MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1262, 7 May 1896, Page 13

MASONIC GRAND LODGE.

The sixth annual communication of tho Grand Lodge of Ancient, Freo and Aceepfod Masons of New Zealand was commenced in tho Dunedin Choral Hall on Thursday afternoon. Thoro was a large attendance of brethren from all parts of the Colony, M.W. Bro. .Malcolm Niocol (Ar.t'dand), Past Grand Master, presiding. After tho Grand Lodge had been opened, tho Grand Master referred to the severe loss that .Masonry and the Grand Lodgo had suffered by the death of Bro. Gillon, and 11. W. Bro. 11. J. Williams moved the following resolution :—"That this Grand Lodgo in session assembled express their deep sense of the loss sustained by Freemasonry in New Zealand in the death of Bro. Gillon, Past Grand Master, and that their sincere and heartfelt sympathy he forwarded to his family." M.W. Bro. 11. Thomson seconded the motion, and after Bro. Niccol had spoken, if was agreed to in silence, all tho brethren

standing. The report of tho Board of Benevolonco stated that, the hoard hud voted A'liO for tho IJnnmer Fund —the maximum amount under

the constitution. Tho beard congratulated the Grand Lodge on the steady increase of their benevolent funds, tho balance to credit now standing at J.TL';>7 ITs od. The circular letter on behalf of the special fund for Masonic widows and orphans resulted iu an addition of more than JJlflO to the fund. Tho balanc-shcet for 15 months was adopted.lt showed that flit asset s exceeded tho liabilifes by .£l3lß 18s lOd. The sum of £307 15s O'd is on deposit. The credit iu respect to tho benevolence fund was £%l !*s 7d, and there was .i'L'73 7s 10(1 on deposit to tho credit of the widows'and orphans' fund. The report of the Board of General Purposes was adopted, with slight alterations. Correspondence was still proceeding with reference to the proposed formation of a lodgo at h'aralongu. It was resolved that tho office of tho Grand Lodge bo removed to Dunedin, and romaiii then; till otherwise ordered.

The following recommendation from the Board of General Purposes was unanimously agreed to.- —That tho Grand Lodgo appropriate asum not exceeding ,£SO, to provide a headstone and suitable railing to tho grave of tho late Bro. E. T. Gillon, P.G.M., in commemoration of his many services to tho Grand Lodge, and in fraternal respect to his memory.

P.M., lire. William Barron, R.W.P.P.G. 'Warden, S.C., was unanimously elected Grand Master for the ensuing term. Tho V.W. Grand Chaplain mentioned that it was a curious fact that it was U.W.M. Bro. liarron who initiated lire. V). T. Gillon into Freemasonry. The Grand Mistcr-dcsignata was then announced, and introduced to tho Grand Lodgo by K.W., Bro. A. 11. liurton. At the evening sitting, it. was decided to hold the next communication in New Plymouth in October.

The Hoard of General Purposes was directed to make enquiries with respect to registering the Grand Lodge under the Unclassified Societies Act. Bro. W. liarron was then installed as Grand Master for tho ensuing term by Bro. 11. Thomson : who also invested Bro. Boor as Deputy Grand Master, and Bros. William Francis and Dr Walker as Senior and Junior Wardens respectively.

The other officers were invested by proclamation as follows:—Grand Snpeniiten-dents-Bros. Niccol, Auckland; It. J. Williams, Wellington ; J. J. M. Hamilton, Canterbury; R, Brcc, Southland; W. Beilhy, Hawko's Bay and Gisborno; 11. L. Michel, Nelson and W'csf Coast. Grand Chanlains— Lev. Tenfold, Auckland: I). J. Murray, Canterbury; A. Thomson, Wellington ; Archdeacon Stoeker, Otago and Southland. Grand Treasurer, 11. 11. Inglis, Otago; I.'egistrar, A. G. Crciigh : president Board General Purposes, A. If. Burton; secretary, Rev. W. Ronaldson ; President Board of Benevolence, J. A. Kirby. .Senior Deacons —James Grtibb, Canterbury ; Henry J. Freeman, Wellington. Junior Deacons -W. Day, Auckland ; T. W. L.'coe.j, Hawko's Bay and Gisborno. Superintendent of Works, ' G. W. tare, Auckland; As-i -tant-Soerotary, W. Giffens, Cantcisbury ; Director of Ceremonies, W. .Smith,Southland ; Assistant-Director of Ceremonies, J. T. King, Wellington; Bible bearer. L.T. Williams,Auckland ; Sword-hearer, J. Frame, Canterbury ; Assistant Sword-bearer, G. M. Iteid, Auckland ; Standard-bearer, T. P. Covenoy, Wellington ; Assistant Standard-bearer, J. Boor, Nelson and We. t Coast; Organist, G. W. Williamson, Hawko's Bay; Pursuivant, W. Gallon, Wellington. Grand Stewards— G. P. Johnston. 1). McFarlano, A. McKouzie (Southland) and W. Clarkson (Otago). Board of General Purposes—J. Carlaw, Auckland ;0. P. Curtis. Canterbury ; T. B. Salmon. Wellington , J. .1. Pickett, Hawko's Bay and Gisborne. and eleven members from Otago and Southland. Board of Benevolence—E. M. Page, Auckland; G. E.. Collins, Canterbury ; A. Smart, Wellington ; K. A. Dawson, Kelson ; and eleven members from Otago and Southland.

Tho newly-installed Grand Master then delivered an address, in the course of which ho regretted that they did not find, as in other colonics, leading professional men taking part in the proceedings of the Lodge. A banquet was afterwards held.