Tessellated Tales - September 2012

September 2012

TESSELLATED TALES

Volume 1, Issue 5

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

November 2012 District Communications for the District North Island New Zealand

The November District Grand Lodge Communications will be held at the Scinde Lodge in Kennedy Road, Napier on Saturday the 3rd of November following the Sesquicentennial Meeting and Banner Dedication Ceremony for the Port Chalmers Marine Lodge No 942.

The weekend will start with a cocktail party at the Omarunui Lodge rooms on the Friday evening. An organised Art Deco Tour of Napier has been arranged for the Ladies on the Saturday. The Ladies will also be invited to the Banner Dedication.

There will, of course, be a Dinner on the Saturday evening, which will be held at the Ormlie Lodge's Grande Villa restaurant.

Brethren should be aware that The Hawke's Bay Food and Wine Classic Festival is taking place in Napier on the same weekend, so early booking of accommodation is strongly recommended.

Please note that your registration has to be lodged with the District Grand Secetary by no later than the 19th of October.

The Masonic Samaritan Fund

Comes to the assistance of another of our distressed brethren

The United Grand Lodge of England has a charitable fund, which is available to all English masons, their wives, and immediate children, in regard to a medical condition, however the services of this particular fund remain relatively unknown to many of our members The fund has been used successfully in the last ten years or so, to assist in many different forms of medical treatments, especially where there are long waiting lists.

The fund has several conditions before providing assistance, such as an application before treatment, a report from a specialist and an income means test.

The fund was used very recently, for a mason who had an injury that required surgical correction. The application was made in early August, the request granted in early

September, and this particular brother is now recovering from the surgery. The whole process having taken between seven and eight weeks.

The District would like to make the fund more aware to our brethren at the grass roots. If you require this sort of medical assistance, application is made through your lodge almoner, who in turn will communicate with District.

The fund’s website is www.msfund.org.uk, and quoting from who they are willing to assist.

'The Masonic Samaritan Fund welcomes applications from anyone who at any time has been initiated into, or joined, a Lodge under the constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England. There are no age limits and no qualifying periods of membership.

There is no

The passing of W Bro E.R. (Ross) Hughes

Since the last newsletter, we have lost another very senior and much loved Brother to the Grand Lodge above.

W Bro Edward Ross Hughes PAGDC, affectionately known to all of us as Ross, passed away peacefully at home on the 1st of September.

He was initiated into the Duke of Albany Lodge in 1954 and was Master of that Lodge three times during his 58 years in Freemasonry.

Ross was President of the District Board of General Purposes for three years from 1993, and has been a stalwart of the District for many years.

He was particularly keen on the Mark degree, spending a number of years as the Deputy District Grand Master of that Order.

He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Rest in Peace.

Inside this issue:

The next bi-annual District Communications A Farewell to RW Bro Ross Hughes The Masonic Samaritan Fund The North Island English Masonic District Charitable Trust From the Pen of the Grumpy DGSec. What is Prostate Cancer W Bro R.G. (Bob) Williamson's double celebration Upcoming Events

September 2012

The Masonic Samaritan Fund cont.

requirement to still be active within the Craft.

In the same way applications are welcome on behalf of the wife, partner, widow or surviving partner of a Freemason who meets the above criteria. The MSF regards anyone who is physically or financially dependent on a Freemason, or his estate, to be eligible to apply as the dependant of a Freemason, including children in full­time education and living with their parents.'

From the Pen of the Grumpy District Grand Secretary I want to talk to you about the wearing of Masonic jewels, and the fact that many Brethren are unaware that there are Rules covering this.

First; 'no Masonic jewel, medal, device or emblem (which includes those pertaining to other Jurisdictions) can be worn without the approval of the MW Grand Master.'

Also, 'A Past Master’s jewel may be presented to a Brother only after his successor in the office of Master has been installed.'

This is from an extract of the Report of the Board of General Purposes, adopted 11th September 1963, and is therefore an Edict from Grand Lodge.

Next; when may the authorised jewels be worn? Strictly speaking, any jewel that is a ‘Lodge’ jewel (such as Past Master’s and centenary jewels) should only be worn within the Lodge to which they pertain. However, it has been the custom in New Zealand for many years, for Past Master’s jewels to be worn when visiting other Lodges.

As I cannot find any specific Rule prohibiting it, I guess we will all continue to wear them. However what you cannot wear at any time, as a member of an English Lodge,

The North Islan d English Masonic District Charitable Trust

Page 2

From the Chairman of Trustees of your Charitable Trust, Wor Bro A J M (Murray) Macdonald DGChStwd Growing the Capital: There is a By the time you receive this edition definite need to grow the Capital of of Tessellated Tales, you may have the trust fund. Present times are received or, if not, you shortly will indeed difficult, particularly for receive a letter regarding our annual those of us on fixed incomes so my appeal for donations to the EMDCT. appeal is simply this, should you In some Lodges it is usual for this to have certain charities you support be met by annual donations – due each year, please consider NIEMDCT by the end of November. Other as one of these selected Charities to members in the District have also contribute to. It is, after all, our taken up the option, the Trust is Trust in that its aim is primarily to continuing to promote, of making assist Masons and widows in our regular monthly donations through District. All sums are gratefully the monthly bank automatic received and they are most certainly payment scheme faithfully applied. Annual lump sum payments to the Trust are preferred Brethren, we are all well aware by some of our members, others masonry is built on brotherly love, find it easier to contribute smaller relief and truth and an important sums monthly via an instruction to part of this is giving to Charity. It is their Banks. We also of course sincerely hoped all Masons in our receive direct credits to our Bank District will consider this, their own account.

Charity, one they wish to support, as each person’s circumstances may Bequests: The Trust welcomes permit, on either a regular monthly Bequest enquiries, indeed in the or annual basis. The point of contact past year, we have benefitted from in your Lodge for forms and advice a generous bequest from the estate is your Charity Steward. of one of our brethren. Bequests is Alternatively our Trust Secretary on an area we are certainly interested (09) 579 9056 will always be happy in and in future publications, we will to discuss any aspect with you. be outlining the procedure to be followed should any brother wish to General Comment: Whereas the consider naming the Trust as a total Capital of the fund exceeds future beneficiary of their Estate. $1.2mill+, the invested Capital of For the moment, should you be the Trust is $1.1mill+ and it is from interested, we would be very happy this we earn revenue for to discuss the matter with you. distribution.

This investment portfolio remains, in general terms, Structure and Functions of the quite small and as such continues to Trust: The structure and functions produce modest revenues in these of the Trust are presently under delicate economic times. Trustees review to ensure it most effectively have therefore determined to meets the needs of our Brethren continue to be extremely prudent in now and in the years ahead. Not considering the dispersment of our only do we need to ensure our legal funds.

Our payouts must of framework is in line with present necessity lean towards Advances day requirements for Charitable (secured by Mortgage) rather than Trusts but we also need to ensure outright Grants. Having said this, in the operation of the Trust maintains reaching their decision on a case by both the efficiency and transparency case basis, Trustees are always expected of it by its members. mindful that the primary purpose of the North Island English Masonic Cheers to Tessellated Tales for District Charitable Trust is to assist providing this wonderful vehicle Masons and Widows in need. through which we can communicate with all Masons in the District.

September 2012

Grumpy's pen cont.

are Past Master’s jewels of another Constitution.

Visiting as a Grand or District Grand Officer when accompanying the District Representative, or visiting a Lodge as the Board’s ‘Visiting District Officer’ the only jewels that may be worn are the jewel of the Royal Arch, and the 275th celebration jewel of Grand Lodge.

Nothing else! This applies equally while attending any Grand or District Grand Lodge meeting.

In the next edition, I will discuss the wearing of collars; another subject where there would appear to be some misundetstanding.

What is Prostate Cancer?

After

a

couple

of

weeks

the

medication was not working and I

returned to my GP and asked to be

referred to a urologist which was a couple of weeks away. I visited him and

had

another

digital

rectal

examination at the end of which he stated that there was no evidence that I had prostate cancer. I left his

surgery very happy to be cleared of suspicion.

Two weeks later I was still not happy as things had not changed in

my nocturnal habits and again made

an appointment to see my Urologist who agreed at my insistence about the next step. I informed him that I

was a hypochondriac and he smiled and

said

“Did

hypochondriacs

you

live

know

six

that

months

longer than non hypochondriacs.”

A Brother's Personal

He then suggested that I have a

Encounter.

Brethren,'Prostate Cancer' are two

words that turn grown men weak at the knees and women pale at the thought. We must think about our

responsibilities to our families and loved ones.

prostate biopsy which consisted of a metal probe inserted into my rectum and

after

my

prostate

was

anaesthetised it fired a precisely

aimed biopsy needle through the

rectum wall into the prostate about 12 times recovering core samples

20mm long and 1 mm wide for the laboratory, that looked like a hair.

This is my story.

This troublesome gland is common

A week later I received the results

give problems to only dogs and

some suspicion of malignancy in two

to all male mammals but seems to humans.

Its walnut sized, sitting

under the bladder, and its main

function is to provide nutrition for sperms.

The

(urethra)

passes

prostate.

bladder’s

through

drain

the

I had been having this problem,

causing me to get up three or four times

during

water,

so

I

the

night

visited

my

to

pass

GP

to

ascertain the cause. He gave me a

that of the 12 samples there was

samples. On further discussion I had a further biopsy the following month which

confirmed

that

I

had

tumour 19mm in my prostate.

a I

was advised that the tumour was

very small and growing very slowly.

It was suggested that I be placed on an “active surveillance programme” being

monitored

because tumour.

it

was

by

a

my

slow

Doctor

growing

digital rectal examination, a number

I insisted that I be referred onto the

prescribed medication for me. I also

oncologist and he advised that I

of which I have had in the past, and had

another

antigen

(PSA)

prostate

blood

test

specific

which

proved negative. I had been having these every four or five months.

next step which was to a urology could receive radiation treatment. I went to my original urologist who placed three fiducial markers into my

prostate

and

three

almost

Page 3

invisible dots, one on each hip and one

over

the

pelvic

bone.

This

enabled me to be placed in to the

precise position on the multi­million­ dollar

radiation

therapy

machine

every day for about ten minutes for the next thirty seven days.

The aim of the radiation beam is

accurate to within one millimetre

lining up the prostate and delivering the

radiation

treatment

which

shrinks tumours and aims to kill cancers. It may not kill the cancer but it makes such a difference it was

unlikely to kill me before something else did. I have already had twenty

three radiation treatments and have

had no side effects. At the end of

the treatment I will be monitored and have regular PSA blood tests. I

am very confident that I am going to beat this as I recognised the signs and did something quickly.

Remember

most

men

die

with

prostate cancer, but only a very

small number die of it. So the secret is to receive treatment early. I have read where last year just over 500

men died of it in New Zealand and

this was because men were a bit shy to do anything about it. I know a lot of men get worried about this

digital rectal examination but you

have to bite the bullet and get it done. The PSA blood test is only an indicator of anything suspicious.

So Brethren if you have not had a

PSA blood test or a digital rectal examination in the last 12 months

please do so as soon as possible with your GP. Since the word has

got out that I have prostate cancer a

number

of

brethren

have

contacted me and told me how they

have been cured of this terrible disease.

Don’t

ignore

something

this

about

tomorrow, today.

Kind regards

Graham Abbott

it

message today,

do

not

September 2012

Page 4

W Bro R.G. (Bob) Williamson

celebrates 63 years in the craft and his 90th Birthday

On 16th of February 2012 W Bro R.G.

(Bob)

Williamson

of

Tongariro Lodge No 705, in Wanganui

was

the

Bob's ceremonial work has been

belatedly

membership.

Refectory

his

his two sons joined in 1985, and in or sons in law have joined.

acknowledge his 60 years of in

was a member of Tongariro Lodge, recent months five of his grandsons

presented with a certificate to

Later

His father George Pringle Williamson

He was presented with a Tongariro

Past Masters jewel in 1974, one of

90th

several Sterling silver jewels dating

birthday was celebrated which

involved a fine cake, several

reminiscences from other long standing Lodge members and 'Tongariro

Fire',

an

especial

salute used only to honour Lodge

members

who

have

excelled, particularly in matters Masonic.

After surviving World War 2

back to the 1860s­80s, re­issued

with

Lodge, plus we believe he became

and a tour of India in 1945 the

NZ

Army

Hockey

team, Bob returned to his home town to be initiated into Tongariro

Lodge on the 21st of July 1949.

Fourteen months later he was a Master Mason, by which stage the Lodge

required

a

Secretary.

Obviously used to living on the wild side he accepted the role which

resulted in a 20 year stint from him before he could move on into the Chair of King Solomon in 1972.

only for supreme service to our exemplary, which has enabled the Lodge to rely on his ability to deliver any charge without prior warning.

Throughout his Masonic lifetime he has rarely missed any meetings, practices or Lodges of Instruction, and

has

possibly

a

far

deeper

understanding of the principles of Freemasonry than most of us.

Upcoming Events

Brethren the upcoming event that should be upper most in your mind is attendance at the North Island New Zealand District Communication to be held in the

Scinde Lodge Rooms, 206 Kennedy Road, Napier on Saturday 3rd November 2012 at 2.30 P.M.

The District Grand Master will enter promptly at 2.45 P.M.

the first member of the 'District Grand Lodge of North Island New

Zealand', who at the time had not attaining the rank of Warden.

A superb example of the Williamson

dynasty and someone we would all do well to emulate.

Sincerely

WM Neilson PM.

A Note for Lodge Mentors

The United Grand Lodge of England has created a dedicated web site to provide assistance to those who have taken on the office of Lodge Mentor, or who are involved in the mentoring of our fellow brethren. www.masonicmentoring.org.uk

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: W 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 The official web site for the United Grand Lodge of England is www.ugle.org.nz Both of these sites have some excellent articles that are worth reading.