MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13482, 8 May 1907, Page 8

MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

GREAT GATHERING AT INVE&' ' OARGILL. ' ', ' [BY TELEGEAPH. OWN COSHES PON DENT. J', | IXVEBCAKGILL, Tuesday, ' . Invebcaegill: is to-night a kind of Mcccti to'' the Masonic world of New Zealand. Thither' ; i have' resorted pilgrims from evory comer of'' v the colony, for the purpose of attending the.;,; annual communication of the Grand Lodge/; of New Zealand Freemasons, which will bo »| opened to-morrow . afternoon. , With ■■■ the , •;, rapid extension of the national constitution,: : both through the creation of new lodges and''": the absorption of lodges of the other constitutions, the Grand Lodge has come to as- t sumo she character , of a parliament, and \ : more than its proportions. .The adoption'" two or three years >a§o.(of ■an •.admirable■;■-1 i scheme. of representation has led to tho',j sending of one or more representatives byr" [nearly every lodgo in the colony. It is sb?;?' ;to ? predict that to-morrow's;.!.gatheririgjs&|||f ' comprise, tomo 300 members from .dittaut towns, apart from tho brethren resident; in Southland. Both; of to-day's express trains , : bore heavy loads < of; incoming : Freemasons from northern' districts, 1 - and even distant Auckland sent a contingent, numbering to- , tweon 20 and 30, while • Canterbury and Otago are represented in scores. His Excel- 1 '- lency the Governor (Lord Pliinke:), who will. '; preside in the" capacity of Grand -Master,- , and will also be reinstalled in tho evening; , ; for another 12 months' term of -office, arrives ; to-morrow, accompanied by R.W. Bro. the.;; Hon. Geo. Fowlds, who is a Fast Deputy Grand.Master,'-.R.W. Bro. Murdoch McLean. i s of Auckland, and other leading members of . the craft. . ,-_.., ... _ ■•. > Jj ,* ■ : To-morrow's business will consist of the '■'.-■•■ ceremonial opening of: the Grand Lodge, at half-past two; p.m., the consideration of the reports of the Various Boards upon tho work | of the past year, and the election of officers. The evening will be devoted to the iustpUation of the. .Grand Master designate, and the appointment and investiture of: the' Pro*;' : ' Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master." These ceremonies will be performed by Wot. Bro. Burton, Immediate Past Grand Master. *■ Legislative business I will bo resumed on 1 Thursday morning, and the "• communication *V; is expected to' conclude that day, tho North-|.g ern representatives F starting>• for homo on J' ■ Friday. ■ The .interesting question that will k% come up for consideration will be the revolu- m tiouary motion in: favour of the admission w*j of the kdies to future installation cere- - monies, the debate on which stands adjourn- *.m ed from; the -Christchurch session of last ;•- year. ~ ■ ■..,.. ... : f§|