MASONIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8162, 25 January 1890, Page 6

MASONIC.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE S.C. Thk quarterly communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Scotland, for the North Island of New Zealand, was held in tho Freemasons' Hall, Prinoes-streeo, last night, Brother the Hon. Sir F. Whitaker, P.G.M. presiding. There was a large attendance of members and visiting brethren. One portion of the business was the election of officers for the ensuing year but on the motion of Brother Niccol, S.P.G.M., it was resolved that the existing officers be continued iu office. The next and most interesting part of tho proceedings was the presentation of an address from tho Freemasons of Canterbury, to the Rev. James Hill, P.D.G.M., of that province. The address which is handsomely illuminated and suitably framed in New, Zealand woods, was accompanied with a gift of a beautiful regalia and jewel, the latter bearing an inscription. Brother Hill was seated on the dais at the left of the P.G.M. Brother Sir F. Whitak.hr said that before parting they were called on to perform a very agreeable duty. The District Grand Lodge of Canterbury had forwarded to the P.G. Lodge bore an address and a suit of regalia to Bro. the Rev. James Hill, with a request that they should be presented in Grand Lodge by tho Provincial Grand Master. It gave him very great pleasure indeed to oomplv with the request, and ho was sure it would meet with their approval and sympathy. After some further remarks, Sir P\ Whitaker read tho address, which was as follows;—"To Brother the Rev. James Hill, District Grand Master, S.C., Canterbury : Rev. Sir and Brother, —Tho Brethren of the Scottish Constitution of free and accepted Masons of Canterbury cannot permit you to leave this district without giving a tangible expression of the high esteem and regard in whioh you are held. You have filled the office of District Grand Master for the past seven years, and by your manliness of character and your devotion to the duties of that high office have won the confidence and goodwill of all the brethren. We wish to you God-speed, and fervently pray that the Grand Geometrician of the Universe may shower down his favours upon you until you are removed to the grand lodge above. In the names of the brethren, we are yours fratetnally." [Here follow the names of the D.G. Lodge officers.] The P.G.M. then invested Brother Hill with the collar and jewel and appointed Brothers Niccol and Anderson to invest him with the regalia of P.D.G.M. Brother Niccol said that he might remark that, in investing Brother Hill on this occasion, it was not the first time that be had performed a similar duty, for he introduced Brother Hill into Masonry when he was R.W.M. of Lodge St. Andrew, and Brother Anderson was then Postmaster. Brother the Rev. James Hill said when he left Canterbury he had no thought that such a gift or any gift would be sent after him. tor the work he had done he _ was amply rewarded, for he had been associated with Masonic brethren with whom it was an honor to labour, and ho could conscientiously say that he sincerely tried to do his duty in the high position in which his brethren had placed him. But, to these elements of reward his brethren had seen fit to add the handsome gift with which he was now presented, and he need hardly say that it afforded him exceeding pleasure and gratification. He had the pleasure of affiliating Sir F. Whitaker to Scottish Masonry, with a view to his elevation to his present position as P.G.M. of the Scottish Constitution. When he went South, he found the same dissatisfaction existing with regard to the working of the Scottish Constitution of Otago, and he promoted tho establishment of a District Grand Lodge for Canterbury. He was asked to take the position of D.G. M., and although he at first refused, his brethren thought that as he performed the duties, he was entitled to the honor and he was prevailed on to accept the office. There were then only five Scotch lodges in Canterbury, but shortly after his appointment he consecrated four others, and there were now nine in that province. One of his objects was to impress on the brethren the necessity for carrying out the pri «iples and objects of Freemasonry, for he held that while there was beauty in their services and beauty in their ceremonials, the greatest beauty of Freemasonry was in the lives and characters of the members. He also had another object, which was to shorten the ceremonies, and in both these objects h<; had, he believed, been successful. He left Canterbury with great regret,although lie was coming to Auckland the first place he came to in New Zealand, and in which he had so many friends. He regretted leaving his Masonic brethren in Canterbury, but he had formed friendships there which would stand the test of absence and which would last till death. He begged the P.G. Lodge to accept his sincere thanks on behalf of himself and the D.G. Lodge of Canterbury for allowing this presentation to take place under their management. He wished also to thank the P.G.M., Sir Frederick Whitaker for his kindness in presenting it, and assured him that the gift coming from his hands added much to the honour which was that night conferred on him. CONFERENCE OF P.G. AND D.G. MASTERS. PROPOSED GRAND LODGE FOR NEW ZEALAND. [RY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dpnedin, Friday. A meeting of Provincial and District Grand Masters of Freemasons was held to-dav. The following brethren attended : — Brothers G. S. Graham (of Auckland), presiding), Brothers G. P. Pierce (Auckland), Thomson (Canterbury), Be van (Westland), Gore, Graham (Otago and Southland). The following resolution was passed :— " That this Conference of Provincial and District Grand Masters commend the action of the Masonic Union in postponing proceedings, and consider that in the best interests of Freemasonry, and with the view of preserving harmony in the craft, it is not desirable to form a Grand Lodge of New Zealand at present, so that time be allowed for a better understanding between the various lodges of th» several constitutions and a greater unanimity arrived at upon such a vital question to Freemasonry in New Zealand.' 7

A District Grand Lodge meeting was held in the evening to welcome the visitors. It is understood that, notwithstanding the resolution passed, it is intended to proceed with the Grand Lodge movement by those who were concerned in the recent convention in Wellington.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—A CORRESPONDENT.) Donkdin, Friday. The meeting of the Provincial and District Grand Mssters took place here to day, in reference to the Grand Lodge movement. All were present except Sir H. Atkinson, E.C., (Wellington), Sir F. Whitaker, S.G (Auckland), and Mr. Louisson, S.C. (Canterbury), from whom apologies were received. The question was discussed for upwards of two hours. The meeting declined to receive the chairman of the MbAonic Union to represent that side of the matter. The resolution passed was not unanimous, or without due warning that it was not likely to be acceptable to the Union. Sir H. Atkinson's suggestion of adjournment of the meeting to Wellington was found impracticable. The supporters, of she Grand Lodge here, and the representatives of the Union, regard the resolution passed as entirely unsatisfactory, and an indefinite postponement intended to shelve the matter. The feeling is very strong that the Union must now go on and at once call tho Grand Lodge of New Zealand together, in terms of the declaration of convention in Wellington. Amongst individual members of the craft here, the feeling in favour of this course appears strong, bo far from promoting unanimity, today's meeting will inevitably cause disruptions, and render the sohame certain. The supporters of the New Zealand Grand Locke were confident and determined.