More than 170 freemasons from across New Zealand and Australia have descended on New Plymouth for their 126th annual Grand\u00a0Convocation\u00a0this weekend.<\/p>\n
The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Zealand, who are also members of the Freemasons of New Zealand,\u00a0hold elections\u00a0every two years for a new set of officers or grand officers.<\/p>\n
The current officers were elected in Christchurch last year and will be proclaimed again this year as the head of the orders for the next twelve months.<\/p>\n
The Most Excellent, the First Grand Principal\u00a0Brian White\u00a0said about 175 members will attend.<\/p>\n
“We have a business meeting on the Saturday morning and then we have the Grand Proclamation on Saturday afternoon,” he said.<\/p>\n
Membership of the\u00a0Royal Arch Chapters governed by the SGRACNZ is restricted to members of Lodges who have completed the Master Mason Degree.<\/p>\n
The 2018 Grand Proclamation and Convocation\u00a0runs from March 2-4 at the Devon Hotel, with a variety of events from a management council meeting, to a forum and research chapter, culminating in a Grand Installation ceremony and banquet on Saturday afternoon and evening respectively.<\/p>\n
“The purpose of masonry is, we say, to take good men and make them better,” White said.<\/p>\n
They also do a lot of philanthropy, including donating three wheelchairs to the New Plymouth branch of the Red Cross this weekend.<\/p>\n
“To us it’s a way of life. It’s being honourable people, honourable honest and good citizens.<\/p>\n
“If we can take a good man and make him into a better citizen that’s a good thing.”<\/p>\n
There is a huge amount of history in freemasonry, he said.<\/p>\n
“It basically is the oldest order in existence. We go way back to the time when King Solomon’s temple was being built.<\/p>\n
“It’s in fact a lot older than a lot of churches.”<\/p>\n
The event last came to\u00a0New Plymouth in 2004.<\/p>\n
Credit – Taranaki Daily News<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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