MASONIC GRAND LODGE

Otago Witness, Issue 3348, 15 May 1918, Page 21

MASONIC GRAND LODGE

ANNUAL COMMUNICATION. WELLINGTON, May 8. At the ( annual communication of tho Masonic Grand I/od-ge of New Zealand, Mr Justice Herdman was unanimously chosen as Grand Master. As with all other institutions, the influence of the war is to be seen in nearly every department of Maeonio work. For instance, the roll of members of New Zealand lodges who have gone to the front shows already a total of nearly two thousand, and is being augmented with the despatch of each contingent. Further, the institution is putting forth its share of effort for the carrying on of tho war and provision for the future of those who suffer from it« effects.

The War Benevolent Fund, which was started by voluntary effort soon after the outbreak of hostilities, has now reached a total of £11,523, and tho need of adding to it is being kept under the notice of the lodges and their component members. At the seat of war there is a New Zealand Expeditionary Forces' Masonic Association, of which Colonel George Barclay ie the official head, which serves to keep the soldier-Masons in close relationship with each other.

Again, the central body has, in tho investment of its accumulated funds, been able to help substantially tho raising of the dominion's war loans, a sum of £13,700 being now invested in that direction, while £101) has been donated to the Red Cross Fund.

The latest wax development of the craft is the establishment of what is - known as the Masonic cheer-o hutment scheme. A circular letter was recently issued to the lodges inviting them to contribute to a fund for the maintenance of one or more huts as near the fighting line as military rule would permit. Tho fund is as yet only in process of accumulation, and up to March 31 £351 had reached tho Masonic head office.

the subject states that the replies to the circular indicate that it has struck a responsive chord in the hearts of the members, and it seems probable that sufficient will be provided to maintain several hutments. The idea at the root of the scheme is that, at such huts, all soldiers of the Allied Forces shall bo able to obtain light refreshments and a cheery word when going into or returning from battle, such refreshments to bo supplied absolutely free of charge. The hutment already opened is in the New Zealand artillery area, and it is being managed by the Y.M.C.A., under an arrangement made by the Board of General Purposes. An announcement placed in or near the .hut indicates that those obtaining rest and refreshment there are the guests of the Freemasons of New Zealand. Tho financial statement for tho year shows that tho amounts to tho credit of the different funds or the craft now represent a total of £53,088, of which the principal headings show as follow: —General fund, £4937; fund of benevolence, £2797; widows and orphans and aged Masons' fund, £31,594; special war benevolent fund, £11,523; circular appeal funds, £1297; representation fund, £693; Masonic hutment fund, £226. '-* Tho principal benevolent work of the craft is still done through the widows and orphans and aged Masons' fund, the furtherance of which has been one of the principal objects sought by New Zealand freemasonry. Out of tho interest earnings of the accumulated fund there is now being paid £1285. a year in annuities, ranging from £52 a year downwards. The present recipients number 49 persons, and include some 18 women and children, besides aged members of the craft.

Out of the earnings of the fund of benevolence a sum of £398 has been expended during the year in the relief of 27 cases of urgent necessity. The Board of Benevolence has also in its charge the administration of 16 funds created from th,i proceeds of circular appeals address.; to the lodges for the relief of of distress that required more generous treatment, and two other civ-Cuiar appeal funds are now in course of subscription. The Town Hall was well filled to-night, when tho ceremony of installing Bro. Herdman into the office of Grand Master was carried out. After his enthronement, the new Grand Master announced his appointment of R.W. Bro. Judah H. Kcosing (Wanganui) as Deputy Grand Master, and that officer was duly "invested and inducted. Provincial Grand Masters for tho year wore appointed and invested a 3 follow:—-Auckland, M.W. Bro. O. Nicholson; Wellington, R.W. Bro. J. W. Ellison : Canterbury, W. Bro. Kenneth Mackenzie (Deputy); Otago. R.W. Bro. Hawcridge; West Coast, R.W. Bro.-R, 11. Richmond; Nelson and Marlborough, R.W. Bro. C H. Mills; Southland, R.W. Bro. A. le 11. IToyles; Hawke's Bav. R.W. Bro. H. L. Harston; Toranaki, RW. Bro. R. W. Sargent; Ruapehu, R.W. Bro. D. J. P. M'Farinnc; Senior Oand Warden, R.W. Bro. C. M Pap-o (Auckland) ; Junior Grand Warden, R.W. Bro. Alfred E. Smith (Invcrcargul). M.W. Bro. M. Niccol holds from year to year tho office of Grand Secretory. May 9. The Masonic Grand Lodge has concluded its session.

A motion in favour of the permanent location of tho Grand Lodge Office in Wellington wae negatived. ft was decided that members of lodges contribute 2s per annum to the widows and orphans' fund and aged Masons' fund, in addition to the amounts given now at installation meetings.