OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19544, 29 July 1925, Page 5

OBITUARY.

LEADER OF FREEMASONS. DEATH OF MR M. NICCOL. There will be general mourning throughout the Freemasonry of New Zealand over the death of one of the most distinguished members of tho craft in the dominion —the man, indeed, who did moro for its organisation throughout New Zealand than any other of the many Masonic worthies who founded the Grand Lodge of New Zealand in 1890 —Mr Malcolm Niccol, formerly Grand Master, and after that Grand Secretary of tho territory, who, since his retirement from office, had lived quietly at Epsom, Auckland, where he passed peacefully away yesterday morning. Between 30 and 40 years ago, Mr Niccol ■was one of tho conspicuous business men of Auckland, and a member of the principal local bodies of tho V>aitemata. He was born in Auckland in ISaa, the second son of Mr Henry Niccol, a well-known shipbuilder of the early days. After receiving education at Corrie’s school, he spent five years in the employment of Messrs Cruick•shank, Smart, and Go., merchants and shipowners, and then set up in business on his own account as a ship-chandler, shipbroker, and agent. Eventually he narrowed clown his scope by cutting off the snipchandler branch, but he remained a shipbroker almost to the time when Auckland ceased to be his regular home, and he undertook the important office which made him a Now Zealander in a wider sense than over before in that he made his homo for periods of two years in each of the four principal centres.

In business life Mr Niccol did not achieve, fortune. Possibly in that respect ho suffered from the very effects of his chief characteristic, bis kindliness of nature, which would never allow him to take on ihaf hardness of aspect which is often necessary in business. At any rale, tho fact remains that he quitted the commercial walk with no accumulations of wealth worth the mentioning. It was when he undertook the Grand Secretaryship of the Masonic Grand Loodge that he found his real metier. He seemed tho very man designed for the office. Prior to this ho had been for many years an enthusiastic Freemason —had been Master of lodges under all three constitutions in and around Auckland and field high office. When (he craft in New Zealand, in the ‘'eighties,” began to discuss tho question of self-government—of forming, amongst the lodges m the country that then owed allegiance to tho Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, and Scotland, a national Grand Lodge that, should establish for Now Zealand tho institutions which give effect to the fundamental principles of Freemasonry, Jsv the provision of benevolent schemes resembling those of which the Alother Country itself is so proud—Mr griecol threw himself heart and soul into the movement. As regards the Auckland provincial district, indeed, ho was one of its foremost promoters, and its chief apostle, and his personal popularity among his brethren went far to ensure its success in that part of the colony. He was an influential member of the several conventions held in Wellington at which the banner of independence was first raised. When, in 1890. the Grand Lodge of New Zealand came into being he was the first Grand Superintendent—as the chief provincial officers now denominated Provincial Grand Masters were then called—for Auckland. Then, when the first Grand Master. Mr Henry Thomson, of Christchurch, laid down the reins of office, the unanimous choice ot the craft throughout tho territory fell upon Mr Niccol, who consequently became the second Grand Master of New Zealand. Into this office he carried tho conciliatory policy and which was always the main feature of his dealings with his follow-men. Alwavs courteous and kindly in controlling a meeting, withal firm in his rulings, lie won the popularity throughout the lodges from North Auckland to the Bluff which was afterwards confirmed and so long sustained when he undertook administrative office. Tn 1900 the position of Grand Secretary fell vacant, through tho retirement of the Rev, William Ronaldaon. The eyes of Freemasons throughout New Zealand immediately fell upon Mr Niccol as the man most suited to succeed to tho responsibilities. Never was choice moro happily made. Tho man and tho office fitted each other like hand and glove. Air Niccol at once took in hand the organisation of Grand Lodge administration upon a basis which made it one of the most methodical and orderly systems in the dominion. Lodges found their needs, so far as they were provided for from the central office, catered for as never before. Mr Xiccol and bis Ktiiff -were soon the real motive power of (lie orafl. It would not be too much to say that tho bounding progress of Alnsonic affairs during the 21 years for which ho held tho reins was largely duo to his personal efforts. Tho enthusiasm ot the lodges in the territory and tho prosperity of (ho country accounted for much, but Mr Nicrol’s was the guiding hand and the driving force, and his influence meant a groat deal.’ To him tho governing hoards of tho craft of which, by virtue of his status ns a Past Grand Alaslcr, and also as Grand Secretary, ho was an- ex oflicio member, looked for leadership in all matters in which Alasonic precedent was concerned. On questions of Masonic jurisprudence ho was an authority. But his greatest asset was his conciliatory manner. When delicate questions of Masonic precedence arose, as they sometimes do, Mr Niccol was sure to he able to find a way cf smoothing out the difficulties in a manner that left all parties to tho difference equally satisfied. . . In his term of office, which covered the period when the newly-established Grand Lodge had just gained the recognition of (ho Mother Grand Lodges, and those throughout tho world there were often problems which involved correspondence with sister grand bodies, and were argued by some of tho most eminent lawyers in the world, men steeped in Masomo lore. This was a task that called for the exercise of both deep knowledge and clover diplo■naev and imposed heavy responsibility upon’the Grand Secretary In neither respect was Mr Niccol found wanting. H.s was the task of directing, and draftang such correspondence, and he invariably discharged it with dignity and firmness ami with access of respect for the Grand Lodge he so ably served. Did the Alaslcr of any lodge meet with difficulty in matters Rising in his own district, a reference to the Grand Secretary was sure to set him right. £ho central office, in fact, became what it is still, a wise guide to the craft throughout New Zealand. , . Tho enduring monument, however, to his services to the craft is the Widows an Orphans and Aged Masons’.Fund of Grand I oclire tho principal benevolent scheme that New Zealand Freemasonry has so far produced. This scheme, for the creation by voluntary subscription of a fund out of the interest earnings of which annuities could he granted to aged members of the institution, and the widows and orphans of members, was originally the proposition of Air Niccol. He has lived te see its funds accumulate to the extent of about £6O, and to see something like 120 old people, widows, and children benefiting to tho extent of annuities aggregating some £4566, and also to have the satisfaction of knowing that the fund is being supported by tho lodges throughout the Alnsonic territory with the same enthusiasm as when lie first launched the idea. Tho peripatetic svstem under which Alasonic government is carried on in this country —the office being stationed for two years at a time in each of the four main centres, —inaih Air N'eeol one of the bestknowu men in the dominion, both inside the 'waft and beyond it. No Die- was better known than his in any of tho lodges of (he territory, and no presence _ moro welcome. When age and increasing infirmity crept upon him, he was for a time furnished with an Assistant Gravid Secretary, in tho person of Air George Barclay. who eventually succeeded to the principal office. But at (he annual Communication of Grand Lodge, held in Auckland in Alav, 192 J,, the veteran officer felt constrained to resign his position finally. After a debate distinguished by generous recognition of his eminent services, and of his zeal, tact, diplomatic powers, and the heavy debt of gratitude duo to him from the craft, his resignation was accepted, and ho was voted a superannuation annuity for life, frinco then Mr Niccol lived quietly at his home in Epsom, and gradually failed in health and strength until now the end came yesterday morning. AIR THOMAS ROSS BURT. Air Thomas Ross Burt, eldest son of tho late Thomas Burt, who wa.s one of the founders of the firm of A. and T. Burt, died yesterday morning. Deceased, who was the firm’s works manager, served his apprenticeship with the firm of A. and T Burt (Ltd.), and ultimately became one of the directors of the concern. He was for several rears in the employ of the Union Steam Shin Company as an engineer, and subsequently served in the Government

Railway AA r otkshops at Newmarket (Auckland), and at Hillside, for the purpose of acquiring locomotive experience. Thereafter he was appointed the firm’s works manager, about 30 years ago, and hold this position up to the time of his death. He was connected with the Volunteering movement in Otago, but did not take any active part in public, affairs. Up to Friday last he enjoyed good health, and that afteincon, accompanied by a son and a daughter, he went to his residence at Broad Bay. On Saturday ho had a serious fall, and was attended by Dr James Fitzgerald, who ordered his removal to a private hospital. His condition becoming serious, he was transferred to the Public Hospital, where he died. An inquest was opened before Air J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., sitting as coroner, yesterday afternoon, when formal evidence of identification was given by Andrew G. Alelville, deceased’s brother-in-law, and the proceedings were adjourned sine die. Deceased is survived by his wife and a grown-up family. One of his sons, Air Gordon Burt, is at present in Great Britain, and according to latest advices was joining Algarasson’s expedition to the Arctic regions. AIR WALTER NICOL. Air AANiler Nicol (formerly of Kaihiku), wlio died at the residence of his daughter (Mrs D. Scott) at Bnlclutha on Satm-day afternoon, at the advanced ago of 82 yean, was entitled to rank among the “old identities” of the Olutl-.a. Air Nicol was a native of Innerleithen, Pncblcs-shire, Scotland, and came to Otago in 1358 in the ship Three Bolls. He was a carpenter by trade, and for many years worked at his trade both in Dunedin and in the Glut ha. district, and in Southland. He helped to build the first, bridge over the Mataura River and the accommodation house there. In 1060 he was engaged in building additions to the school residence at AVarepa, and he also was employed at the building of the Crown Hotel in Balelutha in 1863. In 1864 he was married to Miss Macdonald, and some rears afterwards engaged in farming at Kaihiku. It was while farming that Mr Nicol began to take a live interest in local politics, and in November. 19-92, he was elected as representative of Richardson Riding on the Clu'.lfa County Council, a position ho held for 15 years, or until 1917. ft was on October 25, 1917, that he attended his last meeting as a member of the council. He was a good councillor, and in 1909 and again in 1915 was chairman of that body, and tho council parted from him in 1917 with many expressions of regret. Tn 1920 Air Nicol retired from farming, and bad lived quietly at Balelutha since, with the exception of a winter spe"t in the North Island wirii Mr James TTLlnp. of Kaitaugat a. Airs Nicol predeceased her husband three years ago. A grown-up family of seven sons and one daughter ;,'-e left to mourn. Teer are-\lioq-s .Times Nicol (Waiwer.i). Donald and AValter (AA'aiweral, Lance (Tapanui', Hugh (AVniweral, Alexander (Invercargill). John (AYaiwera). and Airs D, Scott (Balelutha).