A MASON ABROAD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 270, 18 December 1914, Page 9

A MASON ABROAD.

LONDON IN WAR TIME.

A CHATTY INTERVIEW. A veteran Mason, Mr Malcolm Niceol, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, Freemasons, has just refrom a trip to Britain, which he made with Mrs Niceol. In conversation with a Sun representative to-day, Mr Niceol gave a very interesting account of his impressions of the Old Land during the early days of the great crisis.

Mr Niccol was in London when "-war was declared- He had intended leaving for Scotland, and had taken out his travelling tickets, but had not drawn any ready cash. When Avar was declared there was a money panicy and the banks shut for a day or two. Mr Niccol had what he humorously describes as "a wild.hunt, over London for a few pounds," arid was successful in finding an obliging friend. He spent about a month in Scotland, and then Tvent back to London. By that time the people had gone to the other, extreme, their outstanding characteristic being a stolid confidence that everything was all right. The way in which things had been handled gave everybody confidence that they were going to win. ; Mr Niccol went down to Bournemouth, the famous seaside resort,; and stayed there for some time. This is not a, great distance from the New Forest and the Salisbury Plains, which had been converted into a vast camp for troops. It was a very interesting; and martial sight to see them drilling and manoeuvring. On Trafalgar Day Mr Niccol mingled with the crowd in Trafalgar Square. Some Belgian refugees had arrived, and these got a great reception, the English people heartily appreciating what the Belgians had done. The Belgian refugees were in a sad state'as far as clothing and appearance were but Mr.Niccol- saw nothing of the atrocities which had been alleged. Though there was no doubt that some of the German soldiers had committed atrocities, in-order to strike terror into the hearts of their enemies, it could not be said that wilful cruelty and mutilation were generally employed. Naturally, Mr Niccol attended many Masonic meetings in London, and also in Scotland. Even in staid Masonic meetings the war caused great excitement and patriotic outbursts. At every meeting the national anthems of the Allies were sung, with an occasional "A Long Way to Tipperary." Mr NiccoFs reception as a New Zealander was more than cordial. New Zealand was in high favour everywhere, and the mere mention that a man came from this Dominion would produce a popular demonstration in his honour. Mr Niccol attended the opening of the Grand Lodge of England, the presiding officer being the father of Captain Halsey, captain of the battle-cruiser New Zealand. He had five sons at the war — three in the Army and two in* the Navy. During his stay in London Mr Nic col viisted the Canada Masonic Lodge, which is the headquarters of Canadian members of the Craft in the metropolis. Tlie lodge was a very fine one, and it was not only a great help to Canadians, but it filled a place in the immense scheme of things which helped on the great Dominion. Mr Niccol suggested a similar institution for New Zealand Masons in London, and he has every hope that the proposal will materialise into something tangible. "A most surprising thing was the frequency with which I met people in London who knew or were interested in people that I knew in New Zealand," said Mr Niccol. "On one occasion 1 went into the Bank of England, and L'ound the place crammed with Belgian i-efugees, who were getting their Bel jjian money changed for English. It Tvas an amazing, and even an entertain lug, scene. The Belgians had practically camped there, and the counters oi ,he Old Lady of Threadneedle Street !iad been converted into a buffet. Thej vcre covered with refreshments, which the bank flunkeys were distributing to

the waiting throng of Belgians; I went up to one of the clerks, and when I told him where I came from he at once said: "Do you know f " The gentleman he mentioned was an old acquaintance of mine in Auckland, and he was an uncle of the bank clerk. Incidents of that sort were constantly occurring."

Mr Niccol confessed that he was not so much surprised by London (which he was visiting for the first time) as he should have been. One can read so I much about it, and see so much of it at picture shows, that the novelty has I disappeared before one makes an actual visit. The magnitude of the parks, and their closeness to the heart of the city, was one of the surprises. As soon as the war broke out they were filled with troops. There were also many private parks, which were reserved by the residents of particular localities for their own use. Each person who was entitled to entry had a key of the gate. - Mr Niccol left the Old Country on the Ophir, all the more modern passenger ships having been commandeered for troopships. The start of the voyage was marked by an incident which gave the passengers an uncomfortable feeling in their scalps. Off Deal the steamer passed- over a buoy which marked the wreck of an old ship. Everybody had been talking or thinking about mines, and they all thought that one had been struck. The buoy knocked a hole in the botton of jthe ship, and the Ophir had to return 'for repairs. The voyage was re-started a week later, but as it had to be made under war conditions — all lights out at night—it was very uncomfortable. When approaching Colombo the welcome news was received that the Emden had been destroyed. One of the incidents of the voyage was the passing of. a fleet of transports, whieh the Ophir passengers heartily cheered as Australians, and New Zealanders, but which" subsequently turned out to be Indians. At Colombo they heard that the New Zealand troops had been allowed to land there, their boats having arrived-before the Australians, who had to anchor in the outer harbour. Mr and Mrs Niccol have returned in excellent health, and despite some of the adverse circumstances connected with their excursion, they had an enjoyable tour.