OF WHOM WE HAVE NO MEMORIAL
Everyone is familiar with the words "Let us now praise famous men", and the rather sad commentary which
follows, that some there be of whom we have, no memorial, who have perished as though they had never
been born.
It. is not always the good men who are remembered for centuries after they have died, and even some great
civilisations have perished and been overlaid without the names of individuals having survived. When man
has gone to his long home, it matters little to him what memorial he has left behind.
Those who come after him may feel his influence for a very long time, whether or not they are aware of it.
As a stone thrown into a pool generates ripples which become slighter and less marked the further they go
from the centre, so our actions have results, proximate and then remote, and small causes can sometimes
produce great results.
The study of biography and of history, which after all is simply the sum of biographies, has an interest of its
own and leads to an understanding of human behaviour. It can lead, too, to a feeling of gratitude towards
those who have influenced our community for good, and so provide an example for our conduct through life.
Although the dead may no longer, and often, perhaps, mercifully, be able to assess the effects of their words
and actions, they continue to influence thought and conduct they have helped to shape, and often the living
are prepared to acknowledge the debt.
In research, it is a truism that the scholar should not dive straight into his subject. His first concern is to find
out what has already been done. Monographs, periodicals; serials, indexes and the vast stored knowledge
which the modern computer can make readily available make it possible for him to stand on the shoulders of
his predecessor and not waste time in going over what has already been established.
We live in an age when young-people are perhaps less willing to accept the precepts of their elders than in
the past. The young citizen of today is responsible enough to want to formulate his own standards, to have
his own experience, to come to his own conclusions. In some ways this makes for more dangerous living, but
sometimes, indeed very often, it makes for more honest living and greater ultimate conviction. But while the
young citizen may be impatient of precept it is very often found that he is far from being prepared to
disregard the record of human experience. It may be that his independence of thought puts him in a better
position to assess it.
It used to be said that genuine Masonic research was impossible in New Zealand: we had no primary
resources, our history was too short, Masonry was well established before a lodge ever worked in New
Zealand. To an extent this was true, but it is less true today. The Craft has an honourable history in New
Zealand, even although it may be at one remove from its sources. It has had its triumphs and its turbulences.
In spite of its necessary conservatism it has reflected its times. It has all been worked out in a small
community, where often enough the great figures of the past are the grandparents or the friends of the grand-
parents of today's research students. As Tennyson's Ulysses, looking back on his life, acknowledged, we are
a part of all that we have known: the experience we have met, and we may add, that we have inherited, has
contributed more than we have ourselves to the world we live in and the kind of society we have.
If we are interested in living happily in it and in improving it, as the good Freemason must be, we ought to
be able to assess every factor that has contributed and is contributing towards making the world what it is
and what it is becoming.
In many ways it is a saddening study, but in others it is encouraging: there is much to be grateful for.
Students in_ our lodges of research have over the years covered many parts of our history, and work is being
done in this field today. There is room for much more work, and it is work which will reward the scholar.
Some of our Grand Masters and some Masons of less eminence but sometimes, perhaps, of no less influence,
are subjects worthy of the biographer, and a knowledge of who they were and what they did might be found
to delight many members of the modern Craft. The student who essays the task of writing even a brief life of
one such will immediately find that it is impossible to study the life alone of his subject: he, is immediately
involved in a study of his life and times. His subject must be placed in context. A small period of history in a
particular place comes under the magnifying glass. Our student comes to know more about it than other
people do. The study begins to exercise a fascination, and the student is fired with the desire to share his
pleasure. The organisation of his material and the-expression of what he has to say then becomes a delight:
his reward comes when publication shares it with others.
It would be idle to suggest that this goes any distance at all towards repaying the debt to the dead. What it
does do is to extend the interest and influence of the
life of a man beyond the limits it would otherwise
have reached. Filial piety will often enough find that
this is adequate. There have been many Freemasons
of whom one would not wish to say that they had
perished as though they had never been born.
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.
R. D. Bachelor, Karariki, No. 9 R.D., Holcombe.
R. R. Butler, Galatea, R.D., Murupara.
K. A. Faulkner, 30 Landview Rd., Tauranga.
E. Fleming, 207 Riverside Drive, Lower Hutt.
G. A. Lindsay, 18 Melrose Pl., Tokoroa.
T. W. J. Matthews, 245 Edmonton Rd., Te Atatu.
R. McGregor, 22 Lydia Ave., Northcote.
W. R. Morgan, 2/4 Osborne St., Newmarket, Auckland.
W. Morrow, Box 44, Ranfurly.
George F. W. Parks, 3 Argyle Grove, Upper Hutt.
A. M. Poole, 50 Waimapu St., Greerton, Tauranga.
J. G. Prescott, 21 Hinton Ave., Beerescourt, Hamilton.
P. H. Tomlins, c/o Box 489, Hastings.
E. Whineray, Ohaupo Rd., Te Awamutu.
AUCKLAND
ADMONITION TO COMPANIONS
By M.E. Comp. H. R. A. Vialoux, P.G.Z.
The Annual Installation meeting of the Howick Chapter, No. 101, on 11th June last, at which Comp. A. J. N.
Miller was installed as First Principal, was notable for a most timely address by M.E. Comp. H. R. A.
Vialoux, Past First Grand Principal. M.E. Comp. Vialoux, a founder of the Chapter, had been received by the
Installing Officer, R.E. Comp. E. A. Sharpe, Grand Superintendent, and was accompanied by a large
attendance of Grand Chapter Officers.
It was appropriate that, after addressing the Companions, M.E. Comp. Vialoux continued:
"As I wish to address a few words to the Companions, at large, would the Companions of the Howick
Chapter please be seated.
"Companions, as we look around the world we see unrest, contempt, hatred, confusion and war.
"In our own country we find strife, discord and violence prevailing.
"In my view, base causes are arrogance, intolerance and greed.
"The question which we as Masons have to face is what, in these circumstances, is our duty in an endeavour
to restore peace and tranquility.
"It is obvious that we cannot act in any concerted manner, but only as individuals. First, however, we must
each put our individual house in order and in looking for a means to this end, should study history and the
lessons to be learned from our own teachings derived from our symbols and our allegory.
"From history we learn that the arrogance of the war lords in the last two world wars brought about their own
defeat.
"From our traditions we learn of the doom of the three arrogant villians who attempted to gain something to
which they were not entitled. In our Royal Arch ritual we learn the fate of the arrogant overseer who was
displaced in favour of the humble craftsman.-
"On the other hand we learn of the humility of those who desired to journey to Jerusalem to assist in
rebuilding the Temple and again the humility of the Sojourners who merely sought employment; and we
know how that humility was rewarded.
"Furthermore, we have numerous references in the ritual to the duty of the individual; for example, his duty
as a citizen of the world in the First Degree and m the Third Degree, the injunction that to improve the
morals and correct the manners of men must be his constant care.
"These are some of the lessons we have been taught but how are we to put them into practice?
"As I have just told the Companions of this Chapter, some of the great objects of our sublime institution are
to do good, to promote good order and to diffuse light and instruction; and the Officers of the Chapter were
enjoined to make example advance with precept.
"In result therefore, Companions, whether it be in your private capacity or as a member of an organisation or
club, at the office, in the shop, or in the factory, in your union or in your Chamber of Commerce, or indeed
wherever you be, let me exhort you always to use your best endeavours, by word and conduct and by
example, to subdue arrogance and to advocate tolerance in all things and towards all men.
"This I believe is the duty that we as Masons must undertake if peace and tranquility are to be restored
among men."
g g g
LODGE BIRKENHEAD, No. 337
The Brethren of Lodge Birkenhead, No. 337 and their friends gathered at "Romaleigh" reception rooms,
Northcote, on the evening of 13 June to honour wife and lady friend on the occasion of their annual "Ladies'
Night". The Master, W. Bro. R. Charles Castleton and Mrs Castleton received the guests, and were honoured
to welcome Rt. W. Bro. Selwyn Oldham, Prov. G.M., and Mrs Oldham.
The evening took the form of a "Dine-and-Dance" under the direction of Bro. Simpson Collins, J.W.,
Brethren, friends and ladies assembling at 7.30 p.m., to commence proceedings at 8 o'clock.
A toast to "The Master and his Lady" was proposed by W. Bro. George Warth and enthusiastically honoured
by all present. On behalf of the Brethren of the Lodge, Mrs Warth presented flowers and a gift to Mrs
Castleton, and a sheaf of flowers to Mrs Oldham. W. Bro. Castleton ably responded.
In proposing the toast to "The Ladies", V.W. Bro. E. A. Sharpe referred to the phases through which the
Lodge's annual "Ladies' Night" has progressed in the course of the Lodge's 22 years of its existence. Mrs
Alice McGlashan, on behalf of the Ladies, responded in able and original terms, and rounded off her reply
with this "ditty":
Many years have hurried past since he first joined the Craft,
I used to help with stiff front shirts and know that I was daft
To crawl about on hands and knees to find the stud he'd lost,
He could have bought some extra ones for very little cost.
I liked to lay out all his clothes and little white bow ties;
The dinner suit was "hand me down" and not quite right for size.
We realised that frequently he had just one black sock.
This, of all my shortcomings, would make him do his block.
The time involved in putting on the full Masonic dress
Was fraught with great frustration and with constant mounting stress.
For also with the dressing was a frantic final look
At certain of the pages in the secret ritual book.
Then came the day when tails were bought to mark promotion's climb,
I warmed with pride as off he went—that special man of mine.
Next came a spate of going out to one lodge or another.
He hardly spent a night at home, my Worshipful, the Brother.
I watched a special talent grow, a new commanding air
Of dignity and confidence, as Master in the Chair.
My memory of that time is tinged with one distinctive sight;
The rear-end view of flapping tails—my penguin in full flight.
Quite suddenly the visits stopped, the frantic rush was spent.
A mellow phase had introduced a mood of rich content.
I'm glad that I'm a Mason's wife, I do support the aims,
I tolerate the system and appreciate the claims.
But of the many mysteries that in the Craft abound,
The one which stands above the rest as far the most profound.
Is why Masonic visiting is such a great success
While any outing I arrange seems only to depress.
All I can get is lounge suit and a sad submissive smile,
When I get out my loveliest and try to put on style.
But if it were the "Regular", with thoughts of friendship's clasp,
Reluctance is forgotten in the true Masonic grasp.
He'll don his tails and wear a look of sober concentration,
While deep within his being stirs the loyal exultation.
I'm proud to be a Mason's wife,
I'm proud to be a Mother,
And later, once our son has joined, he'll be my husband's Brother!
And then I hope they'll both go off in fellowship fraternal
To moralise and square their lives on God's own word eternal.
g g g
WAIKATO DISTRICT NOTES
"TO DISTRICT GRAND LODGE"
How many times have you drunk this toast? And then sat down to listen to the reply and thought, "Well, here
we go again, still after this we can have a smoke and maybe he won't take too long over the reply." Have you
ever really thought what it means to attend Installation after Installation, to travel from one end of the district
to the other, and still think of something pleasant to say to the visited Lodge? It's not always easy and at
times it can be quite a chore—still we must admit it also has its lighter side (even though this may not be so
apparent at the time).
The following report from the District Grand Lodge of New Zealand North may show a little of what goes on
behind the scenes.
Annual Visit to Lodge Montrose
Once again our intrepid explorers of the D.G.L. have discovered new territory and blazed a trail through
darkest New Zealand.
On our visit to Gisborne with that dedicated trail blazer, Bro. Erne Adams (R.W.D.G. Master) in charge of
the expedition, following the advice of a Brother who had settled in the area, it was decided to strike out on a
direct compass course from Whakatane to Opotiki through Ohope. The wind and weather, however, were
against us and about 3 miles from Opotiki we hit a detour where the signs had blown over. We had a 50-50
choice—turn left or turn right. You might guess what happened. Two said go left, two said go right, while
District Grand Secretary thought the matter should be referred to Grand Lodge for a decision. However, as
this course was likely to lead to a delay of a few months we placed our faith in local knowledge and altered
course to starboard.
The road was to say the least, interesting. There was evidence of human occupation at some time as on
occasional stretches of the track, holes which a car might have disappeared into without trace, had been at
least partly filled with metal (possibly by Te Kooti). There were certainly no signs of recent habitation—the
only signs of movement we saw were two sheep
who were either fugitives from the freezing works or
who had decided to become hermits. They looked
extremely startled at having their safe hideout
invaded.
We climbed up over impassable mountains, we
descended into Stygian gorges, we turned left, we
turned right and we slithered around in circles, but
with grim determination we pressed on (aided by the
fact that we couldn't find anywhere wide enough to
turn the car). At last, after what seemed to be about
200 miles and three hours of travel, with supplies (of
Minties) exhausted and some of the crew prostrate
with exhaustion (and car sickness) we reached a
road. It looked about 3 miles wide and we were
almost
<Page 52 >
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passed through all the offices of the Chapter to become First Principal, and for his service to Royal Arch
Masonry was honoured by Grand Chapter with the office of Second Grand Sojourner in 1952 and P.G.S.N.
in 1966.
Congratulations, V. Ex. Comp. Dobson—may you live long to enjoy the companionship of Royal Arch
Masonry.
SINCERITY IN EACH
Day by day the newspapers present us with a wearisome list of murders, rape, swindles, larceny, bank hold-
ups, hi-jacking and traffic accidents with the result that the mind becomes twisted into the conviction that
this sort of thing is now normal and must be accepted as our way of life; and so we shrug it off as if it were
something that we cannot alter, therefore why worry?
Then we read of student protests, of home rebellions, juvenile delinquency, drug taking, smoking and
drinking by teenagers and we think of the restraints of our own youth and wonder why this new generation is
permitted such liberties.
No need to wonder why, brother, it's all at our door. We have let up as adults so our children have let up as
children. Adult behaviour is judged by the headlines in the papers and by the relaxation of control by parents,
so is it any wonder that our children are confused and voice their protests in the only way they can? What
sort of world is it that we are handing to them? If they cannot any longer believe in us can they continue to
believe in themselves?
Even an elite institution like Freemasonry is suffering from a reflection of the general world behaviour. True,
we have no outbreak of Masonic delinquency but we do have our failures and one of the most puzzling is the
falling-off of interest on the part of men who have paid a large sum to enter, have been adjudged desirable
members by proposer, seconder, inquiry committee and the lodge itself, have been paid the compliment of
having three evenings devoted to their honour—and yet have vanished from the scene after a few short
months. This is not a general tendency, to be sure, but it happens often enough to engender uneasiness that it
should happen at all. We blame the drop-outs on their inability to grasp the meaning of Freemasonry, on the
competition of other social interests, on the service clubs, on home commitments and—meanest of all—the
fact that they should never have been recommended by the inquiry committee. Do we blame ourselves that
we did not make Masonry interesting enough or that we were obviously insincere in proclaiming Masonry's
great pretensions as a world moral force?
We teach a man to live by the Square, to be upright, to act on the Level; that all men are equal under God,
save for the differing values of education, capacity and inheritance; to hold the Bible in veneration; to be
charitable to those in distress; and to safeguard a brother Mason from slander and approaching danger. This
is a fine conception and ranks among the world's greatest influences in moral behaviour. The drop-outs,
therefore, can find no quarrel with our pretensions; it must be with ourselves. Perhaps they judge our
sincerity by the miserable dollar we each contribute to charity in the year, even though we have lectured
them on the beauties of benevolence in the N.E. corner. Can we wander that they misjudge Freemasonry
when we—the Freemasons—let it down so badly?
Is not the withdrawal of men who were carefully examined, carefully coached, carefully accepted and
carefully instructed reminiscent in some way of the revolt of youth? Youth does not know what it is revolting
against. Questions asked of selected young people indicate a great confusion of mind. The protesters protest,
they know not why. But they claim the right to protest; and in the main it amuses us. It should, however,
Shame us. Evidently the world we are offering them falls far short of the ideal world we talk about. Maybe
the Masonry we offer to our candidates is not always to their liking either.
It is time we gave the matter of sincerity a good overhauling. Masonry tends to become a meeting place of
men who know one another. A newcomer, despite the attention bestowed on him as a candidate, takes some
time to feel at home. Once the initial glow has subsided and the speechmaking has finished, he tends to feel
neglected if he is allowed to remain on the fringe of the brotherhood. He has been schooled in a multiplicity
of virtues. He has had spread before him a plan of conduct that, if followed, would make him well nigh
perfect. Is this plan reflected in the conduct of the brethren who surround him? Does he have to be reminded
that Masons are only men with human weaknesses? What can be think when he learns that some Freemasons
"get away" with conduct of which they should be heartily ashamed?
These are questions that Freemasons must face fairly and squarely. If there are men in our ranks who do not
measure up to what is consistent with good citizenship then are we not justified in asking those men to leave?
Is it not better to have a smaller but sincere Masonry than a bloated brotherhood with shams and hypocrisy?
Think it over, brother. —The West Australian Craftsman
————
OBITUARY
LATE MOST W. BRO. J. C. BARCLAY, PAST GRAND MASTER
Masonry in New Zealand and Taranaki in particular, suffered a great loss when our M.W. Brother passed to
the Grand Lodge on Saturday 20 June 1970 in his 83rd year. M.W. Bro. Barclay was Initiated in Lodge
Neptune, No. 419, S.C., Glasgow. He joined Lodge Hawera, No. 34 on 5 April 1921, Lodge Taranaki, No.
240 on 3 May 1922, The Research Lodge of Taranaki Province, No. 323 on 10 October 1946 and Lodge
Ramanui, No. 429 on 20 April 1963. He was a Charter Member of the last three lodges and was still a
member of all four lodges at the date of his death.
He was installed as Master of Lodge Taranaki on 14 May 1924, elected Asst. Grand Director of Ceremonies
in November 1931, appointed Provincial Grand Master of Taranaki District from 1936 to 1942 inclusive,
appointed Deputy Grand Master in November 1949 and elected Grand Master in November 1951.
In 1956 he was appointed the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
Prior to interment at the Okaiawa Cemetery a Lodge of Sorrow was held in the Hawera Lodge Room before
an excellent attendance of brethren.
The oration was in the hands of Bro. L. A. Taylor, a Charter Member of Lodge Taranaki.
Eulogy
Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brethren and Brethren—
This gathering to pay our last tributes of affection and respect to our late Brother Barclay may, from one
angle, be regarded as a mournful occasion but from another angle it may be accepted as an occasion on
which to express our pride in owning Brother Barclay as a Brother in our Institution and our thanks to him
for his long period of service to the Craft.
It is fitting that our present Provincial Grand Master and all subsidiary officers and Brethren should be here,
for was he not our Brother and our beloved Grand Master.
First, we offer our condolences and sympathy to Mrs Barclay and to Ross, a member of this Lodge, but, we
are sure that pride in Brother Barclay and memories of a steadfast husband and father will do much to
assuage their grief.
Brother Barclay commenced his Masonic career in Taranaki Lodge, but, 48 years ago, he was our third
Master. It is a sobering thought to me that Brother Hayton and I are the only two surviving Charter Members
of the Lodge.
Brethren, it is always fascinating to watch a man who has an aptitude for a certain philosophy of life and who
follows it and allows it to mould his life, sometimes his very facial features. Brother Barclay allowed
Freemasonry to influence him in his thinking and acting. He gave much to Freemasonry but he received
much from his connection with it. Its massive morality and its demands for good citizenship earned his
respect, his devotion and emulation.
Our departed Brother might have been the recipient of an admonition sent by a man very much in the
position of a Provincial Grand Master 1900 years ago. I read: "As touching brotherly love, ye need not that I
write to you for God hath taught you to love one another and indeed you do it to all your brethren. Study to
be quiet and do your own business and work with your own hands as we commanded you so that ye may
walk honestly towards them that are without." What a fine sign of goodwill towards those who are not
Freemasons, there is in that word "without". The admonition was descriptive of our late Brother. The recipe
for a life of meaning and usefulness has not changed.
Our Brother was devoted to the best interests of his fellow members. As Master he supported the Provincial
Grand Master of his day and he commended himself to his associates till he held in his hands the highest gift
that Freemasonry could bestow upon him. His broad understanding of humanity made him an outstanding
counsellor, and he used his experience in business for the benefit of the management of Grand Lodge. In his
address to Brethren, his voice was a benediction. Even after he retired from office his interest in us did not
abate. His ear was ever open to hear doubts or difficulties incurred by Masters and his purse was open
whenever charitable calls were made on him.
Brethren, we should make use of occasions like this one. Involuntarily, as we contemplate our Brother's
career, we are urged to emulate him. Let us do that earnestly.
Brother Barclay has passed through the veil that hangs between the physical and the spiritual world. It is not
given to us to look on the other side of that veil, but we are confident that the welcome to him in the spirit
world was in those well fitting words: "Well done, good and faithful Brother. Enter into the joy of thy Lord."
When men go down to the sea in ships
'Tis not to the sea they go;
Some isle or pole the mariner's goal
And thither they sail through calm and gale,
When down to the sea they go.
When souls go down to the sea by ship,
and the dark ship's name is Death,
Why mourn and wail at the vanishing soul?
Though outward bound, God's world is round,
And only a ship is Death;
When I go down to the sea by ship,
And Death unfurls her sail,
Weep not for me, for there will be
A living host on another coast
To beckon and cry, "All Hail".
TARANAKI
ROYAL ARCH MASONRY
On Monday 8 June 1970 the Companions of Taranaki Chapters were present in goodly numbers to welcome
M. Ex. Comp. P. C. Betts, First Grand Principal and his Grand Chapter Officers on the occasion of his first
official visit to the Province.
R. Ex. Comp. M. Beattie, Gr. Supt. of Taranaki, welcomed our distinguished Companion on behalf of the
assembled Companions and also intimated that he would be privileged to witness the working of a Royal
Arch Degree by the members of Grand Chapter of Taranaki which would be presided over by V. Ex. Comp.
E. R. Wilson, P.G.D.C.
The candidate to be exalted was Bro. R. G. Wingate of the Stratford Lodge, No. 75 and the following
officers assumed the various offices for the evening: H., R. Ex. Comp. H. Bayliss, Grand J.; J., V. Ex. H. E.
Nicholls, P.G.Std.B.; D.C., V. Ex. Comp D. E. McDonald, G.D.C.; S.E., V. Ex. Comp. H. J. Batten,
P.Gr.Std.B.; S.N. and Supt. Wks., V. Ex. Comp. J. H. Barnard, P.G. Chanc.; 1st Soj., R. Ex. Comp. M.
Beattie, Gr. Supt., Taranaki; 2nd Soj., V. Ex. Comp. M. G. D. Lucas, P.G.D.C.; 3rd Soj., V. Ex. Comp. C. B.
Langlands, P.G.Swd.B.
The working of the degree was completed in an exemplary manner and was very much appreciated by all the
Companions present. At the conclusion of the working V. Ex. Comp. E. R. Wilson thanked V. Ex. Comp. H.
R. Bracegirdle, First Principal of Egmont Chapter, No. 37, for the opportunity to work the degree and hoped
that this working would be the first of others to follow.
In the refectory the usual toasts were honoured and the Companions were then addressed by M. Ex. Comp.
Betts on a number of aspects of Royal Arch Masonry of which the Companions were very much
appreciative.
Sixty Years of Service to Royal Arch Masonry
Arrangements have also been made to present to Ex. Comp. Arthur Spillman a Charter Member of Egmont
Chapter, No. 37 with his fourth 5 years' service bar.
Fifty years' service in a Craft Lodge is recognised as a great achievement, but to attain 60 years' of service in
Royal Arch Masonry is indeed a record of which to be proud.
Ex. Comp. Spillman who recently celebrated his 90th birthday was not able to attend our June meeting to
receive his additional service bar but the original jewel with the addition has been forwarded to M. Ex.
Comp. P. C. Betts, First Grand Principal, who is to arrange for the presentation to our Ex. Comp. at his home
in Palmerston North.
We extend our heartiest congratulations to Ex. Comp. Arthur Spillman on his wonderful record of service.
OTAGO
A NEW APPROACH TO A TOAST
"W.M. and Brethren—
"It is my pleasure as it is my privilege, to propose the toast of R.W. Bro. Suckling, Prov. G.M.
"Freemasonry flourishes, wherever the far-flung units of civilisation exist. It flourishes from the sun
scorched equator, to the icy wastes of the Antarctic. It flourishes not least in New Zealand— in every city, in
every town, in every village. Here one person in every 50 is a Freemason—here you will find Freemasons in
every strata of society—in every walk of life, acting with credit, to their country, to their Craft and to
themselves and it is to senior brethren that we look to for leadership, to ensure that our institution maintains
its eminence.
"I have known our R.W. Bro. for over 20 years. We met at an employers' conference. Then, as now, I was
somewhat shy and retiring, but he took me under his wing and brought to me a cup of tea and a sandwich.
That is typical of him.
"We who are sufficiently interested, know the onerous duties he undertook when he accepted his present
position and we know that he would not have undertaken the responsibility had he not been sure of the
spontaneous support that he had received on the home front. He has also received the loyal support and co-
operation of Prov. Grand Lodge officers.
"Invariably, when this toast is proposed it is loaded with eulogy. I will not do that, but I will quote something
from our family archives, something that more aptly than my words, will express my sentiments on this
occasion.
"I will not wish thee grandeur
I will not wish thee wealth
Only a contented mind, peace, competence and health.
Fond friends to love thee dearly
With honest ones to chide,
And faithful friends to cleave to thee,
Whatever may betide.
"W.M. and Brethren, will you now join with me in honouring the toast of R.W. Bro. Suckling, our Prov.
G.M."
(As well as I can remember, that is a word perfect statement of the toast.)
SOUTHLAND DISTRICT NOTES
The strength of the Invercargill Conclave of the Secret Monitor, No. 73, was well in evidence at their
meeting which was held in the Masonic Hall, Invercargill on Saturday 13 June 1970. During the afternoon
the members witnessed the opening of the District Grand Conclave by R.W. Bro. E. J. Woolf, D.G.S.R., of
the District of N.Z. South. After the announcement of the purpose of the meeting, the D.G.S.R. with the
assistance of D.G.D. of C., V.W. Bro. H. J. Overton and the Grand Conclave Officers, proceeded to install
R.W. Bro. Alex F. de Haro as District G.S.R. of Otago and Southland. Members of the District seldom have
the opportunity to be present at such an installation and the large attendance of members were impressed by
the sincerity and efficient manner in which the work was carried out. The installation was followed by the
appointment and investiture of District Grand Conclave Officers for the ensuing year.