In the season of the year
Spring is with us, New Zealand's halting, faltering, two-steps-forward-and-one-step-backward Spring.

Blossom decks the fruit trees, a target for battering winds; daffodils press upward through the neglected

grass; sunshine during the day gives place to frost at night.

Nature's rebirth is tentative but inexorable. Nothing stops the progress towards Summer, then Autumn, then

when Winter comes, the completion again of the full cycle.

Moralists and philosophers have derived many lessons from the procession of the seasons, and it is woven

into the allegories of the great religions.

The Craft recognises youth and age in man as in nature, and there is evidence of this in many places in the

ritual. The lessons of the rough and perfect ashlars are among the earliest, and the legend of the third degree

forms a climax and leads to a new beginning.

Every Freemason has a single life, to do with as he wishes. Within the context of circumstances he must

proceed from birth to death, remembering that in his case as in Caesar's he may not receive his due when it is

all over:

The evil that men do lives after them

The good is oft interred with their bones.

Caesar, when his brethren had deserted him, still had a friend to put the record straight, and in that he was

fortunate.

The ordinary citizen pursues a less spectacular course, and perhaps gives little thought to what is to be said

of him after he departs. It will, after all, be no long time before mankind has no more memorial of him,

before he will have perished as though he had never been born.

The Craft teaches belief in a G.A.O.T.U., and, with no more definition, in a G.L. above. As far as this mortal

existence is concerned he has a kind of immortality too. Long after his name is forgotten the consequences of

his acts, close or remote, will endure

Some men live on in their sons; all live on in those they have influenced. As Horace wrote: If you would see

my memorial, look round you: a great part of me will escape dissolution. This is true of all of us, whether the

influence we have exerted has been good or bad.

But what a man does is not always traceable. Some die in shame and obscurity: of these, some have deserved

better of their fellows. Others depart honoured for their achievements, envied for the possessions they have

been able to leave behind. Sometimes the honour is justified, but sometimes the possessions have been

acquired by unkindness, selfishness or dishonesty. Good report, as Marc Antony knew, is evidence; but the

verdict of the crowd is not conclusive: crowds may be fickle and thoughtless, and very often they are ill-

informed.

The ultimate sanction is that the honest man faces himself and does not fool himself. In very simple terms

the Craft describes the tests he will apply to his life at every point, not least at the time of the final assault.

He will make use of the lesson of the Square and Compasses—the Square of God's word and the Compasses

of his own self-convincing conscience.

Spring, like the Hiramic Legend, teaches not only death but a resurrection. The evidence of our eyes teaches

us that matter is indestructible. No one has yet successfully advanced the thesis that the spirit is not.

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A SHORT HISTORY OF THE SCOTTISH TEMPLARS

IN NEW ZEALAND

A little over 100 years ago an enthusiastic group of Dunedin Masons petitioned Scotland to enable them to

form a Preceptory of Knights Templar. In answer to their petition, a Charter, dated 11 March 1869, was duly

granted and thus came into being the first Preceptory in New Zealand. As far as can be ascertained this

Preceptory actually predates the establishment of the University of Otago.

The Preceptory of Otago, for such is its name, has had a continued line of existence ever since and it is

worthy of note that the present members show the same enthusiasm as those early members who were

responsible for its formation.

Within some eighteen months these early Templars were seriously considering the setting up of their own

sovereign body. This ideal was not to mature so early but here were the beginnings of a move which, after

100 years is now becoming a reality.

It was 52 years before the Preceptory of Otago had a sister Preceptory. In this case it was three with the

chartering of the Preceptories of De Molay (Auckland), Wellington (Wellington) and St. Augustine

(Christchurch). All these Charters were dated 11 March 1921.

The Order of the Temple moved steadily forward with new Preceptories being formed and soon there came

into being the District of New Zealand. The late Colonel George Barclay became the first District Grand

Prior and worked for the advancement of the Order, covering huge distances in so doing. He was succeeded

by the late V. Eminent George Russell who continued the work in prospering this wonderful Order.

Again the ideal of a sovereign body was raised and in 1936 Scotland gave its members in New Zealand

permission to consider and vote on the formation of a Sovereign Great Priory of New Zealand. In spite of the

enthusiasm of the members it appears that the time was not ripe for the venture and the matter was allowed

to lie fallow. It may be stated here that Very Eminent Frater Arch Burns, conscious of the general desires of

the members, has always been to the forefront in the establishment of a sovereign body in this Dominion and

in spite of setbacks and disappointments has faithfully pursued this ideal.

Once more the concept of a sovereign body came to the fore when, in 1953, at an Annual Muster of the

District held in Nelson, the subject was raised. After serious discussion a committee was appointed to pursue

the move and V. Em. Frater Russell was elected chairman. V. Em. Frater Russell never convened a meeting

of this committee but it does appear that he reported to Scotland on the subject. It also appears that he may

have made suggestions for within a short time there came into being three districts where one had stood

before.

Thus in 1955 there came into being the Districts of New Zealand North, Central and South. This was a

tremendous step forward enabling a more effective administration and visitation, to name but two. There was

now however a serious disadvantage. With the splitting up of New Zealand into three districts there was no

opportunity for an Annual Muster of the total membership with consequent loss of contact.

In 1957, together with V. Em. Frater E. McK. Lyon of New Zealand South, V. Em. Frater Burns, of New

Zealand North, sent a letter to the District Grand Prior of New Zealand Central. This letter was in the form of

a petition to Scotland again seeking independence. The District Grand Prior of Central, V. Em. Frater

Freeman, was invited to add his signature to the other two.

After due consideration in District Grand Priory and representatives of the Preceptories V. Em. Frater

Freeman replied saying that while Central sympathised with the move it was felt that the time was not yet

opportune.

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Tracing Boards available on order from

Regalia House

V. Em. Frater Lyon died and it was left to V. Em. Frater Burns to keep the torch high, which, over the years,

he has done. It may be safely said, that realising the desires of the majority of the brethren, none has worked

harder for the establishment of a Sovereign Great Priory of New Zealand than he.

Just reward came for him when, in 1967, his name headed a new petition to Scotland, followed by the

signatures of the Grand Priors of New Zealand Central, South and the recently formed District of Elgin.

The petition was forwarded to Scotland, which after due consideration gave permission, in October 1968, to

consider, discuss and vote on the subject. At the same time Scotland made it abundantly clear that each and

every individual member in New Zealand must be fully informed before he cast his vote.

It will be appreciated that in order to fulfil these conditions haste had to be made slowly. It was clear that the

Grand Priors of the Districts would need to visit their Preceptories, put the proposition, discuss and answer

questions fully so that each member would be aware of the move and what it entailed. The next step was to

send a circular letter covering the points raised to each member with a tear off section for the recording of his

individual vote. It is worth noting here that although the anonymity of each member was respected few failed

to put their name beside their "yes".

It has been stated that a move of this momentous nature could not be hurried and, so the work has not been

accomplished in a short time. At the moment of printing the members who comprise the Preceptories in the

Districts of New Zealand Central, South and Elgin have recorded their votes in favour of a Sovereign Great

Priory of New Zealand.

Thus, after the space of 100 years the Scottish Templars in New Zealand have arrived at the threshold of

forming their own sovereign body, with the realisation of the dream of those early Otago members. One

thing that has stood out very clearly is the tolerance and understanding of Scotland. It is very evident that

Scotland realises that New Zealand is a nation in its own right. This country has been to the forefront in

social legislation, scientific and other forms of progress. It is natural that where these things go so does the

Craft.

A little more time must elapse before the Sovereign Great Priory of New Zealand comes into being; there is

still much to be done. When it does happen however, Scotland and New Zealand will always have a special

understanding and the Templars of both countries will always stand together.

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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.

John Dennis, Glenure, R.D., Balfour, Southland.

A. M. Jones, Garston.

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

C. H. A. Hiri, 9 Craighall Cres., Dunedin.

G. A. Lindsay, 18 Melrose Pl., Tokoroa.

F. A. McGregor, 4 Rimu St., Upper Hutt.

L. L. McLauchlan, 171 High St., Dannevirke.

W. Morrow, Box 44 Ranfurly.

D. Reid, 116 Archers Rd., Takapuna, Auckland.

K. A. Richards, Antares Flats, 6 East St., Petone.

B. J. Rumsey, 43 Lynton Rd., Glen Eden, Auckland 7.

W. F. Taylor, 184 Cameron Rd., Tauranga.

NORTHLAND
At the regular monthly meeting of the Bay of Islands Chapter No. 65, held at Kawakawa on 12 March 1969,

R. Ex. Comp. R. T. Tilson, P.G.J., was presented with a 40-year Jewel by R. Ex. Comp. G. Walker, G. Supt.

for Northland.

R. Ex. Comp. Tilson has been a stalwart of the Bay of Island Chapter from 16 months after its formation in

1927 and still attends regularly, although he gave up farming near Kawakawa more than 10 years ago and

retired to live in Whangarei. He can still recall the early days of the Chapter, when little or no roading

existed in many parts of the county and members had to travel by launch or by car with chains attached to the

wheels—even by horse. R. Ex. Comp. Tilson was installed as First Principal Z of the Chapter in 1936, and

because of the dearth of candidates in the depression years, occupied the chair on three occasions. In 1947 he

received the rank of Grand Scribe Nehemiah, and in 1953 was granted the H.C. rank of Third Principal.

Two other members have received their 40-year Jewels in recent months. V. Ex. Comp. J. H. Morey, P.Z.,

who occupied the chair in 1938, but left the district a few years later, returned for his presentation; and

Comp. J. E. Keatley, whose business prevented him from accepting office, was able to attend to receive his

Jewel.

The Chapter is truly indebted to these early members. R. Ex. Comp. Tilson has been a source of strength

throughout the years, and no matter which officer may be absent, could, and still can, fill any office or

deliver any charge at a moment's notice. We hope we have his company for many years.

—L.W.D.

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TARANAKI

LODGE TAINUI, No.336—TWENTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY

I am delving into past records of Lodge Tainui to obtain material to write up the history of this lodge and on

the occasion of our 21st birthday would like to mention a few of the highlights I have picked up.

It is unfortunate that some mention was not made at our 21st Installation meeting but this is apparently due to

the modesty of our previous secretary, W. Bro. John Murray, not wanting to blow his own trumpet; W. Bro.

Murray was our secretary from 1949 to 1969, having taken over from Bro. Lincoln Hills who did a

magnificent job as the first secretary to Lodge Tainui.

Lodge Tainui was dedicated on 22 May 1948, our first Master being. W. Bro. John Murray, a Past Master of

Lodge Otanake, No. 283, who I have previously mentioned acted as the secretary to this Lodge after his year

as its first Master. At our 21st Installation meeting W. Bro. Murray was presented with a Secretary's Jewel

from the Brethren of his lodge. I say his lodge because it was due to his very keen interest in Freemasonry

that this Lodge was formed. He called the inaugural meeting on 22 March 1947 which was attended by 15

Brethren from Uruti to Mahoenui. This district—covering approximately 50 miles—is known as the "Tainui"

district, hence the name of our Lodge.

Of the 30 odd foundation members—mostly members of Lodge Otanake— 16 have passed on to the Grand

Lodge above, of the remaining 14 six are still very active members—all P.M.s—the others have gone to

other districts.

During our first year seven new members were initiated, two passed and four raised, and there were three

joinings.

For a small country Lodge we have been very generously treated as to appointments to Grand Lodge rank.

W. Bro. Murray being given that rank in 1950. W. Bro. J. K. Black, V.W. Bro. J. McFarlane and W. Bro. J.

G. Richards have also received Grand Lodge rank.

During the last 21 years our membership has remained fairly stable at about 50 members, but owing to many

of our members moving out of the district we have only 20 of our 50 members now residing in the Tainui

area.

When our Lodge was first formed our meetings were held in the local hall, the Brethren who lived handy

having the job of hauling our furniture and regalia from storage and building up the lodge room for our

meetings on Tuesday nights and before going home that evening having to stow it away again and clean up

the hall. On an Installation evening this was a mammoth task as the body of the hall which was used for our

lodge proceedings was also used for the refectory proceedings and supper tables and seating had to be

erected and the supper laid out before we could start our refectory programme. In the preparatory work we

had the loyal and willing support of our ladies who took over and organised supper arrangements at all our

Installations—this they still do.

We carried on under these most difficult conditions until 1953 when we started organising and financing our

own building. This was built with the assistance of the Brethren, both manually and financially, the bulk of

the cost being donated by the Brethren. This building was officially opened on 19 April 1958 by M.W. Bro.

J. C. Barclay, Past Grand Master and our meetings are now held under more favourable conditions.

L. CAMERON,
Secretary.

————

Installations have again been the order of the day in Taranaki. Saturday 19 July 1969, De Burgh Adams, No.

446 I.C. R. R. Mayhead, Saturday 26 July 1969, Okato Lodge, No, 349. J. A. Mackie, Monday 4 August

1969, Lodge Kaponga, No. 208. I. J. Mitchell, Tuesday 5 August 1969, Lodge Serenity, No. 347.

For the Installation to the chair of King Solomon of Bro. Gordon Kibby, S.W., there was a wonderful

attendance of brethren and visitors, representing all Constitutions in Taranaki numbering about 280 in all—a

tribute no doubt to the outgoing W.M., W. Bro. M. Yiannet, as well as the incoming Master. W. Bro. Yiannet

has been a great advocate for the strengthening of the bonds of Freemasonry, both in and out of Taranaki,

and has demonstrated this by the number of visits he

has managed to make to Lodges of Sister

Constitutions. To him we say a grateful "thank you",

and to W. Bro. Gordon Kibby and his Officers for

the coming year—"welcome and may you have a

happy year of office".

At all the other Installations there was an excellent

attendance of brethren and visitors to welcome the

various Masters on the occasion of their elevation to

their high office in Freemasonry and we extend to

them all best wishes for a successful year.

———

TARANAKI ALMONERS' ASSOCIATION

On Friday 1 August 1969 the quarterly meeting of the above association was held in the Stratford Lodge

Refectory before a good attendance of Almoners and members of Lodges.

To hear the reports made by this band of dedicated Masons is a real eye opener and brethren would really

appreciate this aspect of Freemasonry if they were to attend meetings and take part in their discussions.

We can rest assured that while this dedicated band of men is handling the affairs of the Association, the sick,

aged, needy and widows of Masons will be well cared for in their time of need.

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WELLINGTON
'63 MASTERS' ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES

"Place a coin here and see what happens," said W. Bro. R. Haggett as he met members on arrival at

Wellington College Social Hall recently on the occasion of the 1963 Masters' Association annual meeting,

dinner and roll call. Holding what appeared to be a cigarette case, he indicated a spot on which to place a

coin; quick as a flash a miniature hand shot out, gathered the coin and deposited it inside! Thus, what started

as a joke, ended in the Masonic Association Homes at Woburn benefiting by the $40 thus collected.

During the business session following a cocktail half-hour, the association's patron (Most W. Bro. F. Pringle,

Pro. G.M.), noticed W. Bro. Haggett wearing slippers and, after expressing sympathy and concern, added:

"I'm sure I express the sentiments of everyone present in wishing you a speedy return to conditions nearer

normal." Retiring president, W. Bro. J. Murphy, also expressed the hope that his successor would soon find it

possible to "replace slippers for shoes". Obviously moved by these sentiments, W. Bro. Haggett suitably

replied.

After much discussion the D. Ope Medallion of Merit was awarded to the Whetu-Kairangi Channel Islands

"Maori", though many considered it should be retained for a further period by W. Bro. Haggett, who had

won it with much distinction for the past year.

Following the business session some 36 members sat down to a first-class dinner during which speeches

were both witty and numerous and laughter unending. Celebrating his birthday, it was inevitable that W. Bro.

J. Maddocks should be the recipient of some practical joking as well as receiving a "gorgeous" birthday hat!

Obviously enjoying the occasion, his reply was greeted with much applause.

Entertainment by W. Bros. Ashley-Faulkner, Jack Feehan and A. Elston was again of very high standard;

much enjoyed, too, were the audience participation songs, which were sung with much gusto and in which

almost everyone present was named.

Mention was made of the somewhat unique record of W. Bro. Jack Feehan and his three brothers, all of

whom are initiates of Karori Lodge. Although two have moved to other parts of the Wellington area and

joined other lodges, yet within five years all four brothers have become Masters of their respective lodges,

the Mastership of the two elder brothers overlapping, and whilst they are now preceptors of their lodges, the

two younger brothers' period of Mastership (Russell and Karori Lodges respectively) is also overlapping.

At a previous meeting the association's secretary (W. Bro. Len McKay) proposed a toast by passing large

pictorial newspaper advertisements around the table, which most effectively "spoke" the toast for him, whilst

himself uttering less than a dozen words. This year, however, the novel manner he called the roll won him

much applause—instead of actually calling the roll he gave witty clues of each Master and his lodge, the

assembled brethren supplying the required names.

During the year members accompanied their president on official visits to several lodges where members of

the association were presiding, and a number of social functions at which members' wives attended were also

held. Much appreciated was a Christmas get-together at the home of a Bro. whose invalid wife is unable to

attend any of the association's activities. During the coming year many official visits and social functions by

this lively association are not only envisaged, but eagerly awaited.

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CANTERBURY
CANTERBURY KILWINNING LODGE—INSTALLATION MEETING

Rt. W. Bro. L. C. H. Suckling, Prov. G. Master, conducted the Installation of Bro. John Arthur Foster as

Master of the Canterbury Kilwinning Lodge, No. 23, at Lyttelton. Most W. Bro. J. S. Hawker, P.G.M., was

present and was accompanied by 14 Grand Lodge officers. There were also 26 Provincial Grand Lodge

officers, and 20 Masters of Lodges, and 28 Past Masters, as well as a large attendance of other members of

the Craft.

The lodge room is a fine one with beautiful decorative work. Around the Frieze are ornaments comprising

Lodge Jewels in Gold characters set above the positions of the holders of the various offices. The large

tracing boards always attract notice. The Past Masters' names are inscribed on marble tablets and it is

noteworthy that there is an Honours' Board of Life Members.

The address to the Brethren was given by Rt. W. Bro. E. J. Butcher, P. Prov. G.M. who is a member of

Canterbury Kilwinning Lodge. The Prov. G.M. later paid tribute to Rt. W. Bro. Butcher and the service he

has given to the Craft. Rt. W. Bro. Suckling said that it must be a tremendous help to a Lodge to have as a

member a brother with the ability of Rt. W. Bro. Butcher.

A feature of the ceremony was the admission of four fellow Craft Freemasons. This attracted much interest,

and comment among the brethren.

In the refectory, W. Bro. C. S. Brown, P. Prov. G. Almoner, proposed the toast of the Provincial Grand

Master who he said was graced by nature with native dignity.

After thanking W. Bro. Brown and the brethren, Rt. W. Bro. Suckling addressed those present in the

following terms:

Masonry—A Study of Self

We tend to think of Masonry as a study of Ritual—but it is really a study of self. "To know self is the goal of

wisdom". This is the essential objective of Masonic teachings.

The knowledge of oneself, the understanding of one's own nature, is coupled with the increasing desire of the

Mason to relate self with God. Too many people, and some Masons, regard trust in God as a spare tyre—for

use in emergencies.

Masonry points to the truth that man is made in the image of his Creator—it does not see man as a depraved

being who is doomed to a subservient place in the universal plan. Masonry contends that man has within him

the spark of the divine; the consciousness of which makes it possible to make the noble triumphant over the

ignoble; goodness over baseness; and the spiritual over the material.

Masonry teaches that man himself is a manifestation of Deity.

The complexities of life—the beautiful and the ugly; the forces of right and wrong; the problems of society

and their solutions—are not conditions separate and apart from self.

Mastership comes from the day-by-day examination of self, the evaluation of self—the measure of self as we

are in relation to what we can be, and the willingness to use the Highest power to raise ourselves mentally

and spiritually.

Brethren, let us each one, by a continuing study of self, and with the help of the Great A become more useful

as men and as Masons.

———

ST. AUGUSTINE ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER, No. 1

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

The St. Augustine Royal Arch Chapter. No. 1, will be holding its Centennial Celebrations on Saturday 22

November, Sunday 23 November and Monday 24 November 1969. On the Saturday evening a banquet will

be held in the Winter Gardens, and tickets can be procured from any of the Principals or Secretary of this

Chapter. On the Sunday a Church Parade will be held at St. Michael's Church, Oxford Terrace. On the

Monday evening a Centennial Meeting will be held when a R.A. Degree will be worked.

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Rose Croix Eagles and Stars in stock at

Regalia House

A cordial invitation is extended to any Companion to attend any of these functions, as it is the first Chapter

Centennial to be held in New Zealand.

Other Chapters started before our Chapter but have been in recess for a period, and our Chapter is the oldest

that has had continued meetings without a break.

———

EXCELSIOR ROSE CROIX CHAPTER

ENTHRONEMENT MEETING

V. Ill. Bro. G. K. Neill, 33°, of Dunedin, Inspector-General for the Southern District of New Zealand visited

Christchurch to carry out the enthronement of the new Sovereign E. and P., H. N. Pyne. The ceremony was

carried out in the presence of a large gathering of members of Excelsior and Beckett Chapters. The Director

of Ceremonies was Ill. Bro. C. E. Wilkins, 30°.

V. Ill. Bro. Neill expressed his thanks to E. and P., Bro. J. McMillan, I.P. Soy., for his excellent work during

his year of office.

In the refectory Ill. Bro. A. F. Fisher, 32°, proposed the toast of the Inspector-General and stated that they

had known each other for a long period of years. He said that V. Ill. Bro. Neill is very approachable and liked

meeting as many of the brethren as possible.

After acknowledging the toast, V. Ill. Bro. Neill pointed out that in the outside world there have been rapidly

changing conditions with tremendous achievements as well as forces of disruption. Wonderful advances

have taken place in scientific knowledge. Whether these changes from the days of our youth are all for the

better may involve a conflict of opinion.

The simple ceremony which had taken place that evening should so inspire us to go out into the world and

keep to simple things and faith, and also resistance to those activities we dislike. We should stand up without

any fear for what is right.

———

CANTERBURY MASONIC CHARITABLE TRUST

ERECTION OF FLATS

The erection of the pensioners' flats in Farrington Avenue, Bishopdale, Christchurch, is well advanced. There

are two blocks of four flats in each, and they are of attractive design. The land which has been purchased

from the Department of Lands and Survey is in a very suitable locality. The builders are J. W. Thwaites and

Son Ltd.

It is hoped to have the flats formerly opened on Show Day in November by the Grand Master, His

Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Arthur Porritt.

The annual report of the Trust shows that the principal donation by the trust during the past year to charities

in Canterbury was to the Foundation for the Blind, for furnishing the lounge in the new Fernwood wing.

Other donations were to the Timaru Hospital Chapel, St. John Ambulance, at Sumner and Lyttelton, Lister

House, Waimate, Cressey Residence, Lyttelton, Little Scre Home, and Church of the Open Door, St. Johns.

The Almoners' Association was also assisted with meeting the cost of Christmas parties for aged and infirm

brethren. The total expended during the year was $4,000. V. Wor. Bro. T. Mackenzie is the very active

Chairman of the Trust, with M. Wor. Bro. J. S. Hawker as his Deputy Chairman. The Secretary-Treasurer is

Wor. Bro. A. C. Winter.

--A.C.F.

———

75th JUBILEE OF MACKENZIE LODGE, No. 93

PRO GRAND MASTER ATTENDS

Seventy-five years of Freemasonry at Fairlie, South Canterbury, were commemorated recently when the

Mackenzie Lodge celebrated its jubilee.

Present at the celebrations was the Most Wor. Bro. F. W. Pringle, Pro Grand Master. He was accompanied

by Most Wor. Bro. J. S. Hawker, P.G.M., Rt. Wor. Bro. L. C. H. Suckling, Prov. Grand Master and Rt. Wor.

Bro. D. A. Munro, District Grand Master, and Grand Lodge Officers.

An attractive booklet gives an interesting account of the history of this prominent lodge. It records that on 14

March 1894 members of various lodges met in the Gladstone Hotel, Fairlie, for the purpose of forming a

Masonic Lodge. Just over a month later the Charter was issued, and the lodge was consecrated in July, the

first Master being Wor. Bro. T. Foden. The meetings were held in the Fairlie schoolhouse, and then

subsequently in the Fairlie Hall, until the building in present use was erected in 1898 at a cost of £219.

The history reviews the activities of the lodge over the years, and its gradual progress. The service of

members in the two World Wars is recorded with pride. Also the various additions and improvements to the

lodge premises are mentioned, including the endeavours to improve the heating of the lodge room and

refectory, to combat the cold winter's nights.

The guests and brethren were welcomed by the present Wor. Master, Wor. Bro. D. W. Scarlett, who, along

with the secretary, Wor. Bro. H. G. Shanks, was responsible for the organising of the celebrations.

Address by the Pro Grand Master

The function was marked by an address by Most Wor. Bro. Pringle who commended the brethren for their

enthusiasm over the past 75 years. He said:

"The thought for what I have to say tonight comes from the printed history of this Lodge—indeed from the

records of the Lodge of July 1895 when the business of the evening was a lecture entitled, 'The First

Temple'. I do not intend to traverse the history of the Lodge, nor to refer to the great, the good, and

particularly the faithful brethren, who have served and are serving it so well. Rather do I seek to set before

you a lesson compounded from the lecture title of, 'The First Temple', and the title which is so dear to me of

'Serving Brother'.

"To us all was given the opportunity of becoming servants in the building of the great temple of

Freemasonry—to us all was given the responsibility of becoming guardians of that temple—to us all was

given the task of laying up treasures within that temple—to the Glory of God, to the benefit of mankind and

to the spiritual and ethical betterment of ourselves.

"Too often today in this busy and complex life of the 20th Century, do we tend to put aside the great lessons

of Freemasonry—the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Far too often do we tend to forget the

great words of the final charge in the First Degree—'to your God, to your neighbour and to yourself'.

"If we think of the great intellects which inspired Freemasonry, let us think also of the vision, the courage,

the foresight and the dedication of the founders of this Lodge, of your lodge and of my lodge. Let us ask

ourselves how our Masonic ancestors would regard us, and to how many of us would they say, 'Well done

thou good and faithful servant'. Let us in our stocktaking of ourselves consider how well we have guarded

the Temple; the integrity and the proud and the great name of Freemasonry. Let us consider how much we

have adorned and decorated it with the rich silks of compassion and tolerance, the lovely brocades of

temperance and justice, the glorious cloth-of-gold of charity, not only charity of the pocket, but also of the

heart and of the out-stretched hand. Let us consider how we have tended the great fire of brotherhood, where

every Mason might warm his hands and go forth to demonstrate to the world at large that he was one to

whom the burdened heart could pour forth its sorrow, to whom the distressed could prefer their suit.

"Let us remember that the cement of brotherly love and affection which united the founders of this Lodge

and indeed, of every lodge, into a society of friends and brothers, is the very bond which links us to them,

and should remind us of the injunction to unite in the grand design of being happy and communicating

happiness.

"These were the moral duties laid upon us by them to glorify the great temple of Freemasonry. This was the

challenge laid upon us so to carry into the outside world the lessons we were taught within that temple. It is

for us to show that as Freemasons we are interested and willing to help, indeed to lead, in the cause of

medicine and education, in diffusing the light of knowledge, in the care of the aged and the sick, in solving

the problems of youth; that we as citizens of this world are working to make it a better one.

"In a more material context let us remember also other aspects of our duty. Have we lowered the high

standards of entry which were demanded by our predecessors? Do we make it too easy today to become a

Freemason, for thus we depreciate the value of our craft? I believe that we should raise our standards and not

permit them to lessen. Are the lodge rooms which were built by our elder brethren maintained to the standard

which they would wish? For here we show part of the face of Freemasonry to the world. The exterior of our

lodge rooms is one of the standards by which we will be judged.

"Consider too, are IA e guarding the Funds of Benevolence as we should? Are we ensuring that the

contributions made and being made for our charities are being wisely expended? Should we not seek to

conserve the capital sum and not be led into providing resources for projects which may ultimately become a

burden on our successors? I agree that our projects for homes and for aged people's accommodation evince to

the world that we are prepared to play our part, but I believe also that every such project should be very

closely examined and the implications of calls on the Funds of Benevolence carefully examined before we

proceed further. The attrition of the capital of the Funds of Benevolence will defeat the very purpose for

which it was raised.

"These are some of the things to which I think we should give our constant thought; for each of us was given

the responsibility of preserving the destiny of the Craft."

Toast to the Lodge Proposed by M. Wor. Bro. J. S. Hawker, P.G.M.

I deem it a very great honour on this most important occasion to have been given the privilege of proposing

the toast to the Mackenzie Lodge, No. 33.

In doing so, I am deeply conscious of those words of Milton: "They lived in deeds not in words" for, it is due

to the deeds of those Brethren of 75 years ago, and their successors that the Mackenzie Lodge is celebrating

this anniversary this evening.

I would say, Ladies and Brethren, that this year of 1969 will be one of, if not, the greatest year in our

lifetimes. For, not only do we celebrate this milestone in the life of this Lodge, but, it is the year in which

man has conquered space by a momentous landing on the Moon, and, our Prince Charles has been invested

as Prince of Wales, another truly wonderful event in the history of our Mother Country.

Speaking of the Investiture of the Prince of Wales, I was very impressed as we should all have been, that as a

young man, with a very historic future, he should adopt as his motto two words with a wealth of meaning—

"I serve". Words which we would all do well to emulate.

He also said: "A look to the past and a look to the future".

Now, Ladies and Brethren, in honouring this Toast should not we have a look to the past which has been, I

feel, quite adequately covered this evening by our historian, and those who have spoken, but more important

should not we look to the future, with the motto of our Prince, "I serve".

For, it is how the Brethren of this Lodge in the years to come serve their Lodge and Freemasonry in general

that the efforts of those who buitded so well 75 years ago, will be proved worthwhile. Honour be to their

successors for establishing and maintaining this Lodge on a solid basis. May the brethren of the present

generation resolve to continue their work, and, on

the foundations laid during the past years, aspire to

build a worthy heritage in our beloved Craft for

themselves and those that will follow in the years

yet to come.

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"Installing Masters' Guide" in stock at

Regalia House

May I quote:

"Hold firm the tools the builders use

To make a Lodge secure

With Level, Square and Rule infuse

The 'Will' that it endure."

May harmony ever prevail among the members of this Lodge, and happiness be every day increased.

The toast was honoured with enthusiasm.

In thanking M. Wor. Bro. Hawker for the toast, the Master, Wor. Bro. Scarlett, said that the members of the

Mackenzie Lodge are very proud of their existence, and for the wonderful tradition which has been so ably

laid by their distinguished predecessors who maintained all the teachings of Freemasonry. He assured those

present that they are looking forward to the future with confidence.

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OTAGO
Wor. Bro. G. M. Anderson, W.M., Lodge Morning Star, No. 192, on the evening of Saturday 6 September,

welcomed a large number of visitors and as the finale to his year of office as Master welcomed Rt. W.

Brother W. W. Mundy, Prov. G.M. of Otago who this evening had invited Rt. W. Brother F. K. Knox, Prov.

G.M. of Southland, and his Grand Lodge Officers to pay their bi-annual visit to Otago and this year Brother

F. L. Macdonell was installed into the chair of K.S. of Lodge Morning Star and his officers invested by our

Grand Lodge Officers of Southland.

Many brethren present had never seen the Installation ceremony as worked by our Southland Grand Lodge

Officers, and the many differences held their interest during the evening and Rt. W. Brother Knox before

closing the Board of Installed Masters and as a completion to the ceremony of investiture of the Lodge

Officers paid a special tribute of thanks and appreciation for the large number of W. Brethren and Brethren

present.

———

W. Brother E. G. Dryden since his installation as Master of Lodge Ionic, No. 191, Green Island, has worked

the ceremony of raising at both meetings under his control, Brother C. E. F. Gaudin, a very well known

Brother in other Lodges, was raised at the August meeting and Bro. P. D. Bell, son of a Past Master of Lodge

Ionic who has passed to the Grand Lodge above, was raised at the September meeting. Both ceremonies were

well attended by Lodge Brethren and visitors and again this year our Lodge has to occupy the Brethren as no

further candidates are in view and at our November meeting after an early closing of the Lodge the W.

Master, Officers and Brethren will pay a fraternal visit to Lodge Karitane some 30 miles distant north from

Green Island, a Lodge that meets on the same night as our Lodge.

g g g

WHAT ARE YOU DOING ?

A little time spent away from the noises and distractions of the usual activities and given to thinking of the

teachings of Masonry will reward any Mason. We find that too many things are taken for granted and the

true inwardness of our tenets cannot be apprehended when other matters crowd attention. Every period of

meditation given to Masonry yields results of value peculiarly their own. Try out the thought.

—"Exchange"

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