Moderation in everything

"Speech making is altogether too common an offense, and when it is so tenuous in thought, so platitudinous

in style, and so lachrymose in delivery it is altogether a weariness to the flesh."

One of the great privileges of the Craftsman is the right to remain after labour and take part in refectory

proceedings. At this point in the evening formality is reduced to the minimum, to the point where

proceedings are controlled in the interest of those present but without any very serious requirements beyond

those of the ordinary dinner or banquet. The normal rules of assembly on festive occasions are observed,

certain toasts are required, and that is all.

The young and thoughtless will expand this appendage to the evening's labour into a major social occasion if

they fail to realise what its place really is, or to realise that some who are anxious to keep their Masonic

observance up to the level they consider appropriate may find a long post-meeting thrash tiring or irksome or

even inappropriate.

There are Ladies' Evenings and other occasions when the Brethren can gather and spend a great deal of time

in conviviality and social occupations which are pleasant and which help Brethren of the Lodge to discover

common interests and to pursue personal friendships. It would be a great mistake to try to inhibit observance

of this kind: in almost every lodge, if not in every lodge, it has its value and its importance.

Even so there is a qualification to be made, and it is an important one. On a regular lodge night what one

primarily comes out for is the ceremony within the Temple. The refectory proceedings, certainly, are rather

more than "supper afterwards", but they do and should take second place to formal Masonic observances.

It is very easy for a keen J.W. and an enthusiastic team of Stewards to swing the emphasis, in all good faith,

in the wrong direction. The Lodge work will go through all right—the W.M. and the D.C. will see to that—

but what about making the refectory really something? We have all seen it and sympathised with it but there

are disadvantages.

What of the elderly Brother who has to drive a good many miles, who has to get up early in the morning

because he has not yet retired from his job, but who considers his Masonic observance incomplete if he does

not attend refectory?

What of the much younger Brother who is finding Masonic observance quite a hurdle at a period of his life

when he has a young family and his wife is a bit overburdened?

What of the Master and the visiting Masters and the Officers of Grand Lodge, who have assumed

responsibilities which require their being out several times a week—but who after all are only human and

mortal, and who cannot go for very long without sleep?

The problem is easy to define, and not very difficult, if the will is present, to deal with.

Of course Brethren should be able to stay late with their friends if they desire to do so; equally of course

Brethren who do not want to stay for a long time should be able to get away without discourtesy.

More and more Lodges have discovered that the acceptable procedure is to have brief formal refectory

proceedings, but to invite those who wish to stay after the Tyler's toast to do so.

There is very little indeed to be said for the occasional practice which some Directors of Ceremonies still

appear to be wedded to of asking every visiting Master to reply to the toast of visiting Brethren. The standard

of refectory speeches in this jurisdiction is not really so high that the same group of Masters can ring the

changes on their witty rejoinders night after, night—and one gains the impression that few of them want to

try.

When one has to make a speech it is a help to have a few hours' notice, so that one may prepare a little; it is

also a help to have it featured and not bedded down among half a dozen others. There are no doubt

occasional Masters who can produce a good reply off the cuff night after night, but they are not the majority

and requiring them to do so may very easily turn a pleasant occasion into a penance.

Installations as performed in the New Zealand Constitution are usually exacting, too: some lodges, certainly,

meet in the afternoon, call off, and then call on again in the evening, but this presents an obstacle where

officers and members are in employment and are expected to work in the afternoon.

For better or worse we have adopted a form of Installation, at least in some parts of the country, which takes

a great deal of time, requiring the Officers of the Lodge to be invested and addressed at some length on the

actual evening of Installation. In Lodges where Grand Lodge performs the ceremonies this certainly makes

two visitations unnecessary, but it nevertheless produces a marathon which many of the Brethren would

prefer to see curtailed.

The opinion may be advanced tentatively that while the ceremony of Installation may gain a good deal from

being performed by an expert Provincial Grand Master who is an experienced ritualist, little would be lost if

the Master were on another evening to invest his own officers, and address them himself or arrange to have

them addressed by Past Masters of his Lodge who had themselves served the particular offices.

Few lodges can perform the ceremony of Installation as well as a competent and practised Grand Lodge

team; there is also the point that the ceremony makes an occasion when the leaders of the Craft visit the

particular Lodge.

Probably few Brethren would want their Lodges to go back to conducting their own Installations. There is

nevertheless in the interest of all concerned a case for keeping the evening reasonably short, and the

postponement of the Investiture except, perhaps, of the Wardens, who should be in position when the Lodge

is closed, is a way in which this could be accomplished.

This is not a matter of any great ritual moment, but it may very well be that it is one which affects Lodge

attendance more than most of us realise.

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Do not keep the alabaster boxes of your love and tenderness sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their

lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them and while their hearts

can be thrilled by them.

—Henry Ward Beecher

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Tracing Boards available on order from

Regalia House

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 advice.

A. Bowden, 738 Tararu Rd., Thames. T. D. Buchanan, 35 Fancourt St., Remuera.

H. C. Bull, 181 Broderick Rd., Johnsonville. O. C. Campbell, 184 Gillies Ave., Epsom, Auckland.

J. M. Clark, 76 Godden Cres., Auckland, E.1. G. E. Collis, Kairanga, R.D. 7, Palmerston North.

John Dennis, Glenure, R.D., Balfour, Southland. C. H. A. Hiri, 9 Craighall Cres., Dunedin.

J. D. G. Dexter, c/o Bank of New Zealand, Box 13, Auckland.

E. Hemingway, 147 Chadwick Rd., Greerton, Tauranga, Secretary, Matatua Conclave, No. 143, S.M.

G. A. Lindsay, 18 Melrose Pl., Tokoroa. C. H. Maginley, 9 Porter's Ave., Teatatu South.

D. R. McKenzie, 87 James St., Whakatane. L. C. McLauchlan, 171 High St., Dannevirke.

Sydney Melville, Box 19, Balclutha. J. D. Moncrieff, 36 Albert St., Pahiatua.

G. K. W. Page, Flat 2, 394 Mt. Eden Rd., Auckland.

K. A. Richards, Antares Flats, 6 East St., Petone. A. J. Scott, 47 Normanby Rd., Manaia R.D.

H. Simpson, 197 James St., Whakatane. W. R. Suisted, Newman Court, Tinakori Rd., Wellington.

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A brain cluttered up with traditions and prejudices has neither room for the creation of a new idea nor the

matter from which to construct it. Men and women with such minds settle down in the mire of convention,

proud of the mud that disfigures their bodies and that clogs their brain machinery. They swell with pride

because they have never gotten out of the muck. They thank God that they are not as those others who have

forsaken the ways of the mudhole and climbed on the heights of pure, progressive thought and action.

—A. M. Simons

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ORGAN WANTED

We require an organ in good repair and free from borer. Must be adequate for fair-sized Lodge Room. Reply

giving details and price to:

The Manawatu Masonic Company,

P.O. Box 931, Palmerston North

BROTHER MAN

By Bro. Leslie E. Kitchen

The fact that it affords some insight into the purpose of human existence, is one of the greatest and most

obvious of the values of our Masonic philosophy. The length of our sojourn in this material quarry is so

uncertain that one is indeed happy in the reflection that the close of life's journey usually comes unheralded

to most of us who are thus unaware of the extent of our unrealised ambitions when the moment of passing

arrives.

As Masons we are exhorted to perform our allotted task while it is yet day. Each Brother when he entered the

Masonic Lodge for the first time was held to be both ready and suitable, by virtue of his character and life to

date, to enter upon a course of esoteric training designed not only to benefit him spiritually, but to equip him

with that restraining influence which being lacking, the higher levels of social conduct find it impossible to

function. He is then about to commence the assimilation of that teaching which it is hoped will give him that

outlook towards his daily toil and his relationship with his fellow men which, while not overlooking the

presence of the dross, will enable him to see the good in everything.

The First Degree contains a vast amount of instruction relative to our conduct and dealing with our fellows,

although it would perhaps be better not to insist that this be the main purport of the ceremony.

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LIFE'S VALUES

Masonry's purpose is to make men better, wiser, and consequently happier. Masonry is not that which

confers upon its initiates a simple set of rules which all of a sudden clothes one with an impregnable armour

against the temptations and evils of life.

Masonry is a system of morality and recognises the truth that the responsibility rests upon the individual to

study such a system and to increase and grow in moral and spiritual strength.

"Moral weakness" is a convenient phrase which is often used to justify our lack of knowledge and wisdom in

judging Life's Values.

The degrees of Masonry are designed to point to the genuine values of life as opposed to the false and the

deceptive, those alluring "values" which often appear more desirable than the real and lasting.

When we fail to make a proper distinction between the two, we attribute our failure to "moral weakness".

Masonry's way is slow but ever upward. The more we learn the more we habitually come to choose the good

and discover the key which opens up the way to Moral Stability and Strength.

Masonry teaches "by degrees" and as we grow in wisdom, we grow in goodness.

—Selected

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INFLUENCE

One fact that we never can fully grasp is the extent of our influence on others. We would be startled if we

realised not only the far-reaching effects of our personal influence, but also the particular people whom we

have affected on any particular day. We look at the small circle in which we move. To all except a few

friends, we are just nameless people lost in the crowd. What influence for good could we possibly have? We

influence all whom we touch and, through them, a widening circle of people.

We can never estimate what influence our own lives have because we have not yet been able to measure the

influence for right that was exerted by people who lived hundreds of years ago. Nor do we have to be known

for our education or position in life to do such good. The humblest and most obscure person can do it.

Our influence is not limited to one special part of our lives. We change the lives of those we meet by our

actions.

How much good we can do when we speak words of love, kindness, encouragement and sympathy!

Sometimes a word carefully chosen and lovingly spoken is all that can be done and all that need be done.

The influence we exert is often unknown to us. We think that we have scarcely ever influenced a certain

person at all, but we have.

Strange as it may seem, just being what we are can have a far-reaching influence for good.

—Exchange

AUCKLAND

SUPREME COUNCIL 33°—ENGLISH RITE—

ROSE CROIX

On 26 April 1969 a Meeting was held in the Masonic Hall, St. Benedict's Street, Auckland, at which the

Ceremony of the Grand Chapter, 30° was conducted by the Grand Inspector-General of the Northern District

of New Zealand, V. Ill. Bro. A. F. Bow, 33°, with other Officiating Officers, V. Ill. Bros. F. G. Northern,

33°, A. R. McKegg, 33°, and V. Ill. Bro. C. A.

Rowe, 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector-General,

Scottish Rite.

Assisting V. Ill. Bro. Bow in the work of the

degree were Ill. Bros. E. H. Bradstreet, 31°, W.

Fortune, 31°, K. Nilsson, 30° as Directors of

Ceremonies, Ill. Bro. A. E. Orr, 31° as Grand

Prior and Ill. Bro. E. A. Armstrong, 30° as

Organist.

The Addresses were rendered by V. Ill. Bro. A. R.

McKegg, 33°, and Ill. Bros. A. T. Begg, 33', A.

Burns, 32° and W. G. Webster, 31°.

There were 90 Very Illustrious and Illustrious

Brethren present and 31 Candidates received the

Degree.

A very happy hour was spent in the Refectory at

which, after the Loyal Toast and the Toast to

Supreme Council 33° proposed by V. Ill. Bro.

Bow had been honoured, the Toast to "Members

33°" was proposed by Ill. Bro. C. K. Wiggles-

worth, 32°. This was responded to by V. Ill. Bros.

A. R. McKegg, 33° and F. G. Northern, 33°, and

also by V. Ill. Bro. C. A. Rowe, 33°, Scottish

Rite.—W.G.W.

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RUAPEHU

AN UNIQUE MUSEUM IN A FREEMASON'S LODGE

IN WANGANUI

Article Written by Bro. D. W. Cimino for

N.Z. Founders' Society Magazine

In 1957, due to the increasing membership in the Masonic movement of Wanganui, another Masonic branch

was formed by a group of Masons and, after much deliberation, it was decided to call it Lodge Rutland, a

name which has many historical associations for this city.

The hunt began for a suitable building and the old Primitive Methodist Church and Sunday School building

in Dublin Street, being for sale at the time, was purchased.

Extensive alterations, involving many hours of weekend work, were done by the Lodge members, and this

building proved itself to be admirable for the purpose.

As these premises were used solely by the Rutland branch of the Masonic Lodge, and no others, a pride was

taken in it by the members, and apart from the usual furniture and fittings, standard in a Masonic Lodge, a

small corner was devoted to the display of various articles of early Wanganui and Colonial interest. These

were produced by various members of the Lodge, a great many of whom were descended from early

pioneering stock.

After three or four years had elapsed, it was obvious from the number of interesting pieces donated, that

these would form the basis of a museum which should be unique. The material freely given was mostly

prized family souvenirs, articles of historical significance, which had been carefully preserved, articles which

would never have been given to any public museum. These were donated by members who had a personal

interest in the museum, and who would take a personal pride in seeing their friends, and visitors, admiring

these treasured heirlooms.

Larger showcases were acquired, and this collection progressed to such an extent, that in 1985 it was decided

to build an annexe to the main building, solely to house the museum.

Twelve months of voluntary work were performed, and in July 1967 the building was ready. Completely fire

and burglar proof, measuring 65 ft by 15 ft it was waiting to house all that had been accumulated, and much

more yet to come. Particular attention was paid to the lighting to ensure that everything could be clearly seen

and with shadows cut to a minimum.

The setting up of the exhibits came next, several extra display cases were made, the actual lay-out was made,

and the final result was pleasing and exceeded the expectations of even the planners.

As one enters the museum door it is seen that the end wall on the left is dominated by the large Royal Coat of

Arms which formerly hung in the old Court House in Wanganui, above the presiding Judge. This was

moulded in the 1870s from clay taken from Shakespeare Cliff, by an artist brought from Wellington for the

purpose. Under this is displayed a panoramic view of early Wanganui, made up from a series of photographs,

and showing a very detailed view of the Rutland Stockade.

One side of the museum is divided into three bays, featuring Military, Colonial and Maori exhibits.

The Military bay is guarded by a life-sized figure of a soldier, dressed in the uniform of one of the English

regiments which were garrisoned at the Rutland Stockade. Alongside this a large display case contains many

weapons, medals and souvenirs which were in use from the Maori War times down to the last World War.

The Colonial bay which comes next, is also flanked by a life sized figure. This figure is that of Andraes

Reischek, an Austrian naturalist and taxidermist, copied from an early photograph of him. Reischek came to

New Zealand in the 1870s at the request of Julius von Haast to assist in the arrangement of the displays in

some of the early museums in this country. He roamed around New Zealand for 12 years classifying our

birds, and obtaining specimens for several museums here and abroad. The model is dressed as he would have

been when exploring in this country. The show case adjacent to this figure is arranged with all types of

Colonial exhibits, far too numerous to detail here; an early marine quadrant, used to assist in charting the

Campbell Islands; crude but effective tools, used by the first settlers; early stee'yarcls for weighing trade

goods; stone ink bottles; and a large range of New Zealand mineral specimens.

The Maori bay has a similar arrangement and one is seemingly greeted by another true-to-life figure, a Maori

maiden, dressed as she would have been before the missionaries decided that shapeless and ill-fitting

European clothes were seemingly more modest than the graceful piu pius and cloaks which showed

advantageously the graceful charm of our Maori women. A large Maori whet stone, weighing several

hundreds of pounds, is also a prominent exhibit here, and upon it are arranged several adzes to show the

method of sharpening. The large case itself contains a fine collection of Maori adzes, pendants and curios

and also a small but valuable collection of Maori garments. Here one can see a maro or kilt made from punga

fibres, this rare article of Maori dress is in wonderful preservation. Also shown is the korowai cloak actually

worn by Pura Manihera, afterwards Mrs McGregor, whose memory is perpetuated at Virginia Lake by part

of a Maori canoe standing on end.

The last exhibit of this side is the witness box saved from the old Wanganui Courthouse before it was

demolished. An early policeman's helmet, a pair of handcuffs and a police baton compete this display.

Across the far end of this room is a case containing a library of early books and many documents and

pamphlets pertaining to early New Zealand.

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Rose Croix Eagles and Stars in stock at

Regalia House

The other wall of this building holds a row of display cases at a convenient height, housing hundreds of

articles o interest; old sovereign cases, watches, coins, medals, exhibits of Masonic interest and a host of

other things.

Displayed here and there, around the walls, may be seen what is probably the most complete exhibit of early

Wanganui photographs. One may see photographs of the stockades, early shipping and transport, Hau Hau

prisoners, regimental pictures, the Town Bridge from its commencement to the opening day and many

pictures of other early landmarks. In a prominent place is exhibited the two flags which flew above the

Albuera Redoubt on St. John's Hill during the Maori Wars.

The museum was officially opened on 7 August 1967 by Mr James Berry, the designer of our decimal

coinage. After the opening ceremony, Mr Berry presented the museum with several coins and medals of his

own design, and also brought complete sets of New Zealand currency donated to the Lodge by the Decimal

Currency Board.

This annexe does not try to vie with our wonderful public museum, but it does house articles which would

not have been on view under other circumstances and, is not restricted to Masons only; by arrangement any

member of the public would be welcome.

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WELLINGTON

"GUEST" EVENING AT LODGE WATERLOO, No. 13

An evening "probably unique so far as Freemasonry in Wellington is concerned" was how the Master, W.

Bro. Kenneth Boyden described guest night for members of Lodge Waterloo, No. 13.

Brethren had previously been invited by the Master to bring their friends, both inside and outside the Craft,

to an evening recently to hear W. Bro. J. H. Phillipps, a member of Lodge Hataitai, No. 285, talk about

"Cricket Snippets".

W. Bro. Phillipps was well qualified to address the gathering because he was Manager of the 1949 and 1958

New Zealand sides which toured the United Kingdom and of Dennis Silk's M.C.C. team in New Zealand.

After drinks had been served for a social hour and after the magnificent dinner which followed, W. Bro.

Phillips kept his audience enthralled with his reminiscences of both serious and humorous incidents from

both New Zealand tours.

Among the great players the team met were Sir Jack Hobbs, "perhaps the greatest of them all, with apologies

to V.W. Bro. Sir Edwin Hicks on my left" (Australian High Commissioner in New Zealand), Herbert

Sutcliffe, a Yorkshireman, "largely disowned by his County for acquiring a refined English accent", Denis

Compton, "a law unto himself", Peter May, "a bad habit of occupying the crease as if he were the perpetual

owner", Douglas Jardine, "one of England's greatest Captains", and Freddy Trueman who was once heard to

tell an incoming batsman, "the first one will be down the leg side so hit it because the next one will pin thee

to the bluddy sight screen".

On grounds he mentioned the many beautiful localities, in particular, Worcester and Canterbury in Kent,

where a tree grows inside the boundary, and of course, the most famous of all, Lords.

Of matches, W. Bro. Phillipps recalled the team's performance against Hampshire when it was set the

hopeless task of making 109 runs to win in 36 minutes, but subsequently winning the game with five minutes

to spare, Sutcliffe scoring 47 runs in 11 minutes. Against Yorkshire, New Zealand declared for 311 an hour

before the closure on the first day, an incredulous performance which led the great Bill Bowes to seek out the

Manager and advise, "Jack, you want to remember this is not New Zealand Saturday afternoon cricket". He

told of the Team's win against Glamorgan late in the day and of the Editor of one of Cardiff's evening papers

coming into the New Zealand dressing room and apologising because his paper was being sold on the streets

with headlines proclaiming that the game had petered out to a tame draw.

The toast to the Queen was proposed by the Master and that to the visitors by the Deputy Master. The reply

on behalf of the visitors was given by His Excellency, V.W. Bro. Sir Edwin Hicks, High Commissioner for

Australia.

All in all, it was a memorable evening for the 80 or so who attended from many Lodges with their non-

Masonic friends, and all agreed that it was a most successful function. One G.L. Officer was even heard to

remark that it was something he would urge his Lodge to arrange in the near future and many other Brethren

left with the same ideas. —G.A.P.

————

HOROWHENUA R.A.C., No. 63, Levin

The May monthly meeting of the Chapter was one of unusual interest. V. Ex. Comp. J. S. Sleeman, First

Principal, welcomed a large gathering of visitors and companions on the occasion of the Past Principals who

carried out the ceremony of the Mark Masters degree.

In attendance was the Grand Superintendent, Rt. Ex. Comp. Roy Middleton Smith, accompanied by Grand

Chapter Officers, among who was M. Ex. Comp. T. Fletcher, P.G. First Principal and Rt. Ex. Comp. F. Pyne,

P.G.H. The First Principal gave a special welcome to five companions of Horowhenua Chapter, all of whom

are Masters of their respective Lodges located at Paraparaumu, Foxton, Shannon and the two local Craft

Lodges. V. Ex. Comp. Ken McIntyre was invited to occupy the Wor. Mark Master's chair and assisted by the

Past Principals, advanced Bro. H. Cooper. The ceremony of which was carried out in a most impressive

manner.

The opportunity was taken to present our 96-year-old Charter Companion, V. Ex. Comp. Walter Bishop,

P.G. Soj., with a 40-year jewel and two bars by Most. Ex. Comp. Fletcher.

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NELSON - MARLBOROUGH

THE MARLBOROUGH LODGE OF UNANIMITY

Our May meeting was P.M.'s night with W. Bro. L. R. Bryant who was W.M. in 1959 occupying the Chair

and all offices and charges being delivered by W.M.s of the Lodge. A good attendance of P.M.s and brethren

headed by our oldest P.M., M.W. Bro. W. J. Girling, who is now in his 63rd year in Freemasonry. The

Initiation Ceremony which was carried out showed that the P.M.s had lost none of their former lustre.

50 Years' Service Badge

Opportunity was taken at the meeting to present W. Bro. H. E. Freebody, P.G.Std.Br. with his 50 Years'

Service Badge.

R.W. Bro. G. Mitchell, P.G.W., in making the presentation traced W. Bro. Freebody's Masonic career from

the date of his initiation in the King Harold Lodge, 1327, E.C., Hertfordshire, on 15 May 1919. He was

installed as W.M. in 1937 and was a Foundation Member of Eastgate Lodge. In 1944 he was honoured by

the Prov. G. Lodge of Hertfordshire by having G.L. Rank of P. Prov. Asst. G.D. of C. conferred on him.

He arrived in Blenheim in 1961 and joined the Marlborough Lodge of Unanimity, No. 106, he has been a

regular attender and active in its interests ever since. He was honoured by Grand Lodge of New Zealand in

1964 with the rank of P.G.Std.Br., an appointment which gave him much pleasure.

In Royal Arch Masonry he was First Principal of the King Harold Chapter in 1942 and of the Oaks of

Fairmead Chapter in 1960. He was honoured with G.C. Rank of P.G.Std.Br. in the Prov. G. Chapter of

Hertfordshire. He is now a member of the Marlborough Chapter.

Since becoming a member of 106 he has travelled widely with Prov. G. Masters of the district to Installation

Meetings and also with Masters of his Lodge on official visits, and being now well into his 90th year, the

brethren throughout the district have never ceased to admire the outstanding and dignified manner in which

he has delivered the many charges which have been entrusted to him.

Thus it will be seen, said R.W. Bro. Mitchell, that he has indeed given loyal and faithful service to the Craft

over that 50 years.

He was warmly congratulated by his many Masonic friends on receiving his Badge, and in reply to his toast

in the refectory proposed by R.W. Bro. F. Mogridge, P. Prov. G.M., he held the interest of his brethren with

his many interesting reminiscences.—G.M.

————

FRED FAULDING, LODGE OF SORROW,

30 MAY 1969

Brethren, little did any of us think that only two short days ago, the Craft in general and Wairau Lodge in

particular, w ere to suffer a grievous loss through the untimely passing to the Grand Lodge above of one of

its stalwarts in the person of the late W. Bro. Fred Faulding, P.G.D.

With the active life he had always enjoyed, and was still enjoying, it came as a very severe shock to his many

Masonic friends to learn of his sudden death through the tragic and fatal accident which had befallen him,

and of course how much more so to his wife and family.

So in meeting today in this Lodge of Sorrow to mourn his loss we would also remember that the purpose of a

Lodge of Sorrow is to honour the memory and pay tribute to the life and service of a brother who has given

so much to his fellow men in many different ways.

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"Installing Masters' Guide" in stock at

Regalia House

Freemasonry became very dear to W. Bro. Faulding during the years. He was Initiated in Wairau Lodge on

27 July 1927 and was Installed as Worshipful Master in June 1946 where he carried out his duties in a most

capable and conscientious manner. Even when his Mastership was over his interest did not flag and he was

always a regular attender and helpful to the Masters and Brethren.

For his many years of devoted service to his Lodge he was honoured by Grand Lodge in 1964 by receiving

the office of J.G.D., an appointment which gave him much joy and pleasure and one which he carried out

with his usual dignity and quiet efficiency at all times.

I came in closer contact with him in Royal Arch Masonry. He was exhalted in the Marlborough Chapter on

31 May 1947 and was First Principal in 1958. He was to have been recommended for Honoris Causa Grand

Chapter rank this year. He became very attached to R.A.M. and seldom missed a meeting.

He was a Preceptor in our Preceptory of Knight Templars and was active and interested in other branches of

Freemasonry too.

So truly can it be said that Masonry was part of him and he earned the highest regard of his brethren in this

Masonic district.

As a soldier he was a veteran of the First World War, serving with distinction for over three years with his

beloved machine gun company in France where he was wounded, but returned to his unit as soon as recovery

was complete.

He was a good soldier and such was his liking for the army life that in the Second World War he rejoined the

forces and having been commissioned he served for a period of eight years as staff officer in various

districts, besides being Adjutant to the Second Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast Regiment.

With his unbounded enthusiasm he was largely responsible in forming the 16th Company National Military

Reserve, to which unit he became very attached. He and I were closely associated in this Company and here I

was able to evaluate to the full Fred Faulding as a soldier and as a man and he was popular with all ranks. So

a close personal friendship was formed between us and this has continued through the years.

He was a keen member of the R.S.A., having joined the Marlborough Association in 1919 and he was

honoured with Life Membership in 1967.

In his soldiering capacity he will perhaps be best remembered by the citizens of Blenheim as Marshal and

Officer in Charge of the Anzac Day Parades over a long period of years. Strange as it may seem when I

congratulated him only a month ago on being selected to again take charge of the parade last Anzac Day,

unknowingly but as it turned out prophetically, he said with his characteristic gesture, "Yes, but this is the

last time". How little we know what life holds for us.

Demonstrating his interest as a citizen in the community he served as a Blenheim Borough Councillor for

two terms from 1953 to 1959 and was able to bring his practical and technical knowledge to bear with

advantage as chairman of the important committee to which he was appointed.

So Fred Faulding took life as though it was, and indeed as it is, an earnest, vital and important affair.

His character and conduct won the trust and esteem of all sections of the community who came in contact

with him, and his death has left a gap in many circles which will be hard to fill. We are the losers in his

passing but enriched through our association with him.

I feel you will all wish to join in expressing our deepest sympathy with his wife and family in their

bereavement, and to express the hope that the sympathy and kindly thoughts of many friends, will have been

a source of some comfort to them in their time of sorrow.

—G. MITCHELL, P.G.W.

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OTAGO

Wor. Brother E. Tikey, W.M. of Lodge Ionic, No. 191, welcomed a large number of brethren and visitors to

the regular meeting on Monday 12 May and on this occasion wives of all brethren were in attendance and

were entertained in the refectory during the regular meeting which was closed at 8.20 p.m. when brethren

joined the ladies and were well and truly entertained with a talk from Brother Allan McLeod on the recent

two world trips undertaken by Bro. McLeod and his family with the added excitement of their return from

England by sea in their own ship purchased in England.

During the voyage many experiences befell this adventurous family, not the least being the loss overboard

and his recovery of one member of the family and many others affecting their return to New Zealand.

The annual interchange of visits between our Lodge and the Lodge of Otago, No. 7 and the Hiram Lodge,

No. 46, was carried out and on all occasions a true and profitable meeting was the result of each and every

visit.—J.W.B.

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