THE ANNUAL COMMUNICATION OF

GRAND LODGE.

——◄►——

THE thirty-second annual communication was held

at Auckland on the 11th and 12th ult., and was of

more than ordinary importance by reason of a.

record attendance, both business and ceremonial, the

resignation of the G.Sec. (Bro. Malcolm Niccol),

and the number of questions on the agenda, which

were of more than ordinary interest to brethren

under this jurisdiction. It was recognised that there

would be some difficult hurdles to negotiate, but the

position was saved in most instances by wise

handling, in which the G.M. had the able assistance

of a number of the older and more experienced

brethren. A long discussion took place in connection

with the proposed appropriation as a retiring

allowance to the late G.Sec. A recommendation had

been made by the B. of G.P. which did not appear to

be generally acceptable, and an amendment was

moved to increase that amount and also to include a

bonus allowance. Ultimately it was resolved to fix

the pension at £400 per annum, but not to include

the question of bonus. It is probable that this matter

may subsequently be dealt with in another form. On

the question of the subdivision of the Auckland

district, as contained in the report, there war-no

discussion, as good reasons of an entirely local

character were given as to why it would not be

opportune to make such division at this time. But

when the proposed amendment for the appointment

of Assistant Prov.G.Ms. was submitted, exception

was taken on behalf of the Prov.G.L. of Canterbury

that it placed the Dep. Prov.G.M. of that district in

an unfair position, as he would not participate in the

operation of the new rule. An amendment was

carried providing that the Dep. Prov.G.M. should in

future not be appointed by the Prov.G.M., but by the

G.M. This was objected to by M.W. Bro. Dougall,

who pointed out the danger of the proposal. We are

in accord with M.W. Bro. Dougall, and can scarcely

conceive that the Prov.G.L. of Canterbury has fully

considered the probable result of its action. Some

feeling was expressed that the new Assistant

Prov.G.Ms. should not have precedence over G.Ds.

of C., and. it was moved to reverse the position,

giving them the superior place, to which G.L. on

being appealed to, would not assent, the reason

given being that the first-named officer was only of

district preferment, while the latter were G.L.

officers. We are not converted to this view, and

think that time will prove its fallacy. In the new rule

re reinstatement of excluded members it was pointed

out that, unless provision were made for the

notification to any or all Lodges in which the

excluded brother held membership, the rule would

still be inoperative. It was officially stated that this

modus operandi-was now followed. If this is so we

must reiterate that the new operation is of very

recent date, as may be proved by comparatively

recent cases. Referring to the rather vexed question

of the alteration of date of the annual

communication, the G. M. ruled (very properly, we

think) that a referendum submitted to Lodges having

decided that November be the month of annual

meeting, no further amendment with regard to any

other month could be taken. After discussion, the

decision of Lodges in favour of November was

carried. Had the apparent desire of some members—

to consider this question de novo—been allowed, a

very much delayed and unsatisfactory position

would in all probability have resulted, and the work

and cost of the referendum would have been

rendered nugatory. The-mover of the motion re

centralisation of G.L. office requested permission to

amend his notion very materially, which G.L. would

not grant, and he then very wisely announced that he

would give a further notice of motion, in terms of his

proposal. A notice of motion to supply applicants for

admission into Freemasonry with some literary

information on its aims and objects was submitted

by proxy, and referred to the B. of G.P. A second

motion by the same brother in favour of an uniform

system of bookkeeping was also referred to the same

authority. Both of these questions merit the

consideration of the Board. The proposal to give

legal standing to Boards of Enquiry was

exhaustively explained by the mover, but G.L. was

most unsympathetic, and the rejection was virtually

unanimous. The last—and, we think, one of the most

important—proposal on the agenda, with reference

to limiting the power of the Benevolent Board in

granting relief to the revenue that may accrue from

the investment of the fund, was amended and agreed

to practically without discussion. Resolutions were

moved, by permission of the M.W.G.M., to confer

honorary rank on three well-known brethren, but it

was resolved that the names be referred to the B. of

G.P., and the G.M. was empowered to grant the

honour requested if the Board so recommended.

During the meeting the formal resignation of M.W.

Bro. Niccol was received, and the greatest testimony

was given to his work in G.L. for the past twenty-

one years. R.W. Bro. Geo. Barclay, P.G.W., was

appointed G.Sec. by the M.W.G.M. The attendance

at both meetings was easily a record, and it was

estimated that upwards of 2,000 brethren -were

present at the evening meeting. The contention put

forth at many previous sessions, that the meetings

were not warranted, as the only business transacted

was to confirm reports, did not obtain on this

occasion. The agenda was a long and comprehensive

one, and the various questions were fairly and

temperately debated. Some of the changes made

were of a somewhat drastic character, and time alone

can prove their necessity or otherwise. The brethren

who participated will have some cause to be pleased

that they took part in the thirty-second parliament of

the Masonic G.L. of New Zealand.

————————

INVITATION TO OVERSEAS BRETHREN.

——◄►——

There recently visited this Dominion two brethren of

distinction from the Old Country, who brought with

them; on their tour round the world, an open

invitation to all Masons overseas from the Empire

Lodge, No. 2108, E. C., of London, England. The

names of these brethren entrusted with this British

Empire embracing fraternal courtesy are W. Bro. W.

E. Hobbs and Bro. Sir Raymond Dennis. , The

invitation is to all overseas Masons who may visit,

the Old Country to make known their presence there

to the Sec. of the Empire Lodge, No. 2108, E.C. (W.

Bro. Wm. Taylor), and, if possible, to attend a

meeting of the Empire Lodge, when they will be

specially welcomed. Empire Lodge, No. 2108, E.C.,

was founded in the year of the Colonial Exhibition

in London, and the object of its founders was to

provide in London a Masonic Lodge where overseas

brethren could be thus specially welcomed, and the

members of the Lodge have ever since then

consistently endeavoured to carry out the purposes

the founders had in view. From a letter written by

W. Bro. W. E. Hobbs to the R.W.Dist.G.M., E.C., of

Canterbury, N.Z., we learn, as instancing the above,

that among 300 guests of the Empire Lodge at a

gathering in Queen ,Victoria's Diamond Jubilee year

were representatives of every dominion, colony and

dependency in the British Empire, New Zealand

being; represented by M.W. Bro. the Hon. Richard

Seddon. Coming to more recent years, in October,

1914, the Lodge entertained 232 Masons who were

members of the First Canadian Contingent — and so

on. In his letter to W. Bro. W. E. Hobbs, prior to his

departure from England, the Sec. of the Empire

Lodge says :— "I am asked to tell you that it is

hoped that during your tour round the world you will

convey to the brethren in any place you may visit the

assurance that a hearty welcome will be accorded

them in our Lodge at any time they may be visiting

this country." This journal has much pleasure in

giving extended publicity to this cordial and

fraternal invitation on the part of the Empire Lodge,

and thus, it may be, in some measure assisting it to

fulfil one of the principal objects of its existence,

that of bringing into closer union all Masons from

overseas with their London brethren.

————————

THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF

QUEENSLAND.

——◄►——

The above caption will intimate to those New

Zealand brethren who have taken even a passing

interest in Australian Freemasonry that at last, and it

is to be hoped for all time, an end has been reached

in the hitherto undesirable state of affairs Masonic in

the Commonwealth State of Queensland. Unity in

Masonic administration of the Queensland territory

has now been established by the union of the

previously existing two G.Ls. there, namely, the

G.L. of Queensland and the Queensland G.L., under

the title forming the heading to this article. To all

true and earnest Masons this is matter for 'sincere

congratulation, and thanksgiving, and the former this

journal cordially extends to our Queensland brethren

generally. In the past the CRAFTSMAN has had

occasion more than once to adversely criticise the

Queensland Masonic position. No good purpose

could be achieved by again going over what has now

passed away, but it can all the more enthusiastically

welcome the dawn of a period of peace, harmony

and unity, and the birth of a governing body for

Queensland more in consonance with Masonic law

and custom. On the 87th day of April last M.W. Bro.

James Stodart, G.M. of the G.L. of Queensland, and

M.W. Bro. Alexander Gorrie, G.M. of the

Queensland G.L., convened by circular notice a joint

meeting of the members of their respective to be

held in the Exhibition Building, Brisbane, for the

purpose of uniting the two G.Ls., and establishing

"The United G.L. of Queensland," and of approving

and adopting the Treaty or Articles of Union by and

between the two G.Ls., and of transacting all other

necessary business. The cables have told us of the

successful and satisfactory result of this joint

meeting, and that the purposes thereof were

achieved. As we write the Articles of Union

suggested in the circular are before us, and appear to

be Masonically correct and complete, and

scrupulously fair to the interests of both the G.L.,

concerned. These articles were agreed to by

delegates from each of the two G.Ls. so far back as

the 30th August, 1920. Now the union is an

accomplished fact, and marks the beginning of a

new era of, let us trust, Masonic progress, prosperity

and fraternal harmony for the Masons of

Queensland. The next step, of course, will be the

request by the newly-formed G.L. to sister G.Ls. for

recognition and the mutual appointment of

representatives. If everything is found to be in due

form and order no difficulty in this respect should be

encountered, and it is sincerely hoped there will be

none.

————————

R.W. BRO. F. P. CORKILL desires gratefully to

acknowledge fraternal courtesies extended by W.

Bro. Dr. De Wolf-Smith, G.Sec. of British

Columbia, and Bro. H. J. Thorn, of the Vancouver

Stock Exchange, whose aid he recently invoked on

behalf of a widow.

—————————————————————

News and Notes.
—————————————————————

THE visit of the brethren of Civic Lodge, No. 157,

Christchurch, is an event always looked forward to

by the brethren of N.Z. Pacific Lodge, No. 2, and

this year's visit was particularly gratifying from the

excellence of the ceremonial working by the Civic

brethren and the number of its members who were

able to visit Wellington. Included there among was a

galaxy of talent, musical, oratorical and literary, the

exponents of which thoroughly charmed their hosts

of Pacific, No. 2.

AMONG the brethren from Civic Lodge, No. 157,

Christchurch, who paid their interchange annual visit

to Lodge N.Z. Pacific, No. 2, last month, were M.W.

Bro. J. J. Dougall, P.G.M., and R.W. Bro. Clifton

Bingham, Dep.G.M., who were also en route to

Auckland to attend the G.L. communication.

THE outstanding feature of the April convocation of

Waterloo Chapter, No. 2, was a most interesting and

informative paper by Comp. E. Norden, P.G.Soj., on

the Sanhedrim. It was greatly enjoyed by those

present, and it is hoped that it will find publication,

though its length may require its reproduction by

instalments.

W. BRO. R. LAURIE, of Lodge Ngauruhoe, No. 205,

is shortly to be transferred by the Railway

Department to some other district not definitely

fixed upon. Lodge Ngauruhoe is losing one of its

most energetic officers, which the Lodge can ill

afford to lose. He will take with him the good wishes

of all the brethren.

THE appointment of R.W. Bro. J. J. Esson as

Dep.G.M. for the ensuing year will give great

pleasure to his many Wellington brethren. The

honour is felt by them to be delayed in its

conferring, but none the less is it a matter for

congratulation.

AN excellent feature of the installation ceremony at

the annual communication was the quality of the

musical arrangements. There was nothing

highfalutin' about it ; on the contrary, all the music

was of the simplest order, set to tunes that every one

in the hall had known from childhood, but it was led

by a brass and reed band of considerable power, the

conductor of which, W. Bro. Cater, gave the time to

the whole gathering with decision. The result was a

magnificent body of sound, and, best of all, no

dragging in pace. Withal there was an element of

humour about the incidental music. As the

delegations of the British G.Ls. filed into the hall,

each was greeted with a march tune in keeping with

its nationality—a Scots melody for the Dist.G.L. of

Scotland, "The Minstrel Boy" and other Irish airs for

the Prov.G.L. of Ireland, and a rousing performance

of good old "Rule Britannia" for the Dist.G.L., E.C.

Perhaps there was also some significance in the

selection of the "Coronation March" from

Meyerbeer's "La Prophete" for the entrance of the

G.M.-elect.

THE CRAFTSMAN'S special reporter at the G.L.

communication very adversely criticises the

behaviour of a certain section of the delegates

present in regard to the interruption of speeches by

distinguished brethren, the utter absence of

recognition of the dignity belonging to G.L.

proceedings, and the adoption of closure methods

such as would have disgraced a partisan political

meeting. This is sorry news, but serves to emphasise

the need for older and staider brethren being

entrusted with the appointment of delegates to G.L.

meetings.

OWING to pressure on our space, due to the report on

G.L. communication proceedings, a number of

reports, papers, etc., are unavoidably held over.

OWING to Friday becoming the late night with the

business people of Invercargill, some of the Lodges

and Chapters are considering the advisableness of

changing the night of meeting,

————————

SOUTHLAND NOTES.

——◄►——

Southern Cross, No. 9, held a social and dance on

Wednesday, 4th May, when over a hundred were

present. The function was a brilliant success—a

fitting wind-up for W. Bro. Farrant, who is just

completing a most successful term of office.

  

W. Bro. J. Critchfield was in Invercargill on a visit

from Wellington last month, and paid a visit to

Lodge Southern Cross, of which he has been a

member for many years. During the course of the

evening W. Bro. Critchfield addressed the brethren,

and handed to the W.M. a handsome solid silver D.

of C.'s wand as a mark -of esteem. W. Bro. Farrant,

in accepting the gift on behalf of the members of

Lodge Southern Cross, thanked Bro. Critchfield with

a few well-chosen words.

  

At the April meeting of Lodge Waihopai the election

of officers was conducted, and Bro. Wm. Mitchell

was elected to the position of W.M.

  

The instruction meetings of Lodge Waihopai still

continue to be well attended, quite a number of the

recently raised brethren being present on several

occasions.

  

The installation of Bro. J. R. Fraser, W.M.-elect of

Lodge St. John, No. 94, was held on 20th May. A

large and enthusiastic meeting resulted.

————————

ACACIA NOTES.

——◄►——

W. Bro. Rev, Canter was unavoidably-prevented

from presiding at the last meeting owing to his being

called away to Dunedin. Bro. Cadman acted for him.

  

It was rather unique that we had representatives of

English, Scotch and Irish Constitutions amongst the

visitors, the Scotch-man and Irishman being recent

arrivals, who enjoyed the New Zealand working.

  

W. Bro. Cadman gave a very interesting address in

the " Fourth," entitled, "The Stone Masons of the

Middle Ages." It was very instructive, and we hope

to have more of them.

  

Bro. Turner, LG., having left the district, Bro.

Donald Black has been promoted, and is shaping

splendidly.

  

A visit is to be made to Amuri shortly, and is being

looked forward to. Amuri being our nearest

neighbour, visits to each other stimulate the

meetings and bring out fresh ideas.

  

W. Bro. Charlie Willis again obliged us by presiding

at the organ, and music is now an established fact in

the Lodge. Bro. Willis has been instrumental in

introducing music into several country Lodges, and

the brethren of Acacia especially appreciate it—the

ceremonies are far more impressive to the candidate

also, especially when being raised.

  

We are expecting to see the R.W.Prov. G.M. pop in

on a surprise visit before the year is out, and he will

get a real good hearing.

—————————————————————

WELLINGTON BOARD OF ENQUIRY.

——◄►——

The annual meeting of the Wellington United Board

of Enquiry was held on Tuesday, 19th April, when

the annual report and balance-sheet was presented

and adopted. It has been a very strenuous year for

the members of the Board, something like 140

candidates for Freemasonry having been considered,

and as these have all had extensive enquiries made

about them, it can fully be realised by the members

of the various Lodges that the W. brethren

comprising the Board have had their time fully

occupied in getting information. It was decided to

still continue to make, the usual call of £1 5s. per

year subscription, but, owing to the extra cost of

postage and printing, it was decided to ask the

Lodges for 3s. contribution for each candidate,

considered by the Board as working expenses. The

election of officers resulted in W. Bro. G. W. A.

Clark being elected President ; W. Bro. H. H.

Flanagan, Vice-President ; and W. Bro. Henry

Hobbs re-elected Secretary-Treasurer for the sixth

year. W. Bro. Shakes was thanked for his past

services as President, and presented with a P.

President's jewel by W. Bro. Clark in a few well-

chosen words. Owing to the Almoner (R. W. Bro.

Seaton, who has acted in that position for sixteen

years) asking to be relieved, the Board appointed W.

Bro. R. J. Shakes to that postion, and as the funds of

the Board of Casual Relief had run out, it was

decided to make a call of £2 2s. per Lodge toward

that fund, the last call to which had been made nine

years ago.

GRAND LODGE COMMUNICATION.

——◄►——

M.W. BRO. ROSS RE-INSTALLED G.M.

————

[By Our Special Reporter.]

————

The communication of the G.L. of New Zealand,

held in Auckland on the 11th and 12th May,

established records in several respects-in point of

attendance, of accumulation of funds, and notably in

the growth of that foremost of all Masonic works in

the Dominion, the W. and O. and A.M. Fund.

M.W. Bro. Thomas Ross, the G.M. of last year,

presided over a gathering of about 200

representatives. Other dignitaries on the dais

included four P.G.Ms.— M.W. Bros. H. J. Williams,

J. J. Dougall, O. Nicholson, and, for a short period,

until the discussion of a matter which concerned him

personally led him to withdraw, the veteran G.Sec.,

M.W. Bro. Malcolm Niccol. There was also a

goodly array of P.Dep.G.Ms. and veterans of

Prov.G.L. rank.

ELECTION OF GRAND MASTER.

First on the agenda sheet came the election of the

G.M. for 1921-22. There was, of course, no question

about it. M.W. Bro. Ross had had one fruitful year

of office, and, according to the well-established

usage of the N.Z.C., was entitled to a second term.'

The motion for his election was made in G.L. by

M.W. Bro. Williams, and carried unanimously.

OTHER ELECTIVE OFFICERS.

The scheme of distribution with regard to other

elective officers was submitted by the B.' of G.P.

This has already been submitted to Lodges.

NECROLOGY.

The B. of G.P., in its report, recorded the demise of

several P.G. officers— viz. : R.W. Bro. Albert Kaye,

P.Dep.G.M. (1892), died at Sydney on 5th

September, 1920 ; R.W. Bro. Archibald William

Flett, P.Prov.G.M. of Otago District, passed away on

13th May, 1920; R.W. Bro. James W. Mathews,

P.G.W. of New Zealand (honoris cause), who was

representative of this G.L. near the G.L. of England

from 1912 to 1919, died at London on 13th

December last; V.W. Bro. W. W. Brown, P.G.

Chaplain, died at the Taieri on 22nd August last, as

the result of a motor accident; V.W. Bro. George B.

Perkins, P.G.D. of C., who died at Christchurch on

6th September ; W. Bro. George John Winter, P.

Assistant G.Sd.B., died on 9th March, 1920 ; W.

Bro. E. W. G. Hoskin P.G. Organist, died at

Ormondville on 12th February ; W. Bro. Clement

Norman Flyger, P.G. Purs., died at Auckland on

10th June, 1920 ; and W. Bro. J. J. McDonald, a

member of the B. of B., died on 5th December.

NEW LODGES.

The constitution of seven new Lodges was reported

by the B. of G.P.-viz. Ohura, No. 214 ; Oroua

(Apiti), No. 215; Omarunui, No. 216; Eastbourne,

No. 217 ; Renown (Wellington), No. 218; and

Whanganui, No. 221. Further, it was reported that

charters had been issued for the opening of new

Lodges at Taneatua (Bay of Plenty), Manurewa,

(near Auckland), and Waikaia (Southland), and steps

were being taken for the formation of Lodges at

Murchison (Nelson District), Glentunnel

(Canterbury Province), Wellington City, Wellington

South, Whangamomona (Taranaki District), and

Tolago Bay (East Coast).

STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION.

R.W. Bro. Fredric, G.Treas., submitted the annual

financial statement. It showed that the cash balances

of the several funds as at 31st March, 1921, were as

follows :-

£ s. d.

General Fund 5,761 3 1

W. and O. and A.M. Fund 46,355 10 2

Special War Benevolent Fund 12,940 11 11

Fund of Benevolence 3,685 8 2

Circular Appeal Funds 3,481 14 6

Representation Fund 1,208 6 5

Total £73,432 14 3

The total cash balances at the end of each financial

year since the establishment of G.L. were as follows

:— At 30th April, 1891, £72 ; at 31st December,

1891, £210 ; at 31st December, 1892, £462 ; at 31st

December, 1893, £695 ; at 31st December, 1894,

£945; at 31st March, 1896, £1,546 ; at 31st March,

1897, £1,866 ; at 31st March, 1898, £2,818 ; at 31st

March, 1899, £3,247 ; at 31st March, 1900, £4,000 ;

at 31st March, 1901, £4,014 ; at 31st March, 1902,

£4,651; at 31st March, 1903, 26,383; at 31st March,

1904, £7,378; at 31st March, 1905, £8,759 ; at 31st

March, 1906, £10,753 ; at 31st March, 1907,

212,425; at 31st March, 1908, £16,169 ; at 31st

March, 1909, 219,752; at 31st March, 1910,

221,944; at 31st March, 1911, £24,439; at 31st

March, 1912, £27,395; at 31st March, 1913, £30,080

; at 31st March, 1914, £31,924 ; at 31st March,

1915, £35,375 ; at 31st March, 1916, £44,622 ; at

31st March, 1917, £48,876 ; at 31st March, 1918,

£53,088 ; at 31st March, 1919, £58,666 ; at 31st

March, 1920, £64,894 ; at 31st March, 1921,

£73,433.

The total funds of G.L. have been increased by the

sum of £8,539, and the investments are now

£68,200.

WORK OF BENEVOLENCE.

The report of the Board of Benevolence, presented

by R.W. Bro. J. J. Clark, President of the Board,

showed that 25 payments had been made during the

year from the central fund, ranging from £100

downwards, and totalling £665 2s. 1d. The list of

still current circular appeal funds showed 20 to be

existent, with such balances as £334, £293, £337,

£356, £293, £293 again, £192, £140, £120, £196,

£184, £111, and smaller amounts.

Five appeals completed from last year had raised

£343, £257, £291, £298, and £249. Nine new

appeals had been made, and had raised £255, £455,

£337, £334 (uncompleted), £357 (uncompleted),

£293 (uncompleted), £243 (uncompleted), while two

had only just been issued:

The total amount received on account of circular

appeals during the year had amounted to £2,593.

THE ANNUITY FUND.

The report of the Annuity Board stated that four

brethren and widows who had been drawing

annuities had died during the year. The schedule of

current annuities showed a total of 61 (including ten

newly granted), involving an annual charge upon the

fund of £2,171.

THE £10,000 APPEAL AND THE RESPONSE.

At the previous annual communication of G.L. a

resolution had been carried in favour of inducing the

Lodges to increase their contributions to the Annuity

Fund, with the view of securing an amount of

£10,000 within twelve months. Up to 31st March the

total sums received from the Lodges, etc., was

£7,962 15s. 11d., and from 1st to 12th April an

additional sum of £1,783 16s. had had been

received, making the total amount contributed

£9,746 12s. 10d.

A supplementary return was also presented, bringing

the record of contributions up to 5th May. It showed

the handsome total of £10,618 6s. 8d, with some

small amounts still to dribble in. The details of the

several districts were as follows :—

Auckland District, £2,700 ls., 49 Lodges, 4,069'

members, amount per capita 13s. 3¼d. ; Canterbury

Province, £1,679 10s. 11d., 38 Lodges, 2,807

members, amount per capita 11s. 11½d.; Wellington

District, £2,379 5s., 26 Lodges, 2,396 members,

amount per capita 19s. 10¼d. ; Otago District,

£1,258 ls. 9d., 28 Lodges, 2,437 members, amount

per capita 10s. 4d. ; Ruapehu District, £618 ls. 2d.,

17 Lodges, 1,211 members, amount per capita 10s.

2½d.; Hawkes Bay District, £455 7s. 10d., 11

Lodges, 865 members, amount per capita 10s. 6¼d.;

Southland District, £546 14s. 11d., 18 Lodges, 1,453

members, amount per capita 7s. 6¼d. ; West Coast

District, £436 15s. 6d., 12 Lodges, 758 members,

amount per capita 11s. 6¼d.; Nelson and

Marlborough District, £176 11s. 9d., 8 Lodges, 617

members, amount per capita 5s. 8¾d. ; Taranaki

District, £339 12s. 7d., 8 Lodges, 632 members,

amount per capita 10s. 9d. ; sundry other

contributions, £28 4s. 3d. Total, £10,618 6s. 8d., 215

Lodges, 17,245 members. The amount per capita

over the whole membership is 12s. 4d.

SPECIAL (WAR) BENEVOLENT FUND.

During the year a number of applications had been

received for assistance from this fund, and the Board

had made loans and grants to the extent of £1,833

10s. In several cases the same difficulties as were

experienced by the previous Board had arisen-that

is, the failure on the part of the Lodges forwarding

the applications to state fully the extent of assistance

already received from other sources by the brother

applying, and this had caused delay in dealing with

such cases.

After a brief and generally congratulatory

discussion, the reports on the various funds, together

with the annual balance-sheet, were adopted.

SUBDIVISION OF AUCKLAND DISTRICT.

On this subject the B. of G.P. reported that at a

meeting of delegates from Lodges in the district it

was resolved, with but one dissentient, that it was

not in the best interests of the Craft to divide the

Auckland District, and that it was inadvisable that

any steps should be taken to effect any such division

; that the interests of the Craft would be best served

in the Auckland District by the appointment of two

or more deputies in different portions of the district,

to assist, the Prov.G.M. in the duties of his office;

such deputies to be given an official status by G.L.,

with the right to claim their expenses in the same

way as Prov.G.Ms. are now entitled to do.

The Board had prepared certain amendments to the

Book of Constitution, which would provide for the

appointment of Assistant Prov.G.Ms.

MONTH FOR ANNUAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Following upon the resolution of the Invercargill

communication of last year, the B. of G.P. had

submitted to the Lodges of the territory the question

of the month they preferred for the annual

communications. Their decision was as follows :—

For November, 83 Lodges; February, 56 ; May, 46 ;

March, 7; April, 4; January, 3; October, July, and

June, one each ; discussed, but no decision arrived

at, 9 Lodges ; no report received, one Lodge. Total,

212. Lodges. The declaration being in favour of the

month of November, the Board had placed on the

agenda the necessary amendments to the

Constitution to give effect to the decision.

ANNUAL FEE FOR PAST MASTERS.

The B. of G.P. had placed on the agenda paper a

motion for the amendment of Rule 80, B. of C.,

providing that copies of the annual report of

proceedings shall in future be sent only to those

P.Ms. who apply to the G.Sec. within one month

after the annual communication.

CONDITION OF THE CRAFT.

The prosperity of the Lodges, which was reported at

the last annual communication, had continued in an

even more marked degree during the year just ended.

On the 31st December, 1919, the membership

totalled 16,025 ; it had now attained to 17,245. At

the close of the financial year only two Lodges had

failed to render their half-yearly returns. The returns

from one of these Lodges arrived on the day

following, and those from the other Lodge a few

days later. It was thus again pleasing to the B. of

G.P. to be able to report to G.L. that no Lodges are

in arrears.

During the past year several Lodges had erected

Masonic buildings of their own, and others had

added to and improved those previously in

existence.

It was recommended that Christchurch be the place

for the annual communication of 1922.

In respect of all the foregoing matters, the B. of

G.P.'s report was adopted with little discussion.

RETIREMENT OF GRAND SECRETARY.

The first discussion of moment arose upon the

retirement of M.W. Bro. Malcolm Niccol, P.G.M.,

from the office of G.Sec., and the question as to how

his past services to the Craft should be recognised.

The clause in the report of the B. of G.P. on this

subject read as follows:-

" It is with extreme regret that the Board has to

announce that M.W. Bro. Malcolm Niccol, P.G.M.,

has intimated to the G.M. his intention of tendering

his resignation as G.Sec. As members are aware, our

distinguished brother has occupied his present

position for over twenty years, and during that

period he has rendered inestimable service to G.L.

He has seen our organisation make immense strides

during his occupancy of the G. Secretaryship, and

has ably assisted to direct and control its policy.

Advancing years have now forced M.W. Bro. Niccol

to ask to be relieved of the cares of office, and in

going into retirement he will carry with him, the

good wishes, not only of the members, but of all the

brethren enrolled under G.L. The Board

recommends that a -retiring allowance of £250 per

annum be granted to M.W. Bro. Malcolm Niccol.

" The Board recommends that the brother whom the

G.M. appoints to fill the position of G.Sec. should

receive a salary of £550 per annum."

The G.M. read M.W. Bro. Malcolm Niccol's letter of

resignation, and moved the adoption of such portion

of the clause as related to the distinguished brother's

past services, which was seconded by R.W. Bro.

Geo. Fowlds, P.D.G.M., and agreed to.

In moving the adoption of the proposal for.an

annuity of £250 per annum, R.W. Bro. Watts, Pres.

of the B. of G.P., made it clear that the Board had

considered the matter from a business point of view

— that it had felt that sentiment should not enter into

the matter.

M.W. Bro. Nicholson, P.G.M., led off the

remonstrance against this view of the question. In

view of the yeoman service rendered to G.L. by

M.W. Bro. Niccol, first as one of its founders, then

as G.M., and for over twenty years fostering the

progress of the institution with his guidance, tact,

and foresight, he deprecated the exclusion of

sentiment from the discussion. G.L. should therefore

err rather on the side of generosity than on that of

niggardliness and cold calculation.

After some discussion, also consideration by a

specially appointed committee, a motion by R.W.

Bro. Michel for an annuity of £400 was duly carried.

With regard to the incoming G.Sec., whose identity

was so far undisclosed, an amendment to make his

salary £600 was negatived, and the £550

recommended by the B. of G.P. affirmed.

Bro. G. A. Harlowe, of Dunedin, was appointed

Auditor to G.L. An adjournment of the business

session was then made till next day.

INSTALLATION CEREMONY.

Auckland's large Town Hall, which accommodates

3,000 people, was well filled in the evening for the

ceremony of re-installation of the G.M., and the

investiture of other G. officers. There was no choir,

but an excellent wind-instrument band, brass and

reed, occupied the choir gallery, under W. Bro.

Cater, a well-known Northern bandmaster, and led

the musical proceedings very briskly, all the odes

being sung to familiar melodies, and heartily

rendered. M.W. Bro. Oliver Nicholson, P.G.M.,

acted as Installing G.M., and was assisted in the

investiture ceremonies by M.W. Bros. Williams and

Dougall, P.G.Ms., and R.W. Bro. Bingham, D.G.M.

V.W. Bro. Lischner, D. of C., and V.W. Bro. Howie

Walker, P.D. of C., had charge of the proceedings.

Among the visitors were the Dist.G.M. and officers

of the Dist.G.L. of Auckland, E.C., the Prov.G.M. of

New Zealand, I.C., and the Dist.G.M. of the North

Island, S.C., with officers of their jurisdictions,

while the Prov.G.L. of Canterbury was also

represented.

After his enthronement the G.M. announced the

appointment of R.W. Bro. James J. Esson, of

Wellington, as Dep.G.M., and W. Bros. James

Armstrong (Auckland) and Kenneth McKenzie

(South Canterbury) as S. and J.G.Ws. respectively.

These brethren were duly invested and inducted.

Prov.G.Ms. were invested as follows :-Auckland,

M.W. Bro. O. Nicholson; Wellington, R.W. Bro.

George Russell; Otago, R.W. Bro. Arthur Fieldwick;

West Coast, R.W. Bro. E. Warns ; Southland, R.W.

Bro. A. B. Haggitt ; Hawkes Bay, R.W. Bro. J. W.

Ritchie ; Taranaki, R.W. Bro. H.N. Ewing ;

Ruapehu, R.W. Bro. J. H. Perrett. R.W. Bro. R. W.

Styles, who has been similarly appointed to the

Nelson and Marlborough District, was not present

for investment. R.W. Bro. F. C. B. Bishop holds

office in Canterbury by virtue of his election as head

of the Prov.G.L. His absence from G.L. was due to

illness, which led to a resolution of sympathy being

accorded to him.

THE NEW GRAND SECRETARY.

Announcement was made by the G.M. that he had

appointed R.W. Bro. Col. Barclay to the office of

G.Sec., rendered vacant by the resignation of M.W.

Bro. Niccol. The new G.Sec. was accordingly

invested.

The elective officers, as enumerated in the list given

already, were also invested, the number of absentees

being less than usual.

GRAND MASTER'S ADDRESS.

Addressing the assemblage, M.W. Bro. Ross said

:—

"BRETHREN,-I must return to you my sincere thanks

for unanimously electing me as your G.M. for

another term. I am fully aware of the importance, the

dignity, and the responsibility of the office and I

shall endeavour in the coming year to do all in my

power to merit the confidence the brethren have

again so generously conferred upon me.

PROGRESS OF GRAND LODGE.

" I am exceedingly pleased to meet the brethren

under such, auspicious circumstances as obtain at

the present time,' the past year being one of record

progress in the history of G.L. Since our last meeting

in May, 1920, our membership has increased by

over 1,200, while our W. and O. and A.M. Annuity

Fund has increased by nearly £11,000, the largest

amount yet contributed to this fund in any one year

in the history of G.L. Five new Lodges have been

consecrated, bringing our roll of Lodges up to 221,

and there are also at the present time applications

and inquiries in G.L. office for the formation of ten

other new Lodges to be consecrated during the

coming year, the petitions hailing from the

Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, Canterbury,

Nelson, Otago, and Southland Districts. In

consonance with our increase of funds we have

enlarged the scope of our benevolent activities by

adding considerably to the amounts granted to our

annuitants and by placing on our Annuity Fund

additional aged and indigent Masons and widows

and orphans of deceased brethren. To-day, as may

be seen by the balance; sheet presented to the

business session of G.L., we have as annuitants 32

aged brethren and 29 widows with orphans,

receiving sums of : 2 at £15, 15 at £26, while the

remaining 44 are in receipt of annuities ranging from

£32 10s. to £52, the total annual charge on this fund

being £2,171. As the interest on the invested capital

of the Annuity Fund will this coming year bring in

over £2,500, we shall have sufficient to provide for

ten more annuitants at an average of £35 for each. I

would be pleased if the delegates who are here to-

day would keep this in mind, so that when they

return to their Lodges they will remember that we

have ample means to meet the case of any deserving,

aged brother whose worldly circumstances have

fallen on evil times, or a widow or orphans who by

the demise of a brother have lost their sole means of

support. I regret to say that during the year two

widows of brethren and two aged brethren who were

for years participants in this fund have departed to

the Great Beyond.

FUND OF BENEVOLENCE.

" Twenty-five grants were made from the Fund of

Benevolence, amounting to £665, twelve being to

widows and orphans. Quite a number of these grants

were to those who were not of our Constitution, or

had for some time ceased their membership, and

this, brethren, is as I think it should be : A.

Freemason's charity should be regulated only by the'

necessities of the case and our ability to help.

THE SPECIAL WAR, BENEVOLENT FUND

" The Special War Benevolent Fund has assisted

quite a number of our returned soldier brethren, no

less than £1,833 having been expended in grants or

easy- loans. There is still a surplus of over £13,000

in this fund for the assistance of those brethren who

have gone down in health and fortune through the

ravages of war when on active service, for brethren

who are making a fresh start in building up a home

for themselves in city or country, or for extra

comforts to the widows and orphans of the brethren

who paid the great price.

CIRCULAR APPEALS.

" The circular appeal, where every Lodge has the

opportunity of contributing to the relief of cases of

distress that arise through sickness or the death of .a

brother who leaves a widow and family poorly

provided for, has again shown its potency and

effectiveness, no less than nine circular appeals

having been issued during the year. In this

connection the Lodges have nobly responded to the

appeals, no less than £2,600 having been

contributed, in amounts ranging from £255 to £455,

according to the necessities of the case. Brethren

will pardon me for dwelling on these activities of

G.L., but the business side of our organisation

appeals to me, and on an occasion such as this I

consider it meet and fitting that brethren should go

away with a full knowledge of the great work we are

accomplishing in ministering to the needs of the sick

and aged brother and the widow and orphans of the

brother who has been called away. The necessities of

the unfortunate brother in straitened circumstances

and the widow and orphan are a sacred charge on us,

and most nobly is this G.L. fulfilling its obligations.

ADDRESS TO BRO. H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES.

Immediately after our last communication, along

with M.W. Bro. Niccol, I had the honour of waiting

upon H.R.H. our brother the Priime of Wales, at the

same time presenting him with an address from

G.L., welcoming him to our territory, signifying our

esteem for him as Prince, our love for him as a

member of the Craft, and our loyalty to the King.

Our Royal brother, with that courtesy and charm for

which he is so well and favourably known, in

acknowledging his pleasure at the thoughtfulness of

his New Zealand brethren in presenting him with

this token of their fraternal regard, expressed his

regret at being unable, through his many public

engagements; to meet the brethren in open Lodge

assembled.

NEW SOUTH WALES CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS.

" In. August last I received an invitation from the

G.L. of New South Wales to attend the centenary

celebrations of the planting of Freemasonry in

Australia. As circumstances precluded me from

taking advantage of this kindly invitation, M.W.

Bro. H. J. Williams, P.G.M., willingly undertook the

duty of representing our G.L. on that occasion, and

brethren will admit that no brother could more

fittingly represent this jurisdiction at such an

important event. In connection with this I am of

opinion that during the coming year an endeavour

should be made to arrange for an annual or two-

yearly conference of the G.Ls. of the several States

of the Commonwealth and New Zealand. There are

many matters of vital concern that arise affecting the

interests of Freemasonry in Australasia that would

be greatly assisted by a periodic meeting of the

rulers of the Craft in the different centres. This

applies especially to questions of clashing interests

that may come up and, unfortunately, do

occasionally arise between the G.Ls. of New

Zealand and the Commonwealth and the mother

G.Ls. of England, Ireland, and Scotland.

VISITS TO LODGES.

" Following on a promise made at last

communication to visit the Lodges in some of our

districts, I have had the pleasure during the past year

of visiting something like forty Lodges in six out of

the ten districts in our territory. Whenever possible I

went out to the country Lodges, and met with the

brethren in the remoter parts as well as those in the

more populous centres. I am convinced that this is

right and proper, as in the city Lodges there are often

eminent brethren travelling through who take the

opportunity of visiting Lodges when a meeting is

being held, and these brethren, from the information

they are able to give, help to instruct and interest ;

but in the outlying Lodges far removed from the

track of sojourning brethren visits of G.L. officers,

except from the Prov.G.Ms., are extremely rare.

Thus by those Lodges in the outposts of

Freemasonry a visit from the G.M. is duly

appreciated. In every instance the brethren have

been most cordial in their welcome and more than

lavish in their hospitality, while acquaintances have

been made and friendships formed that I venture to

say will last a lifetime. At these meetings I have

been pleased to see that the brethren who rule our

Lodges are recruited from the best of the manhood

in the several localities—men who in their public or

business activities are doing their best by precept

and example to make the teachings of Freemasonry

a real and living force in their community. At many

of these visits Lodges were engaged in degree work,

and I had the pleasure of witnessing the initiation,

passing, and raising of candidates in the several

degrees. In every instance I have been struck with

the excellence of the work as carried out by the

respective officers of the Lodge, showing not only

an intimate and thorough knowledge of the ritual,

but also that each officer, from I.G. to W.M., was so

imbued with the spirit of the degree that they made

of the ceremony a real live exposition, and not a

formal and perfunctory rendering of the parts

allotted to them, thereby adding to the ceremonial a

realism that must have left an indelible impression

on the minds of the candidates. I trust that during the

remainder of my term of office I shall have the

opportunity of meeting with the brethren of Lodges

in the districts I have not yet been able to visit. On

these occasions I was gratified in being able to

obtain an insight into the material prosperity of our

Lodges, and am pleased to say that in nearly every

instance the brethren possess commodious and

comfortable Lodgeroom, to which is added every

necessary convenience. In many instances the

furniture, jewels, ornaments, and appurtenances are

rich and elaborate, but withal tasteful, showing that

the members take a keen delight in making their

temple in every, way fitting and worthy of the rites

and ceremonies used in the Craft. In these visits to

districts I am indebted to my Prov.G.Ms. for their

care and solicitude to make my itinerary among the

Lodges as widely known as possible, and for putting

every facility in my way to meet the brethren. In this

connection I would like to say a word on the

excellent work being carried on by those zealous,

faithful, and self-sacrificing brethren to whom we

owe so much

OUR PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS,

" Who have charge of the ten districts or provinces

in our territory. This G.L. has been extremely

fortunate in the selection of the brethren who,

without fee or hope of reward, have since its

inception carried out the arduous duties committed

to their care. When we consider that in some of our

districts we have 28, 38, and even 49 Lodges, some

of them separated by hundreds of miles, that each of

these Lodges is supervised by the Prov. G.M., who

makes it a rule to visit. every Lodge in his district at

least once a year, who personally conducts the

installation ceremony, has to see that Secretaries are

punctual, faithful, and exact in their duties, that the

Lodges adhere strictly to the laws, rules, and -

regulations of the Constitution. and who not only has

to be adviser and counsellor, but has frequently to

sustain the faltering restrain the impetuous, or

admonish the erring ; when we reflect that our R.W.

brethren undertake these arduous duties solely from

an earnest desire to promote_and prosper the great

and growing work of G.L. throughout their several

districts, I think you will agree that they deserve the

sincere gratitude and whole-hearted assistance of

every member of G.L.

PAST GRAND RANK TO DESERVING BRETHREN.

" When visiting the several districts I was pained to

meet here and there a brother going into the sere and

yellow, who has done noble work for G.L. at its

formation and for years after in the management of

his Lodge. These brethren, although still ardent,

active, and efficient Freemasons in their particular

Lodges or districts, seem to be passed by when G.L.

honours come round, these honours apparently going

to the more energetic and pushing present-day,

workers. As time goes on and our membership keeps

ever increasing, while the number of G.L. offices

remain stationary, there will be still less opportunity

for these worshipful brethren to receive due

acknowledgment for the excellent work they have

performed. I think it would be well if the B. of G.P.

brought forward for the consideration of G.L. the

granting of P.G. rank to some of these brethren, who

did yeoman service in days gone by in pioneering

the fortunes of our organisation when

communication between the different Lodges in the

outlying districts was inconvenient, difficult, and

even dangerous.

RETIREMENT OF M.W. BRO. MALCOLM NICCOL.

" It would ill befit me if I failed to make passing

reference to the retirement of that great veteran in

New Zealand Freemasonry, MW. Bro. Malcolm

Niccol. I feel certain I voice the sentiments of every

member of G.L. when I say how much we regret that

our M.W. brother has found it necessary to

relinquish the duties of G.Sec. , which he has so long

and so ably carried out. For over twenty years M.W.

Bro. Niccol has guided the policy and destinies of

Freemasonry in New Zealand, and much of the

proud position we hold to-day is due to the foresight,

the business acumen, and the wide knowledge of

Masonic jurisprudence possessed by our brother.

Those of us who have been associated with M.W.

Bro. Niccol in the executive work of G.L., and who

have come into intimate contact with him, will ever

bear in mind his geniality and tact in supervising the

business of G.L. and his unfailing accuracy of

judgment in deciding on the right course to pursue

on questions involving the dignity, the importance,

and the pre-eminence of a G.L. in its own territory. I

trust he may be spared many years to enjoy the

leisure and rest he has so well and worthily earned,

and I am pleased to see G.L. has not stultified itself

in the provision it has made for him in his declining

years."

[The M.W.G.M. here made reference to the

invitation of Empire Lodge, No. 2108, E.C., which

is fully dealt with in our editorial columns.]

LODGES OF RESEARCH.

" Before drawing to a close, let me refer to the

valuable, interesting, and instructive work being

carried on by our Lodges of Research. Where papers

are read, lectures given, and questions discussed on

subjects of Masonic concern lying outside the

routine of Lodge work, the meetings of these Lodges

are at all times greatly appreciated by the members

and visiting brethren. Many of the lectures and

papers are of a very high order, showing careful

study and thoughtful investigation into subjects that

attract the speculation of every student of

Freemasonry. Brethren are aware that have devoted

a deal of study to the antiquity of the teaching of this

great fraternity we are all so proud to be connected

with. I have taken the opportunity in our Lodges of

Research to speak on the striking similarity there

exists in our ritual and ceremonial of to-day with

what obtained in the religions and mysteries

practised on the banks of the Nile and the plains of

Chaldea thousands of years ago. Writers have shown

that these fraternities have come down the pro-

cession of the centuries in an unbroken line from

Egypt, Persia, Phoenicia, Palestine, Greece, Rome,

Medieval Europe, and the Motherland, always

teaching the highest and purest morality, veiled in

allegory and illustrated by symbols, the underlying

motif from the earliest times being the Fatherhood of

God, the Brotherhood of Man, and the Immortality

of the Soul. A select society of chosen men, who in

times when nation looked upon nation with

suspicion and distrust and even hatred, met and

practised these high ideals irrespective of race or

colour or creed —a companionship powerful enough

to break down the exclusiveness of the Egyptian

priesthood and the jealous bigotry of the Jewish

theocracy. Into the sacred mysteries of the one

Herodotus, Plato, and Plutarch were admitted as

initiates: into the most sacred places of the other

Solomon, the great king, received those eminent

Phœnicians, King Hiram, Hiram Abif, and

Adoniram. And so to-day we find, wherever

civilisation extends, this great brotherhood of ours

with its ever-increasing membership, using its

influence and its authority in breaking down the

barriers of national arrogance and social rank and

class that keep men apart, fostering all that is best

and noble and elevating in humanity. We in this land

of ours are only bringing about what every G.L.,

with its millions of adherents in Europe, America,

and Australasia, is eminently setting itself to

accomplish, preaching and practising toleration,

bearing the burdens of the unfortunate, cheering the

despondent, alleviating the distress of the sick, the

aged, the widow, and the orphan, setting before

every individual member his duty to his God, his

country, and his fellow man, to walk uprightly and

deal honourably by all men. Is it too much for us to

speculate on the future of Freemasonry? In the

present age, when religions with their thousand isms

seem to be losing their grip on the masses, when

many openly profess their contempt for God, for

country, and for all that makes society pure and

moral, and government secure and stable, may there

not be a great future for Freemasonry, with its

humanitarian teachings and its toleration reaching

out and taking in all religions, be they Christian, ,

Jew, Moslem, Buddhist, or Brahmin? May not this

great universal religion of ours—for it is a

religion—with the great fundamental, the

Fatherhood of the Great Architect—may it not in the

near future be the means of uniting every nation and

creed and class and colour? For be assured that

then—and then only—will come the time predicted

by our brother, the great Scottish genius —

' When man to man the world o'er

Will brothers be for a' that.' "

The representatives of other GLs, having offered

congratulations to the G.M., G.L. was closed for the

day.

————————

SECOND DAY'S SITTING.

———

PERIOD FOR ANNUAL COMMUNICATION.

The first business on the agenda paper was the

question of giving effect to the result of the vote of

the Lodges as to altering the month for the annual

communication. After some discussion the month of

November was decided upon by a show of hands.

REINSTATEMENT OF EXCLUDED MEMBERS.

The amendment of Constitution under this head

submitted by the B. of G.P. was agreed to, with an

amendment slight as to form, but very material in

substance, inasmuch as it was made a condition

precedent to a ballot for the re-admission by a Lodge

of an excluded member that he must first pay up his

arrears, as against giving him the opportunity of

awaiting the result of the ballot upon his application

before deciding whether or not he will make himself

good on the books of the Lodge, and withholding the

payment if the ballot does not result favourably to

him.

NEW GRAND LODGE OFFICE.

The proposal of the B. of G.P. for the creation of a

new office in G.L.—that of Assistant Prov.G.M., to

have charge of a portion of a Masonic province,

under the Prov.G.M.—was agreed to. It was made

clear that the primary purpose of the amendment

was to meet the problem of the Auckland

Province—the largest in the territory—which

comprises 49 Lodges, but prefers to remain an

undivided province, and consequently needs some

provision for assistance to the Prov.G.M.

CENTRALISATION.

W. Bro. J. K. Hornblow had a motion on the order

paper in favour of centralisation of G.L. office, but-,

after a short comment upon it, renewed his notice of

motion for next communication.

LIGHT FOR CANDIDATES.

The motion tabled by W. Bro. H. Mercer, of Lodge

Otaihape, for the issue to candidates for

Freemasonry of a book entitled "The Aims, Objects,

and Teachings of the Ancient, Free and Accepted

Masonry," which should be sanctioned by G.L., was

moved in his absence, and the question was referred

to the B. of G.P. for a report.

Another motion by the same brother, for the

standardising of the account books of Lodges, was

similarly dealt with.

BOARDS OF ENQUIRY.

W. Bro. N. G. Armstrong, of Lodge Whanganui,

moved in favour of the establishment of Boards of

Enquiry throughout the territory. The feeling of

G.L., however, while it recognised the splendid

work done by the existing Boards of Enquiry, was

against making the system compulsory in districts

that did not voluntarily adopt it, and the motion was

negatived.

FUND OF BENEVOLENCE.

On the motion of the Pres. of the Board of

Benevolence, the power of the Board in granting

relief was extended to the use of amounts received

annually from Lodges as contributions not derived

from any special appeal.

This concluded the business of the communication,

and G.L. was ceremonially closed.

————————

ENGLISH MASONIC BENEVOLENT

INSTITUTIONS.

——◄►——

The Royal Benevolent Institution is designed for

assisting aged Freemasons and the widows of

Freemasons. In 1920 there were 1,400 brethren and

widows receiving annuities., and the amount

contributed annually exceeds £100,000. The

eightieth annual festival was held on the 22nd

February last.

The Royal Institution for Girls is promoted for the

education and maintenance of the daughters of

Freemasons. There are two schools, the senior at

Clapham Junction, and the junior at Weybridge. Last

year 792 girls were receiving the benefits of the

institution. The 133rd anniversary festival was held

on the 25th May.

The Royal Institute for Boys is located at Bushey,

and is a very fine institution. 899 boys are now

receiving benefit, and 1,024 have been admitted in

the last ten years, including 247 sons of brethren

who were killed during the war. The number of boys

who have been elected to receive benefit is 4,397.

The 123rd anniversary will be held on the 8th of the

present month. The annual income exceeds

£100,000, which is obtained by well-organised

effort.

OBITUARY.

——◄►——

R.W. BRO. REV. E. E. CHAMBERS, P.G.W.,

AGED 70 YEARS.

———

We deeply regret to chronicle the death of the

above-named and well-known brother. Formerly in

the Royal Navy, he retired in 1870 with the rank of

lieutenant., and took Holy. Orders, and was

appointed vicar of St. Saviour's Church, Lyttelton, in

1885, which living he held till his death. For some

years he was chaplain of the Permanent Artillery in

the South Island and acting-chaplain and instructor

of the Royal Navy. Owing to his not having any

relatives in the Dominion, we are unable to obtain

full particulars of his Masonic career, but know that

for many years he was a member and P.M. of Lodge

Unanimity, Lyttelton, and S.E. of the Albert Edward

Chapter. He was also a P.G. Chaplain and Warden

of the G.L. of New Zealand, and P.G.Z. of the

Sup.G.R.A. Chapter of New Zealand. Enthusiastic in

his work, fearless and outspoken on all occasions,

most genial in temperament and generous in

disposition, he was very highly esteemed by all who

knew him, and there are many who have lost a good

friend.

—————————————————————

Correspondence.
—————————————————————

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT.

——◄►——

"STUDENT."—It is not considered desirable to

publish your letter in its present form. The tone of it

is flippant, and it is doubtful whether your desire for

information is sincere. Without going further into

the question, one may remind you that due

observance of the Sunday is the law of this Christian

land, and that the principles of Freemasonry are

opposed to Sunday meetings.

—————————————————————

A CANDID REPORT.

——◄►——

TO THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR AND BRO.,—Your article under the above

heading is an interesting one. The annual reports of

Prov.G.Ms. in New Zealand are invariably

"colourless in character," and can scarcely be

otherwise under the present system, so far as country

Lodges are concerned at all events. Speaking of my

experience in Lodge Ruapehu, it is only once a year

that we are favoured with a visit from the

Prov.G.M., and that, as a rule, is at installation

meetings. By the time that function is over there is

no opportunity for discussing errors of omission or

commission. If Prov.G.Ms. could make it convenient

to attend Lodge meetings when degrees are being

conferred, errors and irregularities, now so

prevalent, would in time be eliminated. Such visits

would also prove an additional incentive to the

W.M. and his officers to become proficient in their

work. Points where there may be a difference of

opinion could be freely discussed, and such

discussion would prove, I am sure, of mutual benefit

to the Prov. G.M. and the Lodge members. There is

another subject that might be profitable to discuss in

the CRAFTSMAN. If Prov.G.Ms. would convene

meetings of Lodge delegates in their particular

districts, and have a "round table" talk on business to

be brought forward at the following G.L.

communication, and at the same time discuss

suggested amendments or additions, much good

would eventuate. A Lodge bringing forward notices

of motion, for instance, would then have the

assurance of support from that particular district,

provided it was approved of at the "round table"

meeting, where the pros and cons would have been

freely discussed.—Yours fraternally,

PAST MASTER.

————————

BEHAVIOUR IN GRAND LODGE.

——◄►——

TO THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR AND BRO.,—As an old and consistent

attendant at the communications of G.L., I must

protest against the un-Masonic spirit which some

delegates bring with them to the highest council of

the Craft. At the Auckland communication it

manifested itself in discourteous interruption of

brethren who were endeavouring to throw light upon

questions under discussion. Not merely once, but

four or five times in the course of the session, were

brethren who had taken up no undue amount of the

time of the gathering interrupted by the noisy

stamping of feet, and compelled to hurry their

remarks to a close. Some of the victims of the

unseemly demonstrations were brethren whose

services to the Craft would have entitled them to

considerable indulgence, had it been required, but I

repeat that in no instance had the speaker trespassed

upon the good nature of his audience. Common

courtesy, to say nothing of fraternal feeling, ought to

have ensured for every speaker a fair hearing, even

from those who disagreed with him. The brother

who was moving a motion in G.L. had, if possible, a

stronger claim to be given proper attention when he

tried to explain and justify his motion. I am afraid,

sir, that the respected author of the representation

system, were he still alive, would be disappointed

with one result, at any rate, that it has brought

about—viz., that it has made G.L. consist mainly of

the W.Ms of the year only—brethren who have in

most cases never seen the walls of G.L. before, and

who will almost certainly never appear for more

than one session. How different from the time when

G.L. was a venerable assemblage, comprising the

greybeards of the Craft, and certainly men who had

its best interests at heart, and who, though they

differed materially on questions of policy, and

always fought strenuously for their views, did so

with mutual respect and forbearance! Let us hope

that the representatives who come up next year will

bear in mind the sad object-lesson of those of this

year—or, rather, the conduct of the little knot who

rendered the object-lesson—and adopt a more

fraternal attitude.—Yours fraternally,

PACIFICUS.

————————

INITIATION FEES.

——◄►——

TO THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR AND BRO.,— As the Sec. of a small

country Lodge, it has often occurred to me that it

appears a very bad practice for the various Lodges to

have the power to vary the initiation fee. In our

Lodge it is the practice to charge a £6 6s. fee, while

the city Lodges charge from £8 8s. to £12 12s.,, and

perhaps more. The point I wish to get at is this.

Supposing a man wishes to join the Graft, and on

enquiry finds that the joining fee is £12 12s.

Supposing he is accepted, but before his initiation he

is in conversation with a country brother, and is

informed that the country Lodge's fee is £6 6s.

Naturally, he Wonders if the £12 12s. Lodge is

fleecing him. Now, this is anything but the right

feeling for an initiate to get hold of, and thoughts of

this sort might do untold harm to the Craft in

general. Certainly, the city Lodge has to meet far

greater expenses, and needs more income than the

country Lodge. Under the present system it appears

to me that initiation fees are looked upon as annual

income. In a sense they certainly are, but it seems a

highly dangerous practice for Lodges to anticipate

this item as a part of income. if certain Lodges need

more income than others, then most certainly

increase the annual fees, but the present method of a

varied initiation fee seems to me to be a very wrong

one.—Yours fraternally,

COUNTRY BROTHER.

—————————————————————

LARGEST SCOTTISH RITE CATHEDRAL IN

THE WORLD.

——◄►——

The corner stone of the largest, handsomest and best

equipped Scottish Rite Masonic Cathedral in the

world was laid under the auspices of the G.L. A.F.

and A.Ms of Oklahoma, at Guthrie, Oklahoma, on

21st January. The ceremonies were conducted by

G.M. Frank A. Derr, 33deg. Honorary, assisted by

the G.L. officers, and in the presence of a vast

concourse of people, including many prominent

members of the Order from the different States of

the Unibn. The corner stone is of native black

granite, beautifully polished, three feet in diameter,

and weighing 3,000 pounds. A collection of valuable

Masonic documents, books and papers were

deposited in the corner stone, as was also a stone

quarried by William Noble, 33deg. Honorary, in

King Solomon's quarries in Jerusalem, Palestine.

The cathedral will be built of steel and reinforced

concrete, four stories high, 268 x 356½ feet in

dimension and forming a perfect cube. The

auditorium where the degrees will be conferred will

be equipped with one of the largest stages ever built,

and the auditorium proper will seat over 3,000

people. The dining hall will seat 2,500 people at one

time. The furniture will be strictly modern and up-

to-date in every particular. It is estimated that the

sum of 3,000,000 dollars will be spent in building

the cathedral, exclusive of furnishing. The Guthrie

Consistory is now the largest in point of membership

in the world, and the new cathedral is destined to

become the Mecca of Scottish Rite Masonry in the

United States. — [William Noble, 33deg. Honorary,

Press Correspondent.]

————————

SUBSCRIPTIONS ACKNOWLEDGED to 20th

MAY.

——◄►——

J. Bryan (Tokarahi), A. Ross 30/- (Dargaville),

Capt. Dawson, S. Martin, S. Smith, F. A. Jacobsen

15/-, A. Donald, J. L. Griffen (Wellington), J.

Passmore (Petone), C. F. Ryland, A. N. McKelvey,

G. Wilkinson 8/6 (Auckland), S. Gempton 8/6, S. J.

Storkey 8/6, A. E. Jenkins 8/6, E. C. Wiggins

(Napier), J. Anderson 9/6 (Bunnythorpe), H. W.

Lacey 18/4 (Palmerston North), F. Smith 8/6

(Dunsandel), R. S. V. Parker 8/6, R. S. V. Parker 1/6

(Dunedin), J. Brown (Timaru), D.- Donald 20/-

(Roxburgh), C. J. Steel 17/- (Kimbolton), F.

Haywood (Wanganui), G. H. Chapman 25/4 (Ross),

F. W. Munn 3/4 (Paeroa), J. D. Gorrie 11/., —

Henderson 21/- (Marton), E. G. Curtis, E. Skilton,

A. Davis, F. S. Wood, D. Gibbond (Westport), H.

W. Thorpe (Otahuhu), J. B. Wilson (Balclutha), G.

Blizzard (Picton), J. Twizell 21/- (Hikurangi), C. E.

Bathurst 20/- (Ashburton), N. B. Wright (Woolston).

(All subscriptions 10/- except those noted.)

—————————————————————

Reports.
—————————————————————

[Secretaries and Scribes are requested to forward

Reports.]

————

CRAFT LODGES.

————

SOUTHLAND.

Southern Cross, No. 9.—A large attendance of

members and visitors gathered on Friday, 6th May.

A large amount of business was conducted previous

to the ceremony of the evening—the passing of four

candidates—that of election of officers for 1921-22.

Bro. Glancefield is the W.M.-elect. The ceremonial

was conducted by W. Bro. Farrant, who obligated

the candidates and explained the Secrets. Bro. W. S.

Robinson gave the S.E. Charge; the W.M. and

Wardens (Bros. Glancefield and Padget), the W.Ts.;

W. Bro. Critchfield, the Final Charge. After the

ceremony all retired to the refectory.—[Lodge

Correspondent.]

————

Taringatura, No. 100.—A rather bleak night on

Monday, 25th April, did not largely interfere with

the attendance at the regular monthtly meeting. One

candidate was initiated. W. Bro. H. Ewen, who

presided at the meeting, conducted the ceremony,

and he was assisted by W. Bros. D. Walker, W.

Roxburgh, H. Graham, C. F. Johnson, and Bro. C.

Belshaw, J.W. W. Bro. D. Walker, who has

faithfully filled the office of Organist for quite a

number of years, intends to reside somewhere

further north. After the ceremonial work of the

Lodge had been completed, W. Bro. G. F. Johnson,

on behalf of the officers and brethren of the Lodge,

presented W. Bro. Walker with a very fine

Organist's jewel. W. Bro. D. Walker feelingly

replied. The W.M. expressed the thanks of the

officers and brethren to W. Bro. Finlay for the

handsome framed photograph presented by him to

the Lodge. Owing to the fact that the meeting night

happened on the 25th April (Anzac Day), the

brethren did not spend the customary hour in the

refectory.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Orepuki, No 137.—The installation meeting was

held on the 20th April, and was a record as far as

attendance was concerned. The W.M. (W. Bro. C. L.

Pont) presided. The ceremony of installing Bro.

Robert William Katch was conducted by R.W. Bro.

A. B. Haggitt, Prov.G.M. of Southland, assisted by

P.D.G.M. R.W. Bro. W. Smith and W. Bro. W. K.

Rusden (Fortitude). W. Bro. J. O. Clapp (Wairaki)

acted as G.D. of C. The beauty of the ceremony was

considerably enhanced by the splendid music of that

talented combination, the Invercargill Masonic

Orchestra. The W.Ts. were presented by R.W. Bro.

W. Smith, W. Bros. T. M. Twedie (Aparima),

Derbie (Victoria) and J. J. Hinchcliffe (Tuatapere).

The following officers were invested :—S.W., Bro.

W. Tait; J.W., Bro. R. Parson; D. of C., W. Bro. J.

H. Sorensen; Organist, W. Bro. L. Cross; Chaplain,

Bro. H. Garden; Treas., W. Bro. J. W. G. McIntyre ;

Sec., W. Bro. L. F. Clapp; S.D., Bro. H. J. Simpson;

J.D., Bro. F. Hogg ; I.G., Bro. F. Mayhew ; Tyler,

Bro. A. King ; Stewards, Bros. D. McKenzie, D.

McKay, J. B. Plank, R. A. Garden. R.W. Bro.

Haggitt gave the address to the W.M., and R.W. Bro.

W. Smith gave the address to the brethren. W. Bro.

Rusden invested the Wardens and addressed them.

On behalf of the W. and O. and A.M. Fund an

appeal was made by R.W. Bro. Haggitt, and a

collection of £2 18s. 9d. was the result. At the

conclusion of the ceremony a banquet was held in

Cassell's Hall, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all

the brethren. The customary toast list was

honoured.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Victoria, No. 147.—The regular meeting was held

on 13th May, when W. Bro. A. Geddes, acting-

W.M., presided over a large attendance. The

ceremonial was the Second Degree, which was

conducted by the W.M. and officers of the Lodge:

W. Bro. J. D. Campbell was in the chair, and was

assisted by W. Bro. Bird, I.P.M. W. Bro. Todd, and

the W.M. and Wardens. Bro. Thos. Bird delivered

the Final Charge. After the Lodge closed, all

adjourned to the refectory to partake of Lodge

Victoria's hospitality, which was appreciated to the

full.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Waihopai, No. 189.—A large number of members

and visitors was in evidence on the occasion of the

April meeting. The W.M. (W. Bro. J. D. Campbell)

was in the chair. Three clear ballots were taken. The

election of officers for the coming year was

conducted. The business of the evening was to raise

three F.Cs., and was conducted by the W.M. (Ob.),

W. Bro. Vernon Smith (Ex.), W. Bro. Bird (Secrets),

W. Bro. A. Scott (T.H.), Bro. J. Stobo (W.Ts.), W.

Bro. T. Bird (Final Charge). Before closing down,

the W.M thanked all the officers and brethren who

have so loyally assisted him during his term of office

On the Lodge being closed a retirement was made to

the social board. —[Lodge Correspondent.]

————————

OTAGO.

Waitaki, No. 11.—The April regular meeting was

an unusual scene for an ordinary meeting,

constituting a record attendance of members at other

than installation meetings. No less than fifty

members of the Lodge, besides a number of visiting

brethren, signed the appearance book, and one and

all, at the conclusion of the meeting, seemed pleased

that they had faced the elements. The ceremony was

conducted by the P.Ms., with W. Bro. W. G.

Alexander in the W.M.'s chair, W. Bro. J. M.

Forrester in the S.W. chair, W. Bro. Deal acting as

J.W., W. Bro. Woodward as S.D. W. Bro. W. Whyte

as J.D., and W. Bro. Whale as I.G. No less than five

candidates presented themselves for elevation to the

Third Degree, and the work was admirably carried

out in the well-known Waitaki style. On vacating the

W.M. chair to enable W. Bro. Hamilton to continue

the routine work, W. Bro. Alexander thanked the

W.M. for the privilege of working the degree, and

W. Bro. Hamilton returned thanks to the P.Ms. for

the pleasure the brethren had received. The routine

business consisted mainly in the election of W.M.

and officers, and I am pleased to record that Bro. T.

Herron, one of the oldest subscribing members of

the Lodge, was elected as W.M., and as a good lot of

officers have been appointed to assist him, I predict

a most successful year for the Lodge.—[Lodge

Correspondent.]

————

Palmerston, No. 26.—At the ordinary meeting, held

on 22nd April, W. Bro. W. C. Arkle handed the

gavel to W. Bro. R. L. Smith, and the D. of C. (W.

Bro. Hopkins) conducted the following officers to

their respective chairs :—S.W., W. Bro. Bain;

Chaplain, W. Bro. Guffie; J.W., Bro. T. Cameron;

S.D., W. Bro. G. Ross; J.D., W. Bro. D. Ross; I.G.,

W. Bro. McGregor; Organist, W. Bro. Galloway;

Tyler, Bro. Isbister. Under the gavel of W. Bro.

Smith, capably assisted by the above officers, two

brethren were raised. The work was most

impressive, being the alternate Scotch method, and

the officers all proved their proficiency as masters of

their respective parts. The work was conducted as

follows :—Ob., W. Bro. R. L. Smith; Exhort., W.

Bro. Hopkins ; Signs and Secrets, W. Bro. Moodie ;

T.H., W. Bro. McGregor ; W.Ts., Bro. T. Cameron;

Final Charge, W. Bro. Bain. After closing the

Lodge, the brethren of whom there was a record

attendance, gathered round the festive board, where

a couple of very enjoyable hours were spent.—

[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Hiram, No. 46.—The regular meeting was held- on

26th April. The Lodge was opened by the W.M. (W.

Bro. G. G. Cardno). The ritual work was raising four

brethren. Donations were made to two circular

appeals. One candidate for initiation was balloted for

and elected. One brother was proposed for

affiliation, and three candidates for initiation. The

Lodge closed at 10.15 p.m., and the usual social

hour was then indulged in.— [Lodge

Correspondent.]

————

Maori, No. 105.—The installation took place on

12th March, when Bro. Geo. F. Smith was installed

as W.M. by R.W. Bro. A. Fieldwick, assisted by

G.L. officers, the M.W.G.M. being present. The

ceremony was conducted in a very impressive and

imposing manner, the M.W.G.M. giving the address

to the W.M. R.W. Bro. Smith, of Invercargill,

assisted by investing the officers and R.W. Bro.

Quail, P.G.S.W., investing the Wardens. The

following is a list of the officers for the year 1921-

22 :—W.M., W. Bro. Geo. F. Smith; S.W., Bro. L.

Page; Bro. J. W. Hutton; S.D., Bro. J. C. Seelye;

J.D., Bro. G. Green; I.G., Bro. G. Trimmell; Treas.,

W. Bro. J. G. Ross ; Sec., W. Bro. A. Jordan. The

banquet was held in the hall over the Lodgeroom,

where 200 visiting brethren sat down to a sumptuous

repast, and a splendid programme of music.

The regular monthly meeting was held on 4th April,

when our newly-installed W.M. (W. Bro. Geo. F.

Smith) held his first meeting and worked the Third

Degree. The ceremony was successfully carried out,

the W.M: being ably assisted by M.W. Bro. T. Ross,

W. Bros. Dreaver, J. G. Ross and A. Jordan. Sixteen

W.Ms. were in attendance with their P.Ms. ,and

officers, which shows the brotherly feeling existing

between Lodge Maori and her sister Lodges.—

[Lodge Correspondent.]

————————

CANTERBURY.

Unanimity, No. 3.—The regular monthly meeting

was held on 3rd May, the W.M. (W. Bro. Owen)

presiding over a good attendance of brethren and

visitors. After routine business had been disposed of,

the I.P.M. (W. Bro. Law) presented an enlarged

photograph of himself to the Lodge. The work of the

evening consisted of raising a brother, and was

performed, by the W.M. (Ob. and Secrets), W. Bro.

Law (Ex.); Bro. Oates (Charge after Investiture), W.

Bro. Smith (TM.), W. Bro. Hatton (Further Expl. of

Signs) and T.B.), W. Bro. Anderson, W.M., Lodge

Ionic (W.Ts.), W. Bro. Turner (presentation of

V.S.L.).—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Southern Cross, No. 6.—The regular meeting was

held on the 5th May, the W.M. (W. Bro. L. C. B.

Fuldseth) having a large number of brethren in

attendance. A good number of visitors were present,

including brethren from Lodges Crown, Ashley, and

Concord. The work of the evening consisted of an

initiation. W. Bro. Fuldseth, W.M, gave the Ob. ; W.

Bro. Monk, I.P.M., the Ss. ; Bro. Hunt invested the

candidate ; and Bro. W. H. Stark, J.W., delivered the

Charge after Investiture. The S.W. gave the N.E.

Charge; W. Bro. Stanton, Chaplain, R. for Prep.; and

the S.D. explained the W.Ts. The J.W. gave the

Final Charge. W. Bro. J. E. Monk then explained the

1st T.B. in excellent manner. At the conclusion of

the meeting the visitors and brethren retired to the

refectory, when the usual toasts were duly

honoured.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Christchurch, No. 91.—The monthly meeting was

held in the Masonic Hall, Christchurch, on 26th

April, W. Bro. T. C. Hill, W.M., presiding. The

usual routine business having been disposed of, the

degree of M.M. was conferred upon three brethren,

the candidates being obligated by the W.M. ; the

emblems of M. were explained by W. Bro. A. C.

Andrews, P.M. ; the Secrets being communicated by

W. Bro. W. Kiddey, P.M. ; the Charge after

Investiture was delivered by W. Bro. Parks, P.M. ;

the T.H. was resumed by W. Bro. F. L. Adams, P.M.

; the T.B. was explained by W. Bro. Roberts, P.M. ;

the Final Charge being delivered by V.W. Bro.

Hopkinson, P.M., P.G.D. of C. The Lodge having

been closed in due- form, a pleasant hour was

enjoyed in the refectory.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Robert Burns, No. 139.—The usual meeting was

held in the Christchurch Masonic Hall on 19th April.

The W.M. (W. Bro. W. E. Rogers) presided, and

there was a large attendance. Two candidates were

initiated, the W.M. being assisted in the ceremony

by W. Bros. Ranger (W.M. St. Augustine), G. A.

Black-more, Cooper (W.M. Crown) and W.

Cuming.—[ Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Tawera, No. 188.—W. Bro. Horn presided over a

good attendance at the May meeting. The

ceremonial work was the raising of a candidate,

who, with his father and brother, motored nearly

forty miles for the ceremony. The. W.M. gave the

Ob. and Exhort., and was assisted in the ceremony

.by Bro. Bowman; W. Bro. L. Watson(Sions, T.H.,

and Additional Signs); W. Bro. T. L. Gainsford

(W.Ts.)`; and W. Bro. Weld (Final Charge). The

work was pleasingly and impressively done.—

[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Acacia, No. 209.—The monthly meeting was held

on 25th April, and was presided over by W. Bro.

Cadman, there being a very large attendance. The

work was the raising of one brother, and was

distributed as follows :—Ob., Exhort. and Secrets,

W. Bro. Cadman; Prayer and T.H.; Bro. Lindsay,

S.W. ; Light of M.M. and Charge after Investiture,

Bro. Jolly ; W.Ts., Bro. Harry .Saundercock; Further

Secrets, Bro. Chas. Saundercock, S.D. ; Final

Charge, Bro. H. B. Billens, JAV. The Final Charge

in the Second Degree, which was omitted at last

meeting, was delivered by Bro. H. B. Billens, J.W.

After closing, an adjournment was made to the

refectory, where a pleasant hour was spent.—[Lodge

Correspondent.]

————————

WESTLAND.

Aorangi, No. 89.—The installation meeting was

held in the Masonic Hall on Friday, 22nd April,

when Bro. M. Forsyth, S.W., was installed in the

chair. The Lodge was tyled at 7 p.m. R.W. Bro. E.

Warnes, P.G.M. of the West Coast, was the

Installing Master, assisted by R.W. Bro. Richmond,

P.P.G.M., and R.W. Bro. Harkness, P.D.G.M., who

were received with appropriate honours. There was a

record attendance, 75 visitors and brethren signing

the attendance-book. The address to the W.M. was

delivered by the P.G.M. ; R.W. Bro. Harkness,

P.D.G.M., addressed the Wardens and brethren; the

W.M. addressed the visitors and brethren. The

P.G.M. presented W. Bro. Brownrig with a P.M.'s

jewel from the Lodge, and W. Bro. Brownrig

suitably replied. After H.G.W. and congratulations

from the visitors, the brethren retired to the

Oddfellows' Hall and partook of the good things on

the table, when songs, recitations, and stump

speeches were delivered by the brethren, and a very

pleasant evening came to a close. The principal

officers for the year are :—W.M., Bro. M. Forsyth ;

S.W., Bro. W. Brownlie; J.W., Bro. A. Storey ; Sec.,

Bro. W. Bernard.—{Lodge Correspondent.]

————————

HAWKES BAY.

Scinde, No. 5.—The regular monthly meeting was

held on 17th May, and was well attended. The W.M.

presided. The Prov.G.M. (R.W. Bro. J. W. Ritchie)

paid his first official visit, and was received with

honours by W. Bro. R. Bishop, who had been invited

by the W.M. to conduct the ceremony of raising, the

whole of the work being carried out by the P.Ms. of

the Lodge. Bro. J. -Morling, S.W., was unanimously

elected W.M. for the ensuing year. The remaining

officers were duly elected, there being only one

nomination in each case.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Victoria, No. 21.—The regular meeting was held on

3rd May, there being a large attendance. The W.M.

(W. Bin. H. F. Funke) presided, and the ceremonial

work consisted in raising two brethren. Being the

last meeting prior to installation, as is the custom,

the chairs were occupied by P.Ms., who carried out

the work, and gave a splendid rendering of the

ceremony. The following occupied the respective

chairs :—W.M., W. Bro. W. A. Wilkie ; S.W., W.

Bro. Whitton ; J.W., W. Bro. W. A. Kirk; S.D., W.

Bro. H. Hill; J.D., W. Bro. Jarvis; I.G., W. Bro. H.

Bate; Chaplain, W. Bro. E. J. Bull. W. Bros. J. B.

Andrew and Chegwidden also assisted. W. Bro.

Ritchie (Scinde Lodge, No. 5) presented the

candidates with the V.S.L. The election of officers

took place, W. Bro. H. Hill (S.W.) being the Lodge's

choice as W.M. A very successful meeting closed at

10.30 p.m., after which a very happy social hour was

spent in the refectory.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————————

AUCKLAND.

United Service, No. 10.—At the monthly meeting

held on 27th April, one candidate was initiated. The

W.M., W. Bro. A. C. Hallett presided, and was

assisted in the ceremonial work by W. Bro. Morten

(W.M., Lodge St. Andrew, No. 418, S.C.), who

delivered the Address in the N.E. Corner ; Bro. H.

Gribble, J.W., explained the W.Ts. ; and Bro. H. T.

Garratt delivered the Final Charge. The Work was

impressively carried out, and appreciated by the

candidate. H.G.Ws. were tendered from Lodges

Armadale, No. 260, Victoria ; Annandale, N.S.W.C.;

Duke of Albany, No. 2073, E.C. ; Embrematic, No.

1321, E.C.; Ara, No. 348, I.C.; St. Andrew, No. 418,

S.C. ; No. 7; Onewa, No. 182 ; Maungawhao, No.

168; Takapuna, No. 202. A most enjoyable "Fourth"

was held in the refectory, the usual toasts being.

honoured.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Papakura, No. 56.—The installation meeting was

held on 19th April, when over seventy brethren were

present. The W.M.(W. Bro. W. Crawford) was

placed in the chair for a second term. The

installation ceremony was carried out by M.W. Bro.

Oliver Nicholson, P.G.M., Prov.G.M., assisted by

W. Bros. D. Jamieson, P.G.D. (of Franklin Lodge,

No. 58), M. G. Allen, G.Purs., J. F. Deane, P.G.S.,

C. E. Dutton and A. C. Hill. W. Bros. C. F. Shipherd

(Franklin Lodge, No. 58) and C. E. Dutton

(Ponsonby Lodge, No. 54) acted as presenting

officers. W. Bro. D. Jamieson, P.G.D., addressed the

W.M., W. Bro. W. G. Allen, G.Purs., the Wardens,

and M.W. Bro. Oliver Nicholson, P.G.M.

Prov.G.M., the brethren. After the usual greetings

from the visiting Lodges, the brethren adjourned to

the supper-room, where the tables had been

tastefully arranged by the ladies. In replying to the

toast of Prov.G.M., M.W. Bro. Nicholson said that

he was glad to be able to report that the amount-

subscribed for the W. and O. and A.M. Fund, in

response to the recent appeal, had more than

exceeded the sum of £10,000 which had been set

before the brethren as the standard to aim at. The

Auckland brethren had done well, but per capita not

so well as those of Wellington. Several other toasts

were honoured, and a very interesting musical

programme rendered. The amount collected during

the ceremony for the Annuity Fund was £5 17s.—

[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Waipu, No. 179.—The, installation meeting was

held on 20th April, when M.W. Bro. Oliver

Nicholson, Prov.G.M., assisted by G.L. officers,

installed Bro. Arthur Ernest Snaith as W.M. There

was a large attendance of brethren. The W.Ts. of the

several degrees were presented by W. Bros. J. Reid

(Star of the North, No. 1647, E.C.), J. Rutherford

(W.M. Lodge Hikurangi, No. 140), W. J. M.

Dawson (W.M. Lodge Whangarei, No. 102). After

the investiture of officers by the newly-installed

W.M., Bro. McKay, J.D., invited the visiting

brethren to a banquet in the Town Hall. This was

provided by the ladies of Lodge members, and was

acknowledged to be up to Waipu's standard. The

toasts were many, and were received, as they were

given, in right spirit by hearty Freemasons. Not the

least important toast was that of the ladies, by W.

Bro. R. R. McKay, and ably responded to by Mrs.

Snaith. A happy and profitable evening was brought

to a close at 12.5 a.m. by the Tyler's toast. [Lodge

Correspondent.]

————

Whakatane, No. 198.—The regular meeting was

held in the Lodgeroom on Friday, 22nd April. There

was a large attendance of visitors. The ceremonial

work comprised the passing of two candidates, and

was ably handled by W. Bro. Franklin, W.M., and

his officers.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————————

RUAPEHU.

Manawatu Kil., No. 47.—The annual installation

ceremony and investiture of officers of this Lodge

took place at the Masonic Temple, Church Street, on

Wednesday, 20th April, at 4 p.m., when there was a

large attendance of members and visitors. The

installation ceremony was carried out by R.W. Bro.

J. A. Nash, P.G.S.W., assisted by R.W. Bro. J. H.

Perrett, P.G.M.; R.W. Bro. D. McFarlane, P.P.G.M.;

with W. Bro. A. Torstonson, P.M., as D. of C. Bro.

E. V. West, S.W., was installed as W.M., and the

following officers were invested : S.W., Bro. W.

Munday ; J.W., Bro. A. D. H. Worboys ; S.D. Bro.

A. H. M. Wright : J.D., Bro. W. R. Douglas; D. of

C., W. Bro. A. Torstonson, P.M. ; Chaplain, W. Bro.

A. Clark, P.M. ; Sec., W. Bro. C. S. Rush, P.M.;

Treas., R.W. Bro. J. A. Nash, P.G.S.W.; Organist,

Bro: C. J. East ; Choirmaster, Bro. S. Carson; I.G.,

Bro. P. W. Henderson; Ss., Bros. J. R. Hardie, W. H.

Boon, C. N. Mitchell, and -J. A. Lissington; Tyler,

Bro. J. Marshall. During the afternoon R.W. Bro. J.

H. Perrett, P.G.M., on behalf of the Lodges of the

Ruapehu District, presented R.W. Bro. D.

McFarlane, P.P.G.M., with a set of undress regalia.

In the evening a very enjoyable social and dance was

held in the Empire Hall.

At the regular meeting, held on 12th May, there was

again a large attendance. The W.M. (W. Bro. E. V.

West) conducted the ceremony of passing one

candidate, assisted by W. Bros. Torstonson (N.E.

Charge), E. R. B. Holben (W.Ts.), and Raleigh.

(Final Charge).—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

St. Andrew Kil. No. 79.—At the monthly meeting

on 12th: March there was a fairly good gathering of

brethren. The W.M. (W. Bro. Percy Evans) was

assisted by W. Bros. John McFarlane (Ob.), W. J.

Treadwell (R. and S.),' A. DOig (T.H.), L. Craig.

(Scriptural Injunction), and A. E. King (W.Ts.). In

accordance with notice of motion by,.W. Bro. J.

McFarlane, it was resolved that in future the Lodge

resume in February (instead of March, as -at present)

after the Christmgs vacation. Nominations of

officers for the ensuing year were received. A

pleasant time was spent in the refectory.—[Lodge

Correspondent.]

————

Ruapehu, No. 128.—W.M. Bro. J. S. McDonald

presided at the monthly meeting on 21st April, when

there was a good attendance. The First Degree was

creditably worked by the-recently elected officers.

The W.M. was assisted in the ceremony by R.W.

Bro. W. H. Smith, who delivered the N.E. Charge;

W. Bro. W. R. Snellgrove, W.Ts. ; W. Bro.

Upchurch,. Mode of Prep. ; W. Bro. Thomas, who

delivered the Final Charge. W. Bro. H. Y. Cameron

occupied the Secretarial chair in the absence of the

Sec. (W. Bro. Mogridge), who, I regret to say, has

had to undergo an operation in hospital. The hope

was expressed that our W. Bro. Sec. would speedily

recover and soon be amongst us once more. A

pleasant, hour was spent in the refectory, where the

usual toasts were honoured, songs being contributed

by Bros. Sherriff and Gibson, a duet by the W.M.

and Bro. Sherriff, and a recitation by the Rev. Bro.

Peat. The Tyler's toast concluded a bright and breezy

"Fourth."—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Te Awahou, No. 133.—The installation of Bro. J.

M. Barr, S.W., took place at the Lodgerom on 4th

May. Lodge was tyled at 3 p.m. There was a large

attendance of visiting brethren. R.W. Bro. J. A.

Nash, P.G.S.W., officiated as Installing Master,

assisted by R.W. Bro. J. H. Perrett, Prov.G.M. W.

Bro. Hornblow was D. of C. W. Bro. A. K. Drew

(Lodge, Rangitikei) acted as S.W., W. Bro. G. W. A.

Clark (Lodge Pacific, No. 2) J.W. W. Bro. G. Elliott,

I.G. The W.Ts. were presented by W. Bros. E. V.

West (Manawatu,Kil. Lodge), J. F. Young (Lodge

Horowhenua) and E. Gardner (Lodge Rouge-tea).

R.W. Bro. J. H. Perrett, Prov.G.M., delivered the

address to the W.M. and Wardens, and R.W. Bro. J.

A. Nash, P.G.S.W., that to the brethren. W. Bro. G.

Elliott invested the following officers :—S.W., W.

Bro. S. E. Cowley; J.W., Bro. Rev. T. Halliday ;

Chaplain, Bro. D. W. Robertson ; Sec.,. W. Bra. J.

Ross (re-elected) ; Treas., W. Bro. M. E. Perreau (re-

elected) ; D. of C., W. Bro. J. K. Hornblow (re-

elected) S.D., Bro. J. McColl; J.D.; Bro. Roore

Rangiteau; I.G., Bro. E. G. Alexander ; Tyler, W.

Bro. F. de Ridder. A jewel was presented to W. Bro.

Renton, I.P.M., by R.W. Bro. J. A. Nash, P.G.S.W.

A Masonic ball was held the same-evening, which

was a great success.—[Lodge Correspondent.] .

————

Huia, No. 171.—The usual monthly meeting was

held on 5th. May. A good attendance was recorded,

a most pleasing feature being the large number of.

P.Ms., including many visitors who graced the East

with their presence. A heavy amount of routine

business was dealt with, after which three ballots

were taken, one for a re-joining P.M., the rest as

joining members, all of which were successful. The

ceremonial work consisted of an initiation, the work

being carried out by the W.M. and his officers, ably

assisted by W. Bros. Parton (I.P.M. Lodge

Waterloo) and Robson (Lodge Otangaki). A lecture

on the 1st T.B. was most impressively delivered by

the J.W., it being his initial effort, when he acquitted

himself most creditably, giving great promise for the

future. One of the gems of the evening's work

undoubtedly was the fine work performed by W.

Bro. Graham as D. of C., a long-felt want in the

Lodge being at last established by one whose heart

and soul are devoted to the-welfare of Masonry. We

trust a responsive chord will be awakened in the

heart of every member, as an encouragement to the

D. of C. to give dignity and good deportment to the

proceedings. Three propositIons were received for

initiation and one for affiliation. The appointment of

a Lodge Correspondent resulted in Bro. Canton

being re-appointed for the ensuing year. The work

being concluded, an adjournment was made to the

refreshment-room, a great number of visitors being

present, who tendered felicitations, the last being W.

Bro. Rush, Sec. of Manawatu Kil., who is taking up

his residence at Dargaville as a journalist. His

activities here as a citizen and a Craftsman extend

over a term of thirty years, and are too well known

to need any comment. We wish him every success in

his venture in the Far North.—[Lodge

Correspondent.]

————

Moutoa, No. 195.—The installation meeting was

held on 28th April, when Bro. E. Runnerstrum,

S.W., was installed in the chair. The number of

brethren who attended far exceeded all anticipations.

R.W. Bro. Perrett, Prov.G.M. and his officers were

received with due honours. The Prov.G.M. handed

the gavel to R.W. Bro. J. A. Nash, P.G.S.W., to

conduct the installation ceremony. The mutual joy

experienced by the Installing Master and the newly-

installed Master was very apparent, R.W. Bro. Nash

having initiated, passed and raised W. Bro.

Runnerstrum some fifteen years ago. The ceremony

was conducted in a very thorough and impressive

manner. W. Bro. D. Munro, as D. of C., set a very

high standard, which was well maintained by all

who assisted. The work was allotted as follows :—

Address to the W.M., by the R.W. Installing Master

; address to the Wardens, W. Bro. F. Symes ;

address to the brethren, R.W. Bro. Perrett,

Prov.G.M. A deviation from the usual custom of the

presentation of the W.Ts. was the presenting of the

W.Ts. of the three degrees in an abbreviated form on

a single occasion by W. Bro. Armstrong while the

Lodge was in the Third Degree. W. Bro. Armstrong

was in good form. W. Bro. Bourne invested Bros. C.

L. Cornish and C. C. Moutray as S.W. and J.W.

respectively. W. Bro. Deem invested the

following:— Treas., W. Bro. F. Bourne ; Sec., W.

Bro. N. Svenson ; Chaplain, W. Bro. C. H. Bowater ;

D. of C., W. Bro. D. Munro ; S.D., Bro. E. Senior

J.D., Bro. N. B. Allan; I.G., Bro. F. Haywood ;

Tyler, Bro. C. Dickenson ; S.S., Bro. A. Beckwith;

J.S., Bro. H. Anderson. The newly-installed W,M.

addressed the brethren in a most inspiring manner.

W. Bro. Symes presented W. Bro. Arnold, the

retiring W.M., with a P.M.'s jewel. The I.P.M.

suitably replied. H.G.W. and congratulations were

received from visiting brethren present and per

telegram from a good number who were

unavoidably absent. After the Lodge was closed an

adjournment was made to the Gonville Town Hall,

where the social part was held. The usual toasts were

honoured. The Lodge orchestra added very

considerably to the enjoyment of the evening, both

inside the Lodge and the Town Hall. The Stewards

were again commended for the way in which they

coped with the large attendance. The Tyler's toast,

proposed by Bro. J. K. Revell, brought a happy

function to a close.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

WELLINGTON.

N.Z. Pacific, No. 2.—Lodge Civic, No. 157, of

Christchurch, paid a visit to Lodge Pacific, No. 2, on

Friday, 6th May, to conduct the ceremony of raising

two brethren. W. Bro. Williams was accompanied

by over twenty of his brethren—a large and talented

following. The ceremony was conducted by the

W.M.. assisted by R.W. Bro. Bingham (Secrets),

Bro. Lawn, S.D. (T.H.). W. Bro. Nordon (second

part T.H.), Bro. Sherras, D. of C. (W.Ts.) and Bro.

F. A'Court, S.W. (Final Charge). A very pleasant

two hours were spent in the refectory, the song and

story being wholly supplied by Civic. On the

Saturday the visitors were taken by motor cars to

Titahi Bay, where R.W. Bro. Seaton had kindly

placed his house at the Lodge's disposal for the day.

An exceedingly pleasant time was spent, and the

departure of the visiting brethren by the "Maori"

brought to a close one of the most enjoyable visits

since the interchange was inaugurated by W. Bro.

Gibson in 1908. W. Bro. Gibson was unavoidably

absent from the function.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Leinster, No. 44.—Monday, 2nd May, was P.Ms.

night, and a very large muster of brethren and

visiting W.Ms. and P.Ms. foregathered to see the

"veterans" give .a taste of their old quality. After

formal business. W. Bro. W. J. Garrett. W.M.,

handed the gavel to R.W. Bro. J. W. Ellison,

P.P.G.M., who conducted the ceremony of passing

four candidates. He was assisted by W. Bro. J.

Roberts as S.W., W. Bro. W. A. Baudinet as J.W.,

W. Bro. R. H. Wilson as S.D., W. Bro. Bland as

Chaplain, W. Bro. D. Ritchie as D. of C., W. Bro. A.

Longmore as I.G., and W. Bro. R. J. Shakes. The

work of the degree was most effectively done, the

W. brethren quite excelling themselves. Nomination

of officers for the ensuing year was afterwards

taken, Bro. D. Parnell, S.W., being the only

nomination for W.M. At the "Fourth," in reply to the

toast of the P.Ms., R.W. Bro. Ellison, and those who

assisted him, gave many pleasant reminiscences of

the days when they occupied the chair. The pleasure

of the evening was also greatly enhanced by the

delightful singing of Bro. Syd. Allwright, who has

been generous in giving us of his talent.—[Lodge

Correspondent.]

————

St. Mark, No. 53.—The annual installation and

investiture of officers took place in the Lodgeroom

on 20th April, when Bro. Richard Smith, S.W., was

installed in the chair of K.S. by R.W. Bro. Russell,

Prov.G.M., assisted by R.W. Bro. J. Moncrieff,

P.P.G.M. V.W. Bro. J. F. Hunn acted as D. of C.

About fifty visiting brethren were present from

various Lodges. During the evening W. Bro. R.

Smith, W.M., invested his officers with the collars

of their respective offices. As the Lodge was tyled

punctually, the ceremony was over at an early hour,

thus enabling visiting brethren to partake of

refreshment in the refectory, and to take their

departure for home at what was considered a decent

hour.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Tutanekai, No. 156.—The regular meeting was held

in the Masonic Hall, Berhampore, on 5th May, the

W.M. (Bro. Read) presiding. The business of the

evening was the passing of three candidates. In the

ceremony the W.M. was assisted by W. Bro.

Whitelaw, Bros. Morton, Mollinson, and

Stephenson.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Mokoia, No. 213.—The regular meeting was held at

Wellington South on 22nd Match. W. Bro. H.

Flanagan, W.M., presided over a good attendance.

The business was to initiate three candidates. The

W.M. was assisted by W. Bros. L. George and A.

Schmidt and officers and members of the Lodge.

R.W. Bro. G. Russell gave an address prior to the

special collection being taken up on behalf of the W.

and O. and A.M. Fund.

An emergency meeting was held on 2nd April. It

was a P.Ms.' night, and W. Bro. A. Schmidt had

charge of the gavel. Three candidates were raised,

and the Acting-W.M. was assisted by the following:

—S.W., W. Bro. S. Rod; J.W., W. Bro. C. Dement ;

S.D., W. Bro. L. George; S. S., W. Bro. F. Boon; D.

of C., W. Bro. H. Futter ; I.G., W. Bro. C. H. Kirk.

There was a good attendance of brethren.

On 16th April a ladies' night was held in the

Lodgeroom, and the function proved a very pleasant

and successful one. The ladies were welcomed by

the W.M. (W. Bro. H. Flanagan). W. Bro. Rev.

Sykes gave a short address. Bro. J. Duncan presided

at the organ, while solos were given by Bro. P.

Martin and Miss M. Clarke. An adjournment was

then made to the supper-room. The tables were very

tastefully prepared, due to the good work of Bro.

Smart and his wife, and to Bro. Cooper for electrical

illuminations. Those contributing to the subsequent

musical items were Bros. Hunt, Hewitt, Allwright,

and Mrs. Hewitt, Mrs. Giles and Miss Clark, while

recitations were rendered by Bros. Mazengarb and

Patchett. Unfortunately, Mrs. Flanagan, the W.M.'s

wife, was unable to be present. A beautiful floral

bouquet'was presented to the W.M. to hand to Mrs.

Flanagan as a token of esteem from the brethren.

The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" brought the

evening to a close at 11 p.m.

The regular meeting was held in the Masonic Hall,

Wellington South, on Tuesday 26th April. W. Bro.

H. Flanagan presided. The usual good attendance of

brethren and visitors was again in evidence. The

ceremonial work of the evening was to raise Bros. J.

Turner and G.,Burtenshaw. The W.M. obligated the

candidates, the other brethren assisting in the

ceremony being: Signs and Secrets, W Bro. L.

George; Invest., Bro. J. Perry ; Apron Charge, R.W.

Bro. J. W. Ellison; Ex., W. Bro. H. V. Futter ; Sub.

Signs and Secrets, W. Bro. C. H. Kirk; T.H., Bro. J.

Perry and W. Bro. T. Boon ; Ex. Signs and Secrets,

W. Bro. J. S. Webb; W.Ts., Bro. R. Binns; F.C., Bro.

Mazengarb ; W. Bro. G. F. :Browne (Lodge Whetu

Kairangi) presented the V.S.Ls. Bro. Voyce received

his M.M.'s certificate at the hands of R.W. Bro. J.

W. Ellison, P.Prov.G.M. Congratulations were

conveyed to the W.M. (W. Bro. H. Flanagan) on his

election as vice-president of the United Board of

Enquiry, Wellington. At the close of the evening's

ceremony a pleasant hour was spent in song and

story.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————————

ROYAL ARCH CHAPTERS.

Southern Cross, No. 3.—The regular convocation

was held on 22nd April. V.E. Comp. R. Smith, 1st

Prin., was in the chair. The Chapter adjourned, and a

Lodge of E.Ms. was opened by Bro. Rusden,

W.E.M. Four candidates were acknowledged. Those

assisting in the ceremony were V.E. Comp. R. Smith

and R.E. Comp. Steans, together with the following

officers : S.W., Bro. Winning ; J.W., Bro. Vernon

Smith ; Conductor, Bro. A. Scott ; I.G., Bro. Sydney

Smith. One proposition for membership was

received. The customary social hour was held after

the convocation.—[Chapter Correspondent.]

————

Otago, No. 7.—The monthly convocation was held

on 7th May, when the V.E. 1st Prin (J. A. McPhee)

was greeted with a good muster of companions and

visitors considering the inclemency of the weather,

which was very boisterous. A few of our prominent

companions who hold office in the Chapter were

absent, they being delegates to G.L. communication.

However, we have some very enthusiastic P.Zs.,

who ably filled the various offices when requested

by the V.E. 1st Prin. The business of the evening

was the admission of several brethren to be members

of the Chapter, and the working of the E.M. Degree,

which was carried out with marked ability by W.

Bro. D. Scrymgeour, as E.M., giving the Ob. and

T.H., W. Bro. A. W. Oxley the Prayers, Scripture

Reading and Lecture. Upon resuming in open

Chapter, V.T. Comp. A. McKenzie gave his report

on G. Chapter proceedings, and was accorded a vote

of thanks for same. After H.G.W. from several

visiting Principals and companions, the Chapter was

closed at 9.30 p.m., and an adjournment was made to

the refectory, where the usual toasts were proposed

and responded to. During the interval at the festive

board the V.E. 1st. Prin. (J. McPhee) entertained the

companions to a review of " The Philosophy of

Freemasonry," in a manner which showed that he

was quite conversant with that most interesing of all

subjects. The time is not far distant when we hope

our 1st Prin. will take the opportunity of expounding

his views on several aspects of Freemasonry, of

which he has made a wide and comprehensive study.

—[Chapter Correspondent.]

————

Wanganui, No. 23.—The chief event of the month

was the annual interchange of visits between

Wanganui and Egmont Chapters. On this occasion it

was our turn to travel, and V.E. Comp. Foster took a

team of fourteen companions to Inglewood on 30th

April. By kind invitation of the Egmont companion:

several ladies also accompanied the party. These

latter were entertained by the Egmont ladies during

the evening while the Chapter meeting was held, and

next day all were taken for a most delightful trip to

the North Egmont Mountain House between thirty

and forty companions and their wives being present.

We returned to Wanganui next day with pleasant

memories of an enjoyable visit and of the

unbounded hospitality of our Egmont companions

and their wives.

The monthly convocation was held on Thursday, 5th

May when illness, added to a variety of other causes,

resulted in smaller attendance than usual. The chief

business was to exalt two brethren to the degree of

the H.R.A., V.E. Comp. Foster Z., being assisted by

E. Comp. Longshaw, H. (S.F.I.) ; E. Comp

Passmore, J. (Invocation); and V.E. Comps. Symes

(W.Ts.) Bullock (Ss.); and Runnerstrum (Final

Charge). One affiliating companion was successfully

balloted for during the meeting, ant two well-known

W. brethren were proposed for R.A. honours The

Chapter was then closed in Love and Unity in the

customary manner, and a pleasant hour spent in the

refectory.—[Chapter Correspondent.]

———

Paritutu, No. 40.—The regular meeting was held on

4th May. Three brethren were exalted to the R.A.

Degree. The unavoidable absence of V.E. Comp.

Moore, who was summoned to Auckland on urgent

business, was fully compensated for by the excellent

working of V.E. Comp. F. Copestake. Another

candidate was proposed for exaltation, and the

general tone of the Chapter seems full of life and

earnestness.—[Chapter Correspondent.]

———

Hutt Valley, No. 41.—The first meeting of this

newly-constituted Chapter was held at Lower Hutt

on 29th April, when the newly-installed 1st Prin. Z.

presided over a fair number of companions. Prior to

the ceremonial eight candidates for membership

were balloted for and duly elected. The work was

performed by V.E. Comp. E. J. Guiness (Obs.,

Secrets, and Charge after I.), E. Comp. Richards

(W.Ts.), and E. Comp. Teagle (Final Charge).

Several new candidates for Capitular Freemasonry

were proposed, and after H.G.W. from visiting

companions, Chapter closed at 10.15.—[Chapter

Correspondent.]

————————

A. AND A. RITE.

Murihiku, No. 36.—The quarterly convocation was

held on Friday, 29th April. E. and P. Bro. Hoyles,

M.W.S., was in the chair, and presided over a good

attendance of members. A visitor from the Auckland

Rose-Croix Chapter (Southern Cross) was present.

Two candidates were perfected to the 18th deg., the

M.W.S. being assisted by E. and P. Bros. F. A.

Steans, Prelate; W. Smith, Chanc. ; A. Scott, M.C. ;

and J. Kerse, S.W. The ceremony was the first with

the new set of officers, and was exceedingly

impressive.—[Chapter Correspondent.]