THE CARDINAL VIRTUES.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

T is a commonplace of to-day that the community, and the Craft are passing through a period of storm,

stress and strain. Nationally and individually, people are straining every nerve, and drawing upon every

resource, physical and mental, available from current effort or accumulated from the past, to face up to the

abnormal difficulties with which we are confronted. While it appears that the most intense period of external

danger has passed, and that, in spite of much effort and tribulation yet to come, we can now see light at the

end of the tunnel, we should not overlook dangers of perhaps a more subtle character looming up within our

community and ourselves.

Wartime is a period when physical standards, and to some extent mental and moral standards also, are liable

to be let down; and few contemplating our own community as it is to-day, somewhat apathetic in the face of

menacing social evils, would find ground for a full measure of optimism. Even in the Craft itself the price of

high achievement is ceaseless endeavour and constructive criticism of our own efforts. Now is the time to

draw to some extent on our accumulated moral capital, and with such capital the teachings of the Craft are

richly stored. Masonic teaching, indeed, is in the nature of a torch-bearer, holding up to the light of clear

contemplation those essential virtues that are the foundation of individual greatness; and, in the long run, the

basis of community strength and survival power.

What are these virtues which, in time of peril, act as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path? Surely they

are those eternal principles brought so forcibly to the attention of the newly-initiated brother in the earliest

stage of his Masonic career. In the Final Charge in the First Degree the candidate is thus exhorted: "Let

prudence direct you, temperance chasten you, fortitude support you, and justice be the guide of all your

actions." In the explanation of the T.B. in this degree we also find reference to "the four cardinal virtues;

namely, Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice." These principles, which are a summary, in effect, of

the cardinal virtues as laid down by Plato, are justly regarded by Freemasons as the basic principles of Craft

conduct, the foundations of the individual moral life, and the source of national greatness.

The word "cardinal" is derived from a root meaning a hinge, and thus implies that the cardinal virtues are the

fundamental principles on which everything else is hinged or based. A brief consideration of the true import

of these virtues will amply justify their claim to be regarded as basic in the moral life, and will explain how

they come to be not only the fundamental principles of Craft ethics, but also the root principles for which

democracy and civilisation are now fighting to the death.

Of radical importance among these virtues is prudence, or, as the word is more usually translated, wisdom.

Again referring to the First Degree, we find that the first prayer for the candidate is that he may be endued

with a competency of the divine wisdom; not in order to make him learned, or wealthy, or successful in life,

but to enable him to contemplate and appreciate the beauties of true godliness. It is the view of the Craft that

real virtue is impossible without knowledge, enlightenment, and wisdom. How true this is in the individual

life and the world to-day hardly needs pointing out.

"You shall know the truth," a Great Teacher once said, "and the truth shall make you free." Only wisdom

confers the truth, only knowledge of the truth can bring freedom, and only a free man can be really virtuous,

because virtue consists in the enlightened choice between the better and the worse, between right and wrong.

An ignorant man cannot be free, because he is in a state of bondage, the bondage of ignorance, as our own

ritual puts it. The liberal arts and sciences are so called because they "liberate" or free men from these bonds.

We are also told to trace the intellectual faculty, through the paths of heavenly science, even to the throne of

God himself. In the light of Masonic teaching, wisdom is the path to virtue and Godliness, which, in the last

analysis, are the things that exalt a nation.

Wisdom may also be reasonably construed as covering the characteristic Masonic virtues of caution and

secrecy; but alone it is not enough, and next to it must be placed fortitude or courage, that is, strength of

character in addition to enlightenment. While wisdom enables us to discern the right course of action, we

cannot be virtuous without willing to adopt this course, even when, as is usually the case, it is hard. This is

I

where most men, and most nations, experience their failures. It could be woefully illustrated from the

diplomacy of the pre-war years, and has been a powerful contributing factor to the present evil condition of

the world. It takes moral courage to do the right, and not just to see the right. We are all over-familiar in

everyday life with the numerous people of well-meaning intentions but flabby and irresolute will.

Wisdom reinforced by courage should be governed, literally "tempered," by the cardinal virtue of

temperance. Over-doing a virtue, we tend to fall into the opposite vice. It is necessary as the final charge in

the Second Degree tells us, to "observe a due medium." How many well-intentioned people, within the Craft

and outside it, are inclined to overdo things, and thus to be much less extensively serviceable to their fellow

men than they otherwise, with their good qualities, might have been.

The balance of wisdom and courage, maintained in due proportion by temperance, constitutes justice, or, to

employ a more characteristic Masonic term, Harmony. Justice is the harmonious blending of wisdom,

courage and temperance into a balanced life and character, individual and national. It is sometimes

exemplified in individuals, and like many good things, is more likely to be attained if it is not consciously

striven for by the individual. In the wider sphere of community welfare, however, we think that all policies

should be considered and criticised, as far as possible, in the light of these principles and the consequences

ensuing from them. They constitute indeed a supreme moral asset to which, in times of difficulty and danger,

it is well to recur with frequency and understanding.

————————

ADMONITION.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

I said to a man who stood at the gate of the year, "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown,"

and he replied, "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better

than a light and safer than a known way!"

—Quotation used by King George VI, Past Grand Master

of the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland.

————————

HERE IS A MAN

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

Who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He

worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He

never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never put His feet inside a big city.

He never travelled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He never did one of the things that

usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself.

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away . . . one of

them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed

upon a cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth

while He was dying, and that was His coat. When He was dead, He was taken down and laid in a borrowed

grave, through the pity of a friend. Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone, and to-day He still is the

centrepiece of the human race and the leader of the columns of humanity!

I am far within the mark when I gay that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that were ever

built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings and dictators that ever reigned put together, have

not affected the life of man upon this earth as that One Solitary Life.

—Author Unknown.

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

News and Notes.
———————————————————————————————————————————

At the regular meeting of Lodge Karori, No. 247, on 25th March the ceremonial business of the evening was

to initiate a candidate. For the ceremony W. Bro. John E. Hunt, P.G.S., father of the candidate, assumed the

chair. There was a large attendance, many personal friends of the candidate and his father being present.

Those who took part in the ceremony were: W. Bros. J. T. Inkersell, Lodge Herbert Teagle; G. A. Laird,

P.G.S., D.M., Lodge Karori; Sir James Grose, Lodge Westminster; J. Hutchings, N.Z. Pacific Lodge; T. A.

Fletcher, R. McCluggage, and Bro. S. Lack, the last three of Lodge Karori. Returning thanks for the privilege

of conducting the ceremony. W. Bro. Hunt mentioned that though he is a foundation member of Lodge

Karori, he himself had first seen the light in Lodge Ohinemuri, forty-five years ago, and it was almost thirty-

five years since, as W.M. of that Lodge, he had conducted the ceremony of the First Degree. Our newly-

initiated brother, who was badly wounded at Tobruk, in December, 1941, is now stationed in Wellington.

———

What the brethren of Lodges Progress, No. 22, and Canterbury Kilwinning, No. 23, consider a unique

Masonic event occurred at a recent meeting of the former Lodge. The event was the occasion of the last night

of W. Bro. R. B. Willis of the Lodge of Progress, No. 22. W. Bro. W. Mackrell, of the Lodge of Progress, an

extremely well-known and ardent visitor throughout the Canterbury District, had come into possession of the

knowledge that the sitting Masters of Lodges Progress and Canterbury Kilwinning each had a similar record

in Masonry: each was the first of the third generation to occupy the chair of King Solomon in his respective

Lodge. W. Bro. A. P. Taylor was the foundation Master of his Lodge in 1875, his son, W. Bro. W. C. G.

Taylor, was Master in 1902-03, and W. Bro. Gordon C. Taylor was Master in 1941-42. W. Bro. R. B. Willis

has a very nearly similar history, but, his grandfather was not the first Master of the Lodge of Progress. W.

Bro. Mackrell arranged that Lodge Canterbury Kilwinning should visit Lodge of Progress on the occasion of

the last night of W. Bro. Willis: the visit duly taking place, and many references were made at the dual toast

of the Third Generation of Masters, W. Bros. Taylor and Willis both responding and giving a little of the

history, as far as they knew. of the early days of their respective Lodges.

————————

VISIT OF GRAND MASTER TO SOUTHLAND.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

The visit of the Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Herbert G. Teagle, to the Southland District last month passed off

most successfully and provided brethren with an opportunity of making contact with our distinguished

visitor.

On Monday, 19th, a combined meeting was held in the Masonic Temple, Invercargill, when close on 200

brethren of city and country Lodges assembled under charter of Lodge Waihopai, No. 189. After the routine

business had been disposed of and visitors admitted, the Prov.G.M., R.W. Bro. A. Noble, was welcomed,

followed by M.W. Bro. H. G. Teagle, G.M., supported by thirty Grand officers.

After the official welcome to the Grand Master, the ceremony of Passing was impressively conferred on two

candidates by W. Bro. A. St. C. McGregor and officers. The Grand Master then delivered a masterly and

highly-instructive address outlining the value of Freemasonry in a war-stricken world, and its place in all

well-ordered communities. Our worthy brother was followed with close attention by all present and warmly

thanked for his masterly oration. The singing of one verse of the National Anthem and a special prayer for

Peace terminated proceedings in the ceremonial business in the temple. A retirement was then made to the

refectory where a well-prepared banquet was enjoyed to the full. M.W. Bro. T. M. Rankin, P. Pro G.M., in

proposing the health of the G.M., made fitting reference to the high esteem in which he was held throughout

the whole of the Dominion and the excellent services he had rendered in the cause of Freemasonry over a

long period of years. In his reply the G.M. appreciated the warmth of the welcome extended and delighted

the large gathering with a further interesting talk. The toast of "Brethren Overseas" was ably proposed by

V.W. Bro. J. D. Campbell, P.G.D.C. A welcome to Visiting Brethren was extended by W. Bro. G. J. Reed,

P.A.G.D.C.

The following evening the G.M., accompanied by the Prov.G.M. and a good following of Grand officers,

attended the regular meeting of Lodge Wallace, No. 129, and witnessed the passing of two E.As. by W. Bro.

A. G. Mackay and officers. There was present a large gathering of brethren of the six Lodges operating in the

Western District. The Grand Master, prior to retiring from the lodgeroom and at the refectory proceedings

which followed, delivered a couple of most interesting talks emphasising the value of the teachings of the

Second Degree and the Craft in general. Over the week-end and between meetings, opportunity was taken by

the Prov. G. Master to show our distinguished visitor a number of places of interest close handy to

Invercargill. The visit was a memorable one in many ways and greatly appreciated by the brethren of the

District. M.W. Bro. Teagle, who was accompanied by Mrs. Teagle, left for the North by the early morning

express on Wednesday, 21st instant.

————————

WAIKATO.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

The accommodation of Plunket Lodge was taxed to the utmost on Saturday, 20th March, when the Grand

Master, M.W. Bro. H. G. Teagle, dedicated and consecrated the Lodge Temple. The brethren had the

pleasure of hearing two very fine addresses given by the Grand Master and M.W. Bro. C. L. MacDiarmid,

I.P.G.M. The ceremony was carried out in a very impressive manner by the Grand Master, assisted by M.W.

Bro. C. L. MacDiarmid. I.P.G.M. R.W. Bro. Alfred Bullock, Prov. Grand Master, V.W. Bro. Harry Hatch,

Pres. B. of B., V.W. Bro. G. H. Nicholls, P.G.C., W. Bro. J. Parker, P.G.S., W. Bro. Jas. Saunders, A.G.D.C.

R.W. Bro. H. A. Lamb, P.G.W., Grand Secretary, was also in attendance. After the ceremony the brethren

adjourned to the Parish Hall, where supper and musical items were enjoyed. W. Bro. A. B. Jordan, the only

remaining foundation member, in replying to the toast of Foundation Members, gave a very interesting

account of the difficulties that the members had to contend with in 1909, having to travel long distances on

horseback over unmetalled roads and sometimes no roads at all, to attend lodge meetings. The usual toast

brought a very enjoyable evening to a close.

————————

SCIENCE AND THE COMMUNITY.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

(By the late Bro. Dr. H. G. Denham, M.M., Civic Lodge, No. 157.)

————

The educational development of mankind is essentially based upon the training of the will (morals), the

training of the mind (science), and the training of the emotions (expressive or creative art), corresponding to

the view that the three main motives which actuate the human spirit are the love of goodness, the love of

truth, and the love of beauty. The training of the mind, the development of the love of truth, to which the

attention of members of our Craft is so eloquently directed in our ritual, is perhaps best given by the exact

study of the secrets of Nature, as revealed in the pages of science, and it is my purpose to-night to direct your

attention along some of the by-ways of science in the hope that those paths may lead us a little nearer "to the

throne of God himself." Science as such has nothing to do with the conquest of peoples, the uprooting of

dynasties nor yet of industrial exploitation. The end of all true scientific investigation is the discovery of

truth in the realm of animate and inanimate nature. It represents knowledge as opposed to ignorance, light as

against darkness, a penetration into the great unknown, and its allegiance is to truth alone, so far as human

intelligence can comprehend it at any one epoch. And how is this probing into the truth, this lifting of the

veil achieved? Largely by the use of what is called the scientific method. As Rutherford put it in his

Presidential address to the British Association, "Experiment, directed by the disciplined imagination either of

an individual, or, still better, of a group of individuals of varied mental outlook, is able to achieve results

which far transcend the imagination alone of the greatest natural philosopher. Experiment without

imagination, or imagination without experiment, can accomplish little, but for effective progress a happy

blend of these two powers is necessary. The unknown appears as a dense mist before the eyes of men. In

penetrating this obscurity we cannot invoke the aid of supermen, but must depend on the combined efforts of

adequately-trained men of scientific imagination. Each in his own field of special inquiry is enabled by the

scientific method to penetrate a short distance, and his work reacts upon, and influences the whole body of

workers. From time to time there arises an illuminating conception which lightens up a large region, and

soon a general advance follows. The attack begins anew, on a wide front, and often with improved weapons.

The conception which led to the advance appears simple and obvious when once made, and the scientific

man often feels a sense of disappointment that he himself had not foreseen a development which ultimately

appears so clear and inevitable." A scientist whose work is to have a permanent place in the annals of his

science must evidently be in every sense truthful, and, for that reason alone, I can conceive no better mental

discipline than research into the unknown, so well illustrated by the life of that patient, exact, careful

investigator, Michael Faraday. Content to labour at his beloved work throughout a lengthy span for what a

commercial man would call a beggarly pittance, his record as a man and his work as a scientist stand to-day

on the peak of fame. The story is told that on one occasion he published a new process for making a new

modification of steel. A manufacturer shortly afterwards wrote to him as follows: "Having repeated your

experiments I find the product very good, and as the information was given openly to the world, as a matter

of compliment I have pleasure in presenting you with a few pairs of razors to give away." Faraday expressed

content with the unsolicited reward! But it would be unfair to the memory of Faraday, this giant among

scientists, did I not quote the appreciation written of him by his colleague and biographer, Tyndall. I do so as

it will convey more eloquently than I can the beauty of character of a man who spent his life immersed in the

depths of scientific investigation. "Rich in mind and in heart, the fairest traits of a character sketched by Paul

found in him a perfect illustration. He had not a trace of worldly ambition, he declared his duty to his

sovereign by going to the Levee once a year, but beyond this he never sought contact with the great. What to

him was the splendour of the palace compared with a thunderstorm on the Brighton Downs? What among all

the appliances of Royalty to compare with the setting sun? A favourite experiment of Faraday was repre-

sentative of himself. He loved to show that water in crystallising exuded all foreign ingredients, however

intimately they might be mixed. Out of acids, alkalies, and salt solutions, the crystals came sweet and pure.

By some such natural process in the formation of this man, beauty and nobleness coalesced, to the exclusion

of everything vulgar and low. He did not learn his gentleness in the world, for he withdrew himself from its

culture, and still this land of England contained no truer gentleman than he. Not half his greatness was

incorporated in his science, for science could not reveal the bravery or delicacy of his heart." And so Faraday

in spite of a lifelong search after truth, after a life devoted to science in all its aspects, was still able to retain

a nobility of character surpassed by few. Of course those delicate traits of character which the world might

call so eminently unscientific, were born in the man, but yet we must admit that his training in no way

impaired what Nature had imparted so abundantly. I doubt whether the average man would pass through the

ordeal of science so unscathed as Faraday, but I do maintain with all firmness that the development of the

correct attitude toward truth is, in general, most effectively given by scientific study.

All too often the man in the street fails to realise that it is this ordered scientific research, so aptly described

by Rutherford, to which the world is mainly indebted for the striking discoveries which have done so much

to enrich the lives and broaden the culture of the people of the present century. The rich field spread before

the genius of the 19th century has long since been harvested. Chance discoveries, coupled at times with

brilliant intuition, have undoubtedly played a great part in bringing about the rapid development of the

machine age, but the organisation of manufacture on modern lines, the working out of new processes and the

improvement of modern methods consist almost exclusively in the proper application of scientific fact and

theory. The facts and theories supplied by the scientist in his laboratory form the raw material from which

the technologist forges the weapon with which to attack an industrial problem. The function of the industrial

research worker is to garner from the storehouse of science those principles and facts likely to be of use in

developing the process he has in mind. Both types are necessary for effective team work, the scientific

huntsman ever eager in the pursuit of knowledge and of truth, the applied scientist capable of discerning

practical possibilities in the results of his brother scientist. No true lines of demarcation between scientific

and industrial problems exists, for the academic discovery of to-day all too often proves the basis of a

startling economic discovery of the morrow. An excellent illustration of this point is afforded by a brief

consideration of the air in which we live.

Early in the 'nineties increasing attention was directed to the need for increasing the supply of nitrogeneous

fertilisers if production of agricultural products was to keep pace with world requirements. Soon after came

the first commercial exploitation of liquid air which gave a potential cheap source for unlimited amounts of

nitrogen for industrial purposes. Almost contemporaneously Ramsay undertook his brilliant investigation

into the gases of the atmosphere. Aided by supplies of the newly available liquid air, he was soon able to

unravel the tangle as to the constituents of the air. His research showed that, not only does the atmosphere

contain oxygen and nitrogen, with various adventitious impurities such as carbon dioxide, but there were also

present traces of certain hitherto unknown gases, argon, neon, helium, krypton and xenon. The delicacy of

the experimental methods devised and used by Ramsay in the isolation and identification of these gases

forms one of the epics of our science. He showed that air contains 0.94 p.c. of argon, one part in 65,000 of

neon (11b. in 44 tons), one part in 200,000 of helium (11b. in 725 tons), one part in a million of krypton (1

lb. in 173 tons), and one part in 11 million of xenon (1 lb. in 1208 tons or .00000002 p.c.). Small wonder that

these gases should have escaped detection when present in such minute amount, and, withal, when endowed

with an utter lack of chemical properties. For twenty years these rare gases remained chemical curiosities, a

monument to the unrivalled skill of one of the world's greatest experimenters, but recently several of these

gases have assumed technical importance. Improvements in liquid air plants enable the engineer to effect the

automatic separation of the air into its varied parts, and these rare gases are now used industrially in ever

increasing quantities. The light helium, generally isolated from certain natural gases, finds a use in filling

airships with a non-inflammable gas, as well as for making a synthetic atmosphere for divers which enables

the time of decompression on returning to the surface to be reduced to one half. Argon on account of its

inertness is now introduced into electric light bulbs in place of nitrogen, thereby giving a much greater light

efficiency. It is also used with other rare gases in luminous tubes, whilst rectifying tubes for delivering D.C.

from an A.C. source also contain argon. Neon, so modest a constituent of the atmosphere, has completely

altered the character of evening illuminations in every large city of the world. Its high electrical conductivity

and light emission make it an ideal gas for advertising signs, especially as its characteristic orange glow can

be markedly altered by the addition of other gases. Krypton and xenon, too, may yet find a place in the

electric light industry. The replacement of nitrogen by argon brought down the electric light bill of the

U.S.A. by $125,000,000, and it has been shown that the use of a krypton xenon mixture would effect a

further $2,00,000,000 annual saving. In viewing the academic discovery of Ramsay in retrospect one sees

again a perfect example of the old story associated with the name of Franklin. When demonstrating to an

audience a simple experiment which really gave Faraday the key which led to the development of the

modern dynamo, he was asked by a bystander, "But of what use is this?" The scientist's reply was simple but

crushing. "Of what use," he replied, "is a new-born child?"

In outlining Ramsay's work I have referred to the process of liquefying air. This is now a great industry for

nitrogen is required in thousands of tons for the production of synthetic ammonia. Some years before the

War a German chemist succeeded in working out the conditions under which nitrogen can be brought into

combination with hydrogen to produce ammonia. It took years of patient work to find the best conditions for

effecting this conversion. Most of this synthetic ammonia appears on the market as sulphate of ammonia, a

most useful fertiliser, whilst additional sources of nitrogenous manures are also made by bringing the

nitrogen and oxygen of the air into combination as an initial step in the formation of nitrates. In 1913 some

7,000 tons of nitrogen were fixed in the form of ammonia, in 1928 this had risen to 400,000 tons. The

development of the synthetic nitrogen fertiliser industry is best given in the statement that in 1914 Chile

supplied more than 60 p.c. of the nitrogen consumed in the world; in 1924 this had fallen to 36.4 p.c., and by

1932 to 9.6 p.c. At the moment the world's annual producing capacity for synthetic nitrate and ammonia is

nearly four million metric tons, whilst the maximum annual consumption of nitrates from all sources is less

than two million tons.

Probably no discovery has so completely revolutionised the world in so short a time as the internal

combustion engine, and the provision of an adequate supply of fuel for our cars and planes is a sufficient

justification for turning our attention to the fuel problem. Varying estimates have been given as to the life of

the oil wells at present in sight, and these estimates rarely exceed twenty years, for one must remember that

the rate of increase of fuel oil consumption has in recent years been stupendous, and is likely to be even

greater. Every effort, therefore, has to be made to utilise our reserves to the fullest advantage as well as to see

additional sources of supply in the form of synthetic fuels. Up till the advent of the motor car the oil industry

was passing through an era of industrial exploitation. Kerosene was the desirable fraction, as much as 75 p.c.

of crude oil being marketed in this form, but at the beginning of the present century with its demand for

petrol a change came over the scene. Alterations in the distillation process pushed up the yield of petrol to 44

p.c., kerosene falling to about 6 p.c. One of the main factors in effecting this change in the relative amounts

of the final products was the introduction of "cracking," i.e., the distillation of the crude oil is so carried out

that the hot heavy liquid is broken down into a greater volume of simpler and lighter substances that

constitute petrol. Other changes on the production side of crude oils have also been effected. Every phase in

the production and utilisation of oil has now been brought under strict scientific control. Its location is no

longer on the hit and miss method, but is determined by methods of geophysical and geological survey; wells

are no longer sunk to 50 odd feet but deep down to the reservoir 11,000 ft. below the earth's surface, whilst

to maintain the necessary pressure for forcing out the oil, the natural gas given off is in some cases stripped

of its petrol vapour and pumped back into the bowels of the earth. The introduction of "cracking" already

referred to has not only made available a much greater volume of petrol, but its quality from the point of

view of performance is much better, for it has a much higher octane value. i.e., a much reduced tendency to

knock, so much so that the automobile engineer has had repeatedly to alter the design of his engine in order

to take advantage of this improved petrol. The part played by octane rating is shown by the fact that a

specially prepared 100-octane fuel gave 35 miles per hour greater speed in an army plane than a 92-octane

fuel. Fuel consumption is being reduced to such an extent by these improved petrols that it has been shown

that in a 14 hour flight from New York to Los Angeles a plane with a properly adjusted engine would need

only 427 gallons of 100-octane petrol as against 555 gallons of 87-octane fuel, a saving of 25 p.c.

The latest tool of the oil technologist is a process which is the antithesis of "cracking." The constituents

which go to make up natural gas are in general highly unreactive from the chemical point of view, but by

special treatment they can be broken down into highly reactive substances which, under suitable temperature

and pressure conditions, change into a most valuable motor fuel of very high octane number. In every oil

distillery there are available millions of cubic feet of gases formerly burnt for the production of power. These

gases, together with the natural gas given off at the wells themselves, are sufficient to produce 9 billion

gallons of high grade petrol or 45% of the present world output. Several plants are already in operation in

America for making this form of synthetic petrol, and rapid extension of this industry is sure to follow. A

rather interesting development of this new synthetic petrol industry is based on the discovery that the highly

reactive units produced by the initial decomposition can be converted into a wide range of chemical products

from which increasing quantities of resins, ethers, alcohols, solvents and moulding powders are being

produced. There seems no doubt whatsoever that the near future will see grow up in America a huge

chemical industry based on oil, much on the lines of the old German dye industry based on coal-tar.

An ever-expanding industry of the present day deals with the production of plastics or moulding powders,

and closely allied with this, synthetic varnishes, gums and lacquers. Since 1920 the development of this

industry has been really spectacular. Amongst the products now produced in this industry are synthetic gums

capable of removing every trace of dissolved salt, acid or alkali from water; table tops coated with a beautiful

veneer of beautifully grained wood, fittings of the interior of cars made from soya bean meal, plasticised

with soya bean oil; an optical glass eminently suitable for moulding into lenses which have all the properties

of carefully ground lenses of optical glass; fabrics rendered creaseless by treatment in a plastic, others made

waterproof; all types of electrical gadgets; lampshades, gramophone records, toothbrushes even to the

bristles thereof, internal house fittings, abrasive wheels, gears of cars, food containers, non-shattering glass,

large chemical plant resistant to corrosive attack. varnishes and lacquers for motor cars, imitation leather,

new synthetic fibres like lanital, the Italian wool, etc. The principle upon which the manufacturer works in

producing a plastic is based upon the tendency of certain chemical units—in themselves infinitely small—to

multiply either into long chains or into a net-like structure similar to wire-netting. The resultant material is

generally far harder, more inert, less soluble than the original raw material, and may be pressed, moulded, or

even turned in a lathe. The starting point for making bakelite is carbolic acid, a tar product and formalin,

whilst urea plastic, so much used in the manufacture of domestic ware, starts off from ammonia, carbon

dioxide and formalin. The complete story of the plastic industry is indeed a fascinating one, and illustrates

how the chemist has been able to alter and adapt the properties of his raw material in order to finish up with a

produce of great economic importance. In aiming to produce a new synthetic a chemist does not necessarily

try to make artificially the same material as the natural, but rather to imitate the properties associated with

the natural substance. Artificial rubber, for example, is really a plastic which has many of the properties of

rubber but chemically it is not rubber but it does the work of rubber even better than the natural product.

Synthetic rubber, for example, is not aged by light, or air, nor will oil soften it. Its non-inflammability, too,

makes it far superior to ordinary rubber for many purposes.

A third modern industry, closely akin to the plastic industry, and having an equally far-reaching influence

upon the cultural life of the community, is that of artificial silk. Thirty years ago this substance was looked

upon almost as a joke. It was harsh to the touch, and readily weakened by water. But whereas the silkworm is

bound by Nature to produce its fibre under closely unalterable conditions, the methods of the chemist are

subject to change. Every new step is a step onward to the final goal. In the early days the standard yarn

contained 12 threads: this rose progressively to 18, 24, 30, 40, 60, 90, 150, each increase giving greater

opportunity for finer and more luxurious fabrics, Complaints, too, were made against the unduly brilliant

lustre of rayon articles. This was soon overcome by incorporating into the spinning solution inert compounds

which gave the desired finish to the fibre, so that it is now possible to produce any lustre from metallic to

chalky. The filaments may be finer than silk or coarser than horse-hair, and the predetermined size can be

maintained day in, day out. Surely it is a unique performance to convert with absolute control a pound of

rayon pulp into a thousand miles of fibre, alike in dye absorption, cross-section, size, lustre, and other

physical properties. The growth of the industry has been phenomenal. In 1913 the infant industry produced

24 million lbs., ten years later over 100 million lbs. were marketed, whilst last year saw the thousand million

mark exceeded. It is not without interest to note that the original project of the research team was to make

silk artificially but it was not long before it was recognised that such a natural fibre was too complex a

substance to synthesise readily, and hence the search developed for a substance with the essential properties

of silk. As a result the research chemist has given the world a unique fibre produced in greater quantity than

silk itself, the first new fibre in 4,000 years.

Another great advantage which the chemical manufacturer possesses over the natural producer—in this case

the silkworm—is the ease with which by a slight change in operation he can convert part of his main product

into a new side line. By a special process rayon can be so treated that it acquires a strength equal to a steel

.thread of the same dimensions. This new fibre is now being used in the making of tyre linings, and will

undoubtedly add several thousand miles to the life of the tyre. Again, another type of artificial silk, known as

cellulose acetate, made by the action of acetic acid on wood pulp, can easily be converted into cellophane,

now so extensively used for the wrapping of foodstuffs, into non-inflammable films and into a flexible glass.

Thousands of tons of this material are also used as a plastic from which artificial tortoise shell, onyx, amber,

fountain pens, etc., are made. It is but a short step to the production of an artificial leather in which a suitably

coloured plastic mass of cellulose material is applied to a woven fabric of cotton, and then given the desired

pattern by means of embossed plates.

One interesting example of the impact of science upon civilisation may be chosen from the biological side.

The introduction of the potato to Europe was the result of the action of a seafarer, not a botanist, and was of

an entirely random nature. From this limited material all our present day varieties have sprung. A few years

ago a group of Soviet scientists visited Central America in the hope of finding new varieties of potato which

might be useful for plant breeding purposes. They combed the district from the equator to 40 degs. S., from

sea-level to snowline, and found, as they expected, many new varieties quite different from the European

cultivated potato—in all 15 new cultivated species and thirty new wild species. One species is resistant to

wart-disease, another to blight, a third will tolerate 14 degs. frost without incurring damage, a fourth is rich

in protein and very low in starch. These new species open up new avenues of development in potato culture.

A few of these potatoes are in New Zealand, but steps are under way for a big Empire expedition to visit the

same area in order to secure fresh plant-breeding material. Several species, too, are short-day forms, i.e., will

form no tubers under ordinary conditions of cultivation in the temperate zone, unless steps are taken to

control the length of the day. These varieties may prove a great boon to tropical countries such as Kenya,

India, where the potato is not at present available as a staple article of diet.

Finally may I refer to the charge often levied against science that the world would be the better had many of

the inventions and discoveries of recent years never been made. It is true that, as the result of scientific

discoveries, there have been sudden and at times catastrophic changes in the labour situation. Thus the

magnetic crane, worked by one man, can lift in one operation a load of pig iron which formerly had to be

moved, pig by pig, by the muscles of 60 brawny men. One brick making machine will make 40,000 bricks

per hour, once made at the rate of 450 bricks per day per man. But on the other hand new industries have

sprung into existence at the call of the scientist and the engineer, for example the automobile industry, which

in itself probably employs more than 20,000,000 workmen throughout the world. An invention is just what

we make of it. To the statesman must be left the task of integrating scientific discoveries into industry so as

to give the maximum benefit to mankind. Not long ago a prominent scientist wrote: "For the first time in the

world's history man has gained, through the advance of science and its application, the capacity to produce

and to distribute more food than he can eat, more clothes than he can possibly wear, more automobiles than

he can possibly ride in. . . Modern science has shown us how to load a large part of the grinding labour upon

the backs of the soulless, feeling-less machines to such an extent that, though routine things will still have to

be done by us, yet the productivity of that labour is so great that the leisure for higher things is now a

possibility for everyone." The coming of the machine and of scientific control should be a glorious blessing

to mankind provided society will exercise as much intelligence in fashioning them to their aid as engineers

and scientists have given to the conception of their discoveries. To the charge that our civilisation as

expressed in terms of scientific achievement has been grossly materialistic, allow me to quote in conclusion

the words of an eminent Chinese philosopher, Hu Shih. "To me," he said, "that civilisation is materialistic

which is limited by matter and incapable of transcending it, which feels itself powerless against its material

environment, and fails to make full use of human intelligence for the conquest of Nature, and for the

improvement of man. On the other hand, that civilisation which makes the fullest use of human ingenuity

and intelligence in the search for truth in order to control Nature, and transform matter for the service of

mankind, to liberate the human spirit from ignorance, superstition and slavery to the forces of Nature, and to

reform social and political institutions for the benefit of the greatest number—such a civilisation is highly

idealistic and spiritual." This, I claim, is what Science has done for mankind.—Contributed by Masters' and

Pastmasters' Lodge, No, 130. Christchurch.

————————

COMPANIONS VISIT.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

When the energetic First Principal of St. Augustine R.A.C., No. 1, mooted a week-end visit to Timaru to take

in a fraternal visit to Timaru R.A.C., No. 15, his suggestion was well received, and after much necessary

essential spade work by the methodical Scribe of No. 1, in which he was ably helped by his opposite number

of Timaru, No. 15, the visit eventuated on 20th March last.

Favoured with beautiful weather and convenient rail services, a party of some forty strong, comprising com-

panions of Christchurch Chapters and their wives, set out to enjoy a break in Sunny Timaru, which

maintained its reputation. Reserved accommodation eliminated much trouble, and despite petrol shortage,

our Timaru companions assembled with sufficient transport to convoy our ladies and luggage "up the hill." A

reminder that this was a special visit was found in each hotel bedroom, in the form of an individually

addressed copy of a very handsomely illustrated Souvenir of Timaru, a much appreciated gesture.

Timaru R.A.C., No. 15, exalted that evening a worthy P.M. recently transferred from Christchurch, an added

attraction for his many visiting friends. The attendance of local Companions and visitors was very good and

the ceremonial work worthy of the many commendations expressed by visitors.

The R.E. Grand Supt. was received in his official capacity, and after he had received a P.Dist.G.Supt., S.C.,

and several officers and past officers of Grand Chapter, headed by M.E. Comp. A. C. Andrews, P. 1st G.P.,

he invested V.E. Comp. W. J. Smith, of Timaru Chapter, with the regalia of G.S.N. The refectory

proceedings were most cordial and not too prolonged. During this Masonic event, the ladies were entertained

at "The Pictures" and supper, and were not backward in relating pleasurable experiences to their menfolk. On

Sunday most of the party attended morning service at Chalmers Church, where they were joined by local

Companions and wives.

Notwithstanding petrol shortage many short trips to the beauty spots of Timaru were enjoyed by the visitors.

Before leaving on the return to Christchurch, afternoon tea was generously provided in the Bay Tearooms,

and despite present-time restrictions, Caroline Bay was still charming. Although his Worship the Mayor

assured the guests they had experienced only the usual Timaru weather and hospitality, many retained the

feeling of some special occasion.

Reserve accommodation and a pleasant run home brought to a conclusion a very pleasant week-end for

Companions in which their wives had shared.

————————

BRO. KENNEDY BLACK, F.T.C.L., L.R.S.M.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

Thirteen Years Organist Lodge St. John, No. 94, Invercargill.

————

Early musical education in Dunedin from late W.Ms. J. C. Easton (Harmony) and A. J. Barth (Pianoforte),

qualified Bro. Black in taking the late W.M. Easton's place as Organist of Lodge Otago, No. 7, when Bro.

Easton vacated the position for office.

Bro. Black has made a specialty of choral work in Lodge St. John and many of his own compositions have

been performed with great success, notably special ode of welcome to Grand Master and Grand Lodge

officers.

He has had wide experience abroad in grand opera and light opera and is particularly well known by his

conductorship of the Southland Boys' High School choir, which has earned a reputation throughout New

Zealand for the excellence of its singing. Chas. Begg & Co. have recently published a song book compiled

by Bro. Kennedy Black entitled "Lyric Collection of Songs." It can be recommended for Masonic Lodge

community singing.

————————

BRO. JOSEPH E. MORCOMBE.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

Leading Masonic Writer.

————

Bro. Joseph E. Morcombe, scholar, philosopher and Masonic writer, died in San Francisco, Wednesday, 21st

October, 1942, aged 83. Bro. Morcombe was editor of "The Masonic World."

Bro. Alfred H. Moorhouse, Editor of "The Masonic Craftsman," referring to the loss sustained by the

Masonic literary world by the death of Bro. Morcombe, said:—

"With observant mind and facile pen he recorded Masonic trends and trivia for many years. Extraordinarily

gifted, a penetrating vision illumined his words. He spoke from an understanding mind and with thorough

knowledge of contemporary events. He was in many respects a prophet, for the things he advocated in the

interest of the Craft he dearly loved frequently came to fulfilment in reality.

"His sound counsel was sought by many leaders and his services as a speaker were much in demand. No

blind follower of tradition, he sought after the good of the fraternity—in ways sometimes unique. He was a

pioneer.

"During the years in which this writer had the friendship of this man, his admirable qualities, his kindly

advice, and always consistent consideration were a source of inspiration and gratification.

"Joseph Morcombe and his words of guidance will be missed from the Masonic scene by all its true friends.

A literary light has been extinguished, but the memory of his kindly deeds will be a continuing solace in the

days to come."

————————

OFFICES FILLED BY GRANDFATHERS.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

The ordinary monthly meeting of Whetu Kairangi Lodge, No. 201, on the 10th April, was one of

extraordinary interest, and was largely attended by Worshipful Masters and brethren of city and suburban

Lodges. We were also favoured with the presence of M.W. Bro. G. Russell and R.W. Bro. Stone, Prov.G.M.

The work set down was the passing of Bro. Russell-Gibson, and the whole of the offices were filled by

members of the Lodge who are grandfathers, from the Worshipful Master down to the Junior Steward, all of

these officers being subscribing members of Whetu Kairangi.

We believe this to be a unique working in the history of New Zealand, most certainly in the Wellington

District, and the manner in which the degree was worked called forth high praise from all who attended.

A very pleasant hour was spent in the refectory, where Whetu Kairangi once again demonstrated its

adaptability to rise to the occasion. Bro. Tweedie, J.W., wrote a song to the tune of "Grandfather's Clock," in

which every grandfather was mentioned. While the song was being rendered a large grandfather's clock kept

time with the music, and at the close of the song gaily pealed forth the Westminster Chimes and struck the

hour of ten o'clock, a truly clever piece of workmanship.

The toast of the Grandfathers was entrusted to W.

Bro. Whitaker. He mentioned the fact that two of

the grandfathers had been blessed with twin

grandchildren, a true Whetu Kairangi effort. At

the conclusion of his address he handed the

Worshipful Master a framed poem in

commemoration of the occasion.

————————

REVIEW OF PROCEEDINGS OF FOREIGN GRAND LODGES.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

(Published by the Authority of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.)

————

DELAWARE, 1942.

22 Lodges. 5089 members, a gain of 3.

137th Annual Communiation held at Wilmington, 7th and 8th October, M.W. Bro. Clarence A. Short, G.M.,

presiding.

The Past Grand Officers present comprised 15 P.G.Ms., 15 P.G.Ws. and 1 P.G.T. Visitors were present from

seven other Jurisdictions.

The G.M. paid a special tribute to the work of our Grand Representative, W. Bro. Haldeman C. Stout, in

connection with the Gunning Bedford Junior Scholarship Fund.

There were 12 males and 22 females in the Masonic Home, their average age being 80. The total expense

was 24,935 dollars.

The Grand Lodge of Nicaragua was recognised. Proposed new descriptions of the area over which the

various Lodges have jurisdiction cover seven pages.

The following resolutions were carried upon the recommendation of the G.M.:—

"That each subordinate Lodge adopt a flag ceremony. The flag to be brought into the Lodge by the Senior

Deacon, presented at the altar immediately after the opening of the Lodge, while the Lodge is still standing.

The Lodge, led by the W.M. shall salute the flag, and give the pledge of allegiance to the flag and to our

country."

"That the Grand Lodge authorise the collection from our Lodges and the payment of 50c per member per

year for Masonic Service Centres during the duration of the War Period."

The Reviews are ably condensed summaries of the Proceedings of the various Grand Lodges, New Zealand,

1941, being given a very appreciative report.

Grand Master: M.W. Bro. J. T. Thomas Warren, Wilmington.

Grand Secretary: R.W. Bro. Chester R. Jones.

Grand Representative of N.Z.: W. Bro. Haldeman C. Stout, Wilmington.

————

NEW YORK-1942.

1037 Lodges, 241,691 members, a loss of 3667.

161st Annual Communication held at New York City 5th and 6th May, M.W. Bro. Henry C. Turner, G.M.,

presiding.

The G.M. referred in very appreciative terms to the services of M.W. Bro. Harold J. Richardson, P.G.M.,

who died on 1st March, 1942, quoting part of his address as G.M. in 1927, which M.W. Bro. Turner said had

been quoted more often perhaps than any other single Masonic utterance:—

"Freemasonry is a life to be lived, not a formality to be perfunctorily observed. It is a life to be lived, not a

set of empty creeds to which lip service is given. It is a life grounded in religion, organised in morality,

mellowed by good fellowship, humanised in charity, and dedicated to service."

An enthusiastic reception was given to R.W. Bro. Fiorello H. La Guardia, Mayor of New York, and Grand

Representative of Arizona near the G.L. of New York.

During the year 5,139 dollars were lent to 51 refugees formerly affiliated with Lodges of foreign jurisdiction.

The following ritual was adopted by the Board of Custodians with the approval of the G.M. in case of an air

raid or blackout alarm:

"W.M. (Calls up Lodge) . . . . Brother Senior Deacon, attend at the altar and close the Great Light in

Masonry. (Done.)

"W.M.: By order of the Grand Master, I declare this Lodge closed."

Outside Relief by G.L. (as distinct from the Home at Utica and the Camp at Round Lake) was discontinued,

except existing cases, and it was resolved that the study of Masonic charity be continued to the end that its

scope and purpose might be more clearly defined and the respective duties of G.L. and the particular Lodges

in relation thereto better established and understood.

The sum of 77,408 dollars was raised for the Masonic War Chest, of which 25,000 dollars were used for

Mobile Units for the American National Red Cross.

A number of constitutional amendments were adopted and a revision of the Masonic Code (dealing with

trials, etc.) was finalised.

Brief reports were supplied of the activities of a number of Boards of Relief and Employment Bureaux.

362 Fifty-year Service Medals were awarded. New York has two brethren who have served the Fraternity

faithfully for 75 years, 17 for 70 years, and 210 for 60 years. The G.L. Medal for Distinguished Achievement

was awarded to Bro. Harvey Wiley Corbett, distinguished architect, designer of the George Washington

Masonic Memorial at Alexandria, Virginia.

There were 259 men, 241 women, 66 boys, and 26 girls (a total of 592) in the Masonic Home Hospital and

Infirmary.

There is a comparatively brief (29 pages) but able and interesting report by the Committee on Foreign

Correspondence, mostly on the topical system.

Grand Master: M.W. Bro. William F. Strang, Rochester.

Grand Secretary: M.W. Bro. Chas. H. Johnson, P.G.M., New York.

Grand Representative of N.Z.: W. Bro. Dr. Robert W. Reid, Nyack.

Grand Representative at N.Z.: M.W. Bro. Maurice Thompson, P.G.M., Auckland.

————

ILLINOIS-1942.

986 Lodges, 187,768 members, a loss of 1416.

103rd Annual Meeting held at Chicago, 13th and 14th October, M.W. Bro. Karl J. Mohr, G.M., presiding.

Eight P.G.Ms. were present. Visitors from 17 Jurisdictions, including Canada (Ontario), included 10 Grand

Masters. The Grand Marshal with the Grand Stewards, retired and presented the flag while the brethren sang

"America."

In honour of our Canadian brethren, the brethren then sang "God Save the King."

At the special request of the Grand Master, the brethren then sang the "Star Spangled Banner."

There were 127 men and 55 ladies in the Masonic Home, and 96 children in the Orphans' Home.

R.W. Bro. Dwight H. Green, Grand Orator (and also Governor of Illinois) delivered the Annual Oration.

The Committee on Legislation recommended the deletion of the words "and possessing no maim or defect in

his body that may render him incapable of conforming to what the several degrees respectively require of

him," from the Rule regarding Candidates for Initiation.

In accordance with their constitutional practice the proposal will be considered at the next annual meeting.

The G.M. appointed a Committee on Service to the Armed Forces and appealed for funds. The sum of

25,705 dollars were donated, of which 18,220 dollars were expended in establishing and maintaining six

Masonic Service Centres, open to all men in the Armed Forces, but particularly members of the Craft and

their relations.

Cards of identification were sent to approximately 2,500 members and 7,500 sons, grandsons, and other

relatives.

The 104 pages of Reviews by M.W. Bro. Elmer E. Beach included a very able and comprehensive summary

of New Zealand, 1941.

Grand Master: M.W. Bro. Karl J. Mohr, Rockford.

Grand Secretary: M.W. Bro. Richard C. Davenport, P.G.M., Chicago.

Grand Representative of N.Z.: W. Bro. Oliver I. Underwood.

Grand Representative at N.Z.: R.W. Bro. A. C. Andrews, P.G.W., Christchurch.

————

WASHINGTON-1942.

266 Lodges, 38,891 members, a loss of 28.

85th Annual Communication held at Tacoma 16th and 17th June, M.W. Bro. John A. Emigh, G.M.,

presiding. Twenty Past G.Ms. (2 of them Honorary) were present.

The G.M. paid a visit to Alaska, which is included in the Jurisdiction of Washington, and met the brethren of

four Lodges there.

Forty-one Fifty Year Certificates, with buttons, were presented during the year.

W. Bro. Emil B. Velikanje delivered an oration entitled "Let there be Light," in which he urged the brethren

to instruct newly-obligated members in practical Masonry.

There were 65 men and 101 women in the Masonic Home, which the G.M. described as a "beautiful stately

structure, five stories in height, of modern design and construction, surrounded by eighty acres of land facing

the majestic waters of Puget Sound, midway between Seattle and Tacoma."

The Committee on Masons in the Armed Forces said: "It was clearly the sentiment of the last Grand Lodge,

and we believe it reflected the feeling of the great majority of the Masons of this Jurisdiction then and now,

that we should not engage in any programme involving the establishment of huts, or 'welfare' centres for our

brethren in the armed forces. Our feeling was and is that the cost would be prohibitive and that it would be

merely a duplication of the work of agencies such as those in the U.S.A., which are better equipped to do that

type of work."

The Committee has therefore attempted to develop a two-fold programme.

1. Encouraging Lodges to keep in contact with their own members in the service.
2. Informing Masons in the Service of all Masonic meetings held in proximity to the places where they

may be stationed; and keeping them in contact with things Masonic.

M.W. Bro. Edwin H. Van Patten, Grand Historian, presented a "Brief History of the Lodges South of Snake

River, in Washington Territory, now the State of Washington."

Provision was made for accepting and holding in trust the dues of any brethren holding membership in

Lodges under the G.L. of the Philippine Islands—which, of course, cannot function at present.

In a Preface to his Reviews, M.W. Bro. Arthur W. Davis. P.G.M., details the attitude of and the work being

done by the various United States Grand Lodges in connection with the Armed Forces and brethren therein.

From his two and a half pages of eulogistic references to New Zealand, 1940, we quote the following

extracts: "One reads the reports of British Lodges with great interest. We are impressed with the

individuality of their charities—voluntary subscriptions by the membership, which brings the charity home

to the individual. It is one thing to have a Lodge vote a charity from its General or Charitable Funds; it is

another thing for the individual members to feel the responsibility by contributions each year.

"Most of the British Lodges follow this plan. We believe it a better plan than the course usually followed in

our American Grand Jurisdictions. . . . This is what we would call a rich Grand Jurisdiction, from reading the

proceedings the richness is not measured alone in funds, but in sincerity and work."

This Grand Jurisdiction, as in all other British Jurisdictions, makes the installation of a new Grand Master a

gala event . . . .

"We like the dignity and the fine air of this installation."

"We have enjoyed reviewing the proceedings of this splendid Grand Jurisdiction."

Grand Master : M.W. Bro. J. Wm. Stedman, Tacoma.

Grand Secretary (since 1905) : Horace W. Tyler, P.G.M., Tacoma.

Grand Representative of N.Z.: W. Bro. John H. Wilson, Port Angeles.

Grand Representative at N.Z.: R.W. Bro. Charles Flavell, P.D.G.M., Christchurch.

————————

STRIFE.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

Not alone in the field between the armed forces does the war continue, but equally so in the field of cultural

and spiritual endeavour.

In Europe, dominated by Nazi principles, the breakdown has been almost complete. Cruel blows have been

dealt to the intellectual and spiritual life of many countries which had made notable contributions to world

progress in the past, so that to-day every semblance of that intellectualism which can exist only in a free

atmosphere lies under a cloud.

Subtle forces, which seek to subordinate men's minds to the insidious implications of a completely

materialistic philosophy wherein the State, as conceived by Hitler, is supreme, have had a profound effect,

which it will take generations to eradicate.

German youth fighting bravely on many fields can not be blamed if its whole education from infancy on has

ignored any spiritual impulse, but sought only to close the mind to all influence save that of Nazi force and

infallibility. It will be long before this fake philosophy has been destroyed.

In our own country, with the nation turning more and more to warlike pursuits and the building of a vast

arsenal of destructive implements, there is less and less time to consider cultural and spiritual objectives. The

growing militarisation of colleges and schools, at least in the higher branches, will inevitably set the clock

back. We shall have lost much, for while doubtless science and invention will have vastly stimulated and

brought about amazing developments in new implements, there is some danger that the still small voice of

spiritual conscience will have been stifled in the process.

If it is true that in trying times such as these men's thoughts turn to religion, there is an added responsibility

thrust upon moral agencies to counter the attacks against them. The Church, and Freemasonry as a

supplementary aid, must provide means to enable men to see the Light of Truth. —"New England Masonic

Craftsman,"

————————

A REVIEW OF THE REPORT OF THE SYNODICAL COMMISSION OF THE DUTCH

REFORMED CHURCH (CAPE) ON FREEMASONRY.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

Issued by authority of R.W. Bro. Thos. N. Cranstoun Day, District Grand Master for S.A. (W.D.), E.C.;

R.W. Bro. Cecil J. Sibbett, Prov. Grand Master for S.A. (Southern), LC.; R.W. Bro. R. S. Cheetham, District

Grand Master for the Western Province of the Cape of Good Hope, S.C.; R.W. Bro. C. Christian Silberbauer,

Deputy Grand Master for South Africa, Grand East of the Netherlands.

————

FINAL SECTION OF A CONVINCING REFUTATION OF A SLANDER UPON THE CRAFT.

————

True to Church, State, and Freemasonry.

As correctly stated in the opening paragraph of the Commissioner's Report, Freemasonry was introduced into

South Africa in 1772 with the establishment of the Lodge "De Goede Hoop," under a Charter granted by the

Grand East (Grand Lodge) of the Netherlands. With the advent of British Lodges, English, Irish and Scottish,

the four Constitutions, as we have already intimated, share the exclusive Masonic jurisdiction in South

Africa according to Masonic law.

This has constituted a solid phalanx of English and Afrikaans-speaking Freemasonry, which upholds the

unalterable principles, which have been fully explained in this memorandum.

Masonry having been in existence in this country for 169 years, it is a matter of supreme surprise and

profound pain to present-day adherents that it should be banned by the Synod of the Mother Church in South

Africa, and more especially that it was done by the acceptance of the denunciatory report of members of a

Synodical Commission who have no real knowledge of Freemasonry.

Apart from the just indignation felt by the present generation at the besmirching of their reputations as men

and citizens by the report, they deeply resent the gross aspersions cast upon their forebears who, in their day

and generation, were members of the Craft. They not unnaturally contend that, before condemning an

Institution which has found a place in the communal life of the country for so long a period, the

Commissioners should have, at least, made some inquiry as to its past and present constituent membership.

Even excluding men of our own times, there were such eminent members of the Dutch Reformed Church as

Commissary General Jacob Abraham de Mist (Deputy Grand Master of the Netherlands); Sir Johannes

Andries Truter (Chief Justice of the Cape), who was not only Deputy Grand Master for South Africa but later

also the representative of the Grand Lodge of England as Provincial Grand Master for South Africa;

Abraham Chiron (the first Master of Lodge De Goede Hoop); Johan Coenraad Gie (a Civil Servant); the

Chevalier Francois Reynier DumMy (a distinguished public servant); Anton Anreith, the artist and sculptor,

one of whose masterpieces is the world-famed pulpit in the Groote Kerk; Major Thibault, the architect, and

Herman Schutte, the builder; Christoffel Brand the grandfather, and Johannes Henricus Brand, the father of

Sir Christoffel Josephus Brand, LL.D., who succeeded Sir John Truter as Deputy Grand Master for South

Africa in the Netherlands Constitution. Sir Christoffel was the first Speaker of the House of Assembly, and

held that high office for 20 years.

Sir Christoffel installed his talented son, Johannes Henricus Brand. LL.D. (later known as Sir John Brand)

and then a rising barrister, as Presiding Master of Lodge De Goede Hoop in 1858; he entered the first Cape

Parliament and was elected President of the Orange Free State Republic, an office which he held until his

death in 1888, having won the affection and respect of all South Africa.

Five members of Sir Christoffel's family became Freemasons between 1845 and 1872, and like the

descendants of Sir John Truter, the names of Brand and Truter still find a place on the South African

registers of Freemasonry.

The name of Francois William Reitz, another President of the Orange Free State Republic, will be found on

the roll as well as those of two Presidents of the Transvaal Republic, MarthiInus Wessels Pretorious (and

later of the O.F.S.), and the Rev. T. P. Burgers, a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church.

Among the names of the early founders and supporters of Freemasonry whose descendants are active

members of the Craft and adherents of the Dutch Reformed Church, are those of Gie, Abraham de Smidt

Johannes Henoch Neethling, Michiel Servaas van Breda, and Voltelin.

The widely spread de Villiers family can point with pride to the position the late Lord de Villiers, the first

Chief Justice under Union, held as Provincial Grand Master of the Netherlandic Provincial Grand Lodge.

Among other well-known Cape families there were and still are the Van der Byls and the Hofmeyrs; of the

latter was Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, the Master of the Supreme Court and the immediate successor of Sir

Christoffel Brand in the Netherlandic Deputy Grand Mastership.

The Commissioners may be reminded that the Rev. Dr. Stephanus Petrus Heyns, the senior minister of the

Groote Kerk from 1837 to 1873, was a Freemason, and in open Synod boldly and successfully repelled an

isolated attack made on his connection with the Order. References to the Dutch Reformed Church and Dutch

Lutheran Church in the old titles of the Lodge testify to the regard in which its founders held these religious

institutions. Small wonder then that the descendants of these illustrious men of old feel acutely the aspersions

cast on their ancestors by the Commissioners' report.

As a kind of after-thought—for no previous reference in their other unfounded allegations has been made to

the subject—the Commissioners accuse the Craft of "opposition to all Christian missionary work."

If the support of the maimed, the blind, the widows and orphans, the aged and indigent generally, and the

maintenance of schools and educational objects are included in the term "Christian missionary work," then

we can, without any boastful intent say that no more benevolent institution exists. But if "Christian

missionary work" means—as we consider it does—endeavours to convert non-Christian peoples, then there

has been no endeavour of any kind on the part of Freemasonry. To the liberal support accorded to mission

work by members of the Order of all shades of religious thought we can freely testify; with some of our

members it amounts to a tradition, for they are members of families who have laboured in the mission field

for years.

Even for what has been done in this area during the last fifty years to provide educational facilities for those

children who otherwise would have been handicapped in life, the Commissioners have no good word; they

only say that we take part in education in order to attain the objects they attribute to us. (See Section 8,

Danger to the State.)

Our local effort, the Masonic Education Fund of South Africa, has no schools of its own, and the 110

children being educated at the end of June, 1940, go to schools conveniently situated to their homes. Our

sixteen scholarships are available and are in use at Stellenbosch and Cape Town Universities, and fees are

paid for scholars at Afrikaans-speaking schools. The average expenditure for the last twenty years for school

fees has been £1,400 annually even for our comparatively small local effort. Our respective Grand Lodges

exercise no control over the benevolent institutions overseas, which are administered by committees of the

subscribers; and the boys', the girls', and the old peoples' institutions are supported by Freemasons to the

extent of not less than £500,000 per annum. The Royal Masonic Hospital, one of the best equipped in

Europe, with 300 beds, is another British Masonic effort. This also receives generous support, and a number

of South Africans have received relief and gained health within its portals.

The total amount of money contributed for these kind of benevolent works in America is colossal.

We do not wish to do the Commissioners any injustice; these facts may not be within their knowledge, and

we hope that in setting them out we shall not incur the charge of boasting. Far be from us any such intention,

but we do venture to say, "By their fruits ye shall know them."

This is the acid test applied by the everyday man to all human institutions, civil or religious, beneficent or

educational. It is one which our British and Afrikaans Freemasonry can stand without a tremor,

No Freemason pretends that every member of the Craft fully lives up to the ideals which are inculcated, just

as no Christian feels his creed undermined because all its professors are not patterns of virtue. The value of

the Craft is to be gauged not from its failures but by its fruits; and its long and honourable history has shown

and proved that it confers a spiritual benefit and, in case of need, is prepared to add material aid. In common

justice we should have thought that such efforts, no matter how small, would have merited at least one word

of commendation.

Fortunately, Freemasonry can stand on its own merits, and needs no bolstering up of its strength, and for that

reason our Grand Lodges enter into no discussion nor defence of the Craft, and any such action on the part of

its members is quite rightly deprecated. The issue of this memorandum is, to our very great regret, forced

upon us by the unworthy nature of the attack, and the disabilities it seeks to impose on those who cannot

speak for themselves, and therefore with the utmost reluctance we assume the responsibility.

Upon the Commissioners must fall the odium of having made, against Freemasons in South Africa, the most

unjust and unwarranted charges, the nature of which has threatened the harmony in the homes of many

members of their own faith and Church, and jeopardised the happiness and mutual trust of husbands and

wives whom the ministers of the Dutch Reformed, and other Christian Churches, have joined together in

matrimony. "The pity of it." and, may we presume to say, "The shame of it."

It is the duty of the fraternity, and a duty which is carried out, to impress upon its members the principle of

personal right-doing and personal responsibility; to enlighten them and strengthen them in those things

which make for human welfare; and to inspire them with that feeling of charity, of well-wishing, toward all

mankind which will move them to translate principle into conviction and action. To that end it stands for the

worship of God. for truth and justice, for liberty and enlightenment, for fraternity and philanthropy, for moral

conduct in the fullest meaning of the words.

It neither stands for, nor admits, within its doors, nor does it allow its members, in their capacity as

Freemasons, to discuss controversial matters of religion, of creed, of politics, or of any other topics likely to

excite personal animosities. It takes no part in the politics or policy of the State, but its members are always

ready to uphold the dignity and honour of their country and obey its laws. Upon this broad basis the

friendships of Freemasonry are founded.

The Commissioners conclude their report with what purports to be a precis of its contents, but actually it is a

repetition of dogmatic statements which, in their entirety, from No. 1 to No. 15, we characterise as utterly

misleading where they are not absolutely untrue, the latter being the case on every essential point.

Here they are:-

1. Its origin.
2. Its character.
3. Its secrecy.
4. Its false idea of God.
5. Its rejection of salvation by faith in the death and atonement of Christ.
6. Its improper oaths.
7. Its heathenish ritual.
8. Its disregard of God's Commandments.
9. Its danger in certain respects to the State.
10. Its deadening of national feeling.
11. Its aim of world citizenship.
12. Its aim of a world republic.
13. Its aim of a world religion.
14. Jesus Christ as the only Redeemer totally excluded.
15. Its opposition to all Christian missionary work.

Before we conclude this review let us follow on the same lines as the Commissioners and "precis" our

memorandum on South African Freemasonry, which is the only branch of the Craft that the Commissioners

can claim effects their church, or their nation-the Union of South Africa.

1. Its origin is clear and without stain.

2. Its character is religious but not dogmatic.

3. Its claim to secrecy is the right of secrecy which belongs to private family life and to private
family devotions and affairs.

4. Its idea of God admits of no ambiguity and is truly expressed in the Bible statement: "In the
beginning God created the heaven and the earth." and this statement in the Volume of the Sacred

Law no Freemason would presume to question.

5. Its refusal to promulgate any doctrine of its own upon which its members must depend for their
eternal salvation leaves every member free to accept the doctrine and ministrations of the church

upon whose advice he relies.

6. Its "oaths" or as we prefer to call them, obligations and promises, are not improper, nor are they
repugnant to the purest mind; they do not violate the conscience or restrict the freedom of any

man be he Christian or not.

7. Its ritual, far from being "heathenish" is expressive of the most reverential belief in God's mercy
and justice, to be worthy of which man must be true to the Divine teachings which Freemasonry

considers may be assisted by symbolic illustration.

8. Its respect for God's Commandments is not confined within the narrow limits of the Decalogue of
Moses, but extends to all the divine admonitions, and especially to the "golden rule." Its belief

that practical evidence of obedience to those commands, and also, to the teachings of Christ are

more to be commended than "holding up" the Ten Commandments inside the Lodge and talking

about them; and that they can be more vividly illustrated by our well-known symbols, the square

and the compasses.

9. Its constant and recognised loyalty to the State, and its firm conviction that a feeling of national
pride, and its expression in patriotic endeavour, is essential to the ordered well-being of the State

and its continued progress.

10. Its constant endeavour on every occasion to promote the prosperity of the nation by inculcating
the highest ideals of citizenship and of service to the State.

11. Its aim to promote goodwill among men of all nationalities and creeds and thus induce them to
live and work together in that friendship and trust which should prevail amongst the highest of

God's created beings.

12. Its emphatic refusal to take part in any plots and conspiracies which would subvert the integrity or
existence of the nation, and its consequent abstention from politics in any shape or form.

13. Its aim to expand and deepen that religious instinct which is inherent in every man, and thus
facilitate the work of the churches in bringing about the consummation of God's purposes.

14. Its firm and unalterable resolve not to come into conflict with, or in any way to usurp, the
functions of any church and thus obstruct the attainment of that fundamental unity which is the

first essential for the fulfilment of the Divine plan.

15. Its fixed policy not to proselytise on behalf of any church or creed, or to interfere in the slightest
way with church work; and its sympathy with every endeavour to lighten the burdens of the

distressed, the fatherless, and the sick, in which work it assists to the utmost of its power and

resources.

These fifteen points may be read in conjunction with those of the Commissioners.

And "as against" the five Commissioners may we summarise ten of their confreres in the Christian faith,

whose words or actions have been mentioned in this memorandum:—

Rt. Rev. W. L. Anderson, D.D.. Bishop of Croydon.

Rt. Rev. A. A. David, D.D., Bishop of Liverpool.

V. Rev. Dean Wilson (Ireland).

V. Rev. C. W. Barnett Clarke (late Dean of Cape Town).

Rev. T. P. Burgers (President, Transvaal). Rev. Dr. S. P. Heyns (Groote Kerk, 1837-73).

Rev. Sir Herbert Dunnico (Whitefield's Tabernacle). Rev. Dr. J. Fort Newton (Iowa, U.S.A.).

Rev. Joseph Johnson (England).

Rev. C. Reed.

The final recommendation of the report is as follows:—

"Recommendation: On the strength of these findings your Commission, while realising that more than one

member of our church have joined the Lodge under the impression that it is only a secret charitable

brotherhood without knowledge of the true character and object of Freemasonry, recommends:

"(1) That the Most Rev. Synod appeals to such members of our church, for the sake of Jesus Christ and His
gospel, and for the sake of our nation, to resign as members of Freemasonry and only form a holy

community with the co-religionists in Christ which will be to the glory of Jesus Christ. to the extension

of God's kingdom, and to the welfare of our nation."

"(2) That the Most Rev. Synod will resolve that in future no Freemason will be allowed to fill any church
office."

If Freemasonry were indeed the demoralising and subversive society which the Commissioners say it is, then

we should not be at all surprised at the submission of the above recommendations, but since the "findings"

are based on absolutely incorrect premises, the whole strength of their supposed foundation not only

crumbles away, but the foundation itself is non-existent. That being so, as it is, it seems to us that the Synod,

should it act on the recommendation, would not only be restricting the Christian freedom of church

members, but would place upon them a stigma which would not disappear with their resignation from

Freemasonry.

With church discipline and with church advice we have no quarrel. Every Freemason is free to retire from

the Order whenever he wishes and we have no word of reproach to offer. He entered voluntarily and he may

retire in the same way. We do, however, say that when he resigns from a fraternity which has stood the test

of time as an honourable Institution, membership of which is generally acknowledged as being evidence of

character and integrity, and he takes that step in obedience to a decree of his church, he should be assured

that he is regarded as a man of untarnished honour, and not be looked upon as a repentent social outcast.

We say, in all solemnity, that Freemasonry is such an honourable Institution and that all true Freemasons are

honourable men, and we commend this thought to the Most Rev. Synod.

And finally, may we commend to the Commissioners, and especially to all our brethren in the Craft, the

closing words of one of those Masonic addresses of which the report speaks so lightly:-

"Let the precepts of morality, and fervent piety, the fundamental principles of our Order, lead us to

repress every unkind thought and smooth every asperity of feeling. Let us not forget that we should be

children of humility and so order our lives and conduct that the world may acknowledge, 'How good and

pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.'

"Brethren, this is the Will of God, that with well-doing you put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, as

free, yet not using your liberty as a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men.

Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King."

The source which inspired the above words of counsel is well known to the Commissioners, and we prefer to

listen to what the Craft really offers us rather than accept the vapourings of dubious continental and other

writers.

There was a time, not so long distant, when the brethren of our Order, clothed in the full regalia of

Freemasonry, were welcomed within the doors of the Groote Kerk to join in praise and thanksgiving, or in

mourning for the passing of a true son of the church and a loyal adherent of the Craft; there was no rift then.

We should be only too pleased if such happy relations were still existent, for the Craft has not changed.

In this spirit we commend this memorandum to the consideration of the Most Reverend the Synod of the

Dutch Reformed Church of the Cape Province.

T. N. CRANSTOUN DAY,

District Grand Master for South Africa, Western Division, and member of the Supreme Government of

Antient Free and Accepted Masons of England.

CECIL J. SIBBETT,

Provincial Grand Master for Southern Cape Province, and member of the Supreme Government of Free

and Accepted Masons of Ireland.

R. S. CHEETHAM.

District Grand Master for the Western Province of the Cape of Good Hope, and member of the Supreme

Government of Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland.

C. CHRISTIAN SILBERBAUER,

Deputy Grand Master for South Africa of the Order of Freemasons under the Grand East of the

Netherlands, and honorary member of the Supreme Government of the Order.

—"Masonic Journal of South Africa."

————————

OBITUARY.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

V.W. BRO. CANON J. H. SYKES, P.G.C.

The death occurred on 1st April of Canon J. H. Sykes at his residence

in Upper Hutt, at the age of 80. Canon Sykes, after more than 40

years' service in the Wellington Diocese, retired two years ago. He

was born in Leeds, England, in 1863, but was educated in Canada at

St. John's College, Winnipeg. From 1885 to 1891 he was engaged as a

lay worker and was ordained in 1893. He came to New Zealand in

1899. During the subsequent 10 years he was vicar of Tinui, going to

Upper Hutt in 1909. He remained there till 1915 before being

appointed vicar of Kilbirnie. He was at Kilbirnie for 20 years, after

which he went to Manaia for two years. The four years before his

retirement in 1941 were spent at Greytown. In his various parishes he

saw the erection of four churches, all paid for and consecrated before

he left. He was an indefatigable worker on behalf of the Church, and

was made an honorary canon of St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral in

Wellington in 1925. Canon Sykes was vice-president for 20 years of the Kilbirnie Cricket Club. He was a

past president of the Yorkshire Society and of the New Zealand Club. He was a Past Grand Chaplain of the

Grand Lodge of A.F. and A. Masons. Canon Sykes was married in 1911 and had a family of one son and two

daughters.

————————

IN MEMORIAM.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

V.W. BRO. J. H. SYKES, P.G.C.

———

Through eighty years of kindness

To all within his ken

He tried to do his duty

Towards his fellow men.

In all his work and dealings

He preached fraternal love,

Now he is taken from us T

To the Grand Lodge above.

From earthly ills and troubles,

From sorrows and dislikes,

Grand Chaplain as he used to be,

The Rev. Canon Sykes.

—W.R.J.

————————

HOW CAN A REAL UNITY OF MASONRY BE ACHIEVED.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

By Alfred H. Moorhouse.

———

Search for practical means to concentrate the powerful influence of the Masonic fraternity on social

conditions is a matter of much concern to Craft leaders throughout the world and more especially in this

country.

In Britain, from whence came our Masonic beginnings, Freemasonry has one directing Grand Lodge, which

holds jurisdiction over the membership in the whole nation and its dependencies. Its edicts and precedents

control. In that respect it has advantage, in that the United Grand Lodge of England speaks for the whole

Craft, where here in the United States we have 49 Jurisdictions, or Grand Lodges, each sovereign and free to

govern and control varying numbers of individual lodges.

This is not to say that we are disunified—for in all essentials there is uniformity of Masonic practice. It is in

the minor matters of jurisdictional procedure that differences occur and the cumbersome system of securing

quick, decisive action in emergency militates against greatest effectiveness.

Masonic government or administration may be summed up as a Commonwealth of Masonic Grand Lodges,

each loyal to the primary purpose of the Craft, but free to choose different paths in their pursuance of

Masonic Light.

In the abstract this may be ideal and quite consonant with American principles of freedom of conscience, of

speech and action within the (Masonic) law, yet it is cumbersome when a unified effort is to be made or

measures of national defence sought. The phrase is seemingly paradoxical, but proof of its truth abounds in

the variety of opinions manifest in many ways of approaching the threatening aspects of attack against

Freemasonry and the clear evidence of a desire to destroy it root and branch by its avowed enemies.

The preservation of Masonic principles aside from the purely esoteric enunciation of its ritual is vital to any

free society. Without Freemasonry, or to put it another way, the "brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood

of God," human beings tend to the selfish formula of jungle law: "survival of the fittest," "might makes

right" and those ancient shibboleths which are or should be by now proved to be exploded fallacies in the

field of true human progress.

Masonry, as we know it and for present consideration, has existed for somewhat over two centuries, a short

space in human history, yet it has made many converts by the plain appeal to intelligence which its Work

makes. Within its lifetime it has accomplished much, but perhaps because of the secret nature of its workings

which may or may not have been unduly emphasized, the world at large has had a confused view of its

teachings and objectives. In fact it has gained powerful enemies who have been suspicious of its powers and

perhaps a little afraid of them.

No one familiar with true Masonic practise but can take just pride in it. It has a large and honourable record.

No one with a concern for the future welfare of society would wish to see it eliminated. In the face of bitter

attack, however. its chief strength would seem to be in a broad gauged plan to make the whole world

conscious of its clear purposes—throwing aside, if necessary, some of its "secret" features, to broaden its

educational scope by a wider system of publicity regarding it than now prevails and to secure this

desideratum to set up a central council of the Craft comprising men of sufficiently broad vision to overlook

parochial policies to the broader field, of universality.

This is no small order, for there are many clashing personalities and opinions to be reconciled. Yet it is

possible and highly desirable, for the fate of humans and their understanding of Divine principles must run

parallel if human happiness is to be secured.

Where to find the man or men to produce the spark that shall start the flame which shall make the light

universally visible is the great question. A start must sooner or later be made and as momentous events breed

great men possible out of the present world travail will come a guiding genius to point the way to Masonic

unity. It is devoutly to be desired.

—"New England Masonic Craftsman."

————————

THE HON. ELIZABETH ST. LEGER.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

Bro. Philip Crossle some four or five years ago discovered the earliest reference definitely connecting the

name of Mrs. Aldworth with Freemasonry, and printed it in the "Transactions" of Lodge of Research, No.

200, I.C., for the year 1927 (Dublin, 1938), p. 181. It runs as follows:—

"At Newmarket, Co. Corke, aged 80, the Hon. Mrs. Aldworth, wife of Richard Aldworth, Esq., and

daughter of the late Lord Doneraile. Lady Aldworth was the only woman in the world who had the

honour of being made a Freemason."

Finn's "Leinster Journal." Kilkenny, Wednesday, 20th, May, 1772.

However, I think we can take the following reference to apply to her also, though the authority is not so

respectable:

Speaking of a certain Masonic custom at initiations the author of "Jachin and Boaz" says (2nd edit.,

London, 1762, p. 12, note) "A woman with a tolerable degree of effrontery and spirit may one time or

other slip into their Order for want of necessary prudence. If we believe the Irish, there is a Lady at this

time in Ireland who has gone through the whole ceremony, and is as good a Mason as any of them."—

J.H.L.

—"Miscellanea Latomorum.

————————

TARANAKI NOTES.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

Turu Turu R.A. Chapter did not have any ritual work at the April meeting but the Comps. who attended had

a most interesting evening. E. Comp. A. Coleman gave a lecture tracing the connection between Craft

Masonry and the Royal Arch. Comp. Coleman well deserved the cordial thanks accorded him for his efforts.

The election of the Master of Lodge Taranaki took place at the April meeting. The S.W., Bro. Thomas has

gone into camp and W. Bro. D. McCormick, P.A.G.D.C., was elected. This is the second instance of a P.M:

taking up the reins of office again on behalf of a soldier brother.

Bro. F. W. Kerr, who has been elected to the chair of Manaia Lodge, has been a very keen officer since he

came to the district and his election is a very popular one.

Lodge Stratford had a very good emergency meeting on 10th April when a soldier brother was passed to the

Second Degree. This was the first meeting since the installation and the officers are to be congratulated on

their excellent work.

The recently installed W.M. of Patea Kill., No. 18, and his officers, started their year's work with an

initiation. Congratulations to W. Bro. R. M. Stevens for taking on again, after a long spell, the Secretaryship

of the Lodge,

At the April meeting, Lodge Ngamotu will pass a brother on behalf of Christchurch Lodge, No. 91.

W. Bro. T. G. Liddington, of Lodge Taranaki, has been in hospital. The brethren are pleased to know that he

has made a good recovery and is back at business again.

The Past Masters of Mt. Egmont Lodge, No. 670, E.C., worked a Third Degree on 14th April. In the list of

those assisting some well-known names appear: C. E. Bellringer, R. L. Parkin, J. S. Joll, and other names

that recall the old days of Taranaki.

Lodge Kaponga had a Past Masters' night on 7th April, and they also worked a Third Degree.

————————

SOUTHLAND NOTES.

–⸱––÷––÷––⸱–

The outstanding event of the past month was the visit of the Grand Master, M.W. Bro. H. G. Teagle, to a

meeting of Combined Invercargill Lodges on 19th April under charter of Lodge Waihopai, No. 189.

An enthusiastic welcome was extended to our distinguished visitor by R.W. Bro. A. Noble, Prov.G.M., on

behalf of the large company of Grand officers and brethren in attendance.

The ceremony of passing was conducted at this meeting by W. Bro. A. St.C. McGregor, Master, Lodge

Waihopai, No. 189, and his officers, followed by a most enjoyable and profitable couple of hours around the

festive board in the refectory.

The installation of Bro. Reginald Graham as Master of Lodge Harvey, No. 49 (Gore) on 17th April, was a

most successful meeting and demonstrated the high esteem in which this Lodge is held throughout the

district. R.W. Bro. E. C. Smith, Deputy Grand Master, was in attendance, supported by R.W. Bro. A. Noble,

Prov.G.M., and a large following of Grand 'Lodge officers. The ceremony of Installation was conducted by

the Prov.G.M., assisted by W. Bro. M. Turnbull, A.G.D.C., and G.L. officers.

R.W. Bro. G. E. Charlton, P.G.W., who has been laid aside for several years, was present at the recent Instal-

lation meeting of Lodge Tuatapere, No. 210, and received the good wishes of his brethren and the many

visitors in attendance.

The initiation of a member of the N.Z.R. staff in Southland at the regular meeting of Lodge Fortitude, No.

64, on 17th April, attracted a good attendance of members and visitors.

R.E. Comp. Geo. H. Brown, Grand Supt., paid an official visit to Wallace Chapter, No. 34, on 29th April. He

was accompanied by several Grand Chapter officers.

W. Bro. W. Marshall, P.M., Lodge Harvey, No. 49, who has been severely ill for several months, has made a

wonderful recovery and has resumed active association with his brethren and Royal Arch Companions.

V.E. Comp. Wm. Copland, T.I.M., and officers of Southern Cross Cryptic Council worked the ceremonies

peculiar to this unit of the Craft at the quarterly meeting held on 21st April.

A most instructive and interesting lantern lecture dealing with the Holy Land was delivered by Bro. G.

Hamilton at the April meeting of Lodge Victoria, No. 147.

Past Masters of Lodge Tuatapere, No. 210, with W. Bro. P. C. Gardner in the chair, worked the ceremony of

raising at the regular meeting held last month. A similar ceremony was worked on 1st April by W. Bro. A.

Fox and Past Masters of Lodge Southern Cross, No. 9.

Vein. Preceptor Wm. F. Irvine and officers of the Southland Preceptory of Knight Templars conducted the

ceremony of Knight Templar at the quarterly meeting on 29th April.

The ceremony of Holy Royal Arch was worked at the April meeting of Southern Cross Royal Arch Chapter,

No. 3, by V.E. Comp. H. J. J. Pierce, Z., and his officers.

M.W. Bro. H. G. Teagle, Grand Master, attended the regular monthly meeting of Lodge Wallace, No. 129,

and made contact with members of the six Craft Lodges in the Western District. He was accompanied by the

Prov. Grand Master and a number of Grand officers.

Two brothers of the same family holding the office of Master in their respective Lodges at the same time is a

record of which any Masonic family may justly be proud. In November of last year Bro. H. Graham was

installed Master of Lodge Winton. No. 108, and on 17th April Bro. Reginald Graham was honoured with a

similar appointment in Lodge Harvey, No. 49. Another brother several years ago served as Master of Lodge

Hercules, No. 36. Two other brothers are also members of the Craft, truly a splendid record.

R.W. Bro. W. F. Irvine, P.G.W., recently returned from a visit to Dunedin.

R.W. Bro. E. C. Smith, D.G.M., attended the recent Installation of Lodge Hercules, No. 36, and took a keen

interest in the proceedings. Several members of Lodge Victoria, No. 147, were also present.

W. Bro. D. Mackenzie, a well-known member of Lodge Victoria, No. 147, recently met with a serious

accident and will be laid up for some considerable time.

Ill. Bro. Gordon J. Reed, Commander of the Zealandia Consistory (Dunedin), will conduct the ceremonial at

the half-yearly meeting to be held on 15th May. A number of Invercargill members will also be in

attendance.

The investiture of Bro. Excell, jun., as Junior Deacon of Lodge Wairaki, No. 145, was conducted at the

regular meeting last month.

In the absence of ritual work at the regular meeting of Lodge St. John, No. 94, last month, a series of

questions and answers based on the "Lectures" was employed and provided those present with a wealth of

information. At the request of the Master, W. Bro. N. M. D. Riddell, the chair was taken by W. Bro. E.

Battin. Close on three dozen brethren took part in the proceedings.

Installation meetings will be held this month by Lodges Taringatura, No. 100, and Waikaka, No. 151, and St.

John, No. 94.

Craft Lodges and R.A. Chapters throughout the district recently observed a period of mourning as a mark of

respect to the late M.W. Bro. Viscount Galway, P.G.M. and P.G.Z.

Congratulations are extended to W. Bro. J. Buchanan, P.G.Supt.W., on the high decorations recently

awarded to his son serving overseas in defence of King and Country and the principles of liberty, justice and

freedom.

Lodge Harvey, No. 49, which has completed 60 years' service, is at present in a very healthy condition and

has 37 members serving with the armed forces. A most interesting letter from a member serving overseas

was read at the recent Installation meeting by W. Bro. R. P. Boyne. P.A.G.D.C.

V. Em. Knight A. Scott, M.P.S., Dunedin Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, recently handed over to his

successor. V. Em. Knight Sydney C. K. Smith. Sir Knight G. J. Reed was elevated to the office of Viceroy.

A very interesting and instructive "talk" was given at the April meeting of Lodge Mataura, No. 174, by R.W.

Bro. E. C. Smith, D.G.M. This talented and worthy brother, who has of recent months paid many visits in the

Southland and Otago Districts, intends visiting at an early date The Service Lodge, No. 237 (Dunedin),

Lodge Kurow, No. 164, and Waitaki Kil. R.A. Chapter, No. 8 (Oamaru).

The Combined Social Committee, which has functioned successfully for many years past in the raising of

funds for improvements to the Forth Street Temple, hopes to commence operations for the coming season at

an early date.

The death recently occurred of Bro. F. W. T. Crosbie, a member of Lodge Mokoreta, No. 63.

W. Bro. R. H. Waddell, Master of Lodge Southland, No. 273, assisted by his officers, conducted the First

Degree at their April meeting.

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OTAGO NOTES.

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Amongst the many special meetings that have taken place in the Otago Provincial District those held at

Oamaru on 15th and Dunedin on 16th April will go down in our loca1 history as the most delightful of

functions. M.W. Bro. H. G. Teagle. G.M., was not known personally to a great extent in this territory, but

after the charming exposition of his duties there will be no doubt of his identity in future. His presentation of

the position of our institution in the life of the community and what we should do to assist in the troublesome

times through which we are passing should do a wonderful amount of good to all who were privileged to

hear his addresses. Our Most Worshipful Brother met as many members personally as was possible, and the

renewal oil old acquaintances brought to a close a memorable visit. Our Grand Master also found time to

meet a number of brethren informally on his way through Palmerston.

April has again been a busy month in so far as installations are concerned. Well-attended annual functions

were held for Maori, No. 105, Taharangi, No. 235 (where the R.W. Prov.G.M. very undignifiedly

disappeared through the collapse of a chair during the ceremony—have not the members of this Lodge a

carpenter amongst its membership). Research Lodge, No. 161, and Karitane, No. 221, at Waikouaiti, were

also visited. In addition, a motor-car load journeyed to Roxburgh for the annual meeting of Teviot Lodge,

No. 148, and to Tapanui for Hercules Lodge. No. 36. The former ceremony was carried out on a Saturday

afternoon and the latter the same evening; the party returning to Dunedin on Sunday afternoon after much

hospitality—but with no rabbits. The latter were too wily for travel-stained and tired would-be marksmen.

With the exception of Clutha Lodge Installation, the annual country visits have been completed.

Service Lodge, No. 237, has postponed its usual Anzac Day Installation meeting to 1st May—as Easter

Sunday falls on Anzac Day this year. The members are looking forward to the proposed visit of R.W. Bro. E.

C. Smith. Deputy G.M., to this meeting.

Haeremai Lodge, No. 155, and Koputai Lodge, No. 239, are on the calendar for May Installations.

The Prov.G.M. (R.W. Bro. J. G. Dykes) has arranged for the formation of an informal association

comprising Lodge Masters and reigning Grand Lodge officers, with a view to holding regular meetings to

bring the Masters into closer touch with Grand Lodge affairs, and to iron out the many differences that come

up now and again in regard to constitutional and ceremonial matters.

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NORTH CANTERBURY NOTES.

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The Cheviot Installation was a brilliant function and there was a record attendance of brethren from all over

North Canterbury to see Bro. Robert Meyers installed as Master and his officers invested by R.W. Bro. C. S.

Thompson and a special team of Prov. Grand Lodge officers, and the ceremony was right up to standard.

The lodge room was crowded and Grand Lodge was represented by R.W. Bro. C. Curtis and W. Bros. H.

Billens and Charles Jones.

The ladies, as usual provided a real Cheviot supper and musical items were rendered in the refectory by

Bros. G. Struther and Arthur Burke, and there were several humorous speeches.

The Masters of Kaikoura, Acacia, Amuri, Amberley and New Brighton were present and representatives

from various other Lodges.

Among the many visitors was the old veteran, W. Bro. Robert Lochead, and he is wearing well for his age.

Mairaki had a splendid Installation and W. Bro. Colin McIntosh. a real veteran, was again installed as

Master, and he will keep the Mairaki flag at the top of the pole.

W. Bro. C. S. Thompson and officers of Prov. Grand Lodge of Canterbury did the job and they did it well, so

did the Cust ladies do the supper well, under the direction, as usual, of W. Bro. Sam Wood—and they were

all thanked for their assistance.

Amuri is very busy and W. Bro. Frank David and his officers are doing a real good job of work and would be

glad to see visitors at any time, and W. Bro. Gallagher says the kettle is always boiling.

Kaikoura has three candidates awaiting raising and W. Bro. Charlton-Smith will start work on some

candidates in May as war work has caused a delay.

W. Bro. Jim Johnson is back from overseas and is lasting well and has caught several salmon since he

returned.

Tawera is just making a start with its new year's work and W. Bro. Titheridge has a good team of eager, keen

officers and reliable Past Masters to help him.

Acacia is lending a candidate to Cheviot, which is greatly appreciated and will give Cheviot a good start and

likewise give Acacia a well-earned rest.

Southern Cross and Ashley are both busy and will be pleased to see visitors at any time. There is a good train

service to each lodge town and a good welcome when you get there.

The Grand Master's visit was a great success and it is hoped that he may attend the North and Mid-

Canterbury group meetings later on.

W. Bros. Billens and Bathurst are warming up the "Group Engines" ready for the big events that will take

place shortly.

From little acorns giant oaks do grow and the groups are spreading their branches all over Canterbury and

they will in time link up with other groups north and south.

The new train and rail car services to Kaikoura will link the Lodges from the sunny north with the great

south groups and some very wonderful meetings will be held later on.

Ashley Chapter is having quite a busy time and sister Chapters are giving much attention to Ashley.

Roll up to the Amberley Installation, it will be as good as usual.

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MID-CANTERBURY NOTES.

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Arrangements will soon be in train for holding the annual reunion of the Mid-Canterbury Group of Lodges.

Provided transport can be arranged the meeting will be held in Eirene Lodge, at Little River, on 24th or 31st

July.

Every endeavour will be made to maintain the sequence of meetings, and also to have a representative from

our sister group in North Canterbury present.

The North Group also, under its energetic Secretary, W. Bro. Hugh Billens, will be making preparations for

its meeting, which will possibly be held not too far from the centre of their territory.

A most interesting and unique Installation took place in South Rakaia Lodge on Wednesday. 7th April, when

Bro. W. Rankin, Senior Warden, was installed in the chair of K.S. W. Bro. Rankin has been Organist of

South Rakaia Lodge for a great number of years, and to show their appreciation the Lodge elected him

Senior Warden twelve months ago, and this year Wor. Master.

W. Bro. Rankin has been Organist of Thistle Lodge, in Ashburton, for many years, and also of Methven

Lodge. He never misses a meeting of any of these Lodges, where he still remains Organist.

W. Bro. Rankin is a Past Provincial Grand Organist, and has also assisted the Ashburton Lodge. 1811, E.C.,

on many occasions.

Methven Lodge continues to have many happy meetings. In March the Ashburton Lodge, 1811. E.C., paid a

visit to Methven, and was followed in April by Thistle Lodge.

Thistle Lodge is fortunate in having a large attendance of Service brethren at each meeting, with mutual

advantage to the Lodge and the visitors.

The Master of Thistle, in spite of the difficulties caused by travelling, is making a number of visits to

neightbouring and also distant Lodges.

On 19th April the Master and about twelve brethren from Thistle Lodge paid a visit to Sumner Lodge, and

took with them a candidate, who was raised to the Third Degree by Sumner Lodge.

The W.M. of Sumner Lodge, W. Bro. C. C. Rosier, has been stationed in Ashburton for some months, and

has been a regular visitor to the meetings in Ashburton.