PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MARK-MASTER MASONS, E.C.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9131, 13 August 1888, Page 6

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MARK-MASTER MASONS, E.C.

The regular half-yearly communication was held at the Masonic Hall, Karangahape Road, on Tuesday evening last, the R.W.P.G.M., Brother Dr. F. W. E. Dawson, presiding. The under - mentioned officers were present—namely : Brothers Rev. C. M. Nelson, D.P.G.M.; J. Carlaw, P.G.S.W. ; A. Brock, P.G.J. ;J. P. Clark, P.G.M.0.; William Lodder, P.G.S.O ; T. W. Kitt, P.G. Secretary; T. Walker, P.G.S.D. ; A. Sutherland, PG.J.D. ; S. M. Herapath. P.G. Organist; A. Hedley, P.G.I.G. ; and H. F. Windsor, P.G. Steward. There was also a good attendance of Mark brethren. The Provincial Grand Lodge having been received with the customary honours by the Newton Lodge, No. 280 E.C., the officers took their respective places, and the Lodge was duly opened. After the usual preliminary business, and the roll of lodges had been called, Brother J. P. Clark, P.G.M.0., brought forward a motion relative to meeting auarterly instead of half-yearly, of which ae had previously given notice, and after some discussion it was decided that the Provincial Grand Lodge shall in future meet quarterly, on the first Tuesday in the months of May and November, and the second Tuesday in the months of February and August, alternately at Freemasons' Hall and Newton. The R. W.P.G.M. stated that he had a very gratifying announcement to make to the brethren present, in that the M. W. Grand Master, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, had been pleased to confer upon Brother James Carlaw, P.M., Union Lodge, No. 154, P.G.S.W., the past rank of Grand Sword Bearer, and upon Brother T. W. Kitt, P.M., Newton Lodge, No. 280, P.G. Sec, the past rank of Grand Standard Bearer, in commemoration of Her Majesty's Jubilee. These appointments were to be looked upon as a great compliment both to the Provincial Grand Lodge and the respective subordinate lodges to which the two brethren belonged, and, for the encouragement of others, it must be understood that in conferring such honours, social position was not so much taken into consideration as actual merit and past services to the craft. The patents of appointment, bearing the autograph of the M.W.G.M., were expected by an early mail. There being no further business, the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed at an early hour, the proceedings having" been considerably enhanced by the musical arrangements, which were ably conducted by Brother S. M. Herapath, P.G. Organist.