NEW GRAND MASTER

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1934, Page 5

NEW GRAND MASTER

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SUCCESSOR.

MASONS ELECT COLONEL ESSON.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Wellington, Last Night.

The annual communication of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand Freemasons opened at Wellington this morning, Lord Bledisloe presiding as Grand Master.

Colonel James J. Esson was unanimously elected Grand Master for the following year on the nomination of many lodges in the Dominion. As the administration of the craft will be carried on from Wellington for the next two years the principal executive officers were elected from that district. They are: Grand treasurer, Mr. R. V. McVilly; grand registrar, Mr. E. T. Duncan; president of the Board of General Purposes, Mr. H. G. Teagle; president of the Board of Benevolence, Mr. C. N. Cathie.

Colonel Esson was installed by Lord Bledisloe as Grand Master at a very large Masonic gathering in the town hall this evening. Mr. W. A. Stout, Invercargill, was appointed and invested as Deputy Grand Master. Other appointments and investments were made as follows:— Provincial Grand Masters: Auckland, Mr. O. Nicholson; Wellington, Mr. E. J. Guiness; Otago, Mr. S. F. Bridgman; Southland, Mr. G. J. Yule; West Coast, Mr. F. S. Wood; Hawkes Bay, the Rev. R. D. B. Waugh; Nelson-Marlborough, Mr- G. A- Eckford; Taranaki, Mr. J. McAllister; Ruapehu, Mr. A. B. Christensen. Mr. C. Flavell is Provincial Grand Master of Canterbury by virtue of his position as head-of the provincial Grand Lodge. Mr. C. K. McDiarmid is Provincial Grand Master of the new Waikato district.

Grand Wardens: Senior, Mr. A. J. Pople, Auckland; junior, Mr. P. H. Harris, Christchurch. A presentation was made to His Excellency from the lodges of New Zealand in the shape of g Past Grand Master’s jewel, set with diamonds and an illuminated address. The cover of the address and the jewel casket contain thousands of pieces of inlaid New Zealand woods in artistic designs. At the business session the creation of a new Masonic district in the Auckland province from Netherton southward, to be known as Waikato, was approved. Colonel Esson, making the presentation of the address to His Excellency, said it was impossible to speak too highly of the good influence exercised by Their Excellencies during their residence in New Zealand. Firm, in piety and steadfast in loving service, they never considered their own ease but found honourable work in the sight of God their highest delight. As Grand Master, Lord Bledisloe had gained much honour and advanced the cause of brotherhood and loyalty. Lord Bledisloe acknowledged the affection shown him by members of the craft and spoke of the enormous helpwhich the principles of freemasonry had given him toward carrying out his public duties. He thanked the craft sincerely for its beautiful gifts, which would be the most inspiring message he had ever received or was likely to receive.