BUILDERS OF THE SILENT CITIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20316, 26 January 1928, Page 6

BUILDERS OF THE SILENT CITIES.

A NEW MASONIC LODGE. ITS CONSECRATION. {From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, December 14. The consecration took place in London on the evening of December 5 of the Lodge of the Builders of the Silent Cities, whose members have to do in some form or other with the setting up and maintenance of the war cemeteries in the various countries where British troops fell, including France, Gallipoli, Egypt, Palestine, and Italy, and also in the United Kingdom, where many who died of wounds are buried. This lodge was consecrated by the Grand Lodge of England. The grand secretary, Sir Colville Smith, was the chief consecrating officer. Its number is 4948. The first master is Sir Herbert F.llisen, who is the financial adviser to the Imperial War Graves Commission, a body created bv Imperial Statute, which directs British war graves’ operation, and whose chairman is Sir Fabian Ware. Sir James Parr, High Commissioner for New Zealand, represents New Zealand on the commission. The consecration service was most impressively performed. Reference was made to the special character of the new lodge, it being described a s a link with the war and the great dead of all the dominions. The grand master of on e ot the most important French Orders of Masonry was present. Sir James Parr, responding to the toast pf the visitors at the subsequent banquet in the Connaught Rooms', said that New Zealanders were keenly interested in the new lodge, because its members were men who were actually doing very fine work and performing a sacred duty in keeping the graves of New Zealand soldiers in first-rate order. It was good that such a great task should have the active assistance of Masonry, for the work would be done conscientiously. Sir James referred to the consecration service as the most impressive Masonic function he had’ever witnessed, and he conveyed the fraternal greetings of all New Zealand Masons to the new Lodge of the Builders of the trilent Cities.