GRAND LODGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23866, 21 July 1939, Page 9

GRAND LODGE

NEW MASTER INSTALLED THE DUKE OF KENT KING PERFORMS CEREMONY (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, July 19. There was a memorable and impressive scene at Olympia on the occasion of the installation of the Duke of Kent as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, in succession to his great uncle, the Duke of Connaught, who occupied the position from 1901 to 1938. The dignified ceremony was witnessed by 1000 brethren froni all parts Of the world. United Kingdom applications for admittance were three times the number of the seats available, necessitating a ballot. The Duke of Kent was previously installed as head of the Royal Arch and Mark degrees. The Earl of Harewood, for the Grand Master, received deputations from overseas, including New Zealand. Australia. Canada. Scandinavia, Holland, and the United States. The King, heralded by a fanfare of trumpets and wearing Masonic regalia, received a great ovation as he slowly made his way to the dais. The Duke of Kent was similarly welcomed.

The King, speaking from the Grand Master’s throne, recalled that, except for a period of 30 years, a member of the royal house had occupied the Grand Master’s throne for over a century and a-half, during which English Freemasonry had prospered remarkably. “It will be no easy task for any Mason to follow in the footsteps of Edward VII and the Duke of Connaught,” he said, “ but I have every confidence that you will succeed in the office to which you have been elected.” While the Duke of Kent knelt before him, the King administered the historic Grand Master’s obligation, thep the Duke was invested with the regalia, of office and took his seat on the throne. After this followed addresses from representatives of foreign and overseas Empire countries

Lord Bledisloe, Sir Stephen Allen, and Mr J. W. Jack represented New Zealand.