PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND, S.C.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XI, Issue 2935, 17 May 1877, Page 2

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND, S.C.

(New Zealand Times.)

On Friday a meeting of Masters and Past Masters oE Lodges under the Scottish Constitution was lield in Mr Tyler's office Auckland, in connection with the arrangements for the constitution of a Grand Lodge for the North Island of JN t cav Zealand. The following were present :— "Rev. J- Hill, P.M. Sir Walter Scott Lodge ; A. Broadie, P.M. Sir Walter Scott'; W. C. Walker, E.W.M. So Andrew ; A. Dewar, P.M. Sir Walter Scott ; A. K. Tyler, P.M. Thistle. Westport ; T. MoFarlaiic, P.M St Andrew ; T. L. Murray, It. W. M. Sir Walter Scott; L. G. Bngnall, P.M. Lodge of Light, I. 0. ; T. Rawdon, Tyler Sir Walter Scott. Mr Tyler was called on to preside. The Rev. J. Hill made a statement of the proceedings which had been taken fo the establishment of a Grand Lodge for iVorth Island of New Zealand in connection Mith Scottish Masonry. The subject had been mooted many years ago, and Mr Bcvcridsro was nominated for the oiiice, bub on account of the death of that gentleman the movement was interrupted and nothing was done. It was still, however, considered desirable that a Provincial Grand Lodge should be established ; but a difficulty was felt as to the brother who should bo called to fill tbe office of Grand Master. The brethren at the Thames had waited upon Sir Donald McLean to get his consent, but were too late, as he had just agreed to take post under the English Constitution. A meeting was at last held in Auckland and those present were unanimously of opinion as to the desirability of estabiishiig such a lodge, and it was said that Brother Whitaker was a suitable person for the office of Master. It was understood that the Freemasons of Auckland were to do something to forward the matter, but nothing was done by them. After some time it became known to the brethren at the Thames that a movement had been commenced at Wellington to si art a Provincial Grand Lodge at linglon, leaving Auckland to come in or not, as they thought fit. It was found that the brethren in Wellington were ahout to recommend that Dr Johnston should be Master, when Mr T. L. Murray telegraphed, asking them to agree to the nomination of Brother Whitaker for the JN T orth Island. After some communications had passed, an intimation was received stating the brethren of Welliagton would agree to the nomination of Brother Whitaker if the Thames Brethren would agree to the nomination of Dr Johnston as Deputy Grand Master. Mr Whitaker was affiliated to the Scotch Constitution in the Sir Walter Scott Lodge. Mr Hay of Auckland who had gone home, was written to, and asked to get the consent of the Grand Lodge of Scotland ; and a telegram was sent to Mr Bislop, of Otago, asking him to co-oper-ate with thcm,which he had agreed to do. By the last mail letters.had been received from Mr Hay, and from the Secretary to the Grand Lodge, intimating that .the nominations had received the approval of the Grand Lodge, that they could proceed at once to make arrangements for the installation, and that Mr .Hay : was. bringing out the warrant. It was thought that the ceremony might take place before the session of Assembly, but on Mr Whitaker being communicated with"h,ehad stated that he would prefer that it should

bei postponed "» till a*fter the session. After some conversation, a resolution was unanimously agreed to that circulars shou>l be sent to all the Lodges under the .Scotch Constitution in the North Islaridj-requesting them to send dfleoa^- I*'*1 *'* "either in^person or proxy, to a meeting k to be held at Auckland on the 31st of May, for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements for the constitution of a Provincial Grand Lodge for the North Island, and tho installation of officers.