MASONIC GRAND LODGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21347, 23 November 1932, Page 12

MASONIC GRAND LODGE

SESSION IN AUCKLAND

OPENING THIS MORNING

GOVERNOR-GENERAL TO PRESIDE

Freemasons from all parts of tho Dominion are assembling in Auckland for tlie annual communication of tlie Grand Lodge of New Zealand, which will open io-dny. The gathering, which is best described as the annual parliament of tho fraternity, normally is held in each of the four main centres once in four years, but it is only Ihreo years since tho last communication was in Auckland. This year's meeting will bo the 43rd of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.

Each of (.lie 300 lodges affiliated with the order throughout New Zealand is entitled to send a delegate, and, in spite of the economic it is anticipated that the majority of lodges will be represented. There arc 81 lodges in the Auckland Province alone and delegates from the South Island have been arriving in Auckland during tho past few days. Tho Grand Master, the Governor-Gen-eral, Lord Bledisloe, will preside over the sessions and at a ceremony in the Town Hall this evening will bo installed for a third term of office. On tho last occasion on which the Masonic parliament sat in Auckland, in 1929, the previous GovernorGeneral, Sir Charles Fergusson, was officially farewelled by members of tho craft. Ho had held tho office of grand master since 1925.

No questions of outstanding importance for the future of the order are coming up for discussion this year and it is ©xpected that the business will be largely of a routine nature. The business session will open at ten o'clock this morning in the Freemasons' Hall, St. Benedict Street, and if necessary it will be continued tomorrow, although there is a likelihood that the work will be completed on the opening day. Wives of delegates will bo entertained this afternoon, a motor drive round the city and suburbs having been arranged, with tea at tho Mount Eden tea kiosk. In tho evening they will visit the Civic Theatre. A harbour excursion fer delegates and their wives has been arranged ior to-morrow afternoon and in the evening a concert and dance will bo held in the Town Hall.

Tho headquarters of the order, where its business is conducted under the direction of the grand secretary, Mr. G. Barclay, has been transferred to Auckland froin (Jhristchurch, and will remain hero for two years.