GOOD TEMPLARS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 83, 9 April 1928, Page 3

GOOD TEMPLARS

The twcuty-seventh bieuuial session of the Now Zealand Grand Lodge of Good Tomplnrs was opened on Saturday in the Rechabite Chambers, Willis street, and was presided over by Bro. T. H. Dalton, Grand Chief Templar. After the opening ceremony members were initiated into Grand Lodge degree. Letters from Bro. W. A. lies. Grand Councillor, of Dunedin, ,who was unable to attend, hoping the session would be successful, and to •Grand Lodge from the Wellington District Lodge, 1.0. G.T., from Star of Wellington Lodge, and from the Grand National Tent of Rechabites were received. The Grand Chief Templar, Bro. T. H. Dalton, in his .report, stated that prominent Temperance leaders had expressed the opinion that the Good Templar Order would again become a great Force in this country. The G.C.T. expressed the appreciation of the Order for the cordial cooperation of the New Zealand Alliance in many directions. Votes of condolence were pass«d to the relatives of the late Bros. Gunnell, Montgomery, and Sister Webb and Bro. Rev. E. H. A. Taylor, Past Grand Lodge officers. A church parade and service were held in St. Thomas's Church last evening. A large number of Good Templars of this city, and officers and delegates from other parts were present in full regalia. J. ho Rev. C. V. Rooke, before opening the service, extended a cordial welcome to the Good Templars, briefly traced the inception of the Order, and commended its objects. At the close of the sermon the Good Templars assembled in the church hall, and Bros. GeorgePctherick, D.1.C.1., J.P., and T. H. Dalton, Grand Chief, voiced the thanks and appreciation of the Grand Lodge to the Rev. Mr. Rooke and the vestry and church leaders for , their invitation to attend the church, and for Mr. Rookc's concise description of the Order, and for the sympathy and help he had at other times extended to the Order.' Mr. Rooke, in reply, spoke highly of the work of the Order, and wished it success. I