MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15915, 12 May 1915, Page 4

MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS' UNITY.

RECORD OF PROGRESS.

[BY TtLEGIUPH.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Tuesday. Twenty-five years have elapsed since Masonic unity was brought about in New Zealand by the formation, on the part of lodges which originally, held under the three British constitutions, of the national Grand Lodge of New Zealand. The communication of Grand Lodgo which opens in Wellington to-morrow therefore marks the semi-jubilee of the institution, That event would doubtless be celebrated with jubilation were it not for the special circumstances of the war. As things are, it is to bo observed with chastened enthusiasm, for the present annual communication is being shorn of some o? the festivities that usually characterise such gatherings.

In respect of the progress made in tho ]25 years, and" .the benevolent purposes achieved, the Grand Lodge has good reason for rejoicing over its record. Starting, in 1890, with a comparatively small number of lodges and infinitesimal funds, it has now the satisfaction of pointing to a roll of more than 200 lodges, to accumulated funds to the amount of £35,375, and t > institutions carried on under its auspices which have done much to ameliorate human suffering and distress. The reports to be presented at to-morrow's communication bear witness to the healthy condition of tho craft in the Dominion, and the excellent prospects of its continued prosperity.

The Benevolent Funds. With regard to the work of the board of benevolence during the year, it is shown that casual grants have been made to the extent of £349 in the relief of distress on the- part of members of all constitutions, and the widows and children of,members. Further, three special funds for the assistance of more poignant cases hg.ve been raised by circular appeals to the individual lodges. There are also in existence 16 special funds, created by means of circular appeal in previous years, their present total aggregating £1664, while three of such funds have been closed during the year, after having fulfilled their purpose. The report of the annuity board—widows and orphans and aged Masons' fund— that 35 widows, orphans, or aged members of the craft are in receipt of annuities ranging from £52 a year downwards, according to the circumstances of the recipients, the total annual amount of such allowance being £845. The capital value of the annuity fund is now £24,448. and over and above the present outgoing there is a margin of £216 per annum for the creation of new annuities. The voluntary contribution of lodges to the fund during the year was £1421, of which the Auckland district lodges found £385, those of Canterbury £297, the Wellington lodges £258, and Otago £144. The total amounts to the wedit of the several "funds at March 31 were as follows : —Widows and orphans and aged Masons' fund, £24,448; fund of benevolence. £3914; circular appeals, £1664; special (war) benevolent fund, £898; representation fund, £512; general fund, £3938.

War Benevolent Fund. Last August, shortly after the outbreak of war, the grand master addressed a circular to the lodges advocating the necessity for the establishment of a special fund to provide for the needs of members of the craft who may return from the front wounded, sick, or otherwise disabled, and to provide assistance for relatives of Freemasons who may perish in the war. Lodges are raising funds for he purpose in various methods. Up to April 10, the latest date to which returns are yet available, the amount provided for this special fund amounted to £1353, and no doubt further accumulation will be heard of before the present communication closes.

New Masonic District. Other matters disclosed by the various reports, apart from subjects only of interest within the craft, are as follows:—

A proposal for the creation of a new Masonic district, to be known as Ruapehu, and to extend from tho Manawatu River to the border of Taranaki, is approved by the board of general purposes. There are known to be about 200 members of the craft at the seat of war, and at least another 100 undergoing training at frenth ira.

A sum of £100 lias been forwarded to the Grand Lodge of France to assist it in earring out its scheme for (1) an ambulance for wounded, without distinction of nationality or religion; (2) a service of free meals; and (3) a service of domestic help for sick women. The next annual communication will, in the ordinary course, be held in Auckland.