FREEMASONRY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18008, 13 July 1928, Page 19 (Supplement)

FREEMASONRY

ITS GROWTH IN TIMARU

An important but- unostentatious part in the life of the ooinmuniiy is played by the Masonic Fraternity here, and a word concerning the growth of Freemasonry will not be out of pla^e. a The first Masonic Lodge was established here in 1865, being called,the Lodge of f-jf. John, under tire Grand Lodge of England, Mr Mansfichl being installed as first Master. The first Lodge roofti'was' built on Le Cren’s Terrace, where the Lighthouse now stands. The section was sold and a new hall was built in. Church Street, 1 ■ "opposite’'-St. Mary’s Church, and remains to this day, but this property is now on the market for sale, prior, to removipg. ..The new home is in Bank Street,’ -where the combined Lodges of Timaru have built a new temple, Avhich is shortly to be occupied. ; ... , >

Caledoniian Lodge was consecrated one year later, under charter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and in the early days had its Hall in Bank Street. This was sold, and for many years'.this Lodge held its meetings in St. John’s Hall. In 1899 the members built a new temple in Sophia Street next-to the “Timaru Herald” Office. This was sold, preparatory to moving into the Bank Street Temple. Mr Price was the Master. In the late -’eighties this Lodge transferred its allegiance to the-Grand., Lodge of -New Zealand, which had (been - established just .prior to this. ' . •< 1 lii 1913-Lodge fciiftaru was formed and consecrated under -the- Grand; Lodge of NfeV Zealand.''' Mr E; T. Costello -yfras the’ first Master. Three later a further, Lodge ' was instituted ‘ and called! Lodge Koran'ga. Mr Morgan Evans Avas' installed‘as Master.;-., Strange

to say, the Charter members ' of Timaru were foregathering with'a view ,to the establishment of a new Lodge at the same time as another body was discussing the formation of Lodge Koranga, neither section' being* aware of what the other was doing. There was no rivalry be- ' tween .them,'but each was working in harmony , to, assist the other. , At present there are approximately 520 active! members of these Lodges, and 1300 members about' Timaru' who are unattached. • From the ’ early Lodges' sprang the. Masonic • bodies in South Canterbury, there' being seven Lodges in South Canterbury outside of 'Timaru, besides the Royal Arch Chapter and. Mark Mas-' ter Masons’’Lodges attached. During the 63 years’; existence, of Masonic Lodges in Timaru'a vast amount of good has been accomplished by the Order, in charity and good work, comparatively little of which is known to the outside world. There is still a big field for their operations, and whether attached or .. not each member is carrying out the principles of the Order according ':o his ability, and the community is the better for it. In the past, the Timaru Lodges have always maintained a . high standard, and rank in high estimation by the high Masonic authorities and the general rank and file of Masons of the Dominion.

. Lodge St. John, being the senior Lodge in Timaru, still strongly maintains its allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England, and is directly under the jurisdiction of the District Grand Lodge of Canterbury, New Zealand. R.W. Bro. Norman Mcßeth is District Grand Master. NEW MASONIC TEMPLE. The new Masonic Temple, which has just been completed in Bank Street, marks the culmination of the ambitions of the various Masonic' Lodges in Timaru to make a fitting home for the Masonic fraternity. The Lodges combined to form a company to erect this temple for their joint itse, and for the use of Masonic Lodges which may subsequently' be formed. The new Temple, which will be opened by the GovernorGeneral of New Zealand, about the end of the present month, is a handsome stone building, standing upon a high site. The elevation to Bank Street is in the Doric order of architecture, with pilasters supporting a bold cornice and pediment. The building comprises a Lodge room, capable of seating 250, a large entrance vestibule, with cloak rooms adjoining, and a refectory. The Lodge room is a dignified structure, designed in the lonic order of architecture, with pilasters on either side, supporting a richly embellished cornice and panelled ceiling. At th.eastern end is the Master’s dais, emphasised in baldachin, and has tonic pilasters supporting a canopy which has been moulded and embellished. At the western end of the Lodge toom additional accommodation has

been provided for installation ceremonies, by the construction of a gallery capable of accommodating 100 brethren. ' The woodwork of {he gallery, which Is of walnut, has been 'made a striking feature by wellproportioned panelling, and a central feature of the gallery’ has been projected to accommodate the' organ."' The whole of the interior of the building has been finished in’ a rich ' - Stone colour, and the effect is height-, ened by, the use of a concealed lighting system in the cornice under the ceiling. The refectory is of ample size, and complete with kitchen and stores. 'Modern heating and veutil- ' ation arrangements have been installed throughout, and the 1 Masonic ■ fraternity here have reason for pride ; in their new home." • Special transport’ arrangements ' are being' made to bring down from Christchurch' the head officials Of-the ; Craft to join with the d ivernor- ! General in the opening ceremony. ■ ( ■

EARLY HOUSES. There still remain, intact and occu-' pled, a good many of ’ the ■ small ‘ ■ wooden cottages erected' by or -.for'’-, 1the early arrivals at Timaru. ' "Two ' y - rooms and a lean-to’’' was .the com--monest complete .home’, 'in ’ both- ' . -Timfu and" Country, ■ towns.' .- Many/ S began with the lean-to, and' others with the two rooms. Here : dn'd; ! .' • there one may see “cottages.'l which ' sh'ow .the junction.'of, the first.-and ‘ later portion. ' The more ambitiotis - home-maker erected ' a' twef-storey building, the upper storey /being chiefly in : the rOofi : ' in most ■ cases these (flder : tw6-stordy- hdmes aie-TO- 1 cognised by their 'dormer -windows! ’• There also remain''some' ’of -the cob ' dwellings of the'early/days, 'the claV ’ ' : hidden outwardly by' a 'coat" of ' weatherboard,, ..iron .or ’ cement., ' People lived quite contentedly-.ail’d / happily In these"smaU..pla,ces’ ) in’the : . • old days., >. . . \ ; . "