No_3_March_and_April__1950 — Page 9

ZETLAND HALL

Photograph of the Masonic headquarters for the district of Hong Kong and South China

The consecration of Zetland Hall on 30th January, 1950, marked the culmination of years of effort on the part of distinguished leaders of the Fraternity in Hong Kong. When on return from interament it was found that the old Masonic Hall in Zetland Street was completely gutted, every avenue was explored in an attempt to finance the restora- tion of the building on its original site but, with the rapidly soaring costs to face, this was found to be beyond the financial capabilities of the Fraternity and alternative plans had to be considered.

Through the zealous efforts of a few of the higher ranking officials, particularly the late Charles Bernard Brown and the late Edward Raymond, a site was found on Kennedy Road at Tramway Path. Although a little out of the centre of the city, it offered the advantage, because of its relatively lower value, of a site the cost of which would allow most of the sum realised from the sale of the Zetland Street site to be applied towards the cost of con- struction of a new modern temple.

Right Worshipful Brother Charles Bernard Brown, District Grand Master of the English Constitution, although gravely ill, was able to participate in the laying of the foundation stone of the new building on 2nd April, 1949, assisted by Right Worshipful Brother Arthur Anderson Dand, District Grand Master of the Scottish Constitution. After some initial delay owing to difficulties encountered in the concreting of the foundations in the tricky ground of the steep sloping site, work proceeded rapidly in the construction of the building and it was completed in time

for the consecration ceremony to be held coincident with the Annual Meeting of District Grand Lodge on the 30th of January, 1950.

Right Worshipful Brother F. F. Duckworth, the new District Grand Master of the English Constitution, and Worshipful Brother D. S. Hill, District Grand Master of the Scottish Constitution, assisted by distinguished Brethren, officiated at this ceremony.

The external appearance of the building is perfectly plain, no effort having been made to embellish it with architectural ornamentation. The plinth to the main front facade is of precast stone slabs, the walls above being of the same textured cement plaster as covers the exterior of the rest of the building. The Masonic Emblem above the doorway forms the only relief to the simplicity of the elevation which is substantial and dignified in conformity with the principles of the Craft.

The new building is a three-storey one, with a basement below the Kennedy Road level. The facade of the building is actually only two storeys high, the top floor being set well back from the front and containing a small two-roomed flat complete with modern bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, and servants' quarters, for the Worshipful Brother acting as Tyler of the lodges and Custodian of the building.

In the basement is located a changing room for the brethren who proceed direct to lodge from their offices, and which can be converted for use as a ladies powder room on the rare occasions that ladies are allowed to visit the

District Grand Lodge Officers at the cornerstone ceremony

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