MASONIC GRAND LODGE

Evening Star, Issue 20959, 25 November 1931, Page 8

MASONIC GRAND LODGE

LORD BLEDISLOE PRESIDES [Pek United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 25. The Masonic Grand Lodge of Nett Zealand opened this morning, Lord Bledisloe presiding in the capacity ot Grand Master. Most of the lodges m the territory, 304 in number, were represented. The annual reports showed a small increase in membership, bringing the total to 27,301. One new lodge at Kororareka (Russell) was opened during the year. , . , The financial statement indicated an increase in the Grand Lodge funds hy, ■P72 397. The contributions of lodges te the fund raised for the purpose of Masonic assistance in connection with the Hawke’s Bav earthquake amounted to £5.223. ‘ , x . Lord Bledisloe was elected Grand Master for a second term of office, and Mr J. H. Harkness, of the West Coast, was re-elected Pro Grand Master.' The principal elective officers constituting tho executive boards now stationed at Christchurch, are the same as last year, and other officers were returned by an allocation to the various districts. . , , r . , Tho inauguration of Masonic homes at Papakura, near Auckland, as the result of a largo endowment provided last vear by the gift of Mr F. S. Potter, was chronicled. The first of the homes that are to be established under the trust was opened in September, starting with three boys, but others have since been added. Improvements and extensions have been made during the year to the Kirkpatrick Masonic Institute for girls, established under the will of the late Mr S. Kirkpatrick, of Nelson. Auckland was fixed as the meeting place of the next annual communication. The installation of the Grand Master and the investiture of the other officers r will take place in the Town Hall to-nig 1- *-