MASONIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9495, 26 April 1894, Page 6

MASONIC.

the GRAND LODGE OP new ZEALAND. [BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. The annual communication of the Grand lodge of New Zealand was held this. afternoon in the Masonic Ball, Boulcobt-streeb, about two hundred brethren being present. The annual balance-sheeb, and also the quarterly statement of receipts and disbursements to March 31st last, were adopted. The balance-sheeb for the year ending 31sb December lasb showed that in almosb every particular the accounts were in advance of the previous year, proving that the anticipations of the Board in respect of the income of the Grand Lodge were not visionary. ■ The statement of receipts for the year showed an increase in general funds. There had been a substantial increase in the _ Widows and Orphans Fund as , well as in the Benevolent) Fund ; whilst in the balance-sheet the general fund showed a'balance of assets of £738 f3s Id,- as against £518 7s lid last year. - In the Fund of Benevolence a balance of £572 12a lid is shown against £414 13s 9d, and in the statement of deposits there is a total of £736 17s Id, as against £476 8s 3d lasb year. ' The quarterly report of the Board of General Purposes showed that the Grand Lodge has now 92 lodges under its jurisdiction. The Board recommended that the Right Worshipful Brother E. T. Gillon should receive the rank of Past Grand Master, and the Right Worshipful Brother H. J. Williams the rank of Past Deputy Grand Master; _in recognition, the former of his unwearied exertions in the establishment of the Grand Lodge, and the latter of his untiring zeal and energy whilsb in charge of the district of Wellington. The Grand Lodges forwarded grand representative commissions as follow :—Grand Lodge of Athens, for Worshipful Brother Geo. Robertson; Grand' Lodge of Quebec, for Worshipful Brother William Charles Walker; Grand Lodge of Ohio, for Worshipful Brother Miles Reginald Bree, of Gore. The report was adopted, as also was the report of the Board of Benevolence. Brother F. H. D. Bell was elected the M.W. the Grand Master, and the grand officers were also elected. Correspondence was read from the Grand Masters of the Australasian Grand Lodges regretting their inability to be preaenb, and from the New South Wales Lodge sending R.W. Brother Edwards, P.D.G.M., as their representative. The installation of the Most Worshipful Grand Master Brother H. F. D. Bell takes place in the Opera House to-night. The installation ceremony of Brother H. D. Bell as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand was of a. moat brilliant character, retiring Grand Master Nicoll officiating. Delegates from all parts of the colony were present, and the Opera House was well filled. The banquet in the evening was overcrowded, large numbers being unable to obtain seats.