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Article DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF NEW SOUTH WALES. ← Page 2 of 3 Article DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF NEW SOUTH WALES. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
District Grand Lodge Of New South Wales.
when they thought of passing over very old and deserving Pas' Masters and District Grand Lodge Officers . P . M . J . S . Gordon said he would oppose the nomination being received , excepting under pu > - test , as there was actually no evidouce before tho meetiug to prov * that Sir Hercules Robinson was oven a Master Mason . R . W . Johi Williams said that , by the Constitutions , brethren of eminence ano
ability in tho Craft might be appointed District G . M ., though not members of onr own Constitution . P . M . Simpson said it appeared to him that tho meeting had been called too early , for the important matter required more ventilation . The country Lodges had not had an opportunity of being present , and now a technical point has been raised that may be good , viz .: —That his Excellency , not being a
Master Mason under the English Constitution , is disqualified—he could join an English Lodge , and he thought it was a pity to hurry the business to-night ou this point , and , therefore , he moved the adjournment of the meeting for a month , so that the Governor might qualify himself . P . M . Mitchell seconded tho motion , he had invited the Governor to visit his Lodgo , but , at the last moment , ho excused
his attendance on account of having a visitor . No doubt if the Governor was elected as their District G . M ., it would bo a very great honour conferred on them . The D . D . G . M . said , that undei existing circumstances tho responsibility rested solely with him to mako the best arrangements . He desired that there should bo no undue haste , as ho also intended that there should be no unnecessary
delay . Every member of tho District Grand Lodgo had long since had the printed report of the proceedings of the last meeting , at whioh Bro . Holroyd stated he was going to resign , so that neither town or country members could plead ignorance of what the proceedings were to be this evening . He believed this , the time fixed for the nomination , tho proper one . So important a matter as the
appointment of Bro . Holroyd ' s successor , should not be allowed to hang before their eyes perhaps indefinitely , but should , as it oan be , settled promptly . He would remind Bro . Simpson that it was the prerogative of the D . G . M . to call Special Meetings when and whero ho thought proper , and that no motion could be submitted by which he wonld bo dictated to in the matter . At present he was only
temporarily tho head of the Craft , and vvhilo ho held that important post he should zealously guard the rights of the Master ' s gavel , and allow no infringements to be attempted through his instrumentality . He regretted , therefore , he could not submit the motion . Supposing a further time was allowed , who could say if the Governor would avail himself of the opportunity of qualifying himself for the office
by submitting to the ballot in a private Lodge ? Possibly he might not do so . It was no fault of his that the Governor ' s supporters did not ascertain his qualifications before putting him in nomination , they had ample time to do so . The D . D . G . M . then retired . The D . S . G . W ., 0 . S . Evans , taking tho chair . P . M . Ballard D . G . Reg . nominated Bro . Ernest Octavius Smith , the present D . D . G . M ., and a
Past Senior Deacon of the Grand Lodge of England ; in doing so , he said the qualifications essential for tho offico were a thorough knowledge of , and ability to preside over the Craft , and a good social position . P . M . Smith possessed these . As a Freemason , all knew his worth . Ho had been Master of a Lodgo seven times . He had been Dejraty for ten years , and has been unceasing in his zeal and
attention to Masonry . He had taken part in every Masonic movement . He drafted Bye-laws , attonding every meeting of Committees when framing them , and the Laws for tho Benevolent and Orphan Committees ; he had great experience in Freemasonry , and wag most eminently qualified to be their head . He did not believe thoy had ever had so hard-working and efficient a Mason amongst them , or ono
so well suited to be the District G . M . P . M . Strickland seconded tho motion . He thought Bro . Smith in overy way most suitable , and he considered that he ought , without doubt , to be elected to the office . P . M . Grahame also supported the motion . P . M . Senior thought Bro . Smith had had quite enough of office ; he had hold that of D . D . G . M . for ten years , a period far too long for any
one to occupy the position . He fully admitted , aud always had done so , the great ability , zeal , and attention that Bro . Smith had shown in Masonry , but still he had been Deputy for ten years , so ought now to retire . P . M . Abbott could not agree with Bro . Senior , that Bro . Smith had been too long in office , it is admitted by every one that he has performed the Deputy ' s duties with the greatest zeal , intelligence ,
and ability ; indeed , no one could have performed them as satisfactorily . Yet for all this he has not had the honour of being at the Head of the Craft . He had known Bro . Smith for a great many years , and was persuaded that no one would make so good a District G . M . as he . He thought after Bro . Smith ' s long and useful career in Freemasonry , that it would be most ungrateful if they did not
elect him to the high position of D . G . M ., for which he is a candidate . With regard to His Excellency , who is also a candidate , he considered the fact of his being a Scotch Mason , as stated by Bro . Williams , and not an English one . P . M .. Thomas rose to a point of order . He did not think Bro . Abbott justified in again speaking upon the subject of tho Governor ' s nomination and qualifications , as he had
already done so . D . G . S . W . as presiding officer , sustained the objection raised to Bro . Abbott's proceeding . P . M . Wilkins believed that it was well known that the present Grand Master was initiated in Sweden , and yet his Royal Highness was elected to tho highest position i 1 the Craft , P . M . A . W . Manning , Past D . D . G . M . of Queensl and , said that before tho Princo of Wales was mado Past G . M . of
England , ho was made a member of an English Lodge , over which he presided , and so become a Past Master uuder tho English Constitution before he took his rank in Grand Lodge . P . M . Davidson said the G . M . could , under his warrant , appoint a Bro . to any ofiieo , and quoted the Book of Constitutions to sipport his idea . The D . D . G . M . having resumed tho chair , P . M . Kennedy
nominated Bro . John Williams as D . G . M . He did not intend to say much . The reason he nominated that Bro . was that in the event of the nomination o- ' tho Governor being declared invalid , Bro . Smith would be elected without opposition , which he hoped would not be the case— " 0 would try and prevent it . He considered Bro . John Williams in every -way qualified to fill the Office , the duties of whiph
District Grand Lodge Of New South Wales.
ho had boforo discharged , and while he gavo Bro . Smith groat credit for tho very zoalons and able way in which ho had discharged his luty as deputy , ho objected to his having continued in office for so ong as ten years . P . M . Selfe seconded tho nomination , ho had previously performed the duties satisfactorily , and ho did not approve of Bro . Smith holding office any longer . . M . Simp-ion supported tho
lOimnation , because it appeared to him that a technical point would be takeu against tho Governor ' s nomination . Ho believed chat Bro . Smith had performed his duty most zealously and efficiently , hut considered no Bro . should hold office longer than threo years . Tho D . D . G . M . said that matters wero now becoming very complicated , for the Governor was in tho positition of being opposed bv his
proposer , which he thought most unseemly . And then having ascertained that there were no other nominations , proceeded to reviovv tho remarks that had been made . With regard to the Governor ' s nomination , ho considered it quite clear that , under the Constitutions , ho was not qualified . So far as ho know , ho has little or no iuterest in Freemasonry , for he has not during his Administration of the
Government in any way ideutified himself with Masonry , or its Charities . Upon his arrival , had ho expressed his wish to affiliate with a Lodge under either Constitution , though without personally attending it , and had he recognised and assisted us , then I say he would havo shown an interest iu Freemasonry . Had he been a Member of our Constitutions I should gladly have seen him presiding
over us , but our Laws and Constitutions cannot suffer violation , even for so distinguished a gentleman . Ten year 3 ago Bro . Williams suddenly resigned this Chair ; it is upwards of ten years since this brother has been in his place iu this Lodge , where he appears to improperly submit the Governor ' s name to a free , and in my opinion a very undesirable discussion . As to Bro . Senior , many amongst na
can recall , how , when our last election took place , ho brought out the late Dr . VVilliams , who was almost unknown in our ranks . Had these two distinguished brethren asked for a special Meeting of the District Grand Lodge , to consider the propriety of asking the Governor to come out , and I had received a requisition with fifteen or twenty names thereto , I would have convoned such a meeting . Would not
this have been a more dignified conrso than for theso two brethren to dictate to some thirty or forty LodgC 3 who was to preside over them ? I submit that it would have been moro discreet if , before replying to' these two brethren , his Excellency had sent for and conferred with Brother Holdroyd or myself , when he would have been informed he was not , by our Constitutions , qualified to be nominated ;
I do not revel m tho great privilege of easy , private ontree and audience at Government House , if I did I should be careful not to abuse it , as I think has been done in making a tool of the Governor , for party and selfish ends . Surely Worshipful Brethren will seo that in tho course pursued by these brethren a serious blow has been aimed at propriety and order , and I trust that the example they have
set will not be followed , but that all our proceedings will bo transacted openly , and that wo shall not again find ouo or two members of District Grand Lodge assuming the office- of Delegates to induce the Governor to come out , or to do somo equally important acts without the knowledge or advico of this Lodge . Much has been said abont tho Grand Master ' s power under Patent , and the rules of
the Graud Loc ' ge quoted , but whero wo havo the District Graud Lodge laws to guido us , we do not requiro to refer to that of the Grand Lodgo , and what is it that is relied on by those who have quoted from the laws of tho Grand Lodgo ? It is that- the Most Worshipful Grand Master may , by Warrant , appoint brethren of eminence and skill to represent him in a sistor Grand Lodge , and ho
may mako distinguished brethren deputed from sistor Grand Lodges members of Grand Lodge , with such rank as he pleases . We are not a sister Grand Lodge , we are only a subordinate to a Grand Lodge , that of England . Tho sister Grand Lodges are of Ireland , Scotland , Canada , Germany , & c ., so that the law quoted in no way touches tho case under our notice . In like manner , tho case of the Prince of
Wales . and the present aro as widely different . What do we find was the case with that exalted personage ? Even ho had to affiliate with a Lodge under the English Constitution , and even went further , for he was a Worshipful Master and a Past Master , thus actually attaining a seat in Grand Lodge before lie was mado Past Grand Master and afterwards Grand Master . If this routine , was necessary in his case ,
a similar qualification and membership must be quite as much so in the Governor ' s . The ordeal through which our Grand Master consented to pass was intended to form a precedent , and a very proper one for guidance in any similar cases . Uuder theso circumstances , can it be argued that a technical point is raised ? It is a broad aud fundamental principle that is sought to be set aside . It has been
remarked that , if the Governor is elected , this will bo the only ono of the colonies where the Governor presides over the Crafc . Of this I am aware , and I think the Governors of the Colonics aro wise not to fill an office by which they must place themselves in antagonism to a large and important section of the community over whioh they preside . This is a point that could not have escaped his Excellency ' s
consideration . I much regret that the Governor was not qualified , but this disqualification was nn fanlt of mine . If the Governor was a duly qualified and eligible candidate for this Chair , and it was shown to be the wish of the Craft that ho should occupy it , I should bo the last to put any impediment or obstaclo in the way of his election , aud I bo'ievo that tbo majority of my hearers
will give me credit for sincerity whon I say that nude" such circumstances I would have relinquished my ardent expectations to till tho distinguished position for which I may humhry submit I have claims and qualifications . For tbo past- few days wild rumours have bee : floating about , aud much mystery displayed ; but until the Governor w ; i 3 nominated bore to-night , I did not know that he would be . I
regret that I must still longer tax your patience , whilst I refer to matters in District Grand Lodgo . When tho Right Worshipful Bro . John Williams resigned , many of the then most influential members of the Crafc pressed me to be nominated for tho District Grand Mastership , because they were pleased to say I was fitted for the position . After their repeated requests and assurances that my eleotioa
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
District Grand Lodge Of New South Wales.
when they thought of passing over very old and deserving Pas' Masters and District Grand Lodge Officers . P . M . J . S . Gordon said he would oppose the nomination being received , excepting under pu > - test , as there was actually no evidouce before tho meetiug to prov * that Sir Hercules Robinson was oven a Master Mason . R . W . Johi Williams said that , by the Constitutions , brethren of eminence ano
ability in tho Craft might be appointed District G . M ., though not members of onr own Constitution . P . M . Simpson said it appeared to him that tho meeting had been called too early , for the important matter required more ventilation . The country Lodges had not had an opportunity of being present , and now a technical point has been raised that may be good , viz .: —That his Excellency , not being a
Master Mason under the English Constitution , is disqualified—he could join an English Lodge , and he thought it was a pity to hurry the business to-night ou this point , and , therefore , he moved the adjournment of the meeting for a month , so that the Governor might qualify himself . P . M . Mitchell seconded tho motion , he had invited the Governor to visit his Lodgo , but , at the last moment , ho excused
his attendance on account of having a visitor . No doubt if the Governor was elected as their District G . M ., it would bo a very great honour conferred on them . The D . D . G . M . said , that undei existing circumstances tho responsibility rested solely with him to mako the best arrangements . He desired that there should bo no undue haste , as ho also intended that there should be no unnecessary
delay . Every member of tho District Grand Lodgo had long since had the printed report of the proceedings of the last meeting , at whioh Bro . Holroyd stated he was going to resign , so that neither town or country members could plead ignorance of what the proceedings were to be this evening . He believed this , the time fixed for the nomination , tho proper one . So important a matter as the
appointment of Bro . Holroyd ' s successor , should not be allowed to hang before their eyes perhaps indefinitely , but should , as it oan be , settled promptly . He would remind Bro . Simpson that it was the prerogative of the D . G . M . to call Special Meetings when and whero ho thought proper , and that no motion could be submitted by which he wonld bo dictated to in the matter . At present he was only
temporarily tho head of the Craft , and vvhilo ho held that important post he should zealously guard the rights of the Master ' s gavel , and allow no infringements to be attempted through his instrumentality . He regretted , therefore , he could not submit the motion . Supposing a further time was allowed , who could say if the Governor would avail himself of the opportunity of qualifying himself for the office
by submitting to the ballot in a private Lodge ? Possibly he might not do so . It was no fault of his that the Governor ' s supporters did not ascertain his qualifications before putting him in nomination , they had ample time to do so . The D . D . G . M . then retired . The D . S . G . W ., 0 . S . Evans , taking tho chair . P . M . Ballard D . G . Reg . nominated Bro . Ernest Octavius Smith , the present D . D . G . M ., and a
Past Senior Deacon of the Grand Lodge of England ; in doing so , he said the qualifications essential for tho offico were a thorough knowledge of , and ability to preside over the Craft , and a good social position . P . M . Smith possessed these . As a Freemason , all knew his worth . Ho had been Master of a Lodgo seven times . He had been Dejraty for ten years , and has been unceasing in his zeal and
attention to Masonry . He had taken part in every Masonic movement . He drafted Bye-laws , attonding every meeting of Committees when framing them , and the Laws for tho Benevolent and Orphan Committees ; he had great experience in Freemasonry , and wag most eminently qualified to be their head . He did not believe thoy had ever had so hard-working and efficient a Mason amongst them , or ono
so well suited to be the District G . M . P . M . Strickland seconded tho motion . He thought Bro . Smith in overy way most suitable , and he considered that he ought , without doubt , to be elected to the office . P . M . Grahame also supported the motion . P . M . Senior thought Bro . Smith had had quite enough of office ; he had hold that of D . D . G . M . for ten years , a period far too long for any
one to occupy the position . He fully admitted , aud always had done so , the great ability , zeal , and attention that Bro . Smith had shown in Masonry , but still he had been Deputy for ten years , so ought now to retire . P . M . Abbott could not agree with Bro . Senior , that Bro . Smith had been too long in office , it is admitted by every one that he has performed the Deputy ' s duties with the greatest zeal , intelligence ,
and ability ; indeed , no one could have performed them as satisfactorily . Yet for all this he has not had the honour of being at the Head of the Craft . He had known Bro . Smith for a great many years , and was persuaded that no one would make so good a District G . M . as he . He thought after Bro . Smith ' s long and useful career in Freemasonry , that it would be most ungrateful if they did not
elect him to the high position of D . G . M ., for which he is a candidate . With regard to His Excellency , who is also a candidate , he considered the fact of his being a Scotch Mason , as stated by Bro . Williams , and not an English one . P . M .. Thomas rose to a point of order . He did not think Bro . Abbott justified in again speaking upon the subject of tho Governor ' s nomination and qualifications , as he had
already done so . D . G . S . W . as presiding officer , sustained the objection raised to Bro . Abbott's proceeding . P . M . Wilkins believed that it was well known that the present Grand Master was initiated in Sweden , and yet his Royal Highness was elected to tho highest position i 1 the Craft , P . M . A . W . Manning , Past D . D . G . M . of Queensl and , said that before tho Princo of Wales was mado Past G . M . of
England , ho was made a member of an English Lodge , over which he presided , and so become a Past Master uuder tho English Constitution before he took his rank in Grand Lodge . P . M . Davidson said the G . M . could , under his warrant , appoint a Bro . to any ofiieo , and quoted the Book of Constitutions to sipport his idea . The D . D . G . M . having resumed tho chair , P . M . Kennedy
nominated Bro . John Williams as D . G . M . He did not intend to say much . The reason he nominated that Bro . was that in the event of the nomination o- ' tho Governor being declared invalid , Bro . Smith would be elected without opposition , which he hoped would not be the case— " 0 would try and prevent it . He considered Bro . John Williams in every -way qualified to fill the Office , the duties of whiph
District Grand Lodge Of New South Wales.
ho had boforo discharged , and while he gavo Bro . Smith groat credit for tho very zoalons and able way in which ho had discharged his luty as deputy , ho objected to his having continued in office for so ong as ten years . P . M . Selfe seconded tho nomination , ho had previously performed the duties satisfactorily , and ho did not approve of Bro . Smith holding office any longer . . M . Simp-ion supported tho
lOimnation , because it appeared to him that a technical point would be takeu against tho Governor ' s nomination . Ho believed chat Bro . Smith had performed his duty most zealously and efficiently , hut considered no Bro . should hold office longer than threo years . Tho D . D . G . M . said that matters wero now becoming very complicated , for the Governor was in tho positition of being opposed bv his
proposer , which he thought most unseemly . And then having ascertained that there were no other nominations , proceeded to reviovv tho remarks that had been made . With regard to the Governor ' s nomination , ho considered it quite clear that , under the Constitutions , ho was not qualified . So far as ho know , ho has little or no iuterest in Freemasonry , for he has not during his Administration of the
Government in any way ideutified himself with Masonry , or its Charities . Upon his arrival , had ho expressed his wish to affiliate with a Lodge under either Constitution , though without personally attending it , and had he recognised and assisted us , then I say he would havo shown an interest iu Freemasonry . Had he been a Member of our Constitutions I should gladly have seen him presiding
over us , but our Laws and Constitutions cannot suffer violation , even for so distinguished a gentleman . Ten year 3 ago Bro . Williams suddenly resigned this Chair ; it is upwards of ten years since this brother has been in his place iu this Lodge , where he appears to improperly submit the Governor ' s name to a free , and in my opinion a very undesirable discussion . As to Bro . Senior , many amongst na
can recall , how , when our last election took place , ho brought out the late Dr . VVilliams , who was almost unknown in our ranks . Had these two distinguished brethren asked for a special Meeting of the District Grand Lodge , to consider the propriety of asking the Governor to come out , and I had received a requisition with fifteen or twenty names thereto , I would have convoned such a meeting . Would not
this have been a more dignified conrso than for theso two brethren to dictate to some thirty or forty LodgC 3 who was to preside over them ? I submit that it would have been moro discreet if , before replying to' these two brethren , his Excellency had sent for and conferred with Brother Holdroyd or myself , when he would have been informed he was not , by our Constitutions , qualified to be nominated ;
I do not revel m tho great privilege of easy , private ontree and audience at Government House , if I did I should be careful not to abuse it , as I think has been done in making a tool of the Governor , for party and selfish ends . Surely Worshipful Brethren will seo that in tho course pursued by these brethren a serious blow has been aimed at propriety and order , and I trust that the example they have
set will not be followed , but that all our proceedings will bo transacted openly , and that wo shall not again find ouo or two members of District Grand Lodge assuming the office- of Delegates to induce the Governor to come out , or to do somo equally important acts without the knowledge or advico of this Lodge . Much has been said abont tho Grand Master ' s power under Patent , and the rules of
the Graud Loc ' ge quoted , but whero wo havo the District Graud Lodge laws to guido us , we do not requiro to refer to that of the Grand Lodgo , and what is it that is relied on by those who have quoted from the laws of tho Grand Lodgo ? It is that- the Most Worshipful Grand Master may , by Warrant , appoint brethren of eminence and skill to represent him in a sistor Grand Lodge , and ho
may mako distinguished brethren deputed from sistor Grand Lodges members of Grand Lodge , with such rank as he pleases . We are not a sister Grand Lodge , we are only a subordinate to a Grand Lodge , that of England . Tho sister Grand Lodges are of Ireland , Scotland , Canada , Germany , & c ., so that the law quoted in no way touches tho case under our notice . In like manner , tho case of the Prince of
Wales . and the present aro as widely different . What do we find was the case with that exalted personage ? Even ho had to affiliate with a Lodge under the English Constitution , and even went further , for he was a Worshipful Master and a Past Master , thus actually attaining a seat in Grand Lodge before lie was mado Past Grand Master and afterwards Grand Master . If this routine , was necessary in his case ,
a similar qualification and membership must be quite as much so in the Governor ' s . The ordeal through which our Grand Master consented to pass was intended to form a precedent , and a very proper one for guidance in any similar cases . Uuder theso circumstances , can it be argued that a technical point is raised ? It is a broad aud fundamental principle that is sought to be set aside . It has been
remarked that , if the Governor is elected , this will bo the only ono of the colonies where the Governor presides over the Crafc . Of this I am aware , and I think the Governors of the Colonics aro wise not to fill an office by which they must place themselves in antagonism to a large and important section of the community over whioh they preside . This is a point that could not have escaped his Excellency ' s
consideration . I much regret that the Governor was not qualified , but this disqualification was nn fanlt of mine . If the Governor was a duly qualified and eligible candidate for this Chair , and it was shown to be the wish of the Craft that ho should occupy it , I should bo the last to put any impediment or obstaclo in the way of his election , aud I bo'ievo that tbo majority of my hearers
will give me credit for sincerity whon I say that nude" such circumstances I would have relinquished my ardent expectations to till tho distinguished position for which I may humhry submit I have claims and qualifications . For tbo past- few days wild rumours have bee : floating about , aud much mystery displayed ; but until the Governor w ; i 3 nominated bore to-night , I did not know that he would be . I
regret that I must still longer tax your patience , whilst I refer to matters in District Grand Lodgo . When tho Right Worshipful Bro . John Williams resigned , many of the then most influential members of the Crafc pressed me to be nominated for tho District Grand Mastership , because they were pleased to say I was fitted for the position . After their repeated requests and assurances that my eleotioa