Auckland—New Zealand.

AUCKLAND—NEW ZEALAND .

INSTALLATION OF BRO . G . S . GRAHAM AS D . G . M . FOR AUCKLAND , N . Z ., AND BRO . THE HON . FRED . WHITAKER AS PROV . G . M . FOR NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND , S . C .

THE ceremony of installing Bro . G . S . Graham P . M . the District Grand Master elect of the English Constitntion , and Bro . F , Whitaker as Provincial Grand Master of the Scotch Constitntion in the North Island of New Zealand , was performed on St . Andrew ' s

Day , 30 th November last , in tbe Choral Hall , Symonds-street . Nothing iu the annals of Masonry in Auckland can compare with the grandeur of the spectacle , the solemn precision and regularity of the

proceedings , and tho evident sense of deep responsibility under which the prominent actors laboured . The success which has attended the entire ceremony , together with tho great number of prominent and influential citizens who attended as members of the Craft—comprising representatives of trade and commerce in all branches , conld not but be struck with this proof of the great progress which

Masonry has made in Auckland during the past few years . Old settlers , like Bros . Lazar and Whitaker , assembled in the Choral Hall , whose experience in Masonry ranges back to the extent of an ordinary lifetime , could not but be gratified at the extension of that universal brotherhood , which above all other human institutions is calculated to disseminate and maintain the highest principles of

social morality , to support law and order , to lift the soul to tho contemplation of great and ennobling studies , and to combine men of all races , nationalities and creeds in a common bond of sympathy , and to promote universal charity and benevolence . Already Freemasonry has outlived monuments , empires and creeds , which havo "become the sport of doubt . " Through the dim period of the

Middle Ages it has carved its records npon the great public buildings of Europe , upon the tracery of the cathedral windows and the ornamentation of palaces , and in our day it is achieving work equall y noble , comprehensive , and far-reaching . The sun never sets on its Lodges , spread as they are over the whole habitable globe , among every race , and in every clime .

But not only has Freemasonry embraced in its ample fold all climes , and tongues , and families of the earth , but it has numbered in its ranks from the days of its foundation tho highest and noblest . The grand principles of loyalty which it teaches have attracted princes and monarohs to the Order . Hence the intimate and constant connection of Sovereigns and members of the Royal Family with

the Masonio Order . James I ., of Scotland , presided over tho Lodges in his kingdom , and was very regular in his attendance at their meetings . James II ., of Scotland , appointed William St . Clair , of Roslin , Earl of Orkney and Caithness , Grand Master . In 1502 , Henry VII ., of England , presided over the Lodges of his kingdom . He assembled a Grand Lodge in his palace , and with hia own hands

laid the foundation stone of " Henry VII . ' s Chapel" in Westminster Abbey . The good Queen Elizabeth was " the most attached friend " of the Order . James I . was " a great friend " of Masons . Charles I ., by the help of Freemasons , laid the fonndation stono of St . Paul ' s Cathedral . George IV . was patron . William IV . was patron for Scotland and Grand Master for England . At the present day , four

crowned heads of Europe are honorary members of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . At the great Masonic meeting held at the Hague in celebration of the sixteenth anniversary of the installation of Princo Frederick of the Netherlands , as Grand Master of the Dutch Freemasons , tho Crown Prince of Germany delivered a speech , in the course of which ho said : — "Nationalities havo created frontiers

Freemasonry desires charity , tolerance , and liberty , without distinction of frontiers . I am happy on this day , which I shall never forget , to be able to raise my voice in Holland to testify my adhesion to the principles of the Order , and to express the hope that in the struggle engaged in for the free development of the peoples and the liberty of the human mind , the final victory will remain with the

Order . " The Crown Prince ' s speech was received with the greatest enthusiasm . In 1852 , Her Majesty the Queen ( God bless her ) became Patroness of the Freemasons' Boys' School . In 1831 , Queen Adelaide became Patroness of tho Freemasons' Girls' School . In 1838 , a piece of plate , weighing 1 , 800 ounces , was presented to the Duke of Sussex by the English Freemasons , on his completing

twentyfive years as their Grand Master ( the same period as was served by the late Earl of Zetland ) , and this same piece of plate was sent to the Grand Lodge as a gift by the Duchess of Inverness after the Duke of Sussex ' s death . During tho Duke of Sussex ' s Grand Mastership , the fonndation stones of the following buildings were laid by him , accompanied by the Duke of Leinster as Grand Master of

Ireland , with full Masonic ceremonial : —The Hammersmith Suspension Bridge , in 1825 ; the London University and the Caledonian Asylnm , in 1827 ; the Licensed Victuallers' Asylnm , in 1828 ; and the Charing Cross Hospital in 1831 . In 1822 , the Dnke of York laid the foundation stone of tbe Eton and Windsor Bridge , and in 1808 the foundation stone of Covent Garden Theatre was laid by tho then

Prince of Wales , both with full Masonio honours . The late King of Hanover was initiated into Freemasonry as Dnke of Cumberland in 1796 . His Royal Highness Prince William of Gloucester was initiated in 1795 , and Henry Frederick , Duke of Cumberland , was elected Grand Master in 1781 . Their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of York and Gloucester were initiated in 1766 . The Crown Prince of Prussia ( Frederick the Great ) was initiated in 1738 , Frederick Prince of

Wales in 3737 , Emperor of Germany in 1735 , and William the Third of England was initiated in 1690 . So much for facts which are patent and well-known . According to a manual which ia authorised by the Grand Lodge , and revised by a committee of skilled brethren every year , the connection between Freemasonry and the reigning family goes much further back still , for we read in it that Henry VI . was initiated in 1450 ; that Edward III . revised the Constitution of Masonry in 1358 j and that Prince Edwin formed a Grand Lodge at

Auckland—New Zealand.

York in 926 , the year in which . King Athelstau granted the Freemasons a Charter . So far back as A . D . 690 King Edgar was an illustrious Protector . In 826 , Alfred the Great took a leading part in Masonry . At the present day , to us loyal Masons , it is a matter of deep gratitude to " tho Most High , " that "the Royal Princes" of England—tho Princo of Wales , the Dnke of Connaught , and Princo

Leopold are members of the Craft , and that " tho Heir Apparent " now houours himself by occupying "The Throne of King Solomon . " The preparations for tho important event we are about to record , were made , from time to time , by the General and Ball Committee . Where all worked so indefatigably it is unnecessary to particularise , bnt a meed of praise is duo to the officers and brethren of the Irish

Constitution , and especially to Bros . Wade , Tyler , and Batt , the Secretaries , whoso exertions wero unwearied . Tho Craft wero fortunate in having tho services of so eminent a musician as Bro . Brown as Organist , whose skill in organising the choir , and superintending tho practices was in a large measure conducive to the success of the ceremony . The following gentlemen composed the choir : —E . Harker ,

W . H . Skinner P . M ., A . Brock : P . M ., Dr . Purchas , Morgan , Withers , George , C . Hesketh , Reed , Peuline , Catran , XV . H . Brown , J . 0 . Brown , Burns , H . Mills , and H . Brett . The furniture of the Lodgo room was of the most magnificent description , Lodge Sir Walter Scott , Thames , having , with fraternal liberality , lent for the occasion their fine furniture , whioh was

presented to that Lodge by Bro . T . Rawdon . The hall itself was tastefully decorated . At the back of the chair a full-sized oil painting of tho Prince of Wales , lent by Bro . Perkins , was suspended , and beneath it an excellent photograph of Her Majesty tho Queen . Tho whole of the interior decorations wore tastefull y arranged , and the general effect was plonsing and impressive .

Precisely at noon Lodge Waitemata , E . C , was opened by Bro . Warren W . M . Tho Secretary then stated tho object of the meeting . The Lodgo was then raised to the third degree , after which the choir sang , in a very tasteful manner , " Behold how good and joyful a thing it is , & c . " The District Grand Master elect , Bro . G . S . Graham , was then received with the customary honours , Bro . J . Brown playing an

organ march . Bro . Lazar R . W . D . G . M . of Westland , and Installing Master , was next received , and addressed tho Lodges as follows : — His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons , having been pleased , in the exercise of his prerogative , to grant a Warrant for the District of

Auckland to constitute a Grand Lodge , to be governed and presided over by Bro . George Samuel Graham P . M ., the honour has devolved upon me to consecrate and dedicate this Lodge to the honour and glory of the Great Architect of the Universe . Let us , therefore , in solemn prayer supplicate the Author of our being to bless and prosper our undertaking .

The Lodgo was then solemnly consecrated , Bro . Moat spreading the corn of plenty , Bro . Leers the wine of joy , and Bro . Warren the oil of gladness . After tho choir had sung tho Ode to Virtue , tho Installing Master addressed the Lodge , and formerly constituted it a Grand Lodgo . Tho D . G . M . elect then retired to prepare for investiture . The Installing Master then anpointed the following officers

pro tern -. —Bros . E . T . Wildman D . D . G . M ., J . Donll D . G . S . W ., Rev . C . M . Nelson D . G . Chaplain , W . Sloano D . G . Treasurer , Heather D . G . Registrar , W . L . Mitchell D . G . Secretary , A . Brock D . G . S . D ., XV . XV . Batt D . G . J . D ., J . H . Burns D . G . D . of Ceremonies , Hydes D . G . Sword Bearer , Redfern D . G . Pursuivant , C . Porter D . G . Tyler . The Installing Master having declared tho Grand Lodge duly opened ,

the Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . C . M . Nelson , offered up a most impressive prayer . Bro . Goldsbro' was then elected D . G . Treasurer , and Bro . Charles Porter D . G . Tyler for the ensuing twelve months . The D . G . M . Bro . Graham then re-entered , and was received and presented by Bros . P . M . ' s Philips and Goldsbro' to the Installing Master , who delivered an impressive address and administered the

usual obligation . Choir , " Glory be to God on High . " Tho Installing Master then invested Bro . Graham with the magnificent regalia of a D . G . Master , and conducted him to the chair . The newly installed Grand Master was then proclaimed by Bros . Wildman , Brassey , and Kissling in the East , West and South respectively , after which the Installing Master delivered a solemn and impressive charge .

The investiture of the following officers of the R . W . D . G . Lodgo was next proceeded with : —Bros . W . Lodder P . M . 689 , W . M . Lod ^ e Remuera , D . G . S . W ., J . Warren W . M . 689 D . G . J . W ., C . M . Nelson W . M . 1338 D . G . Chaplain , C . F . Goldsbro' P . M . D . G . T ., W . H . Kissling P . M . 1338 D . G . Registrar , H . G . Wade P . M . 689 D . G . Secretary , XV . H . Skinner P . M . 1338 D . G . S . D ., XV . P . Moat W . M . Rodney

D . G . J . D ., G . N . Brassey P . M . 1338 D . G . Superintendent of Works , E . S . Wilcocks D . of C . 1338 D . G . D . of Ceremonies , F . W . E . Dawson S . W . 1338 D . G . D . C , T . Cole W . M . elect 689 D . G . S . Bearer , C . Hesketh Remuera D . G . Organist , R . C . Dyer J . W . 1338 D . G . Pursuivant , W . Rattray Remuera A . D . G . Purs . Stewards—Bros . L . D . Nathan , W . T . J . Bell , Seymour George , and J . Martin : Bro . C . Porter D . G . Tyler .

The Installing Master then delivered an address to the D . G . M . and brethren , after which Bro . Graham addressed those assembled : —Right Worshipful Sir and Brethren , —I hare to thank you for the high and honourable dignity that has been conferred upon me , and it will be my constant endeavour by zeal and assiduity to discharge the duties of tho office so as to reflect credit upon your

choice . Gratitude is due to the Most Worshipful His Royal Hig h , ness the Prince of Wales , our Grand Master , in having so cheerfully granted the prayer of yenr petition , tending to prove that even in this remote part of Her Majesty ' s dominions the wishes and interests of tho Craft have due attention . In the selection of my officers I have endeavoured to entrust the affairs of District Grand Lod go

into the hands of brethren , who , by their eminence , merits , and abilities , will conduce to the welfare of Masonry in general , and ihis District Grand Lodge in particular . It is gratifying to see around me snch a distinguished and large gathering of brethren from all parts of the colony , and I havo to tender my hearty thanks to tho R . W . D . G . M . Westland , E . G ., Bro . Lazar , for the able manner in which he has conducted the installation , and tho visiting brethren