TESSELLATED Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
TALES Spring 2018
Tessellated Tales
Empty Chair Ceremony
The April meeting of the Turanganui Lodge was dedicated to commemorate our fallen soldiers, over 40 guests and brethren attended. The Master welcomed the Ladies, distinguished guests and Brethren, and gave a special welcome to the A.T.C. and army cadets who would assist with the ceremony. “We are here to honour those who gave their lives for their country. To remember the incredible cost paid by those who gave their all to help preserve and secure the freedoms and privileges we all enjoy today. We remember our fallen Brethren and comrades, Freemasons and Non Freemasons. In New Zealand around Anzac day we honour and remember the fallen, especially those soldiers who gave their lives in the First, and Second World Wars and in subsequent Wars. During the First and Second World Wars 28,500 New Zealanders died. I would also draw your attention to all other men and women who died whilst providing support services to the armed forces of both New Zealand and our Allies. These include people who operated in the medical, field transport, munitions, logistics and various Resistance, organizations who protected our soldiers. We should also remember with gratitude the part played by the men of the Merchant Navy, more than a 1,000 died during the Second World War alone. 130 were our fellow countryman. The conditions our serviceman were subjected to in the First World War, was a contributing factor to them bringing back to New Zealand the Spanish flu, which caused the death of more than 8,600 New Zealanders as a result. New Zealand with a population of 1.1 million was mourning 27,000 deaths after WWI. This is 1 in 40 of the population. These numbers are past comprehension. Each and every one of these people left an empty chair at their homes and were all sadly missed by their families. To honour these men and women, we will present the Empty Chair Ceremony. In this ceremony we will remember our fallen Brothers who did not come back to fill the chairs in this or other Lodge rooms, while at the same time our thoughts will go to all people who left empty chairs during these conflicts.” - Master After the National Anthems of Australia Page 1
Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
Tessellated Tales and New Zealand were sung, the Deacons then placed aprons on the 2 empty chairs. ”The lambskin or white apron was the first gift of masonry to our departed Brothers, it is an emblem of innocence and the badge of a mason. As our ritual tells as it is more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle. More honourable than the Garter or any other order. This emblem placed on the seats of our deceased brothers, a symbol of recognition of their dedication to the highest ideals of the Craft and Country during their lifetime.” - Senior Warden. W Bro R Ellmers W Bro D Dewar placed wreaths on the Apron chairs. “The Evergreen Acacia is a masonic emblem of immortality. Beyond this world of shadows, man has glorious destiny, since, within this earthly tabernacle of clay, there abides an imperishable immortal spirit, over which the grave has no power nor death dominion.” Junior Warden. The Bugler, Bro Keith Scholes sounded the Last Post. “They have no grave but the cruel sea, no flowers lie at their head. Their tombstone is but a rusting hulk afast on the ocean floor. They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, And in the Morning - We will Remember Them.” - Mr Don Hay. Reveille was sounded. Everyone then retired to the refectory. W Bro Mike Chopping ADGM
A Mount Egmont Milestone
On Saturday the 11th of September, Mt Egmont Lodge 670, reached an important milestone. For the first time in nearly twenty years, the new Master was a local from New Plymouth who was not a Past Master. W Bro Anthony Cage was made a mason on the 4th of October 2012 In St Andrew’s Lodge No 803. He and wife Anna emigrated to New Zealand in 2013, and he joined the Mt Egmont Lodge in April 2014. The Installation Ceremony was a challenge for the Installing Master, W Bro Andrew Vincent, as it was impossible to arrange practices with many key members living outside of Taranaki. In spite of this,
the event went off with a minimum of hassles in the presence of 45 masons including visitors from all Constitutions. Mt Egmont members particularly appreciated the strong representation of the Irish Constitution, most from De Burgh Lodge, but some from further afield. Following the ceremony, 43 Brethren and ladies sat down to an excellent repast prepared by Senior Deacon, Bro Garth Clarricoats, and his wife. This was a fun evening with everyone enjoying good company as well as good food, and a great continuation of the recent trend to follow each meeting with an interesting dining experience for members and wives. W Bro Cage faces a challenging year with the prospect of three initiations. Most of the experienced members of the Lodge resident in the Wellington region, and with two relatively new masons as deacons, practices are difficult. Nevertheless he is grasping the challenge, and knows that all members of the Lodge will be providing as much support as time and distance will allow. W Bro John Miller PDSGW
Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
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Tessellated Tales
The Jewels of the Craft
Part Four: Past Master Jewels Again I acknowledge with grateful thanks W Bro Trevor Harris for granting permission to use material from his book “The Medals and Jewels of British Freemasonry”.
Most brethren are familiar with the Past Masters’ jewels currently in use. Usually, but not always,
they consist of a light blue ribbon from which is suspended the square, compasses and Euclid’s 47th Proposition. They may or may not have bars where the wearer has served more than once.
Originally, the Past Masters’ jewels were symbolic jewels and were worn as a badge of rank from the 1750’s. Some examples of these symbolic jewels were shown in Part One of this series. However, it was not until about 1840 that lodges started to produce their own jewels.
Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
Fig 1 - Victorian Past Master, Neptune Lodge No. 22 Fig 2 - Victorian Past Master, Curwen Lodge No. 1400
Fig 3 - Past Master, Christopher Wren Lodge No. 4855
Fig 4 - Past Master, Halcyon Lodge No. 5300
Earlier Victorian jewels were generally oval or circular with the square and compasses placed in the centre on a piece of coloured glass. From around 1870, the modern design started to appear.
While some jewels were gold, most 19th and early 20th century jewels were gold plated silver. It wasn’t until around 1910 that gold jewels became more common. After World War Two, the increasing cost
of gold meant that, in time, gold was no longer used and the jewels reverted to gold plated silver. More recently, jewels are most commonly produced in nickel, sometimes gold or silver plated. Page 3
Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
Tessellated Tales
Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 5 - Past Master, Temperance Lodge of Felicity No. 3632
Fig 6 - Past Master, Minerva Lodge No. 2433
Fig 7 - Past Master, St Olave’s Lodge No. 2764
Fig 8 - Past Master, Jonathon Lodge No. 7088.
that this is a re-cycled Founder or Consecrating Officer jewel.
Fig 4
The ‘Primus’ refers to the first master and the design suggests
Some lodges embellish their Past Masters’ jewels with lodge symbols, ceramic sections and other enhancements to beautify the jewels. If one looks beyond the Past Masters’ jewels issued by lodges under UGLE, then more variety in design is observed.
Fig 9
Fig 10
Fig 9 - Past Master, Wyoming Lodge No. 186, USA
Fig 10 - Past Master, Osceola Lodge No. 515, USA
W Bro Tony Mansfield PDJGD Next - Part Five: Lodge Centennial Jewels Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
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Tessellated Tales
Regalia Return
A note to all retiring active
District Grand Officers, as your term in active District Office is coming to a close, you are
requested to make sure any
District regalia held by you
is returned in ample time to
enable the new Officers to be properly invested at the Communication
Meeting
in
Sir Donald McLean Chapter Moves to Taupo The first meeting held by of the Sir Donald McLean Chapter in
Taupo, was on the 21st of April 2018, having relocated the Chapter
from Waitara. The move was prompted following the establishment
of an English Lodge in Taupo a few of years ago, and the need for an English Chapter to be established in the same area. In Waitara
the Sir Donald Mclean Chapter was short on numbers, and the current members decided to ensure it continued existence by moving the Charter to Taupo.
The Chapter is now close to the Hawkes Bay Area where Sir Donald
Wellington on Saturday the 3rd Mclean was very prominent in years gone by, and it is attracting members from that area as well. of November 2018. The last official visit scheduled
before that date is the Installation meeting for the Duke of Albany
We look forward to the Chapter’s ongoing success in Taupo. W Bro Michael Chopping ADGM
Lodge on Wednesday the 24th of October. If you are attending, please ensure that you to return the regalia s o o n after this event.
Returning regalia at the last minute makes the situation
more difficult than it should for those attending to the issue to the incoming Officers.
If returning regalia in Auckland, it must be in the District office
by no later than Friday the
24th of October, as it will be
transported to Wellington the
PM on the day. The DGDC will
The
A reminder that if your Rank
District Office in good time if
obtained your own District
following week.
play a p a r t in the opening November Communication. be required to attend wearing
Grand
Master
be in touch. Please advise the expects that you will have
is one that r e q u i r e s y o u to you will be unable to attend the of District Grand Lodge, you will
District
regalia before the November communication meeting and
I trust you have had an enjoyable that you will wear that at all
year in office and the District times from then on as per rules
your own regalia so as to assist Grand Master looks forward to
239 and 241 o f t h e Book of
during the opening. There will future.
W Bro Ron Pemberton
the
District
Grand
Master
be a rehearsal for this at 1.45 Page 5
your continued support in the Constitutions.
District Grand Secretary Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
Tessellated Tales
What is the SOFT-SELL Technique?
The more the word ‘Freemasonry’ and our square-and-compass logo appear in public, the easier it will be for each of our Brethren to attract new members to our Lodges. The various community news media have their opinions, but basically they are the way that your point of view gets across to people. Most people are known to develop their own personal opinions based on what they understand of the media. The media are hungry for positive stories of events and activities in the communities where Masonry is representative, and have Lodges. You may not fully realize that the media present you to the world. That’s the way people know what you’re doing and what you’re about. So maybe the media are on your side, maybe they’re not, but at least we must attempt to help them get the facts straight. If you struggle with the ‘marketing’ side of Freemasonry in feeling uncomfortable when it comes to attracting new members, ‘soft-sell marketing’ can be a great way for you to overcome that hurdle and adopt a social technique that’s within your comfort zone, and it’s easy. Soft-sell marketing is a subtle yet persuasive, low-pressure method of communication. The basic premise of softselling is that your focus is on developing relationships instead of aggressively pitching your ideas from the moment you initially meet a potential new member. When you have started to create a real social relationship, and
you have learned about his ideas, and if they coincide with your own, you can suggest a way forward, a resolution of those mutual ideas. It’s less forced, more natural and conversational. It can also be more effective because you’ve taken the time to form a connection before making a ‘sales pitch’. Here are some tips to help you ‘soft-sell’ Freemasonry, and increase membership in your Lodge, with more positive results: 1. Believe In It – Make sure you are trying to sell something you truly care about. Passion can be infectious, especially when it comes to softselling. Providing consistent positive communication about the Craft is the only way this can be done. 2. Relaxed Networking – Try to communicate with the main purpose of forming relationships, nothing else. This is a great way to remove some of the “communication pressure.” 3. Build Relationships – Make relationship-marketing the foundation of your communication activities, so that your Masonic focus goes through all elements of your communication. 4. Open Networking – Be open to communicate with everyone, even those who you don’t think would appreciate the Craft. If your focus is on communication first, you will find it much easier to attract suitable men to the Craft. 5. White Glove Treatment – Treat your existing connections like gold in order to set the stage for referrals that support your
Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
soft approach. 6. Make It Emotional – Try story-telling to appeal to your prospect’s emotions, make yourself more memorable and share a personal anecdote. 7. Give It Away – Share valuable information for free, no strings attached. Try entertaining Lodge events that are open-tothe-public, that provide enjoyment first, ‘sell’ later (if at all). We cannot ‘hide’ the Craft and hope to attract new members. 8. A Quiet Approach – Use a gentle communication connection that’s passive, non-aggressive and conversational. 9. Subliminal Branding – Create meaningful touchpoints that are effective without being “in your face”. 10. Do Your Research – Get to know as much as you can about the prospective candidate and his needs. This will not only strengthen your relationship, but it will also help you determine if Freemasonry is appropriate for him. 11. Join Forces – Be open to collaborating for the social benefits, even if there is not a guaranteed gain. 12. Open the Door – Provide access to your information but let your prospects digest it on their own. Very few men are ‘out there’ awaiting an approach from a Freemason. They need a solid and reliable point of contact. There is no reason any of us should be unable to provide this, regularly and naturally. W Bro Steven Elliott PDGP Page 6
Tessellated Tales
MOUNT EGMONT GOES TO BRISBANE On Saturday the 14th of July 2018, Mt Egmont Lodge No 670, New Plymouth, celebrated the Raising of Bro John Redman in a most interesting fashion. Having discovered that the Lodge’s newest initiate was the son of a 93-year old, highly revered Queensland Mason, it seemed appropriate that his raising should take place in his father’s lodge, Moreton Lodge, since his father was unable to travel to New Zealand.
Plaque to mark the occasion
The Ceremony - Morton Lodge UGLE rules required dispensation from London. This meant application first to our District Grand Secretary, who relayed the request to the Grand Secretary. Following his approval, he in turn passed the request onto the United Grand Lodge of Queensland, Australia, and they in turn passed the request to the Moreton Lodge, the home lodge of W Bro Redman, Grand Organist.
Presentation of the plaque
This meant that on the 14th of July, the Mountain may not have moved to Brisbane, but five members of Mt Egmont Lodge accompanied by a loyal supporter from each of Remuera Lodge and Lodge Hinemoa SC were in the Queensland lodge room. The Moreton Lodge was originally consecrated in 1915 under the Grand Lodge of England. It is now a Lodge under charter from the United Grand Lodge of Queensland, with permission to conduct ceremonies in the manner it did before joining the Queensland Grand Lodge. Their ceremony of raising was similar to, but different to that of Emulation ritual – an interesting experience for Masons used to Emulation ritual. Page 7
Masters of Morton Lodge and Mt Egmond Lodge
Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
Tessellated Tales During the ceremony, performed in the presence of some 73 Brethren, the Master Elect of Mt Egmont, Bro Anthony Cage, took the Senior Warden’s chair, and the Master of Mt Egmont, W Bro Andrew Vincent, administered the Obligation. The Moreton Lodge did their seven New Zealand lodge visitors, and the four wives who accompanied them, proud. They put on a mini-bus and provided a grand tour of the new Brisbane wharf complex. They arranged practices on the preceding Thursday and Friday evenings, to ensure that the New Zealanders were able to handle the different ritual. And following the ceremony, the occasion was completed with a sumptuous Chinese style banquet for 85 members and their ladies. W Bro John Miller PDSGW
The New Zealand contingent
W Bro Redman and his son Bro John Redman
Do you want French Fries with that? This was the catch cry used by McDonalds some years ago, that grew their business exponentially. The New Zealand Constitution have a new catch cry: “Speak up for Freemasonry”. In the last six months they have grown their membership by 24%. Isn’t it time we, in the English Constitution did something similar? When was the last time you asked someone if they had thought about joining Freemasonry? Do you wear an emblem of Masonry on your regular work clothing? The little forget-me-not? The Square and Compass? Why not? Speak up now for the future of our association. Don’t wait until your lodge is experiencing a slowdown. As Nike, the clothing manufacturer says, DO IT NOW! W Bro Ron Pemberton
District Grand Secretary Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
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Tessellated Tales
Due Care of Lodge Records
A gentle reminder to Lodge Secretaries and Chapter Scribes to look after your records. This is a summary from the Library of Freemasonry, of what to do and what not to do with your records. The following is an extract from The Library and Museum of Freemasonry, and can be found at the following link. http://freemasonry.london. museum/resourcesinformation/care-of-lodgeand-chapter-records W Bro Ron Pemberton District Grand Secretary Care of lodge and chapter records - Preserving and caring for lodge and chapter records Why is it important to look after Lodge and Chapter records? Lodge and Chapter records provide a permanent record of proceedings at meetings and include information about former members. They help to form the corporate memory of the organisation. Sadly, if this information disappears answers to questions such as why, who, when, where and how may be lost forever. Lodges or Chapters unable to prove continuity of meetings may be unable to claim centenary warrants or charters. Over time these records also provide unique information about local communities and Page 9
may be of interest to those researching local history. Although rules on preparing Lodge and Chapter minute books is included in the Book of Constitutions, this guidance now provides specific advice on how to care for all Masonic records. The Book of Constitutions, Rule no. 144 states that all Lodges are required to keep a minute book. Similar rules cover Chapter and Lodge of Instruction records. Why are Lodge and Chapter records at risk? Secretaries or Scribe E’s are the officers responsible for looking after the records of a Lodge or Chapter. If the meeting place of the Lodge or Chapter cannot offer space, storage of records in domestic situations can lead to damage and loss. Banks or other commercial storage facilities charge for storage, which may be unsuitable for paper-based records because of variable temperatures, or at risk from damp or water damage. Loss or damage to Lodge or Chapter records is usually preventable. It is important for Lodges and Chapters to maintain and regularly check an inventory of their records. Why does paper disintegrate? Early Masonic certificates and some volumes are made of parchment. This is robust and will withstand considerable bad treatment. However, most Lodge and Chapter records are made from card and paper, the quality of which can vary significantly.
In Britain, paper began to replace parchment as the preferred medium for documentation just as freemasonry began to emerge in the late seventeenth century. Usually expensive and of good quality, paper was made initially from cellulose fibres derived from rags. As record keeping and levels of official bureaucracy and literacy expanded in the nineteenth century, the demand for cheaper paper escalated. Poor quality wood pulp papers, which contain lignin that converts to lignic acid, replaced their more expensive, rag counterparts. Bulking materials were often added to wood pulp and the mix treated with various chemical catalysts to accelerate fibre disintegration. Bleaching agents were added to improve appearance. Therefore, paper fibres include high acid concentrations, which accelerate self-destruction over time. Poor-quality paper, such as newsprint, ages to yellow or brown tones and pages split and disintegrate. Various preservation methods prevent further deterioration. Damage can never be reversed entirely but specialist paper conservators can repair many documents. However, prevention is always better than cure. How can we prevent damage to records? Damage occurs when paper is stored in unsuitable conditions. Temperature fluctuations and exposure to heat, damp and pollution can accelerate its self-
Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
Tessellated Tales destruction and raise the risk of mould and pest damage. Wherever possible, records should be stored in clean, dry (but not too hot) areas away from direct sunlight. Fire prevention measures should be considered and filters attached to air vents can eliminate harmful pollutants. The British Standard for storing archives recommends a stable relative humidity between 45-60%, with an average mean temperature between 16-19°C, but achieving these levels often requires specially designed storage facilities. How can we protect records from further damage? If providing a stable storage environment is achievable, placing volumes and papers in acid-free boxes can enhance the long-term preservation of records. Loose papers can be placed in acid-free folders within boxes, and items such as photographs and certificates placed in inert polyester sleeves. Volumes too large for boxes should be stored flat on shelves, wrapped in acid-free paper. Metal, roll-edge shelving provides the best storage for boxes; do not stack more than two or three high. Documents damaged by surface dirt or smoke can be cleaned with care using smoke sponges or soft brushes. Always wear a mask when brushing mould spores and insects from documents. Replace metal paperclips and pins with brass paper clips that do not rust. Remove rubber
bands and polythene pocket wallets. Handle fragile items with care – use thin cotton (not latex) gloves and wash hands regularly, especially when looking at photographs. How can digitisation help? Some Lodges and Chapters have decided to digitise their records – this helps to preserve fragile, original records. Digitisation can offer searchable access to records if bespoke software technology is applied to index images. Digitising records before conservation or depositing them with local record offices ensures continued access for members to information. Do not destroy the original records – use digital versions as surrogate copies. Storing images and documents, such as Lodge or Chapter minutes, on CD ROMs and other electronic storage devices, creates unexpected problems. Information and images recorded in digital formats must be managed actively, not passively, to ensure they remain accessible over time. New versions of software (such as Excel, Word etc) and hardware (a disc, laptops, hard drives etc) may cause documents created in older formats to become unreadable or obsolete. Digitised data must be stored on discs of good quality and migrated every five years to avoid damage such as digiloss. Update or migrate records written in older software programmes to the latest version on a regular basis to ensure they can still be read. Preservation guidance also suggests copying
Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand
data in alternative formats as a backup for digital storage. How should Lodges and Chapters record minutes and other records? Few Lodges and Chapters now maintain handwritten minutes but many continue to use bound minute books, which remain in use for many years. Word-processed minutes, together with summonses, copies of accounts and reports, are attached to pages. As a result, book blocks distort and separate from covers, overfull volumes are difficult to store and transport and they become vulnerable to damage. Selfadhesive tape, pins or glue used to attach sheets can damage pages or disintegrate over time, resulting in the loss of loose sheets. Documents created by laser printers are more robust than those created by jet printers, whose inks may not be stable. Try the following test – if ink smears when a damp (not wet) cloth is run over a sample test page it is unstable and therefore not permanent. Two recommendations for the maintenance of good minutes: 1. Slim line skeleton minute books into which minutes printed on permanent paper can be glued, stocked by Letchworths’ Shop. 2. Minutes printed on permanent paper can be kept securely in a 4-post lockable binder and then bound into volumes.
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Tessellated Tales
Caring couple’s work recognised with QSM Cathie and Rob Tulloch, of Whangarei, have been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for their volunteer services to seniors and people with disabilities in the community. They are deserving, but very reluctant recipients, and thought seriously before accepting the accolade as they claim they do not work alone but are surrounded by a team of dedicated volunteers. “The centre and the services provided has survived over this time because of a great team of volunteers,” Cathie said The couple moved to Northland from the northeast of Scotland in 1965 to operate a dairy farm at Maromaku. They then moved to Whangarei in 1993 for a business opportunity and began their volunteer work. The Tullochs have been involved with the Forget Me Not Adult Day Centre in Tikipunga since 1994. They were instrumental in the building of the centre and as chairperson, Cathie, along with a dedicated team, led fundraising that resulted in a purpose-built centre that was therapeutic, educational and fun. The centre has provided quality care for more than 9200 patient visits annually from clients ranging from 19 to 94 years of age, including those with disabilities, the elderly and frail, and those with memory loss or head injuries. Clients are driven to and from their home each day by the centre’s van service, of which Rob has been the main volunteer driver throughout. The centre has a capacity for 40 client visits a day and delivers activities providing motivation, rehabilitation, life skills, diversional therapy, holistic exercise and socialisation. Cathie has been a member of the centre’s board throughout and is currently the secretary. The duo have also supported the Whangarei Stroke Club for many years, with Cathie being an adviser to the club treasurer. Cathie also supports elderly and disabled members of the community requiring assistance or facing financial difficulties. Cathie said the secret to their success as a couple was simple. “We share a passion and that’s to help people. If we weren’t of the same mind it would be difficult.” They - were keeping celebrations low key and may even be called on for babysitting duties for the youngest of their six grandchildren. Rob is a member of the Northern Light Lodge No 1878, which he joined in 1968, then in 2005 he joined the Franklin Lodge No 2138. Ron Pemberton District Grand Secretary Page 11
Newsletter of the District Grand Lodge of North Island New Zealand