FREEMASONRY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20283, 5 December 1935, Page 6

FREEMASONRY

GRAND LODGE MEETS DISTRICT OFFICERS By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, December 4. The annual communication of the Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand, opened this morning. The greater number of the 306 Lodges of the National Constitution now in the Dominion, were represented, either by their Masters or by delegates. Colonel J. J. Esson, who has been Grand Master for the past 12 months, presided, and was supported by a strong assemblage of Past Grand Masters. After respect had been shown to the memory of the late Lord Jellicoe, who was Grand Master of New Zealand in 1923 and 1924, and sympathy extended to his widow and family, the election of officers for the coming twelve months were chosen, under the scheme of distribution submitted, by the Board of General purposes. Colonel Esson was re-elected Grand Master. As the Grand Secretary's office will remain in Wellington for another 12 months, the Chief Executive officers are from that district, thus Mr H. G. Teague remains president of the Board of General Purposes. Mr C. N. Cathie is president of the Board of Benevolence; Mr R. W. McVilly is Grand Treasurer, and Mr A. T Duncan. Grand Registrar. A Grand Director of Ceremonies was elected for each of the four largest districts—Mr J. S. Martin, for Wellington; Mr W. F. Franks, for Canterbury; Mr W. W. Wright for Auckland, which also has the assistant of the Grand Director in Mr F. G. Alpe, and Mr Waldie for Otago. Each of the other districts was allotted an assistant Grand Director— Waikato, Mr P. P, Bynon-Powell; Southerland, Mr A Noble; Ruapehu, Mr G. N. Mac Diarmid; Hawke’s Bay, Mr A. B, Davis; Nelson-Marlborough, Mr G. Mitchell; West Coast, Mr T. Ecclesfield; Taranaki, Mr G. H. Hutton. The two senior Grand Deacons elected are Messrs A. Burgess, of Wellington, and T. H. Ker of Canterbury, and the junior Grand Deacons are Messrs L. C. E. Hamann (Auckland), and J. D. King (Otago). It is proposed that next year’s communication should be held at Dunedin. Encouraging reports were made on the condition of inmates of the two Masonic orphanages, the Kirkpatrick Masonic Institute, Nelson (22 girls), and Masonic home at Papakura, Auckland (seven boys) endowed by Mr F. Seymour Potter. It was stated that as soon as there were enough eligible boys another cottage home would be built at Papakura. Installation Ceremony Colonel Esson was re-installed as Grand Master in the Civic Theatre this evening before a large gathering of Freemasons. Installing Grand Master was Mr Oliver Nicholson of Auckland. Past Grand Master, Mr Alex G. Graham, of Auckland, was invested and inducted as Deputy Grand Master, this ceremony being performed by Mr S. Clifton Bingham, P.G.M. The provincial grand masters were announced by the Grand Master as follows: Messrs O. Nicholson (Auckland), E. J. Guinness (Wellington)’, S. F. Bridgman (Otago), G. J. Yuli (Southland), R. D. B. Waugh (Hawke’s Bay), F. S. Wood (West Coast), E. C. Ecford (Nelson-Marlborough), Jas. McAllister (Taranaki), A. E. Christensen (Ruapehu) and C. L. Macdiarmid (Waikato). Mr Geo. Russell, P.G.U., carried out the investments. Canterbury has a provincial head of its own election in Mr C. Flavell, Provincial Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canterbury. Grand Wardens were invested and inducted bv Mr E W. G. H. Watts, P.G.M., Mr Wm. Mclndoe of Otago as Senior Grand Warden and Mr A. C. Nathan of Blenheim as Junior Grand Warden. The elected grand officers were invested by Mr Stephen Allen, P.P.G.M., Messrs W. A. Stout. Geo. Barclay and J. N. Du Feus, P.D.G.M. f