GRAND MASONS' LODGE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10764, 11 May 1911, Page 6

GRAND MASONS' LODGE.

(Per Press Association.) Christchurek, May 10. The annual communication of the Grand Masonic Lodge was opened in the Choral Hall this afternoon. It was the, largest gathering of its kind yet held in the Dominion. .About 250 members were present, including the direct representatives 01 183. lodges from towns as far north as Mongonui and as far south as Invercargill. The Grand Master (W.M. Bro. C. J. W. Griffiths, of Blenheim), occupied the throne. The proposed transfer of £2OOO from the capital of the Fund of Benevolence to the Widows and Orphans and Aged Masons' Fund was unanimously approved, niul.it was .promised that the Board of General Purposes would consider the question 'of -devising means for. regularly and systematically raising means .-for the augmentation of the annuity fund. The suggestion that the next annual communication he held at Dunedin was agreed to: Bro. Arthur T. Clarke, A.C.A., was appointed auditor for the ensuing year. The attendance in the evening was considerably swollen ."by an influx of members of the craft from the Christchurch lodges, and those in the other towns of the provincial district! The hall was well filled, both on the floor and in the gallery. "When the Grand Lodge resumed W.M. Bro. Malcolm Niccol, Senior Past Grand Master of the Dominion, assumed the throne on the re-opening of the proceedings. " The Provincial Grand Lodge of Canterbury- was stronglv represented, and the 11.W.M... Bro. M. Brown, Deputy District Grand Master, of Canterbury Freemasons under the Euglreh Constitution, was present, attended by a retinue of District Grand Officers. The re-installation of W.M. Bro. ('. J. W. Griffiths as Grand Master was carried out with dignity by W.M. Broil. J. Williams, Past P.G.M., the musical contributions of a strong choir and orchestra materially enhancing the impressiveness of the ceremonial work. The announcement- was made by the Grand Master of his appointment of R.W- Bro. J. J. Dougall, of Christchurch, to the office of Deputy Grand Master; R.W.. Bro. George Barclev (Auckland) as Senior Grand Warden; and of R.W. Alfred Field wick (Dunedin) as Junior Grand Warden. These several officers were duly invested and inducted. The Grand Master, in his address to the gathering, said the Grand Lodge had. now nearly 12,000 members and possessed funds to the amount of between £24,000 and £25,000. Without being ostentatious they might fairly sav that these facts were matters for fraternal congratulations. The past year had been one of -peaceful, steady, and uninterrupted progress, .both numericallv and financially. The opening ot twelve new lodges within twelve months established a record, and the fact that for the ninth vear in succession every lodge was clear on the books spoke volumes for the healthy condition of the craft.