GRAND LODGE OF FREEMASONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11954, 1 May 1902, Page 6

GRAND LODGE OF FREEMASONS

[jit TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] Wellington', Wednesday. N The annua] avocation of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand Freemasons began to-day. Grandmaster Russell, of Auckland, presided. The report, of the Board of Benevolence showed that £139 19s had been disbursed from the benevolent fund during the year. The annual statement of accounts showed the credit of the various funds as under: — General, £1156; benevolence, £2331 ; widows' and orphans', £894 ; aged and indigent Masons', £268. The report of the Board of General Purposes expressed regret at the recent death of Brother Beilby (Grand Superintendent of Hawke's Bay and Gisborne district), and recorded the opening of four new lodges during the year, and recommended that the next convocation be held in Auckland. Brother H. J. Williams (Past DeputyGrandmaster, Wellington) was unanimously chosen to the office of Grandmaster for the ensuing year, 31 lodges and members of the Grand Lodge having nominated him. The election of officers resulted as follows, distribution being given according to districts: — Wellington: Grand chaplain, the Rev. Thomas Godfrey Hammond; grand treasurer, William D. Lyon; grand registrar, R. C. Kirk; president of the' Board of General Purposes, Robert C. Hamerton; president of the Board of Benevolence, Henry J. Freeman; grand director of ceremonies, Andrew Smart; grand swordbearer, Frederick Silver; grand stewards, Thos. Blennerhassett and Samuel Strachan ; members of the Board of General Purposes, Thomas W. Rowe, H. J. H. Eliott, W. T. Hildreth, Thos. J. Bush, Richard Mothes ; members of the Board of Benevolence, Joseph H. Worboys. Alfred Lindsay, Oscar Neilson, Frank W. Newson, and James Macky. Auckland: Grand Bible-bearer, PL G. B. Moss; grand pursuivant, David S. Hyauiason: grand stewards, Edward G. B. Moss and Ewen D. McLennan; members of the Board of General Purposes. George H. Powley and Samuel H. Hanna; members of the Board of Benevolence, John M. Morran and Joseph Catchpole. Canterbury: Senior grand deacon, Samuel J. Adams ; grand stewards, Win. H. R. Dale and George S. Hardy; members of the Board of General Purposes, Wm. Gifkins and IT. Y. Widdowsons; members of (he Board of Benevolence, the Rev. E. E. Chambers and H. J. Hobden. Otago : Junior grand deacon, Donald C. Cameron; grand organist. John 0. Easton; grand steward?., Alexander L. Herdman and Haybarth E. Moller; members of the Board of General Purposes, the Rev. W. Ronaldson and G. J. Ronaldson; members of the Board of Benevolence, Charles E. George and J. Barton. Southland: Grand chaplain, the Rev. J. A. Luxford; junior grand deacon, Guv A. Whealler; grand steward, Win, M. Duncan; member of the Board of General Purposes, John Everett ; member of the Board of Benevolence. A. R. Porter. Hawke's Bay and Gisborne: Grand chaplain, the Rev. E. Robertshawe; grand sword-bearer, J. W. McDomrall; grand steward, Robert R. Groom : member of the Board of General Purposes, T. C. Dawson ; member of the Board of Benevolence, Richard Soundy. Nelson and Marlborough: Senior grand deacon ; John Brown ; grand superintendent of works, R. T. Melhuish ; grand steward, Jas. H. Scott; member of the Board of General Purposes, Lockhart 1). Fusion: member of the Board of Benevolence, Walter M. Hiadmarsh. West Coast: Grand chaplain (vacant); grand steward, John Colligan : member of the Board of General Purposes, T. G. Skilton; member of the Board of Benevolence, C. M. Johnston. At a largely attended meeting to-night M.W. Brother H. J. Williams was installed Grandmaster of the New Zealand Constitution, and the following officers elected and installed: — Deputy-Grandmaster, R.W. Brother W. Smith (Invercargill). Grand Superintendents : Auckland, R.W. M. McLean; llaivk-.'s Bay and Gisborne, J. W MeDougall; Wellington, G. Wilson ; Canterbury, F. C. Bimis; Otago, J. M. Browri; West Cast, H. L. Michel; Nelson and Marlborough, C. J. W. Griffiths. Grand wardens: Senior, O. Nicholson: junior. E. E. Chambers. Grand stewards," Brothers Blenuerhassett, Strachan, McLennan, Dale, Hardy, Herdman, Moller, Duncan-, Groom, Scott, and Colligan. A presentation of a jewel and regalia was made respectively to Brother Wetheult, late of Otago, and P.G.M. Russell, of Auckland. [BY TJSXKGKAPn.OWN" CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. The Board of General Purposes, in* the course of its report, stated, with reference to the pending removal of the Grand Lodge office to Wellington (where it will remain for two years), that suitable rooms had been rented in Johnston-street, The grand secretary would take up his residence in the city about the middle of May.