ORANGE GRAND LODGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2288, 6 January 1898, Page 21

ORANGE GRAND LODGE.

The Grand Orange Lodge of the Middle Island of New Zealand met at Rakaia on Ihe 28fch and 29fch ulfc. Th/tre were present— The Right Worshipful Grand Master, Bro. Mather, and P.G. Masters Bros. Tollerton, Carrick, Douglass, Mahan, Mills, and Nelson, alco 80 delegates representing the various lodges under their jurisdiction. A large amount of correspondence was dealt with, including a letter from Bro. John A. Baker, Grand Secretary of Victoria, as to tho advisableness of promoting a ppirit of research and inquiry amongst members and fcieuda, and calling for a series of competitive essays dealing with various matters of interest to tha members of the institution and Protestants generally ; a'so, from the Imperial Graud Master, the Earl of Erne, replying to the address of congratulation to- her Majesty on her Diamosd Jubilee ; also a reply from his Excellency the Governor as to the address to him on his arrival in Christchurch from N). 9 district. At the request of No. 55, Wesfcport Lodge, the Grand Master presented Bro. Ervin, of Timara, with a beautiful gold pendant, an emblem of tho order. He also, on behalf of the Rakaia Lodg-a, presented Past Master Bro. G. E. Smith wi.th a P.M. certificate. Bco. Gregg, of Timaru, presented the Right Worshipful Grand Master, Bro. Mather, with a beautifully-framed photo of the Protestant Brass Band of Timaru, he being the band's president.

The financial statement was read by the Grand Secretary, and adopted. Other reports were also considered, and the election of officers then took place and rt suited as fo'lows : Bro. Hilton, No. 13 of Timaru, Grand Ma3tcr ; Bro. George Mangin, No. 5 Sfe. Albaos, Deputy Grand Master ; Bro. James Caygill, No. 3 Canterbury Tcue Blues, re-elected Grand Secretary ; Bro. Dysart, No. 11 Courtenay, Grand Treasurer ; Bro. Lyon, Christchurch No. 1 Maiden City, Grand Chaplain; R<sv. Bro. Brook, Grand Ch-jplain ; Bro. J. J. Parker, No. 1 Maiden City, Grand Chaphio ; Bro. L. R. Beresford, No. 12 Lodge, Grand Chaplain ; Bro. Cunningham, No. 1 Maiden City, Grand Chaplain ; Bro. Gregg, of Timaru, Grand Foreman of Committee ; Bro. Mills, Grand Committseman ; Bco. M&han, Grand ComoiUteemaa ; Bro. Irwin, Grand Committeeman ; Bro. Davidson, Grand Or mmitteeman ; Bro. J. M.Douglass, Grand Auditor ; Bro. Kinnimont, Grand Auditor.

The reconsideration of the working of the district lodges was affirmed, to commence from next October. The Grand Lodge authorised the executive to initiate a scheme for the benefit of (he widaw or family of a deceased brother. Btro. Beresfoid gave his report of how the order was working in Eogland, Ireland, aod Scotland on his visit there. It was resolved — "That this Grand Lodge emphatically expresses its strong disapprobation of the insidious attempt to impair our nation&l system of education, built up at such material expense and to which the colony is bo much wedded, by the introduction of State aid to denominational schools in the Technical Education Bill before the House during the late session of Parliament, and further considers that had such a meisore passed into law it would have created widespread dissatisfaction agaiusi the administration of the Liberal Government ; and that this Grand Lodge, repress&ting 55 private lodges in it 3 juriedictioß, is determined to use every legitimate and constitutional means, political aud otherwise, to maiutain Ihe unity and integrity of the present system of national education, send to resist to the utmost of our power tny attempt to grant State aid to denominational schools." Votes o[ thanks wero given to the retiring officers aad the Rak&ia brethren for their hospitality. The Grand Master then installed the newly-elected officers. Th-3 next Grand Lodge meeting will bs held at Oanmu in December, 1893.