MASONIC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6695, 7 November 1889, Page 4

MASONIC.

DEPUTATION TO HIS EXCELLENCY

THE GOVEBNOK.

At ten o'clook yesterday morning a deputation waited by appointment on His Excellency the Governor, representing the Canterbury branch of the Masonic Union. The deputation included Bros E.G. Bishop, P.M.; W. E. Mitchell, P.M.; 0, P. Hulberc, P.M.; C. Hull, W.M. ; E. C. Brown and Kayo. They were introduced by W. Bros C. Louisson and H. Thomson, respectively representing the Scottish and English. Constitutions. P.M. Bro B. O. Bißhop addressed Kia Excellency as follows : — .

Your Excellency and Eight Worshipful Brother, — On behalf of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Masonic Union, we first desire to express the pleasure it affords us in welcoming to'our district, in tho person of your Excellency, a brother who has taken an active part in the affairs of the Craft; at Home, and we feel that your advent at the present time may be of infinite benefit to Masonry throughout the Colony. Since the resolution was arrived at asking your Excellency to receive thi3 deputation, we have had the pleasure of reading the correspondence which has passed between the Central Executive at Wellington and yourself. We have noted with great gratih'ct&tion the encouraging comments of your Excellency in regard to the movement, and we are therefrom led to anticipate in due time your Excellency will be enabled unhesitatingly to accept the position of the first Grand Master of the New Zealand Constitution.

We have no doubt, Bight Worshipful Sir, that you have given the arguments both, for and againsfi your most careful consideration, but there are certain aspects of the case that we venture to bring before you, even at the risk of repealing some oi the reasons already advanced in favour of the movement, believing that they are of sufficient importance to warrant any such repetition. ;With re3pe<Jt to absolute unanimity, our geographical conformation, and the peculiar rorm of Provincial Government under which the Colony so long existed, fostered insular and losal differences that will still take many year 3 to entirely obliterate. The Masonic districts were made co-terminous with the Provincial districts, and though it may be advanced that this should not afi'ect Masonry, it must at the same time ba remembered that most of the leading members of the Craft have also taken an active and prominent part in public affairs, It will thus bo seen how difficult it is to separate local partiality from the individual. With yourself, Eight Worshipful Sir, coming amongst ua in your high public capacity, with wide experience as a Past Warden of the English Grand Lodgo, and removed from local prejudices, we feel assured that with your assistance and under your guidance our efforts to unite under one Constitution would be materially strengthened. Our widely scattered population, with numerous strongly-marked centres, renders it diffioult to meet at any one spot and personally discuss our differences of opinion, in order to at once arrive at that necessary unanimity you refer to as having obtained in the other Australasian Colonies, now happily working under their own Grand Lodges. This unanimity, we feel certain, would soon follow under your rule ; and as we recognise the fact that a Grand- Lodge for New Zealand will be inaugurated, we are extremely anxious that it should be launched under the most favourable auspices that we can control. We would respectfully impress upon you, Eight Worahiptul Sir, that this Colony is yet Masonically unoccupied territory, and liable to the incursions at any time of any other recognised Constitution ; 'and it ia possible that a New Zealand Grand Lodge may spring from the efforts of other Constitutions than those we have been accustomed to work undor. This we should deplore, but the universality of the Craft would prevent interference; and as we have now so large a proportion of both the Lodges and the Brethren in favour of unity, we are anxious that the inaugurating of the Constitution, admittedly necessary in the near future, should be accomplished before further complications ensue. Time will not remove the difficulties of initiating such a change as is now proposed. The same factors will be present ten years hence as to-day, and the many benefits patent to us all, of concentrating our effort into one channel, lead us to hope that you will give ua the benefit of your matured experience, and assist us in guiding the movement to a successful end. Eight Worshipful Sir,— Wo thank you for having so readily accorded us this interview, and for your patient hearing of our remarks, and truab that, as members of that Craft which has its branches spread over the globe, we shall have _ further opportunity of greeting you. B. C. Bishop, P.M., President. C. P. Httlbeet, P.M., Secretary* W. E. Mitchell, P.M. A. Kate, P.M. E. C. Brown, M.M. C. Huw.,W.M. Bros Mitchell and Kaye also addressed His Excellency. The former referred to tho fact that the Grand Lodge officers generally — whilst, by reason of their oilici&l position they could not take a prominent part in the movement — were nevertheless favourable thereto. The latter dwelt upon the serious disadvantages arising from the multiplicity o£ CcusiiitufcioiiH in New Zealand, and referred hopefully to the encouraging examples of sister Colonies. His Excellency, in replying, noted in detail some of the points that had been raised, and expressed his hopefulness that practical unanimity would ultimately be secured. He forcibly urged that the rational outcome of the movement Bhould bo brought into greater prominence, pointing out that ii by reason of the establishment of a New Zealand Grand Lodge the working expenditure was economised, there would be the stronger reason why those philanthrophio objects for which Ereemasonry professedly existed should receive energetic support. His Excellenoy was warmly thanked for his courtesy, and for the encouraging nature of his reply.

Bro C. Hull, W.M. o£ Lodge St Augustine, tendered to His Excellency an invitation to visit the Lodge. This had to be regretfully declined on account of His Excellency's departure before the date of the meeting— Tuesday next. Another invitation, given on behalf of the Sfe Augustine Lodge in particular, and the Freemasons of Canterbury generally, was, however, accepted with, evident pleasure. This was to attend a Masonic concert to be heldonEis Excellency's return from the South.