LANDMARKS.

——◄►——

ONE of the most interesting discussions that has

taken place in the Wellington Installed Masters'

Lodge occurred at the June meeting, when a paper

read by the W.M. (V.W. Bro. C. W. Neilsen) at the

April meeting, entitled " The Landmarks in the

System of Masonry," was discussed: The author

very wisely made no attempt to define the

Landmarks, but rather to discuss the attributes that

should influence their constitution. In his opening

remarks, which we quote and which we believe will

find general agreement, Bro. Neilsen finds a very

weak spot in the landmarks armour.

"Before proceeding, it might be remarked that

among the subjects which are presented to the

attention Of the Masonic beginner few are

pressed with more persistency or in terms of

more definite injunction than, as they are

commonly termed, 'the landmarks of the Craft,'

notwithstanding that no branch of Masonic

enquiry, whether into historical or symbolic

investigation, raises more perplexing and

vigorously contested difficulties and

controversies. At various stages of his progress

the novice is enjoined to make the landmarks his

particular study, and in no way to permit any

departure from them, and if, as a fully instructed

craftsman, he is called upon to assume the

responsibilities which preferment to the premier

position in his Lodge imposes, he finally assents

to the formal proposition that innovations in the

body of Masonry—in other words, the

introduction of features not squaring with the

basic principles—are impossibilities. As in

ordinary parlance a landmark essentially conveys

the idea of something readily recognisable and

ascertainable, one might expect that in the

Masonic sense the term would have application

to a series of principles or rules as readily

ascertainable and well established. That the

contrary is the case is one of the few affirmations

bearing on the subject that can be made without

incurring the risk of opposition."

The initiate is required in most emphatic language to

adhere to the ancient landmarks of the Order. Let us

assume for illustration that we have a neophyte of

more than ordinary intellectual attainments, who, on

being warned that his fidelity must be exemplified

by adhering to the ancient landmarks, and,

recognising his liability, requests to be informed

what the ancient landmarks are—a very proper

request, by the way—what would be the position of

the W.M.? It is doubtful if he would remember those

stated by Paton, Mackie, Lawrence, or others, or

would-take the responsibility of defining something

he was not prepared subsequently to substantiate, so

that he would probably have a very uncomfortable

five minutes. It is quite certain that there is a strong

disinclination to-day to attempt to define landmarks.

Mackey in his later editions has wisely omitted

them. Indeed, there is a marked difference of

opinion as to the actual meaning of the word as

applied to Freemasonry—a difference that is utterly

irreconcilable. Indeed, the landmarks may be placed

in the same elusive category as the antiquity of

Freemasonry. In January, 1911, Bro. Alex. Poignant

read a paper in the Quatuor Coronati Lodge on

Landmarks, which commenced :—

" The question, What is meant by the Landmarks

of the Order?' must necessarily be one of the first

asked by every newly joined brother, after having

passed through the ceremonies of his reception,

and having heard the charges, in which it is

impressed on him that they must be kept

inviolate. But has anybody within living memory

received a conclusive or satisfactory answer to

this question? "

Bro. Poignant was quite clear that the distinguishing

characteristic of a Landmark is unchangeability, but

beyond that is diffident in his opinions. In examining

the Landmarks as defined by certain writers, Bro.

Poignant appeared to have a difficulty in agreeing

that any of them came within this category, so much

so that the W.M., in discussing the paper, said : " I

hoped, when I heard this paper was going to be read,

that I should learn what are the Landmarks, but the

writer has only told us what they are not." And in the

discussion which followed there did not appear to be

any unanimity as to the actual meaning of the word

itself. Twelve months later Bro. W. B. Hextall read

another paper on the " Old Landmarks of the Craft,"

and stated that he dissented from the solution which

Bro. Poignant had propounded, and his (Bro.

Hextall's) theory was that the old Landmarks were

"the secrets which existed among the operative

masons in the days when they alone supplied the

membership of the Craft." In elaborating his theory,

Bro. Hextall appeared to differ with Bro. Lawrence

and several other Masonic writers on the explanation

of the term. Without attempting to analyse any

special set of Landmarks, Bro. Textall stated he was

unable to concede that Mackey's list contained any

of the Old Landmarks.

Unfortunately for the elucidation of the question, the

discussion that followed Bro. Hextall's paper

showed the same differences of opinion that

followed Bro. Poignant's paper. Defining ancient

Landmarks, Bro. Speth, of the Coronati Lodge, said:

" Landmarks are immemorial usages and

fundamental principles of the Craft, and are

unchangeable." "Truth in nothing is more difficult

than defining a Landmark." Drummond says: "There

are no Landmarks, because no two men agree as to

what they are, and no enumeration of them has been

made." The late Bro. Josiah Martin, Masonic writer

and lecturer, well known in the Auckland district,

undertook to examine twenty-five Landmarks as set

forth by Bro. L. M. Mackenzie, editor of the "Royal

Masonic Cyclopmdia," and upon concluding his

work said : "Not one of the twenty-five enumerated

can pass the test " we have imposed."Though the

paper of Bro. Neilsen did not touch the actual

Landmarks, in the discussion that followed some

reference was bound to follow, but with the usual

result that there was no unanimity either as to the

actual meaning of the word or what constitutes

Landmarks. But the special attention that has' been

drawn to the subject must evince its utter

unsatisfactory character and the need that exists for

more clearly defining the position, either by

establishing Landmarks, which a very general

opinion appears to regard as impossible, or by

relieving the newly admitted brother from the

emphatic charge, which cannot possibly under

present conditions be observed.

————————

ORDER AND DECORUM.

——◄►——

One of the first lessons imparted to the initiate into

Freemasonry is that of order and subordination. He

is taught that it must be maintained on all occasions,

and, to the credit of Freemasons' Lodges be it said, it

is but rare indeed for this law to be broken. Indeed, it

goes even a step further, and applause of all kinds is

strongly deprecated, in order to prevent, as far as

possible anything from occurring which may even

remotely lead to dissension or strife. Members

accept the ukase, and invariably Masonic Lodges are

the essence of decorum. Naturally, the average

brother assumes that this order and decorum will be

fully maintained at the meetings of the parliament of

the Craft., and his first session is full of anticipation

at the thoughts of participating in an ideal

government—something he can take home to his

own little Lodge as an example to be worthily

followed ; and, generally speaking, brethren will not

be greatly disappointed at the modus operandi, after

making due allowance for the difference between the

conduct of a purely business session and the

ceremonial working in a Craft Lodge. But the

session in May last was an admitted departure from

general custom. Unfortunately, applause was

permitted in the earlier stages of the session, which

almost developed into license before the meeting

closed. And, still more unfortunately, certain

brethren, who did not appear to have appealed to the

vox populi, received more than their share of noisy

attention. Again, when greetings were being offered,

many brethren did not appear to recognise that some

of those desirous of doing honour were

representatives of sister Constitutions, who deserved

every courtesy. We do not for one moment believe

there was anything vicious intended, or any

concerted action to interrupt the proceedings. The

fact that little or no attempt was made to check the

freedom of the meeting in the earlier stages induced

an almost continuous wave of sotto voce

conversation, the natural inclination being to

increase rather than diminish. But for this increase,

which was decidedly disturbing at times, there was

no excuse. Every brother in the hall should know

Masonic -law, written and unwritten, and

individually should have endeavoured to have

avoided the possible charge of being disturbers of

the meeting. We have certainly never witnessed

anything like it before in G.L., and sincerely hope

there will never be a recurrence. At the same time it

is our duty to point out that, though speakers are

entitled to every courtesy in G.L., they also have a

duty to perform in not wearying their hearers with

long prosy orations, especially when such speeches

are only offering a minimum of information. Indeed,

we have been told that it was utter weariness that led

to the discourtesy, to visitors on the night of

installation, which must be so deeply regretted.

————————

PRINTING AND PUBLISHING.

——◄►——

"No brother shall print or publish, or cause

to be printed or published, the proceedings

of any Lodge, or any part thereof . . .

without the consent of the G.M.-, etc." —

Article 172, B. of C.

————

The foregoing rule may still be presumed to be

operative, but is honoured in the breach rather than

the observance, as of yore. Since the G.L. meeting

we have been inundated with complaints, of which

the letters published in the correspondence column

are a fair example. The main question for

consideration is, what good purpose does the

publication of the smallest item of Masonic

information compass? Is the general public

interested in its philanthropy or its brotherhood? The

last two questions may at once be answered in the

negative. The only interest sometimes displayed is a

good-humoured curiosity as to the nature of Masonic

mysticism: But the ostentatious display—which is

quite foreign to all Masonic teaching—of the

smallest detail referring to the accumulation of

various funds, and the eleemosynary distribution, is

only calculated to excite a feeling of disgust at the

vulgarity displayed. Masonic teaching says that

"charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up" ; the

annual custom of the G.L. of New Zealand is to

proclaim all its presumed good deeds from the

housetops throughout the length and breadth of the

Dominion. One citizen described the newspaper

reports as the concentrated essence of vain-glorious

egotism." Then, the practice has its dangerous

side—probably never contemplated—of introducing

an element into Freemasonry of a most unsuitable

character. Quite recently a well-known brother,

responding to a toast, stated that he had, fortunately,

been enabled to frustrate the designs of a person who

was endeavouring to gain admission into the Craft,

and who did not hesitate to admit that he was

animated by a desire to participate in some of the

Masonic funds which were publicly advertised as

being raised for the relief of members. Now what, is

common custom? Is the business of the annual

meetings of either the British or Australian G.Ls.

advertised through the columns of the daily papers?

Never! Extraordinary events relating to matters quite

outside Masonic domestic administration not

infrequently have some public press record, which is

quite another matter. There is one point which

puzzles the great bulk of the Craft in connection

with this wholesale printing and publishing.

Enquiries have been made at various times, from the

G.M. downwards, and there has been a wonderful

unanimity of ignorance, like the fly in amber as to

how it got there. Should the present, or any future

G.M. ever evince a desire to rigidly enforce what is

now an inequitable law, it will not be difficult to

assist him to place his finger on the spot of origin

and the reason for its perpetuation.

—————————————————————

News and Notes.
—————————————————————

A START has been made with the building of the

new refectory of Cromwell Kil. Lodgeroom, and on

11th June a band of Masons, with pick, shovel, and

barrow, set to work to lay truly and well its

foundations. The annex is to have a kitchen attached,

and when finished will give a great benefit to the

Lodge members. As members have pledged

themselves to build the structure free of cost of

labour, the money to be expended will be a

comparatively small amount. Masonic work is also

proceeding apace. Three candidates were raised last

month, three are to be initiated in June, and there is

another batch of three awaiting initiation for the

following month.

'WELLINGTON CITY will be busy Masonically during

the present month. There are two new Lodges to be

consecrated, three for the ceremony of installation,

besides the regular meetings.

THE appointment of R.W. Bro. J. J. Esson to the

office of Dep.G.M. has given the greatest

satisfaction in Masonic circles, especially

throughout the Wellington district. That he will

subsequently succeed to the highest office in the

Craft is a generally expressed wish.

THE opening of Celtic R.A. Chapter, Dunedin, was

fixed to be held- on 23rd June. The new Chapter will

start most auspiciously, having a petition list of

upwards of forty companions, and, with R.E. Comp.

Geo. Barclay in the chair, good working will be

ensured. It is intended to hold the meetings in the

Masonic Hall, Dunedin, which will in itself be quite

a novelty. The CRAFTSMAN wishes Celtic Chapter a

very successful and useful career. The M.E.G.Z. had

signified his intention of consecrating the new

Chapter.

V. ILL. BRO. MALCOLM NICCOL has retired from the

office of G. Insp-Gen. of the Antient and Accepted

Rite. under the Sup. Council of England and Wales,

33deg. Our Ill Bro. was appointed in 1881, and was

the oldest Insp-Gen. under this allegiance.

WEDNESDAY, 29th June, would be a red-letter day

with R.A. Masons in the City of Wellington, from

the fact that the 1st Prin. of Waitaki Kil. Chapter,

Oamaru, and a number of his officers were billed to

pay an official visit to Waterloo Chapter and work

the degree of Exaltation.

AN Order for the sons of Freemasons between

sixteen and twenty-one years of age has been

established in America. It is known as the Order of

De Molay, who was the last Master of the Knights

Templar before their suppression. Its principles are

to promote social and moral welfare among the sons

of Freemasons and their chums; to teach duty to

God, their neighbours, and themselves; to demand of

each clean living, high respect for father and mother,

deference for womanhood, and love of country'

[This Order is meeting with great success.—ED. C.]

THE Masonic province of Derbyshire has received a

gift, in. the form of a set of W.Ts. made from oak

recovered some years ago from the Tyne after

having lain there for about 1,800 years. At the end of

the Great Wall of Hadrian, at Wallsend, the Romans

put in the river the trunks of oak trees to make it the

more readily fordable. The trees gradually became

embedded in the bottom of the river, and were

discovered in the course of dredging operations in

1887.

LODGE MATAURA, Southland, has changed its night

of meeting from Monday nearest full moon to the

second Monday in the month.

M. W. BRO. M. NICOL was prevented by

indisposition from delivering an address on

"Freemasonry " at the opening of Manurewa Lodge,

Auckland. We are pleased to learn he has since

recovered.

JUDGING from the numerous obligations the Grand

Secretary is assuming in Lodge and Chapter, in

addition to his duties to G.L., we should class him as

a brother of restless energy and a glutton for work.

ON the 20th May- the Prov.G.M. of Westland—

R.W. Bro. Warnes—accompanied by several other

brethren, paid a visit-to Westport and Granity on

matters Masonic. He presided at the installation of

Kawatiri-Westport Lodge and attended a meeting of

Lodge Torea, both of which were most enjoyable.

We regret, the want of space which precludes the

publication of the descriptive scenery part of our

correspondent's report.

DUNEDIN is shortly to have another Lodge.

Freemasons resident in the suburb of Anderson's

Bay have lately been interesting themselves in the

matter, and a petition bearing the signatures of sixty

brethren will shortly be presented.

A NUMBER of Canterbury brethren, temporary

residents in one of the Auckland hotels during the

recent G.L. communication, marked their

appreciation of the good work of the chairman of the

Reception Committee in a tangible manner.

Learning that W. Bro. Dutton had shut up his house

and packed his wife off on holiday, and was-finding

a shakedown at the end of a strenuous day wherever

his arduous duties led him, they, on the eve of

leaving Auckland, asked him to express to his better

half their keen appreciation of his care for their

comforts, at the same time handing him a small

article of jewellery for Mrs. Dutton as evidence of

their gratitude.

THE members of the Masonic fraternity in and

around Grey-mouth attended divine service at Holy

Trinity Church on a, recent Sunday evening. About

140 of the brethren met at the Masonic Hall and

marched to the church. Bro. Rev. Archdeacon Carr

conducted a very impressive service, which was

much appreciated by all. Bro. Crankshaw presided at

the organ, and Bro. Harley sang a solo in a very

pleasing manner.

W. BRO. J. J. HINCHCLIFF, W.M. of Lodge

Tuatapere, is now out of hospital, and is doing as

well as can be expected. We all wish him a speedy

recovery.

————————

SOUTHLAND NOTES.

——◄►——

After the Bluff installation ceremony a ball was held

in the Drill Hall. A special train was run, returning at

midnight. In the unavoidable absence of the

Prov.G.M. (R. W. Bro. A. B. Haggitt), R.W. Bro. T.

M. Rankin, P.Prov.G.M, performed the ceremony. A

pleasing feature of the evening was the presentation

by M.W. Bro. W. M. Smith, P.D.G.M., on behalf of

the members of Lodge Fortitude, of a P.M.'s jewel to

W. Bro. Harbord.

  

Bro. Cooper, of Lodge Waihopai, who is a master

builder, recently had the misfortune while engaged

in his work to catch a nail in his eye. He was taken

to the hospital and operated on, and is progressing as

well as can be expected.

  

A team of thirty brethren from Lodge Mokoreta was

present at the St. John installation meeting.

  

W. Bro. Parker, of Lodge Fortiteude, was invested

as Sec. for the thirteenth year—truly a great record.

Bro. Svendson was invested as Tyler for the twenty-

third year.

  

The Masonic Orchestra has been largely in evidence

of late. The installation ceremonies of Lodges

Southern Cross, St. John, and Waihopai were greatly

improved by their presence. The brethren of

Waihopai wish to thank them most sincerely for

their services.

  

W. Bro. A. Scott (Lodge Waihopai) has been on a

holiday, and paid a visit to his mother Lodge,

Pacific, No. 2, also Waterloo and Hutt Valley R.A.

Chapters.

  

A Lodge of Sorrow was held by Lodge St. John, No.

94, in respect to W. Bro. Jas. Walker, P.G.J.D., on

15th June, when a large and representative gathering

was in evidence. Members from a large number of

the Southland Lodges and the Southern RA.

Chapter, followed the body to the grave. The pall-

bearers were M.W. Bro. M. Thomson, R.W. Bros.

Rankin, A. B. Haggitt, Steans, .V.E. Comp. Rbt.

Smith, 1st Prin., and Bro. Speirs.

  

Southern Cross R.A. Chapter met on the 22nd June

for the regular convocation. A special meeting was

held on the 15th to work the R.A. Degree.

  

W. Bro. W. R. Rusden, who has recently been

relieving in the Oamaru District, is once again in

Invercargill.

————————

ACACIA NOTES.

——◄►——

W. Bro. L. B. Hart has just returned from Auckland

from G.L. Communication. We are expecting quite a

recital from-him when he tells his experiences.

  

W. Bro. Canter was on a visit South recently, and

evidently many of the brethren down that way—

towards Bluff—do not read as they should, as one

Lodge had never heard of Acacia. However, one

worthy W.M. was not long in telling who we are,

and told it well.

  

The visit to Amuri was a great success, everything -

going splendidly. It was regrettable that W. Bro.

Britton was absent. However, W. Bro. Davison acted

in his place in his usual homily style.

  

The Amuri Lodge will soon need a larger refectory,

judging from the crowd there on our visit night.

  

W. Bro. Canter has taken to football again this year.

We hope that he will not get his, lip split again.

  

W. Bro. Cadman has recently been on the sick list,

but is now recovering.

————————

MARLBOROUGH NOTES.

——◄►——

On 31st May Lodge Unanimity visited Lodge

Wairau, and worked the Second Degree. The

compliment was returned on 9th June, when, before

vacating the Wairau chair, W. Bro. A. E. Jellyman

worked the "Scotch Third" in Unanimity.

  

The visit of the M.W.G.M. and the R.W.G.Sec. to

Blenheim on 18th May was made the occasion of a

memorable gathering of brethren from all over

Marlborough. Lodges Wairau and Unanimity were

the joint hosts, and the meeting was held in the

Unanimity Lodgeroom, over 120 brethren being

present. In the unavoidable absence of V.W. Bro. R.

P. Furness, Dep. Prov.G.M., R.W. Bro. C. H. Mills,

P.Prov.G.M., presided, and cordially welcomed the

distinguished visitors. Short addresses were also

given by the W.Ms. of the Lodges represented, and

M.W. Bro. Ross made an interesting speech in reply.

The refectory proved all too small to accommodate

the gathering, but the inevitable discomfort was

borne with good humoured resignation, and the

addresses of M.W. Bro. Ross and R.W. Bro. Barclay

fully compensated for the "sardinic" nature of the

accommodation.

  

It may be noted in passing that M.W. Bro. Ross's

visit was the first paid by a G.M. to Blenheim since

M. W. Bro. Dougall occupied that position.

  

At the annual meeting of the Marlborough United

Board of Enquiry V.W. Bro. Furness was re-elected

president, and W. Bro. W. C. Lucas secretary and

treasurer. A small bonus was voted to the latter

brother as a mark of appreciation of the faithful

service rendered by him during the year, which had

been an exceptionally busy one.

  

The death of W. Bro. George J. Logan on 20th May

came as a great shock to his many Masonic friends,

not only in this district, but in other parts of the

Dominion. His intimate association with the Craft,

extending over a lengthy period, had made him one

of the best-known and most widely esteemed

brethren in Marlborough, and his passing creates a

void that is very deeply felt.. The deceased brother

first saw Masonic light in Lodge Unanimity. Shortly

afterwards he moved to the Pelorus District; and

joined up with Lodge Havelock, where in due time

he became W.M., displaying a keenness in his work

that is still remembered with gratitude by the older

members, of the Lodge. Returning to Blenheim, he

again threw in his lot with Lodge Unanimity,

eventually assuming the duties of Sec., a position.

which he also occupied in the R.A. Chapter after he

had passed through the principal chair. He was also

a member of the Marlborough Board of Enquiry, and

held an important office in the Rose Croix Chapter.

Bro. Logan answered the call of King and country,

and served with the Expeditionary Force in France,

where he was gassed. A true Freemason, our late

brother enjoyed the affectionate regard of every

member of the Craft with whom he came in contact,

and the large gathering at his funeral was indeed a

"last sad tribute of respect to departed merit."

  

Bro. T. Halligan, S.W. of Lodge Unanimity, is

leaving Blenheim for Dunedin in August, the

Lodge's installation month, and consequently will

not be a candidate for the W.M.'s chair. In all

probability W. Bro. W. G. Rudd, the present W.M.,

will occupy the position for a second term. This will

be the first occasion since 1905 that a W.M. has

been re-elected in Lodge Unanimity.

  

W. Bro. W. M. Lambie, I.P.M. of Lodge Unanimity,

has been transferred to Napier, and his loss to the

Lodge will also be severely felt. During his

occupancy of the chair Bro. Lambie proved himself

one of the best ritualists the Lodge has had for many

years, while his musical talents were always

willingly placed at the disposal of his own and sister

Lodges.

  

Bro. W. R. Macintosh, whose installation as W.M.

of Lodge Wairau took place on 28th June, has at his

back a team of young and very enthusiastic officers,

and the work of this Lodge should reach a high level

if present promise is fulfilled, as there is every

reason to expect that it will be.

  

The sympathy of the Lodge has been extended to

V.W. Bro. R. P.Furness in the loss he has sustained

through the death of his father, Bro. S. J. Furness,

who passed away in Wellington on 14th May.

  

W. Bro. T. F. Bull has been appointed acting-Sec. of

Lodge Unanimity, and V.E. Comp. C. H. Mills

acting-S.E. of the Marlborough R.A. Chapter, in

consequence of the death of W. Bro. Logan.

  

Bro. H. Leslie, S.D. of Lodge, Unanimity, who has

been ill since the beginning of March, is slowly

recovering, although it will be some time yet before

he is able to resume his usual associations.

  

Welcome visitors to Blenheim on the occasion of the

last Rose Croix Chapter meeting were Ill. Bros. H. J.

Williams and T. Porritt and Bros. W. Veitch, G.

Russell, and J. Rod. These brethren expressed

pleased surprise at the rapid growth of the Chapter,

whose accommodation is already severely taxed.

  

A carload of Unanimity and Wairau members

braved the storm on 27th May, and proceeded to

Nelson to the Victory installation. The journey was

long and wet, and the party were late (but not too

late) for the ceremony. The hospitality of the Nelson

brethren, however, counteracted any discomfort

attendant on the trip.

—————————————————————

SOCIAL EVENING OF

CROMWELL KIL., No. 98.

——◄►——

Lodge Cromwell Kil. held its ladies' social evening

at the latter end of May, when there was a very good

attendance of members and their friends. The first

part of the evening was taken up with "progressive

euchre," at the close of which prizes were presented

to the winning lady and gentleman, and also "booby"

prizes for those that won at the other end. Supper

was then served by the members in fine style, and,

barring an occasional break or two of some odd

articles of crockery which obeyed the irresistible

force of gravity, everything went off very

successfully. Songs, recitations, and instrumental

items assisted greatly to make the evening a very

pleasant one, at the conclusion of which the W.M.

(W. Bro. Jolly) thanked the ladies for their

attendance, and trusted they had enjoyed themselves.

The hearty way the ladies sang "They're Jolly Good

Fellows " seemed to leave no doubt in the minds of

the members on that score.

—————————————————————

Correspondence.
—————————————————————

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

——◄►——

G. OFFICER, M.M., THIRD DEGREE, W.M., COMMON

SENSE, PRO BONO PUBLICO, and others.—Refer you

to our correspondence column and leading matter.

J. P. THOMSON.—Many thanks for extract; can

only regret our circumscribed space.

—————————————————————

ENQUIRY AS TO CANDIDATES.

——◄►——

TO THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR AND BRO.,— In years gone by it was the

custom for the W.M. and his Wardens to report, in

open Lodge, on all candidates before a ballot. Has

Rule 144 done away with this custom? -If so, I think

it a great pity, as it gave the brethren a good deal of

confidence in having candidates reported upon

openly.—Yours Fraternally, G. H. LESLIE, P.M.

Eketahuna, 14th June.

[Article 144, B. of C., provides for the enquiry and

report.—ED. C.]

————————

GRAND LODGE MEETINGS.

——◄►——

TO THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR AND BRO.,— I am quite in accord with the

views expressed by "Pacificus " in your June issue,

and think it is time the representative system was

reorganised. So many Lodges seem to think that the

meetings of G.L. are more or less of a picnic rather

than a meeting to discuss and transact business, and

their delegates return from G.L. meeting with the

feeling that they have had a good time, and it, is

someone else's turn next year. More than one just

installed Master I noticed there who had never seen

the reports of the various Boards or even the agenda

paper, and seemed to want the meeting over so they

could have a good time round the city. How would it

do to cease the payment of the delegates' expenses

for a year, and see what effect that has? — Yours

fraternally, — W. B.

Otago, June, 1921. •

————————

THIRTY YEARS AGO.

——◄►——

TO THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR AND BRO.,— I have been reading with

much interest the CRAFTSMAN'S namesake for

August, 1891, which contains a report of the first

annual communication of our G.L, held in the

Freemason's Hall at Wellington on 6th July. Do you

remember it? We were both there, you in your

proper office as G.D. of C., while I took the place of

J.G.W., in the absence of R.W. Bro. D. H.

McArthur, M.H.R., who was laid aside by what

proved to be a fatal illness. How many of those

whose names appear in the list of G. officers at that

gathering have put down their W.Ts. and passed

from labour! Bros. Hy. Thomson, G.M. ; E. T.

Gillon, D.G.M. ; H. J. H. Eliot as S.G.W. ; Rev. W.

E. Paige, G.Chap. ; J. Joyce, M.H.R. G.Reg.; Rev.

W. Ronaldson ; Dr. Hy. Walker, J.G.D. ; G. W. S.

Dalrymple, G.S.B. ; and Alfred Kidd, G.Purs. How

well these brethren laid the foundations is evidenced

by the reports submitted to G.L. in Auckland the

other day, which abundantly justify the actions of

the men who called it into existence. We had then 69

Lodges, and during the three decades these have

increased to 220. We had a balance (regarded with

great satisfaction) of about £100, which in the

meantime has grown to near £75.000. A Charity

Fund had been started by an offer by Lodge

Coromandel to donate £5 if 19 others would do the

same. Ngamotu followed with an unconditional vote

of a fiver, and Lodge Ara beat this with £20. I think

we must all admit that the most sanguine

expectations of G.L. have been amply fulfilled, and

that only one hope remains to be realised, and that is

the Union of the Craft throughout the Dominion. No

doubt that will come in time.

The same number of the CRAFTSMAN contains an

article on the Grand Orient of France in New

Zealand a final reference to the unfortunate incident

which terminated the Masonic careers of several

distinguished colonists. Their Lodge, "L'Amour de

la Verité," had an ephemeral existence, and it was

speedily evident that its promoters were conscious

that a mistake had been made in endeavouring to

introduce a rite which had abolished the test of faith.

These thirty years have brought about many changes

in New Zealand Freemasonry, and some of the

experiences of those who journeyed afar over soft

roads or no roads at all to help erect Lodges or to

keep them going can never fall to the lot of the

craftsman of the present and coming days. But they

are good to look back on and ponder over.—Yours

fraternally,

New Plymouth, BRO. F. P-CORMLL,

16th May, 1921. P. Prov. G,M,, Taranaki.

————————

THE POSSIBILITIES OF FREEMASONRY.

——◄►——

TO THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR AND BRO.,— The question, What is

Freemasonry? has been, and is often asked, but, to

my mind, has never been answered. Statements have

been made from time to time in the CRAFTSMAN, but

they do not lead to a solution of the question. On

entering the Craft we expect to receive more light

and, knowledge, but are disappointed, and the

question is still asked. After being raised to the

position of M.M., instead of receiving more light

and knowledge, we are introduced to a number of

problems which the ordinary man will never solve,

because the only book that would lead him to a

solution is neglected—viz., T.S.V.O.T.L. We are

told that Freemasonry is a peculiar system of morals,

veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols. Now,

if this is so, we must be very much in the dark as to

the true knowledge contained in these allegories and

symbols. I am still a very young member of the

Craft, but since my entry I find that you cannot take

one step in Freemasonry without coming into

contact with God's chosen nation, Israel. Everything

in the Lodge points to her, our allegories refer to

some phase of her national life, our symbols

represent something connected with the work she

has to do for T.G.A.O.T.U., and our P.Wds. are

taken from her records. She exists to-day for the

simple reason that God cannot prove false to His

sworn word. She is the vessel chosen of old by

T.G.A.O.T.U. to act as His agent in carrying out the

work connected with His plans and purposes fop' the

regeneration of mankind and the restitution of all

things. Freemasonry is the receptacle of important

knowledge concerning the promises to Abraham,

Isaac, and Jacob, and their posterity to a thousand

generations. Freemasonry has also her appointed

place in the great plan of the ages, and will be the

principal actor in some of the grandest functions that

have ever taken place on this earth. At the present

time we hear a great deal about the brotherhood of

man. All the turmoil, bloodshed, misery, and

starvation are looked upon by many as signs of the

establishment of this glorious institution. Will it be

introduced by such means? Certainly not. Neither

State, Church, nor any Socialistic organisation will

be the agent used for accomplishing this great

function. It is part of the-work the Craft has to

perform for T.G.A.O.T.U. Now, if the brethren

would carefully consider this point, they would see

that all the machinery for the setting-up of this

glorious institution is embedded in the Craft,

awaiting the command of T.G.A.O.T.U. to be set in

motion. When the command is given, the universal

brotherhood of man will soon be an accomplished

fact. We are told that Freemasonry has existed from

time immemorial, and no institution has a more

excellent establishment. It might also be said : It is

no new order, society, or belief, but Divine in its

origin, national in its application, and world-wide in

its effect!. Now, there is but one way in which we

can ever hope to arrive at a true concept-ion of what

Freemasonry is, and that is by studying the history

of Israel, sacred and secular, comparing it with our

rites, ceremonies, allegories, and symbols. By doing

this we will arrive at the knowledge of the high and

glorious destiny awaiting Freemasonry. The answer

to the question at the beginning of this paper maybe

summed up in five words, viz., the knowledge of the

Lord.—Yours fraternally, BRO. A. ARROL, M.M.

Lodge Victoria, No. 21, Napier.

————————

GRAND LODGE REPORTS.

——◄►——

TO THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR AND BRO.,— Why are we little Lodges

always being told not to give Masonic news to the

newspaper? The CRAFTSMAN used to be always

fiddling on the same string. I don't want my Lodge

meetings advertised, but why the deuce doesn't the

big G.L. practice what it preaches? Every year every

big newspaper in the country has page after page

about Masonry, and the public is told what good

chaps we are, how much we gather, and how much

we give, until it is sickening to read all the bray and

boast. That is not the kind of charity we teach in my

Lodge, and G.L. ought to be ashamed to see the

trash that is in the paper ; and the worst is that the

public does not care a solitary cuss, and laugh at us

for a swelled-headed crowd, eaten up with its own

conceit. It is quite certain that G.L. laws are only

made to be broken—by G.L..—Yours fraternally,

COUNTRYSIDE.

[You forget that Lodge representatives are G.L. Next

year instruct your delegates to insist in G.L. on the

custom being stopped.—ED. C.] .

————————

THE POWER AND USE OF SOUND IN

CEREMONIAL.

——◄►——

[Read at the Installed Masters' Lodge of Wellington

by BRO. HENRY M. CHRISTIE.]

In the services of many religious institutions

frequent use is made of invocations, exclamations,

and responses, set in the ritual and appointed to be

used at special times, but there is little doubt that, of

the millions of persons Who take part in the

services, few understand and realise the use of the

words so often on their lips. Many of the invocations

have been passed down from times immemorial to

the people of our day, and have been placed in the

rituals for a specific purpose, and, although the

effects may not be understood, still, much benefit is

derived from their use. It has been the privilege of

persons, sometimes called seers or occultists, to have

received enlightenment in the proper use of certain

ancient words, and from the knowledge acquired by

them we have been enabled to understand to some

small extent the reasons for using special words.

Sound plays a very important part in most religious

services, in promoting conditions suitable to the

celebration, and for this purpose voices and

instruments are in common use. Many of the tunes

have been preserved because of their singularly

effective use on-the minds and bodies of devotees,

and when words of a suitable nature are combined

with tunes, the effect is strengthened. It is scarcely

necessary to refer to any particular tune of this

nature, since many splendid examples are available

in our hymn-books and Psalters, but there is

something in their rendering that brings about

changes in the bodies and minds of worshippers, and

harmonises the various vehicles of Man.

Some of the effects of sound have long been known

to the peoples of ancient Eastern nations, and in their

rituals, several of which are still extant, many

strange words were used, especially in religious

ceremonies. Apparently these words had special use

and power. In "A Mithriac Ritual," by G. R. S.

Mead, Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society, there are

numerous instances of the use of such words at the

initiatory rites of Mithriac services, and there is no

doubt that their power was used for purposes well

known to the initiators. Many of the sounds were

combinations of the vowels, and their pronunciation

brought about conditions necessary to the correct

performance of the ceremonial. To us of the present

age the sounds may have but little meaning, but to

those who took part in the ceremonies they held a

very important place, not only in making suitable

conditions within the Mithriac temple, but in the

constitution of the candidate undergoing initiation.

In certain philosophical schools or early times, and

among many of the religious bodies of the early

years of the first few centuries of the Christian era,

man was considered as a very complicated being, his

his body but the lowest of his vehicles or bodies,

while his other parts, etheric, astral, mental, and

spiritual, became more attenuated as the higher

forms were reached. The -Egyptians counted Man as

a septenary being, and divided his constitution into :-

Chat, the material body ; Anch, the vital force;

Kan, the etheric double or astral body; Hati, the

animal soul; Bai, the rational soul; Cheybi, the

spiritual soul; Kou, the divine spirit.—(Schuré.)

Many Eastern peoples knew the effect of sound on

what are termed the "subtle" bodies, and they

arranged words for use which set up vibrations in the

ether. The vibrations were communicated to the

corresponding matter in the vehicles, and so brought

about certain results. We know by experience the

effects of music on ourselves. Take, for instance, a

soothing melody played by a master-violinist. It

produces a calmness in the bodies of the listeners,

and for a time changes the mental atmosphere.Take,

then, the tunes of some of those weird Hungarian

dances, where the body feels almost compelled to

throw itself into movement in keeping with the

music. Then there are tunes that "get on our nerves,'"

as we say, and, when some of those strange

combinations of sound are heard, the body can only

be restrained from fleeing from the spot by a strong

effort of the will.

At the celebrations of some of the Ancient

Mysteries, the power of sound was utilised to assist

in the ceremonials, and at the conclusion of the

initiatory rite in the Greek Mysteries of Eleusis, the

officiating priest uttered three strange 'words- "Koux

Om Pax." These words had no meaning in Greek,

which would probably signify that they were so

ancient that it had been forgotten, but the words had

been passed on from time unknown as part of the

ritual. It is thought that the words had their origin in

India, since some of the early Greeks are reported to

have visited India and brought back knowledge of

certain religious rites: Wilford, a notable Sanscrit

scholar, considers the words to have had a Sanscrit

origin, and gives their meaning :—" Koux," from

kansha, signifying the object of the strongest desire ;

"Om," from Oum,. the soul of Brahma ; and "Pax,"

from pasha, turn, change, or cycle. Schure, in his

book "Hermes and Plato," says in reference to the

words :—" The final benediction of the Hierophant

of Eleusis accordingly meant : "May thy desires be

fulfilled ; return to the universal soul." The words

used at such a sacred rite constituted "words of

power," and in some mysterious manner affected the

persons present at the celebration of the Mysteries.

Ancient Egypt and India had special forms of study

relatints to words and their powers, and we have

several works of both peoples showing frequent use

of "Words of power." Of the Egyptians we have that

wonderful ritual, "The Book of the Dead." At the

different stages of the soul's journey "words of

power " are demanded and also "signs of power." In

the Upanishads of Ancient India many examples are

given : At the beginning of the study of one of the

Books of Devotion, called

"Shvetashvataropanishad," the opening invocation

ran thus:—. "Om ! To Brahman that is, all hail!"

Then comes the peace chant, which concludes

thus:— "Om ! Peace, Peace, Peace ! Harih Om!"

Used in the correct manner, these words are said to

have powerful effect in producing peaceful

conditions. Most of the Upanishads begin with

invocations similar to the above. The name "mantra"

is applied to "words of power " by Hindus, and

"mantrya-vidya" is the name of that branch of study

relating to words and their uses.

The Tliibetans have a phrase which is constantly on

the lips of devotees, engraved on rocks and praying-

wheels, and printed on slips of paper. The words

are:— "Om Mani padme Hum." In ordinary

translation the meaning is :—" Oh, the Jewel in the

Lotus" ; but investigators assert that there is an

occult meaning, and that the words are " words of

power," and refer to some obscure spiritual process

in the real man. The constant use of the phrase is

supposed in some manner to affect the spiritual

evolution of the persons using it.

We are all acquainted with the use of the word

"Amen," as in frequent use in religious ceremonies,

and take it for granted that it simply means "So be

it" or "So mote it be," but on the meaning there is

some divergence of opinion. "Amen" is one of the

words of power " that has come down through the

ages until the tree meaning has become enshrouded

in mystery, but light is thrown on its origin by Mead

in one of his books, "The Hymn of Jesus," a

translation and comments on one of the Gnostic

works. He writes:— "As far as I can discover from

the most recent works of reference, 'Amen' is

considered by scholars to be a pure Hebrew word. It

is said to have been originally an adjective

signifying 'stability,' `firmness,' certainty,' which

subsequently became an interjection, used first of all

in conversation, and then restricted to the most

solemn form of asseveration; as, for instance, in

oaths, and in the Temple ritual, in the responses of

the congregation to the doxologies and solemn

utterances of the priests and readers." Plutarch, in his

treatise "On Isis and Osiris," writes (IX., 4) :—

"Moreover, while the majority think that the proper

name of Zeus with the Egyptians is Amoun (which

we by a slight change call Ammon), Manetho, the

Sebenyte, considers it His hidden one, and that His

power of hiding is made plain by the very

articulation of the sound." Hecateus, of Abdera,

however, says that the Egyptians use this word to

one another also when they call one to them, for that

its sound has got the power of "calling to."

"Wherefore, when they call to the First God—whom

they think is the name for every man—as unto the

Unmanifest and Hidden, invoking Him to make Him

manifest and plain to them, they say 'Amoun.' "

Mead says again :—" It was rather used as a word of

magic for invoking the Ka of a person (that is the

spiritual double, H.M.C.), or as the chiefest of all

invocations to the Invisible Deity. The exact parallel

is to be found to-day in the use of the 'Word of

Glory' (the Pranava), Om or Ann in India." If we

stop for a moment and consider why the word

"Amen" is used at the end of our invocations, we are

at loss to understand how it can be replaced by "So

be it" or "mote it be." It is strange, to say the least of

it, that we should pray to T. G.A .O.T.U., and then

exclaim "Amen " or its equivalent. ''So be it." But

the foregoing explanation throws some light on this

interesting word. At the celebration of Mass in the

Roman Catholic Church, much of the service is

tendered in Latin. This seems a strange procedure to

many of us, and we wonder at it. One writer has

stated that it is not with the object of imposing upon

the imagination of the devotees that Latin is used,

but that many "words of power " are contained in the

Ritual of the Mass, and their power would be lost if

translated into another tongue. Special words have

become possessed of power in some occult manner,

and by their use at the proper time and place their

potency is manifested. Accompanying the "words of

power " there are usually "signs of power," the sign

of the Cross being one of frequent use.

We have numerous instances in Maori lore where

the power of sound has been used to effect some

purpose, not always beneficial. Many of the

incantations used by the old tohungas (priests) were

very powerful, and were used with deadly effect by

the "black" priest, or one who had been trained in

the Whare-maire. The "white" priest, or one trained

in the Whare-wananga, never resorted to "black

magic" : his incantations were used for legitimate

purposes, and did not work harm amongst the

people. In one of the ceremonies conducted in the

Whare-wananga, or "School of Knowledge," the

presiding priest made frequent use of "words of

power," and the scholars were taught the correct

method of pronunciation and direction. Tregear, in

"The Maori Race," refers to the slaying power of

incantations, and says :—" The witchcraft

incantation (karakia makutu) had to kill the

particular person pointed out; to destroy anybody

else would have been a miss; and, moreover, would

nullify all knowledge previously gained."

Among many savage tribes sound plays an important

part in their ceremonies. Tribes that perform the

"Fire-walking Ceremony," rely largely upon sound

for their success in the ordeal. In the case of "fire-

walking " that I saw, the performers were shut up in

a tent prior to the actual walking. While therein they

uttered strange incantations, and beat upon wooden

drums for some time, but occasionally changed the

rhythm of the beat, until, having finished the ritual

of drumming and muttering, they rushed out and

walked over the hot stones without harm. The

accounts of several writers who have witnessed the

ceremony in various parts of the world agree as to

the incantations preceding the actual walking, which

seems to point to some close relationship between

the immunity from- harm and the sounds from the

drum-beats and incantations.

Sound has been termed " The Builder " by 'one

writcr—Dyne. Let us see whether there is anything

to justify this appellation. There is an instrument

termed the "eidophone." It is shaped somewhat like

a large tobacco pipe, in that it possesses a bowl and

stein. The bowl is covered with a material that will

allow of easy vibration, say, thin skin or paper. Over

the covering is sprinkled pollen dust. To operate the

instrument, a singer or musician sings or plays into

the stem end, and as he proceeds the pollen grains

will group themselves into symmetrical farms.

Many of them are flower-shaped, and appear to

express in a physical medium the forms of sound. A

fine collection of voice-figures has been given in

Mrs. Watts-Hughes's book, "Voice Figures." The

authoress had read of Chladni's experiments with

sound forms and followed up some of his

experiments, but extended her investigations further,

and made some fine records of the figures. Dr. H.

Holbrook Curtis, author of "Voice Building and

Tone -Placing," photographed complete scales of the

geometrical figures produced by the voices of

celebrated singers. The same tone or note always

produces the same shape, but the character of the

note has certain modifying effects. A New York

specialist of the ear and throat, Dr. J. Mount Meyer,

assisted by A. L. Dickson, late photographer- to the

Edison Laboratory, photographed voice-figures, not

only on a flat surface, as others had done, but, as the

grains of material were in actual motion forming

voice-figures. Some of the figures were very

suggestive of familiar forms, such as one like a

snake coiled up to strike, resulting from a sharp

staccato sound.

An instrument designed by Professor Kendrick, and

described some years ago in the "Practical

Engineer," registers the number and forms of

vibrations produced by musical sounds and spoken

words, in such a way that it may be used later to

communicate with the brain of the deaf and dumb

through the nerves of the skin.

In edifices where sounds of a peaceful and pleasing

nature are used frequently and for long periods, as in

some of the ancient cathedrals of the Old World, it is

quite possible that the vibrations may be imparted to

the stone or whatever material is used in the

construction of the building, and to some extent they

become " tuned up" and an " atmosphere " is created

within the building, which is capable of impressing

visitors with a feeling of calmness and peace.

Occultists claim that the stones are affected by the

vibrations, but at present we of the ordinary class of

mortals claim that the "case has not been proven," so

we can keep it by us.

It is a practice in constructing new cathedrals to

include within the masonry pieces of older

cathedrals. You are no doubt aware that efforts are

being made to construct a stately cathedral in our

city, and Bro. Askew has his heart in the work. Our

worthy brother has recently returned from England,

and while there procured pieces of stone from all the

great cathedrals of England, with the exception, I

believe, of Chichester. These stones will be

incorporated in the new building, and we can send

our thoughts far ahead, when coming generations

will stand in the temple and "feel" the calmness and

peace within its walls, for "a little leaven leaveneth

the whole lump."

Sir Francis Galion, F.R.S., in his book "Inquiries

into Human Faculty," has devoted a chapter to what

he terms "Colour Association." He gives numerous

instances of sounds being associated with colours,

and produces illustrations of the colours and their

associations. The book explains that various sounds

produce in the minds of certain persons suggestions

of colours. Many persons have written to Sir Francis

describing their "colour associations," and from the

material collected some interesting information has

been acquired. Sir Francis's book is procurable in

"Everyman" edition ; the coloured illustrations

enhance the value of the book and make it well

worthy of perusal.

A friend of mine possesses the faculty or gift of

associating colours with sounds, particularly in

relation to the letters of the alphabet. In this instance,

the sound of a letter calls up in the person's mind a

colour. Combinations of letters assume tints

corresponding to the predominating letters of the

combination. Thus, a word containing several o's

would possess a tint similar to the "o "_colour.

Thus far, little mention has been made of the bad

effects of sound, for we are fortunately but dimly

acquainted with them. We know of the effect of

discord, and the possibility of shock from certain

sounds, the disastrous effects of gunfire sound, and

the nerve-racking effects of many street sounds. In

our lodge work there is much that might be

improved by the utilisation of beneficial sounds in

our ceremonial. A more extensive use of music

could be made end greater care exercised in the

spoken parts. In the proper rendering of charges

much pleasure might be given to brethren, but by

inferior expression displeasure or even pain may

result. The small amount of music that is introduced

into our work is at times reduced almost to a

minimum, and what could be made an enjoyable and

uplifting ceremony is sometimes marred by the

misuse of the power of sound. Take away the use of

music in ceremonial and the result would be dull and

dreary exhibitions.

Right down through the ages, when each of the great

nations had reached the zenith of civilisation, it left

pictures carved in stone or painted on walls and

papyrus, depicting ceremonies of various kinds, and

there the musicians with their instruments show us

that the functions of long ago were incomplete

without music. Who has not seen the sistrum,

cymbals, or the harp figuring amongst the records of

ancient Egypt? Not only were some of the

instruments used for producing music, but they were

sometimes used in a symbolical manner, and

conveyed to the instructed meanings that were

hidden from the ignorant. Man seems to have longed

for pleasing sounds away back in the childhood, of

the race, and to have made use of arrangements of

those sounds to assist him in works that necessitate a

particular state of mind to appreciate the importance

of the event being celebrated. The human family has

changed but little in this respect. It still desires

pleasing sounds with its ceremonial, and will

probably go on desiring them as long as it lasts, for

the sounds have their use and power, and perhaps

there is nothing so effective in raising thoughts to

high planes as pleasing sounds used under suitable

conditions.

————————

PRESENTATION TO THE PROV.G.M. OF

WELLINGTON.

——◄►——

At the annual communication of the G.L. of N.Z.,

held at Auckland in May last, the M.W.G.M., by

special request, made a presentation of a, very

handsome jewel to R.W. Bro. George Russell,

Prov.G.M. of Wellington, on behalf of all the

Lodges in his district. This was done to show the

appreciation of his services during the special appeal

made for the W. and O. and A.M. Fund during the

year, Wellington district having contributed the

largest amount per head to that fund, which was

largely due to the organisation and work of R.W.

Bro. Russell. The jewel has three gold bars, bearing

the words, " Wellington Provincial District." To the

bottom bar hangs a medallion composed of blue

enamel and the square and compasses, surrounded

by a hand of gold bearing the words "Charity

Appeal, 1921." On the reverse side is inscribed :

"Presehted to R.W. Bro. George Russell, Prov.G.M.,

from the Lodges in his District, 12-5-1921." This

recognition of Bro. Russell's services was well

merited, as he was most indefatigable in his efforts

to obtain a full quota from his, district, ,and the

amount raised equalled £1 per member throughout

the Wellington district.

—————————————————————

Enquiries on Matters of

Masonic Interest
—————————————————————

Q.—What is the meaning of the Tyler's toast and

fire?

A.—Like many things in Freemasonry, it is very

difficult to trace the origin of the Tyler's toast. In

Anderson's second edition of B. of C., we are told

that in 1719 Dr. Desaguliers, having been installed

G.M., "forthwith revived the old regular and peculiar

toasts or healths of Freemasons." As Lodges were at

that period held in taverns, they did not escape the

spirit of the age. It is stated in another work that the

Tyler was first mentioned in the minutes of the G.L.

of England on 8th June, 1732. There does not appear

anything to show why the toast of Poor and Destitute

Brethren was allotted to him, or how it was greeted

in the present silent manner. Latterly, considerable

exception has been taken to the general form of

honouring the toast. It may, however, be assumed

that in the earlier history of Freemasonry the Tyler

as a paid officer was also the messenger of the

Lodge, and it became his duty to disburse votes of

the Lodge in favour of poor and distressed brethren.

Subsequently he may also have been regarded to

some extent as the representative of these brethren,

and on the allotment of an official toast, who so

proper a representative as he? The silent manner in

greeting the toast has been considered as an

indication of sympathy with the poor and distressed

brethren, but this has been discounted of late years

in London, and the writer Everden says the "poor

and distressed" should be greeted with the same

joyous and open fire as other toasts, in the hope that

they will find relief from all their sufferings. This, of

course, is entirely anticipatory, and we think the

sympathy is far more in keeping than the "joy,"

which in many instances is elusive.

Q.— In communicating the S.S. of a M.M. in

closing the 3rd d—e; is it correct. for the J.W. to

advance and give the 1st S—p and S—n ; then move

back, advance, and give 2nd S—p and S. ; again

move back, advance, give the 3rd S—p and S. ; then

communicate the Sub. S. of a M.M.; or should they

only give the Sub. S. of a M.M.?

A.—In our opinion the ritual makes it clear that the

Sub. S. of a M.M. alone are to be communicated.

—————————————————————

LODGE HINEMOA FESTIVITIES.

——◄►——

His Majesty's birthday (3rd June) was celebrated in a

right royal manner by the brethren and their lady

friends at the Newtown Library Hall, the occasion

being a revival of the ladies' evenings which were so

popular before the war. The hall was gaily decorated

by the brethren with flags and greenery, a word of

praise being especially due to Bro. Cooper for the

splendid lighting arrangements, which were

universally admired. The W.M. (W. Bro. S. L.

Russell) and his good lady welcomed the guests

(among whom were the R.W.Prov.G.M. and Mrs. G.

Russell), who were then entertained with a short

concert programme. An appropriate address, "Some

Ideals of Masonry,' was given by Bro. Rev. E.

Drake, Chaplain. Supper was then served, during

which the orchestra, under Bro. Terrell, rendered

several fine selections, and the meal toast list,

interspersed with items, by Mrs. A. Ramsay and

Bro. J. Young, was honoured. Mrs. Preston, in a

happy speech, replied on behalf of the ladies,

expressing the hope that the evening would prove

the forerunner of many similar ones. Mrs. S. L.

Russell and Mrs. G. Russell were presented on

behalf of the brethren with dainty bouquets of

violets, looped with pale blue streamers, by the S.W.

and J.W. respectively. The W.M. and R.W.P.G.M.

suitably replied. After willing hands had removed

the tables and cleared the floor, dancing was

indulged in. The festivities concluded shortly after

midnight with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne."

The children had their turn on the following

afternoon, when about 200 met at the Library Hall

and enjoyed themselves as kiddies can. There were

Charlie Chaplins, Santa Claus, xylophone selections,

coster stunts, songs, recitations, bran tubs, and a

good tea. Every kiddie had a real good time, and the

children in the hospital were not forgotten, a case of

toys being sent to them, with which they were

delighted. The brethren who worked so assiduously

are to be congratulated on the success attained, a

large measure of which was due to our worthy Tyler,

Bro. W. Smart, and Mrs. Smart, for their excellent

catering throughout the festival.—[Lodge

Correspondent.]

OBITUARY.

——◄►——
W. BRO. HUNTLY JOHN HARRY ELIOTT, P.M.

———

The death took place on the 15th June of Bro.

Huntly John Harry Eliott, at one time a prominent

member of the Public Service. He was born in

Auckland in 1843, and was the eldest son of Mr. G.

Eliot Eliott, one of New Zealand's first Civil

Servants, who came to the country in 1838, landing

at Russell. Bro. Eliott was educated at the Wesleyan

College, Auckland, and became a clerk in the

Colonial Secretary's Department at Auckland, under

the Stafford Government, in 1858. Bro. Huntly

Eliott came to Wellington when the seat of

Government was transferred from Auckland in 1865,

and he remained with the Colonial Secretary's

Department until 1870. In that year a Public Works

policy was inaugurated, and a new Department

created to administer it. Bro. Eliott was chief clerk in

that Department. He was subsequently appointed

Immigration Officer for Wellington District. In 1877

he became Under-Secretary for Lands and

Immigration, and later the administration of the

Mines Department was also taken over by him.

When the Lands and Mines Departments were

separated he remained Under-Secretary for Mines.

He retired from the service in 1905, after 47 years'

continuous work. Even then his days of public

activity were not over, for he was chosen to act as a

member of several Commissions. He resided for a

time at the Lower Hutt, and afterwards lived with

members of his family in Wellington, the Wairarapa,

and Auckland.

The late Bro. Eliott was a prominent member of

Waterloo Lodge in the seventies and eighties, and

was Treas. for many years, subsequently being made

a life member. He was associated in the formation of

the G.L. of New Zealand, but took no part in its

government, and finally retired from Freemasonry

some 25years ago.

CONSTITUTION AND DEDICATION OF

LODGE MANUREWA, No. 222.

——◄►——

The constitution of the above Lodge took place at

the name town, Auckland district, on 26th May. In

the absence of the G.M., M.W. Bro. O. Nicholson,

Prov.G:M., acted as dedicating officer, and was

assisted by R.W. Bros. Powley, Kearsley,

Armstrong, and Leighton, V.W. Bro. Rev. A.

McDonald, and W. Bros. Waring, Hope, Binney,

Tailby, and W. G. Allen. R.W. Bro. W. R. Leighton

P.G.W., acted as G.D. of C.

The brethren assembled in Manurewa Theatre at 7

p.m., and received the M.W. the Acting-G.M. and

his officers, who at once assumed the chairs and

opened a Lodge, when the M.W. presiding officer

was saluted. The proceedings having been declared

regular, the petition and charter were read by R.W.

Bro. G. Powley as G.Sec. The 133rd Psalm was read

by the G. Chaplain, and a hymn followed. Grand

officers then assembled round the Lodge Symbol,

kneeling, and prayer was offered. The G. Chaplain

sprinkled perfume, and a procession was formed, the

following G. officers bearing the elements :—R.W.

Bro. Kearsley (corn), R.W. Bro. Armstrong (wine),

V.W. Bro. Hope (oil). W. Bro. Waring (salt). After

the distribution of the elements the M.W.

consecrating, officer pronounced the Invocation and

the G. Chaplain ceased the new Lodge. Prayer

having been offered, the M.W. Prov.G.M.

constituted and dedicated -the Lodge, which

immediately did homage to G.L. An address was to

have been delivered by M.W. M. Bro. Niccol, who

was unable to be present owing to indisposition, and

the address was read by M.W. Bro. Nicholson. The

Lodge was then adjourned in the Third Degree, and

the installation was proceeded with by M.W. Bro.

Nicholson. The W.M. designate—W. Bro. E.

Thurlow Feild—was presented by W. Bros. W.

Crawford, W.M. Lodge Papakura, and W. Bro. C. E.

Dutton, W.M. Lodge Ponsonby. Bro. Feild was then

installed according to ancient custom. The W.Ts.

were presented by W. Bros. G. D. Bracewell (W.M.

Lodge Wairoa), H. McAdam (W.M. Lodge

Mauukau), and T. Henry (W.M. Lodge of Harmony,

E.C.). R.W. Bro. F. Kearsley, P.D.G.M., addressed

the W.M. R.W. Bro. J. Armstrong invested Bros. G.

V. Westbrooke, P.M., and P. A. Nield as S.W. and

J.W. respectively, and charged them on their duties.

The remaining officers were invested as follows :—

Chaplain, Bro. M. D. Ring ; Treas., Bro. G. Osborne

; Sec. Bro.rJames Murray ; D. of C., W. Bro. A. J. S.

D'Ewes, P.M.; Organist, Bro. T. W. Bell; S.D., Bro.

J. Bromley; J.D., Bro. T. J. Corin ; J.G., Bro. C.

Hawthorne; S.S., Bro. G. Campbell; J.S., Bro. A. F.

Hawke ; Tyler, Bro. W. Crombie. The concluding

address to the brethren was given by M.W. Bro. O.

Nicholson. The usual collection was made on behalf

of the W. and O. and A.M. Fund, and after the usual

congratulations from visitors the Lodge was closed.

Refreshments were subsequently served, when the

toasts proper to such occasions were duly honoured.

————————

A BANQUET INNOVATION.

——◄►——

At a dinner held after the installation ceremony of

W. Bro. H. E. Greathead, of Lodge Eketahuna, No.

92, held on Wednesday, 18th. May, a surprise was

sprung on the newly-installed W.M. in the shape of a

unique presentation—to wit, a roasted swan. At the

termination of grace, and before the guests could get

comfortably settled in their places, a tremendous

clatter and shouting attracted the attention of the

company, and a procession approached the head of

the table, headed by W. Bros. Wilson and Leslie,

and accompanied by the Deacons bearing the

principal W.Ts. of the "Fourth" Degree and the

Stewards bearing the presentation. The procession,

on being halted by the D. of C. (W: Bro. Renment),

was asked : "What have you there?" Answer : "A

swan." " Whence came this swan?" And, being

informed that it was from the South (Lake

Wairarapa), and was proceeding to the North when it

was intercepted by a W. brother and detained to

grace the festive board of the W.M.-elect, the W.M.

was then asked to accept the presentation as a token

of a goodwill offering from his officers and brethren,

the same being offered with the proviso that it

should become an annual event, it being the special

privilege of the I.P.M. to provide a like presentation

at all future installation banquets.

The D. of C. then called upon the J.D. (Bros T.

Bedding) to present the W.Ts. of the" Fourth "

Degree to the W.M., in order that he might be

suitably instructed in the correct method of using

same in the demolition and post mortem of the

presentation. This the J.D. did in a humorous -vein,

conveying to the W.M. the H.G.W. for a most

successful and prosperous term of office.

The W.M., in a few appropriate remarks, thanked

the donors for the presentation, and agreed to see

that the conditions appertaining thereto were carried

out on future occasions, and he very neatly turned

the tables on the J.D. by delegating to him the

authority of dismembering the presentation at once.

Unfortunately, the proceedings were somewhat

marred by the fact that, arrangements made to herald

the approach of the procession by "a squeal of

Highland pipes "could not be carried out, owing to

the W. brother in charge of the instrument having

got his wind-bag punctured.—[Special

Correspondent.]

————————

RECORD GATHERING AT TIMARU.

——◄►——

A combined meeting of South Canterbury Lodges of

both the E.C. and the N.Z.C. was held in Chalmers

Presbyterian Church, Timaru, on 25th April, and to

this meeting members of North Canterbury Lodges

paid a fraternal visit. The melting was held under

charter of the Lodge of St. John, No. 1137, E.C.

North-Canterbury brethren arrived by special train

283 strong, representing 27 Lodges, and 23 W.Ms.

were in attendance. In addition to this number were

officers of Prov.G.L., and G.L. of New Zealand. In

all, 636 brethren signed the attendance, book, there

being representatives from 62 Lodges present. The

ceremony was initiation, and most appropriate for

Anzac Day, the candidate being Bro. L. J. Smith, an

Anzac.

The officers' chairs were occupied by the W.Ms. of

South Canterbury Lodges as follows :—W.M., W.

Bro. W. C. Battson (Lodge St. John, No. 1137,

E.C.); S.W., W. Bro. A. W. Price (Lodge

Mackenzie, No. 93); J.W., W. Bro. R. Creeser

(Lodge St. Augustine, No. 97); Chaplain, W. Bro W.

G. Cooper (Lodge Koranga, No. 197); D. of C., W.

Bro. F. A. Joynt (Lodge St.. George, No. 29);

assisted by W. Bro. R. C. Littlejohn, P.Prov. G.W.,

and W. Bro. J. W. Souter, P.Prov.G.D. of C. ; S.D.,

W. Bro. L. B. Pearson (Lodge Timaru, No. 196);

J.D., W. Bro. J. T. Hunt (Lodge Caledonian, No.

16); I.G., W. Bro. J. P. Cliff (Lodge Geraldine, No.

27); Tyler, Bro. R. Morgan (Lodge St. John, No.

1137, E.C.). Bro. Axel Newton, P.G. Organist

(Lodge Koranga, No. 197), presided at the organ

during the ceremony, and Bro. H. C. Hutton (Lodge

St. John, No. 1137, E.C.) officiated during the

opening and closing of the Lodge. Lodge was tyled

at 6.45 p.m. R.W. Bro. N. L. Macbeth, Dist. G.M. of

Canterbury, E.C., with his officers, was admitted ;

W. Bro. Wm. McBride, Dep.Prov.G.M. of

Canterbury, with his officers ; and R.W. Bro. S. C.

Bingham, D.G.M., accompanied by G.L. officers.

The candidate was then initiated into Freemasonry

by W. Bro. W. C. Battson, assisted by the temporary

officers.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, R.W. Bro. S. C.

Bingham, in a remarkably well chosen address,

presented the candidate with the V.S.L., and

suggested to him that he should take this V.S.L. to

each succeeding degree marking his progress in the

Craft..

Throughout the ceremony, the singing of the odes

was most inspiring, the brethren being led by a

strong choir under the leadership of W. Bro. Jas.

Moyes, I.P.M. (Lodge Koranga, No. 197).

The church, with its fine organ as a background for

Prov.G.L., Dist.G.L., and G.L. officers in full

regalia, who occupied the choir seats, together with

the big gathering of floor members, presented a most

imposing scene, such as has never before been

witnessed in South Canterbury, and will be

remembered with pleasure by all who were present.

The banquet following the ceremony was held in the

Unitarian Hall, the largest hall available, which

proved inadequate to seat all who desired to be

present. However, special attention was given to the

visitors, and an enjoyable evening was spent. The

only regrettable feature of the meeting was the

absence through illness of R.W. Bro. F. C. B.

Bishop, Prov.G.M. of Canterbury, and the hope was

expressed on all sides that he would soon be able to

resume his duties.

This visit of North Canterbury Lodges was in return

for a visit of S.C. brethren of Christchurch a few

years ago, and the hope was expressed that the visits

would be exchanged at regular intervals.—

[Communicated.]

————————

REVIEW.

——◄►——

"THE DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES," together, with a

few Emergency Addresses and Articles entitled "The

Ceremony of Consecration" and "From Labour to

Refreshment" by W. Bro. Algernon Rose, P.Assist.

G.D. of C., G.L. of England, etc., etc., etc. Published

by Kenning and Sons, Great Queen Street, London,

W.C.2.

————

The first part of this work contains twenty-five

chapters of copious information, which, if

assimilated by G.Ds. of C., cannot fail to make them

very perfect in their work, especially so far as the

G.L. of England working is concerned. Some of the

customs would appear somewhat strange in this

country, and appear to US to differ materially from

those in vogue forty years ago, when we were

working under the Home constitution. As instances

we may mention the placing of initiates at the festive

board, on the immediate right of the W.M. ; the

reception accorded to officers on their investiture,

and especially to the Tyler. In retiring after the

closing of the Lodge a different procedure is

observed to that used here. However, there is no

doubt the correct English custom is set forth, and the

book should be a standard work for the guidance of

those officers under that Constitution. As the author

very rightly says : "It is far better that a Lodge

should have no D. of C. at all than an incompetent

holder of that office." The second part of the book

deals with the important question of consecration,

and devotes forty-five pages to the task. As it

comprehends such points as "Origin, " "Old Time

Procedure," "The Lost Trowel," "The Actual

Consecration," Consecrating Vessels,"

"Perambulations." "The Elements," etc., etc., it will

be seen how wide the range of subjects is. Referring

to what he terms "The Lost Trowel", Bro. Rose says:

"The allusion to preserving the `cement of the

Lodge' reminds us that, although our ancient

brethren, who migrated to America, took the

Masonic trowel with them, and cherish it to-day as

one of their most important W.Ts., it has long since

disappeared from English Craft Masonry." Many

brethren wander why. So far as we are aware, it is an

anomaly. In New Zealand it is only used in the B. of

I.M. It has great moral significance, and we think the

wisdom of our American brethren is to be

commended in preserving it in their working. Want

of space prevents lengthy reference to the article, but

we strongly commend it to all brethren, especially

those who are likely to participate in this ceremony.

"From Labour to Refreshment," as its title indicates,

refers to the convivial side of Freemasonry, its

sentiments, toasts, and general procedure. Attention

is rightly called to the fact that Freemasons are more

sparing in the use of strong drinks than formerly.

Yet, notwithstanding, Masonic hospitality makes for

true brotherhood. As the author has it, "refreshment

is an integral part of Freemasonry. It is the cement

that binds the structure of the Craft." And we cannot

refrain from quoting Bro. Sir John Cockburn in an

address to the Authors' Lodge, who said :

"Throughout our ritual and in our Lodge symbols

there is a contrasting of the spiritual with the

material, of the regenerate and unregenerate, of soul

and body, mind and matter, life and death. Masonic

refreshment likewise has its dual nature. First, we

have the fact of being refreshed mentally or

spiritually. Oftentimes has that misery which is

lodged in isolation found comfort through the

fellowship of one Masonic mind with another." It

not infrequently happens that brethren are called

upon to make certain presentations in Lodge, which

somewhat taxes their inspiration. Bro. Rose in his

book provides against any such contretemps by

suggesting certain formulas for presenting

certificates or diplomas, a jewel to a retiring Master,

and a longer form for the warrant or charter. To

brethren uncertain of their oratorical powers it would

not be difficult to commit these to memory, and such

emergencies would be prepared for.

Bro. Algernon Rose may be cordially congratulated

on his work, which has made another addition to the

literature of the Craft, which should be especially

welcome to every D. of C., and valuable to all

Freemasons desirous of acquiring Masonic light.

————————

LEWIS LODGE OF MARK MASTERS, No 49,

E.C., GREYMOUTH.

——◄►——

At the last meeting W. Bro. W. R. Greenwood, one

of the oldest members of the Lodge, made a present

to the Lodge, unique in its way because of the

historic interest attaching to it. The present took the

form of a solid silver triangle for use on the V.S.L.

The Lodge has had a chequered career. The original

Lodgeroom was destroyed by fire in September,

1887, and, with it, the Charter. A warrant of

Confirmation of the Original Charter was granted,

and placed in the care of W. Bros. I. Lord (obit.), T.

Skoglund (obit.), and W. R. Greenwood, in July,

1889. From the time of the fire till 24th May, 1909,

the Lodge remained dormant. It was resuscitated

owing to the energies of W. Bro. Greenwood, who

was re-elected W.M. in July, 1909, since which date

it has been actively and usefully working. The items

enumerated above are inscribed on the triangle, so

the past history of the Lodge will be preserved

permanently and handed down to the succeeding

generations of Mark Masons. Some years ago W.

Bro. Greenwood was also among those eminent

brethren who helped to resuscitate Lodge Lazar,

E.C., so among Greymouth brethren he is known as

"The Grand Old Resurrectionist." He is in his

eighty-third year, and is still a bright Mason whose

example is worthy of emulation, not only

Masonically, but in every other sense, and he is

known to all brethren far and wide as "Dad." Just

now he is centring his efforts towards revivifying the

dormant Ark Mariners Ledge here.—

[Communicated.]

————————

FAREWELL SOCIAL EVENING.

——◄►——

The brethren of Lodge Southern Cross, No. 9,

Invercargill, assembled in goodly number at an "

oyster " banquet on 28th Mat', the purpose being to

bid farewell to Bro. R. S. Cutfield, J.W., who has

removed to Auckland to enter into business there.

W. Bro. B. J. Glancefield, W.M., presided, and after

the loyal toast had been honoured, the W.M.

proposed the health of Bro. Cutfield and Mrs.

Cutfield, to both of whom he referred in very

laudatory terms. The toast was received with great

enthusiasm. W. Bro. H. J. Farrant, on behalf of the

members, then presented the guest with a cigarette-

holder, and asked Bro. Cutfield to accept as a gift to

his wife a handsome mounted oak afternoon tea tray.

Bro. Farrant expressed feelingly the regret they all

felt at losing their J.W., one who not only was

always in his place, ready and able to undertake the

work, but one who was a genial companion and

close personal friend. Bro. Cutfield would be greatly

missed. His wife, too, was well known to most of the

brethren, being one of the faithful band of wives

who regularly assisted in the preparation of their

banquets. R.W. Bro. F. A. Steans, W. Bro. W. F.

Irvine, Bros. F. R. Padget, W. A. McCaw, and

others, all suitably expressed their feelings, after

which Bro. Cutfield acknowledged the kindly

sentiments and handsome gifts. He was deeply

touched by all that had been said, and felt very much

inclined to cancel his Northern engagement. He was

especially pleased to accept the gift on behalf of his

wife, and indeed grateful for the thoughts that had

prompted the gift. A very pleasant evening was

spent in the usual harmonious manner among

Freemasons. Bro. Cutfield is heartily commended to

Auckland brethren as being one of the very best. -

————————

GRAND MASTER VISITS HAMILTON.

——◄►——

At the invitation of Lodges Beta Waikato and

Tawhiri (Frankton), M.W. Bro. Thomas Ross, G.M.,

and R.W. Bro. George Barclay, G.Sec., attended a

social at Lodge Beta Waikato on 14th May. W. Bro.

E. Bryant (W.M., Lodge Beta Waikato) presided,

and there was a very large attendance. The toast of

G.L. was proposed by W. Bro. E.Bryant, who

extended a hearty welcome to the visitors. M. W.

Bro. Ross expressed his pleasure at being able to

visit them, and referred to the splendid work done by

G.L. in connection with the W. and O. and A.M.

Fund. He said it was a regrettable fact that many

Masons seemed to lose interest in the Craft after a

few years. For a time they were very keen, but after

a while they drifted away and omitted to pay their

dues, which had to be written off. He suggested that

this was partly due to the fact that many Lodges did

not take that kindly interest in visitors that they

should do. He thought that, if visitors were received

with open arms and warmly welcomed, they would

retain more interest in the Craft. In conclusion, he

referred to the generosity of Auckland Province, and

said that a remarkable feature about Auckland was

that, while it gave the most, it took the least. R.W.

Bro. Barclay also replied. M.W. Bro. Ross proposed

the toast of the W.Ms. of Lodges Beta Waikato,

Tawhiri, Alpha, and Te Marama, which was

responded to be the W.Ms. concerned. The toast,

"The Visitors," was proposed by W. Bro. Fricker,

and responded to by many of the visitors present.

————————

LADIES' NIGHT IN GREYMOUTH.

——◄►——

On 26th May Lodge Mawhera entertained the ladies

to a very enjoyable evening. The function took the

form of a sacred concert in the Lodgeroom, presided

over by the W.M. (Bro. P. Hambleton). Instructive

and interesting addresses were given by R.W. Bro.

Warnes, Prov.G.M., and R.W. Bro. Michel,

P.D.G.M., who, both dealt very fully with phases of

Masonic history. Musical items were rendered by

various brethren. An adjournment was then made to

the refectory, where a tasty supper had been

prepared and was well enjoyed by all present. R.W.

Bro. Richmond, in a very telling address, proposed

the health of "The Ladies," and this was replied to

by Mrs. Carr, who delighted the audience by her

naive style. R.W. Bro. Warnes proposed the health

of "The Visitors," and this was replied to by R.W.

Bro. Michel, P.D.G.M., and other visitors. The

whole entertainthent was of a unique character, and

was much appreciated by the ladies as well as by the

brethren present.

————————

A BISHOP MADE A MASON AT SIGHT.

——◄►——

From the May issue of the Tyler-Keystone we learn

that Rt. Rev. William A. Guerry, Bishop of South

Carolina, "was recently made a Mason at sight by G.

M. Samuel T. Lanham, assisted by nine other

P.G.Ms. of South Carolina and the G.M. of

Georgia." There appears to be much jubilation

because this is the first time in the history of the

fraternity in South Carolina of a person receiving the

three Degrees of Masonry in one day, and that the

ceremonies only took six hours to perform. It is

astounding that in an ultra-democratic country, as

America, the universal device of which is

"Equality," the ordinary laws of the craft should be

so prostituted, simply for the purpose of railroading

a Bishop into the mystic fold. Surely neither the

Bishop nor his diocese would have disapproved had

he followed the usual custom and been admitted in

three stages, with a month's interval between each.

We are aware that for many years it was held to be a

G.M.'s prerogative to initiate special persons into

Freemasonry on sight, indeed it has been elevated to

the rank of a landmark. But, fortunately, this so-

called prerogative has been rarely exercised, and its

legality strenuously contested. And if our memory

serves us, the strongest opposition has come from

America. If there is such a thing as Masonic

equality, then there cannot be any royal road of

admission to Freemasonry. Bro. Bishop Guerry, who

was transmogrified from a profane to a M.M. in six

hours, may metaphorically pat himself on the back at

his easy progress into Freemasonry, but that very

fact will in all probability mar any usefulness he

might otherwise have had. His ingress has been too

cheap to have any future value, even in his own

eyes.

————————

GRAND LODGE COMMUNICATION,

AUCKLAND, MAY, 1921.

——◄►——

RECEPTION COMMITTEE.

———

It is pleasing to the members of the Reception

Committee at the Grand Lodge Communication at

Auckland to know that their efforts for the reception

and accommodation of visitors were appreciated.

The committee is in receipt of many letters of thanks

and appreciation from many Lodges and

distinguished brethren for the work done.

The arranging for the accommodation of several

hundreds of brethren, their wives, and daughters, in

one week, during a record communication, is a

difficult proposition, but in very few cases was the

accommodation as arranged not satisfactory. The

register of visitors as kept, and signed by nearly all

visitors, was of decided value in locating friends,

and many brethren were brought together as a- direct

result of this register.

In view of their experience, the members of this

committee are of very decided opinion that in the

future all brethren attending G.L. communications

should secure accommodation through the Reception

Committee, or, failing this, and making their own

arrangements, to advise the committee accordingly.

This committee expresses its appreciation for the

vote of thanks accorded by G.L. on closing the

session, and also for the many letters since received,

and trusts the next Reception Committee will receive

the same support as the Auckland committee in 1921

did. CHAS. E. DUTTON, Chairman.

————————

RELIGIOUS AND MILITARY ORDER OF

THE TEMPLE.

——◄►——

The increased interest which is being shown by

Freemasons generally in the higher degrees was

demonstrated at Auckland a month or so ago, when

a Preceptory of Knights Templar and a Priory of

Knights of Malta were constituted, under the

designation of the "De Molay Preceptory and

Priory." Amongst the chivalric degrees, the Order of

Knight Templar occupies a high place, and in

America it is extremely popular. The example set by

Auckland in instituting the Order will shortly be

followed at Christchurch and Wellington.

————————

SUBSCRIPTIONS ACKNOWLEDGED.

——◄►——

F. Dick, A. McKay, W. Wills, W. E. Bethune, G. W.

Ellison, W. Phillips, J. Mowat, C. E. Bennett, H.

Shapcott, W. A. Baudinet, S. L. Russell, P. Hooper

(Wellington), B. J. Haines 10/6 (Waipukurau), R.

Harrison (Abbotsford), G. Meddins 7/6 (Ashburton),

Captain Hoffmann (Tahiti), T. Mather (Lower Hutt),

T. R. Inglis 20/-, W. R. Rowland, M. Copeland 7/6,

Inspector Eales 8/6 (Auckland), J. MacKenzie (Tai

Tapu), H. Steinmuller (Petone), J. S. Kent 20/-, O. J.

Parker, A. Stevens . (Christchurch), T. Pattison 21/-

(Runanga), N. Featonby (8/6), W. H. McLean

(Hunterville), A. Botting 11/- (Temuka), S. J.

Moncrieff (Gisborne), H. Coltman 20/-, R. W.

Moorehouse 12/- (Nelson); E. H. Fincham 8/6, J.

Thomson (New Plymouth), A. Clark 8/6 (Waikaka),

I'. S. Latham (Karaka Bay), J. Gray 9/6, W. Scott 8/6

(Invercargill), R. Gillespie (Dannevirke), A. W.

Chapman, T. A. H. Dixon (Masterton), Lodge

Phoenix. (Akaroa), A. J. Rowlands (Hastings), N.

Fleming (Whangarei).

(All 10/- except those noted.)

—————————————————————

Reports
—————————————————————

[Secretaries and Scribes are requested to forward

Reports.]

————

CRAFT LODGES.

————

SOUTHLAND.

Southern Cross, No 9.— The oldest Lodge in

Southland celebrated its 57th anniversary on 3rd

June. The W.M. (W. Bro. Farrant) occupied the

chair. About 160 members and visitors were present.

The W.M. welcomed the Prov.G.M. (R.W. Bro. A.

B. Haggitt) and the Prov.G.M. of Otago (R. W. Bro.

A. Fieldwick), accompanied by G.L. officers of

Otago. Bro. Haggitt then assumed control of the

Lodge, and the V.W. D. of C. presented the W.M.-

elect, Bro. B. J. Glancefield, for the purpose of

installation. The Ancient Charges were read by R.W.

Bro. Wm. Smith. A B. of I.Ms. was formed, and

Bro. Glancefield installed into the chair according to

ancient custom. The W.Ts. were presented by W.

Bro. J. Fraser; W. Bro. A. Derbie and W. Bro. H. J.

Farrant, trumpet call and proclamation ; presentation

of charter, etc., by R.W.I.M.; address to W.M. by

R.W. Bro. E. Watts, P.Prov.G.M, of Otago; address

to brethren by W. Bro. J. R. Kent, P.D.G.W., Lodge

Conyers, No. 196, E.C. ; Wardens addressed and

invested by R.W. Bro. Geo. Barclay, G.Sec. ;

Chaplain, Treas., Sec., Organist, and D. of C.

invested by V.W. Bro. J. A. P. Fredric, G.Treas. ;

Deacons, I.G., Tyler, Stewards invested by W. Bro.

Jamieson. After H.G.W. the Lodge was closed, and

all adjourned to the refectory, where a pleasant

couple of hours were spent. The usual toasts were

honoured. Officers for current year :— W.M., W.

Bro. B. J. Glancefield ; I.P.M., W. Bro. H. J. Farrant

S.W., Bro. F. Padget; J.W., Bro. R. S. Cutfield;

Chaplain, R. W. Bro. F. A. Steans ; Treas., W. Bro.

E. B. Pilcher ; Sec., W. Bro. Chas. Roberts;

Organist, Bro. W. Leck; D. of C., W. Bro. L. L.

Padget; S.D., Bro. Jas. Davies ; J.D., Bro. W. S.

Robinson, I.G., W. Bro. J. Watson; Tyler, W. Bro. J.

Walker ; Ss., Bros. Donaldson (chief), Sherborne,

Rilstone,—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Lodge Fortitude, No. 64.— The installation

ceremony took place on 8th June, when W. Bro. F.

C. Imlay was installed in the chair by R.W. Bro. T.

M: Rankin, P.P.G.M. The Wardens were invested by

W. Bro. A. Derbie (W.M. Lodge Victoria, No. 147)

and addressed by W. Bro, A. J. Geddes, of same

Lodge ; Chaplain and Treas., by W. Bro. Mitchell

(W.M. Lodge Waihopai, No. 189); Sec. (14th time)

and D. of C. by R.W. Bro. T. M. Rankin; Ds., by W.

Bro. Fraser (W.M. Lodge St. John, No. 94); I.G. and

Tyler, by W. Bro. West (Lodge Mataura) ; Stewards,

by W. Bro. Tonkinson (Lodge Wallace, No. 129).

The address to the brethren was given by R.W. Bro.

W. Smith, P.D.G.M.. W. RM. J. Kerse, of Lodge

Victoria, carried out the duties of D. of C. in a very

efficient manner. There was a very big attendance of

visiting brethren, eleven Lodges being represented.

A social and dance was held in the Drill Hall, the

supper being provided by the ladies, who excelled

themselves in providing for the inner man. List of

officers :— W.M., W. Bro. J. C: Imlay; I.P.M., W.

Bro. Jas. Walker; S.W., Bro. C. Giles; J.W., Bro. D.

Bradshaw; Chaplain, W. Bro. George; Treas., W.

Bro. Parker ; S.D., Bro. R. Erasmussen; J.D., Bro. T.

Cushen; I.G., Bro. G. H. Fife; Tyler, Bro. Svendson;

Ss., Bros. Denton, Richards and Mann; Auditor, W.

Bro. George.— [Lodge Correspondent. ]

————

St John, No. 94.— A record gathering of close on

300 members and visitors was present on 20th May,

on the occasion of the installation and investiture of

officers. R.W. Bro. A. le H. Hoyles, P.P.G.M,

officiated as D. of C. Bro. John R. Fraser, S.W., was

presented by W, Bro. Hyslop and R. W. Bro. D. of

C. Ancient Charges were read by W. Bro. F.

Bonifant. A B. of I.Ms. was opened for the purpose

of installing the W.M.- elect in the customary

method. Trumpet calls, processions, salutes, and

proclamations in the E., S. and W. were given. The

charter was presented by R.W. Bro. Haggitt, who

also addressed the W.M.. The Ws. were invested by

W. Bro. E. C. Smith, and addressed by R.W: Bro.

Stearn. Other officers were invested by W. Bros. J.

D. Campbell, H. J. Farrant, W. King, and D. R.

Howden. R.W. Bro. Rankin addressed the brethren.

A splendid banquet was held after the ceremony in

the refectory adjoining. The following are the

officers for the current year :— W.M., W. Bro. J. R.

Fraser ; I.P.M., W. Bro. W. H. E. Fortune ; S.W.,

Bro. C. W. Wilson ; J.W., Bro. W. C. Lawson; D. of

C., W. Bro. J. Manson: Sec., W. Bro. Frank

Bonifant; Treas., Bro. Wm. Manson; Organist, Bro.

J. Aldridge ; S.D., Pro. E. Jackson ; J.D., Bro. G.

Curle I.G., Bro. F. C. Pedlar ; Tyler, W. Bro. Jas.

Walker (deceased 8th June, 1921); Ss., Bros.

Cockroft, Bennetto, Cameron, and Thomson;

Auditors, R.W. Bro. T. M. Rankin and Bro. Pedlar.

— [Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Taringatura, No. 100.— There was a good

attendance at the May meeting, when W. Bro. H.

Ewen presided. One candidate was passed, W. Bros.

G. P. Johnson, H. Graham, W. Roxburgh, and S.W.

Bro. R. F. Hayles assisting the W.M. in the

ceremony. W. Pro. Ewen reported on the

proceedings of G.L. communication. Still another

enlarged photograph of a P.M. was received by the

Lodge, W. Bro. Beer having added his portrait to the

number now adorning the walls of the Lodgeroom.

The customary hour at "Fourth Degree" passed

pleasantly.— [Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Lodge Victoria, No. 147.— The monthly meeting

was held on 14th June. W. Bro. Derbie was in the

chair and presided over a good attendance. The

business was to "raise' three F.Cs. The W.M. of

Lodge Mataura, accompanied by his officers, at the

request of W. Bro. Derbie, conducted the ceremony,

the following assisting :— W. Bro. Howden, W.

Bro. Griffiths, W. Bro. West, W. Bro. Buchanan,

Bro. S.W., and W. Bro. J.W. After the Lodge was

closed the visitors were entertained in great style.

Nomination of officers for coming year was

made.— [Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Lodge Waihopai, No. 189.— The installation of

W.M. and investiture of officers took place on 23rd

May, when there was a splendid attendance, about

140 signing the book. The ceremonial work was in

the hands of the Prov.G.M., R.W. Bro. A. B.

Haggitt, who is a member of Lodge Waihopai. The

Prov.G.M. was assisted by G.L. officers and W.Ms.

of sister Lodges. W. Bro. Vernon Smith was at his

best as D. of C., while the musical portion, rendered

by the Masonic Orchestra, was all that could be

desired. The presenting officers were W. Bros. R. N.

Todd and. W. Bro. D. of C. Ancient Charges were

read by W. Bro. A. B. Edmonds. A B. of I.Ms. was

opened, and Bro. W. Mitchell, S. W., installed into

the chair. The W.Ts. were presented by W. Bros.

Farrant, Fraser and Derbie ; trumpet call,

proclamation, and salutes in the E., W. and S. ;

W.M. presented with Charter and addressed by the

Installing Master. Officers invested were W. Bro. J.

Campbell; S.W., Bro. J. Conner ; J.W., Bro. J. Stobo

; Chaplain, W. Bro. T. Bird ; Treas., W. Bro. R. N.

Todd ; Sec., W. Bro. A. B. Edmonds; S.D., Bro.

Sydney Smith ; J.D., Bro. Copeland ; D. of C., W

Bro. V. C. Smith; Organist, Bro. C. Watt; I.G., Bro.

J. Cushen; O.G., Bro. Geo. Conner ; Ss., Bros, I.

McFadzien, H. Cooper, N. McDonald. The Wardens

were invested and addressed by R R.W. Bro. Steans

the Deacons invested by W. Bro. Farrant. R.W. Bro

T. M. Rankin. addressed the Brethren. Two of the

P.Ms. were presented with P.Ms.' jewels— W. Bro.

Chas. Campbell, W.M. in 1913; and W. Bro. T.

Bird, W.M. in 1919. These are the first P.Ms. to

receive a P.Ms.' jewel. The reply by the W.M. was

characteristic of Bro. Mitchell, and evoked a well-

deserved compliment from Bro. Haggitt. After

receiving greetings from various Lodges, the Lodge

was closed, and an adjournment made to the Parish

Hall, where a banquet was spread. Various toasts

were honoured and musical items rendered. Lodge

Waihopai continues to make steady progress.—

[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Lodge Tuatapere No. 210.— The monthly meeting

was held on25th May. Owing to W. Bro. J. J.

Hinchcliff, W.M., being in hospital, having been

operated on for appendicitis, W. Bro. Kemp, I.P.M.,

opened the Lodge, and then handed over the gavel to

W. Bro. G. E. Charlton, to conduct the ceremony of

passing on one candidate. An installation levy of 9s.

per member was duly carried. One proposition for

membership was received. In the refectory W. Bro.

F. A. Kemp reported re his visit to Sydney and

Auckland, Bro. B. Richards and W. Bro. C. C.

Nicholas (delegates) reported re G.L.— [Lodge

Correspondent.]

————————

OTAGO.

Hiram, No. 46.— The monthly meeting was held on

the 24th May. There was a very large attendance,

every seat in the East being filled. The W.M. (Bro.

G. G. Cardno) presided. Two affiliating brethren and

two candidates for initiation were elected. Three

candidates were initiated, the work being carried out

by the W.M., officers and members of the Lodge.

Bros. F. C. Pizey, who explained the W.Ts., and

Bro. A. Stewart, who gave the Final Charge, did

their work in a faultless manner. The S.W. (Bro.

Homan) presented his report as Lodge delegate to

the annual communication of G.L., and was

accorded a vote of thanks, It was decided to send a

letter of thanks to the W.M. of Lodge Ponsonby for

his kindness to the visiting delegates while in

Auckland. Two candidates were proposed for

initiation. The Lodge closed at 9.50 p.m., the usual

pleasant hour being then indulged in.— [Lodge

Correspondent.]

————

CANTERBURY.

Lodge of Unanimity, No. 3.—The regular meeting,

held on the 7th June, was one of the best this year,

there being an attendance of 90 brethren and visitors,

including several brethren from H.M.S. Chatham.

The W.M. (W. Bro. Owen), received many

complimentary opinions on the working of the

Lodge. Two Degrees were worked, including one

passing and an initiation, and the W.M. was assisted

by his officers and W. Bro. Hillary (W.M. Lodge

Avon) and W. Bro. C. Flavell. A pleasant time in the

refectory was afterwards held, when our naval

brethren delighted the company with song and

story.— [Lodge Correspondent.]

————

St. Augustine, No. 4.— The regular monthly

meeting, held a 14th June, was well attended. A

noticeably full muster of P.Ms. as well as members

and visitors was present. W. Bro. Ranger (W.M.) got

through his formal business promptly, and admitted

his visitors, during a temporary partial eclipse,

which was traced to and remedied at the electric

lighting switchboard. W. Bros. Mitchell (W.M.

Lodge Conyers), Hill (W.M. Lodge Christchurch),

Williams (W.M. Lodge Civic), and Duff and Baxter

(P.Ms. of No. 4) assisted the W.M. in the initiation

ceremony. It was resolved to convey the

congratulations of the brethren to R.W. Bro. F. C. B.

Bishop, Prov.G.M., on his convalescence. The

subsequent "social hour" in the refectory proved as

enjoyable as ever.— [Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Southern Cross, No. 6.— The regular monthly

meeting was held on 2nd June, the W.M. (W. Bro.

Fuldseth) presiding over more than usually good

attendance. The W.M., assisted by his officers,

conducted the ceremony of passing three candidates,

assisted by W. Bro. Monk, W. Bro. Baynon, and W.

Bro. Trousselot (P.S.G.D. United G.L. of Victoria),

a visitor. At the conclusion of the ceremony a

pleasant hour was spent in the refectory, where the

usual toasts were duly honoured.— [Lodge

Correspondent.]

————

Ashley, No. 28.— The regular meeting was held on

9th June, there being 42 members and 30 visitors

present. Lodge Mairaki and Lodge Southern Cross

were represented by the W.M. and brethren. The

business was to raise two brethren. This ceremony

was conducted by the P.Ms. of Lodge Ashley in the

following positions :— W. Bro. R. Ball, W.M. ; W.

Bro. B. A. McKeown, I.P.M. ; W. Bro. E. McKay,

S.W. ; W. Bro. H. D. Bettger, J.W. ; W. Bro. J. T.

Sutherland, Chaplain : W. Bro. A. W. Stevens,

Treasurer ; W. Bro. C. Dash, Sec. ; W. Bro. G.

Tuich, D. of C. ; W. Bro. G. Harlow, S.D. ; W. Bro.

W. Smith, J.D. ; W. Bro. P. J. Coates, I.G. ; and W.

Bro. T. Shankland, Tyler. The work was admirably

carried out, all officers proving their proficiency as

masters of their respective parts. During the interval

Bro. J. C. Thompson, of Lodge Amberley, No. 2007,

E.C., gave a solo, "O rest in the Lord." One

candidate for initiation was elected. Three brethren

were proposed for affiliation and two candidates for

initiation. H.G.Ws. were received from Lodges

Southern Cross, No. 6, Mairaki, No. 131, Amberley

No. 2007, E.C.,.Harvey, No. 79, Thistle, No. 113,

Civic, No. 157, Clutha, No. 14, St. John, No. 46,

S.C., Ancient, No. 49, S.C., and from W. Bro.

Troussalot, P.S.G.D. of Victoria, Australia. The

Lodge closed at 10.35 p.m., and a retirement was

made to the refectory, when a happy hour was spent.

Bros. T. F. Foote, W. C. Prosser, J. E. Strachan, and

J. C. Thompson rendered musical items, and an

evening full of pleasure and profit ended a happy

monthly meeting.— [Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Christchurch, No. 91.— The monthly meeting was

held in the Masonic Hall on the 24th May, W. Bro.

L. Newth, I.P.M., presiding in the absence of the

W.M., who was absent in Auckland. Three

candidates were initiated, being obligated by the

Acting-W.M., and receiving from him the Ss. The

charge after investiture was given by W. Bro.

Williams (W.M. of Lodge Civic); the charge in the

N.E. was delivered by W. Bro. J. Mitchell, P.M. ;

the W.Ts. were explained by W. Bro. A. Mitchell

(W.M. Conyers Lodge, E.C.); the Final Charge

being delivered by W. Bro. Torrance, P, M. After

routine business had been disposed of the Lodge was

closed in due form, visitors and members spending a

pleasant social hour in the refectory.—[Lodge

Correspondent.]

————

St. Augustine, No. 99.— The monthly meeting was

held on the 12th June. The W.M. (W. Bro. R.

Creeser) presided over a good attendance. The

ceremonial business consisted of raising a brother to

the Third Degree, and the following brethren

assisted :— W. Bros. R. Creeser, C. Manchester,

Garland, Beckett, Menzies, Hoskins, Colville, and

Bro. A. Jones. W. Bro, Creeser gave an interesting

description of his visit to G.L., and the Lodge closed

at 10.30 p.m. A very pleasant hour was then spent in

the refectory.— [Lodge Correspondent.]

————

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

in the Lodgeroom on 23rd May, and was presided

over by W. Bro, Rev. Canter. There was a good

attendance of brethren. After various business had

been transacted an adjournment was made to the

refectory, where the usual pleasant hour was

spent.— [Lodge Correspondent.]

————

MARLBOROUGH AND NELSON.

Victory, No. 40.— The last portion of May was a

heavy proposition for this Lodge in respect to work.

On the 17th the G.M. (M.W. Bro. T. Ross),

accompanied by the newly-elected G.Sec. (R.W.

Bro. G. Barclay), paid an official visit to the district,

and was warmly welcomed by the city and district

Lodges, including a large representation from Lodge

Southern Star, No. 735, E.C. The Prov.G.M. (R.W.

Bro. R. W. Stiles) was received by W. Bro. A. G.

Shrimpton, presiding Master, and the G.M. was duly

welcomed. All representative heads of Lodges

testified to pleasure of having a visit from the G.M.

and G.Sec., and the latter was congratulated on

following in the footsteps of such an illustrious

brother as M.W. Bro. Malcolm Niccol. The

gathering was a very happy and dignified one, the

G.M. captivating the brethren by his homely and

interesting reply to the welcome. He expressed

himself very pleased with the reception accorded

him. In the refectory the G.M. delivered an

interesting address on G.L. matters. The G.Sec. was

also in a happy vein, and his war service yarns were

good.

On the 26th of May the chief event of the year, the

installation of a new W.M., was made more than

usually important by the presence of M.W. Bro. H.

J. Williams, R.W. Bros. G. Russell, R. W. Stiles, and

J. Steer, of the D.G.L. of Westland and Nelson,

besides V.W. Bros. — Veitch, J. Rod, and R. P.

Furness (Deputy P.G.M.). Despite the wretched

evening, rain and mud, representatives of Lodges

came long distances to see Bro. H. H. Edwards

installed into the chair. By request M.W. Bro.

Williams consented to act as installing officer, and

carried out his duties in his usual dignified and

correct manner. All the brethren previously

mentioned assisted in the ceremony, together with

W. Bros. A. G. Shrimpton, W. H. Robertson, S. F.

Bolton, and J. A. Orsman. W. Bro. J. L. Ching,

S.G.D., D. of C., and W. Bro. J. Williams, Asst. D.

of C., capably carried out the ceremony

arrangements. A collection was taken up in aid of

the Annuity Fund. During the evening R.W. Bro.

Stiles, on behalf of Lodge Victory, presented to the

retiring W.M. (W. Bro. A. G. Shrimpton) a P.M.'s

jewel, and congratulated him on his very happy and

successful term of office. W. Bro. Edwards, the new

W.M., made a good impression in his few remarks

to the brethren, and appealed for a continuance of

the harmony existing for so many years. The full list

of officers for the year is as follows :— W.M., Bro.

H. H. Edwards ; S.W., Bro. A. E. Davies; J.W., Bro.

J. Morgan; Treas., R.W. Bro. W. Moyes Sec., R.W.

Bro. R. W. Stiles ; S.D., Bro. L. M. Estcourt; J.D.,

Bro. R. B. Witty ; D.C., W. Bro. J. L. Ching; Assist

D. of C., W. Bro. J. Williams ; Lecturer, W.Bro. T.

D. Milne ; Chaplain, Bro. G. A. Edmonds; Organist,

Bro. H.S. Claughton ; I.G., Bro. H. Collins; S.S..,

Bro. C. M. Collins : J.S., Bro. P. W. Harrold ; Tyler,

Bro. C. W. Moore ; Asst. Tyler, Bro. C. E. Scully.

Appointed Stewards, Bros. G. W. Mitchell, H. J.

Savage, G. L. Page, J. Fingland ; Auditors, Bros. C.

M. Rout and G. T. Gray.

The newly-invested officers successfully passed the

first test of merit on 9th June, when three candidates

(Bros. A. R. Kingsford, H. M. Sherwood, and Rev.

H. L. Blamires, on behalf of Lodge St. Andrew, Kil.,

Wanganui) were raised to the Third Degree. W. Bro.

H. H. Edwards presided, and was assisted in the

work by R.W. Bro. W. Moyes, W. Bros. J. L. Ching,

S.G.D., J, Williams, T. D. Milne, T. Eastcott. R.

Scoltock, and C. M. Whelan, one of our P.Ms.

stationed at Whangarei, and who, by the way,

received a hearty welcome on his brief respite from

labour in Nelson. Bros. Rev. A. H. Heron, Lodge

Havelock, and Oke Barton, Lodge Waitaki, were

admitted as joining members. There has been a

controversy as to the publication of Masonic

installation meetings in the local newspaper. There

are many who object to a long Masonic screed

appearing before a mixed community, and in

consequence a report of the recent installation did

not appear in the public press. What say you, Mr.

Bro. Editor ?—[Lodge Correspondent.] [See leading

matter this issue— ED.C.]

————————

HAWKES BAY.

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

8th June. There was a very large number of brethren

present. W. Bro: H. F. Funke, W.M, opened the

Lodge. R.W. Bro. J. W. Ritchie (Prov.G.M. for

Hawke's Bay), accompanied by G.L. officers, was

received with honours. The Prov.G.M. assumed the

chair as installing Master, and was assisted by the

following W. brethren :— S.G.W. (C. H. Critchley).

J.G.W. (J. W. Elliott), G.S.B: (L. Wright). S.G.D.

(L. T. Cooper), J.G.D. (A. J. Turville), G.I.G. (M.

Steffansen), Herald (E. Chegwidden), G.D. of C. (H.

W. Whitton). W. Bro. H. Hill was duly installed into

the chair of K.S., according to ancient custom. The

W.Ts. were presented by W. Bro. J. H. Wilkins, W.

Bro, James, and W. Bro. R. U. Harris. The following

officers were installed:— I.P.M., W. Bro. H. F.

Funke ;S.W., W. Bro. W. A. Kirk ; J.W. Bro. J.

Rockell; Treas., W. Bro. E. Chegwidden ; Sec.,

J.W., W.Bro. H. W. Whitton ; Chaplain, W, Bro. E.

J. Bull ; D. of C., W. Bro. H. Bate; S.D., Bro. F. R.

Lee ; J.D., Bro. H. J. Jones; I.G., Bro. R. E. Arroll;

S.S., Bro. M. W. Poley ; J.S.; Bro. F. A. Farmer ;

Asst. S., Bro. S. J. Rayment ; Tyler, Bro. S.

Gempton, sen. The address to the W.M. was

delivered by W. Bro. R. Bishop ; to the Wardens by

W. Bro. P. C. Swanseger ; the brethren by R.W.

Installing Master. The Warrant, Book of

Constitution, and By-laws were delivered by the

R.W. Installing Master, who also presented the

I.P.M. (W. Bro. H. F. Franke) with a handsome

P.M.'s jewel on behalf of the brethren of the Lodge.

H.G.W. were tendered by visitors, and the brethren

adjourned to the refectory, where a very enjoyable

time was spent, and a very successful installation

meeting was brought to a close shortly before

midnight.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————————

AUCKLAND.

United Service, No. 10.— On the 25th May the

P.Ms. made good use of the opportunity of

decorously and correctly conducting the initiation

ceremony, when one candidate received the first

rays of light. W. Bro. Cliffe officiated as W.M., W.

Bro. Swales as S.W., W. Bro. Copeland as J.W., W.

Bro. Spinley as S.D., W. Bro. Morris as J.D., W.

Bro. Tailby as D. of C., W. Bro. Berry as I.G. The

work was performed impressively, and bore

evidence of the keen interest and welfare of the

Lodge held by the P.Ms. The meeting was well

attended, and was presided over by the W.M. (W.

Bro. A. C. Hallett), the principal business being the

election of Officers for the coming year.

H.G.Ws. were received from quite a number of

Lodges. A very pleasant hour was spent in the

refectory.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Auckland, No. 87.—The installation of Bro.

Thomas Stanley, jun., as W. M. took place in the

Masonic Hall, Eden Terrace, on 28th May. An

innovation by the Lodge in regard to the time of

their meeting was made this year, the Lodge being

tyled at 2.45 p.m., instead of in the evening as

formerly. W. Bro. F. J. Rae, the retiring W.M.,

occupied the chair as Installing Master, and most

ably installed his successor, the ceremony being

performed without a hitch, and was well deserving

of the complimentary remarks made thereon. MW.

Bro. O. Nicholson, P.G.M., Prov.G.M., was in

attendance, accompanied by a .goodly number of

G.L. officers, and during the course of the ceremony

he delivered a very fine address to the brethren. W.

Bro. Beanney, P.G.B.B., and R.W. Bro. Leighton,

P.G.J.W., addressed the brethren and Wardens

respectively in a very impressive manner. Lodge

Auckland has a membership of some two hundred.

so it was not surprising to see the hall filled to its

capacity when there was such a great number of

visitors in addition. The newly-installed W.M. was

commended for the able manner in which he

invested his officers. The Prov.G.M. on behalf of the

brethren of his Lodge presented W. Bro. Rae with a

handsome P.M.'s jewel, at the same time eulogising

the work he had done during the past year. W. Bro.

Rae suitably responded, thanking the P.Ms. and

brethren for the presentation and also for their

kindness to him during the past year. The P.Ms. of

the Lodge had assembled in force, there being over

twenty present, in addition to a large number from

other Lodges. The incoming officers were as

follows:— W. Bro. T. Stanley, jun. ; I.P.M., W. Bro

F. J. Rea; D.M., W. Bro. A. N. McKelvey ; S.W.,

Bro. A. Burrow ; J.W., Bro. C. Robinson ; Treas.,

Bro. A. W. Ironside ; Sec., W. Bro. W. S. Williams ;

Chaplain, W. Bro. W. Mason; D. of C., W, Bro. A.

S. Clarke; S.D., Bro. L. Burrow ; J.D., Bro. J.

Balmer; Organist, Bro. A. S. Craston ; I.G., Bro. A.

S. Stone : S.S., Bro. L. Hume ; J.S., Bro. L. Graham;

A.S. Bros. J. Clarke, P. Stacpoole, R. Slyfield. H.

Horspool ; Tyler, Bro. F. S. Newbold. After the

ceremony the visitors were entertained to supper,

and spent a very enjoyable evening, thus concluding

a very successful function.— [Lodge

Correspondent.]

————

United Waiuku, No. 90.—A fraternal visit was paid

by Lodge Franklin, No. 58, on 24th May, for the

purpose of working a Third. Degree, which was ably

carried out by W. Bro. S. Shipherd and assisting

officers. The ceremonial work was of a particularly

high standard, and was supported by their Lodge

choir, whose rendering of the hymns and appropriate

parts left-nothing to be desired. A very enjoyable

time was spent in the refectory, where the visitors

were mainly responsible for the music, songs and

stories. Harmony and concord are the keynotes to

the interchange of visits between Lodge United

Waiuku and Lodge Franklin, which are of frequent

occurrence.— [Lodge Correspondent.]

————

Lodge Waipu, No. 179.—The usual meeting was

held on the 24th May. There was a small attendance.

The W.M. (W. Bro. A. E. Snaith) being indisposed,

the chair was taken by W. Bro. H. G. Muller, who

after opening the Lodge had the C. after E. and the

1st T.B. delivered. There was no ceremonial work,

so-after H.G.W. were received from W. Bro. D. C.

Cameron, P.G.D., the Lodge was closed. A happy

and profitable hour was spent in the refectory, when

the brethren were treated to a resume of G.L.

proceedings, which was heartily enjoyed by the

brethren. W. Bro. D. C. .Cameron, in fact, almost

brought G.L. to Waipu. A good word was said about

your highly-esteemed monthly visitor, the N.Z.

CRAFTSMAN.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

————————

RUAPEHU.

Manawatu Kil., No. 47.—The monthly meeting was

held on 9th June, when there was a large attendance.

The main business was the initiation of three

candidates. The ceremony was carried out by the

W.M. (W. Bro. E. V. West), assisted by W. Bros.

Holben, Mundy, and Raleigh. Owing to W. Bro.

Rush's removal to Dargaville, the position of Sec.

became vacant, two candidates—Bros. C. D. Fraser

and B. Mansfield—aspiring to that office. On a

ballot being taken, Bro. C. D. Fraser was elected.

The annual report was presented by the I.P.M. and

the balance-sheet read and discussed. A vote of

thanks was passed to W. Bro. Tucker for his lengthy

and comprehensive report. Three candidates for

initiation and two for affiliation were elected. One

candidate was proposed. In the refectory a very

enjoyable hour was spent, the usual toasts being

honoured.—[Lodge Correspondent.]

St. Andrew Kil., No. 79.—In a true sense of the

term, Lodge St. Andrew Kil. was opened for the

instruction and improvement of Freemasons on 9th

June. Degree work was set aside, and the evening

was devoted to matters of history and research. W.

Bro. Craig gave a very interesting lecturette on the

origin of and evolution of tracing boards, and W.

Bro. Doig, with the assistance of Bro. Mackay, gave

a demonstration of "Proving a Brother." This was

followed by a series of questions bearing upon

points of the proving, replies being given by various

brethren. The election of officers for the ensuing

year was then proceeded with, W. Bros. Craig and

Price acting as scrutineers. The time spent in the

refectory was extremely pleasant. The night being

very cold, brethren gathered as near the fire as

possible, and this seemed to diffuse the family

atmosphere, which cannot be generated when

brethren "sit to table." Song and story, interspersed

with toasts, made time fly, one and all dispersing

with the feeling that profit and pleasure had been the

result of the evening's gathering.—[Lodge

Correspondent.]

————

Huia, No. 171.—The regular meeting was held on

the 2nd of June, when the W.M., assisted by his

officers, performed the ceremony of passing three

brethren. A lecture on the 2nd T.B. was most

impressively delivered by the S:W., at the

conclusion of ,which W. Bro. Lauchlan. I.P.M., in

well chosen words, presented the late Lodge Sec.,

Bro. H. C. Le Grange. with a Sec.'s jewel, as a mark

of the esteem in which the Lodge officers and

members held him as a brother, also as a most

energetic, painstaking Secretary, who has served the

Lodge in that capacity faithfully for several years.

As W. Bro. Lanchlan stated, the only compensation

we received lay in being able to congratulate him on

his promotion in the Railway Department, the duties

of which would not permit of him devoting the

necessary time to, secretarial duties. Bro. Le Grange

feelingly replied, assuring us that his interest would

not wane as a craftsman. In the meantime W. Bro.

Turner (Box 214b) will act in the capacity of Lodge

Sec. After the conclusion of the work, in the

refectory, several more farewell toasts were

proposed, and responded to by departing brethren, a

wave of which is passing over this particular

locality, the end not yet being in sight.—[Lodge

Correspondent.]

————

Moutoa, No. 195.—The regular meeting was `held

on the 26th May. There was a good attendance of

brethren. One candidate for initiation was elected.

Three candidates were initiated, the W.M. being

assisted by W. Bro. Munro, W. Bro. Bullock, Bro.

C. C. Montray, J.W., and W. Bro: Symes. In the

refectory the W.M. (W. Bro. Runnerstrum) gave a

report of the proceedings of G.L.,-the brethren being

much interested, and a good deal of discussion took

place. The toast of "The Candidates" was proposed

by W. Bro. Munro in quite a unique manner, and

proved to be very educational re being cautious to

avoid occasions' which might lead a. brother to

inadvertently violate his ob.