THE WAR.

——<>——

A DISTINGUISHED New Zealand brother holding a responsible position in the New Zealand Expeditionary

Force now in Turkey, writing in April, says: "We have a very serious task in front of us, and I am afraid that

there will be some sore hearts in New Zealand before this arrives." As at the time of writing this article the

seventieth casualty list has been published, our eminent brother's anticipations have been more than realis6d.

Seeing that the sore hearts include a number of members of the Craft, whose suns and other relatives have

joined the armies of the Empire, and that the list of craftsmen on active service is daily increasing, we feel

warranted in offering some comment on a war which is becoming of more deadly import to Freemasonry in

New Zealand every day, and it must be conceded that the position now has a very serious aspect, which

cannot be properly realised unless the general information supplied is subjected to analysis, when it will be

seen that there are two sides to the question, and there are big flies in the ointment of the Allies' success as

reported. We need not here discuss the reasons that led England into the struggle, as the world, outside

Germany, admits the justness of her quarrel, and to-day we have the belated admission of one of the most

aggressive German writers (Herr Harden) and his insistence on Germany accepting the view that " Sir

Edward Grey did not promote the war, but rather strove for peace." But when Britain did enter the lists the

usual mistake was made of underestimating, not the armies of the enemies, but their resources, and upon the

German fleet being bottled up an almost unanimous opinion seemed to prevail that the duration of the war

would be anything from' six weeks to three months. But had not the German plans miscarried in one

particular—that they omitted the little Belgian army from the consideration—the war might have assumed an

entirely different aspect, not at all in accordance with the anticipations of the Allies. And now, after ten

months' strenuous fighting, and notwithstanding the many reverses the enemy is alleged to have suffered,

Belgium is still occupied, Germany is not invaded, and Russia admits to reverses. In the Dardanelles a

modified form of campaign has been adopted, after the great slaughter of Australian and New Zealand

troops, and we have it on the authority of Mr. Ashmead Bartlett, the special war correspondent, that forcing

the passage is an impossible task for the fleet, and that a great army is necessary, consisting of hundreds of

thousands of men. That gentleman says :—

" The days of the Turk in Europe are numbered, but no one will deny that he is dying hard and game.

It came as a disagreeable shock to many to read on the morning of March 19th that two British

battleships and one French had been sunk in the Dardanelles, whilst several others had been hit and

damaged. The blow was all the more sudden because the public had been led to believe from

previous official reports that all was going well. We were told that the outer forts had been

completely destroyed and that the work of mine-sweeping had made excellent progress. This news

was given in perfect good faith and was also quite true, but we built upon it too great a structure of

hope, but few realising the immense difficulties the fleet has had to face, obstacles which do not

really commence until the Narrows are approached. "

It would seem, to use Mr. Bartlett’s words, that we “build too greatly on the structure of hope.” The average

man has been looking for months past for the starvation of Germany and a general revolution in that country.

Yet on 16th June the following impressions of a “neutral observer “ have found general circulation :

“It is no longer a case of ‘We shall win, we cannot lose,’ with the Germans; but there is a grim

resolve that all must strain every ounce of energy, resource, and intelligence to establish the desired

result. Finding there is no enemy on their soil, and the boundaries of their country have been pushed

beyond their former limits, the Germans claim that up to the present they have won the war; yet there

is no slackening of effort. It daily becomes more apparent that the resources of men and material are

more vast than even the Germans themselves realized. Unless overwhelmed by main force, they may

resist indefinitely. “

EFFECT OF ISOLATION

The Germans are unbroken in strength and spirit, but their complete isolation is affecting the character of

the people in two distinct and opposite ways: first, the natonal spirit, called imperial consciousness,

becomes apparent; next, there is embittered morbidity and brutal vindictiveness, warping their judgment,

biasing their opinions, and unhinging their ethical and moral senses.

TRIUMPH OF GERMAN GENIUS.

The majority of the people regard the use of poisonous gas as a splendid triumph of German genius. A

chemical expert stated that gas is the coming weapon of German warfare, though it is still in a primitive state

of development. It is certain to supplant the high explosives. The phenomenal successes in Galicia and

elsewhere are due to its use, and a few tanks of gas do more work than a thousand shells. The only bar to its

complete success was the finding of a suitable system of distribution.

THERE ARE NO SHIRKERS.

"Throughout Germany there are no shirkers; every man, woman, and child is contributing to the nation's

effort. Though many are beginning to realise that the struggle will not bring any ultimate good to Germany,

the majority of the people believe in the righteousness of their cause and final success."

We may allow a liberal discount for the actual neutrality of "Observer," .and, his estimate of the resources of

the German nation. But the admission is forced upon us that their resources are truly wonderful, or they

could not successfully withstand five powers as they are doing. Neither can it be denied that they possess

initiative to a remarkable degree, and further, that in the love for the Fatherland there is absolute unity of

action and purpose. In submitting these facts we are not imbued with any pessimistic ideas, but rather desire

to present what appears to be the true state of affairs to the consideration of every thoughtful man, so that the

grave seriousness of the position may not be underestimated, but rather that all may realise the herculean task

which the Allies have before them. Unless the unexpected happens it appears fairly certain that the war will

be greatly prolonged, and if this is admitted it will add greatly to the task undertaken by the G.L. of New

Zealand. In the earlier stages of the war we advised that efforts made in the creation of a war relief fund

should be of a sustained character rather than spasmodic, and the foregoing remarks are penned to emphasise

that conclusion. The M.W.G.M., in his last circular, estimates that a sum of £10,000 will be required for the

special fund. We venture the assertion that £30,000 will be insufficient if it is proposed to relieve the

Government of its liability so far as Freemasons are concerned. It will not be temporary casualties that will

drain the fund, but cases of permanent disablement and providing for the families of the brethren who may

be killed. We assume that before the fund is made operative the responsibility of the Government will be

fully considered, and the question determined as to whether any grants made will be in addition to legitimate

claims on the country or in lieu of such claims. We further assume that all Lodges are supplying the G.Sec.

with up-to-date lists of those of their members who have been killed or disabled in the war.

—————

A NEW MASONIC -DISTRICT.

——<>——

At the annual communication of the :G.L. of New Zealand consent was given for the subdivision of the

Wellington Masonic District and the constitution of the Ruapehu District. The Wellington District had 38-

Lodges, and included all the country south of the old Taranaki provincial boundaries. By the subdivision 15

Lodges are now included in Ruapehu District, the boundaries of which are the country north of the

Manawatu River and south of Taranaki. The Prov.G.M. of the new district is R.W. Bro. D. McFarlane, who

will administer the district from Wanganui. He is an old P.M. of St. Andrew Kil. Lodge, and is very highly

esteemed throughout Wanganui and Rangitikei, where he is well known and will be able to do good service.

While we do not strongly favour the subdivision of the old provincial boundaries, in the case of Wellington

the number of Lodges and the distance to be travelled had become too great a tax on the brother who has

been in charge of the district for the past few years, and who is no longer in the heyday of youth. From our

personal knowledge of Bro. McFarlane we are sure he will be a most zealous officer and that the new district

will prosper under his supervision. We offer our most hearty congratulations and wish him and his district

every success.

—————

AN UNIQUE AND VALUABLE GIFT.

——<>——

R.W. Bro. Dr. Redman, Prov.G.M. of Marlborough and Nelson, has presented to G.L., for the benefit of the

Special War Relief Fund, a Trafalgar relic in the shape of a case of surgical instruments used on one of H.M.

ships during that famous battle. The case came into possession of Dr. Redman's father about seventy years

ago, and has been in the family ever since. Accompanying the case is an autograph letter from the surgeon

who operated with the instruments at the battle of Trafalgar, and was written in the year 1834, and the

surgeon states that they had served him well in upwards of a hundred engagements, commencing with the

historical fight of Trafalgar. The instruments are in good order, and will probably afford a striking contrast to

those in use at the present time. Now, the question arises as to how this gift can be best utilised for the

benefit of the War Relief :Fund. As at the present time the law appears to be suspended, so far as art unions

are concerned, for patriotic purposes, we would suggest that an art union be opened for the disposal of the

gift; and we feel sure that the amount realised would exceed all anticipations. And to make it still more

attractive perhaps other brethren throughout the Dominion might be induced to donate articles of art or vertu,

by which means we are assured a substantial sum could be raised for the benefit of the Special War Fund.

———————————————————————————————————————————

News and Notes

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BRO R. P. GILBIN, who has been manager of Sargood, Son and Ewan in Nelson, has left to take charge of the

Wanganui, branch. Bro. Giblin has taken a keen interest in Masonry, and should find no difficulty in making

a new Masonic home in Wanganui.

THE Wellington Masonic Hall was splendidly ventilated on the occasion of Lodge St. Andrew's meeting in

June, so much so that a numbers of " rulers " in the East were nearly frozen to the backs of their respective

chairs. Yet, strange to relate, that gentle zephyr absolutely disappears in summer, even during the fiercest

gale.

BRO. CAPTAIN J. M. ROSE, of Lodge Tutanekai, who has been twice wounded at the Dardanelles, is now in

hospital, and is progressing favourably.

WE learn with pleasure that the M.W.G.M.'s son, wounded at the Dardanelles, is rapidly recovering from the

injury to his foot, and expects to be soon in the fighting line again.

ULSTER LODGE, Petone, had the experience of holding its Annual meeting for the first time on a Saturday

night, the reason being to suit the convenience of the Prov.G.M., who was engaged in another district on the

statutory night, on " tile " business. The meeting was well attended, but the initiatory delay only left thirty

minutes in the refectory for the Wellington brethren. Being Saturday, the meeting could as easily have been

commenced at 5 o'clock as 7 p.m.; then an enjoyable social intercourse would have resulted.

THE members of Lodge Tauranga have agreed to pay the sum of two shillings each per month as a

contribution to the Special G.L. War Fund. The levy will be continued while the war lasts.

M.W. BRO. C. J. W. GRIFFITHS, P.G.M., is still in residence in London, and has suffered somewhat of the

rigour of the English winter. We gather from Bro. Griffiths's communications that London is not at the

present time a pleasant residential city, and he is looking forward with the greatest pleasure to his return to

New Zealand at the end of the present year. Freemasonry in England appears to be in a state of " hurly-

burly."

A NAPIER correspondent kindly sends the following Masonic information with reference to the late Bro.

Baxter. G.Treas. He was initiated in Scinde Lodge on 15th January, 1901, passed 19th February, raised

2ndApril. He filled the office of I.G. 1902, J.D. 1903, S.D: 1904, J.W. 1905; S:W.1906; and 1907: He was

also a member of the R.A. Degree.

ON 21st April the M.W.G.M. of South Australia, Sir S. J. Way, celebrated his 79th birthday, and received the

felicitations of his G.L., which happened to be in annual session.

M.W. BRO. A. M. HERTZBERG has been nominated for the position of G.M. of the G.L. of Queensland for

the seventh consecutive year.

W. BRO. LIEUT.-COLONEL TRACY INGLIS, N.Z.M.C., received a presentation on the 12th ult. of a leather

suit-case and a travelling rug from the past and present nurses of St. Helen's Hospital, Auckland. The articles

were handed over by the matron, Miss Ludwig. Dr. Inglis will be second in command of the hospital ship.

THE Wellington Board of Casual Relief during the year which closed in April last, gave assistance to three

members of the N.Z.C., to four members of the S.C., and to three members of the E.C.

M.W. BRO. HON. C. CARTY-SALMON, G.M. of the United G.L. of Victoria, was the recipient of a very

handsome presentation from the officers of the G.L. on 17th March, consisting of a representative jewel of

the G.L. of Scotland for himself, and a small sealed packet for his wife.

M.W. BRO. H. J. WILLIAMS was entertained at luncheon by the M.W.G.M. of the G.L. of New South Wales

during his recent visit to Sydney. The principal G. officers of New South Wales were present, and M.W. Bro.

Emery, of Victoria, who recently visited New Zealand, was also a guest. Subsequently Bro. Williams was

present by invitation, with his two sons, at a ladies' night at the Masonic Club, and at the supper which

followed his health was the subject of a special toast, and the honours were given by a lady.

THE installation of the W.M. of Lodge Leinster, Wellington, will take place on Monday, 5th July. As

Parliament will be in session, probably the list of visitors will be large.

IN our present issue will be found the title page and index of Volume XX. of the N.Z. CRAFTSMAN.

THE N.Z. CRAFTSMAN completed its twentieth year of publication on the 31st May last.

WE have received a circular-from the National Committee for Relief in Belgium, of which the Lord Mayor

of London is Chairman, requesting publication and editorial support. It will be sufficient apology for not

doing so, that the Freemasons of the Dominion are, engaged in a herculean task of raising a large Masonic

fund, besides assisting the local Belgium Relief Funds as private citizens.

AN esteemed brother has kindly forwarded to us an engraving of a French Masonic apron found in the inside

of a codfish in the Glasgow Fish Market. It was rolled up tightly and tied. We regret that the picture is too

indistinct for reproduction.

As a result of the vote taken in G.L., Bro. Saunders has resumed the position of W.M. of Lodge Mackenzie,

from which he was deposed.

FOLLOWING usual practice, the Masonic Newspaper Co. is issuing its yearly accounts and notification or the

financial position of every subscriber with the company. Failure to receive such statement should be at once

notified to the secretary, who will forward another account. The financial year of the company terminated on

the 31st May.

WE have received the first annual balance-sheet of the Rose and Thistle. R.A. Chapter, which indicates an

economical administration and sound position.

—————

SOUTHLAND NOTES.

——<>——

The installation meeting of Lodge St. John drew a large attendance of members and visiting brethren. The

ceremony was performed by the Prov.G.M., R.W. Bro. Wm. Timpany. The new Master, W. Bro. Robt.

Smith, has taken a keen and active interest in the affairs of his Lodge. He has a strong staff of officers under

him, and he can be relied upon to use the strength at his disposal to further the best interests of the Craft.

* * * *

The re-appearance of our Veteran and revered W. Bro. W. B. Scandrett inSouthern Cross Lodge gave

unbounded pleasure and satisfaction to members and visiting brethren at the annual meeting. His re-

investiture as Treas. an office he has held for many years, was made a special feature of the installation

ceremony. This duty was performed by V.W. Bro. W. G. Mahaffey, G.Lec., who delivered an oration on

Bro. Scandrett's many excellencies of character, particularly emphasising his devotedness to Southern Cross

Lodge, of which he was W.M. 37 years ago, and, despite his many public duties and honours, the intervening

years have het diminished his enthusiasm nor found him lacking in service to the Craft. W. Bro. Scandrett is

looking and feeling very well, notwithstanding the severity of the operation he underwent recently, and it is

fondly hoped that he will be present in his Lodge for very many years to come.

* * * *

Remembering the happy and beneficial experiences and associations gained on the occasion of last G.L.

session held in Southland, a movement has begun with a view to inducing G.L. to hold the 1917 session at

Invercargill.

* * * *

W. Bro. Jos. Critchfield concluded a busy year's work by installing his successor, W. Bro. Geo. Kelly,

Master of Southern Cross Lodge. W. Bro. Kelly is very popular in Masonic circles. He has also devoted

much time to the volunteer movement, and having signed on for active service on behalf of King and

Country, he is daily expecting orders to proceed to Trentham.

* * * *

W. Bro. E. Johnson has been re-elected and installed W.M. of Lodge Fortitude for the ensuing year. The

most notable feature of the function was W. Bro. Johnson's stirring exhortation to his brethren regarding their

duties to their Lodge and to the Craft in general. The Prov.G.M., R.W. Bro. Wm. Timpany, who conducted

the ceremony, congratulated W. Bro. Johnson on the matter of his address from the chair. The social

afterwards was not carried out on the .grand scale as formerly; it was thoroughly enjoyable, and the ladies to

whom the success was due were heartily thanked by the Prov.G.M. R.W. Bro. Wm. Smith responded on

behalf of the ladies in his own inimitable way.

* * * *

The P.Ms. of Lodge Wairaki carried out the installation ceremony of Lodge Victoria in a highly exemplary

manner. The record B. of I.M. and attendance of brethren was evidently the Craft's appreciation of the action

of Lodge Victoria in again giving them the opportunity of witnessing the work of the Wairaki P.Ms. W. Bro.

Todd as I.M. and W. Bro. Brown as D. of C. were well placed, and gave admirable performances. The new

Master, W. Bro. Kerse, is keen, a good visitor, and master of the details of his high office. The ensuing year

should be a successful one for Lodge Victoria.

* * * *

A pleasant feature of the annual meeting of Victoria Lodge was the presentation of a handsomely-framed

illuminated address to W. Bro. Jameson, G. Chaplain, and one of the oldest and highest-esteemed members

of Victoria Lodge, and who is about to remove from the district. R.W. Bro. Rein, in making the presentation,

spoke very feelingly of the regard in which W. Bro. Jameson is held by his brethren, and of his long and

active service to his Lodge. He also expressed the regret all felt at the prospect of parting with one of such

irreproachable character, and hoped that peace and happiness would attend him to the close of life. W. Bro.

Jameson, acknowledging the token of his brethren's esteem, spoke interestingly of his connection with Lodge

Victoria, and of the fortifying influence Freemasonry had exerted on his public and private life. He felt it to

be a severe wrench to part from iris brethren of Lodge Victoria, in whose company he had spent so many

happy evenings.

* * * *

P.M.'s jewels were presented to W. Bros. Boyles, Waters, Horne, and Yule by Lodges St. John, Southern

Cross, Fortitude, and Victoria respectively.

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GRAND LODGE SPECIAL WAR FUND.

——<>——

At the Silver Jubilee of the G.L. of New Zealand, held recently, in Wellington, the G.M., M.W. Bro. J. J.

Deegan, strongly urged the claims of this fund to the brethren present at his installation as G.M. in the Town.

Hall on Wednesday, 12th May, -and about £750 was subscribed in the room. The following morning he

thanked the representatives for their liberality, but hoped the sum would be increased to £1,000, and an

ultimate total of £10,000 from the Craft in New Zealand, pointing out that as over 500 brethren had already

gone to the front the money would be urgently required. It would be thankfully received, and faithfully

applied. R.W. Bro. T. A. Peterkin, with the consent of the G.M., took up a collection in his grey tile hat,

which was afterwards put 'up' for sale, and purchased again and again by various brethren, whose names are

inscribed on the hat, for one guinea, returned by them, and ultimately sold by auction, amid a scene of

enthusiasm, for £25, to S.W. Bro. J. P. Thomson, for presentation to Lodge Scinde, No. 5, Napier, as a

memento of such an unusual and memorable occasion in G.L. This hat was the means of raising over £150,

and inscribed on the leather band are the signatures of M.W. Bro. J. J. Dougall, G.M.; M.W. Bro. Malcolm

Niccol, G.Sec., P.G.M. ; and R.W. Bro. T. A. Peterkin, Prov.G.M. of Wellington District. .

———————————————————————————————————————————

FREEMASONRY AND CRAFT GUILDS.

——<>——

[A Paper read at the WELLINGTON INSTALLED MASTERS' LODGE by W. BRO. ALBERT ERSKINE, P.M.]

Dr. Mackey, the well-known Masonic writer, has said that the source and origin of Freemasonry has given

rise to more difference of opinion and discussion among Masonic scholars than any other topic in the

literature of the institution. He might have added, without fear of contradiction, that every enquiry into

matters which may have had even the remotest connection with Masonic bodies prior to the inauguration of

the G.L. of England in 1717 has generally been the cause of a marvellous diversity of opinion and perhaps,

in many cases, of much useless discussion. Nevertheless, the claims to a high antiquity and to relationship

with ancient institutions which have been advanced from time to time on behalf of Freemasonry have led to

much diligent research, and brought to the light of day a wealth of interesting information concerning not

only our own institution but many of the ancient organisations with which it claims relationship.

The social, political, commercial and industrial condition of that period which Gould, for the sake of

convenience has termed the mythical-historical period, and which he holds to have extended to 1717, has

always attracted much attention from Masonic scholars.

One of the many topics connected with this period which has been exhaustively dealt with is the origin,

career, internal economy and decay of Craft Guilds, amid especially the supposed connection between them

and Freemasonry. The theory that modern speculative freemasonry was the lineal successor of these guilds,

was an attractive one, and in its fullest developments would have taken the institution back through

mediæval to Anglo-Saxon guilds and thence to the Roman Collegia, Grecian Societies and Oriental building

fraternities.

The guilds were of three kinds and were voluntary associations which grew up and flourished among the

commercial and industrial classes in the Middle Ages, They were formed for mutual aid and protection and

among the guildsmen there was a strong spirit of fraternal co-operation.

Many writers find a resemblance between the guilds and the Collegia of the Romans, but there appears to be

little evidence of continuity between the Roman and the mediæval fraternities. Others regard them as a

growth of early German and sacrificial banquets, and yet others ascribe them to the Northern foster-

brotherhood, whilst another section consider that their real origin must be sought in the needs and

circumstances of the time in which they flourished.

Co-incident with the growth of freedom in towns, there was often, and especially on the Continent, an

absence of a strong central government, and these conditions, together with the gradual weakening of the old

kin-bond, led individuals to unite for mutual protection. The first mention of the guild in England is in the

7th century, and on the Continent in the 8th century. The organisations which made their appearance so early

in our national history were almost entirely of a religious nature. Their ordinances exhibit much solicitude

for the welfare of the souls of the brethren; and provided for prayers for the dead ; attendance at funerals of

guildsmen ; periodical banquets ; a solemn entrance oath ; fines for neglect of duty and for improper

conduct; mutual assistance in distress; and periodical meetings in the guild hall. They played an important

role in the social life of the time, especially as eleemosynary institutions. Before the Norman Conquest there

is no trace in England of either the Merchant or the Craft Guilds, and even after the Conquest the growth of

the system was comparatively slow. This was probably due to the slow advance in individual and

commercial concerns, and in some measure to the fact that a strong central government had been established

by William the Conqueror. It was not until the 12th century that the Craft Guilds came into notice, and we

find them fully developed and in a flourishing condition only after two centuries of increasing activity ; by

the 14th century each branch of industry in every large town had its guild. They were all more or less of a

religions cast, for during ,the Middle Ages the distinction between the religious and the secular was not so

clearly marked as it is now, but their aims were primarily wordly and their functions were mainly of an

economic character.

The greatest example of the historical guild was the Gilda Mercatoria or the Guild Merchant, the commercial

class being the first to assert itself, and to establish an influential position in the town life. In the cities the

advance of civilisation brought a multitude of crafts, the workmen in which gradually organised themselves

into Craft Guilds. As the merchant guilds were first in the field and as the great merchants were frequently

the great landholders, their guilds claimed, and for a long time held a privileged position, In course of time

the respective interests of the merchant and the Craft Guilds began to clash.; hence arose bitter quarrels

which ended after generations in favour of the latter. They enjoyed a particularly wide scope and not only

made ordinances regulating the hours of labour and the terms of admission and apprenticeship, supervised

processes of manufacture and controlled the monopoly of working and dealing in a particular branch of

industry, but were Associated with the business of civic and local self-government in the widest sense of the

word.

Thus they became exceedingly influential institutions and were most powerful in countries where the

national government was particularly weak, and where civic life was strongest. Before the end of the 16th

century they were beginning to show signs of decay and the policy adopted by the Tudors of bringing them

under strict political control doubtless helped the process.

But legal restriction was not the only cause; “The medieval form of association was found to be

incompatable with new ideas of individual liberty and free competition”. New economic forces were making

themselves felt and the old was compelled to give place to the new. They had grown up under mediaeval

conditions and they began to decay under the new influence which overthrew the mediæval system.

The Masonic bodies of the Middle Ages were organised corporations not substantially different in their

nature from the other guilds. They were governed by their own rules and these were enforced by a master-

warden or keeper, while they were recruited from apprentices who had undergone a period of probationary

service.

These organised bodies of Masons do not seem to have arisen until long after the appearance of the other

guilds. The builders were, unlike the members of other trades, compelled to travel from plebe to place as

work called them, and this may account for their delay in forming strong associations. Gould expresses the

opinion that the building fraternities of the Middle Ages Must have been in many respects like the trade.

unions of the present day:. However, that may be, it is certain that a masonic guild existed in London in

1375, when the right of election to civic dignities was conferred upon the trading Companies. As early as

1349, however, the Ordinance of Labourers regulated the wages to be paid to Masons, and made other rules

for their guidance. The Statute of Labourers, in 1360, specially provided for masons and carpenters and made

very stringent regulations concerning punishment of workmen and the amount and payment of wages.

Four years before this at a congregation of mayor and aldermen, "certain articles were ordained touching the

trade of masons." In 1425 a law Wee ;passed abolishing all "chapters and congregations of masons as they

had persisted in openly violating and breaking the Good Course and Effect of the Statutes of Labourers.” It

would, however, be tedious to enumerate all the Statutes passed between the years 1300 and 1600 which had

for their objects the regulation of wages, the protection of the weak against the strong, and the insistence

upon the duties of the individual to society. Like the Craft Guilds the Masonic organisations began to show

signs of decay before the end of the 16th century.

As long as monasticism held sway these operative Masonic institutions flourished, but with the decline in

church and cathedral building after the Reformation, they lost their usefulness.

Consideration of the somewhat meagre details concerning the Craft Guilds which I have submitted to you

and with which, I fear, I may have wearied you, will show that the supporters of the idea .that modern

Freemasonry is a lineal descendant of the guilds had some excuse for their theory. There are, no doubt;

points of resemblance between our speculative Freemasonry and, for example, the religious guilds of early

times, but there is no reliable evidence that any connection ever existed. The difficulty in tracing a relation-

ship with the Craft Guilds lies in the fact that so little is known of the Masonic societies of the 17 century.

That societies partly operative and partly speculative did exist during that period we knew from

contemporary writers such as Ashmole in his diary, Dr. Plot in his “History of Staffordshire," and Steele in

an article in the "Tatler." Bro. Conder has also lately discovered records dating back to 1620 and 1621 which

prove conclusively that a lodge of Accepted Masons was held under the wing of the Masons Co. of London,

and that members of the Company were also members of the inner fraternity.

Perhaps the most attractive solution of the difficulty was suggested by Bro. Speth . . . in a paper in which he

discussed the meaning of the prefix "free" in the word "freemason."

The first mention of this word is in 1375, but it makes its first appearance in the statutes of the realm in 1459,

where wages were fixed for freemasons, rough masons, and master carpenters respectively, evidently

referring to different classes of workmen. There are many statutes in which this distinction is made between

freemason and rough mason, and the distinction is also shown in the rate of wages. The freemasons' wages

were always higher than the rough masons', and he was possibly an artisan of a superior class. According to

Hughan, Gould and others, freemason simply means a member free of the guild of masons. Speth combats

this opinion and argues that he was a mason not of the guild at all but free from it. He attempts to show that

there was a vast difference between guildmasons and freemasons. The former were members of the guild and

lived in the city, while the freemasons were the church-building and therefore travelling masons. He further

argues that the church-builders all belonged to one fraternity, co-extensive with England, while the

guildmason belonged to the guild in the town in which he lived and could easily prove his identity by

pointing to his indentures in the Company's books and to his freedom entered at the Guild- Hall. The church-

builder could not do that, and in order that he might establish that he was a bona fide mason he was given

certain signs, tokens, and words. By means of these he was able to travel about the country, and to secure

that welcome and- consideration from- the other freemasons to which he was entitled as a member of the

fraternity. If it could be proved that there were side by side from the rise of masons guilds two classes of

stone-masons, the cathedral builders and the guild masons, then the theory that our fraternity is a lineal

successor of the Craft Guilds would have to be discarded.

Speth's suggestion received a certain amount of support from such men as Dr. Cunningham, Bro. S. T. Klein,

and Dr. Crawley, and very strong support from Bro. W. H. Upton, Washington, U.S.A. All discard the

opinion that modern freemasonry has any connection with the Craft Guilds and Speth strongly reiterates in

his reply to criticism that we of to-day are the sons of freemasons and not of guild masons; and that the two

societies were fundamentally distinct at one time, however much they may have approached each other in

later times. In the following year Speth's argument received further support from Swift P. Johnson, who

found a passage in an early German encyclopedia which he considered gave added weight to the former's

contention re the real force of the prefix "free."

The evidence available tends to show that the principal authorities are opposed to the idea of any connection

between speculative Freemasonry and the Craft Guilds, but they do not commit themselves to any other

theory. Even Speth calls his theory a good working hypothesis. Indeed, all thinkers and scholars are struck

with the "impossibility of accounting for the origin of the fraternity or its preservation and perpetuation in

the world from any one known source of origin - or in any one distinct line of existence and development" It

is, in truth, much more probable, as Bro. Rev. A. Woodford said, "that Freemasonry does not depend upon

any one channel of progress but that it may have several co-existent and convergent sources of origin."

Dealing with the same subject, Foot has expressed the opinion “That it is useless to consider the laws and

customs of still older societies which may have been utilised and imitated by the fraternity but which in no

sense can be accepted as the actual forbears of the present society of Free and Accepted Masons. They were

possibly prototypes, but not near relatives." He considers that during the pre-G.L. period no organisation of

any kind, religious, philosophical, or mystical, materially or even slightly altered the customs of the

fraternity.

However, if our learned brethren have to confess to failure in their efforts to account for the origin of the

Freemasonry we practise, and to prove its relationship with any of the early associations, we can still possess

our souls in patience till time or circumstance reveals fresh and reliable evidence and in the meantime we can

content ourselves with the knowledge that whatever be its origin our fraternity is founded in the practice of

moral and social virtue, that its distinguishing characteristic is charity in its most extended form, and that the

three great principles of Brotherly Love, Belief and Truth Are inculcated by its precepts.

—————

JUBILEE OF LODGE OF WAITAKI, No, 11.

——<>——

(Written by W. Bro; J. M. FORRESTER, W.M.)

———

The 1915 installation meeting of this Lodge; held on 26th May, was a memorable one in that it marked the

jubilee of the Lodge.

The ceremony of installing Bro: H. M. Roxby in the Chair of KS. was impressively performed by R.W. Bro.

T. Ross, P.P.G.M. (in the absence, through sickness, of the R.W. Prov. G.M.), assisted by W. Bro. Fieldwick.

R.W. Bro. E.P. Lee, P.D.G.M., in his usual efficient manner, invested the folIowing officers:. viz.—S.W.,

Bro. F: W. Kibblewhite ; J. W., Bro. Woodward ; Chaplain, W. Bro. R. Hamilton; Treas., W. Bro. La Roche;

Sec., W. Bro. Peebles; S.D., Bro. Glass; J.D., Bro. Wallace; D. of C. W. Bro. Whale; Organists, Bros. Burry

and. Meldrum ; I.G. Bro. Colenso; Ss., -Bros H. Ross; T. Hunter, E. Townsend, and W: H. Harbour, Tyler;

W: Bro. Cathcart. Following the ceremony W. Bro. Forrester, I.P.M., was called upon to read a short

historical sketch, of which the following is a digest : On 14th February, 1865; a Meeting of Freemasons was

held in Oamaru, Bro. Dr. Wait being in the chair, when it was resolved to form a Lodge under the banner of

the G.L. of England ; and all details regarding Charter, Lodgeroom, etc., having been completed, the Lodge

was duly consecrated as Lodge of Waitaki, No. 1111, E.C., and W. Bro. Thornley installed as first Master by

R. W. Bro.Sydney James, assisted by various D.G.L. officers, who with him had braved the dangers of a sea

voyage—at that time the only means of communication with Dunedin. The following officers were installed:

S.D., Bro. Dr. J. S. Wait; J.D., Bro. Wm. Luke; S.D., Bro. Pinkerton; J.D., Bro. James Bee. It is worthy of

note that the whole of this work was carried out and three candidates elected and initiated in three and a half

hours. W. Bro. Thornley was a most estimable brother, and it was unfortunate that business engagements

called him away from Oamaru immediately after the meeting, and as a consequence Bro. Dr. Wait was

virtually Master for the first year, and on two occasions following was elected to the Chair of K.S, there is no

doubt that to his able guidance is due the initial prosperity of the Lodge, and those who knew the genial

doctor can well imagine that his occupancy of the chair was always firm, dignified, and courteous. For the

first year or so a makeshift Lodge-room was used, and in 1867 a move was made to the Masonic Hall

attached to the Star and Garter Hotel, a room which, judged even by present-day standards; was somewhat

ornate. Owing, however, to the increase of the hotel business this room was vacated in 1876, and a shift

made to the present Masonic Hall, which was built for the joint occupancy of this Lodge and of Lodge

Oamaru Kil., No —; S.C., then but recently come into being, and here the two Lodges have lived in amity

ever since. As the years went on various improvements were made, and now the premises are as convenient

and roomy as the requirements demand. The original territory, so to speak, was a large one, extending, as it

did, from Waikouaiti to Waimate and from the seacoast to the utmost limits of the back country. Amongst its

members have been numbered many brethren who made their mark in both Houses of legislature and in the

civic life of the community. In common with many other colonial Lodges, Waitaki has had its ups and

downs, which synchronised with the many periods of depression experienced in commercial circles in

Oamaru. and at times the moribund state was only staved off by the courage and resource of a few valiant

souls, to whom present-day-members owe a deep, debt of gratitude, But for their efforts it probably would

not have been possible to complete the unbroken period of fifty years.

The silver jubilee was marked by a very acute attack of depression, and it was at this period that the Lodge

almost unanimously resolved to go over to the new. G.L. of New Zealand; in which movement it was in the

forefront, as its number (11) in the books of G.L. indicates:From that time to date the Lodge has made steady

progress. In connection with this important step it is but tight that reference should be made to W. Bro. R.

Hamilton, whom we still have with us hale and hearty, for the important services he rendered in these

troublous times. He was occupying the Chair of K.S. for a second term, and it is not too much to say that he

put a tremendous amount of energy into the work, and materially assisted in bringing matters to a

satisfactory conclusion.

"For the past twenty-five years, the Lodge has pursued the even tenor of its way, and let us hope .that as the

years go by it will increasingly do its duty on behalf of Freemasonry in general, and by a careful guarding of

the porch ensure that worthy men alone are admitted to its membership to assist in worthily maintaining the

traditions of the past."

Following the reading of this sketch a motion was proposed expressing gratitude to the G.A.O.T.U. for

favours received during the past fifty years and, a hope that in the days that are to come the influence of

Freemasonry may make itself felt in preventing such an unbrotherly feeling as the state of the world just now

indicates. This was seconded by W. Bro. Hamilton, who spoke briefly and interestingly about the past.

Regret was expressed that not one of those who assisted in the formation of the Lodge was living to-day, the

nearest link present being W. Bro. H. Wait, from Christchurch, who feelingly referred to his late father's

connection with the Lodge.

There was a thoroughly representative attendance of visitors, and at the after-meeting some interesting

speeches were made, mainly in reference to the "going-over" period, and it was generally conceded that W.

Bro, Roxby had made an excellent start in his year of office. It is somewhat appropriate in this our jubilee

year that the new W.M. is a native of Oamaru, being a son of one of the respected old identities.

At the conclusion of the address W. Bro. Forrester received the congratulations of members, and on the

motion of W. Bro. Grave a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded Bro. Forrester for his interesting history.

—————

THE QUEEN AND THE CRAFT.

——<>——

Her Majesty the Queen received; at Buckingham Palace recently, the committee of ladies formed in October,

on the proposal of Lady Ampthill (wife of the Prov.G.M.), to endeavour to raise from among the wives;

daughters, and sisters of Freemasons, and the Lodges with which they were associated, a sum towards Her

Majesty's efforts on Behalf of women suffering from unemployment because of the war. The Queen, who

wore a dress of violet brocade and velvet, and who was attended by the Hon. Mary Lygon, received very

graciously the ladies as they were presented by Lady Ampthill, shaking hands with each. They were (giving

the Masonic rank of the husband after the lady's name) Mrs, T. F. Halsey (Dep,G.M.), Miss Halsey, Mrs. F,

H. Chevallier Boutell (D.G.M, South America, Southern Division), Mrs. Napier-Clavering (Prov.G.M.,

Northumberland), Mrs. Thomas Fraser (P.G.Treas.), Mrs. Alfred F. Robbins (Pres. of the B. of G.P.), Lady

Letchworth (G.Sec.), Mrs. James Stephens (Pres. of the B. of B.) Mrs, J.D. Langton (Dep.Prov.G.M.,

Surrey), and Mrs, W. Resbury Few (Assist. G. Sec. ).

Lady Ampthill, in presenting the Queen with a cheque for £2,001, said " On behalf of the wives and

daughters of many Freemasons, we ask Your Majesty's acceptance of this cheque, which we hope will be

used in the way Your Majesty thinks best to help those women who are suffering from unemployment on

account of the war. The Fund has been subscribed from all over England and Wales; and South America,

Nigeria, and other Lodges beyond the seas also have joined with us. H.R.H. the Duchess of Connaught was

one of the first to help us, so that Your Majesty may feel assured that the money has been subscribed by

women amongst every section of the Masonic Fraternity. We hope that we may be allowed to express on

their behalf our good wishes for the success of Your Majesty's efforts."

Her Majesty, in reply, observed : "I am very grateful to all the wives and daughters of Freemasons

throughout the world who have combined to send me this generous gift of £2,001, and I hope you will

convey my thanks to as many as you can. I know well of the splendid generosity of Freemasons, and I have

also very pleasant recollections of my visit to the Girls' School two years ago."

The Queen then entered into conversation with the ladies present, exchanging a few words with each, and

then retired with another hand-shake, leaving a most gracious impression upon all who had the honour to

attend.— “The Freemason," London.

—————

ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS OF MASONIC INTEREST.

——<>——

Q. — A man joins a Lodge, and after being a member in it for some time is appointed Sec., and acts in that

capacity for three years. He then retires and contests in separate years the S.D., J.D., and I.G. He secures the

I.G.’s position, and acts for one year. At the end of the term he is nominated for the J.D’s chair, the Chaplain

is brought up against him, and he is defeated again, The following year he is approached by the incoming

Master to be the Sec. again. What should he do?

A.—Acting truly masonically, he would accept the W.M.'s invitation. If human nature intervened, well—

perhaps he would not.

———————————————————————————————————————————

Correspondence.
———————————————————————————————————————————

RELICS FREED BY THE WAR.

———<>———

FUTURE OF THE LAND OF PALESTINE.

———

TO THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR AND BRO., —I was both interested and amused when reading the article under the above headings

that appeared in the current, issue of THE CRAFTSMAN.

No one with any pretensions to education can be ignorant of the fact that Palestine is under Turkish rule, but

it is a mart of midsuthmer madness to suppose that if we are successful in this war, and the Turk is driven out

of Europe, that the Turkish nation will cease to exist. The Turk will still be dominant in- Palestine.

The idea of the writer of the article that any difficulty exists in exploring the Holy Land, that " many of the

most interesting parts of the famous city (Jerusalem) have not been opened to the ordinary visitor," must be

attributed to individual prepossession, This assertion cannot be justified from observation on the spot nor

from information gained from the writings of Palestinian travellers and explorers.

The most amusing statement is : " Chief among these is the site of the Temple of Solomon, which cannot he

touched by a Christian or Hebrew, because it is utilised as a Mohammedan mosque," Moslem would have

been the correct expression; Mohammedan is as offensive to a follower of the prophet as Papist is to a

Roman Catholic. There is no more difficulty in visiting a Moslem mosque than a Christian church. In both

the conventions must be maintained. In the case of the former you remove your shoes, and the latter your hat.

In both due decorum must be observed.

Freemasonry is as common among the Moslems as it is among the Hebrews and Christians, and as the result

of experience I am of opinion that Moslems take the Order more seriously than their Christian brethren do.

They would be quite as interested in excavations that would reveal the altar of sacrifice, the brazen altar, the

molten sea, etc., but no one is aware of the spot where these excavations should be made, as all the so-called

sacred sites have been faked ! -

The magnitude of the deceptions can be realised if it can be remembered that some forty years after the

crucifixion of Christ Jerusalem was so utterly destroyed by Titus as to he left at "mass of scarcely

distinguishable ruins," that it remained a mere heap of stones for some sixty years, when the Emperor

Hadrian built upon the waste a Roman city and made Jerusalem a. purely heathen colony, and it was not until

three hundred years after the death of Christ, when every trace of the city of His time had been obliterated,

that any attempt was made to discover the so-called sacred sites. In the meantime the valley crossed by the

reputed Via Dolorosa has been buried beneath the debris of centuries to the depth of some sixty feet. Dean

Stanley speaks in " Sinai and Palestine " of the constant satisfaction derived from the thought " that the old

city itself lies buried twenty, thirty, forty feet below these wretched shops and receptacles for Anglo-Oriental

conveniences.”

The assertions under the head of "No Admittance" will be news to numerous persons who have been

permitted to visit the so-called, sacred sites without let or hindrance, beyond the occasional payment of a few

piastres.

The war cannot make the Monastery at Mount Sinai more free than it has always been. It contains many

Palimpsests and other interesting ancient documents, and every facility is accorded to visitors to examine and

photograph these. The writer of the article must be a sort of Rip Van Winkle to commit himself to the

statement that in the library was recently found the oldest known manuscript of the Bible. Nearly half a

century ago this manuscript was discovered by a Russian named Tirchendorf and. removed to the Museum at

Petrograd, where it can still be seen,

I will, conclude with two quotations from Sir Frederick Treeves’s book, "The Land that is Desolate": —

“Accompanied by a yapping crowd of children, who are extravagantly unclean, the visitor is taken to the

house of Martha and Mary. This is a mere pennance observed by pilgrims and others, for the spurious

building might as well be called the house of Ananias and Sapphire. He is finally invited by a dozen

begrimed hands to enter the tomb of Lazarus, this sepulchre being the joy of Bethany. The children smile

through their dirt as they reiterate the invitation; for; seemingly, they know that the burying place of Martha's

brother has changed its site from time to time. It is possible that at this point the tourist rebels, for there is

little object in descending into a foul street cellar for the purpose of being shown a grave in which Lazarus

did not lie."

"It was not till we were actually ashore in Port Said that we felt safe—safe from the possibility of being

asked to visit another sacred site."

I enclose my card, and thanking you in anticipation,—Yours fraternally,

AN OLD P.M.

Hastings, 11th June, 1915.

———————————————————————————————————————————

PARSI CEREMONY IN LONDON.

———<>———

RELIGIOUS INITIATION.

———

For the first time for many years the Naojot, ceremony (investiture of the Parsi Sacred Thread) was

performed in London recently. This ceremony is analagous to baptism or confirmation in the Christian faith,

and the child who was initiated into the religion of her forebears on this occasion was Goolcheher, the seven-

year-old daughter of Mr. Rustam R. Desai, a city merchant, and Mrs. Desai.

Dr. M. N. Dhalla, M.A., Ph.D. (High Priest of the Parsis of North-western India), officiated at the ceremony,

which took place at Caxton Hall, in the presence of a numerous gathering of the Parsi and Christian friends

of Mr. and Mrs. Desai. The ritual observed throughout the ceremony was very impressive. The High Priest,

in the vestments of his office, standing before a flaming brazier, prayed with the child, and placed over her

body, which was bare to the waist, the sacred shirt, and afterwards encircled her body with the Sacred

Thread, subsequently anointing her and placing over her shoulders a garland.

Dr. Dhalla afterwards explained the significance of the ritual—how the 72 strands of the thread represented

the 72 chapters comprising the book of the Zoroastrian liturgy; its six lengths, the six days in which God

made heaven and earth; and the three turns he had given it round the child's body symbolising the foundation

of the teachings of the Prophet Zoroaster—good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. In the first place the

ceremony was religious ; secondly, it was social, ensuring the child fellowship with every individual member

of her community. If the child only followed the lesson of good thoughts, good words, and good deeds

throughout life, she would make a good member of the Parsi community, a worthy citizen of the State, and a

desirable member of the religious life of humanity.

Sir Mancherjee Bhownagree, on behalf of Parsis in London, presented to Dr. Dhalla a shawl and a purse,

referring to the High Priest's valuable researches into Zoroastrian lore and to his literary contributions to

Zoroastrian theology.—" The Scotsman."

——————

OBITUARY.

Bro. H. B. McGUIRE.

———

Bro. H. B. McGuire, of Lodge Tutanekai, died at his residence, Island Bay, on 5th

June, after a short illness. Bro. McGuire was a Freemason of long standing. He

joined in Scotland over 30 years ago, and at the time of his death was an .active

and enthusiastic member of his Lodge. His kind and generous disposition will be

missed by the members of the Lodge and a large circle of Masonic friends. The

funeral was a Masonic one. The ceremony was conducted by V.W. Bro. Rev. W. J.

Shirer, M.W. Bro. Seaton, and V.W. Bro. Bridge.

———————————————————————————————————————————

DEATH OF BRO. ROBERT FREKE GOULD, P.O.W.

———<>———

MASONIC HISTORIAN AND AUTHOR.

———

The news received last .week, but not published, that Bro. Robert Freke Gould was seriously ill, and that his

medical advisers had intimated that nothing more could be done by them, prepared us for the subsequent

news of his death, which we are informed took place at his residence, Kingfield Green, Woking, on Friday,

26th March, at the age of 78 years. For the past few years his visits to Masonic gatherings had been growing

less frequent, as the result of gradually developing ill- health and the severe affliction of decaying eyesight.

How much we regret his decease is not a subject for words, for in him we recognised the closest and most

considerate of personal friends; one who knew the difficulties of authorship and journalism, and was ever

ready to help and take pleasure in doing so, and also to make allowances where many would have showered

unjust criticism. The great loss to Masonry will be acknowledged wherever the Masonic symbol is known

arid recognised, for, although an English author, his Masonic Works have been translated into several

European languages, and his shorter writings and studies have been translated into many more tongues.

It might truly be said that his life was made up of the mystic number " three " — for he was essentially a

soldier, barrister, and Freemason. These three separate characteristics were the predominant factors of his

most useful life, and though he had for many years ceased activity as a barrister, and took only a passing

interest in military matters after his retirement from the Army, he retained a burning zeal and constant

activity with his pen on behalf of Freemasonry until a few days before his death. His final letter to this office,

dated 22nd February, showed a mental and literary activity of the keenest nature, and introduced references

to friendships in this country, Gibraltar, and America.

Bro. Gould was a son of the Rev. Robert Freke Gould, Rector of Stoke Pearo, Somerset, and was born at

Ilfracombe, Devon, in 1836. At the age of 19 be entered the Army as ensign in the 86th Royal County Down

Regiment of Foot, and later in the same year was initiated in the Royal Naval Lodge, No. 429, Ramsgate,

and also received his commission as lieutenant, and was transferred to the 31st Regiment. In the following

year his regiment was ordered to Malta, where he was exalted in the Melita Chapter, No. 349, and also

installed a Knight Templar in the Melita encampment. In 1858 he found himself at Gibraltar, where he was

installed Master of the Inhabitants' Lodge, No. 153, E.C. The Lodge roll for the Present year shows him as

the senior living P.M. at the time of its issue, and designates him an honorary member.

His year in the chair was interrupted by a removal to the Cape of Good Hope, and later in the same year to

India. Here he became founder and first Master of the Meridian Lodge, No. 743, of the 1st East Surrey

Regiment, then stationed at Poona. In 1860 he took command of a company at Sinho, in the North China

campaign, and took part in the action at that place, and in the storming of Tangku. For the taking of the latter

forts he received the medal and clasp. In 1862 he served on the, staff of General Staveley in subduing the

Taeping rebellion. The operations in the district of Shanghai resulted in the taking of the stockade of

Nanhsiang, the capture by escalade of the walled cities of Kadin, Tsinpoo, Tsolin, and the fortified town of

Najow, and the success of the operations at Nanhsiang. Afterwards he was appointed by General Staveley to

drill, discipline, and organise a battalion of Manchu soldiers at Tien Tsin. Continuing his stay in China, he

was elected Master of the Northern China Lodge, No. 570, Shanghai, in 1864, and in the following year was

installed 1st Prin. of the Zion Chapter, No. 570, and was a founder of the, Tuscan Lodge, No. 1027, in the

same city.

His departure from China would appear to have terminated his military career, for in 1870 we find him

settled at Russell Square, London, in close proximity to the law centres of the Metropolis. This centre was

most favourable for the continuance of his legal work, and for paying frequent visits to the G.L. Library and

to the British Museum. It was these latter visits which enabled him to lay the foundation upon which so

much valuable material was afterwards to be erected in the way of contributions to the literature of

Freemasonry. What Bro. Gould himself described as the " distractions" of these two libraries caused him to

suspend his legal studies, and in 1877 he went on circuit (the Western) for the last time, and a few years

afterwards gave up his chambers in the Temple, and thus ceased to be even a nominal practitioner at the Bar.

Having thus closed his activities as soldier and barrister, his whole time was available for his chief

"recreation"-Freemasonry. In 1875 he was installed Master of the Moira, Lodge; No. 92, London, and was

re-elected for the following year, being also installed 1st Prin of the Moira Chapter. In 1875 he also served as

a G. Steward, and in that capacity took part in the installation of the Prince of Wales as G.M. of England at

the Royal Albert Hall, which is described by himself in 1911 as the most remarkable spectacle I have over

witnessed during the half-century and more than I have been a Freemason."

Having served for several terms on the B. of G.P. of G.L., and on the Colonial Committee, it was generally

hoped by his friends that his services would secure him the coveted honour of G. rank. This, however, was

not realised until 1880, when he was invested as one of the two S.G.Ds. It may, be as well to state here that

this honour was not awarded for his literary services, for the first half-Volume of his "History of

Freemasonry " was not published until two years later. This fact also emphasises the neglect of the G.L. of

England to reward the literary efforts of its members ; for although Bro. Gould's monumental work was

known and appreciated all the world over, G.L, failed to recognise the merits of the author until December,

1913, when, in honour of the centenary of the union of the G.Ls. of England, he was made a P.G.W.

The researches into Masonic arehteology and history on the part of a small circle of brethren at this time

entailed considerable correspondence by those who were exchanging ideas and discoveries, and the question

of founding a special Lodge for brethren interested in research was mooted. After a few preliminary

difficulties the Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076, was consecrated in 1884, and the desire for the literature

of the Craft was at once given a great stimulus, for those who were associated in the work of this Lodge were

keen upon their task, and in a very short time gave the Craft a literature which has never been surpassed. In

this work Bro. Gould was a leading spirit, and became a founder of the Lodge. In 1887 he was installed

Master, an honour which is the coveted "blue ribbon of Masonry" amongst literary members of the Craft. In

1901 the Inhabitants' Lodge, at Gibraltar, having become too large, a sister Lodge was formed, and in honour

of Bro. Gould, who had been the first Master at the resuscitation in 1858, the new Lodge was named the

Robert Freke Gould Lodge, No. 2874.

Bro. Gould's association with other Lodges may be briefly touched upon. Founder of the King Solomon's

Temple Lodge, No. 3464, of which he was the first Master. Joining member of the Royal Lodge of

Friendship, No. 278, Gibraltar; St. Andrew's in the East, No. 343, S.C., Poona; Orion in the West, No. 415,

Poona; Royal Sussex Lodge, No. 501, Shanghai; and several R.A. Chapters. His literary services to the Craft

have been recognised by several G.Ls. in his election to honorary membership, with rank of P.G.W.,

including Iowa, Ohio, District of Columbia, Kansas, South Dakota, British Columbia, and New Zealand.

His first published work for Freemasonry, entitled "The Four Old Lodges," was followed by "The Atholl

Lodges," but the work which secured him his position as a Masonic author was the " History of

Freemasonry, ' published in three volumes end six half-volumes, For some years this held the field as the

most reliable work on the history of the Craft, a position it still holds. But the rapid growth in the number of

reading Masons created a demand for a handier volume, with the leading facts summarised rather than set

out in so much detail. To meet this demand he published the " Concise History of Freemasonry," which met

with immediate success. This work was awarded a prize of four thousand francs by the G. Orient of Belgium,

as being the best Masonic book written during the decennial period ending in 1909. In addition to the English

edition, an American edition has been published. Translations have also been issued in Holland and Belgium.

Many of his contributions to the transactions of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge are works of skill, erudition, and

patient research. Many of those are out of print, but the best of them, together with articles from " The

Freemason " and other Masonic journals, are reprinted in a handsome volume of Bro. Gould's "Collected

Essays and Papers," published in 1913 by Bro. William Tait, of Belfast, and Messrs. Spencer and Co.,

London.

Bro. Gould's contributions to Masonic literature are not numerous. Many writers have given us more in

quantity of matter and number of volumes, but none have achieved so much success in face of so many

difficulties. He began his work when all matters of Masonic history were hopelessly mixed. All kinds of

false traditions hovered around the name of Freemasonry, and countless rites and sects claimed association

with the Order. His work consisted in clearing the way and breaking down barriers. He truly laid the tracks

upon which his successors found it easy work to travel. His standard was high, both as to literary

accomplishment and to statement of fact. Guesswork and imagination had no part or lot in his researches.

The truth was supreme, and all that possessed not its hall-mark was rejected or laid aside for further

evidence. The work he accomplished will remain for many generations as a monument to his love of the

Craft and his genius as a painstaking and truthful historian. — "The Freemason," London.

—————————

MASONS' MARKS.

———<>———

Many of the older churches in Scotland bear the marks of the workmen who erected them.

FROM ST. GILES'S CHURCH, EDINBURGH.

It was then the custom for masons to have their own particular marks, and these they delighted to leave on

religious buildings. St. Giles's Cathedral, Edinburgh, is said to have the largest number of masons' marks to

be found anywhere. These are to be seen on various parts of the building, and date back to 1350.

ON KIRRIEMUIR PARISH CHURCH

Some very fine examples are to be found on small out-of-the-way churches, such as the Parish Church at

Kirriemuir, made famous by J. M. Barrie, and Seaton Chapel, in East Lothian.

Although the latter building has been much altered and improved, the masons' marks have been carefully

preserved. The inside walls display a, varied and striking collection.

—————————

SUBSCRIPTIONS ACKNOWLEDGED TO 25th JUNE, 1915.

———<>———

C. B. Smith (Palmerston South), J. B. Elliott .(Samoa), E.. J. Sole 20/-, W. E. Bethune, G. Menzies, A. R.

Dowdswell 40/-, J. M. McLeod, G. Wilson, H. Seaton, A. Jolly 30/10, A. McGregor 20/-, Rev. A. M.

Johnson 26/8, E. L. Johnston 2/6 (Wellington); W. Bongard 20/-, W. S. Clarke 27/6, Dr. D. B. Walshe 27/6,

A. L. Read (Thames), G: E. Allen 22/6, M. J. Harris 29/2, J. L. Hanna 10/-, P. C. Thomas 22/6, J. M.

Cochrane, W. Waters, F, A. Balcke, Corbett and Gailliam, J. A. Reid, R. W. Medhurst, H. O. ,Searle, Geo.

W. Nicholls (Paeroa), Robt. Holmes 20/-, John Say 17/6, Evan Morgan 17/6, Horace Jessop, H. de B.

Fleming, C. N. P. Jackson, Robt. Hay, D. C. McKinley (Waihi), D. Congalton, J. T. Knight 30/- (Waikino),

H. C. Fox 20/-, A. E. Hammond 27/6, A. F. Tunks 22/6, C. H. Adams 15/-, W. E. Crump 15/-, E. E.

Hammond 20/-, W. H. Poole 25/-, G.. W. Brown, R. A. Johnston, M. Ashton, H. 3. Harrison, J. C. Young

32/6, T. H. Hall 11/3, W. Thomson 20/-, F. H. Knight. (Tauranga), F. Strugnell (Kamo), L. J. Matthews

(Mangonui), Jones Bros., G. H. Mends (Te Puke), R. Aplin (Khandallah), J. J. Hiskins, J. S. Duncan

(Invercargill), N. Muelli 10/-. (Wanganui), G. F. Johnson, G. E. Townson, S. E. Griffiths (Lumsden), Wm.

Roxburgh (Castle Rock, Lumsden), H. P. Henricksen, D. Walker, A. Rasmussen (Balfour), A. F. Muir (Five

Rivers), R. F. Hayles (Mataura), E. S. Jeffs, A. H. Charlton (Clinton), R. Baldwin 20/10, McG. Wright, W.

Broadley, F. C. Binns, F. C. B. Bishop (Christchurch), W. Henderson (Porewa), L. Wright (Mokotuka), T. F.

Herdman 10/- (Lyttelton), W. R. Leighton, H. Coop (Henderson), A. Brackenbush 17/6, Alf. J. Butt 15/-, S.

J. Hale, Wm. Hill 17/6, T. H. Kirkby 17/6, W. Manson 17/6, A. W. Stevens 27/6, Geo. Urquhart 27/6, W.

Wallace, W. H. Teape 19/2, Jas. R. Blencowl, Wm. T. .Pakes, Fred Reeve (Rotorua), J. Bathurst 23/4, A.

Bray 37/6 (Te Awamutu), C. Stevens 27/6, R. M. Tinsley 3/4, T. Wells 33/-, H. Hine, C. Bowles, J. S. Duff,

E. O. Mackay, H. J. Tree (Te Kuiti), J. Acheson 20/-, R. J. Bowie, F. Fanthorpe 17/6, M. Mattar, C. L. Pettit,

T. C. Thwaites 12/6, A. S. Laird 15/-, J. F. Strang 20/-, N. A. Winter (Taumaranui), C. A. C. Hardy (Rakaia),

A. C. Currie (Napier), J. Perritt 46/- (Sandon), G. J. Sheppard 10/-, W. Duffel] (Hawera), J. Holmes

(Normanby), Dr. Gosset (Sumner), H. Smith (Dannevirke), D. McKenzie 30/- (Addington), G. O. Barber

15/- (Foxton), H. W. S. Hellyer, A. Fieldwick (Dunedin), G. H. Leigh 10d (Woodville), W. Moore

(Carterton), Thos. Jordan 20/- (Stratford), E. R. Galpin (Marton), J. Jacobs 10/- (Hataitai), S. E. Harrap

(Berhampore), V. C. Venimore 17/6, F. H. Mather (Brooklyn), J. Munro (Wallingford, H.B.), H. S.

Valentine 10/. (Mercer), A. Erickson (Auckland), C. L. MacDiamid 4/2 (Hamilton), W. Perry (Parnell), H.

D. Mace (Newmarket).

(All 7/6, except those noted.)

———————————————————————————————————————————

Reports
———————————————————————————————————————————

[Secretaries and Scribes are requested to forward Reports.]

—————

CRAFT LODGES.

—————

SOUTHLAND.

Taringatura, No. l00.—The monthly meeting on 24th May was well attended. The most notable feature of

the business was the lengthy and interesting report of G.L. proceedings delivered by the W.M., who was

present as representative. He laid special emphasis on the strenuous efforts made at G.L. meeting to augment

the War Fund, and urged his brethren to rise to the occasion and make the contribution of the Lodge a worthy

one. In this connection it may be noted that the brethren were somewhat surprised to learn that the W.M. had

been the recipient of a letter of congratulation to the Lodge on its contribution to the War Fund in December

last. Instead of finding this Lodge's contribution to be nearly one-third of the total from Southland, some of

the brethren feared that we had done all too little. Evidently some Lodges have not awakened to their

privileges and their responsibilities. It was decided during the evening to issue a special circular to the

brethren along with that of the M.W.G.M., urging the brethren to make the Lodge's contribution at least £50.

The fact that one brother of the Lodge who volunteered for active service has been wounded at the

Dardanelles should materially help. Yet another young member of the Lodge has volunteered, and his dues

have been remitted till his return at the close of the war. On the motion of W. Bro. Sec. it was resolved to

place £30 on deposit in the P.O. Savings Bank, and W. Bros. G. F. Johnson and W. E. Clark were re-elected

members of the United Board of Enquiry. The Lodge closed at 9.30 p.m.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

—————

OTAGO.

Masters, No. I61.—The monthly meeting was held in the Masonic Hall, Dunedin, on 18th June, when

notwithstanding very rough weather and counter carnival attractions there was a fair attendance of both

members and visitors. The R.W. Prov.G.M. (R.W. Bro. J. J. Clark) attended officially, and received R.W.

Bro. T. S. Graham; D.G.M., E.C., who was the speaker of the evening. R.W. Bro. Graham regretted that he

had not had time to prepare a set address, but kept the brethren interested for some time with pertinent

remarks on the Order, Masters' Lodges, and early recollections of Freemasonry in Otago. On the motion of

R.W. Bro. Fieldwick, seconded by W. Bro. R. Jamieson, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to R.W. Bro.

Graham for turning out on such an inclement evening in order to instruct and entertain the brethren. A

question relating to the narrative in the Third Degree as given in Scotch Lodges was propounded by W. Bro.

J. de Beer, and this gave rise to a very interesting discussion upon that degree, the Prov.G.M., R.W. Bro.

Graham, the W.M., and others all giving views as to when and where certain innovations which gave rise to

anomalies had been introduced. The W.M. (W. Bro. D. Harris Hastings) gave a short resume of G.L.

business, and in the refectory explained fully what had been done in G.L., and what was doing in the

northern towns he had recently visited re the M.W.G.M.'s War Fund, and he made an earnest appeal to the

Otago brethren to support that fund. Before retiring R.W. Bro. T. S. Graham undertook to give a prepared

address at the September meeting.— [Lodge Correspondent.]

—————

Clinton, No. 183.—The monthly meeting was held on 27th May in the Oddfellows' Hall, Clinton, Bro. A. H.

Charlton, W.M., presiding. There was a good attendance of brethren and several visitors. A discussion took

place on the M.W.G.M.'s Special War Benevolent Fund, with the result that the matter was left entirely to the

generosity of the members at present. One candidate was initiated, and the ceremony was well carried out.

The W.M. obligated and communicated the Ss.; Bro. Wright, S.W., Apron Charge; W. Bro. Capamagian,

I.P.M., N.E. Corner ; Bro. W. McIndoe, J.W., Mode of Prep.; Bro. R. Mclndoe, D. of C., W.Ts. ; Bro. Wm.

Brown, J.D., Final Charge. Lodge closed at 10 p.m., and the usual pleasant hour was spent in the "Fourth."—

[Lodge Correspondent.]

—————

CANTERBURY.

Southern Cross, No. 6.—The monthly meeting was held at Kaiapoi on 10th June. W. Bro. W. A. Gribble

presided over a fair attendance of members. The meeting was a week late this month, on account of the local

Belgium Carnival being held on what should have been our Lodge night. However, this gave Crown Lodge,

of Christchurch, whose meeting night falls on the same night as ours, an opportunity to visit us. W. Bro. H.

Tapping took advantage of the opportunity, and with a following of thirteen journeyed out to Kaiapoi. The

work of the evening was the passing of two candidates, and the W.M. was ably assisted in the work by W.

Bro. H. Tapping, W.M. of Crown Lodge (S.E. Address), R.W. Bro. Broadley, P.G.S.W. (Charge after

Investiture), and W. Bro. E. Haley, of Crown Lodge, explained the W.Ts. in a very interesting and thorough

manner. R.W. Bro. Broadley presented M.M. certificates to two brethren. The monthly collection for the

Special War Fund was then taken up. H.G.W. having been expressed by the visiting brethren, the Lodge was

closed, and the brethren retired to the refectory, where a very enjoyable hour was spent, the success of which

was mainly due to the whole-hearted way in which Bro. Jell, of Avon Lodge, gives his services in song.

After the usual toasts were honoured, R.W. Bro. Broadley proposed the toast of two of our brethren who

were leaving on Saturday for the front.—{Lodge Correspondent.]

—————

Concord, No. 39.—The installation meeting took place in the Masonic Hall, Papanui, on 26th May, W. Bro.

R. Laurie in the chair. The brethren were particularly glad to see our W.M. present, Bro. Laurie having come

all the way from Ohakune to attend. A candidate was balloted for and elected, and the balance-sheet for the

year, with the Auditor's report, was received. The Lodge is in a very satisfactory financial position. The

visitors and Prov.G.L. having been received, the installation ceremony was proceeded with, under the

direction of the M.W.Prov.G.M., Bro. Harry Wilson, S.W., being installed into the chair of K.S: with

becoming dignity. The various W.Ts. were presented by the W.Ms. of Lodges Ashley, Canterbury, and

Lyttelton. The addresses to the Wardens and brethren were given by W. Bros. Yemm and A. H. Hobbs

respectively. W. Bro. F. C. B. Bishop invested the Wardens, and W. Bro. S. P. Smith the rest of the officers.

Slight references were made to the late proceedings of G.L. at Wellington, but details were omitted so as to

give our own representative an opportunity to report at our next meeting, but from, the few remarks dropped

by some of our W. brethren high in authority who were present at G.L., we are rather anticipating something

interesting from our G.L. representative. Before closing the Lodge the usual appeal to the brethren on behalf

of the Annuity Fund resulted in a substantial subscription. The ceremony being finished, the Lodge

adjourned to the refectory, where an old-time banquet was done justice to by the many present. After two

years' flirting at our installation meetings with the new innovation known as the " Stand Up," it really

appears that the old style of a sit-down supper is, after all, perhaps more sociable. It is certainly nicer and

more decorous, and is quite as inexpensive. In the numerous speeches, our newly-made W.M. received the

best of congratulations. W. Bro. Wilson is, in many ways, a prototype of his bosom friend, W. Bro. " Wally "

Gason. He is quiet and unassuming, perhaps too much so, but there is no questioning his ability as a ritualist.

It is doubtful whether any brother of our Lodge has a better knowledge of his ritual than W. Bro. Wilson has,

and he is intensely conscientious through it all. Under his guidance there should be little chance of the

Concord Lodge deteriorating in its ceremonial and ritualistic work ; besides, our W.M. will have the support

of a very enthusiastic .set of officers. However, the success of a Lodge does not altogether depend on the

extraordinary correctness of its ceremonial work, nor on the number of times its Master visits other Lodges,

or even on the size of his retinue on such occasions. These matters more closely affect those brethren in

office. There still remains a large number of brethren who are content to stay floor members always, but

who, at the same time, have a great regard for their Lodge and take more interest in its welfare than probably

may be thought. These members look upon the success of their Lodge's own meetings as being more

important than most outside affairs. Such a member should, therefore, be made to feel that there is just as

much interest taken in his attendance, and that he is just as welcome as the most enterprising aspirant for

office. The success of a Lodge is as much assured by the homogeneity of its own individual rank and file, as

it is by any attempt to become a shining light amongst the outside constellations. We feel sure, however, that

in spite of the depressing feeling that mast, naturally, during this war fall, more or less, upon all functions of

every description, W. Bro. Wilson is going to have .a very pleasant year, and the Concord Lodge a happy

and prosperous time under his guidance.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

—————

Christchurch, No. 91.—The monthly meeting was held in the St. Augustine Hall on 25th May, W. Bro. R.

J. Thomas (Master) presiding. After routine business had been transacted, the W.M. handed over the gavel to

W. Bro. A. C. Andrews, P.M., and asked him to appoint his officers for the " P.M.'s Night." The following

officers were appointed :— S.W., W. Bro. H. Hopkinson; J.W., W. Bro. Geo. Yemm; I.P.M., R.W. Bro. S.

C. Bingham ; Chaplain, W. Bro. R. McFarlane; D. of C. W. Bro. F. L. Adams ; S.D. W. Bro. G. Ferguson;

J.D., Bro. J. W. Roberts ; 1.G., W. Bro. G. H. McLean. The ritual work consisted of the initiation of two

candidates, who were obligated by the W.M., receiving from him the secrets of the degree. The Charge in the

N.E. was given by W. Bro. J. Henderson, the Charge after Investiture by W. Bro. S. C. Bingham, the W.Ts.

were presented by W. Bro. Parkes, the Final Charge by W. Bro. G. Mazey, and the T.B. lecture was given by

W. Bro. R. Torrance. A report of the proceedings of G.L. was given by the Lodge delegate, W. Bro. R. D.

Thomas. The Lodge having been closed, a pleasant hour was spent in the refectory, where the " old 'uns '

were complimented on their work.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

—————

Thistle, No. 113.—I must apologise to members of Thistle Lodge for the non-appearance of notices recently.

The regular meeting was held in the Masonic Hall, Ashburton, on 16th June, when a fair attendance was

presided over by the W.M., Bro. S. Crooks. The ceremonial work was the raising of Bro. Langford. The

ceremony of the Alternative Scotch was carried out by the following brethren :—Ob., W. Bro. S. Crooks;

Exhort., W. Bro. Harris; Lt. of M.M., W. Bro. Knight; Secrets, W. Bro. J. Williams ; T.H., W. Bro. T.

Williams; Signs, W. Bro. Campbell; W.Ts., W. Bro. Meddins; Charge, W. Bro. King. The W.M. presented

his report as G.L. delegate, and was thanked. A pleasant hour was afterwards spent in the refectory.—[Lodge

Correspondent.]

—————

Robert Burns, No. 139.—The regular meeting, held in St. Augustine Hall, Christchurch, on 18th May, took

the form of a " P.M.'s Night." There was a good attendance of members and visitors. The Lodge was opened

by W. Bro. Eastwood, W.M., who then handed the gavel to W. Bro. Watson, who was to assume the chair of

K.S. The other officers were filled as follows :—S.W., W. Bro. Newburgh; J.W., W. Bro. Kestall; J.D., W.

Bro. W. M. Robinson; S.D., W. Bro. R. Brighting ; D. of C., W. Bro. Smithson; I.G., W. Bro. R. L. Bush.

The work consisted of the initiation of two candidates, additional interest being lent by the fact that one of

the candidates was the son of the W.M. The W.M. was assisted by W. Bro. L. Watson, W.M. Tawera Lodge

(Charge after I.), W. Bro. Kestall (W.Ts.), W. Bro. Smithson (Ex. and Prep.), W. Bro. Bush (Charge in N.E.),

and W. Bro. Daltry, W.M. Conyers Lodge (Final Charge). This concluded the ceremonial work, and the

brethren adjourned to the refectory, where the usual toasts were honoured, and an enjoyable time spent.

The June meeting was held on the 16th in St. Augustine Hall. There was a large attendance of members and

visitors, the W.M., W. Bro. R. Eastwood, in the chair of K.S. Nominations for officers for the ensuing year

were received. The ceremonial work consisted of the raising of two brethren. The W.M. was assisted during

the ceremony by W. Bro. T. A. Kerr, W.M. St. Augustine Lodge (Charge after I.), W. Bro. Kent, acting-

W.M. Conyers Lodge (W.Ts.), W. Bro. Bush and Bro. R. H. Taylor, S.W. (T.H.) W. Bro. Brighting, D. of C.

(Extended S.), and Bro. T. Kirker, S.D. (Final Charge). After the Lodge was closed the usual pleasant hour

was spent in the refectory.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

—————

Tawera, No. 188.—The regular meeting was held in the Masonic Hall, Oxford, on 1st June. W. Bro.

Lancelot Watson presided over a good attendance of members. The ceremonial work was to pass a brother to

the Second Degree, which was done in a most impressive manner. The ceremony was made specially

impressive by the evident earnestness and transparent sincerity of the candidate, who was obligated by the

W.M. W. Bro. Jones, D. of C., communicated the Ss.; the S.E. Charge was given by W. Bro. Weld, I.P.M.;

the W.Ts. were presented by Bro. R. F. Henderson, S.W.; and the Final Charge was given by Bro. W. G.

Rudd, J.W. The W.M. gave an interesting epitome of the annual communication of G.L. A pleasant hour was

spent in the refectory.

On 8th June an emergency meeting was held to initiate a candidate who had been unable at a former meeting

to present himself, on account of illness. There was a good attendance, and W. Bro. L. Watson presided, and

obligated the candidate. The Ss. were communicated by W. Bro. T. Heasley; Bro. R. F. Henderson, S.W.,

invested the candidate and gave the R. for Prep.. W. Bro. Weld, I.P.M., gave the Charity Charge ; and Bro.

W. G. Rudd the Final Charge. In the refectory a pleasant hour was spent, and Bro. Rudd, J.W., was

particularly happy in proposing the toast of the candidate.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

—————

WESTLAND.

Mawhera, No. 136.—The regular meeting was held in the Lodgeroom, Greymouth, on 13th May, W.M.

Bro. Hales in the chair. The business was raising Bro. Wilson to the degree of M.M. W. Bro. Hales was

assisted by W. Bro. Greenwood and W. Bro. Rundle. Congratulatory reference was made to the appointment

of W. Bro. Richmond, of this Lodge, to the position of Prov.G.M. of the West Coast. The announcement of

the appointment was received with gratification by Lodge Mawhera, and is most popular among all Masons

on the Coast. —[Lodge Correspondent.]

—————

NELSON AND MARLBOROUGH.

Victory, No. 40.—The annual installation took place under the most favourable circumstances on 27th May,

when Bro. Alfred E. Hedges was installed into the highest office. The occasion was rendered more important

by the acceptance of an invitation by the Lodges in the northern portion of our territory to do the whole of

the work. This brought a large contingent of W. brethren from the Blenheim side, and the ceremony was

carried out with much satisfaction. The Lodge-room was filled with a splendid representation of all district

Lodges, including Southern Star of Christchurch, E.C. The installing ceremony was undertaken by R.W. Bro.

W. E. Redman, Prov.G.M., and he was assisted by P.Ms. of Marlborough Lodges, W. Bros. G. Logan,

P.G.S., R. Furness, G.B.B., C. H. Mins, F. Kirby,- P.G.St.B., M. McKenzie, G.S., G. Girling, and Lightfoot,

P.G.St.B., W. H. Buckman, and W. A. Russell, representing Wairau, Unanimity, and Havelock Lodges. W.

Bro. G. Logan, P.G.S., carried out the duties of D. of C. Officers were invested as follows :— I.P.M., W.

Bro. E. W. Rudman; S.W., Bro, J. L. Ching; J.W., Bro. H. P. Stephenson; Treas., R.W. Bro. W. Moyes; Sec.,

W. Bro. R, W. Stiles ; S.D., Bro. W. Widdowson; J.D., Bro. C. M. Whelan; D. of C., W. Bro. H. H.

Johnston; Chaplain, W. Bro. A. E. Cresswell; Organist, Bro. A. G. Thompson; I. G., Bro. L. Reynolds; Tyler,

Bro. C. W. Moore ; S.S., Bro. F. J, Lock ; J.Ss., Bros. A. G. Shrimpton and H. H. Edwards; Auditors, Bros.

G. J. Robertson and D. H, Wilmot, The newly-installed Master gave an excellent address to the brethren. The

Installing Master earnestly appealed on behalf of the War Benevolent Fund, and it was reported that Victory,

would be sending its first quota of £30 in June. A collection on behalf of the W. and O. and A.M.. Fund

realised £7. At the festive board the speeches and songs were largely of a patriotic nature, and the war was

naturally the pivot on which everyone centred. Victory has the following brethren at the front :—W. Bro.

Captain Jas. Houlker (Third Reinforcement), Bros. J. S. Nelson (First Expeditionary), P. C. McLaren, and J.

V. Blake Huffam (Medical Section). On Thursday, 10th June, the new officers worked the Second Degree,

and gave a good account of themselves. Two brethren were passed. There were two propositions for

membership, and the 100 mark of membership is rapidly being reached.— [Lodge Correspondent.]

—————

HAWKES BAY.

Scinde, No. 5.—The installation of Bro. J. P. Thomson as W.M., and the investiture of officers; was held in

the Masonic Hall, Tennyson Street, Napier, on 16th June. The W.M., W. Bro, C. H, Critchley, presided over

a record attendance (there being visitors from as far north as Auckland and as far south as Invercargill), fully

180 being present, including Bros. H. K. Thomson, Hastings, D. Thomson, Feilding (brothers of the new

W.M.) and Bro. J. Fisher, Otautau (nephew). The Lodge was opened at 4 p.m., and the ordinary business

having been disposed of, the G.D. of C., W, Bro, C. L. Thomas, announced R.W. Bro. H. L. Harston,

Prov.G.M., and G.L. officers, who were received with the customary honours. Amongst the G.L. officers

were R.W. Bro. F. de Lisle, P.P.G.M., and W. Bro. C. L. Take, P.G. Chaplain, and the chairs were occupied

by the following W. brethren — G.S.W., W. Bro. G. F. Roach ; Bro, J. Redshaw ; G. S.D., W. Bro. R.

Chadwick ; G.J.D., W. Bro. T. Ritchie ; Bro. J. B. E. Bird, P.G.Purs, ; W. Bro. E. Basil Jones, P.G.S. The

ancient charges were road by the Sec., W. Bro. L. Freedman, S.G.W. The W.M.-elect was then obligated,

after which a B. of I.M, was formed, and Bro, J. P. Thomson installed into the chair of K.S. in due and

ancient form. The Lodge was called off, and resumed in the evening, when the room was taxed to its utmost

capacity. The W.Ts. were delivered by W. Bro. Freedman, S.G.D. W. Bro. Wilson (W.M. Lodge Lion, No.

114), and W. Bro. A. W. Kirk (W.M. Lodge Victoria, No. 21). The address to the W.M. was rendered by

R.W. Bro. T. A. Peterkin, Prov.G.M., Wellington. The W.M. then invested his I.P.M., W. Bro. C. H.

Critchley; S.W., Bro. R. Bishop; and J.W., Bro. J. Bowes. The Wardens were then addressed by R.W. Bro. F.

de Lisle, P.P.G.M. W. Bro. Critchley invested the other officers as follows :—Sec., W. Bro. L. Freedman,

S.G.D. ; Chaplain, V.W. Bro. C. L. Tuke, P.G. Chaplain; S.D., Bro. P. H. Harris; J.D., Bro. A. J. Turville; D.

of C., W. Bro. C. L. Thomas; Organist, Bro. A. Hobson; LG., Bro. E. A.. Williams ; Stewards, Bros. Louis

Wood and Fred Cordingley; Tyler, Bro, T. M. Thornton. The brethren were addressed by R.W. Bro. Harston,

Prov.G.M., and he also made a special appeal on behalf of the W. and O. and A.M. Fund, the result being a

collection of £9 18. 6d. This amount will be subsidised from Lodge funds to make the total £21, W. Bro.

Critchley, I.P.M., was presented by the Lodge with a handsome gold shield, having a replica of the Napier

coat of arms, to fix to the P.M.'s jewel which he already possesses; also from the members of Scinde Lodge,

on his leaving Napier to take over the ".Waipawa Mail," a handsome silver-mounted oak tray and harlequin

set of tea cups and saucers. Bro. T. W. Bear, on vacating the Treasurer's chair, which he has filled for the

past 14 years, with honour to himself and usefulness to the Lodge was elected an honorary life member for

eminent services, and on behalf of the members was presented with a cheque to buy himself a souvenir to

mark their appreciation of his long and faithful work. The customary banquet was held in the Princess Hall,

and the usual loyal and fraternal toasts were honoured, and songs and recitations were rendered, and an

instrumental quartette by members of Heretaunga Lodge orchestra was greatly appreciated. On each plate

was a floral button-hole and a card for donations towards the. G.M. War Distress Fund. W. Bro. Thomson,

W.M., presented to Lodge Scinde " The Hat " he had bought which had belonged to R.W: Bro. A. Peterkin,

and which had been placed in a glass case donated by W. Bro. Baudinet, Sec. of Lodge Leinster. Bro. R.

Bishop, S.W., returned the thanks of the Lodge for this historic memento of a notable occasion. R.W. Bro.

Peterkin then addressed the brethren, emphasising the necessity of subscribing liberally to the G.M. War

Distress Fund, and played upon their feelings to such a tune that £130 was subscribed, of which amount

Scinde Lodge members donated £80 and other Lodges £42, cash collected £8. The cards belonging to the

various Lodges will be forwarded to their respective Secs., and amounts donated will be credited to the

Lodges when collected. R.W. Bro. Peterkin also proposed an extra toast of thanks to the ladies who

decorated the tables so handsomely, and provided the beautiful button-holes.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

—————

Victoria, No. 21.—The installation of Bro. A. W. Kirk took place in the Lodgeroom on 2nd -June, by R.W.

Bro. H. L. Harston, assisted by W. Bro. C. H. Critchley as D. of C., and a full complement of G.L. officers.

There was a large attendance of brethren and visitors, including Lodges Scinde and Heretaunga, a striking

feature in this connection being the attendance of several P.Ms. from distant Lodges, who greatly assisted in

the beautiful ceremony. The address to the W.M. was most impressively given by W. Bro. J. D. Watson, and

it is not likely to be soon forgotten by those brethren privileged to hear it. The address to the Wardens was

also nicely given by W. Bro. J. W. Ritchie, as was also the address to the brethren by R.W. Bro. Harston.

The W.Ts. in each instance were given by W. Bro. L. Freedman (Lodge Scinde), W. Bro. P. W. Tombs

(Lodge Heretaunga), W. Bro. H. W. Whitton (Lodge Victoria), W. Bro. Gore (Lodge Bedford). , The W.M.

invested his officers as follows :—S.W., Bro. H. Hill; J.W., W. Bro. W. A. Wilkie, P.M.. Treas., W. Bro. E.

Chegwidden, P.M.; Sec., W. Bro. J. Redshaw, P.M.; Chaplain, V.W. Bro. C. L. Tuke, P.M.; Organist, Bro. J.

Rockell; S.D., Bro. W. Simpson; J.D., Bro. H. Bate; D. of C., W. Bro. J. B. Andrew, PM. I.G., Bro. W, J.

Jarvis ; S.S., Bro. H. F. Funcke Bro. W. E. Yates ; Tyler, Bro. G. Robson, W. Bro. H. W. Whitton, who has

held the office of W.M. for the past two years, was presented with a P.M.'s jewel by R.W. Bro. Harston. The

Prov.G.M. asked the brethren to give liberally to the offertory in view of the special appeal by the G.M., and

a liberal response was the result, After the Lodge closed the brethren repaired to the Foresters' Hall, where

the installation banquet took place. The toast of the W.M. was proposed by W. Bro. Whitton; W. Bro, Kirk

suitably responding. During the proceedings two photographs, W. Bro. Wundram and V.W. Bro. Canon

Tuke, were auctioned in aid of the G.M.'s War Fund, and returned £20.—[Lodge Correspondent.]—[Many

thanks for card.—ED.C.]

—————

Bedford, No. 25.—The regular meeting was held in the Lodgeroom on 25th May. The W.M., Bro. W. F.

Gore, was greeted by a full muster of officers, quite a number of brethren, and two visitors. The balance-

sheet for the year ended 31st March, disclosing a small credit cash balance, and assets exceeding liabilities to

the extent of £666, was read and adopted. Accounts amounting to £45 6s. 7d. were passed for payment. Two

candidates were raised to the Third Degree, the work being distributed as under : Ob., Bro. Gore; Retro., W.

Bro. Booth, I.P.M.; Raising and Entrusting, W. Bro. W. A. Chambers; Investiture; S.W.: Bro. Williams ;

T.H., W. Bro. Elliott; W.Ts, J.W. Bro. Graham ; Final Charge, S.W. Bro. Williams. Two candidates for

admission wore elected subject to initiation. A resolution to alter the regular date of meeting from Tuesday

on or before full moon to the second Wednesday in each month was fully discussed, and in deference to the

wishes of the country members it was finally resolved to meet on the Wednesday nearest full moon in each

month. The installation meeting was fixed for the Thursday nearest full moon in April. W. Bro. Sec.,

reported that contributions to the Special War Benevolent Fund, in response to the G.M.'s appeal, were still

coming to hand. Thereupon our delegate to G.L., W. Bro. W. A. Chambers, made a stirring appeal for a

hearty response to this particular fund. He reminded the brethren that numbers of Freemasons from our

shores were cheerfully laying down their lives in the terrible war now in progress in Europe, and stressed the

necessity of making provision for relieving the suffering that is bound to follow. One candidate was

proposed for admission. Our J.W., Bro. D. J. Graham, has received notice of transfer from the local Post

Office to Eltham, and occasion was taken in the refectory to give expression to the very high esteem in

which he is held by all the members of Bedford. Bro. Graham was particularly happy in his response to the

very cordial good wishes tendered to him, and entertained the company by his excellent impersonation of

well-known local brethren and citizens. A very pleasant evening was brought to a close by the singing of

"Auld Lang Syne."—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Abercorn, No. 30.—The regular meeting was held on 31st May, when W. Bro. Williams, W.M., presided

over a fair attendance of brethren. The ceremonial work consisted of passing a brother to the Second Degree.

The ceremony was performed by the W.M., assisted by W. Bro. Hobin (Secrets and Charge in S.E.), Bro.

Parkin (W.Ts.), and Bro. Pasco (Investiture and Final Charge). W. Bro. Watson, I.P.M., thanked the Lodge

for its letter of sympathy, and feelingly referred to the loyalty shown by the brethren to himself and family

during their recent sad bereavement. H.G.W. from Lodge Bedford was tendered by W. Bro. Wright, whom

we were all pleased to have with us as a visitor. A quiet hour in the refectory brought a pleasant evening to a

close.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Rawhiti, No. 66.—The installation meeting was held on 26th May, the ceremony being conducted by W.

Bro. F. Craven, P.M. R.W. Bro. H. L. Harston, Prov,G.M. for Hawkes Bay, and R.W. Bro. T. Hobson,

P.P.G-.M., were also present. W. Bro. R. A. Gillespie, as D. of C., had everything thoroughly arranged, and

every part of the ceremony went off without a hitch. The following W. brethren composed the B. of I.M. : —

G.S.W., W. Bro. J. Brown; G.J.W. W. Bro. J. Craven; G. Chaplain, V.W. Bro. Nicholas; G.S.D., W. Bro. R.

N. Blakiston; G.J.D., W. Bro. R. P. Soundy ; G.I.G., W. Bro. W. Haines; G.S.B., W. Bro. R. C. Chadwick.

Our new W.M. (W. Bro. Wm. Snell) is a very highly esteemed officer, and is in every way fitted for the

position he has attained, and no doubt he will have a very pleasant year's work, as he is well supported by

good and intelligent officers, and a large number of P.Ms. to assist him. The Lodge is now in the happy

position of having a substantial credit balance, so that the new W.M. will have no financial worries.

Immediately after the new W.M. was placed in the chair he proceeded to invest the following officers, which

he did in a very creditable manner :— D.M., W. Bro. J. Craven, P.M.; I.P.M., W. Bro. F. A. Butler-Harrison

S.W., Bro. J. C. Davidson ; J.W., Bro. C. R. James; Sec., W. Bro. Thos. Paton, P.M.; Treas., W. Bro. J.

Brown, P.M. ; D. of C., W. Bro. R. A. Gillespie, P.M. ; S.D., Bro. C. T. Brown ; J.D., Bro. W. Dobson; I.G.,

Bro, A. B. Mollgaard ; Organist, Bro. A. E. Savage ; S.S., Bro. G. Harris; J.S., Bro. L. G. Armstrong ; Tyler,

Bro. A. H. Ross. W. Bro. F. Craven was ably assisted by the other officers of which the Board was

composed. R.W. Bro. R. S. Chadwick, P.M. of Lodge Lion, addressed the W.M., R.W. Bro. T. Hobson

addressed the Wardens, and R.W. Bro. H. L. Harston addressed the brethren, and he also presented the

Charter. The collection for the Annuity Fund amounted to £10 5s. Before closing the Lodge the W.M. invited

all present to partake of refreshments, which were arranged in the Town Hall Concert Chamber, and a very

large number attended, a pleasant time being spent.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Heretaunga, No. 73.—The annual meeting was held on 9th June, at 3.30 p.m. for the installation of W. Bro.

J. H. Cole-bourne, P.M., as W.M. for the ensuing year. The Prov.G.M. for Hawkes Bay, R.W. Bro. H. L.

Huston, conducted the ceremony, ably assisted by R.W. Bro. T. Hobson, and W. Bros. Freedman, Hosking,

Thomas, Grant, Hird, and T.W. Bro. Rev. Tuke, P.G. Chaplain. Bro. Sec. acted as D. of C. There was a very

fair attendance at the afternoon ceremony, but when the Lodge resumed at 7.30 p.m. our capacious Temple

was comfortably filled. There was a good attendance of members, and many visitors from all parts of the

Dominion. After the visitors were admitted and G.L. officers were in their places, the Lodge was called on

and the proclamations made in the three degrees. Then followed the investiture of officers very capably by

the W.M. The addresses to the W.M, Wardens, and brethren were given by R.W. Bro. T. Hobson, W. Bro.

Hosking, and the installing officer. The W.Ts. were presented to the W.M. by W. Bros. Thomas, Kirk, and

Tombs. The following officers were invested :—I.P.M., W. Bro. P. W. Tombs; S.W., Bro. C. H. Martin;

J.W., Bro. L. T. Cooper ; Treas., W. Bro. W. A. Carter; Sec., W. Bro. T. Morgan; Chaplain, W. Bro. J. W.

Bates, P.M.; D. of C., W. Bro. J. B. Hird, P.M.; S.D., Bro. R. W. Jones; J.D., Bro. J. E. Jones; I.G., Bro. W.

R. Wright ; Tyler, Bro. T. S. Dobson; S.S., Bro. J. Foot; J.S., Bro. T. P. Short. P.M.'s jewels were presented

by the Lodge to W. Bros. Shaw and McGlashan, and a large framed photograph of officers for 1914-15 to W.

Bro. Tombs from his officers. The recipients suitably replied. The whole function was a complete success,

and a pleasant two hours were spent in the refectory, where very light refreshments were provided.—[Lodge

Correspondent.]

——————————

AUCKLAND.

Albion, No. 45.—The installation meeting was held on 10th June, when there was a large attendance of

members and visitors. The Master-elect, Bro. W. G. Allen, was installed by W. Bro. W. Coltman, the

outgoing Master, who conducted the ceremony of installation in a very capable manner. The Prov.G.M.,

M.W. Bro. O. Nicholson, accompanied by G.L. officers, paid an official visit. During the evening he

invested W. Bro. D. Jameson as J.G.D., and W. Bro. H. D. Bunby as G.St.B. The address to the Master was

given by R.W. Bro. M. McLean, P.D.G.M., that to the Wardens by R.W. Bro. Harris, J.G.W., and that to the

brethren by M.W. Bro. O. Nicholson, Prov.G.M. A very handsome P.M.'s jewel was presented to the retiring

Master (W. Bro. W. Coltman) as a mark of esteem and appreciation of his year's work as Master. W. Bros.

G. Reid and H. McRae acted as presenting officers, W. Bro. C. Hudson and W. Bro. F. S. F. Weir occupied

the chairs of S.W. and J.W. during the Board, and W. Bro. Scott acted as I.G. Officers were invested as

follows :—I.P.M., W. Bro. W. Coltman ; S.W., Bro. V. R. Anderson ; J.W. Bro. M. G. King ; Chaplain, W.

Bro. E. Bartley ; Treas.' V.W. Bro. W. R. Goudie; Sec., W. Bro. F. H. Hounsell; D. of C., W. Bro. H. D.

Bunby; S.D., Bro. P. W. McCallum; J.D., Bro. J. E. Hammond; Organist, V.W. Bro. W. C. Rolfe; I.G., Bro.

H. A. Harris; S.S., Bro. C. L. Jewell; J.S., Bro. W. S. Trayes; Assist.Stewards, Bros. Bourne, Walker,

Thornton, Scammell, and Hoverd ; Tyler, Bro. McMurtie. A very pleasant after meeting took place when the

Lodge was closed, the usual patriotic and Masonic toasts being honoured, and a good programme of

instrumental and vocal items given by various brethren, including two by our genial visitor, R.W. Bro.

Harris, J.G.W.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Alpha, No. 81.—The regular meeting was held on 26th May, the W.M., W. Bro. A. A. Curtain, being in the

chair. No degrees were conferred, but a pleasant evening was spent in discussing various matters of interest

to the Lodge, chief of which was a motion by Bro. G. H. Ollard, Sec., "That as long as the present war lasts,

this Lodge discontinue the use of alcoholic liquors at the usual monthly meetings." The motion was seconded

by W. Bro. Ferguson, and after being heartily supported by W. Bro. Dr. E. E. Roberts, I.P.M., and several

other brethren, was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. A letter from G.L. calling for support to the

G.L. War Fund was dealt with. It was decided, in addition to the sum of £10 already voted from the Lodge

funds, to call for volimtary subscriptions from the brethren, by which means it is hoped and fully expected

that a contribution of at least £1 per member will be available very shortly. The W.M. gave a very interesting

address on the proceedings of G.L., and at its conclusion was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks.—

[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Tauranga, No. 125.—The regular meeting was held on 27th May, there being one candidate for the Second

Degree. Before being examined Bro. C. Lowe delivered to the candidate the Final Charge of the First

Degree. He was passed to the Second Degree by the W.M., Bro. T. H; Phillips, assisted by Bro, E. E.

Hammond, S.W., who gave the address in the S.E.; Bro, C. H. Adam, J.W., presented the W.Ts.; and Bro.

W. H. Poole delivered the Final Charge. It was proposed and carried that a levy of 2s. per month be made on

members of the Lodge until the end of the war, the total proceeds of this to go to the Special War Fund.—

[Lodge Correspondent.]

——————————

TARANAKI,

Hawera, No. 34.—The regular monthly meeting was held on 1st June, when a fairly good evening's work

was got through. Bro. J. W. J. Harding, S.W., was elected as W.M. for the ensuing year, and W. Bro. Quin as

Treas. The election of Tyler was held over, as the present Tyler had never been elected a member of the

Lodge, and this was found to be necessary to enable him to be elected and invested. Three new members

were elected, including a " Lewis," who was shortly proceeding to Trentham on active service. A

dispensation had been obtained to waive some of the formalities in connection with the proposition, and he

was duly initiated at this meeting, and at an emergency meeting on the 8th he was given the Second Degree.

It having been one of the last wishes of his father, now at rest, for his son to become member of the Order,

our members had no hesitation in availing themselves of the privilege accorded by the Constitution to make

him a member and to accelerate his progress. We hope to have the opportunity of conferring the Third and so

make him a M.M. before the departure of the reinforcements. On the same evening he was passed one

brother was raised to the degree of a M.M. He also has volunteered for active service, either in the ranks or

in his professional capacity, and although his departure is uncertain, his Third was given in advance of some

of the others so as to complete his Masonic degrees. At the meeting on the 1st there were one or two

interesting items. The first was a resolution that we should present each brother going on service with some

useful and appropriate present. So far we have presented wristlet watches, suitably inscribed, to Bros.

Richardson, C. S. Smith, Bickford, J. G. Grant, and R. F. S. Craig. There are others to follow; and we feel

proud of them all. A series of resolutions were submitted in the direction of economising without impairing

efficiency, and the net savings to go to the relief funds. The first of these affected the refectory, which aimed

at reducing the cost of refreshments, but making it purely a personal matter with each brother, yet still

upholding the principles of charity in its broadest sense, and also temperance and prudence, An amendment,

however, was proposed, which would have enforced prohibition on the Lodge as a whole, which after some

little discussion, distasteful to many, was negatived. This decision practically upset the others, and we

therefore continue "business as usual.” Tome' correspondent is very pleased to learn from the Sec. that the

subscriptions towards the G.L. War Relief Fund are coming in very well, and the Sec. is very pleased at the

generous response. Many of the brethren have given twice to this fund, in addition to the many calls made

upon them, local and otherwise. The total so far is about £120 from our Lodge, and our brother is hoping to

see it £150 ere long, We are by no means a poor community. At the same time, we have no brethren of “rank

and opulence" amongst its; therefore the, result is somewhat gratifying. Still, we recognise, however much

we may give, we yet fall far short of what is due to those who are giving their lives in the defence of their

homes and Empire. Our installation meeting will be held on Tuesday, 6th July, when we look forward to a

large attendance and a happy reunion of many old friends from other Lodges.— [Lodge Correspondent.]

—————————

RUAPEHU.

Otaihape, No. 142.—The annual meeting took place at Taihape on 25th May, when a record muster of

brethren attended, well over the century being present, St. Andrew's Kil., Rangatira, and Manga-te-weka

being fully represented, and our Lodgeroom was taxed to its utmost, this being R.W. Bro. McFarlane's first

installation since the creation of the new district "Ruapehu." W. Bro. H. J. Jaggard, G.S., was installed into

the chair of K.S. according to ancient custom, R. W. Bro. McFarlane was assisted by R.W. Bro. Peterkin,

Prov.G.M., Wellington, and R.W. Bro. J. H. Keesing, P.S.G.W. Our outgoing W.M., W. Bro. James made an

appeal to our members on behalf of the Special War Fund, with the splendid result that over £200 was

promised in the room, and we hope to make it close on £300 when the "absentees" forward their share. This

is surely a record for any Lodge, let alone a "back block " Lodge. We were all delighted to see " Dad " with

us once again. He was in great form, as usual, giving the addresses to the W.M. and brethren in his usual

inimitable manner. The following officers were duly invested by R.W. Bro. McFarlane :— I.P.M., W. Bro.

A. James, P.M.; S.W., Bro. G. Wrightson; J.W., Bro. F. W. Somerville; Chaplain, W. Bro. G. Bray, P.M.;

Sec., W. Bro. T. Garratt, P.M.; Treas., Bro. Z. J. Davies; S.D., Bro. F. Varnam; J.D., Bro. N. E. Drayton; I.

G., Bro. B. A. Fraser; O.G., Bro. L. B. H. de Lautour; S.S., Bro E. Loader; J.S., Bro. A. F. Anderson;

Organist, Bro. P. E. Wakeman.— [Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Huia, No. 171.—The monthly meeting was held on 3rd June, when, despite the keenness of the temperature,

a very good attendance was recorded, One most pleasant feature consisted of the presence of W. Bros.

Dawick and Clark, of Manawatu Kil., whose co-operation and assistance were duly appreciated. Three

brethren were passed to the degree of F.C., which was performed satisfactorily. The W.M., Bro. Spooner,

gave resume of the work or the business transacted at G.L., concluding by stating that the newly-installed

Prov.G.M. purposes paying us a visit at an early date ; also informing us that the W.M. and officers of Lodge

Waterloo propose paying us a fraternal visit shortly, both of which we sincerely trust and anticipate will

eventuate as speedily as can be made possible by our illustrious brethren, as it will undoubtedly have a two-

fold effect, namely, give an impetus to ourselves, also enable us to fraternise and reciprocate their cordiality,

as it is recognised by one and all that such visits have a most beneficial effect on various Lodges.— [Lodge

Correspondent.

——————————

WELLINGTON.

St. Andrew, No. 32.—The regular meeting was held on 21st June at the Boulcott Street Hall, the Lodge

being tyled at 7.30 p.m., and the W.M. (Bro. A. W. Rowlands) presiding over a good attendance of members.

Visitors were subsequently received, including M.W. Bro. H. J. Williams, P.G.M., and the W.Ms., officers,

and brethren of Lodges Leinster and Whetu Kairanga. Various items of correspondence were considered and

dealt with, and a ballot for admission into the Craft taken, which proved satisfactory. The ceremony of

raising a candidate (who had responded to the examination test excellently) was conducted by the W.M.,

assisted by W. Bro. O. Neilson (Exhort.), Bro. A. Schmidt (15 F.Cs.), W. Bro. F. C. Broomhall (Invest.), W.

Bro. J. Rod (T.H.), Bro. A. Greening (W.Ts.) Bro. W. Simpson (Final Charge). Before closing two

propositions were announced, one of a joining brother and one of a proposed new entrant. H.G.W. being

tendered, the Lodge was closed, and brethren retired for a brief period to the refectory, where the usual toasts

wore honoured. During the Lodge proceedings a letter from the M.W.G.M. was read acknowledging his

receipt of the Lodge's communication regarding his son's wounding in the Dardanelles, in which he stated

that his son was rapidly recovering from the injury to his foot; and would probably shortly resume his

duties.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Ulster, No. 62.—The installation, of W.M. and investiture of the various officers for the ensuing twelve

months took place in the Masonic Hall, Petone, on Saturday, 19th June. The installing of the W.M., Bro. W.

H. Richards, was entrusted to R.W. Bro. T. A. Peterkin, Prov.G.M., several members of G.L. being in

attendance. W. Bro. H. Hobbs invested the various officers with their respective degrees. During the evening

R.W. Bro. T. A. Peterkin presented W. Bro. G. D. McEwen with a P.M.'s jewel, and M.W. Bro. H. J.

Williams presented Bro. R. H. Wilson with a Treasurer's jewel, the recipients in each case returning thanks.

After the closing of the Lodge the brethren and visitors, of whom quite a large number were present,

adjourned to the refectory for the usual installation banquet, when the usual toast list was duly honoured,

interspersed by songs, etc. A most enjoyable and pleasant evening was brought to a close at 11.30.—[Lodge

Correspondent.]

————

Waiwhetu, No, 176.—The monthly meeting was hold in the Masonic Hall, Lower Hutt, on 9th June, when

there was a good attendance of brethren and visitors from Wellington and Trentham camp. After the usual

business the W.M., W. Bro, Guiness, called upon the P.Ms. of the Lodge to fill the various chairs and work

the First Degree. This they did, and considering the length of time which had elapsed since some of them

were active members, they got through the work in a fairly satisfactory manner. W. Bro. Rishworth, acting as

W.M., obligated the candidate and communicated the S., T., and W.; W. Bro. Anson, S,W., invested the

candidate; R.W. Bro. Peterkin gave the N.E. Charge; W. Bro, Burns, S.D., presented the W.Ts.; and W. Bro.

Hobbs, I.G., gave the Charge after Initiation. The W.M. and his officers then resumed their chairs, and on

behalf of Lodge Waitaki passed Bro. Captain Vine to the F.C. Degree. This was done by special dispensation

from the Prov.G.M. W. Bro. Guiness obligated and communicated the S. T., and W. Bro. McLachlan

invested, W. Bro. Moncrieff gave the Charge after Investiture, W. Bro. Anson the S.E. Charge, and R.W.

Bro. Peterkin presented the W.Ts. R.W. Bro. Peterkin also presented Bro. Trooper E. C. Hill, of Lodge

Kurow, with his M.M. certificate. W. Bro. Guiness, on behalf of the brethren, presented Bro. Corporal

Lowry, who was leaving for the front with the Stationary Hospital, with a safety razor. In a few well-chosen

words the W.M. expressed the wishes of his brethren that Bro. Lowry would return safe and well at the close

of the war. Nine brethren from the camp were present and were accorded a hearty welcome. Two

propositions were received, and the Lodge closed at 10 o'clock. A pleasant hour was spent in the refectory.—

[Lodge .Correspondent.]

————

Whetu Kairangi, No, 201,—The regular monthly mooting was held in the Methodist Church, Worser Bay,

on 11th June, there being a fair attendance of brethren. All were pleased to see the genial face of R.W. Bro.

T. A. Peterkin, and to welcome the W.M. and officers of Lodge Tutanekai, as well as visitors from other

Lodges. W. Bro. Porritt, P.M., P.G. Chaplain, presided, and after routine business had been transacted, the

ceremonial business—the passing of a brother—was proceeded with. The work was carefully and

impressively performed by the W.M., assisted by R W. Bro, Peterkin (S., T., and W.), Bro. Fraser, Act. J.D.

(S.E. Address), Bro. Williams, I. G. (W.Ts.), and Bro. Silvester, J.W. (Charge after Passing). At the

conclusion of the Ceremony a very pleasant hour was spent in the refectory, R.W. Bro. Peterkin's account of

his visits in the interests of the W.M.'s War Fund to country Lodges, and the success attending them, being

listened to with great interest.—[Lodge Correspondent]

——————————

ROYAL ARCH CHAPTERS.

St. Augustine, No, 1.—The regular meeting was hold in St. Augustine's Hall on 9th June, V.E. Comp. W.

Broadley presiding. After the ordinary business of the Chapter, a Lodge of Mark Masters was opened by E.

Comp. C. W. Bingham as W.M.M. ; V.E. Comp. W. F. McLean, S.W.; E.. Comp. W. H. Arrow, J.W.; E.

Comp, J. A. Stables, S.D. E. Comp. O. Judd, J.D. ; E. Comp. G. Yemm, I.G.; E. Comp. A, K. Hollow, M.O.;

V.E. Comp. T. W. Lee, S.O. ; E. Comp. J. Richardson, J.O. Bro. A. E. Humes was advanced to the

honourable degree of Mark Master. E. Comp. C. W. Bingham obligated, V.E. Comp. W. F. McLean gave the

Signs, V.E. Comp. W. Broadley presented the W.Ts., and V.E. Comp. T. W. Lee delivered the Final Charge.

The work of advancement was conducted in a most efficient manner, making V.E. Comp. Broadley very

happy and pleased to see such good work done. V.E. Comp. E. C. B. Bishop presented several companions

with their diplomas. After H.G.W. Chapter was closed.—[Chapter Correspondent.]

————

Waterloo, No. 2.—The regular convocation was held at the Masonic Hall, Wellington, on 26th May, V.E.

Comp. Russell, Z., presiding, and there was a fair attendance of members and visitors. A discussion took

place regarding altering the by-laws to provide for proper trustees as suggested by the G.Reg. A notice of

motion was tabled, and this will come up again at next meeting. The Act.-Treas., V.E. Comp. Schwartz, gave

a report regarding the state of the Chapter finances, and he proposed that the sum of £10 10s. be voted to the

Special War Fund of the G.L. of New Zealand, and this was unanimously carried, the companions being of

the opinion that when the funds permitted it was only right that the Chapter should assist in this good work.

There was no degree work, but two excellent papers were read by R.E. Comp. Parker, P.G.Supt. of Otago,

and V.E. Comp. Bridge, Z. of Hinemoa Chapter. The 1st Prin,, in conveying thanks to these two

companions, expressed the hope that they would again favour this Chapter by reading papers. One member

tendered his resignation, a brother was proposed for membership, and the Chapter was closed at 9.16 p.m.—

[Chapter Correspondent.]

————

Waitaki Kil., No. 8.—The monthly convocation was held in the Masonic Hall, Oamaru, on 2011 May, and

was made notable by a fraternal visit of the V.E.Z., officers, and companions of the Rose and Thistle

Chapter, No. 35, Ashburton, in return of a visit paid by this Chapter a few months ago. The degree of the

evening was the Mark, and was worked by the Ashburton companions in a manner which gave much

pleasure and satisfaction to all concerned. The Rose and Thistle is one of the youngest Chapters on the roll of

Sup. Chapter, but under the able guidance and instruction of their V.E. 1st Prin., Comp. Rendle, who also

fills the office of Mark Master, they have evidently made good use of their time, for their work would do

credit to any Chapter. Where all were good, it is invidious to individualise, but the work of the Overseers and

S.D. compelled hearty admiration and encomiums, and was an example which might well be followed. Like

those of the Craft Lodges, fraternal visits of this character are of much benefit to all concerned, but more

especially in drawing the attention of Craft members to the Chapter degrees, in which they have the privilege

of completing the Masonic education they receive in the Craft Lodge. There was a large attendance of

members of Waitaki Chapter and visitors, and on retiring to the refectory a very pleasant time was spent in

fraternal conversation between visitors and visited, interspersed with some good speeches and songs, so that

when the visitors departed, it was with the full resolution to repeat the visit in the early future.—[Chapter

Correspondent.]

————

Victory, No.- 12.—The regular convocation was held on 17th June, when V.E. Comp. J. Bartlett presided,

and there was a good attendance of companions and visitors. One brother was advanced by Bro. Wm.

Moyes, W.M.M. One brother was also proposed for companionship. Two W. brethren from the Golden Bay

Lodge, E.C., were to have been advanced, but wet weather prevented their attendance.—[Chapter

Correspondent.]