MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9468, 12 September 1889, Page 5

MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

CONVENTION OP DELEGATES. THE LODGE CONSTITUTED. [BY TKI.KQKAPIT. —I'KKSS ASSOCIATION.] WeTjUNotos, Wednesday. The Masonio convention of Lodge delegates in connection with the Grand Lodge movement assembled to-night in the Atheneeum. Delegates were present from all parts of the colony, including a considerable number of members of tho Legislature. Brother E. T. Gillon presided. It waa announced that ninety Lodges had now resolved in favour of a Grand Lodge, and of this number sixty-four were represented at the convention by sixty-seven delegates, some brethren representing several lodges. The roll having been called, and the proceedings opened with prayer by the Rev. Brother Paige, P.M., the chairman delivered an address tracing the history of the movement, and authorising the steps necessary to be taken by the convention. A form of declaration of the constitution of the Grand Lodge was then submitted and fully discussed. It was resolved to omit the word "united" in the title of the Grand Lodge, and the declaration waa iinally unanimously adopted in the following form : —" Whereas Freemasonry was established in New Zealand in the year 1842, a.d., and has aince been perpetuated and practised by numerous Judges established from time to time under tho Grand Lodges of Eng-> land, Ireland, and Scotland respectively, und whereas a majority of the Lodges established have determined that it is expedient in the best interests of Freemasonry and for the better ordering of the craft in thie colony, that there should be full, perfect, and perpetual union, with uniformity of obligation and discipline among the members thereof, at present divided into and working under the three separate and distinct constitutions of England, Ireland, und Scotland, so that in all time to come they shall form and constitute but one brotherhood, aud be represented in one grand lodgo, now therefore we, the delegates dnly appointed in that behalf by the lodges set out after our signatures hereto, do by these presents declare and agree that the said lodges shall from and after the 9th day of November, 1889, constitute and form one grand lodgo under the style of ' The Grand Lodge of New Zealand,' and that the Masters and Wardens of the said lodges for the time being shall be deemed und taken to be members of such Grand Lodge, together with such l'aet Masters and present or past provincial or district Grand Lodge officers as shall be members of such Lodge, aud also the signatories lieruto, provided always that such members (except the Masters uud Wardens of Lodges), are duly enrolled on the register of members of the Grand Lodge. And it is further agreed thut as soon after the said ninth day of November, ]SS9, as may be possible, a communication of the Grand Lodge shall be held for the purpose of electing a Grand Master, and making other provisions for the good government of the Graft and the Constitution, and regulation of the Grand lx)dge. —Dated at Wellington, N.Z., this 11th day of September, LSS9, A.D., and SSSQ A.L." This was ordered to bo engrossed for signature. Tho consideration of the basis of union was postponed until to-morrow, so that the proposed amendments might be printed for consideration. The articles of union as agreed on will be recommended to tho Grand Lodge for ratification. The Convention udjourned to three o'clock to-morrow. Tho most absolute unanimity prevailed throughout the meeting, and all the proposals were carried without, dissent.