FREEMASONRY

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 111, 11 May 1916, Page 2

FREEMASONRY

OBJECTIVE OF THE WAR FUNDS

IMPOSING INSTALLATION

CEREMONY

(IT TEI.EGB.APH.—SPECIAL 10 THE POST.)

AUCKLAND, This Day,

The Grand Master, hi extending a hearty welcome to the Masonic ■ delegates from all parts of the Dominion, said that the -proceedings would not be lengthy, as there were no controversial matters on the business pape'*. The war had caused perilous times, and progress during the year had been quite as satisfactory as they could have wished. Only, two new lodges had ( been opened—both in Auckland Province—but funds had increased at a greater rate than in' any previous year.. These were now invested' in Government debentures at 4i per cent. !''r:e.masons wore contributing generously to 'their War Relief Fund, and care must be taken to see that this did not become a substitution of the Government fund. They desired to help soldiers who were members to make a fresh start in life. The Grand.Master spoke of the controversy that had arisen from his circular requesting lodges to abstain from the use of alcoholic liquor during the war. Ho was still strongly of tjie-same opinion, and, although not a- prohibitionist, ho w^s not going to encourage lodges that still continued the practice. OPERATION OF THE: FUNDS. Discussion, ensued as to the lines upon which the. Annuity Fund and also the War Benevolent Fund should be operated. M.W. Bro. H. J. Williams "(Wellington) endorsed the opinion expressed by the Grand Master—namely, that both funds should augment and not take the place of Government funds.

The views of other speakers varied somewhat as to methods, but all agreed that the objective should be as stated.

R.W. Bro. H. L. Michel (Hokitika) reminded the conference of the Grand Master's suggestion last year that the War Fund should also bo used for the purpose of advancing loans to brethren who bad been on active service, in order to help them to start in business.

The feeling of the conference was distinctly in.'this direction, but the matter was loft to the discretion of the Board of Management.

On the .motion of M.W.- Bro. Nicholson, the conference elected R.W. Bros. H. C. Tewsley and F. Kearsley auditors, and also appointed trustees as follow — R.W. Bros. M. M'Lean, G. Fowlds, F Wrsley, G. ; H. Foley, and Chas Rhodes. PRESENTATION TO A VETERANS A presentation was made to the veteran R.W. Bro.' T. A. Peterkin by the retiring Grand Master on behalf of the fifteen lodges in the newly-constitut-ed Ruapehu district, as an appreciation of what he bad clone for them while they were under control from Wellington; ■ The presentation took the form of an illuminated address, also a jewel for Mrs. Peterkin.

THE INSTALLATION. The ceremony of installation, which took place in the Town Hall last evening, was of a brilliant nature. An unusually large number of Freemasons from all parts'of the Dominion participated, and. prominent visitors state that the event was ono of the most imposing of the kind, which they have attended. The hall was specially decorated, and an enjoyable feature was the musical programme., R.W. Bro. Nicholson was installed 'in the Grand Master's chair by the retiring' Grand Master., the Wardens' chairs being occupied by - B.Wi Bro. .Catchpdle, sen., and E.W. ' Bro. Maurice Harris., jun. Others officers installed, were : Deputy Grand Master. R.W. Bro. T. A. Peterkin (Wellington) \ Provincial Grand Masters, R.W. Bros. Murdoch M'Lean (Auckland), John Thornton (Canterbury), John W. Ellison (Wellington), A."W- Flett (Otago). A. L. E. H. Hoyles (Southland), H. L. Harston (Hawkes Bay), R. W. Sargeant (Taranaki), Claude H. Mills (Nelson and Marlborough), R. H. Richmond (West Coast), and D. J. F. M'Farlane (Ruapehu); Senior Grand Warden, R.W. Bro.- W. M. Hindmarsh (Timaru); Junior Qra'nd Warden, E.W. Bro. James Quaile (Dunedin).

MASONIC DUTY. Iri .expressing his appreciation of the honour, conferred upon him, the newlyelected Gran,d Master outlined his conception of Masonic duty. Their success, he said, could only be measured by the extent of their influence upon the life of the community. The speaker advised lodge officers to exercise strict supervision over tho social gatherings which followed lodge meetings, and said that anything that savoured of incongruity with their beautiful ceremony should be suppressed. He would like to sse the brethren of every lodge participate at least once a year in a united church service in the locality in which they lived. .Many people thought that the unfortunate war would have the effect of revising the spiritual life of tho community, and he would ask : Might they not hope that another effect would be to awaken their brethren to a truer sense of their responsibilities to the Craft, and to their fellow-creatures also.

The investing'officers were the Grand Master; M.W. Bro. Nicholson, and M. W, Bro. Malcolm " Niccol, P.G.M., while; the Grand Directors of Ceremonies were' W. Bro. J.',' N. Dv Feu (Canterbury) find W. Bro. W. H. Jones (Wellington).

. The customary banquet was dispensed with, owing to the war.