MASONIC

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 12 May 1915, Page 6

MASONIC

, CTwrara P»«ss Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Masonic Grand Lodge of 'New Zealand opened its annual communication this morning, M.W. Bro. Dougall, Grand. Master, presiding. The report jof the board of benevolence stated that ' £340 had been dispensed in casual rei lief- during the year. Three sums of I £259, £224, and £2OO had been raised Iby circular appeal. The report of the I annuity board showed that the capital | value of the fund was £24,447, of which I £1513 had been added during the year. !Th"e total annual charge upon the fund jwaif £845, and a margin of £216 a year existed for the creation of new annuities. The report of the board of genershowed that the amounts to credits of various funds; were: Annuity fund £24,447;, fund of benevolence £3914; circular appeals £1664; special ?war benevolent fund £897; representation £512; general fund £3937; total £35,374. The: report of the board of general purposes approved of the proposal for the formation of a new Masonic Lodge, to be known as Rnapehu, extending from the Manawatu river to the boundary of Taranaki. The report urged upon the craft the scheme initiated" by the Grand Master for the creation of a special war benevolent fund for the relief of Masons or their dependents suffering through the war, towards which sum £1353 had been voluntarily subscribed, and £IOO had been forwarded, to the Grand Lodge of France towards its--war relief schemes. Bro. J. J. Dougall, of Christchurch, was elected Grand Master . The GTand Lodge election of officers resulted as follows: —Nelson and Marlborough District, Grand Bible Bearer, Wor. "Bro. R. P. Furness; Grand Steward, "Wor. Bro. M. McKenzie; Member of Boar dof Benevolence, Wor. Bro. W. Cowin.