|
GRAND LODGE INSTALLATION COMMUNICATION ‑ FRIDAY 27th DECEMBER, 2013 Present:‑
There were also present:‑ the Provincial Grand Masters of Antrim, North Connaught, Down, Londonderry & Donegal, Meath, Midland Counties, Munster and Wicklow & Wexford; and the Chairman of the Metropolitan Board; the Provincial Deputy Grand Masters of Antrim, Armagh, North Connaught, Down, Londonderry & Donegal, Midland Counties, Munster, North Munster, South Eastern and Wicklow & William J. Johnston and Roger Matthews, Past Grand Stewards of Charities; V.W.Bros. Bernard V.A. Woods and William Balmer, Past Grand Almoners; V.W.Bros. James Copes, David Penpraze, William J. Dixon, Robin E.W. Newenham, Alan Stewart and Jack Daley, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers; and R.W.Bro. Hugh Hamilton, Past Grand Representative. SISTER CONSTITUTIONS REPRESENTED The following Grand Lodges were represented:‑ Scotland, Alberta, Canada in Ontario, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, New Zealand. Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Turkey, Arkansas, Delaware. Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee. Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Chile, Colombia (Cartagena), Venezuela, Senegal, Japan and Mauritius; and the Prince Hall Grand Lodges of Alaska & Jurisdiction, the Caribbean and Jurisdiction. Colorado, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, and Ontario and Jurisdiction. APOLOGIES FOR NON‑ATTENDANCE Apologies for non‑attendance were received from:‑ the R.W. Senior Grand Chaplain: the R.W. Junior Grand Chaplains; V.W.Bro. Diarmuid McNulty, Grand Steward of Charities; V.W.Bro. Noel R. Gault, Grand Master's Standard Bearer; V.W.Bro. James McFarland, Assistant Grand Secretary for Instruction; the Provincial Grand Masters of Armagh, South Connaught, North Munster, South Eastern, Natal and India; the Provincial Deputy Grand Masters of South Connaught, Meath and Tyrone & Fermanagh: R.W.Bros. George Miskimmins, Robert J. Thomson and William Shortland, Past Provincial Grand Masters; R.W.Bro. Michael W. Walker, Past Grand Secretary; R.W.Bro. William J. Dyer. Past Grand Director of Ceremonies; V.W.Bros. Gordon Morrison and Anthony J. Darlison, Past Grand Deacons: V.W.Bro. Ralph McGuckin, Past Grand Superintendent of Works; V.W.Bro. Cecil Taylor, Past Assistant Grand Treasurer; V.W. Bros. Arthur W. White and Samuel H. Boyle, Past Grand Steward of Charities; V.W.Bro. Donald R. Galbraith, Past Grand Almoner; V.W.Bros. Donald H. Finlay and John J. Ramsay. Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers; the Representatives of the Grand Lodges of Andorra, Greece, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland (Alpina), Connecticut, Florida, New York, Oregon. Rhode Island, Texas, West Virginia, Mexico, Madagascar, Israel, Burkina Faso and China. GRAND MASTER PROCLAIMED Grand Lodge being opened ‑ The Grand Master, M.W.Bro. George Dunlop, was proclaimed and saluted. OBITUARIES The Grand Master referred to the recent deaths of R.W.Bro. Norman Humes, Provincial Grand Master, Tyrone & Fermanagh and Past Grand Deacon; R.W.Bro. Arnold Cooke, Hon. Past Grand Deacon and Past Foreign Representative; R.W.Bro. Douglas A. Welden, Hon. Past Grand Deacon, 363 Sydney; R.W.Bro. George Ananda, Prov. Assistant Grand Master, South East Asia; R.W.Bro. Neoh Thean Hup, Past Grand Inspector, South East Asia; R.W.Bro. Richard Knoesen, Hon. Past Grand Deacon, Natal, R.W.Bro. Sunan G. Rele, Hon. Past Grand Deacon, Ireland in India; And V.W.Bro. Peter H. Mullock, Past Grand Steward of Charities, and for many years the Auditor of Grand Lodge Accounts. The memory of our departed distinguished Brethren was saluted in accordance with ancient custom. WELCOME The Grand Master welcomed all Brethren attending Grand Lodge, noting and complimenting the large attendance, particularly in view of the awful weather conditions. MINUTES Following an objection to the Minutes of the October Communication from a member of Temple Lodge No. 51, it was proposed, seconded and agreed that their approval, or otherwise, be deferred until the March Communication of Grand Lodge. REPORT OF THE GRAND LODGE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES The Board noted with regret, for reporting to Grand Lodge, the return of the Warrants of Lodges No. 171, Dublin; 226, Belfast; 258, Belfast; 418, Belfast; 481, Ballymacarrett; 578, Rosetta; 677, Belfast; 761, Park Avenue; 810, Ballylesson. The Board considered and approved the amalgamation of McCammon Lodge No. 221 and Vigilant Lodge No. 456, Ballymacarrett to be called Vigilant McCammon Lodge No. 221. The Board considered a Charge of unmasonic conduct against a Brother of Lodge 512, Newtownabbey. The Brother admitted the charge before the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim Standing Committee, which recommended that he be suspended for a period of twelve months. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed. The Board considered a report from the Provincial Grand Master of Natal, delegated to conduct a rehearing of a R.W. Brother’s case, following his expulsion by Grand Lodge in October of last year. The report concluded: "Accordingly we find the accused guilty of all the charges levelled against him, and agree with the recommendations of the prior tribunal that he be excluded from all Freemasonry". In effect, therefore, the report states that the Brother’s expulsion should stand. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed. A vacancy having arisen in the Representation of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, the Board recommended that the name of V.W.Bro. W. Bruce Thompson, Past Master of St. Alban's Lodge No. 719, Limavady, be sent forward for consideration to act as their Grand Representative here. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed. A vacancy having arisen in the Representation of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, the Board recommended that the name of W.Bro. J. Alan Hanna, Past Master of Lodge No. 168, Ballymacarrett, be sent forward for consideration to act as their Grand Representative here. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed. The Board considered the matter of dispute resolutions and the Assistant Grand Master stated that he would be proposing at the next Grand Master's Council, that all Masonic disputes not capable, for whatever reason, of being handled in the Province of origin, should be dealt with, on invitation, by an adjoining one, wherever possible, prior to involving the Grand Lodge Board itself. The Board considered requests for dispensation under Grand Lodge Law No. 118 for a Brother to serve as Principal Officer in two Lodges in 2014 and recommended same to Grand Lodge: (a) Lodge No. 92 and Lodge No. 349 (b) Lodge No. 688 and Lodge No. 960 The Board considered a request for dispensation under Grand Lodge Law No, 118 for a Brother, of Trinity Lodge, No. 925, Mauritius, to serve as Worshipful Master in 2014 though not having served as Warden in an Irish Lodge. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed. APPOINTMENT OF PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS AND INSPECTORS The Grand Master announced that he was re‑appointing all Provincial Grand Masters except those of Tyrone & Fermanagh and Armagh; and all Grand Inspectors, who were saluted. INSTALLATION OF THE GRAND WARDENS The Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented R.W.Bro. Geoffrey G. Ashton to the Grand Master for investiture as Senior Grand Warden. R.W.Bro. Ashton was installed and was saluted. The Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented R.W.Bro. Robert J. Armstrong to the Grand Master for investiture as Junior Grand Warden. R.W.Bro. Armstrong was installed and was saluted. INVESTITURE OF THE GRAND LODGE OFFICERS The following were then invested or proclaimed, and saluted, as the Grand Officers for 2014:
Brother Samuel Snodden, Past Master of Lodge No. 624, being in attendance and having produced his Patent of Appointment, the Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented him to the Grand Master for investiture as Representative of the Grand Lodge of Brazil (Sao Paulo). The newly invested Representative was conducted to his seat and saluted along with the Representatives of all Foreign Grand Lodges with which the Grand Lodge of Ireland is in amity. PRESENTATION OF PAST GRAND RANK CERTIFICATES The following Brethren were then presented to the Grand Master for presentation with their Certificates of Past Grand Rank:
GRAND LODGE CHARITY MOTION The Grand Treasurer proposed a Motion that Grand Lodge make a donation of €5000 to the Masonic Benevolent Institutions. The Motion was seconded by the Assistant Grand Master and was passed unanimously. ANNUAL RETURNS OF OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES The Grand Secretary submitted the Returns of Officers of subordinate Lodges and the names of Representatives on the Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Boards of General Purposes, for approval. Grand Lodge approved the Returns, all of which had been submitted, checked and found to be correct. CONFERRAL OF HONORARY RANKS The Grand Master, with the concurrence of Grand Lodge, conferred the following Honorary Ranks:
CHARITY COLLECTION The Grand Master announced that he was donating the Charity Collection to the Salvation Army in the South and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the North. The Collection amounted to €1,426.93. GRAND LODGE CLOSED Grand Lodge Closed, following which 75 Brethren lunched in Freemasons' Hall, where the Grand Director of Ceremonies proposed a toast to the health of the Grand Master. |
|---|