Tessellated Tales - June 2012

June 2012

TESSELLATED TALES

Volume 1, Issue 4

Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island, New Zealand

The District of North Island New Zealand's bi­annual Communications held on the 5th of May 2012

The first session was a three part workshop.

W. Bro. Murray Macdonald, DGChStwd and Chairman of Trustees of the North Island English Masonic District Charitable Trust, explained the present situation.

An effective investment policy has now been implemented and professional investment advisers retained. The assets are balanced between income and capital growth.

In the present economic climate, the priorities are to build confidence, promote the Trust and build donations. Brethren are encouraged to donate by a monthly direct debit from their bank.

This would dramatically improve the Trust’s ability to help those in need.

The next session was introduced by W Bro Ron Agnew PDGChap, DGAlmoner, who invited W. Bro. Tony Mansfield, Master of Prince of Wales Lodge to contribute with views based on his own experiences.

This was well received and much appreciated. The importance of keeping a watchful eye on brethren and their loved ones was stressed and Lodge Almoners must share the work with others when necessary. It was personal care, not just finance, which could transform a brother’s life.

The third session was led by W. Bro. Roger Everest PAGDC, the newly appointed District Grand Mentor. The Mentor was the first new office to be created in English Craft Masonry in 110 years. Roger explained the role of the Lodge Mentor and the personal mentors to be selected by him. A straw poll ascertained that eight of the Lodges represented at

the session had already identified their Lodge Mentors. The essence of the role is to improve brotherly inclusion, and ultimately retention of our new candidates.

The formal proceedings of the day commenced with the District Grand Chapter. The reports of the DG Principals were presented in written form and only the Report of the President of the District Committee of General Purposes was read. One highlight was the well deserved promotion of E.Comp John Walworth to the rank of PGStdB. District Grand Officers promoted: Ron Cross ­ President of the District Committee of GP Jeff Vanstone – Scribe E Des Leary – Treasurer Norm Clay – Registrar John Woodage – Sword Bearer District Grand Officers appointed: Dennis Turner – Principle Sojourner Farouk Khan – 1st Asst Sojourner Terry Brandon – 2nd Asst Sojourner Roy Swinbourne – Asst Scribe E Peter Parris – Standard Bearer Fred Henly – Organist Ray Blaber – Standard Bearer After lunch, the NIEMDCT AGM was held. A comprehensive briefing was given on the current financial structure; the management of the investment funds by a professional fund manager (JB Were) means that we are now looking forward to better returns over the long term.

The Chairman did, however, remind us that the fund is relatively modest and so the Trust must be extremely prudent in the distribution of grants.

He also asked for Lodges to identify Masons and Widows of Masons in need and to support the trust by

regular donations.

The District Grand Lodge meeting was then held on similar lines to the DG Chapter. After the DGM’s Address, only the Reports of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the NIEMDCT, the President of the District Board of General Purposes and the DG Almoner were read.

Considerable emphasis was placed on the need for Lodges to embrace fully a Mentoring program. The DGM announced the promotion of Dave Roberts, (now VW Bro) DDGM to the rank of Past Grand Sword Bearer. In addition, he appointed W Bro. Warren Weir to Assistant District Grand Master and W Bro Farouk Khan to President of the District Board of General Purposes.

Minutes of both meeting will be sent to Lodge Secretaries and these will include full texts of all the Reports.

W. Bro Warren Weir announced the date of the next Communication, in Taradale on Saturday 3rd November.

Brethren, mark that date well in your diaries. Further information will be issued in the usual way, including this Newsletter, as and when it becomes available.

Inside this issue:

Report from the District Communications Farewell to RW Bro Ross Collins The Ladies Programme during District Communications History of The Prince of Wales Lodge Freemasonry and the Waitangi Treaty House Upcoming Events

June 2012

Ross Molineaux Collins 10 February 1925 ­ 12 April 2012

RW Bro Ross M Collins passed to the Grand Lodge above on the 12th of April 2012. His funeral service held at the St. Chads Church in Meadowbank on the 16th of April, was well attended by brethren.

W Bro Michael Chopping was asked to speak on behalf of the District.

This is an extract of the eulogy he gave.

It is my very great privilege and honour to have been asked by the family to tell you briefly about Ross’s long and distinguished Masonic career which spanned some 63 years.

In 1949, Ross was proposed into the Te Awamutu Lodge No 2221 and rose through its ranks to become their Master in 1959.

In 1953 he was admitted a member of the Te Awamutu Royal Arch Chapter number 2221 and became First Principal in 1963.

In 1956 he was admitted a member of the Te Awamutu Rose Croix Chapter No 471 and became Sovereign in 1966.

In 1983 he was promoted to the 32nd degree in 1983.

In 2007 the Supreme Council in London awarded him, as one of the first three recipients, the Order of the Eagle and Rose.

Ross was a member of the Mark Master Masons Lodge and the Ararat Royal Ark Mariner Lodge and was awarded Grand Rank in both.

Promoted to District Grand Lodge, in time he became President of the Board of General Purposes and the North Island Charitable Trust. In

1973 he rose to the challenge of the amalgamation of the Auckland and Wellington Districts into the District Grand Lodge of the North Island of NZ. In recognition of his services he was promoted by the United Grand Lodge of England to Grand Rank and appointed Deputy District Grand Master in 1981.

Following the Retirement of RW Bro Ivan Whale, Ross was appointed in 1984 and installed as District Grand Master, and Grand Superintendent of the District Grand Chapter of North Island, in 1985.

Ross, like his predecessor, served some 17 years . His term should have ended at age 75, but was extended to 2001 as the District Grand Lodge was due to complete 125 years of existence following its establishment in 1876.

In 1993 Ross laid the foundation stone of the Ellerslie Masonic Centre, of which he became Chairman.

Ross continued to attend as many of the Lodges and Chapters as possible and I was privileged to accompany him.

My last visit to Ross was at the Edmund Hillary Home. I will never forget his beaming smile . He was frail but his mind was alert. We had a great time and I left with a great memory of a fine gentleman.

Ross, we all thank you very much indeed for your example of a true gentleman, dignified guidance, support and leadership over many years.

Farewell my friend.

Page 2

Report on the Ladies Programme during the District Communications

“How wonderful it is being part of the extended Masonic family” was one remark overheard on Saturday 8th May when 9 ladies from Wellington to Auckland met at the Ellerslie Masonic Centre at 11.30am.

“On our arrival at the centre we were looked after so well by Kevin Thompson of Lodge Harmony. Gloria Boulton then produced a substantial late morning tea which set us up nicely for the rest of the day.”

Our transport into the city, was by way of a minibus which awaited us outside the Masonic centre. We all knew Paddy Carne had exceptional skills in so many areas and driving this ‘bus’ was certainly one of them – it was particularly interesting and challenging when she had to negotiate the narrow confines of an inner city car park where we all concurred Paddy had good reason to mutter a few NZ/Irish expletives.

The focus of our visit to Auckland’s redeveloped Art Gallery was to view an exhibition of paintings on loan from the National Galleries of Scotland.

The Exhibition was entitled “Degas to Dali” [Edgar Degas,1834 – 1917; Salvador Dali 1904 ­1989],and it included paintings and etchings from the most celebrated figures in the history of modern art including Degas, Dali; Monet, Lichtenstein, Renoir, Picasso, Warhol, van Gough.

What a privilege it was to be able to view these works of art.

After visiting this exhibition, we then had time to see through the remainder of this magnificent Art Gallery and also found time for a cup of coffee to discuss what we had seen and to put the world to rights.

We returned to the Masonic Centre, safe and sound ­ looking forward to a most enjoyable Dinner with our respective ‘other halves’.

Jill McDonald

June 2012

A Short History of the Prince of Wales Lodge 1338 E.C.

In 1840 the foundation stone for a new nation was laid when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed at Koroareka, now Russell, in the Bay of Islands. It had been a wild place, known as the ‘Hell­Hole of the Pacific’ in its early years, used mainly by whaling ships, that had spent many months at sea.

However, in 1840 the majority of Maori and British representatives signed an agreement that was to bring a formal peace between them. This helped cement the foundations on which New Zealand would be built.

On the 18th of December 1869 nine Master Masons met in the Mason’s Hotel, Princes Street for the purpose of constituting a new lodge. Most were members of the Waitemata Lodge 689 EC and one was from the Ara Lodge 348 IC.The name of the lodge was to be, The Prince of Wales Lodge of Auckland.

There were six lodges meeting in Auckland at that time, however only one of these was an English Constitution Lodge, that being the Waitemata Lodge.

The six were: Ara Lodge 348 I.C. Auckland, Founded February 1842 Waitemata Lodge 689 E.C. Auckland, Founded September 1855 St. Andrew Lodge 418 S.C. Auckland, Warranted December 1861 Onehunga Lodge 420 I.C. Onehunga, Warranted December 1863 United Service Lodge 421 I.C. Auckland, Warranted May 1864 St. John Lodge 464 S.C. Otahuhu, Founded June 1868 The warrant was drawn up in England and signed by the then Grand Master, George Fredrick Samuel, Earl de Gray and Earl of Ripon, on the 7th of December 1870. Stowed in the hold in mailbags during its voyage, rats gnawed on it causing several patches that needed repairing.

The Lodge’s first treasurer Major Charles Heaphy VC (the first VC to be won during the Maori wars) was a skilled draughtsman who undertook the repair (which can still be seen today in the lodge).

Many changes have occurred during its long history but its traditions live on through the dedication and the enthusiasm of its present brethren.

December 1869 ­ August 1871, Lodge Room, Masonic Hotel, Princes Street September 1871, Alexandra Hotel, Parnell September 1871 to April 1876, Lodge Room, Masonic Hotel, Princes Street May 1876 to September 1877, Star Hotel, Albert Street October 1877 to December 1881, Lodge Room, Masonic Hotel, Princes St. December 1881 to 1975, Freemason's Hall, Princes Street 1975 ­ 2010 Masonic Hall Fraternity Building, 131 Market Road, Epsom Present day, Ellerslie Masonic Centre, 9 Roberts Road, Ellerslie.

Page 3

The Masonic Peace Memorial

In 1931, the Prince of Wales’ Lodge allocated Five Pounds to the Masonic Peace Memorial. They were not alone in this – many other lodges made similar donations.

The Memorial was first proposed by M.W. Grand Master, The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn in 1919.

At a dinner at Olympia in 1925, the Grand Master gave his thanks for the support offered and in particular for the support of brethren from outside Great Britain and the support of some other Grand Lodges.

Incidentally, that dinner set a record for the number served – over 7,000 were seated for the dinner.

While the funds were being raised, a competition was held to select the architects for the Memorial and H.V.Ashley and Winton Newman FFRIBA were selected. Construction started in 1927 and was completed in 1932.

The Memorial was intended as a mark of remembrance for the brethren who died in World War One, but it also had a second purpose – to be the headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Located in London, on the corner of Great Queen Street and Drury Lane, the Masonic Peace Memorial is these days better known as Freemasons’ Hall.

June 2012

Board of General Purposes Lodge Representatives for 2012

The following brethren from the Board of General Purposes have been allocated as the Board's representative to following lodges: Wellington W Bro Trevor Stent Aorangi W Bro Mike Jensen United Manawatu W Bro Pat Lenihan Egmont W Bro Bryce Smith Sir Donald McLean W Bro Roger Catlin Tongariro W Bro Trevor Stent Port Chalmers Marine W Bro Roger Everest Turanganui W Bro Tony DeCosta Te Awamutu W Bro Mike Chopping Opotiki W Bro Tony DeCosta Corinthian W Bro Keith Edmonds Eden W Bro Colin Graham Alexandra W Bro Ron Agnew Franklin W Bro Wayne Mayday Northern Light W Bro Bob Fricker Remuera W Bro Farouk Khan The Duke of Albany W Bro Bud Abbott Waitemata W Bro Gerry Byrne Harmony W Bro Clynton Hardy Prince of Wales W Bro Murray McDonald St George W Bro Farouk Khan Rodney W Bro Dave Wilding Zealandia W Bro Dennis Turner Star of the North W Bro Ron Teague

Page 4

Freemasonry and the Waitangi Treaty House

The Waitangi Treaty House, as it is known today, was originally a pre­ fabricated cottage imported from Sydney by James Busby, the then British Resident for New Zealand.

Interestingly, while the British Government, through the then colony of New South Wales, paid for cottage, James Busby had to pay for the freight himself and had it erected on land he had bought at Waitangi.

And, as we all know, it was at this house that the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840.

And today, the Waitangi Treaty House is preserved and is a well known tourist attraction operated by the Waitangi Trust.

It was not always so. By the 1920’s the cottage had fallen into disrepair and was rather dilapidated.

Lord Bledisloe, Governor General from 1930 to 1935, was instrumental in rescuing the cottage. He and his wife purchased the property, at that time still owned by descendants of James Busby, and presented it to the nation in May 1932. They also started an appeal to restore the original Treaty House.

On 6 February 1934, the restored house and property were dedicated at a major hui at which Lord Bledisloe stated: “But for the money contributions of a little group of generous donors, conspicuous among whom was the late Sir Alfred Bankart, the old British Residency or Treaty House, which was in a sadly dilapidated

condition up to a year ago could not have been restored…”

Therein lies the Masonic connection.

Lord Bledisloe was himself a mason.

He was initiated into the Apollo University Lodge No. 357 in Oxford, England in 1886. In New Zealand, he was made an honorary member of New Zealand Pacific Lodge No. 2 NZC and served as Grand Master of the Grand lodge of New Zealand from 1933 to 1935.

Sir Alfred Bankart was a member of the Prince of Wales lodge No. 1338, being initiated in 1895 and becoming Master in 1898, at the age of 28. He was also a member of and served as master of Rodney Lodge, Te Awamutu Lodge and Alexandra Lodge. He was appointed Deputy District Grand Master in 1907 and District Grand Master from 1913 until his death in 1933.

Thus, without the efforts of Freemasons, it is highly likely an important part of New Zealand’s history would have been lost.

As a footnote, when Lord Bledisloe donated the property, it was on the condition that it should never become a charge of the people of New Zealand. The property is administered by the Waitangi Trust which is dependent on sponsors, donations and the admission fees charged to overseas visitors for its finances. The Trust does not and never has received any government funding.

Acknowledgment: von Zoggel, Frans; Famous Sons of the Widow, Christchurch, 2004

Upcoming Events

The Sesqicentenary of the Port Charmers Marine Lodge No 942, in Napier, is to be held in conjunction with the November Communication of District Grand Lodge on the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd of November 2012.

Brethren are advised to book early, as accomodation is limited.

If you have an interesting or amusing masonic related story you would like to share, we would like to hear from you.

Contact Us Editor: W Bro Tim Stansfield (tim.stansfield@vodafone.co.nz) Co Editor: Bro Derek Sendrove (dsendrove@gmail.com) Freemasonry Today, the Official Journal of the United Grand Lodge of England is now available online at www.freemasonrytoday.com