MASONIC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10768, 14 May 1913, Page 6

MASONIC.

THE GRAND LODGE. I Per Press Association-. J AUCKLAND, May 14.

The annual communication of the Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand was opened in the Town Hall to-day, Brother Maurice Thompson presiding as Grand Master. Representatives were present from all parts of the dominion.

The financial report showed the cash balances in the several funds to be : General £4073, fund of benevolence £3207, W. and O. and A.M. fund £20.626, circular appeals £1695, representation fund £477; total, £30,080. The report/-of the Board of Management of the W. and 0. and A.M. fund showed that twenty-eight annuities were now being paid, totalling £630 per annum. The state of the fund leaves a margin of £2OO a year for the creation of further annuities. The report of the Board of Benevolence showed that £329 had been expended during the year in casual grants. The report of the Board of General Purposes stated -fliat six new Lodges had been opened during the year, making a present total of 195. An agreement had been arrived at with the Grand Lodge of Scotland on the longdeferred question of terms of recognition, andjit was submitted to the Grand Lodge for ratification. It is recommended that the next conference should be held in Christchurch. The Grand Lodge elected* the following officers:—Canterbury Province— Grand Chaplain, Rev I. A. Bernstein; Grand Sword Bearer, A. MacL. Fyfe; Grand Organist,. A. Cookson; Grand Steward, T. W. Lee; Members of the Board of General Purposes, J. C. Watson and C. Campbell; Members of the Board of Benevolence, H. D. Bettger and G. F. Allen.

The reports of the Boards were adopted, save that a proposal to raise the age qualifying foiw, annuities was negatived. v Mr Thomson was re-elected Grand Master.

A motion to alter the method of appointing Provincial Grand Masters was amended by the deletion of the words "which require the consent of the Grand Lodge," and was agreed to.