CAMBRIDGE MASONIC LODGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1324, 23 December 1880, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE MASONIC LODGE.

An effort is ju*t now being made, to resuscitate the Masonic Lodge at Cambridge. Older residents of the district will remember that, a Lodgre under the Scotch constitution was established at that place, about the same time that lodges under the othfT two constitutions, were opened in the Waikato. That will be about sixteen or seventeen years ago. Some six years since, when the Thames goldfield was at its brightest phase, the resident population of Cambridge dropped down so low, that it was found impossible to carry on the business, and accordingly the charter was allowed to lapse. About that time a new Lodge, under the same constitution was established at Grahamstown, and as it was largely composed of members belonging to the defunct Cambridge Lodge, the furniture, jewels, &c, belonging to the latter, were given in loan, to assist the new Lodge making a start. It is understood these will be available in the event of the proposal for reorganising the Cambridge Lodge being carried out. There are said to be something like thirty members of the craft residing in or about Cambridge, and that of itself, promises well for the successful issue of the movement. A question has it appear?, been moved as to the constitution under which the Lodge should be reorganised ; some of the parties interested, having expressed an opinion in favor of the English constitution. A correspondent who signs himself " A past Master," writes expressing a very decided opinion in favor of the original constitution of the Lodge being altered. He says — "The policy of the whole question appears to me, to be very simple indeed. There is an English, and an Irish Lodge, at work in the Waikato already, and it is only right that those who belong to the other nationality should have an opportunity fordischarging their Masonic duties, in accordance with formula prescribed, by theirJMother lodge. When the operations of the Cambridge Lodge were suspended, it was distinctly understood that, it was merely to be a temporary suspension, and that, when the affairs of the district revived, the Lodge would likewise be revised. In fact, we are in a manner pledged to re-adopt the Scotch constitution. Moreover, were 1 we to adopt any other, it would operate I as a new departure, and, our previous history, as a distinct Masonic body, would be completely wiped out. These are points which, it is to be hoped, will be duly weighed by all interesting themselves in the movement.