoto Th HRD^^^^B^^H|^B9HBp- Norberg 16 °° nrae ° RBHHHI^K^^H^E^BBis spent b;