TESSELLATED Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
TALES Autumn 2019
Tessellated Tales
Who Is This Man? Does he look familiar?
encourage potential new members, whilst at the same time retaining and adding value to the existing membership. It comprises a series of Steps to take a man who is interested in Freemasonry, but not yet a member, all the way through a journey to become a committed Master Mason. It draws on the experiences of many strong and healthy Lodges across our constitution. The evidence from these Lodges indicates that there is good reason to be optimistic about our future. There are many suitable men who would be attracted to Freemasonry if they knew a little more about it.
The answer lies within the pages of this newsletter.
The Members’ Pathway
The evidence also suggests that lasting and committed membership is most likely to be achieved when applicants and candidates are carefully screened to be sure they meet the qualifications for membership, when both the Lodge and the candidate make their expectations clear to each other, when there is a good match between the Lodge and the candidate and when both parties work at meeting each other’s expectations
Promoting a positive public “The future of Freemasonry depends upon being able to image of Freemasonry is not introduce and retain committed members who will contribute part of the Pathway but is a to their Lodges and enjoy a lasting membership”. Peter necessary foundation upon which the Pathway is built Lowndes, Pro Grand Master The Members’ Pathway was developed by UGLE in response to research carried out with both Freemasons and those outside the craft. It has been extensively trialled by several Provinces in England and was released for use by Lodges in December 2017.
All members of a Lodge share responsibility for introducing new members and for helping to retain them by making them feel welcome and supported.
The Members’ Pathway is a guide that provides a structured approach that Lodges can follow to attract, introduce and The success of the Members’ Page 1
Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
Tessellated Tales Pathway can be measured by two indicators; an increase in suitable candidates and the proportion of these who go on to become lasting and committed members and contribute to their Lodge many years after Initiation. By adopting the Steps in the Pathway a Lodge should also be better placed to assess its own strengths and weaknesses, its likely source of applicants and its future viability.
Sir Albert Markham Sir Markham was initiated into the Phoenix Lodge No. 257 in 1886, and later became Worshipful Master of the Royal Naval Lodge No. 3337 in Malta. He was a founding member of the Navy Lodge No. 2612 formed in London in 1896. In 1869 Sir Albert H. Markham was informally asked by Governor Bowen, the first Governor of Queensland, and the fifth Governor of NZ, to suggest a distinctive flag for the embryonic New Zealand Marine. At the time Markham was serving as First Lieutenant onboard HMS Blanche of the Imperial Squadron on the Australian station.
Recent research from outside Upon being asked the question, Markham replied “As you already of the Craft into patterns have the right to fly the Royal Ensign, why not add to it the stars of membership in clubs, of the Southern Cross?” societies and organisations shows that: Many men (approximately 2.7 million in England) regularly give of their time to clubs, societies and organisations related to hobbies, social activities and recreation. Levels of participation have returned to the high point reached before the 2008 economic crisis. Age, location and economic activity need not be barriers to joining. Freemasonry can satisfy the hopes, aspirations and expectations that are often expressed by those who do join organisations.
The flag was ever more widely adopted, albeit unofficially, until 1901 when the design was accepted formally as the official flag of New Zealand. We have here an English Freemason credited with designing our New Zealand National Flag. In 1893 Rear Admiral Markham was in command of the second division of the British Mediterranean Fleet off the coast of Lebanon aboard the HMS Camperdown.
Therefore, the Members’ Pathway should help us all to plan for the success and longevity of Freemasonry in the future.
Vice Admiral Tryon in HMS Victoria ordered a manoeuvre which Markham questioned.
Tryon insisted on this dangerous course and the ensuing collision drowned For a detailed explanation 357 men, including Tryon, of the Steps and how they and the sinking of HMS may help your lodge, please Victoria. contact W Bro Tony Mansfield on 0274 746 236 or by email Markham was not tried so no verdict was passed upon his actions. W Bro Des Laery at tonybman@xtra.co.nz. Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
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Tessellated Tales Perseverance Lodge of Hong Kong on 18 December last year.
The older constitutions having a day’s golfing at Southead Golf Club. Left to right W Bro David Leach DSGW, V W Bro Farouk Khan DDGM from the English Constitution, R W Bro Andrew McGregor PGM Irish Constitution and Bro John Aldcroft R W DGM Scottish Constitution.
A Visit to Zetland Hall - Home of Hong Kong Freemasons
Armed with Letters of Introduction from our District Grand Secretary and from my own lodge Secretary, I went to the Zetland Hall located on No.1 Kennedy Road on Hong Kong Island in the afternoon of my visit. I was met and welcomed by Mr. Peter Prata, the Hall Custodian and Manager who checked my credentials and advised me to return at 5:00pm for the Installation Meeting of The Perseverance Lodge of Hong Kong No. 1165 E.C. At 6:00pm, all visitors were ushered into the Lodge, en mass, and saluted the Master, W Bro Donald Yipin in the third degree.
Visiting a Freemason lodge overseas can be a fascinating and very rewarding experience. I have had my share of visiting overseas lodges in Philippines, Singapore, United States. But one city where I really wanted to visit a mason lodge was Hong Kong, where I used to live and worked for 25 years.
The ceremony was conducted with proper decorum by the Immediate Past Grand Master and was relatively short since it was a proclamation of the existing Worshipful Master. I had wanted to join Freemasonry in Hong Kong but in the those It was attended by over 100 days, I was told by some people that it was an elite organisation masons including visitors with members coming from the government , the expatriate from provincial grand lodges community, Police ,Judiciary and leaders of industry, and that it in England and Ireland. At the was difficult to be admitted for membership, so I never bothered to apply. When I became a mason in New Zealand, I promised myself that one day when I visit Hong Kong again, I would find time to visit a Masonic lodge there. It was with great anticipation and excitement that I visited the
third raising, I together with other visitors gave greetings on behalf of our respective lodges. For me, it was an interesting and gratifying experience as I had the rare opportunity of renewing acquaintance with my long lost friend, Vivian Lee, The Right Worshipful District Grand Page 3
Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
Tessellated Tales
A Fifty-Year Freemason
W Bro Geoffrey Pattenden was initiated into The Lodge of Hope No. 2679 in Eccles, Lancashire, England in 1969. Five years later he and his family emigrated to New Zealand where he joined Southern Star Lodge No. 735 in Nelson. Work then took Geoff to Auckland where he joined The Prince of Wales’ Lodge No. 1338. Master of Hong Kong and the Far East, who was my banker at Hill Samuel Bank in Hong Kong years ago, I never knew then that he was a mason.
Following his retirement, he moved to Rotorua and then returned to his New Zealand roots in Nelson to be near his family.
Now aged 94 and living in a retirement village he keeps up to date with what is happening in The Prince of Wales’ Lodge, looks forward to reading the Lodge Minutes and sends his apology for absence without fail each month. When W Bro Allan as Secretary of Prince of Wales’ Lodge, contacted him about his 50 Years’ One impressive aspect of Service Certificate, Geoff was all set to pack his bags and make for attending a Mason meeting at the North Island District Communications being held at Wairakei Zetland Hall is the high standard Resort in Taupo in November. Sensibly W Bro Pemberton the of their catering. The centre has a small restaurant and a bar with full time catering staff. Zetland Hall is the Masonic Centre owned and operated by the Lodges that meet in Hong Kong. Currently there are 29 Blue or Craft Lodges that meet there under the auspices of the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland, as well as a wide variety of English, Irish and Scottish side-orders. There is therefore likely to be a meeting most days. Almoner of Prince of Wales’ Lodge, and Geoff’s family came up Based on my good experience with a better and far more practical plan. I would highly recommend any W Bro Pemberton was going to be in Nelson on Saturday the 20th brother from New Zealand who of April 2019, after walking the Abel Tasman track. He contacted W is travelling to Hong Kong to Bro Hunter the Secretary of Southern Star Lodge, and arrangements pay a visit to the Zetland Hall were made for Geoff to attend the lodge for the presentation. and attend a Masonic meeting. The Brethren of the Southern Star Lodge were most obliging, Be sure to bring your lodge even putting on a morning tea and giving of their time on Easter certificate or get an introductory letter from our District Grand Secretary before leaving New Zealand. This is an easy place to visit and as a Freemason, a masonic visit while in Hong Kong should not be missed.
The Zetland Hall website http:// www.zetlandhall.com provides details of all meetings and other events and also contact details W Bro George Lim PDSGD Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
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Tessellated Tales Weekend.
Masonic Commandments
It was fitting that Southern Star Lodge play host According to St. Georges Lodge. being Geoff’s first lodge in New Zealand. The lustre of the event was further enhanced by W Bro David Stenning, Deputy District Grand These commandments of Dress were issued by a Master, South Island New Zealand, United Grand lodge in England in the mid 1980’s. Lodge of England, honouring Geoff’s Masonic Milestone with his presence. By becoming a Freemason, you have left behind Geoff entered the Lodge rooms with his walker accompanied by his daughter, granddaughter the heresy of antinomianism. You now know and great granddaughters. His eyes bright and that we all need a few rules by which to lead our the warmth of his smile undimmed by his 94 lives. Masons are made for order, not chaos but years’ heralded his arrival. Geoff sat in front of an order of the proper sort. Paradoxically, we do the Master’s chair and talked for a while before W Bro Pemberton presented him with his certificate. not want to be suppressed, yet we also know
instinctively that anarchy would probably be the worst suppression of all. Moses came down from the mountain with the tablets on which were written The Ten Commandments. In St. George’s Lodge we are rather more modest, so to those new members who have asked for some guidance about the proper way in which a Freemason can maintain a decent appearance in a world which can be depressingly indifferent to standards of the sartorial sort. We therefore humbly offer our own version of The Ten Commandments.
(I) Thou Shalt Wear Tailored. This is the first and Great Commandment. Whether it is for his suits, his shirts or his shoes, a Freemason’s first priority should be to wear bespoke. There are no short cuts in the world of true bespoke. Bespoke can therefore never be cheap. It is realised, of course, that the vagaries of life mean When W Bro Pemberton commented that Geoff that some who would very much like to obey this “had been a member of the Prince of Wales Lodge commandment are prevented from doing so by for 45 years” Geoff quietly pointed out that he financial constraints. They are urged to remember “was still a member after 45 years.” that one good bespoke lodge suit (or one pair of Geoff, we know that bespoke shoes) is worth a whole wardrobe (or you will read this, and boot room) of inferior items. Dark lounge is the we wish you the health and strength to enjoy appropriate dress for members up to Provincial many more years of rank. Dark morning dress with a black short membership of the jacket, black waistcoat and stripes is worn by Prince of Wales’ Lodge. Bro G Imlah members of Provincial Grand rank and above. W Bro Ron Pemberton DGSec Page 5
Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
Tessellated Tales (II) Thou Shalt Walk Only on Leather. Sneakers are for casual wear: they are not fit for lodge. Nor do we countenance those shoes which, at an indifferent glance, look passable, but which have soles made from synthetic material. Freemasons should wear leather shoes, preferably the Gibson, with leather soles. Brogues are meant for country day-wear and similarly, patent leather shoes are intended for formal wear. Footwear, including stockings, should be black. If you have trouble keeping your stockings up, consider the use of suspenders.
a double cuff but when buying a shirt, you should check for button holes for cuff-links. (VI) Thou Shalt Wear Braces. Trousers can only be kept at the correct height by braces. Nothing is more dispiriting than the sight of trousers sagging at the waist and horribly crumpled at the shoe.
(VII) Thou Shalt Not Wear Unpolished Shoes. Unpolished shoes are a disgrace to GAOTU and to man. The polishing of shoes can be positively therapeutic. Requiring concentration and a modest expenditure of energy, but no thought, (III) Thou Shalt Wear a Collar and Tie. To dress it enables the mind to rest and find comfort. without effort is to dress without respect for one’s And the result is truly satisfying. Scuffed, fellow man. To wear a collar with a tie means that badly-maintained shoes denote laziness and decisions have been made and time has been unreliability in the wearer. Always take the time spent in making one’s appearance smart, for to remove laces. Be sure to polish into the welt example choosing the correct knot to complement and also under the instep between sole and heel. the style of collar. Even a plain black tie has many variations in cut and weight of material. Such (VIII) Thou Shalt Not Wear Unfastened Cuff discipline is a habit that promotes social grace. Buttons. Every gentleman should have working cuff buttons on his jacket. But to leave any of (IV) Thou Shalt Have Smart Hair. Americans call them un-buttoned, “one supposes, to impress the the parting in the hair, the part’. Frenchmen call observer with the quality and/or expense of the it ‘la raie’. Italians call it ‘la riga’. The widespread garment being worn“, is unconscionably vulgar. disappearance of the parting has gone almost It is sartorial boasting and must not be done. unremarked. It should have been the cause of outrage and protest. Why has it gone? Is it the laziness of barbers? A parting requires work to maintain, for it is the making of order where there is inclined to be indiscipline. Its presence now denotes a person who cares about tradition and about propriety. However, no matter how you style your hair, it should always be well groomed.
(V) Thou Shalt Wear Cuff-Links. A buttoned cuff on a gentleman’s shirt is a miserable, squalid thing, suggestive of the ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude. Cuff-links can be valuable or relatively cheap, but they are essential if a Mason is to be smartly dressed. It is not essential to have
(IX) Thou Shalt Not Be Late. No attribute has done more to exhibit bad manners than lateness. The Freemason always takes time to make time to be on time. (X) Thou Shalt Not Chew Mints. I am very sorry indeed that this unpleasant subject has to be mentioned. But the chewing of extrastrong mints has become an epidemic which is disfiguring freemasonry everywhere. It makes its practitioners appear moronic and it even results in the defilement of our temple by litter-louts. A freemason who is worthy of the name does not chew mints. W Bro Anon
Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
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Tessellated Tales therefore supposedly formed later) would celebrate its centenary before a lodge with a lower number. Part of this apparent confusion arose from the merger of the records of the Moderns and Antients in 1813 but other factors contributed.
The Jewels of the Craft
Part Five: Centennial Jewels I would like to again acknowledge with grateful thanks W Bro Trevor Harris, for granting permission to use material from his book “The Medals and Jewels of British Freemasonry�. From 1833, a number of lodges celebrated their centenary with the issue of a special jewel. At that time, there were no rules so each lodge was free to design their own, although some modelled the centenary jewel on their Past Master or Member jewel.
The Grand Stewards Lodge Centenary 1835
It is believed the reason the United Grand Lodge of England required application to be made was so that records could be checked to ensure the lodge actually was 100 years old. Lodge Star of the East No 67 Calcutta, India Centenary 1848
Strong Man Lodge No 45 Centenary 1833
The United Grand Lodge of England did require that Lodge of Unity No 71 permission be requested and Centenary 1847 (Unauthorised) granted for a jewel and in most cases this was done, although Even then, some unusual four lodges issued unauthorised situations arose so that a lodge with a higher number (and jewels. Page 7
Faithful Lodge No 85 Centenary 1853
Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
Tessellated Tales For example, Albion Lodge No. 9 was formed in 1769 when Lawrence Dermott purchased the dormant 1751 warrant of Lodge No. 5. Albion Lodge then celebrated its Centenary in 1851 when only 82 years old. Their Centenary jewel was only issued in 1857.
Similarly, Neptune Lodge was originally formed as Lodge No. 64 under the Antients in 1757. In 1759 it purchased the dormant warrant of Lodge No. 13, during the union in 1813 it was re-numbered No. 22 and celebrated its Centenary in 1859.
Lodge since that ruling was made.
Standard Centenary jewel Since 1867
Albion Lodge No 9 Centenary 1857
St Mary’s Lodge No 63 Centenary 1857
Neptune Lodge No 22 Centenary 1859
The original centenary jewels were made from silver or gold. Over time the original jewels were mislaid or damaged and replacement jewels made for newer members, often from base metal, silver or gold plated. These later jewels were often made from new dies and, as a result, differed in the detail. In 1867, Grand Lodge refused permission for any further individual centenary jewels to be struck and insisted all future jewels followed a common pattern. Only one lodge is known to have defied Grand
Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
Lodge of St John No 1137 Non-standard Centenary Jewel 1965
W Bro Tony Mansfield DGReg Page 8