Old Hong Kong-4 — Page 45

Old Hong Kong 昔日香港 All AI Reviewed

FREEMASONARY

Here is a note on local freemasonry further to the comment published yesterday. In the brief reference to Zetland Street mention was made of the fact that Freemasonry in the Colony was started in 1845, when Zetland Lodges was founded, and Zetland Hall was indicated as standing at the top of the street so named. This Masonic Hall, as it is also called is not shown on the map of sixty years ago, which was recently published, but it is one of the Colony's oldest buildings, as its style of Architecture indicates. According to an old record, the foundation stone of Zetland Hall was laid on February 1, 1853 under the direction of the Provincial Grand Master of British Masons in China, Mr. S. Hawson. The Hall stands on the site of a former court-house, the first law court opened in the Colony, the building of which was commenced in 1841.

FREEMASONRY (2)

Ever since Hongkong was founded, Freemasonry has been a powerful influence in our public life. Its history goes back over eighty-eight years a period which has been characterised by solid progress good works, and a continually increasing membership.

The first Lodge in South China was the Royal Sussex, the charter of which dates back to a period associated with the old factories at Canton. The Zetland Lodge which first met in 1846, was the second to be formed in South China, and it remains to-day with headquarters in Zetland Street, more active than at any other time in its long career.

On March 21, 1896, the Golden Jubilee of the Zetland Lodge was celebrated. At the Jubilee banquet Wor. Bros. Arthur gave the following interesting sketch of the history of Freemasonry in Hongkong and South China:

314

"The Warrant of the Zetland Lodge is dated March 21, 1846 The first meeting was held on June 24, of that year Bro. Goldsmith being appointed the first Wor. Master. For some years, the Lodge met in hired rooms which were more or less inconvenient and changes were frequent. In the course of years, too, difficulties and dissensions arose within the Lodge. We find, nevertheless indications of a laudable zeal in the pursuit of masonic knowledge and in the exercise of charity. Lodges of instruction were held and the subject of a Masonic Library was mooted while to meet the Lodge expenses, funds appear to have been raised by loans from members. Some of these members relinquished their claims to repayment and it was ordered that the money so relinquished should be formed into a charitable fund, from which the Wor. Master was authorised to grant relief to the extent of ten dollars without reference to the Lodge.

"In 1848, the Royal Sussex Lodge removed to Canton and subsequently to Shanghai. When in 1876 the district of China was divided into two parts the district of North China and the district of Hongkong and South China Zetland became the Senior Lodge in the latter district.

"Difficulties sufficient to endanger the existence of Zetland Lodge arose in 1848 and there was a suggestion of closing it because no duly qualified brother was willing to take the chair. The matter was arranged at that time, but again in 1851, the proposal to close the Lodge was seriously considered and a Lodge of Emergency was held to arrive at a decision.

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FREEMASONRY

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FREEMASONARY 1) Here is a note on local freemasonry further to the comment published yesterday. In the brief reference to Zetland Street mention was made of the fact that Freemasonry in the Colony was started in 1845, when Zetland Lodges was founded, and Zetland Hall was indicated as standing at the top of the street so named. This Masonic Hall, as it is also called is not shown on the map of sixty years ago, which was recently published, but it is one of the Colony's oldest buildings, as its style of Architecture indicates. According to an old record, the foundation stone of Zetland Hall was laid on February 1, 1853 under the direction of the Provincial Grand Master of British Masons in China, Mr. S. Hawson. The Hall stands on the site of a former court-house, the first law court opened in the Colony, the building of which was commenced in 1841. FREEMASONRY (2) Ever since Hongkong was founded, Freemasonry has been a powerful influence in our public life. Its history goes back over eighty-eight years a period which has been characterised by solid progress good works, and a continually increasing membership. The first Lodge in South China was the Royal Sussex, the charter of which dates back to a period associated with the old factories at Canton. The Zetland Lodge which first met in 1846, was the second to be formed in South China, and it remains to-day with headquarters in Zetland Street, more active than at any other time in its long career. On March 21, 1896, the Golden Jubilee of the Zetland Lodge was celebrated. At the Jubilee banquet Wor. Bros. Arthur gave the following interesting sketch of the history of Freemasonry in Hongkong and South China: 314 "The Warrant of the Zetland Lodge is dated March 21, 1846 The first meeting was held on June 24, of that year Bro. Goldsmith being appointed the first Wor. Master. For some years, the Lodge met in hired rooms which were more or less inconvenient and changes were frequent. In the course of years, too, difficulties and dissensions arose within the Lodge. We find, nevertheless indications of a laudable zeal in the pursuit of masonic knowledge and in the exercise of charity. Lodges of instruction were held and the subject of a Masonic Library was mooted while to meet the Lodge expenses, funds appear to have been raised by loans from members. Some of these members relinquished their claims to repayment and it was ordered that the money so relinquished should be formed into a charitable fund, from which the Wor. Master was authorised to grant relief to the extent of ten dollars without reference to the Lodge. "In 1848, the Royal Sussex Lodge removed to Canton and subsequently to Shanghai. When in 1876 the district of China was divided into two parts the district of North China and the district of Hongkong and South China Zetland became the Senior Lodge in the latter district. "Difficulties sufficient to endanger the existence of Zetland Lodge arose in 1848 and there was a suggestion of closing it because no duly qualified brother was willing to take the chair. The matter was arranged at that time, but again in 1851, the proposal to close the Lodge was seriously considered and a Lodge of Emergency was held to arrive at a decision. Page 45Page 46 FREEMASONRY

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FREEMASONARY 1) Here is a note on local freemasonry further to the comment published yesterday. In the brief reference to Zetland Street mention was made of the fact that Freemasonry in the Colony was started in 1845,when Zetland Lodges was founded, and Zetland Hall was indicated as standing at the top of the street so named. This Masonic Hall, as it is also called is not shown on the map of sixty years, ago, which was recently published, but it is one of the Colony's oldest buildings, as its style of Architecture indicates. According to an old record, the foundation stone of Zetland Hall was laid on February 1, 1853 under the direction of the Provincial Grand Master of British Masons in China, Mr. S. Hawson. The Hall stands on the site of a foremer court-house, the first law court opened in the Colony, the building of which was commenced in 1841. FREEMASONRY ( 2 ) Ever since Hongkong was founded, Freemasonry has been a powerful influence in our public life. Its history goes back over eighty-eight years a period which has been characterised by solid progress good works, and a continually increasing membership. The first Lodge in South China was the Royal Sussex, the charter of which dates back to a period associated with the old factories at Canton. The Zetland Lodge which first met in 1846, was the second to be formed in South China, and it remains Go-day with headquarters in Zetland Street, more active than at any other time in its long career. On March, 21, 1896, the Golden Jubilee of the Zetland Lodge was celebrated. At the Jubilee banquet Wor. Bros. Arthur gave the following interesting sketch of the history of Fremasonry in Hongkong and South China: 314 "The Warrant of the Zetland Lodge is dated March 21, 1846 The first meeting was held on June 24, of that year Bro. Gold- smith being appointed the first Wor. Master. For some years, the Lodge met in hired rooms which were more or less inconvenient and changes were frequent. In the course of years, too, diffi culties and dissensions arose within the Lodge. We find, never- theless indications of a laudable aeal in the pursuit of masonic knowledge and in the exersice of charity. Lodges of instruc- tion were held and the subject of a Masonic Library was mooted while to mmet the Lodge expenses, funds apear to have been raised by loans from embers. Some of these members relinquished heir claims to repayment and it was ordered that the money so relinquished shoudl be formed into a charitable fund, from which the Wor. Master was authorised to grant relief to the extent of ten dollars without reference to the Lodge. "In 1848, the Royal Sussex Lodge removed to Canton and ubsequently to Shanghai. When in 1876 the district of China was divided into two parts the district of North China and the the district of Hongkong and South China Zetland became the Senior Lodge in the Eter district. J "Difficulties sufficient to endanger the existence of Zetland Lodge arose in 1848 and there was a suggestion of clo- sing it because no duly qualified brother was willing to take the chair. The matter was arranged at that time, but again in 1851, the proposal to close the Lodge was seriously consi- dered and a Lodge of Emergency was held to arrive at a decision. Page 45Page 46 FREEMASONRY

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FREEMASONARY

Here is a note on local freemasonry further to the comment published yesterday. In the brief reference to Zetland Street mention was made of the fact that Freemasonry in the Colony was started in 1845,when Zetland Lodges was founded, and Zetland Hall was indicated as standing at the top of the street so named. This Masonic Hall, as it is also called is not shown on the map of sixty years, ago, which was recently published, but it is one of the Colony's oldest buildings, as its style of Architecture indicates. According to an old record, the foundation stone of Zetland Hall was laid on February 1, 1853 under the direction of the Provincial Grand Master of British Masons in China, Mr. S. Hawson. The Hall stands on the site of a foremer court-house, the first law court opened in the Colony, the building of which was commenced in 1841.

FREEMASONRY ( 2 )

The first Lodge in South China was the Royal Sussex, the charter of which dates back to a period associated with the old factories at Canton. The Zetland Lodge which first met in 1846, was the second to be formed in South China, and it remains Go-day with headquarters in Zetland Street, more active than at any other time in its long career.

On March, 21, 1896, the Golden Jubilee of the Zetland Lodge was celebrated. At the Jubilee banquet Wor. Bros. Arthur gave the following interesting sketch of the history of Fremasonry in Hongkong and South China:

314

"The Warrant of the Zetland Lodge is dated March 21, 1846 The first meeting was held on June 24, of that year Bro. Gold- smith being appointed the first Wor. Master. For some years, the Lodge met in hired rooms which were more or less inconvenient and changes were frequent. In the course of years, too, diffi culties and dissensions arose within the Lodge. We find, never- theless indications of a laudable aeal in the pursuit of masonic knowledge and in the exersice of charity. Lodges of instruc- tion were held and the subject of a Masonic Library was mooted while to mmet the Lodge expenses, funds apear to have been raised by loans from embers. Some of these members relinquished

heir claims to repayment and it was ordered that the money so relinquished shoudl be formed into a charitable fund, from which the Wor. Master was authorised to grant relief to the extent of ten dollars without reference to the Lodge.

"In 1848, the Royal Sussex Lodge removed to Canton and ubsequently to Shanghai. When in 1876 the district of China was divided into two parts the district of North China and the the district of Hongkong and South China Zetland became the Senior Lodge in the Eter district.

"Difficulties sufficient to endanger the existence of Zetland Lodge arose in 1848 and there was a suggestion of clo- sing it because no duly qualified brother was willing to take the chair. The matter was arranged at that time, but again in 1851, the proposal to close the Lodge was seriously consi- dered and a Lodge of Emergency was held to arrive at a decision.

Old Hong Kong-4 — Page 45

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