Officers of the Lodge
Worshipful Master
Wor Bro Nigel Howard
120 Aston Drive,
Waimairi Beach.
Christchurch 8083
Ph: (03) 382 5652 Email nigelflyer@xtra.co.nz
Senior Warden Junior Warden
Wor Bro P.F.M. van Zoggel
Wor Bro F.K.M. van Zoggel
1690a Main Road 28 Joy Street
Cust, North Canterbury. Shirley
PO Box 82 Cust 7444
Christchurch 8061
Res. Ph (
03 ) 312 5126 Res. Ph ( 03 ) 385 8555
Email sonofbert@gmail.com Email zoggies@xtra.co.nz
Secretary
Wor Bor D A Robertson
26 Sedgwick Way
Westmorland
Christchurch 8025
Ph: (03) 33 83303
Email david.rima@xtra.co.nz
The Brethren of Free and Accepted Masons of The Canterbury Lodge Invite you to learn about our Ancient
Order of Freemasonry.
Or should you already be one of our
brotherhood we welcome you to Visit us.
Our Lodge carries the name of the Beautiful Province of Canterbury, which runs down the Eastern side of the South Island .The boundaries are formed by the Rivers Waiau to the North and the Waitaki in the South, both offering great sport for the line Fisherman, Sea run Salmon and Trout, and the Southern Alps to the West.
Our
Lodge is situated in the Provincial City of Christchurch, which has a
population in the region of 400,000.
The
European influence began to arrive in the area, in
great numbers in 1850.The Maori (indigenous) people population was very sparse
at this time. When the first 5 ships carrying immigrants sailed into Lyttelton Harbour, the seaway port for Christchurch, the
panoramic picture they had was of being surrounded by hills, now known as the
Port Hills. They came ashore and began a trek over one of the steeper climbs
and on reaching the top they saw the plains spreading as far as the eye could
see, (now named Canterbury Plains).
The
City of Christchurch arose from the hard work of those people and many of those
original Families still reside on the land they first saw .A fact that may be
of interest is that the Cathedral spire in the centre of the city is only a
couple of meters above sea level.
From among the pioneers The Canterbury Lodge was formed and consecrated on the 9th December 1864. Three very forward looking gentlemen Messrs, Mclean, Thiel, and Mytton, business operators thought it was time for another Masonic Lodge in the province, it was to be the fifth (5).
A meeting took place in the office of Messrs, Mclean, Thiel& Mytton,it was here that a motion was put forward that a Lodge be formed and be registered with the Irish Constitution. This motion was defeated and an agreement reached that it go under the juristriction of the Grand Lodge of England, where it has it remained.
The first regular meeting took place on 6th January 1865, in the St Augustine Hall and was ruled /directed by Wor. Bro. W K Mclean, there were 7 members in attendance. The first candidate was a Mr F A M Walker.
The minutes of that meeting tell us that a Trunk had been purchased costing Eleven shillings (11), the purchase has proved to be good value, it is still in good order and used. They also show that the Senior Warden and Inner Guard were fined 10 shillings (one Dollar) for being late, a lot of money in those days. Another point that comes through is that Horse back was the best mode of transport to Lodge as the roads were more or less non existing, there being just mud tracks.
Canterbury Lodge members have shown to be very prominent workers in the development of the Province, being active in Businesses, Local Affairs, Education, Sport (an All Black in the early days).
Contributions
to the Community of recent times
Two
Youths attended the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
Medical instruments to the Christchurch Hospital Bone Marrow Wards.
Lazy Boy chairs, also for the Bone marrow Ward.
A special weighing Machine to the Diabetic Unit,that will save patients the indignity of going to the Morgue to be checked out.