Worthy Men

Always there has been conflict between quantity and quality. In the New Zealand Craft we have not been

immune from it: it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that we elect some men to office who are really

incapable of discharging the responsibilities of office: it is not impossible that in making decisions about

membership we think in terms of a Lodge's financial health and capacity rather than in terms of the quality of

the applicants. These are problems that all societies face, but they should face also their implications.

A generation ago, or a little more, memory suggests that there was a higher proportion of academically

qualified men in the Craft than there is today. In some professions, such as accountancy and the law, the

change is not dramatic and there may even have been no falling off at all; in others, such as morning

journalism and medicine, the nature of the demands on the practitioners' time has always militated against

Craft membership. Perhaps the area where the loss of leading men who might have adorned the Craft is most

noticeable is in the sphere of university teaching. Certainly some professors and lecturers are members of the

Craft, and are good members of their Lodges in spite of overloaded programmes in their daily work; there is,

nevertheless, enough falling off here and in some other areas to make it pertinent to ask two questions: first,

have changes in society caused the Craft to become less attractive to such people? Secondly, has the way the

Craft has been handled by its members made such a change in its nature that what was once attractive has

become less so because of it?

Naturally no full answers are possible, and naturally enough the postulate that we ask should be accepted

could be tested only in the university cities. There may be some value in simple impressions, even though

they are not supported by the extraction of any statistics.

Increasingly over the earlier part of the last forty or fifty years, and scarcely checked during the period of the

Second World War the merry round of mass visiting preoccupied the city lodges; the Masters' "double

charts" apparently taking pride of place over other considerations. This pre-occupation, in the eyes of at least

some observers, put Lodges on a competitive basis in an area where excelling was only of secondary

importance, while detracting from other important purposes of Freemasonry, such as looking after the

welfare of the Brethren, seeing to the visitation of the sick, enquiring into possibilities of distress, making

sure that the Brethren had every opportunity of making a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge. The

ritual work, fortunately, was never neglected; it may be that it even assumed an importance that it should

never have had.

During the latter part of the period there has been some change. Some of the Lodges of Research have come

more into their own. In certain areas the services of Grand Lecturers and other capable Brethren, once sadly

neglected, have come to be relied upon to an increasing degree. Brethren who had taken the Craft simply at

the easy, social level have latterly looked more deeply at the objectives and the practices of Freemasonry,

and some have found satisfaction there.

It would be pleasant to be able to suggest that all had found such satisfaction, but they have not, and the

reasons are to be found perhaps more in society itself than in the Craft. Modern Masonry reflects the moral

feeling of the period when its ritual was put together. The world was no more a place of certainty than it is

today, but at least everyone was entirely certain of some social values. The security of being British in a

world otherwise populated by foreigners and savages was a most comforting thought. The idea of genocide,

before 1933. was quite unthinkable to children brought up to believe in Britain and the supporting Raj of the

great Indian Empire, Religious belief was uncomplicated and so was one's certainty in the rightness and

validity of one's personal sectarian beliefs; people were less tolerant, certainly, but they were terribly,

indomitably sure that they were right.

Society has become more sophisticated, more complicated, is certain. Dogmatism has given way, often

enough, to compromise, as science has cast doubt on such religious tenets as could not stand up to the blast;

all religions throw these up, as additions to the central core which makes the religion what it is; and from

time to time they have to be revised.

It is not surprising that the doubts and the questions which express the doubts come from the universities, for

universities are places where people are trained to ask questions, to take nothing on trust. That is one way in

which our civilisation ensures that it is not static.

Taking it a step further, it is perhaps not surprising that those who teach in universities, and those who are

taught, have become less ready to accept in all their detail the allegory and the symbols which express the

discipline of the Craft. What is known of the Craft to the outsider is expressed sometimes with hostility,

sometimes with bland if rather superior tolerance, never with burning conviction of its social value. We do

not ourselves solicit nor spotlight the social achievements of the Craft and there is very little from which the

thoughtful outsider can preconceive a favourable opinion of

our institution. Certainly he can decide that he approves of the

sort of men whom he knows to be Freemasons, but that

scarcely appears, in the modern world, to be enough.

Freemasonry, we are told, is a progressive science; but on

examination we find that the statement means that the

Freemason is required to progress in a science in which it is

not competent for any man or body of men to make

innovations: a science, that it, that is conservative rather than

progressive.

The rulers of every branch of the Craft today find themselves, whether they realise or admit it themselves or

not, in this difficulty: that some of the questioning and some of the criticism of apparently immutable social

values must have been justified—or, if not, society is surely going to the dogs. How much of what we teach

is the essential core of the Craft, and how much is transitory and ephemeral?

There are times when any institution should, for its own welfare, take stock of itself. It is not impossible that

the Craft is at such a period of its history.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Journals bearing the following addresses have been returned to this office marked "Gone, No Address".

Should any Lodge Secretary or Brother know the present address of any of these Brethren, we would be

pleased to receive their advices.

Bro. D. S. Black, late of Park Rd., Auckland.

J. R. Campbell, O.R.D., Oamaru.

J. M. Clark, 76 Godden Cres., Auckland, E.1.

J. N. Garth, 62 Mungavin Ave., Porirua.

C. B. Hoddinott, 38 Guthrie St., Lower Hutt.

T. W. J. Matthews, Massey St., Moerewa.

W. E. Hughes, Eyres Rd., Whitianga.

WANTED

The following volumes of A.Q.C. to complete my set: Vols. I to 8. ID, 19, 50, 52, 53 and 54. Would take all

or any. J. P. GLENIE, P.O. Box 1569, Auckland.

New Mornings

Our lives are filled with new mornings. Recognise this miracle for the priceless blessing it is. Each day

brings a fresh opportunity to break away from the pastfrom earlier failures and foolishness—a new

opportunity to do better, to be better. Yesterday's worries belong to yesterday. Now, in order to worry you

have to start all over again. But need you? Cannot you see your perplexities in better perspective? Cannot

you approach your problems more calmly, more intelligently?

How often you may have said to yourself. "Oh, if I only had another chance." Well, you have one! Before

you is a part of your life you have never lived before. In hospitals and unhappy homes last night thousands of

people would have given everything they possessed for one more new morning. Prize yours, accept it

gratefully, live it purposefully.

—The Little Gazette

Governor-General Opens Chapel
at

Roskill Masonic Village

WE REGRET THE DELAY IN

PUBLISHING THE MARCH

ISSUE, BUT CONSIDERED THE

REPORT OF THE EDGAR FABER

MEMORIAL CHAPEL OF

CONSIDERABLE INTEREST TO

FREEMASONRY IN NEW

ZEALAND.

Governor-General Opens
Chapel

at

Roskill Masonic Village

Freemasonry in New Zealand had one of its greatest days and

grandest occasions on Saturday, 24th February last when His

Excellency the Governor-General, Bro. Sir Arthur Porritt, Bt.,

G.C.M.G. K.C.V.O., C.B.E., opened the Edgar Faber

Memorial Chapel at the Roskill Masonic Village, Onehunga,

Auckland.

This beautiful and unique Chapel was conceived by the

Trustees and in particular by the Chairman of the Northern

Masonic Association, M.W. Bro. John A. Redwood, G.M., as

a memorial to the late M.W. Bro. Faber, Thirty-seventh Grand Master of New Zealand. or it was Bro. Faber

who first dreamed of, and later brought into being this wonderful home for elderly people, a project of which

we may all be justly proud.

In its association with a Masonic Institution such as Roskill, it is probably without parallel as an example of

the co-operation of Freemasons of all Constitutions in New Zealand, it is an object lesson to us all. Under the

faithful care of the Board's architect, V.W. Bro. Lewis Walker, the village has acquired a Chapel which is

truly "a thing of beauty and a joy for ever."

It was designed in the form of a double cross to conform with the traditional ecclesiastical shape but

generally it is contemporary in feeling being built in brickwork in a dominant position to match the buildings

of the village. It has a delightful shingle roof with copper trimmings surmounted by a delicate copper spire.

The structure is beautifully proportioned internally with laminated stained timber trusses supporting the roof

and the Australian hardwood grooved boarded ceiling. The four wings are finished in leaded glass which

gives a dominant colourful effect particularly in the east end. Here we have a magnificent window designed

and supplied by English craftsmen as a gift from the Auckland Savings Bank.

“O Lord my God, to harken unto this cry

and to the prayer which thy servant

prayeth before thee today; That thine

eyes may be open towards this house

night and day, even towards the place of

which thou has said, my name shall be

there."

1 Kings, Ch. 8

All the remaining high windows are in harmony though of more simple character. The lower windows are all

heat resisting solar grey glass. The four Constitutions are depicted in delightful leaded glass windows.

The altar screen is plain and dignified with a large

altar table carved around its edge and with shaped

legs to match the pulpit, lectern and communion rail.

The carpet is a textured old gold, while comfortable

seating for the congregation is finished in deep olive

green. Bronze lighting fittings hang from the crossing

while matching wall fittings light the wings. The

entrance is protected by a roomy glazed crush space

which connects the Chapel to the Village.

Fortune smiled when the opening day dawned fine and warm with a gentle cooling breeze. With their rolling

lawns and flowering borders the grounds were a picture. The official dais, attractively decorated with flowers

and greenery had been set up on the lawn adjacent to the Chapel and surrounded on three sides by the

buildings of the Village. Within this area were seated the distinguished guests and the two thousand and

more Masons and their ladies who attended.

Official guests present on the dais to greet the Vice Regal party were Mrs. Redwood, His Lordship the Rt.

Rev. E. A. Gowing, Anglican Bishop of Auckland and Mrs. Gowing, His Grace Archbishop J. M. Liston,

Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, Rev. Alexander Marshall, Chaplain to the Village and Mrs. Marshall,

Bro. The Hon. Donald McKay. Minister of Health and Mrs. McKay, Bro. the Hon. John Rae, Minister of

Housing and Mrs. Rae, and the Hon. Hugh Watt, Deputy Leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party and Mrs.

Watt.

An extensive list of specially invited guests included the Moderator of the Presbytery of Auckland, Rev. E.

C. Walsh, Mr. L. A. Manning Mayor of Onehunga and Mrs. Manning, Mr. A. J. Faulkner, M.P. for Roskill,

Br. Keith Hay, Mayor of Mt. Roskill and Mrs. Hay, Sir Jack and Lady Butland, Sir Woolf Fisher and many

other leaders in the community.

Distinguished Freemasons were present from all parts of New Zealand, of special note being three Past

Grand Masters, M.W. Bros. J. C. Barclay, Francis Prideaux and J. S. Hawker, M.W. Bro. Wilfrid W. Wright,

P. Pro. G.M., R.W. Bro. T. W. Pairman Dep. G.M., four Past Dep. G.Ms., Bros. Bradstreet, Vailoux,

Mawson, and Burns and The Provincial Grand Masters of Auckland, Northland, South Auckland, Ruapehu

and Canterbury.

But as the Roskill project is truly non-constitutional, of equal note were the District and Provincial Grand

Masters of Auckland United Grand Lodge of

England, of New Zealand, Grand Lodge of Ireland,

and of N.Z. North, Grand Lodge of Scotland. These

are all Trustees of the Northern Masonic

Association and therefore of Roskill Village.

Very many other well known Freemasons were

present, notable among them Bro. C. A. Rowe, Past

Dist. G.M. for N.Z. North, Grand Lodge of

Scotland, who is Deputy Chairman of the Trust

Board. Seldom in this country have so many of our

Civic and Masonic leaders gathered and for so

laudable a purpose.

A large marquee was erected on the main lawn to

provide tea and the scarlet uniforms of the Mt.

Roskill Municipal Band lent a final touch of colour

to a very colourful scene.

Shortly before 2 p.m. the Vice Regal party was

received by M.W. Bro. J. A. Redwood, G.M. and

was conducted to the dais. Here Mrs. Redwood

presented to Lady Porritt a beautiful sheath of

flowers. After the National Anthem the Prayer of

Invocation was offered by the Chaplain and two

thousand voices "sung to the Lord with cheerful voices" in the words of the Old Hundredth.

The Grand Master, as Chairman of the Trust Board, then welcomed his distinguished guests as follows:

"Your excellencies, honourable ministers, your grace, my lord bishop, ladies and

gentlemen:

It is my privilege and pleasure, on behalf of the trustees of the Northern Masonic

Association, to welcome you to the Roskill Masonic Village to take part in the opening

ceremony and the dedication of the Edgar Faber Memorial Chapel.

Your Excellency, we are greatly honoured and delighted that you have consented officially

to open the chapel. It is hardly necessary for me to remind this assembly how very proud

we are to have such a distinguished New Zealander as our Governor-General to officiate

on this very special occasion. We are greatly honoured also to have her Excellency, Lady

Porritt, supporting you, and by her very presence adding grace to this large and

representative gathering. We are privileged indeed to have this early opportunity

personally to express to Your Excellencies our loyalty and affection.

Your presence, sir, has a special significance, not only to those of us who are privileged to

be here today, but to over 50,000 Freemasons throughout New Zealand. As a Past Grand

Warden of the United Grand Lodge of England and a member of the Grand Lodge of New

Zealand, it is fitting that you should, by virtue of the important part you take in the

ceremony his afternoon, pay tribute to one of New Zealand's greatest freemasons, the late

M.W. Bro. E. O. Faber, O.B.E., J.P., Past Grand Master.

It was his foresight, his vision and his enthusiasm that inspired brother masons in the

Auckland Province to proceed with the establishment of the Roskill Masonic Village. We

remember him for his work in the community, for his work in the church, and for his

work in Masonry. We remember him as a humble yet great and inspiring leader.

The building of this chapel has satisfied a desire of the trustees to have a place of prayer

and divine worship for the residents of this home, and to have in the village a permanent

memorial to our esteemed late brother.

Perhaps I could be excused, Your Excellencies, for using this opportunity to express

thanks and appreciation on behalf of the trustees, to the architects and the builders. The

design is a most pleasing and satisfying

conception, and the builders have not

only faithfully interpreted the

architects' detailed drawings, but have

carried out their work in a manner

which will be a permanent monument

of good craftsmanship.

We appreciate very much the presence

this afternoon of many distinguished

visitors and benefactors who have been

so helpful to us in so many ways, and

who by their presence have helped to

make this a memorable day. We trust

that they will not only enjoy the

ceremony but will return to their homes

feeling they have contributed still

further to the progress and welfare of

the Roskill Masonic Village.

The Chairman then read the following cable which had been received from London.

“We offer loyal greetings to the Governor-General and our warmest wishes to you for a successful

opening and dedication of chapel illustrating as it does the true spirit of Masonry. Signed John

MacConochie Master and Brethren New Zealand Lodge.”

This was one of many messages received but since it came from the Governor-General’s own Lodge in

London, it was the more welcome.

His Excellency in his reply was obviously at home among his brethren. He warmly acknowledged the

welcome that had been extended to Lady Porritt and to himself and referred to his previous meeting with

M.W. Bro. Redwood in London when Roskill Village and the true Masonic charity it represented had been

one of the principal subjects of discussion. He reminded his listeners that the Village had been opened by his

very good friend and predecessor in office Lord Cobham, a non-mason and that residence in the Village was

not limited to Masons, their wives and widows. This he believed was very important and he expressed some

regret that great Masonic Institutions in other lands had not all been founded on this same principle so that

the homes and hospitals could be available to those outside the Craft, “How then,” said His Excellency,

“could I resist the invitation to open the Chapel, as one of my early official duties in New Zealand.”

Sir Arthur referred to the great sums of money that the brethren in England had contributed to Masonic

charities similar in principle to Roskill and finally expressed his great pleasure that twenty-five of the

original residents were still there to enjoy its comfort and peace. Already, he said, the Chapel was proving a

most acceptable place of worship for residents and for brethren of the District and he referred with obvious

delight to the fact that already a wedding had taken place within it, "not unconnected with one of the

residents." g g g

Rose Croix Eagles and Stars in stock at

Regalia House

His Excellency then accepted a silver key from the Chairman and with Lady Porritt, proceeded to the Chapel

where he unlocked the door and declared the Chapel open. He was met within the portals by the Chaplain,

Rev. Alexander Marshall and was conducted to his seat.

Official visitors were then admitted and after the ancient hymn, "We love the place, O God," the Chaplain

conducted the Service of Dedication. His Grace, Archbishop Liston read the First Lesson from 1 Kings,

Chapter 8 (Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple) and His Lordship, Bishop Gowing read the

Second Lesson from Ephesians, Chapter 2, Verses 13-22.

Finally the Chaplain declared the Chapel "to be forever set apart from all profane and common uses, as a

memorial to our late friend and brother, Edgar Oliver Faber and consecrated to the worship and service of

Almighty God."

Before the Benediction, His Excellency presented to the Chairman, three large bibles, bound in beautifully

tooled blue leather, the gift of New Zealand Lodge No. 5175 (London), United Grand Lodge of England. In

making the presentation on behalf of the Master and Brethren, His Excellency revealed that he was the only

remaining founder and therefore senior member of the Lodge. He spoke of the dependence of the Chapel and

the Craft on Holy Writ and expressed the hope that in times of stress, the Bible would be of assistance to all

who used the Chapel.

The Chairman, in accepting the Bibles expressed his thanks to His Excellency and to the brethren of New

Zealand Lodge M.W. Bro. Redwood continued, "These beautifully bound volumes of the Holy Bible will

establish a permanent and fitting bond between the Brethren of the Lodge in London and the people of this

Home. "There is," he said, "something very personal about this presentation. I am aware that you are a

foundation member and a Past Master of New Zealand Lodge and one of its two trustees. You were

honoured just before your departure from London with a well deserved distinction when you were elected an

honorary member.

"It is pleasing also to know that another member of your Lodge is present today. Bro. Hamish Buchanan, a

New Zealander now resident in London, is enjoying a well earned holiday in his native country, and has

travelled from Dunedin today to attend this ceremony.

"We also know that during a brief visit to this home last year, the Master of your Lodge, Bro. John

MacConochie, was so impressed with the Chapel and its significance in a Masonic Village, that he was

inspired to promote this presentation."

After the Service of Dedication, the Vice Regal party and distinguished guests were entertained at afternoon

tea by the Trustees. Sir Arthur and Lady Porritt were then conducted over the Village by the Chairman and

Mrs. Redwood, accompanied by the Architect and the Matron of the Village. So interested was His

Excellency in the Chapel, that he paid a return visit to it before departing.

A very pleasant and gracious gesture was later made by their Excellencies when at 5 p.m. they received the

Grand Master his senior officers and their ladies at a delightful and informal reception at Government House.

Again their Excellencies were completely at home among the New' Zealand brethren and their wives. The

old Colonial style house, set in its lovely grounds was a perfect setting for the informality with which the

distinguished hosts and their charming daughter mixed and chatted with the visitors.

A memorable day was however not yet complete for during the evening, the Grand Master and Mrs.

Redwood received over a hundred brethren and wives at their delightful home at Titirangi in the Waitakere

Ranges. Friendship and refreshment went hand in hand and the Grand Master provided a most sumptuous

repast for his guests. A fine warm night enabled all to enjoy the glorious panoramas of Auckland that may be

seen from our Grand Master's home.

The thanks and appreciation of all the guests was most happily expressed by M.W. Bro. J. S. Hawker who

referred to the whole events of the day as a milestone in the history of Freemasonry in this country.

It was indeed a day to remember. It showed our Freemasonry to be vibrant and alive. It demonstrated that the

Craft does indeed spread over the four quarters of the globe and that here in New Zealand it is soundly based

on the age-old principles of charity and brotherly love.

g g g

Leap Year
Masonic Lodges in New Zealand invariably hold their regular meetings on a particular day, such as, for

example, the second Tuesday, the fourth Wednesday, etc., in the months in which they meet, unless that day

happens to be a holy day or a holiday. For the first time for 28 years, and not again till 1996, will two Craft

Lodges and one R.A. Chapter in New Zealand which meet on the "last Thursday" encounter a bissextile year.

Following the practice of the Romans of the first century B.C., 1968 is an intercalary year, the month of

February having 29 days. But we differ from the Romans with their Julian calendar, introduced by Julius

Caesar in 45 B.C., for their intercalation was to have two days numbered February 23. This was their

bissextile year, the term coming by a complicated route from the Latin "bis sextus die", that is to say, "two

sixth days." February 23 (the Terminalia) is the sixth day prior to March 1 (the Kalends of March) and so, in

the Julian calendar every fourth year the intercalary day (or extra day in the calendar) was observed by

repeating February 23.

The Alexandrian astronomer, Sosigenes, designed the Julian calendar, which was the first solar calendar.

Prior to then (and since in some places) calendars as such had been lunar calendars. Their periods of time

were based on the behaviour of the moon, but as civilisation advanced and farmers in particular wanted to

know when to sow their crops, it was realised that a lunar calendar was unsatisfactory as it did not

correspond with the seasons.

Sosigenes, through the Julian calendar, plotted a solar year as taking 3651/4 days. A solar year is the time it

takes for the earth to make a complete orbit around the sun. It followed then that in each year he had a 1/4-

day over, and so the device of a bissextile year to take up the extra day which had accumulated.

We don't know whether Sosigenes was inaccurate in his measurements or just lazy, but a solar year is not

365.25 days. It is, in fact, 365.242199 days (or for brevity, 365.2422 days) long, which is 365 days, 5 hours,

48 minutes, 45 seconds. In any case, whether Sosigenes kenw or not, it did not matter much at the time.

However, 16 centuries later this small discrepancy of .0078 days (11 minutes, 15 seconds) had added up and

added up until the calendar was over ten days out.

This 10-day discrepancy was causing the same sort of troubles as had the old lunar calendars. Spring was

coming at the wrong time. Pope Gregory XIII, with the aid of astronomers, decided to put matters right, and

recognising that there was an error of three days in nearly 400 years, established that Leap Years would not

be observed in century years unless they were divisible by 400 (such as 1600, 2000, etc.) Other changes were

made at the same time.

The calendar introduced by Pope Gregory in 1582 is known as the Gregorian calendar and with one

refinement (mentioned later) is the one we currently use. It was generally adopted throughout Europe except,

understandably because of its origin, in England (although Scotland did). England eventually adopted it in

the 18th century despite loud protests from the people about their "lost seven days." The error had grown to

11 by then.

The refinement to the Gregorian calendar is one that should not directly affect any reader. Because the year

is 365.242199 days long the leap year every fourth year, except in century years not divisable by 400, still

creates an error of one day in 3,323 years, and in consequence a further rule of intercalation has been adopted

that makes the years 4000, 8000, etc., common years, i.e., non-leap years. You will be happy to know that

the calendar is now therefore correct to within one day in 20,000 years.

Although the term Leap Year is thought to have come from the old Norse (hlaupar) its meaning has a

significance. The calendar was not only designed to assist farmers and to help us plan the future, it also had a

primary religious use. It enables the Church to plan its liturgical year and in particular the fixed feast days

(e.g. Christmas). In a bissextile year any fixed feast after February falls on the next week day but one, not on

the next week day as usual. That is, one day of the week is "leaped" over in the observation of fixed feast

days, and hence the term Leap Year.

—W.P.W., Paeroa.

g g g

“Installing Masters Guide" in stock at

Regalia House

WELLINGTON

POPULAR FUNCTION

The annual Christmas re-union of senior age members and widows of the Hutt Valley Lodges, held early in

December, will long be remembered by those privileged to attend.

By courtesy of the Wellington Racing Club this year's outing was held in the spacious modern cafeteria on

the Trentham racecourse. This proved ideal, with ample room for free movement, which is important on such

occasions, separate table lay-outs, soft underfoot carpets, and all at ground level. The increasing popularity

of the function has caused it to outgrow the largest district refectory.

The general programme was along the lines of the district's earlier gatherings, from which have developed

similar get-togethers in Wellington City as well as in the Horowhenua and Wairarapa districts.

On arrival this year each lady guest was provided with a small lapel posy prior to taking up seats with

husband or friends in readiness for luncheon at 12.30 p.m. A brief toast list followed, and thereafter an

entertainment programme until afternoon tea.

Amongst the many enjoyable items were those of Bro. Stolz (Te Rima Lodge) on his Univox organ, vocal

items by Mrs. Joan Moor, W.. Bros. Jack Feehan and Owen Gwilliam, both of Te Puni Lodge, and Bro. Alf

Elston (Hautonga, No. 366), who was also in top form at the piano. Another fortunate inclusion was a brace

of appropriate songs by the young Hutt Valley baritone Maxwell Jarman, who was on the eve of leaving for

London for advanced study at the Royal College of Music. With sister Christine two delightful duets were

added, with the accompaniste for these four items Mrs. G. A. Lennane.

The organising Lodges were Te Rima, No. 394, and Hautonga, No. 366, with W. Bro. K. Elliott of the first

mentioned as the committee chairman. At an appropriate time W. Bro. Elliott expressed the pleasure of all

the Hutt Valley- Lodges for the splendid response to the invitations—the attendance was around 250—and

thanked the two Lodges own members as well as a host of other willing helpers for their joint efforts.

On behalf of those assembled the Prov.G.M., R.W. Bro. Harold Thom, thanked those concerned and made a

special reference to the kindness of the Racing Club Committee and others associated for making their

premises available, adding a humorous reference that he could recognise many keen supporters of the turf in

the audience, No doubt their view of the front of the totalisators when parking their cars reminded them of

the many times they had studied the large line graphs and then used the windows. That they had not been so

often round at the opposite side of the bidding explained why the club had such pleasant park-like gardens,

carpets and so on, so this gathering gave their patrons at least a chance to get a little back indirectly.

P.S.—Since the foregoing was written, the young singer Maxwell Jarman has been selected for one of the

leading roles in the opera "Carmen" on the occasion of the annual visit of H.M. the Queen and H.R.H. the

Queen Mother to the Royal School of Music in London.—A.T.H.

g g g

R.W. BRO. F. G. NORTHERN, P.G.W.

To mark his retirement from the position of Grand Secretary R.W. Bro. F. G. Northern was honoured by

Lodges of the Wellington District at the Christmas meeting of Lodge Kotuku, No. 392, held at Lower Hutt

on December 14th, 1967.

After an interesting lecture in the Lodge Room by V.W. Bro. J. K. Sowry, G.Lec., the large and

representative gathering retired to the refectory and heard W. Bro. J. A. Fraser, Master of Lodge Kotuku, pay

tribute to the former Grand Secretary. He was followed by the Provincial Grand Master, R,W. Bro. H. G.

Thom, who presented R.W. Bro. Northern with a portable typewriter on behalf of every Lodge in the

Wellington District.

In acknowledging the presentation, R.W. Bro. Northern spoke warmly of his 15 years as Grand Secretary, of

the trials and tribulations, the joys and successes and, above all, of the progress that had been made by the

Craft in New Zealand during that period. He stated that, though last year there had been a drop in

membership, this was unimportant when measured against the long term achievements. He then quoted the

following figures which, for convenience, are shown below in table form.

1952 1967 Increase

Lodges 368 430 62

Members 39,794 45,988 6,194

Funds _ $754,000 $1,712,204 $958,204

Investments of

Fund of Benevolence $600,000 $1,121,897 $521,897

No. of Annuities 198 292 94

Amount of Annuities $20,000 $68,920 $48,920

Interest-free Loans $106,000 $731,156 $625,156

Bursaries $2,462 $9,072 $6,610

Homes and Flats Mt. Roskill

Rotorua

Napier

Lower Hutt

Wellington

Office Accommodation Very poor; Building

rented worth

office $150,000

The bursary scheme was instituted in 1945 when two awards were made. By 1952 the numbers had risen to

nine new awards and 15 renewals. The corresponding figures for 1967 are 21 and 44. To date over 370

young persons have been assisted to obtain secondary or higher education, and it is gratifying to know that

the great majority have been successful in their studies.

On this occasion Lodge Kotuku further enhanced its reputation for bright and sparkling refectory

proceedings. In lighter vein a packed refectory enjoyed the arrival of Santa Claus with amusing gifts for

certain prominent brethren and were entertained in music and song. In a duet by two well known Past

Masters to the tune of "The Bold Gendarmes," Bro. Fred (a widower) was told the story of his life and

warned about the predatory widows in Otaki, where he has gone to live in retirement.

The presence of so many Grand Lodge brethren and visiting Masters from all parts of the District, and the

warmth and unanimity of the whole proceedings, was ample proof of the high regard in which our former

Grand Secretary is held throughout this District.

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CANTERBURY DISTRICT

OBITUARY

W. Bro. Robert Frederick Worthington,

The Caledonian Lodge, No. 16

The death occurred in Timaru of W. Bro. R. F. Worthington who was well known in Freemasonry in South

Canterbury. He was a very active and assiduous Brother, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.

W. Bro. Worthington was initiated into the Caledonian Lodge No. 16, Timaru, on 6th November, 1933, and

was Master of the same Lodge in 1941. He joined the Timaru Royal Arch Chapter in 1935, and was 1st

Principal in 1957.

He was a Past Provincial Chaplain of Provincial Grand Lodge of Canterbury, and at the time of his death was

Senior Warden of the Aorangi Rose Croix Chapter No. 42.

His knowledge of Freemasonry was profound and real, and by his character and conduct, which exemplified

all that is best in the tenets and principles of the Craft, he won the trust and affection of all who came in

contact with him.

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OTAGO NOTES

W. Bro. G. B. Campbell, W.M. Lodge Ionic No. 191, Green Island, welcomed all Brethren present at the

regular meeting on Monday, December 11th, 1967, of his Lodge to stay for the refectory proceedings after

the work of the Lodge was over to hear W. Bro. N. H. Jefferson, P.M. of "The Lodge of Otago" No. 7, give

what proved to be a very interesting and informative address, and show slides of the recent "Olympic

Paraplegic Games" held after the recent Olympic Games in Mexico. W. Bro. Jefferson after his address gave

some interesting sidelights on the effect these games are having in the rehabilitation of paraplegics in New

Zealand as well as abroad and to us, with our health and strength, the patience shown by both patient and

teacher is an inspiration and we trust that the work of these teachers may go on from success to success.

Our Lodge Children's Christmas Party on Saturday afternoon, December 2nd, and our Christmas Ladies'

evening held at 8 p.m., where Santa appeared at both functions, was a fitting end to thank both the children

and the ladies for allowing our Brethren to attend their Lodge during the year and both functions were very

well supported.

In closing let us all wish that T.G.A.O.T.U. will continue to bless and guide our wonderful Craft.

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OBITUARY

Bro. A. H. Cameron, O.S.M.,

The Lodge of Otago No. 7

The death occurred in Dunedin of Bro. A. H. Cameron, 0.S.M., on 14th January, 1968. He was initiated in

1912 in the Lodge of Otago No. 7 and will be well remembered by Brethren from all over New Zealand,

being on the Almoners Association and Almoner for Otago No. 7 for over 10 years. He was a very active

member of the Association and held in high esteem

by all who knew him, especially those who were

patients, from out of town, at the Dunedin Hospitals.

He was awarded the O.S.M., a distinction he most

richly deserved and earned. He will be sadly missed

from the many organisations of which he was a

member for his help and unassuming manner.

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Tracing Boards available on order from

Regalia House