REMARKABLE PROGRESS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 11 May 1921, Page 5

REMARKABLE PROGRESS.

(by telegrap"—t>t.^ sr •■> AUCKLAND, May 10. Freemasonry in New Zealand has ! shown remarkable progress during the last two or three years, and statistics to be presented at the annual com- ■"' municVatiion of the Grand Lodge or' New Zealand, which opens to-morrow, reflect the progress and present prosperity of the craft. The membership of 221 lodges totals 17,425, an increase of 1220 in the last twelve months. After making full provision for charitable claims, the funds of the Grand Lodge have increased to the extent of £8539. ami'1 the tntnl is £73.433, divided as follows: General fund £5761; widows', orphans' and aged Masons' fund, £46.356: special war benevolence fund, £12,941; fund of benevoience, £3685; circular appeal funds, £3488; representation fund, £1208. The number of new lodges erected in 1920-21 or now in process of formation exceeded all previous records. Great regret is expressed at the neuoling resignation of Mr. Malcolm Nicol, who has been Grand Secretaiy for the past twenty years. The unopposed candidate for the position of Garnd Master is Mr. Thomas Ross, of Dunedin. *