GRAND LODGE NEW ZEALAND CONSTITUTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8423, 26 November 1890, Page 5

GRAND LODGE NEW ZEALAND CONSTITUTION.

The quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, the first held in Auckland, took place last evening, in the Freemasons' Hall, Princes-street. The event had been looked forward to with great interest, and there was a gathering of the brethren from all parts of the district to represent the individual lodges who have given in adherence to the new constitution. The whole of Auckland and suburbs, as well as the Thames and VVaikato, were fully represented, and when the Grand Master took his seat in the east, he was able to see. an excellent hall, a crowded lodge, busy workers, and earnest Masons. There were 1115 brethren accounted for, but there must have been many others present, and the capacity of the hall was fully taxed. The oliicers of Grand Lodge present were : —Grand Master, Brother 11. Thomson ; Deputy G.M., Brother A. S. Russell : P.G.M., Brother E. T. Gillon; Grand •Superintendent, Brother M. Niccol; N.W., Brother Dr. Boor; J.W., Brother W. B. Franklin; Chaplain, Rev. \V. Alulgan ; Acting Treasurer, Brother T. L. Murray ; Secretary, Brother Rev. \V. Ronaldson ; Acting Secretary, Brother W. H. Cooper ; S.D., Brother \\ . Craig: J.D., Brother W. Edgecumbe ; D.C., Brother G. H. Rowley; 5.8., Brother J. Rage; Pursuivant, Brother A. Kidd; Tyler, Brother E. Tonge; Stewards, Brothers T. H. Tewsley, J. L. Logan, S. Vispe, F. M. Hewson. The various lodges were well represented, and inarched in under their respective banners.

The Grand Master opened with an address, and in the course of his speech he alluded to the action of Lord Onslow in trying to heal the present breach, in terms of the highest praise and appreciation. The routine lodge business followed. The roll of lodges was called, and the response was almost universal. The reports from the Board of General Purposes, the Board of Benevolence, the Grand Treasurer's balance, etc., were read. The Board of General Purposes, in their report, referred to the opening of the Paihaiatua and Danevirke lodges, and to the consecration of a hall for the Scinde Lodge at Napier.

RECOGNITION. Letters were received from the Grand Lodges of Victoria, Tasmania, and the Grand Orient of Italy, according cordial recognition to the > Grand Lodge of New Zealand, and resolutions were passed according the fraternal thanks of the New Zealand Grand Lodge to these Grand Lodges. Brother V". Pyke, I'.P.G.M., was, by request of the Tasmanian Grand Lodge, appointed to represent that body at the New Zealand Grand Lodge. Brother U. Robertson, P.U.S., was appointed to represent the Grand Orient of Italy, and Brother Hammerton to represent the Grand Lodge of New South Wales. SYMPATHY.

A cordial resolution of sympathy was accorded to Brother Forrest, \V. M. of Ronsonby Lodge, 011 the treatment lie had received from the Scottish P.G. Lodge, and a similar vote of sympathy was tendered to the Lodge Otago for the treatment they had received from the English Constitution. Votes of thanks were accorded to the Grand Superintendents of districts for their various services and the valuable reports which they had furnished. THE BANQUET.

The Grand Lodge communication having been closed the brethren re-assembled in the

lower hall where refreshments were spread which were at that time thoroughly appreciable. The M.W. the Grand Master presided, supported on his right by Brother A. 8. Russell, D.G.M., and oil his left bv Brother E. T. (Jillou, P.D.G.M. The toast of •' The Queen and Craft" was duly honoured. Brother M. Niccol, G.S., proposed the health of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master, Brother Henry Thomson, and made an eulogistic speech as to the services he had rendered, and the arduous duties he had undertaken.

The Guano Master, who, on rising, was received with loud applause, deprecated the compliments paid to him by Brother Niccol. He expressed great pleasure at seeing the fine attendance that evening. Of course he had always looked forward to visiting Auckland during his term of ollice, and lie was extremely pleased that his visit should have been on an occasion of this kind. Brother INiccol had referred to the work the Grand Master had to do. Well, when he consented to accept the position he had a tolerable notion of what he would have to do. He knew that the first

im months would be the worst. Most of the brethren who inaugurated this movement of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand knew that he accepted the position with reluctance, for he looked on it that the oiliee would be filled by the Earl of Onslow, the Governor of the colony—(cheers)—and had he seen his way to accept the ofiice a great many of the difficulties which had since arisen would be obviated ; but Lord Onslow knew his own position best, and he did not see'his way to accept a position in which his authority might be disputed. It did not require that lie (the G.M.) should occupy this position to show how his feelings lay, for he had long before notified that as soon as a Grand Lodge of New Zealand was formed, he should resign his position of P.G.M. and join the New Zealand Constitution, lie had then no intention of accepting oiliee, but he had been urged by Brother Gillon and others that his duty was not to hang back, so he gave way and accepted the position which he now occupied. Many of those who were now opposed to them he really believed covet the oflice, and as it was never offer to them, it became to them "sour grapes Let them, however, hope that the movement would gain strength and gain their opponents' support, not by the tools which their opponents used, but by tolerance. He was assured that in various parts of the colony members of other lodges were prohibited from visiting the lodges holding under the New Zealand Con-

st itution, and that members of New Zealand Constitution lodges were prohibited from visiting them. .Such a prohibition was an indication of a. losing cause. He hoped this circular of the Governor would produce the good fleet, desired. His Excellency was always with them, although he had sought advice and acted 011 it, when first asked to become G.M. But he (Brother Thomson) hoped, and sincerely hoped, that when a new Grand Master was elected it would be Lord Onslow. (Cheers.) Mo one would rejoice more than lie would, or give more loyal support to the Grand Master. (Cheers.) The toast of His Excellency the Governor M.W., Brother Earl of Onslow, was proposed by Brother Gillon, that of the G.M.'s of the siSter constitutions by Brother 1). G. M. Russell, the Grand-Superintendent of Auckland was proposed by the G.M. The toasts of the D.G.AI. and other toasts were duly proposed and acknowledged. There were numerous musical intervals and Brother Dr. Walker presided at the piano.

THE BALL. _ The giand celebration ball in commemoration of the meeting of the Grand Lodge of Now Zealand in Auckland will be held to-night, and will be 011 a grand scale. The decorations will be unique, the surroundings suitable, the music pleasant, and the tables under the supervision of Mr. T. McEwiu, all Unit could be wished.