NEW ZEALAND GRAND MASONIC LODGE. Christchurch, April 29.

Otago Witness, Issue 1891, 1 May 1890, Page 15

NEW ZEALAND GRAND MASONIC LODGE. Christchurch, April 29.

The first communication of the New Zealand Grand Masonic Lodge was opened in SI. Augustine Hall to-night. There was a largo attendance, representing all parts of the colony. The following oce-ipied official j/vsitions in the Grand Lodge for the evening : — Acting master, R.W. Bro. E. T.GUlon (Wellingtrn) ; D.G.M. Bro. Vmcenb Fyke (Dunedin); senior warden, Bio. Da Reuzy (Duuudin); junior warden, Bro. Hamilton (Wellington); senior deacon, Bro. Waikley (Paltnerston) ; junior deacon, Bro. Symous (Auckland) ; grand treasurer, Bro. Kirton (Feildiug) ; secretary, Bro. Gpo. Robertson (Wellington;; pursuivant, Bro. Lindsay (Wellington) ; grand sword-bearer, Bro. George Fiaher (Wellington), Proclamation of the opening of the Grand Lodge was made by R.W. Bro. R. C. Bishop. The brethren present then confirmed the election of R.W. Bro. H. Thompson as first graud master. The Executives Committee presented a report detailing the steps taken to establish the Grand Lodge. Tho report was received, and tho basis of union recommended by the convention provisionally accepted, subject to further consideration and adoption by the Graud Lodge. Ib was decided to substitute " proviucial" for " district" grand lodges, and to increase the number of stewards to 20

The following officers were unanimously elected :— Deputy grand master, A. S. Russell, Auckland ; senior grand warden, H. Felil-.viok, M.H.K , Invcrcnrgill; junior grand warden, D. H. M.-icnrtbur, M H.K, , Fcikiing ; grand treasurer, A. Kaye, Chri.stcburch ; grnuri registrar, J Joyce, M.H.R., Curistchurch ; {jrnnrt Secretory, Rev. W. Ronaldson, Dunedin ; grand, chaplaiu, R^v. W. E. Pago, Masterton ; prosideufc of .tho Board of General Purposes, C. A. (!. Harday, IWcaia; president of the Board of Bancvolence, A. R. Kirk, Ghristchurch; senior grand deacnu, L. Boor, Nelson; junior grand dpaeoa, R I'ricp, Nnpier ; superintendent of works, J. B. M'Kftlvey, Dun-> edin ; director of ceremonies, H. J. William?, Wellington ; Bible-hearer, T. L. Murray, Thames ; standard-bearer, G. C. Fownos, Wellington ; pursuivant;, A. Kidd, Auckland ; organist. A. J. Birth, Dunedin ; sword-bearer, W. W De Castro, Blenheim; fcyW, 0. B. BriggH, Cbristcljurcb ; assistant standard-bearer, W. Craig) Auckland ; assistant sword-bearer, J. Page, Auckland ; nssntant registrar, J, H. Hawkins, P.ilmeri-ton North; assistant director of cerenionie", T F. Dod i, R-.lolutha ; assistant secretary, W. H. Coopt-r, Auckland. Grand stewards— C. Gilbertson, luvercargill; G. E(!gecumbe, Hamilton; H, Oaplin, Hawera; N. Grac", Oarterton ; T. Carr, Wellington; F. J. Dnves P'tone; F. E. Bridge, Reefcori ; J, A. Kirby, Buuedin ; J, Rogers, Kumora; R. Bree, Gore; 0. Hull, Ohristfibureh ; J Grubh, LyfcMton; T. Bland Bninnerton ; Shearing, Tayauui ; Wr.lkley, Palmer?ton North; Orurnp. Palmerston South; Bray, FtiUling ; Dalrymplc, Ma&terton ; King, Coromande) ; H. S. Valentino, M.H.R., Gore. Stineriritenu'euta of districts :— Auckland, Malcolm Niccol ; Wellington (not filled) ; Ofcago, A. Burton, Duuedin ; Southland, W. H. Hall, Invercargill. Resolutious were a lopt d establishing board 3 of general purposes and benevolence, securing the contiuu-uoe of acquired rank, and appointing a committee oouhisting of Bros. Gillon, Hamilton, and Robertson, to draft the constitution. The question of clothing and jewels was reFirred to the Board of General Purposes. The salary of the grand secretary was fixed at £250 per annum.

" Young Ladies' Journal " recommends Sun light Soap for washing delicate f abrics.— [ Advt. A detective and lawyer's clerk, who succeeded in unearthing Joseph Thomas Levien working at a mill in Kaituna Vallpy, Marlborough, heir to a property worth £75,000 in Sydney, left for Sydney on Monday. Matters are all in trim for the trustee handing it over to Levien. The property was left by Levieu'a grandfather, Mr Roberts.

News from the Islands states that the Berlin Treaty was assented to by the Samoan nation on the 19bh iust., when it was signed by Malietoa and the three consuls. Flogging baa been introduced into Samoa by the king, and during this month a notorious thief was publicly flogged in the presence of a large body of natives and white men, the Amerioan and German vice-cousula being also present.