MASONIC GRAND LODGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18724, 30 November 1922, Page 8

MASONIC GRAND LODGE

GOVERNOR-GENERAL AS GRAND MASTER. ANNUAL COMMUNICATION, A PROSPEROUS INSTITUTION. (From Our Special Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, November 29. The attendance at the annual communication of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Now Zealand held in Christchurch to-day was probably the largest yet known since the constitution of Grand Lodge 32 years ago. Mr T. Ross, the Grand Master of the last two and a-half years, presided and every seat in the big Masonic Hall was occupied, ELECTION OF GRAND MASTER. As the first business of the day Viscount Jellicoo was elected Grand Master for the ensiling year. Immediately afterwards he entered the hall and sat on the loft of the Grand Master for the remainder of the business session.

Omitting the honorific prefixes usually employed among Freemasons themselves, the principal Grand Officers other than the Grand Master were as follows:—Pro. Grand Master, Mr H. L. Michel (West Coast); Grand Chaplains—the Rt. Rev. Bishop Sadlier (Nelson) and Rev. A. H. Norris (Canterbury); Grand Treasurer.-Mr W. E. Scott (Canterbury); Grand Registrar, Mr T. H. Williams (Cantebury); President of Board of General Purposes, Mr A. H. Hobbs (Canterbury); President of Board of Benevolence, Mr R, W. S. Eastwood (Canterbury); Grand Directors of Ceremonies, Messrs C. Flavell (Canterbury) and J. Rod (Wellington); Senior Grand Warden, Messrs, H. M. Gill, (Auckland) and A. Derbie (Southland); Junior Grand Deacons —Messrs F. W. Grainger (Taranaki) and P. M’Caskill (Otago). By unanimous resolution the rank of Past Grand Master and Honoris Causa was conferred upon' Mr Clifton Bingham (Christchurch). The reports of the various Boards ,of Grand Lodge were considered in detail and adopted. The amendments of the constitution were adopted, and provided for the election of four Grand Directors of Ceremonies, one for each of the main divisions of the territory, also for an Assistant Director of Ceremonies and an Assistant Secretary in craft lodges. The Grand Master thereupon announced his appointment as additional Grand Directors of Ceremonies of Messrs C. E. Dutton (Auckland), and W. R. Rusden (Southland). The question of formulating an improved system of election of Grand Lodge officers was debated, and eventually remitted to the Board of General Purposes for further consideration.

Another debate took place upon a motion for the permanent location of the Grand Lodge office in the one place, in lieu of the present peripatetic system. The feeling of the assembly was manifestly against the proposal, and finally it was shelved by a resolution to pass to the next business. Formal matters then concluded the legislative session. INSTALLATION CEREMONY.

LORD JELLICOE’S ENTHRONEMENT. The installation of Viscount Jellicoe as Grand Master took place in the Colliseum in the evening, in the presence of another record gathering of Freemasons. Among those present were the delegations from the Grand Lodges of Victoria and New South Wales. After his enthronement the Grand Master addressed the assemblage, first expressing his realisation of the responsibility of the office he had undertaken. His experience of Freemasonry, he proceeded, had been of the briefest, and he would not have dared to consent to nomination had it not been strongly represented to him that such action on his part would be generally welcomed, that it would bo for the benefit of the craft in New Zealand, and that the duties of Grand Master would in no wise conflict with those other duties appertaining to the office he had the honour to hold in the dominion. Referring to the presence of the Australian delegations Lord Jellicoe spoke of it as an honour paid to him* and to his brethren in New Zealand, which they all felt most deeply; first as an indication of the pronounced fraternal spirit prevailing among Freemasons, and secondly as exemplifying the sense of comradeship between the two sister dominions, which was typical of (ho Empire’s spirit. ‘T- ncecl hardly assure the brethren,’’ proceeded the Grand Master, “how deeply I feel the honour they have done mo in electing mo to lie the head of so important and flourishing a body as the Freemasons of New Zealand. The honour is due to the position' which I occupy in the dominion as representative of His Majesty, and that fact alone, and apart from my anxiety to do all in my power to advance (he groat principles of the craft, will inspire me to carry out my duties to the best of my ability. It- may appear almost presumptuous for a Freemason with my short experience to express opinions of Masonic life in , New Zealand, but I should like for a moment to touch upon the impressions which my al! too brief association with the craft have made upon my mind, perhaps because of my official post in the dominion. Tiie first thing that struck me is the loyalty of members of the craft. It is most conspicuous even in this conspicuously loyal dominion. Loyalty to the Throne and Empire is greatly fostered, I think, by the Empire-wide and indeed world-wide nature of our institution. It promotes unity by reason of the fellowship existing between members of the craft in all parts of the Empire. The social side of Masonry prorides an opportunity for interchange of views by opening doors which might otherwise be closed to those who visit other parts of the dominion or Empire, and unity between the different peoples composing cur great Empire is therefore stimulating. His Majesty the King is the symbol of that unity, and loyalty to the Throne is a manifestation of loyalty to the Empire. A second impression produced on my mind is the great value of the comradeship or brotherly love which is one of our principles, and which Masonic life does so much to encourage. This is of special importance in those days when there is almost universal unrest as the aftermath of the Great War. In a Masonic lodge all classes of the community meet in social intercourse. Here there arc gathered together men of all shades of political opinion, men belonging to all trades and all professions, employers and employed. What better medium can there be for the removal of misunderstandings and the promotion of good fellowship than the social intercourse afforded by Masonic lodges. A comradeship is produced which one can liken to that of life in ' the trenches during the war, and surely the results must be most beneficial to all. I confess that I look upon this feature of Masonic life, and especially at the present time, as of the groat set possible value, not only to the craft but to the community as a whole. It ia not necessary to do more than mention the impression made upon my mind by the part that religion plays in our ritual. “Lastly, I am immensely impressed with the value of the charitable side of Masonic work. Here, again, Masons are carrying out one of their great principles—that of reliof-7-vcry thoroughly and with great success."

After quoting tho figures shown in tho reports of tho boards of the Grand Lodge, tho Grand Master proceeded: “This is a record of which the brethren may well bo proud, especially when it is realised how the funds have grown since the establish-ment-of the Grand Lodge in 1890. It is with great pleasure I note the growth of Freemasonry in tho dominion. During tho 18 months ending Juno 30 last, 2956 new members have joined the lodges, an increase of nearly 12i per cent. This is a very clear and satisfactory indication of the respect in which Freemasonry is held in the dominion, and if tho 20,000 members of (he craft endeavour to act up to Masonic principles in their daily lives the example set to the whole community mush inevitably hear good fruit. I venture, therefore, to remind the brethren of the marked influence for good which they can exorcise in this land of great promise, by fulfilling their obligations. It, will then in very truth lie realised how great an honour it, is to become a member of the craft, and those who follow the example of the brethren will be known as true and upright, men and good citizens.” ■ ■ ' ■ The installation of the Grand Master - was carried out by the retiring Grand Master. Mr T. Ross, and that of Mr H. L. Michel ns Pro-Grand Master by Past Master Mr J. .1. Dougall. ' After his enthronement the Grand Master announced tho appointment of his principal officers ns follows: —Deputy Grand Master, Mr O. F,. W. G. H. Watts. (Dunedin); Provincial Grand Masters—Messrs O Nicholson (Auckland), George Russell (Wellington). O. H. Moller (Otago), W. A. Stout (Southland). J. H. Perrctt (Ruapehu). J. W. Ritchie (Hawke’s Bay). F. C. Wade (West Coast), R. P. Furness (Nelson and Marlborough). W. N. Ewing (Taranaki) ; wdiile Mr F. G., Bishop holds office in Canterbury' by virtue of his election by

the Provincial Grand Lodge of Canterbury; Senior Grand Warden, Mr G. W. Rogers (Taranaki); Junior Grand Warden, Mr G. A. Gribbin (Auckland). Nearly all those officers were present, and were invested. The investing officers wore Past Grand Masters Messrs M. Thompson, j. J. Doufall, A. L. Herdman, and S. C. Bingham; 'ro. Grand Master (Mr H. L. Michel), Mr J. J. Esson, P.D.G.M., besides the Deputy Grand Master of New South Wales (Mr John Goadston), and the Pro. Grand Master of Victoria (Mr F. T. Hickford). Congratulations were tendered to the Grand Master by the New Zealand representative of Grand Lodges throughout the Empire, and in the United States of America.