NZ Freemason magazine Issue 2 June 2010

www.freemasons.co.nz

FREEMASONNEW ZEALAND

Issue 2, 2010 (Vol 38)

Scholarships 2010

‘50 Years of Care’The History of Roskill Masonic Village

Freemasons Roskill Foundation has recently launched the book “50 Years of Care”. The book tells the history of Roskill Masonic Village, from its origins and early days through to the sale of the facility on 1 November 2005.

The Village became an icon of Freemasonry in the northern area. Complimentary copies of the book are available to anyone interested in the Village’s History and in the prominent Freemasons who ran it. The book provides an insight into the wonderful voluntary work of the many, many Freemasons and their wives and families who in some way helped at the Village.

The 160-page coffee-table book is beautifully produced and presented in its own hard box cover and would be a handsome addition to any personal or Lodge library. It would make a substantial educational gift to new Freemasons or could be given to local libraries and historical archives.

If you would like a free copy please contact:Freemasons Roskill FoundationTelephone: 09 520 6414 Fax: 09 520 6415Email: [email protected]: PO Box 113144 Newmarket Auckland 1149

This is a FREE BOOK!!! Get yours today!

Contents Editor

Greetings Brethren!

This issue we celebrate another excellent Freemasons Scholarship presentation. The Wellington Town Hall was an apt venue for the presentations by HRH the Duke of Gloucester. The Special Communication also proceeded perfectly - despite the driving Wellington rain!

Several new products were released at the Divisional Conferences held in April-May: Five (5) new Education Books with a 3-ring binder and the 2010 edition of the Ritual Book now in two different sizes: A4-sized 'Prompts' copy and an A7-sized personal copy. These new Ritual books are in stock and available now (see photo). We also have a new large, gold Freemasons lapel pin in stock. All these items can be ordered by any Lodge Secretary using the online "Form of Requisition".

Be seeing you.

Michael Leon, MMEditor / Director of Communications and MarketingFreemasons NZ, Wellington

The New Zealand Freemason is the official journal of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New Zealand. Unless otherwise indicated, the opinions expressed and the advertising content are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy of Grand Lodge.

Articles appearing in this journal may be reproduced without permission provided acknowledgement of the source is made and a copy of the publication is forwarded to the Grand Secretary.

Queries or comments regarding subscription or distribution should be addressed to the Grand Secretary. Queries and comments regarding content and advertising should be addressed to the Editor.

Contributions to the magazine are greatly appreciated and should be of interest

to a wide audience. Contributions, including letters to the Editor, may be edited. Photographs should be high quality, preferably in jpg or tiff format.

Contributions to the magazine can also be forwarded through these people:

Northern Division: Jack Leigh, [email protected] Division: Morris Robertson, [email protected] Division: (Could this be YOU?!!!)Royal Arch: Gary Kerkin, Tel: 07 889 3607

Magazines are distributed in March, June, September and December. The deadlines for contributions are the first day of February, May, August and November. copyright © 2010 Freemasons NZ

Grand Master's Address / Calendar ......................2

New Generation Awards Update ............................4

Freemasons University Scholarships 2010 .........6

Obituary: MWBro Robert Henry Ashby, PGM ...12

The Order of The Royal Arch: The Way Forward ...14

The Grand Installation 2010 – Auckland ...........17

The Ladies Section ................................................24

Lodge Mangaroa Links With Local School ........26

A Centurion in Many Ways ...................................28

Service Awards .......................................................29

Guarding The GM’s Jewel? Sleep On It! .........30

What Goes Bong in the Corner? ..........................30

Shed .........................................................................31

The Freemasons Charity .......................................32

Royal Arch ...............................................................34

Freemasons Deposit Scheme Application Form ... 37

COVER: HRH the Duke of Gloucester presents a Freemasons Scholarship to Auckland University student Max Harris.

Freemasons New ZealandLevel 6, Freemason House

195-201 Willis StreetTe Aro, Wellington 6011

PO Box 6439, Marion Square

Wellington 6141 New Zealand

Ph: +64 4 385 6622 Fax: + 64 4 385 5749

Email: [email protected]@freemasons.co.nz www.freemasons.co.nz

Brethren, once again thank you to all those who attended the presentation of the Freemasons University Scholarships and/or the Special Communication held in the Wellington Town Hall on Friday 21st May 2010.

The morning’s presentations proceeded like clockwork thanks to all the efforts of our organising team. I believed everyone who attended, including HRH the Duke of Gloucester, students, parents, Brethren, family and friends were very impressed with every aspect of the occasion. The feedback from the public has been tremendously positive. The only question being asked is “how do we do better next year?”.

The Special Communication held that same day in the afternoon was similarly a very successful event that looked to the future of our Craft. I would especially thank the many Brethren who made positive and constructive contributions towards arriving at a workable solution to the request made by MWBro J M Pope at the 2008 Communication.

Statistically, the Communication was more than likely the best ever with 86% of the Lodges throughout New Zealand being represented (230 Lodges registered a Commissioned Representative) with 232 Brethren attending despite a cold wet Wellington day outside.

The end result can be summarised as follows:

Grand Master’s Calendar Date Lodge Location District Event

JUNE 26 Acacia Lodge No. 472 Tokoroa 11 Consecration & Dedication of Acacia Lodge No. 472

JULY 2-4 United Grand Lodge of Queensland Brisbane --- Grand Installation

AUGUST 16 Lodge Waihopai No. 189 Invercargill 33 Regular Meeting 18 Lodge Putaruru-Tirau No. 401 Putaruru 11 Annual South Waikato Schools / Lodge Matamata No. 265 Colleges Freemasons Debating Competition Lodge Tokoroa-Orakau No. 344 The Alpha Lodge No. 81

Grand Master

Grand Master MWBro Stan Barker greets HRH the Duke of Gloucester while VWBro Laurence Milton, Grand Secretary, looks on.

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Following their election, each District Grand Master-elect will appoint his District team consisting of a District Grand Director of Ceremonies, unless a Grand Director of Ceremonies is appointed in a District, and up to two Grand Stewards. If a Grand Director of Ceremonies is appointed from a District then he will undertake the duties of District Grand Director of Ceremonies in that District.

Following his investiture, the District Grand Master will arrange the investiture of those Brethren he appoints.

That from this November Communication (to be held in Auckland from the 17th to the 20th November 2010) all Grand Officers will be invested for a maximum of three years except the Executive Officers, Grand Superintendent of Ceremonies and Divisional Grand Almoners who will be appointed annually up to a maximum of six years.

These changes do have immediate effect because the District Grand Masters-elect need to carefully select their future teams. From the constructive comments, it is clear that it is generally recognised that there is a need for each District Grand Master to select and arrange investiture of Brethren with those Brethren’s future promotion in mind; and to consult with his Divisional Grand Master and Brethren in his District as to selecting suitably qualified people for the role.

These changes are only part of a number of initiatives being implemented by the Board of General Purposes aimed at retention and attendance of members. However, these initiatives do need “drivers” and not “maintenance” men. Whilst MWBro Pope’s remarks were aimed at ratios – and that is what the Special Communication and future Schemes of Distribution will achieve – it is also important to focus on quality.

Brethren, I am conscious that by providing clear leadership during these watershed years, we will be positioning the Craft for a prosperous future. I note with absolute delight that many areas within the New Zealand jurisdiction which are promoting growth are developing very strong membership statistics, but more importantly are developing ways of improving retention and attendance at Lodge. My feeling is that there are many Brethren throughout the Craft that have a steely determination to maintain a strong Freemasons brand with distinction and pride being the valued cornerstones of the Community that they are involved in.

Stan Barker Grand Master

RWBro Neville Patrick; Grand Master MWBro Stan Barker; HRH the Duke of Gloucester; Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast;

and RWBro Mark Winger, Freemasons Charity Superintendent.

The Freemasons Scholarship presentation at the Wellington Town Hall.

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The Arts Foundation New Generation Awards were established in 2006 in partnership with Freemasons New Zealand. The third biennial Awards will be presented later this year. The Awards celebrate five artists early on in their career. Each recipient receives $25,000 to contribute to their individual artistic identity and a Christine Cathie-designed glasswork.

Ten New Generation artists have been awarded so far. These artists are: Eve Armstrong (Visual Artist); Jeff Henderson (Music Maker); Warren Maxwell (Musician); Tze Ming Mok (Writer); Alex Monteith (New Media Artist); Madeleine Pierard (Opera Singer); Anna Sanderson (Writer); Joe Sheehan (Stone Artist and Jeweller); Taika Waititi (Filmmaker, Comedian, Actor).

Since our last newsletter there have been two noticeable successes amongst this group of exciting artists. In particular we would like to congratulate Taika Waititi on the success of his film Boy which he directed and in which he also played a feature role; and Alex Monteith, who has been selected as one of four finalists in the prestigious Walters Prize to be announced later in the year.

Taika Waititi gains success with his new feature film Boy.

Boy gained the number one spot at the New Zealand box office after a hugely successful opening weekend at the end of March 2010. The film pulled in $607,471 and managed to comfortably beat two major Hollywood 3D family films – How to Train your Dragon and Alice in Wonderland. At time of going to print Boy is enjoying a successful cinema run, close to a box office mark of NZ$6 million.

Before premiering in New Zealand, Boy was awarded the Grand Prix, Best Feature Film, Generation Section, by the International Jury at the 2010 Berlin Film Festival. When announcing the Award, the Generation Kplus International Jury said: "with a genuine voice and a remarkable spirit, the winner is a film with bold direction, a fearless risk-taker. It tackles difficult subject matter not with preaching, sentimentality or self-pity but with humour, often treating tragedy and comedy simultaneously. Because it's so

enjoyable it is easy to underestimate the depth of this film. It is a rich mix of ideas which strike and collide to create poetic moments that speak, despite the remote location, to all of us today. With fantastic charismatic performances all around, including a striking moustache on the director."

Taika Waititi is now creating a music video for Poi E, the 1984 song which features in Boy. The new video is said to be made from a mix of deleted scenes from Boy, the film’s final dance sequence and the original Poi E music video. Written by linguist Ngoi Pewhairangi with music by Dalvanius Prime, Poi E was created with the intention of teaching young Maori to be proud of being Maori in a format that they were comfortable with.

Photo:BOY (2010): Rocky, (Te Aho Eketone Whitu), Boy (James Rolleston).

Alex Monteith is one of four finalists to be announced in the 2010 Walters Prize.The Walters Prize is considered New Zealand's most prestigious contemporary art prize. This biennial award recognises an artist who has made an outstanding contribution to contemporary art in New Zealand in the two years prior. Named in honour of artist Gordon Walters, it was established by founding benefactors and principal donors Erika and Robin Congreve and Dame Jenny Gibbs to make contemporary art a more prominent

feature of New Zealand cultural life.The $50,000 Walters Prize is awarded for an outstanding work of contemporary New Zealand art produced and exhibited during the past two years. The winner also receives an all-expenses-paid trip to New York as well as the opportunity to exhibit their work at Saatchi & Saatchi’s world headquarters.

The international judge for the Walters Prize 2010 prize will be named later this year and the winner announced at a gala dinner in October.

Alex's work is Passing Manoeuvre with Two Motorcycles and 584 Vehicles for Two-Channel Video and was shown at ST PAUL St, Auckland (19 June – 7 July

2008). It is a digital video work with two video projections. Images taken from motorbikes on the Auckland motorway fill a wall of the gallery. The video is positioned so that the road runs away from the point where the gallery wall meets the floor. The viewer experiences the movement of the bikes makes their way along the road and through the traffic. Moving visual art works are as old as films; however they have become significantly more popular with digital technology.

You can view the work at the Arts Foundation’s website: www.thearts.co.nzNavigate to the artist index page and click on Alex Monteith.

Update

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New GeNeratioN awardsArts Foundation of New Zealand

Presented by Freemasons New Zealand

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Photos:Above: Alex Monteith – Passing Manoeuvre with Two Motorcycles and 584 Vehicles for Two-Channel Video shown at ST PAUL St, Auckland (19 June – 7 July 2008)

Right: Movie poster for 'BOY'.

On 21 May, A-grade students from New Zealand universities were

presented with Freemasons scholarships totaling $250,000 by HRH The Duke of Gloucester. Ten students were awarded post-graduate scholarships of $10,000

and 25 students university scholarships of $6,000.

The Duke of Gloucester, who is also the

founding Chancellor of the University of Worcester, presented the awards during a brief visit to New Zealand.

Over the last 32 years, Freemasons New Zealand has provided scholarships in

excess of $3.5 million to 922 students at Auckland, AUT, Waikato, Massey, Victoria, Canterbury, Lincoln and Otago universities, making The Freemasons Charity one of the country’s largest, privately-funded university scholarship programmes.

Freemasons Grand Secretary, Laurence Milton, says applicants must not only be consistent A-grade students completing their degrees, but they must also play an active role in their community.

“As Freemasons we are delighted to assist those who

display excellence and encourage them to use their skills and abilities in making our society a better place.”

“Today we have helped psychologists studying subjects as varied as the causes of depression in ante-natal couples, deliberate self-injury, and brothers and sisters of cancer survivors. Scientists will progress their study in mechatronics, neurophysiology, and medical physics, and other Freemasons scholars will make their mark in a variety of careers.

“What unites these high-achieving students is their recognition of and involvement in community service as well as academic success. As they will be our leaders of tomorrow, Freemasonry is honored to be able to reward their merit and further encourage their application.

“Education is an investment in New Zealand’s future, and we are delighted to empower another 35 students with scholarships,” says Laurence Milton.

Photos: Left: HRH the Duke of Gloucester and Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast.

Below: VWBro Laurence Milton amidst students (clockwise from lower left) Mary Silcock, Giuliana Bernardi, Melanie Haeata, Melissa Wolfe, and Irene Lichtwark.

Freemasons University Scholarships 2010

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AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY pOSTGRADUATE

Elizabeth Silcock

UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND pOSTGRADUATE

Eleanor Riddick

UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND pOSTGRADUATE

Sanket Srinivasa

UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND

Elizabeth Chan


Max Harris


Renee Johansen


Alex petty


James Tremlett

UNIVERSITY OF wAIKATO pOSTGRADUATE

Melanie Haeata

UNIVERSITY OF wAIKATO

Vanessa Cameron-Lewis


Irene Lichtwark


Claire Mulholland


Steven Rae

MASSEY UNIVERSITY pOSTGRADUATE

Kirsty Furness

MASSEY UNIVERSITY

Holly Andrewes

MASSEY UNIVERSITY

Daniel Lamb

MASSEY UNIVERSITY

Matilda Newton

MASSEY UNIVERSITY

Melissa wolfe

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF wELLINGTON pOSTGRADUATE

Robyn Langlands

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF wELLINGTON

Jane Chewings


Joshua Foster


Corinna Howland


Brendan Vercoelen

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY pOSTGRADUATE

Giuliana Bernardi

CANTERBURY UNIVERSITY pOSTGRADUATE

Simon Donaldson

CANTERBURY UNIVERSITY

Rosemary Baird


John-Luke Day


Rosa Hughes-Currie


Craig Muir

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO pOSTGRADUATE

Matthew Shaw

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

Svend Tolson

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

Gareth Benic

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

Olivia Faull

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

Julien Van Mellaerts

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

Anthony wicks

2010 Scholarship Recipients

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Elizabeth Chan shows Stan Barker 'success' in English, Chinese, and French.

Matilda Newton explains her theory to Superintendent of The Freemasons Charity, Mark winger.

Medical physicist, Rosa Hughes-Currie, shows Grand Secretary Laurence Milton her ukelele skills as a member of the Okeover Ukelele Orchestra.

Simon Donaldson explains elements of his thesis on combating dementia to Superintendent of The Freemasons Charity, Mark winger.

Vets Giuliana Bernardi and Holly Andrewes with Superintendent of The Freemasons Charity, Mark winger.

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UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY


MASSEY UNIVERSITY VICTORIA UNIVERSITY

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY CANTERBURY UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

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To be concerned for those in need is an essential quality of a Freemason’s way

of life.

For centuries Freemasons have given to those needing assistance. Freemasonry is old. It was first organised in England in the early 17th century (but its origins go back much further) when ‘charity’ was the term for acts of giving to those who had little.

Today Freemasons still practice this virtue and ‘charity’ is still the name we use to describe our support for the many programmes of assistance we operate in the community.

The Freemasons University Scholarships are funded by The Freemasons Charity – the body within the organisation responsible for all the assistance we provide in many different fields, both directly, and by providing a helping hand to the nearly 300 Masonic Lodges throughout New Zealand working in their own local communities.

Traditionally, Masonic assistance has

been known for its place in helping the elderly. Our involvement in the provision of retirement villages throughout New Zealand, helping to set and maintain standards for the care of our older citizens, has been the face of Freemasonry. This work continues. But as society has changed so has our benevolence diverged and education has become a spearhead.

For over two decades major funding has been provided for research at both the University of Auckland and the University of Otago in gerontology and brain disease, and paediatrics respectively.

Through our close association with the Royal Society of New Zealand we sponsor the ‘Freemasons Big Science Adventures’, an annual video competition for secondary schools where winning student teams experience exciting national and international travel.

The Freemasons University Scholarships have been in existence for many years, starting in a humble way over 30 years

ago but now grown in size and stature to represent a significant boost to students’ academic or worldly progress into their careers. They are highly valued and vigorously competed for at all Universities and the winners are invariably outstanding students and young citizens. But the unique feature that distinguishes a Freemasons scholar is not an academic one but the quality of human caring so valued by Freemasons.

So why such an emphasis on education? Because Freemasons believe that knowledge is the source of individual freedom and leads to greater understanding and tolerance which builds peace and unity among all people.

The Freemasons University Scholarship programme has been running for many years encouraging students to go on, to do even better, to learn and contribute to our society.

We also will go on, striving to reach our ideals.

‘Charity’ is One of the Cornerstones of Freemasonry

Back Row: RWBro Mark Winger, Freemasons Charity Superintendent; Auckland University student, Max Harris;

Grand Master MWBro Stan Barker.

Front Row: Auckland University student Elizabeth Chan and Canterbury Universty student John-Luke Day.

I am truly privileged to stand here on behalf of all the 2010 Freemasons

Scholarship recipients today to thank the New Zealand Freemasons for their extraordinary generosity in giving out these scholarships. In an era that some say is characterised by self-interest and individualism, the New Zealand Freemasons embody values of empathy and integrity, fellowship and fraternity, that hold us together as a New Zealand society. Today the Freemasons have quite literally placed these values centre stage by supporting the next generation of community leaders and decision-makers as they move through their university career.

These scholarships will be valuable to us all in so many ways. For many of us, they will help pay off loans, living costs, and study expenses. For some, they will support research trips or give us an opportunity to advance our university study in a way that we hadn’t imagined. The scholarships may also directly allow us to continue the work in the community for which we were rewarded these scholarships. Speaking for myself, I know that the scholarship is now likely to allow me to do an unpaid internship with the American Civil Liberties Union – a human rights law firm in the United States – that I otherwise would not have been able to fund. Perhaps most of all, though, these scholarships encourage us to instil in others the values of service, charity, and generosity. They are a signal that we all here are heading in the right direction: but they also act as a bold encouragement to us all to go even further.

We should remember the prestigious individuals who have been Freemasons in the past, who have contributed to the enduring stature of the Freemasons today. Their legacy reverberates around this hall. Past Freemasons include musicians such as Mozart and Louis Armstrong, politicians like Winston Churchill and Salvador Allende, and sportspeople like the cricket player Don Bradman, as well as the many

hard-working Freemasons currently in the room today. While we are not made Freemasons ourselves by virtue of the scholarship, we should remember the great values and achievements that we now become associated with having received this scholarship. Let us go out and aspire to reach the same heights as all of these individuals. But let us not, at the same time, forget the need to give back to the community and contribute to our society at large. Franklin D. Roosevelt, himself once a Freemason, said, “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have little.” Let us seek always to provide enough for those who have little. Let us seek to continue to strengthen the Freemasons spirit.

Once again, thank you so much to Freemasons New Zealand for their recognition of what we have done – and the springboard they have offered us all with as we look to the future.

-------

Ambition, optimism and a passion for social change are the personal drivers for Max Harris of Thorndon. In the final year of a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in history and political studies and a Bachelor of

Law with Honours at the University of Auckland, Max has plans for further study, internationally.

A Master’s degree in Law in the United Kingdom, United States or Canada is likely before a career combining legal practice, academia and politics.

Last year Max received a NZ University Blue for outstanding national representation in debating, won Auckland University’s Oratory Shield for public speaking and presented a law paper for the U21 Undergraduate Research Conference in Glasgow.

Max coached the Waikato regional schools’ debating team to victory at the national debating championships. He mentors and tutors and helps run workshops and homework sessions at Auckland schools as part of the university’s Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme. Max has also been a caregiver for a young lad with autism.

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Max Harris — Freemasons Scholar's Speech

Obituary: MWBro ROBERT HENRY ASHBY, PGM

It is with profound regret that I have to report the passing on 16 March 2010 of Most Worshipful

Brother Robert Henry Ashby, Past Grand Master.

Most Worshipful Brother Robert Henry Ashby was initiated 18 June 1934 in The Abercorn Lodge No. 30. He was installed as its Master on 16 March 1942. He was a member of The Woburn Lodge No. 25 and a past member of Lodge Manchester No. 287, Lodge Manawaroa No. 438 and The Research Lodge of Ruapehu No. 444.

He was appointed Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1964, Provincial Grand Master in 1971 and elected Grand Master in 1978.

L G MiltonGRAND SECRETARY

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Focus on Freemasonry

The Order of The Royal Arch: The Way ForwardREComp Gary Kerkin, Grand Lecturer

Presented to The Research Chapter of New Zealand No. 93 12 March 2010

On Tuesday 16 October 2007 I presented a paper to this Chapter

entitled “Whither The Royal Arch” in which I concluded:

• We have an Order which provides an extension and widening of the philosophical and moral code which underpins Freemasonry.

• Its ceremonial and rites provides answers which are left hanging after the first three Degrees.

• The survival of the Royal Arch depends solely on its membership.

• The responsibility for Royal Arch Masonry lies with the Companions and the direction is upwards from the grassroots – not from Grand Chapter down.

• Where an individual Companion sees a need to improve things he must take responsibility and accept the challenge.

• Questions from Companions must be encouraged to assist with education and understanding.

• Promotion of the Order is the responsibility of every Companion, Chapter and Grand Chapter.

• The education of Companions is the responsibility of themselves, their Chapter and Grand Chapter.

However one Companion cannot achieve success on his own: success will be achieved by a team effort, and the size of the team depends on the size of the objective. It may be a small group within a Chapter; it may be a Chapter; it may be Grand Chapter; or it may be the Order. And success will largely be determined by the excitement and enthusiasm each of us shows to our Brethren in Craft Masonry and, indeed to those outside the Craft. We need them to say “That looks so exciting that I wish to be part of it!”

A fine sentiment, but it leaves begging the almost overwhelming question “How do we achieve it?”

The short answer is, of course, increasing membership. But is the short answer

sufficient? Is it more complex than that?

Recently I attended a meeting in another Order and listened while they struggled to come to grips with their immediate future. One member suggested, adamantly, that the solution to their woes was to get more members. We are all familiar with this argument – indeed we have all used it ourselves. In the Piako Chapter Summons for August 2008 I wrote:

“... Step one is to ensure that we retain our members – that we do not allow any of them to feel unwanted and unloved and that we give them reason to feel it is worth remaining a member by not only making membership enjoyable but by ensuring that they will want to remain part of an organisation that exudes high standards in all that it undertakes. Step two is to gain new members by encouraging Craft Brethren that there is something worthwhile to be gained by joining; by seeking out unattached Royal Arch Masons and encouraging them to join us ... But we know that gaining new members from our Lodges is not easy, because they too are struggling. So we also need to have new membership of the Craft as one of our motivations.”

I recently heard an interesting statistic which, unfortunately, I have not been able to verify: world-wide, an average of 20% of Craft Masons join another Order.

The Royal Arch in New Zealand has around 1,700 members at present - which is less than 20% of the membership of Craft Masonry in New Zealand. VEComp Mark Fraser GDC, who also has responsibility for overviewing membership in the Hauraki District, points out that there are about 300 members in the District but while this number is closer to 20% of the Craft membership residing in the corresponding area, the percentage in the District reflects a decline in Craft numbers as much as it does an increase in Royal Arch membership.

The unavoidable conclusion that I draw is

that since the membership of our Order in New Zealand approaches that remarkable statistic, if it is valid it follows that while the membership of the Craft is reducing we are not likely to gain a significant increase in membership. This means that, especially in the smaller Chapters, finding Officers will be more and more difficult; the overhead burden will become more and more crippling; and our ability to perform creditable ritual will gradually reduce. The outcome is obvious – unless:

1. We work hard at encouraging our inactive Companions to attend meetings.

2. We actively work at finding unattached Royal Arch Masons and bringing them back into the “fold”.

3. We devote significant time to encouraging non-Royal Arch Masons to join us.

4. We take up the responsibility of gaining new members for our Craft Lodges.

How can we do this? It is simple, obvious, but not necessarily easy to achieve.

• Define the desired outcomes for our Chapters.

• Develop the leadership objectives we need (the “right” things we have to do).

• Establish management plans (the “right” ways to achieve our outcomes) to support the objectives.

• Aim for excellence in our ritual, management and social activities – generate excitement in our membership that will be conveyed to others.

• Convince non-Royal Arch Masons that the BEST way for them to improve and extend their Masonic education and understanding is to join another Order – particularly the Royal Arch.

• Convince those non-Masons we think would gain benefit from Freemasonry that it is the BEST way for them gain a better understanding of their lives and their participation in the world.

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ANZMRC

What, then, is the way forward?I believe there are three steps:

1. Ensure that we fully understand our Order – what it is and why it is.

2. Develop management plans to improve our Chapters.

3. Promote our Order – and Freemasonry – to other persons, both non-Royal Arch Masons and non-Masons.

Understanding the Order

To understand the Order we need to come to grips with its history, why it came about and what it achieves.

In “The Freemason at Work” Harry Carr wrote:

“At the time when Grand Lodge was founded in 1717 only two Degrees were in general usage in England and Scotland, the first for the ‘Entered Apprentice’ and the second for the ‘Master or Fellow Craft’. The Third Degree, when it eventually appeared in 1725, was not a new invention. It arose by a splitting of the original First Degree into two parts, i.e., for the E.A. and the F.C., so that the original Second Degree then became the Third in the new Three-Degree system.

“When the contents of the Third Degree, now including the Hiramic legend, appeared in print in Masonry Dissected, in 1730, it is clear that the ceremony already contained material (i.e., a reference to a ‘lost word’) which subsequently formed one of the elements of the Royal Arch story. [however] this does not mean the Royal Arch existed in 1730.

“The earliest clear evidence of the existence of the Royal Arch is in a rather rare Irish work entitled A Serious and Impartial Enquiry into the Causes of the present Decay of Free-Masonry in the Kingdom of Ireland, by Dr. Fifield Dassigny, in 1744. He wrote that the Royal Arch was a separate Degree for ‘men who have passed the chair’.

“It would be quite impossible to discuss the contents of the Royal Arch ceremony at that date because we have no ritual documents, but there seems to be little doubt that soon after its appearance in England it began to embody various links with the legend

of the Third Degree. Apparently both ‘ceremonies’ were verbally modified so that a more or less tenuous relationship was established. I would say that the R.A. did not grow naturally on the tree of the Craft degrees, but it was ‘grafted’ on to one of its three branches. Much was added to the original material during the second half of the 18th century, and our modern R.A. is generally described as the completion of the Third Degree, though I would call it an extension.

“As early as 1598 we have a regulation in the Schaw Statutes, relating to operative masonry in Scotland, requiring that the ‘Master of fellow of craft’ should have his name and mark regularly inserted in the Lodge

Book on the date of admission to that grade. Thereafter there are numerous records, in the Minutes of the early Scottish operative lodges, of masons who ‘took their mark and paid for it’. This was a purely operative practice, enabling masons to mark their stones in a simple and recognisable manner. In those days it was certainly not a ceremony or a degree. When it did finally become a ceremony it had lost all operative connexion.

“The Mark seems to have developed into a Degree or ceremony during the 1750s, and there is an interesting rule, made by an unattached Craft Lodge at Newcastle on 19 January 1756 [which] suggests a Scottish source and there is evidence showing that this Lodge had contact with the Grand Lodge of Scotland.

“The earliest record of the making of ‘Mark Mason and Mark Masters’ is in the minutes of the Chapter of Friendship, Portsmouth, dated 1 September 1769.”

Laurence Gardner in “The Shadow of Solomon” gives a different perspective as to when the Royal Arch became known. He writes:

“We shall also discover that a time-honored aspect of the Craft known as the Royal Arch Chapter holds the ultimate key to Freemasonry. Although the Chapter is optional to Brethren, it is within this particular ritual (as distinct from the three primary degrees) that the light of Masonic heritage truly shines – yet the all-important Royal Arch was totally ignored by the Grand Lodge establishment for 96 years from its foundation.”

Later he writes that when a Candidate enters a Lodge for the first time he is likened to the Rough Ashlar which will eventually become smoothed and perfected.

“It is at this stage that the prospect of being admitted to the ‘mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry’ is potentially very exciting. Progressing through the three Craft degrees, however, concludes with the immensely disappointing Hiramic legend, and it is not until one joins the Royal Arch Chapter that the excitement builds again – but this time with a better purpose.”

Gardner writes that Christopher Wren was as enthusiastic about the mathematical mystique of Solomon’s Temple as Isaac Newton and that, therefore, when Desaguliers became the Grand Master of the Moderns in 1719 it was little wonder that they focused on it.

“As a Fellow of the Royal Society he would have been fully aware of ongoing research from the society’s published Transactions. It was worth creating a whole new degree just to cement the new-style Freemasonry to this Solomon tradition – and that is precisely what happened after 1724, when the 3rd degree was formulated”

Unfortunately, writes Gardner, instead of developing the thrust of the first two degrees by incorporating Newtonian or other Temple philosophy, the fictitious legend of Hiram Abif became the focus. But, he writes:

“… a rather more than adequate 3rd

16

degree already existed. It was much older, and had evolved quite separately from Craft Freemasonry, with records of a Scottish working as far back as 1590 in Stirling. Laurence Dermott, Grand Secretary of the Antients, explained to the Moderns that he knew of this degree, which existed quite independently of the Craft, and that he firmly believed it to be the ‘the root, heart, and marrow of Freemasonry’, but he was ignored.”

Much later the Antients included it as a formal aspect of their ritual, in 1772, but the Moderns did not relent until after amalgamation in December 1813 – their own membership had applied pressure for something better than Hiram Abif.

There is another reason which is not apparent in these quotations. The philosophy of Freemasonry is established in the First Degree but complete education about and understanding of that philosophy is not accomplished in the remaining two degrees of the Craft. Indeed, one of the reasons that Gardner is so scathing of the Third Degree (“…the immensely disappointing Hiramic legend…”) is that it leaves many questions unanswered – questions that a discerning and intelligent Master Mason can be expected to raise, and will expect to have answered. Foremost among these will be why, when it is clear from the ceremony of the Third Degree that Solomon of Israel, Hiram of Tyre, and Hiram Abif knew the secrets, were they lost when Hiram Abif was murdered?

The Exaltation Ceremony answers this question but that it is by no means obvious or clear suggests that many of us do not understand the degree even though we may have participated in the workings on many occasions. For example, in a recent meeting of a Chapter which intended to work an exemplar Royal Arch Degree, VEComp Mark Fraser GDC and I were invited to participate to offer some commentary and understanding of the ceremony. I commenced by asking what the Royal Arch Degree contributed to Masonic Philosophy and received little response. I then ventured the opinion referred to above that in fact it adds nothing – that its important function was to extend our knowledge and understanding of that philosophy. VE Comp Fraser spoke about how various parts of the ritual could be presented in such a way as to enhance the understanding gained by the Candidate and I offered comment on the meaning of some of those aspects. After about one and half hours,

during which little of the play was enacted, when we decided to call a halt, one of the Members of the Chapter thanked us for giving him some understanding – that in his years as a Member he had been unable understand what the Order was about and had been seriously contemplating resigning. Once again I was made aware of the disservice we do our Companions (and Brethren) by failing to build understanding and reinforce awareness.

What is it then that the Order brings to our knowledge and understanding of Freemasonry?

The philosophy which underpins Freemasonry is explained in the First Degree and summarised in the tracing Board.

• The three principle virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity

• The four cardinal virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice

• The characteristics of a Freemason – virtue, honour and mercy.

The Mark Degree exemplifies Faith, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice: the Faith of the Fellowcraft in following his intellect; his Fortitude in persisting in the correctness of his actions; the lack of Prudence on the part of the Master Overseer; and the Injustice in his treatment of the Fellowcraft. Along the way, the Mark Degree also educates the Candidate as to how the work on King Solomon’s Temple was regulated and the quality controlled; it tells him of the relationship between the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft and, incidentally, informs as to why a Lodge of Speculative Masons takes the form we enjoy today.

The Excellent Degree builds on Faith, Hope and Fortitude: Faith in the Decree of Cyrus and that the Temple will be rebuilt; Hope that he will be allowed to work on the Second Temple; and Fortitude because of the long journey that confronts him as he leaves Babylon. The journey to Jerusalem would take at least 7 months and often longer. He is also given insights into how the ancient Hebrews viewed their situation; how God communicated with them; and he is educated in the symbolism of the veils and their relationship to his life and the way he ought to live it. Although the Mark Degree has introduced him to other secrets of recognition, the Excellent Degree tells him precisely why modes of recognition were so important in those uncertain days.

The Royal Arch Degree leads him to a number of points and exemplifies the Honour of a Freemason. It tells him about the structure of a Chapter and its processes. It explains how the sojourners were honour bound to report their findings to the Sanhedrin and the vows of secrecy so important to that trust. It amplifies one of the lessons of the Address in the Excellent Degree when it says “The Almighty Architect never intended that our temples should remain damaged … but has given us the faith to repair and, if necessary rebuild upon the ruins of our former temple …”. It explains the design of the Secret Vault and what was secreted there, and it reveals the secrets which were lost at the death of Hiram Abif, and, more importantly, why it was they were “lost” when, as every Master Mason knows, three men knew them. It builds on the concept of merit and reward for labour which were developed in the Second Degree, and it tells the new Royal Arch Mason what is expected of him. And it tells him of the relationship Freemasonry and he has with the Deity by firmly linking the ineffable name of the Deity with the Grand Word of the Order.

Managing our Chapters

If we are to ensure that the workings of our Chapters are enjoyable, productive and not at all embarrassing to those participating we must manage our Chapters. But by “manage” I don’t mean just “management”. “Leadership” is also involved.

Some years ago I heard Chris Laidlaw on National Radio interviewing Kevin Roberts, a New Zealander and world-wide CEO for Saatchi and Saatchi. Laidlaw asked Roberts a question and hearing the reply commented that it was leadership. Roberts said that it wasn’t leadership, it was management. When Laidlaw asked him about the difference, Roberts said “Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right thing!”

If our Chapters are to survive, at the very least by not losing members apart from the obvious implications of age and infirmity, we have to promote a culture which embodies leadership, management and team work. We need to establish:

• What are the “right” things we need to do for our Chapters

• What is the “right” way to do them

An oft-quoted presentation which was given by RWBro Greg Goding of Queensland at the Craft Northern Division

Focus on Freemasonry (continued)

18-21st Nov 2010 — The Langham, AUCKLAND

One certainty the late 20th century taught us was to expect change!

We have seen and experienced so many changes in products, in services and the very way we now live our lives, that to remain relevant as individuals or as an organisation, we must be conscious that ‘change’ could always be a factor, now and tomorrow.Nothing could be more true this year as your Grand Installation Organising Committee have faced up to a number of changes to meet the increased expectation of Brethren and to make sure Freemasonry continues to ‘Make a Difference!’ Welcome to Auckland, to The Grand Installation. Did you notice the first change? It is no longer a Communication, it is now the

GRAND INSTALLATION!

Other changes include a Welcome Reception Cocktail function on the Thursday, a Grand Ball Saturday Night, a conference programme which will include The Mace/Ingram Breakfast, Grand Master’s Luncheon, a Panel

Discussion with “Head Office’ and more.Please read the Brochure and see the exciting programme and then register to join us in Auckland.

WBro Graeme HoustonOrganising Committee Chairman

Welcome from the Northern Division.It is with great pleasure that, on behalf

of the Northern Division, I extend a warm invitation to you to attend the 2010 ‘Freemasons NZ Grand Installation’ to be held Auckland – a bustling vibrant city rich in Masonic history, with beautiful harbours, gulf islands, and a blend of different cultures which has created a lifestyle recognised as one of best in the world.The theme is ‘Communicating the Vision’ as Freemasonry moves forward into the next decade. This is your opportunity to renew old friendships

and meet Freemasons from the worldwide Brotherhood.The splendour and pageantry of the Grand Installation Ceremony in the Auckland Town Hall, followed by the formal Banquet will be events not to be missed.The organising committee have arranged something for everyone where fun and fellowship will be the order of the day – with excellent accommodation, a host of interesting activities, and access to plenty of shopping.I personally invite you all to take this opportunity to support our new Grand Master by your attendance and we especially look forward to welcoming you to the Northern Division for the 2010 ‘Freemasons NZ Grand Installation’.

RWBro Eddie EelesNorthern Division Grand Master

Newer Freemasons especially will benefit from two knowledgeable figures in Freemasonry, who will talk about today, about you and about the future.

Exercise your voice and contrib-ute to the future of the Craft.

Support your colleagues who will represent you, in every Lodge, in every District, in every Division within NZ.

Experience Auckland! Arts, Adventure,

Activities, Sights, Scenery, Wilderness

& Wine.

Unwind with old friends and meet

new colleagues.

Have the opportunity to have your photograph taken with the new Grand Master and the IP Grand Master at an exclusive luncheon to hear their views of the last two years and the next two years ahead of us and be ‘print ready’ for your local paper if desired.

Be a part of an ‘Awareness Event’ that will culminate in Auckland on the 18th of November involving all Freemasons

RWBro Eddie Eeles –

Divisional Grand Master

WBro Graeme Houston –

Chairman Organising Committee

Be a part of something that people would

have told you later was a great time.

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9am Church Service – Holy Trinity Cathedral – Parnell9am-5pm Social & Leisure Activities (see Activities Home Page)11.30-12.30 Lunch12.30-1pm Closure of the Grand Installation – MW Grand Master Vision Statement1pm Extended Leisure Activities – Flights North & South

Programme

Pre-Grand Installation Activities.Sight seeing, Organised trips. – Please contact organisers for advice/choice.

(AM-PM) Pre-Grand Installation, Social, and Leisure Activities (see Activities) Registration Booth opens 3pm-6pm only7pm Official Welcome and Opening Ceremony Cocktail Party.- Ngati Whatua Grand Welcome- Special Guest Official Opening Ceremony – Dress: Smart Casual10pm – 1am Entertainment – The Langham Public Bar

8am Registration Booth open all day.8.30am-12.30 Accompanying Ladies’ Programme & Brunch – The Langham9am – 1pm NZ Grand Lodge Business Session – The Langham 9am -5pm Social & Leisure Activities (see Activities Home Page)6pm Grand Muster of Installation Participants7pm Grand Installation – Auckland Town Hall10pm – 1am Entertainment – The Langham Public Bar

8.30am-10.15am “Mace / Ingram Breakfast” – The Langham MWBro David Mace / RWBro Neil Ingram “Why on Earth would you be a Freemason?”9am-5pm Social and Leisure Activities (see Activities Home Page)10.30am-12.15pm “Your Turn to get Answers”- The Langham A Panel of the Grand Registrar, Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary answer your questions OR10.30am-12.15pm “Grand Almoners Forum” – The Langham (Camp Quality presentation and more)12.30 – 2.45pm “Grand Masters Luncheon” – The Langham MW Grand Master / MWBro Stan Barker IPGM “The Secrets of the last two years and the Mystery of the next three” (Photographer and Press Release details recorded then)6.30pm Grand Refectory Banquet & Ball – Formal The Langham Grand Ball Room. Auckland City Big Band plus Soloists.

Monday 15th – Wednesday 17th.

Thursday 18th.

Friday 19th.

Saturday 20th.

Sunday 21st.

FREEMASONS NZGRAND INSTALLATION

18-21st Nov 2010The Langham, AUCKLAND

Freemasonry - Making a Dif erence

18

Fraternal Greetings to Freemasons from

all over New Zealand and to those from overseas.The City of Sails is very pleased to be the host city of our Grand Installation and

Communication in November 2010.One of the reasons I enjoy being a Freemason myself is seeing the tireless work and commitment being made by Brethren and their spouses and partners to projects and to the people in our communities. Freemasonry makes a real difference and it is much appreciated and valued by all.I hope delegates from around the country take the opportunity to enjoy some of the many attractions in our magnificent city as well as our exceptional galleries, theatres, shopping centers restaurants and cafes.Auckland city looks forward to hosting you and trusts everyone enjoys their stay and makes the most of their time here.

Hon John Banks QSOMayor Auckland City

From the Mayor of Auckland City

1) SEGWAY TOURS – Daily AM/PM

You can easily learn to ride a Segway Personal Transporter in no more than 15 mins. We will personally guide you through the process on our specially selected traiing ground and then you are off with us on a two-hour guided tour of Historic Devonport.

2) MOUNTAIN BIKING – HIGH WIRE WALKING – Daily AM/PM Have wonderful fun under the canopy of Woodhill forest. Beginners to advanced are catered for on well groomed and interesting riding tracks. Bike hire included. Or test your skills on the supervised Tree Adventures. Great fun. 3-4hrs

3) AMERICAS CUP SAILING Daily PM (Limited 30 passengers/boat)

Feel the thrill of taking control yourself at the helm of NZ41 or NZ42 during a simulated race on Waitemata’s sparkling harbour. Join a team and have a competition with another Lodge or even another District and give it a go. For all ages. 3-4hrs

Active:

4) BRICK BAY SCULPTURE TRAIL & LUNCH/WINE TASTING (Daily excluding Fri)

60 mins North of Auckland, on the beautiful Matakana Coast set in park-like surroundings, a beautiful sculpture trail awaits. Lunch or wine tasting afterwards at their vineyard on site. 4-5hrs

5) AUCKLAND ‘MUST DO’ ATTRACTIONS Daily AM/PM

Your choice of two different but equally stimulating ‘Must see and Do’ attractions that Auckland has to offer. Comfortable coach, knowledgeable tour guides. Perfect for those from out of town who just want to say “Take me to three great places” 3-4hrs

6) WAITAKERE RANGES WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE

An Eco-Tour of Auckland’s largest Regional Park. 30 mins west of Auckland lie the breathtaking Waitakere Ranges. Take in the views that stretch from the Tasman to the Pacific, view the magnificent Maori carvings, and walk on those beaches. 4-5hrs

Social & Leisure Activities Programme (½ day)



Freemasonry - Making a Dif erenceLe

isur

ely:

19

7) RUAKURI CAVE EXPERIENCE Enjoy a spiritual journey on your guided tour through this underground universe of narrow winding corridors, hidden waterfalls, glow-worms and amazing cave formations. Lunch at the Crosshill Homestead and Farm.

Full Day activities8) CLEVEDON VALLEY COASTAL TOUR Intimate tour of Botanical Gardens, Clevedon Village with lunch at a stunning vineyard and then tour a private garden and travel along the scenic coastline before taking a 35-minute harbour cruise back to Auckland.

9) THE NORTHLAND EXPERIENCETravel to the sensational Bay of Islands and stay three nights at the Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge in Pahia. Have the opportunity to swim with the dolphins, cruise out to the ‘hole in the rock’, enjoy an evening BBQ dinner cruise down the Waitangi river to the Haruru falls as well as feeling the exhilaration the next day on the

Excitor high speed adventure which will take you around the beautiful bays, into famous Cathedral cove and finish with an evening show combining Maori Culture and live drama.

4 Day activities10) THE SOUTHLAND EXPERIENCEFly into stunning Queenstown and stay three nights at the Novotel Hotel in the central city. Travel through the magnificent Hollyford Valley and then down into Milford Sound for a sensational cruise the length of the Sound out to the Tasman

Sea and back. The next day experience the exhilaration of the longest jet boat ride in this beautiful area before boarding the famous Ernslaw Evening Cruise and Dinner at the Walter Peak High Country Farm.

Accomodation

THE LANGHAM HOTEL

Grand Installation Hotel

RENDEZVOUS HOTEL

Refer to registration form for pricing.

BOOK EARLY FOR THE COMMUNICATION VENUE

HOTEL: The Langham

Contact DetailsORGANISER:

Northern Division Freemasons NZ REGISTRATIONS AND CONTACT:Jim Watt New Zealand Conference Connexions Ltd.Cell: 021 715 442 Ph: 04 237 8091 Fax: 04 237 [email protected]. Box 452, Waikanae 5250



Freemasonry - Making a Dif erence

20

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Annual Conference in 2009 mentioned five things which he considered essential to the survival of a Lodge (or, in our case, a Chapter):

• Perfect harmony• Effective handling of business• Superb ritual and ceremonial• Enjoyable refectory proceedings, and• Elimination of the “cringe factor” in

all our activities.

These are all outcomes of good, sound and successful leadership and each of them implies an aspect of good, sound management.

Harmony should be a given and it if is not then we should be taking a hard look in our respective and personal mirrors! It is implied in the exhortation given to the Officers at the Installation in a Chapter regarding precept and example and is an obligation every one of us is required to observe.

Effective handling of business may from time-to-time pose difficulties because not all of us are skilled and able administrators. It does not mean that we should strive to keep the business part of our meetings as short as possible. It does mean that we should strive to be as effective as possible and that we should organise ourselves to ensure that everyone is completely conversant with what the Chapter needs to achieve. This is essentially a management consideration but leadership is needed from those who have ability and can help train others. This is an area in which the establishment of small committees to assist those who have accepted governance roles will greatly enhance the business activities of a Chapter. For example a committee or group may assist the Scribe in his communication duties: someone to assist with notice papers and someone to assist with newsletters and letters. Someone may develop a web page for the Chapter and someone may take responsibility for publicity. Another committee or small group may assist the Treasurer.

There is probably little doubt that the area which most affects the view we have of our Chapter is the standard of ritual and ceremonial. It is an area in which we can all contribute merely by trying our best and it is ALWAYS obvious when a Companion has been striving to do his very best. It is equally obvious when he has not. It is also an area which can be greatly enhanced if we do not leave it all to one

or two Companions. The responsibility for presenting good ritual belongs to all of us – not just the Director of Ceremonies or the First Principal. Certainly they provide leadership – but then so do all of the senior and experienced Companions. A ritual committee could take responsibility for planning ceremonies, allocating duties and ensuring that every charge has not only a presenter but also that it is understudied by one or more other Companions. It could be responsible for liaising with other Chapters for assistance as appropriate so that our Candidates are offered the best possible experience.

It doesn't take much imagination to make our refectories more enjoyable. A little humour (not the telling of risqué stories) and innovation can go a long way to make the occasion memorable. And it isn't dependent, necessarily, on a recent practise of dropping out certain toasts and replies. Don't forget that one of our objectives is self-development and if making a short address – or toast – is part of those objectives then dropping them prevents Companions practising and enhancing their skills. The process can be improved if a small group of Companions, a committee, accept responsibility for planning our refectory proceedings: for ensuring the catering is adequate and yet affordable; and for planning social events which involve our families and other Chapters.

The "cringe factor" is not necessarily the worst aspect of some of our meetings and should not be overemphasised. It is true that some comments from “the old codgers” may turn a new member off and it is equally true that the worst example of a “cringe factor” is the criticism of a Companion who has difficulty with ritual but who has clearly tried to present it as best he can – who has evidently put in work even if he is not particularly successful. With gentle persuasion those who cause us to cringe can be convinced to ameliorate their criticisms. But we must not forget that for many of those who do criticise from the stance of long membership and recollection, Masonry has been their life too. If their stance has to be toned down because of the adverse effects they have on the Chapter, it has to be accomplished with kindness and discretion.

The five “Goding” points are not the only aspects which can contribute to the well-being of a Chapter. Education is another area which is sadly neglected and which requires both leadership and management.

We need to provide leadership in our Chapters and manage them such that we can proudly introduce someone into our midst and feel secure in the knowledge that nothing in our activities will embarrass him, or us, and drive him away, and that he too will take pride in the workings of the Chapter. We must provide leadership and example to those who have less knowledge and are less confident. We must ensure that no one Companion feels disenfranchised. And we must ensure that no Companion is overburdened merely because he is able and is a willing workhorse. I venture to suggest that five years is the maximum term anyone should be expected to occupy an administrative office.

Promoting the Order

Even if we manage to apply leadership and management to our Chapters to ensure that we do not lose our existing membership we still need to promote our Chapters – to gain members to offset natural attrition and to provide for growth. How can we achieve that? And, indeed, why?

A dilemma faces every Master Mason when he has been raised.

He has been informed, in his First Degree, that he should make every endeavour to make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge, an exhortation which is reinforced in the preceding phrase when he is recommended to study such of the liberal arts and sciences as lie within his attainments. If he has listened diligently during his first degree, and subsequently thought about what he has heard, he will appreciate that the full scope of Masonic philosophy was outlined in the lecture of the First Degree Tracing Board: the three principal virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity; the four cardinal virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice; and that the distinguishing characteristics of a Freemason are Virtue, Honour and Mercy.

But he has also been informed in his Third Degree, which concentrates on his spiritual nature and in particular that aspect which relates to his mortality, that the genuine secrets of a Master Mason were lost by the death of just one person.

His dilemma is:

Why should he extend his knowledge?• How does he extend his knowledge of

things Masonic?


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The short answer to the question of why he should extend his knowledge is predicated on the basis of all education: that it is comprised of three parts:

• Knowledge• Experience• Personal development

He will know he has been given a little knowledge and has been brought to this point by his personal development. But he knows his experience, at least in a Masonic sense, is very limited.

There is a further reason although probably he will not be aware of it at this early stage in his Masonic development and experience. The preface to the Rules of the Constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England contains the following statement:

By the solemn Act of Union between the two Grand Lodges of Free-Masons of England in December 1813, it was ‘declared and pronounced that pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz., those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch’.

At the Quarterly Communication of 10 December 2003 the United Grand Lodge of England acknowledged and pronounced the status of the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch to be ‘an extension to, but neither a superior nor a subordinate part of, the Degrees which precede it’.

Rule 71 of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand states:

Grand Lodge recognises only the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, Master Mason, Mark Master, Excellent Master and the Royal Arch as being pure Antient Freemasonry.

These quotations from Supreme bodies – the United Grand Lodge of England which has de facto status as the recognising authority of almost all Masonic organisations world-wide, and our own primary constitutional jurisdiction – seem to tell us that there is something more to Freemasonry than just Craft Masonry. So they reinforce the why and also give a pointer as to the how.

Obviously he can endeavour to study Freemasonry for himself. But that is a process that can be fraught: what should

he study and how can he be sure that the information he gets is sound? Like many sources on the Internet (of which there are thousands), books, magazines and articles have to be treated with a certain circumspection, if not scepticism. Many of our well-meaning Brethren often present questionable material as fact because their own knowledge and understanding is limited.

For that reason alone the rituals of another Order offer perhaps a better and more reliable source of information.

The question then may well be not whether the Master Mason should join another Order, but rather what Order, or Orders, should he join so that he may profitably extend his knowledge and understanding of Masonic philosophy?

You will recall the quotations I cited earlier in this paper when considering the history of the Order. To understand better why the Royal Arch should be a logical progression from Craft Freemasonry we need to further consider how the form of Craft Masonry was developed during the Age of Enlightenment. It is quite clear that the developers of the rituals of Speculative Freemasonry sought to de-Christianise it. Remember that this was a period of intense religious fervour – both Protestant and Catholic. Indeed that time, in the latter part of the 17th Century, was not far removed from the periods of religious persecution. A little over 400 years previously the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Jacques de Molay, was burnt at the stake by the Inquisition. 200 years previous it would have been extremely dangerous to have bucked the desires of Henry VIII and 100 years prior Oliver Cromwell was doing his best to crush the established religions. The developers had a desire to cater for men of all religious persuasions and to allow for freethinkers in their midst. So when the first Grand Lodge was formed in 1717, and when Dr James Anderson published his Constitutions in 1723, there was no mention of the New Testament. On the other hand many of the appendant Orders which have been developed since have drifted back towards Christianity reaching the possible ultimate in the Rose Croix, or Scottish Rite as it is known in other parts of the world, which is heavily dependent on the Gospel of St John.

Why then the Royal Arch?

It does not add any new philosophy to that

which is taught in Craft Masonry. Rather it further explains and expounds on the basic philosophy and links much of that which has yet to be explained in Craft Masonry.

Indeed, as Gardner explained, it is considered to be a more logical culmination to Craft Masonry than the Third Degree.

Others more close to home have commented on the relevance of the Royal Arch in New Zealand. Kerry Dalzell writes:

Various eminent New Zealand Freemasons have endeavoured to answer this question. I cannot do better than quote some of the more erudite writings.

C.G. Hedge wrote:

“He should join the Royal Arch because: It is part of Masonry and is so officially defined. It enlarges his knowledge of the Most High and His goodness and honour. Without it he is an incomplete Mason. With it he has added the topmost stone and covered-in the building. It adds another link in the Chain which binds him to his brethren.”

J.P. Glenie wrote:

“So our search is ended; we have found what all men seek. We know at last that Freemasonry leads to the Deity Himself: that first declaration we make in the first degree is now at last explained.”

So, if the Royal Arch adds to the knowledge and understanding of Masonic Philosophy, how does it do it?

The most important point to understand is that the Order does not add to the philosophy which was introduced in the First Degree. What it does do, in three degree ceremonies, is answer questions which are left begging in the three Craft degrees.

The Craft ceremonies introduce to the Entered Apprentice the concept of a work ethic which is based on labour, accuracy and perseverance; to the Fellowcraft the necessity of supporting the work ethic of the First Degree with knowledge, understanding, justice and reward; and to the Master Mason a spirituality, particularly that associated with his mortality, and loyalty and integrity. But he is also told that


23

he cannot have the genuine secrets because the murder of one of the main protagonists in the building of King Solomon’s Temple caused them to be lost.

What questions do the degree ceremonies of the Order address and how do they answer them?

The first of the three degrees of the Order – that of the Mark Master Mason – takes as its allegory the building of Solomon’s Temple and works on the theme of the work ethic introduced in the First Degree. It shows the candidate how the work was controlled and the measures applied to the quality control and the role of Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts. It explains the part the latter played in the training of the former, and then it picks up on the concepts of merit and justice introduced in the Second Degree ultimately pointing out the importance of intellect in interpreting the designs implicit in the construction of a building.

The second of the three degrees, the Excellent Master, takes the candidate over 400 years into the future and considers the implications of the return from Babylon of the Jews taken captive after the sacking of Jerusalem by the army of Nebuchadnezzar. It describes how the work of building the second temple – that of Zerubbabel – was restricted to descendants of the Jews taken captive and how they were tested and controlled.

The third of the degrees – the Holy Royal Arch – describes events which took place during preparation for the foundations of the second temple.

Between them, these degrees tell the Craft Mason how the work force at the building of King Solomon’s Temple was organised, trained, managed and paid, and how the quality control which ensured a sound, stable building was implemented. They describe the controls put in place to ensure that only descendants of the Jews taken into captivity by the Babylonians would work on the Second Temple. And they finally show how the lost secrets were recovered and the reason why the loss of just one man could prevent transmission of the secrets.

In other words they answer some questions which newly raised Master Masons may have pondered but never found answers to.What was the true relationship between Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason?

• Why is it that the degree of Master Mason does not guarantee him the right to sit in the chair of Master of a Lodge?

• Why does a Lodge have a Master and two Wardens?

• Was the Temple of King Solomon as indestructible as our allegories imply?

• Given that three men knew the secrets of a Master Mason – Solomon King of Israel, Hiram King of Tyre and Hiram Abif – why did the loss of just one of those cause the loss of the secrets?

• Were the lost secrets ever found?

Above all the three degrees of our Order provide a solution to that rather peculiar state in which the Craft Mason finds himself: that of having learned secrets which are not “genuine”!

If he joins the Order of the Royal Arch he will, as the catechism of the opening of a Lodge in the Third Degree suggests, have assisted in finding the genuine secrets by his own industry.

Conclusion

I do not wish to list any particular conclusions from the foregoing. Rather I wish you to draw your own conclusions. But I do wish to summarise and extend some of the points I have made.

I stated that I believe there are three steps to ensuring the survival of our Order:

1. Understanding2. Management3. Promotion

All of these three steps are critically essential – leave one out and our ambitions will inevitably fail:

• If we don’t understand it we cannot successfully promote it.

• If we don’t manage it properly we will not be able to promote it.

• If we don’t promote it we won’t have anything left!

Each of these steps requires a plan with identifiable objectives and each objective needs a method of assessing its success or failure.

For example the success of a plan to promote a Chapter is easily measured by the number of Companions it exalts, and, almost by proxy, the number of new

Brethren it assists in initiating into its support Lodges. Each Chapter should set a target for the number of Companions it needs to exalt each year.

The outcomes of management plans are not quite as easy to assess but measures can be developed. For example, if a conscious plan is developed to communicate where possible electronically – to send as many notice papers and minutes by email, say – a suitable measure may be the reduction in overheads for the year (it costs at least 70¢ to send a notice paper and the minutes by post: the cost of sending them by email is zero). A target objective may be to encourage every member to subscribe to an ISP for the reception of email.

Another measure may be the effect the loss of key Companions will have on the Chapter. How often has the sudden death of a Scribe/Treasurer caused chaos in one or more Chapters? Succession planning is an integral part of sound management and a suitable management objective would be to have every key position covered by understudies, assistants and/or officers-in-training.

It is near impossible to assess our understanding – how many of us would be prepared to undertake a test or sit an examination? And yet many of us have had to do so in our employment. But understand it we must if we are to be able to answer the questions I posed. If we can’t answer them our ability to promote the Order and our Chapters will be severely limited. Perhaps this is a measure of how successful we have been in developing our understanding.

The solution is in our hands.

You may recall an old adage: “If it is to be, it is up to me.”

If every one of us does not participate in each of the three steps to the very best of our abilities I can assure you we face a very bleak future.

www.royalarchmasons.org.nz

TheLadiesSection

When asked to write about an inspirational woman, I knew straight

away who this would be. She is a lady, modest to the extreme, who has put her hand to many things. She has gone through many hardships, but has always maintained a positive and “can do” spirit with everything she has been involved with.

I am talking about Anne Pluck, wife of Alan, who is a member of the United Lodge of Wanganui No 468.

Anne was born in Timaru, the younger of two girls and didn’t enjoy the best of health as a small child so spent her first years at home with her mother who schooled her through correspondence school. Her mother was a dressmaker and encouraged Anne to sew at a very early age.

Anne attended Timaru Girls High School and during her first years there she was sent to the needlework class as a punishment – little did the teacher realise what a joke that was! She excelled under the guidance of the needlework teacher, a perfectionist in all embroidery techniques which she instilled in her pupil.

Some years after Anne had left school she attended a dance where some army personnel were also present, being in the area as a result of the wharf strike at that time. One of the soldiers was Alan and the rest, as

they say, is history. Anne and Alan were soon married and lived first in Addington and then at the Burnham Army camp for the next 13 years, where they had three lovely daughters. From there they went to Waiouru and then to Trentham and later Alan served in Vietnam. Within two years of his return James was born.

Throughout her married life Anne always gave back to the community as much as she gained from it with vigorous energy and commitment. She was involved with the Girl Guide movement for 18 years as a leader and had the honour of meeting Lady Baden-Powell during this time who visited her pack as “the best in New Zealand”.

Anne was also heavily involved in the local church, taking on voluntary roles and vestry positions before becoming an active lay reader.

Throughout her life needlework and embroidery was always important to her. Apart from continuously producing creative pieces, Anne was a constant teacher of all facets of embroidery and at all levels, starting her teaching career even before she left high school and she still continues to this day although her subject has changed from embroidery to quilting.

Anne is a recognised authority on embroidery techniques. She compiled a compendium of needlework, known as “Anne’s A B C of Embroidery” which was used as a guide throughout New Zealand embroidery guilds. A copy was also taken to the Pietermaritzburg Guild, near Durban in South Africa and is still being used there today as a teaching guide.

Anne was intrigued by the history of needlework and after completing much research became such an authority on the subject that she was invited to give presentations throughout New Zealand for over 12 years. She is known as a “trouble-shooter” of embroidery techniques but says that she has always learnt as much as she taught and had a great deal of fun doing it.

As time went on, Anne became more interested in quilting techniques and progressed from teaching embroidery to quilting which she still does to this day. She was always very involved with making crafts for children and in this capacity produced “feeling books” for visibly impaired children – she claims she received far more joy than she gave in making the books from the instant reaction of the children.

ANNE PLUCK by Diana Litton

24

Anne has always been a great supporter of Alan in his role as a Freemason. When Wanganui Lodge amalgamated with Rutland Lodge she attended the blessing of the new Lodge rooms and felt there was potential for the ladies to form a group. So she canvassed the other ladies, suggesting that they met on a regular basis when the men did. The result was that the United Lodge of Wanganui thrived with the support of the ladies and continues to do so.

Anne has created many memorable works of art over the years, some of which include the Rata House school banner at Timaru Girls High, a wall hanging in St Bridget’s Church in Fielding and the banner for the Wanganui Royal Arch Chapter. She even crocheted 100 blankets for the Masonic Court and New Vista Retirement Homes in Wanganui.

When in 2005 Anne was asked by the then Grand Master’s wife, Anne Mace, to assist with the Autistic children’s project, she and her colleagues in Wanganui didn’t hesitate and set out together determined to do their utmost. They certainly delivered, producing more pages than any other area. Anne Mace was immensely grateful and proud of their achievement but Anne Pluck then surprised her by presenting her with a beautiful hand-made quilt, all

the more remarkable because during this time she developed macular degeneration, seriously affecting her sight so she finished it by touch.

Anne still quilts by feeling the stitches by hand. She has a tremendous spirit to succeed in all she does, whatever the difficulties – and is surely an inspiration to us all!

25

During 2009 and early 2010 Lodge Mangaroa focussed its fund-raising

efforts on the provision of a multimedia projection unit and screen for the local Mangaroa School located in Mangaroa Valley, north of Upper Hutt.

The Master of Lodge Mangaroa at the time, WBro Graeme Morgan, says that ”It was decided to support Mangaroa School because of the name association with the Lodge and our being aware that the local community was in the process of building a new hall without the benefit of Ministry of Education funding. Several of the Lodge brethren had observed the progress of the hall both during the fund-raising phase and the construction, which was mostly done using volunteer labour from the community.

“We wanted to help out and show our support for a local organisation that was adding a significant asset to our community. We were also looking for a project that could be managed by our Lodge with the support of Grand Lodge matching funds. The concept of owning the project and the sense of achievement when we formally handed the equipment to the school was

enhanced by the Lodge committing to manage the entire process from raising the funds to completion.”

The project, which could involve all members of the Lodge, was seen as an opportunity to raise the profile of Freemasonry in the valley

by actively helping the community. As well as individual donations from members, the Lodge also raised funds by assisting the Upper Hutt Spring Festival committee and the annual Fireworks Display during their respective annual activities.

After School Prinipal Glenys Rogers identified the need for a projection unit and screen, Graeme Morgan rallied the Brethren to make this the principal fund-

raising project during his tenure as Master. Mrs Rogers is very pleased with the result and comments: “Mangaroa School will be making extensive use of the newly-installed data projector. We are currently part of an IT Cluster and the use of a quality projector for presentation purposes will be

immeasurable.

“Increasingly our students, whose ages range from five to seven years, are working with multimedia tools in their classrooms. Now they will be able to easily share this work with a much larger audience. The hall projector allows ease of use for sharing at the class and whole-school level. The many parents who come along to school assemblies will be thrilled to see their children’s work being presented in this way. A bonus will be greater participation

in school singing, with all students and parents being able to easily read the lyrics to the songs.”

As the result of a tender process, the equipment was supplied and installed by Tim Hyndman and his team from Sandman Audio Video in Wellington. The equipment was installed and successfully tested by the end of March. Mangaroa School plans to hire out the hall for community use. The

availability of a quality projector will be an added appeal for potential users.

Photos: Top: from the left, WBro Bob Rule, Master of Lodge Mangaroa; Mr Tim Hyndman, of Sandman Audio Video; WBro Graeme Morgan, IPM Lodge Mangaroa; Mr Graeme Cosslett, Mangaroa School Board Chairman; Bro Keith Thompson, Secretary Lodge Mangaroa; and Mrs Glenys Rogers, Principal of Mangaroa School.

Left: Pupils arriving for school.

Lodge Mangaroa Links With Local School

26

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28

Ivan Whale’s picture window frames a beautiful view of Howick beach where

his forebears came ashore in 1847. Whites, not Whales (whose habitat was Onehunga). White was the name of Ivan’s Howick-born mother, and his own life spans 100 of the 163 years since her parents’ arrival there in the ship Minerva.

Ivan’s century was on May 26. “I’m keeping out of it,” he said as preparations went ahead for the afternoon birthday party, held at his home. The invitations said, “Your company is a gift; we respectfully request no other.” There were messages from the Queen, the Prime Minister and the Governor-General.Small, alert and mobile, Ivan wears his years lightly. As he tells it, they have just drifted by like summer days – “time went on. Things just happened. A lot of people ask me about being 100, but it is just one of those things.” Losing his wife Gladys 17 years ago was a huge blow, “but we had a good life.” Daughter Mrs Beverley Harrison who looks after him says: “His life’s quite normal – going out, being in his garden, sleeping. He visits Auntie Kathleen (his 92-year-old sister) every Saturday morning. He is very blessed. He has never had any major illness.”

Ivan Whale was made a Freemason in the Prince of Wales Lodge (EC) 67 years ago, rose to high office and is credited with strengthening relationships with all the other Constitutions. He is a lifetime trustee of the Northern Association Trust Board and is its Patron. Meeting Masonic friends is one of his greatest pleasures. He sought community service, enjoyed sports and prospered in building and contracting, his

name being familiar all over Auckland. The logo was a cheeky, water-spouting whale atop a bulldozer.

See the beach view from the home he built 50 years ago, and the perspective is entirely picturesque. But there were hard beginnings. His family of 12 kept a cow, sheep, goats and chooks on an acre plot at Onehunga. Jobs came and went. He humped coal, drove a delivery truck, even worked as a diver. At 28 he set up as a contractor, and built an empire that owned quarries, built roads and bridges, was active in construction and civil engineering, importing and even the travel industry. Projects included the Farmers carpark and the former Roskill Village where one may still linger in Ivan Whale Way. He retired in 1979.

Though not a man to tilt at windmills like Don Quixote, he did knock one over once. It happened to be the iconic Partington’s Mill, which was “irreplaceable and unique” on the Auckland skyline for 99 years, to quote city historian Dr Graham Bush. And that raised a bit of dust, though it could not be helped. Its sails were still, its tower was cracked and a public appeal for funds to save it failed. The year was 1950. The motor firm Seabrook Fowlds owned the land and wanted it. Ivan’s firm won the demolition job.

“I’ve got one of the millstones here,” says the man who is now older than the doomed mill, and he takes you to see the stone embedded in the garden and still bearing the name of its Birmingham maker.

His two daughters and family members

including great-great-grandchildren, none with the name Whale, were among the 40 or so at the celebration of his century. From that plateau he can look back and say, “I’ve had a wonderful, a marvellous life. I’m amazed by it. When they write me up I wonder, ‘who’s that they’re talking about?’ I suppose there’s been some luck. I went to the hospital some years ago and told them this was the second time. They said, ‘no broken bones?’ I said no. My eyes are a bit off. I’ve got all sorts of vehicles and I can’t use any of them except the mobility scooter.”

His friend, minder and fellow-Mason Dave Roberts, who lives around the corner, makes the joking comment, “Even when he doesn’t hear, he does try to look interested.” Ivan laughs. He heard that all right.

What kind of strength has helped his business and Masonic life? People say it is the ability to harmonise viewpoints and take others with him. He was always one to delegate – and still is with the co-operation of Dave Roberts, who drives him where he wants to go.

He likes bacon, tomato, banana, toast and tea for breakfast and gets it himself. For lunch he has a salad sandwich. He enjoys a full dinner too. Most days he is out in the garden, weeding the flower and vegetable plots beside a clifftop path. It is one of life’s pleasures for him, as is having a friend at lodge remind him, “You laid a tennis court for me 50 years ago, and there are still no cracks in it …”

A Centurion in Many Ways

29

Service Awards

70 Year Service AwardsName Lodge Joined a NZ LodgeRWBro Kenneth Douglas Elliott PGW Empire Fergusson Lodge No. 225 2/05/40

50 Year Service AwardsName Lodge Joined a NZ LodgeWBro Graham Scott Warhurst PGP The Southern Cross Lodge No. 9 14/04/56Bro David Annett MM The Caledonian Lodge No. 16 4/04/60WBro Peter George Marston Sperry PM United Lodge of Masterton No. 19 12/04/60Bro Graham John Mayn MM The Belmont Albion Lodge No. 45 4/04/60Bro Ronald Annandale McCrory MM The Methven Lodge No. 51 5/08/57WBro Raymond Ernest Harrison PM RH The Ponsonby Lodge No. 54 19/04/60WBro Ralph Alexander Dickson PM The Advance Mawhera Lodge No. 61 15/10/57VWBro Martin Herbert Biss P Asst Prov GM The Mount Ida Lodge No. 97 2/05/60Bro Ronald Bedford Lauder MM The Mount Ida Lodge No. 97 30/05/60Bro Alan Logan Smith MM The Mount Ida Lodge No. 97 16/03/60Bro John Ibbotson MM Lodge Manuherikia Kilwinning No. 109 10/05/60Bro Henry Rewe John Chaney MM The Coronation Lodge No. 127 5/03/60WBro Colin Douglas Stringer PM Teviot Lodge No. 148 5/03/60Bro James Catto McLennan MM Lodge North Harbour No. 182 10/03/60Bro Desmond Leslie O'Callaghan MM RH Lodge Waihopai No. 189 11/04/60WBro David Scott Arbuckle PM Lodge Moutoa No. 195 12/04/60Bro Trevor James Love MM Lodge Erewhon No. 200 26/03/60Bro John Dryden MM Lodge Whetu-Kairangi No. 201 11/04/60Bro Herbert Stanley Sowter MM Pono Lodge No. 203 19/03/60WBro Thomas Ure Fraser PM Titirangi Lodge No. 204 12/04/60Bro Hugh Kaye Wells MM Titirangi Lodge No. 204 23/05/60WBro Stanley Charles Bellamore PM Lodge Tawera-O-Kapiti No. 253 11/05/60WBro Derek Bruce Barclay Dist GDC Lodge Matamata No. 265 26/05/60Bro Henry Newton Haycock MM Waimea Lodge No. 266 6/04/60WBro Ronald Anthony Stewart PGBB Herbert Teagle Lodge No. 300 17/03/60RWBro Robert Cecil Moor P Prov GM Lodge Pukemiro No. 301 14/04/60Bro Mervyn George Houston MM The Lodge of Remembrance No. 318 12/11/52WBro Anthony Eric Hilton PM Lodge Hillcrest No. 363 11/04/60Bro William Herbert Luff MM Lodge Te Kauwhata No. 364 24/05/60Bro Francis Wallace Overton MM The Gate Pa Lodge No. 407 25/05/60WBro George Alexander Edlin PM Meridian Lodge No. 449 12/05/60WBro John David Groves PG Std B The Petre Lodge No. 457 16/10/58WBro Peter William Hansen PM Geyserland Daylight Lodge No. 462 2/10/58WBro Archibald Kenneth Mackenzie Scott PM Geyserland Daylight Lodge No. 462 14/04/55

60 Year Service AwardsName Lodge Joined a NZ LodgeBro Reginald Arthur Kilbey MM Scinde Lodge No. 5 16/05/50Bro Leslie Arthur Booth MM Papakura Lodge No. 56 3/04/50VWBro Robert Aynsley PGDC The Advance Mawhera Lodge No. 61 14/05/50Bro Peter McFadzean Laing MM Lodge Aorangi Mokihinui No. 89 5/04/50Bro Harry Noel Hopping MM The Waipa Lodge No. 119 10/05/50Bro Peter James Self MM The Waipa Lodge No. 119 27/03/50VWBro David Grahame Wolstenholme PGC Hinemoa Lodge No. 122 4/05/50Bro Kevin Willian Rusk MM Hikurangi Lodge No. 140 5/05/50RWBro Sydney Allan Bryant P Prov GM Lodge Waihopai No. 189 17/05/50WBro Eric Nelson Craig PM Titirangi Lodge No. 204 23/05/50WBro Max Bayly Mabin PG Std B Lodge Omarunui No. 216 11/05/50Bro Allan Herbert Challi McDonald MM Lodge Sumner No. 242 23/02/50Bro Donald Eric Brian MM Lodge Arawhaiti No. 267 5/04/50WBro Noel Raymond Haglund PM Lodge Tamaki No. 328 20/03/50WBro Raymond John William Brookie PGD Lodge Mangaroa No. 419 6/04/50Bro Alister Mair MacLeod MM Lodge Aquarius No. 466 2/05/50

30

The “crown jewel” of Freemasonry is the Grand Master’s collarette. What

if you had to look after it; how would you keep it safe?

WBro Allan Birtwhistle, IPM of Lodge Rotorua No. 153 had to make that decision. He took the precious object home, put it under his pillow and slept on it. And he thought “this is about as close as I will get to being Grand Master,” he reveals in writing about the incident for the first time.

It happened during the Rotorua lodge’s centennial celebrations in 2007 when

M W B r o Barry McLaggan was the incumbent. He and his wife Jill attended the big occasion.

“I had to consider a suitable gift for the Grand Master, and I wanted it to reflect local culture,” writes Allan. “I hit on the idea of a greenstone carving depicting the collarette.

He approached The Jade Factory in Rotorua where a carver wanted to study the original piece in order to copy it. Could this be done? A request went to WBro Mark Fraser of Tokoroa-Orakau No. 344 to ask the Grand Master if he was willing to lend the jewel. He agreed, and Mark delivered it to Allan with the words, “Guard this with your life, or else!”

Allan now had custody of “this beautiful piece of jewellery which is quite heavy due to its gold content. With great trepidation I took it to the carver who needed two days to take measurements and photographs. With this done I returned the collarette

to Mark Fraser. The whole procedure from start to finish had to be quick because the Grand Master needed the jewel for upcoming commitments.”

With a desired South Island n e p h r i t e unava i l ab le at that time, the carver s u g g e s t e d flower jade w h i c h f e a t u r e s o r a n g e , y e l l o w a n d b r o w n

markings which combine with greenstone colours to produce beautiful patterns in the stone. The Jade Factory and the carver Lewis did a superb job without charge “and we are forever grateful for their generosity,” writes Allan.

The finished carving in its presentation case was ready on the day before the centennial events which included Allan’s investiture as master. At the banquet following this he asked “my old HMNZS Royalist shipmate Rev Bro Mannie Timutimu of Lodge Apanui No. 395,” to bless the jade collarette which was then presented to the Grand Master.

“I know that Barry wears the collarette on special occasions as Past Grand Master and we are thrilled that he does so. Let this gift remain with the family as a taonga shining lustre on a great man and a great Freemason.”

Every day on the hour melodious bonging sounds ruffle the measured

calm of the Freemasons Roskill Foundation in Auckland. Conversation falters until the last notes die away. You wonder if there is a clock tower above this top-floor office in Newmarket, but no dome or turret breaks the modern skyline. So where are the sounds coming from?

The culprit looms darkly in a corner. It is a very tall, ornately-carved grandfather clock, a model of good grooming thanks to skilful restoration work by our own master craftsman VWBro Warren Howard. The hand-graven oak and lacquered brass gleam like new from his touch. The clock carries a plaque that says, “Dr and Mrs W.B.Allen, 1979.” Who were the Allens? There is no immediate answer to that, though someone will surely come forward with information. They are believed to have been Roskill Masonic Village residents who donated this handsome clock to the Northern Masonic Association Trust Board which values it as “a treasured heirloom”, says long-time secretary now retired, Mr Dan

Matheson.

The board which trades as the

F r e e m a s o n s R o s k i l l Foundation,

a n d whose own b e n e f a c t i o n s are varied and

n u m e r o u s , sold the

Roskill Village to the Selwyn Foundation in 2005 and brought the venerable timepiece with it to the new office. There it rests, waking punctually on the hour to give voice; to beg

attention big-time, and then tick on … Tempus fugit.

Guarding The GM’s Jewel? Sleep On It!

What Goes Bong

in the Corner?

Just a bunch of blokes down at the shed having a cuppa, in what seems a typical

scene. But this is not a working bee and the “shed” is no such thing, though it is called so in jest. It is really a $20,000, relocatable room at Dove House, the Eastern Bays Hospice in Auckland’s Glendowie, and the guests are senior brethren assembled for the official unveiling, at which Charity Superintendent RWBro Mark Winger notes that Freemasons have given $3 million support to hospices nation-wide in the last three years.

The multi-purpose room which can be hoisted by crane to other sites in the verdant grounds around Dove House as needed, is a timely gift with the hospice’s services in growing demand. The project has involved Auckland lodges Tamaki, Wayfarers and Peace who contributed $2500, $2500 and $5000 respectively, with $8942 coming from The Freemasons Charity whose Northern Superintendent, VWBro Ray Laurance, is there with his wife June. The donor lodges are represented by their Masters.

Chief executive officer of the hospice Janine Ewan says the number of patients on its books has gone from 80 to 240 in 18 months, and this “exponential growth … shows no sign of tailing off. We get 25 to 40 referrals every month.” She thinks the reason is that the 10-year-old Dove House has gained a reputation for care and a credibility with health providers “who send their patients to us, knowing we will be able to help them to achieve a level of acceptance around their illness.” The approach is holistic with intertwining strands of therapy often “tailored” to the needs of patients beset with fear and uncertainty. They are helped to feel positive about helping themselves

Breathing space is a big factor for both patients and their carers, though Dove House is not a 24-hour facility. And the hospice needs breathing space of its own – spatial respite – which the moveable room provides with safe storage for a variety of important equipment that must be on-site and handy, but does not need to be crammed into the house. Wheelchairs and walkers for which demand fluctuates, for example; or crates of glassware for fund-raising events. The Freemasons’ gift “gives us breathing space … and in the future we can utilize it as a separate room,” says Janine Ewan, who adds that once influential

well-wishers had taken the idea to the participating lodges, she found that the Masonic mission statement was “perfectly aligned with ours!”

Photos:Above: The shed.

Right: The plaque.

Below: Masters of the three contributing Lodges: WBro Alan Tong (The Wayfarers Lodge), WBro George Mitchell (Lodge Tamaki), WBro Mike Coleman (The Lodge of Peace), with RWBro Mark Winger.

Shed

31

More than 40 defibrillators have been distributed nationwide with the help of The Freemasons Charity, and the campaign is still going strong. Here the Northern Div.GM, RWBro Eddie Eeles (left) and Auckland

Central District GM VWBro Brian Cliff (right) present a defibrillator to Snr Sgt Wayne Kitcher, for duty at the central police station. Centre is benevolence officer Jack Leigh. Photos by Vic Fabian.

Hearty Enthusiasm

32

Note:As of today 42 units have been placed throughout the country total outlay $126,302:

• 32 in the North Island• 10 in the South Island

42 lodges contributed $1500 each = $63,000

Cost were shared 50:50 between Lodges and The Freemasons Charity.

33

At each stage of our lives we face a whole new set of financial situations.

Being in your sixties is no exception. Whether you’re planning for retirement, semi-retired or retired you’re likely to be asking yourself a whole lot of questions.

For some New Zealanders, 65 is the new 45. These Kiwis are still busy working and have plenty of things to do before they ‘retire’.

For others being in their sixties or seventies is a chance to spend time with their grandchildren and be a part of the local community.

Then there are many others who do a bit of both.

We need to find a new label for ‘retirement’ because these days it means different things to different people. But wherever you are on the spectrum it’s a good time to take stock of your financial affairs and plan ahead so you can make the most of whatever your ‘retirement’ is going to be.

For example, have you worked out how much money you will need in retirement? If you have a nest egg what are your plans for managing it so that it lasts for as long as you need it? Do you plan to stay in the house you’re in now or have you got plans to downsize?

You may have already thought about how to look after your hard-earned assets in the years ahead, but are things like your insurance and will up-to-date? For example, your insurance needs may change as your lifestyle changes so it’s worth reviewing your cover regularly.

The Retirement Commission’s free booklet, Your money in retirement, is a good checklist for working through these issues, either by yourself or with your family.

It also has some interesting stories about different people and how they’re living in retirement on a range of budgets. These characters are fictional but their circumstances are based on interviews with real Kiwis.

As well as seeing how their weekly budgets pan out the stories will give you some good insights into different options for planning, spending and saving. You might also find some good tips for making the money you’ve got go further.

The Retirement Commission’s Sorted website (www.sorted.org.nz) is also a goldmine of free and impartial information on all these topics.

The 60-plus section includes information and easy-to-use calculators to help you live off your savings, protect your assets and plan where to live as you get older. You’ll find good, independent information on retirement villages and rest homes and where to go for more information.

If you’re just heading towards retirement try Sorted’s Budget calculator to work out your retirement budget. Or if you’re already in retirement use the Managing your nest egg calculator to work out how much you can spend each year to make your savings last.

The Sorted website is used by one in four Kiwis. All the calculators on the site are secure and the information you enter into them remains confidential to you.

You might like to try a new feature called ‘My Sorted’ where you can save all the

results of the calculations you do on the website. It only takes a couple of minutes to join and once you’re signed up it’s like having your own personal, confidential filing cabinet online.

Sorted is New Zealand’s free independent online money guide, run by the Retirement Commission. You can order Sorted’s free booklet,Your money in retirement, online at sorted.org.nz/ordering or by

calling 0800 SORT MONEY (767 866).

Is Your Retirement Sorted? by Diana Crossan, Retirement Commissioner

HHHaavvinngg rreggguuullaarrr income

Whherree ttoo llliiivvee wwheenn yyyouu gggeett ollder

PProoteecctiinngg yyoouurrr aaasssssseets

KKiiwwii stoorriieeess

Royal Arch Mason

Obituary: MEComp Trevor Griffiths Past First Grand Principal

It was with considerable sadness we learned of the passing of MEComp

Trevor Wiremu Griffiths.

The following report by Jacob Page is from the Timaru Herald of 22 February 2010.

South Canterbury has lost one of its most respected and well-known residents. World-renowned rosarian Trevor Griffiths died yesterday after a long illness.

Such was his knowledge of roses that the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden at Caroline Bay was opened in 2001, and

he was a New Zealand and international identity. He wrote eight books on roses and worked as a nurseryman until his retirement.

Mr Griffiths, 83, also had a rose named after him by distinguished English rosarian David Austin who described Mr Griffiths as a pioneering nurseryman.

His son Bevan said he was a modest man whose passion in life was roses. "Roses have been his life, they were the love of his life.

"He was always very humble about his achievements.

Former mayoress Nan Raymond, who was instrumental in establishing the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden when she

was president of the Timaru Beautifying Society, said South Canterbury had lost one of its most influential people.

"Rose lovers all over the world will be sad to hear of Trevor's death.

"The people of South Canterbury were fortunate to have Trevor and his roses in their midst.

"His life's work will live on for decades to come."

South Canterbury Rose Society secretary John Jackson said Mr Griffiths would be a sad loss, and he would always remember Mr Griffiths for his passion, dedication and willingness to pass on his knowledge. The Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden was designed by Sir Miles Warren and today boasts more than

34 The Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden, Timaru

35

1200 roses. It has a rose from every rose family in the world.

Mr Griffiths' collection of genuine old roses was once the third biggest in the world. It is from this collection, plus 600 modern roses from David Austin, that the Bay garden evolved.

Mr Griffiths also contributed to The Herald's Past Times pages, reminiscing about Timaru in days gone by.

The following is taken from the Eulogy presented by MEComp Eoin Dryden Past First Grand Principal at the funeral of MEComp Griffiths:

My family came to Temuka in 1973, and whilst I did not know Trevor at that time, I was aware of a rose nursery at Arowhenua that had a most unusual sign on the gate that said “Closed on Sunday, see you in Church.” This was my first indication of a man who thought outside the square, that acted beyond the bounds of convention, but in a sincere and forthright way.

As time moved on my association with him became more involved, mainly through a joint interest in Masonic Lodges and consequently by our frequent trips between Timaru and Christchurch initially, and then ultimately throughout New Zealand. As an indication of this, we had both purchased a similar car around the same time and we always had an arrangement that we would alternate the use of our cars on our many trips to Christchurch, and it was only after some three years when we both decided that it was time for a change, that we discovered that both of our cars each had travelled some 63,000 kilometres and then we became to realise just how much time we had spent in each others company on the road. You can perhaps now appreciate just how much conversation we had indulged in, and how many times that we had put the world to right.

From this time together, I came to learn about a man who had a fantastic memory, whose ability to recall incidents was scary, who could quote without pause the name of countless plants, shrubs and trees. Who could identify the name of a rose without looking at its bloom, but merely by regarding its foliage and growth behaviour? Who could explain in detail the history of the many varieties of roses and their origin?

This revered man was acknowledged as a world authority on roses and was known and recognised throughout the world. Through circumstances which I do not

know about, he became the New Zealand agent for a very well known and respected English rose breeder David Austin, and David must have thought so highly of Trevor that he bred and marketed a rose which he named Trevor Griffiths, one with more barbs I have never seen, but with a fragrance that is unique. There are few people in this world who have the privilege of seeing their own monument created and named in their honour, but the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden is testimony to the respect that Timaru publicly acknowledges and has created in commemoration of this local lad.

Freemasonry has been part of Trevor’s life for the last 53 years, and he has played an involved and important part in the history of the Lodges throughout the South Canterbury District, and indeed throughout New Zealand. You may notice that I wear a collarette today, to which is attached a double triangle surmounted by a crown, there are also three other Companions here today who also are wearing this collarette, as a token of respect toward Trevor, and also an acknowledgement that he also wore one of these collarettes as a Past First Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Zealand. I have to acknowledge with grateful thanks the presence of these three Companions who have travelled respectively from Auckland, Taumarunui and Taihape to be here today. These collarettes are not distributed or conferred randomly, but are invested upon members who have given years of dedicated devotion and service. There were only 13 members within New

Zealand qualified to wear this jewel and now there are only 12 of us. There are also a substantial number of Brethren and Companions from Christchurch through to Dunedin here today, and I am sure that I speak on behalf of the Griffiths family by thanking them most sincerely for their effort in attending this funeral service.

I would now like to ask all Masonic Brethren present to be upstanding.

Very Worshipful Brother Trevor Wiremu Griffiths, Past Grand Director of Ceremonies of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, Most Excellent Companion Trevor Wiremu Griffiths, Past First Grand Principal of The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Zealand, Past Grand Master of The Supreme Council of Cryptic Masons of New Zealand, Past Venerable Preceptor of the Order of Knights Templar of New Zealand, Illustrious Brother and Past Most Wise Sovereign of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Rose Croix Masonry.

In our Masonic teachings, we are instructed that death holds no terrors equal to the stain of falsehood and dishonour. We are also reminded per medium of the passages within the old testament from the book of Ecclesiastes of our mortal presence and our time here on earth, and which says: (Ecc. Ch. 12 v. 1 – 7 )

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Royal Arch Mason

MEComp Trevor Griffiths PGZ, MEComp Graeme Pengelly GZ and MEComp Eoin Dryden PGZ in June 2009

36

While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;

Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

This sprig of acacia marks the temporary resting place of our Illustrious Dead, which I now place on the casket of our Brother now departed, with the belief that life extends beyond the grave. Farewell dear Brother, may your feet tread the pathways of the skies to enter into the Grand Lodge above and hear those most welcome of words. “Well done good and faithful servant, enter now into the joys of the Lord.”

ME Comp Griffiths was the author of several books including:

My World of Old RosesMy World of Old Roses, Volume TwoA Celebration of Old RosesThe Book of Old Roses The Book of Classic Old Roses The Best of Modern Roses: a selection for New ZealandThe Best of Modern Roses : a selection for AustralasiaOld-Fashioned Roses: 150 favouritesThe Essential Old Rose: Growing and using old Roses in New ZealandGlorious Old Roses Memory of Old Roses: Notes from the life of New Zealand's great Rosarian.

VEComp John Bretton receives a First Grand Principal’s Award

The First Grand Principal, MEComp Graeme Pengelly, presented a First

Grand Principal's Award to VEComp John Bretton at the annual fraternal meeting of Paritutu Chapter No. 5 and Wanganui Chapter No. 23. The meeting was held at the Tawa Street Lodge Rooms, Gonville, Wanganui on the afternoon of Saturday 8 May.

John was initiated into Lodge Rutland No. 398 in May 1975; becoming its Master in March 2001. Lodge Rutland became part of The United Lodge Of Wanganui No. 468 in 2004 and he has since served this Lodge in various offices ranging from Junior Steward to Deputy Master.

John joined Wanganui Royal Arch Chapter No. 23 in May 1977, was installed as its First Principal in September 1987 and has served as Treasurer since 1994. When presenting the award MEComp Pengelly referred to the very capable and conscientious way John had carried out his duties. It can be said that John's respect for the Institution and attachment to the interests of his Chapter enabled him to faithfully discharge his duties. He designed the Financial Return Form presently used by Grand Chapter.

John joined Knights Templar in 1978, rising to District Grand Marshall in 2009. He is a Past District Grand Master of Manchester Unity and has served that order in various capacities. John has been

an active member of the Order of St John of Jerusalem for over thirty years during which time he has attended countless sporting and community activities. He is a Training Officer for cadets.

MEComp Pengelly referred to John as a hard working family man, a Brother and Companion who has given his utmost to all the Orders with which he has been associated. He made special mention of the support and assistance given to John in his Masonic service by John's wife Robin and referred especially to the service both have offered to their community.

Photo: VEComp Frank Vandenberg PGDC, VEComp John Bretton, MEComp Graeme Pengelly GZ

Want to know more about the Royal Arch, or got an idea for a Royal Arch story? Contact Royal Arch publicity officer Gary Kerkin: email: [email protected] Tel: 07 889 3607 Fax: 07 889 3028http://www.royalarchmasons.org.nz

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NZ Freemason magazine Issue 2 June 2010

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