MASONIC GRAND LODGE

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 43

MASONIC GRAND LODGE

ANNUAL COMMUNICATION. (Fbom Oub Own Cobeespondent.) CHRISTUHUROH, May 28. The annual oommunication of the Masonio Grand Lodge of New Zealand was affected considerably aa to attendance" by the late arrival of tho steamers Maori and Mararoa. Most of the representatives of the North Island lodges were passengers by theso vessels, and did not reach Christchurch until all the business had been disposed of. M.W. ±sro. ths Hon. Mr Justice' Herdman presided as Grand Master. The continued prosperity and progress of tho Masonio institutions of the dominion, even under the stress of war conditions, are manifested in the reports presented. Both _in numerical strength and in financial accumulation, as well aa in the extension of works of benevolence and patriotism the Craft can point to an improvement of its position. Three new and promising lodges have been established in progressive districts. The aggregate funds show the largest increase made in any period in the 28 years' existence of tha Grand Lodge, with exception of 1915-16, when special efforts were set on foot to raise funds for the assistance of members of tho craft and their families who might suffer in the war — namely, £5578. The work of tho Craft has gone beyond the borders of New Zealand, and has contributed in some measure to tho comfort of New Zealanders. who have been fighting in France, both Masonic soldiers and others, whilo a scheme for the further provision for the welfare of war-worn soldiers in our own country is shown to be under consideration.

As to the financial position, the amounts standing to the credit of the various funds are as follow: —General fund, £5031; fund of benevolence, £2935; widows and orphans and aged Masons' fund, £35,878; special war benevolent fund, £13,343; circular appeal fund. £1810; representation fund, £548; Belgian Masonic relief fund, £l9: Masonio hutment fund, £1101; total, £58,665. # The largest of theso funds is one, the capital of which is kept intact, its interest earnings being regularly drawn upon to provide annuities for aged Masons and. widows and orphans of deceased members. In the other cases the principal is utilised_ as occasion requires for the purposes indicated by their titles

The increase of the widows' and orphans' and aged Masons' funds for the year from the voluntary contributions of lodges and other sources has been £2301. The Auckland district heads the list with £403, Canterbury coming next with £252, and then Wellington with £243. and Otago with £224 Out of interest income, which is estimated for the coming year at £1650. the list of beneficiaries has lately been enlarged by the granting of 13 new annuities. Eightannuitants have died during the -.rear, leaving the mtmber now in receip- of assistance in sums from £52 downwards at 54. Over and above the present charge upon the fund there remain?} a. margin of £237 per annum for the creation of new annuties. Out of the fund .of benevolence a sum of £5Bl has been expended during the year in the relief of some 30 cases of distress. Of the special funds created in different years by ■'he responses of lodges to circular appeals for the assistance of particular cases there are 16 now in existence. In illustration of the application of the sums raised in this manner may bo "WjnUoned the disposition of the last five of such funds raised. In one case the oapital sum subscribed is being held for the purchase of a small farm desired by the widow of a Freemason. Tn another a widow has been financed in the running of her grocery business, and in yet another the sum provided is to be paid over to a widow in annual portions xintil Jior children are of sufficient ape to help. By another fund a paralysed man is being assisted, and bv vet another a widow's State pension is being supplemented. _ Three circular appeals have been made within the last 12 months. For the nfnVe of Grand Master the onlv candidate '.» Mr Justice Herdman. who will be elected bv •general consent of the Craft for his second term of offiss. Other leading members of the Exftditira who sro unopnosed are the followirg:—Grand Treasurer, VW. Bro. J T. TCinsr: Grand Retristrar. V.W. Bro C W. Nelson : President Poard of General Purnoses, "V.W Bro. J. «T. Ewon : President of Board of Benevolence, R.W. Bro H. H Soaton—all of Wellington. whrr» the Grand "Lodge office is at present located, and where it will remain for the next 12 months. ... , The throe new lodges onened during the vear were ct Kaponrm (Taranaln). Ws..tlrari /rVnterburv), and TSmtapere (Southland) Tilt? number r>* lodges on the register of the Grand Tod ore is nov 210. The Ora-td Secretary reports that nil the Indtres in the territory ftp in n sound rendition financially, find that the members have responded eheerfullv and 'liberallv tp The many calls upon their purse* necessitated by the war and arising out of war conditions. Tt is nronnsed that the next annual communication "shall be held at, Dunedin. The reinstallation of Mr Justice Herdman es Grand Master for a second year's term of office as Grand Master took nlaoe at a crowded meeting held in the Colosseum in the evening. W.N. Bro. J. J. Doturall, Past G.M., acted as installing errand master. The other principal Grand L-odore officers for tho year, most of whom were present, and were invested "re a.s follows:—Donuty Grand Master. R.W. Bro. T. B. P. Milroy (Auckland); Provincial Grand Masters— Auckland, M.W. Bro. Oliver Nicholson; Wellington, R.W. Bro. J. W. Ellison; Can-

terbury Province, R.W. Bro. F. O. B. Bishopj Otago, R.W. Bro. R. Hawcridgej West Coast, R.W., Bro. R. H. Richmondf Nelson and Marlborough, R.W. Bro. R. J. Stiles; Southland, R.W. Bro. A. B. Hagvgitt: Hawke's Bay, R.W. Bro. R. S. Chadwick; Taranaki, R.W. Bro. R. W. Sargent; Ruapehu, R.W. Bro. D. J. M'Farlane; Senior Grand Warden, R.W. Bro. Robert Scott, Kyeburn, Ota go; Junior Grand Warden, R.W. Bro. Thos. Morgan, Hastings; Grand Secretary, M.W. Bro. M. Nicoll; Gra-nd Treasurer, V.W. Bro. J. T. King, Wellington; Grand Registrar, V.W. Bro. C. W. Nielson, Wellington) President of Board of General Purposei, V.W. Bro. J. J. Esson, Wellington; President of Board of Benevolence, R.W. Bro. H. H. Seston, Wellington; Senior Grand Deacons, W. Bro. E. T. Moller (Dunodinl and H. J. T. Jaggard, Taihape; Junior, Grand Deacons, W. Bros. W. N. Erring ■ (New Plymouth) and H. Benner (Otoro* honga).