Old Hong Kong-4 — Page 48

Old Hong Kong 昔日香港 All AI Reviewed

317

FREEMASONRY

Continuation.

"The other Lodges heartily responded to the invitation and the result was the foundation of the Masonic Benevolence Fund of Hongkong and South China of whose present position and the benefits it has conferred, all Masons in the District may justly feel proud. Wor. Bro. Gillies, was elected the first President of the Fund, an office he filled until his recent departure for Europe, and the zeal and ability with which he discharged the duties of that position, while exercised for the benefit of the District in general, must be regarded by members of Zetland as adding one more to the many substantial benefits he has conferred on this Lodge.

Another article on Freemasonry in Hongkong will be published to-morrow.

During the past two days I have dealt with the principal events in the history of the Zetland Lodge, from its foundation - 1846, to its golden jubilee in 1896. It is interesting now to glance over the financial history of the Lodge up to the date of the Golden Jubilee.

The principle of the scheme decided upon at the meeting held on May 2, 1864, for the rebuilding of the Lodge; what has since been known as the Freemason's Hall Building Fund and to issue debentures to brethren so subscribing. The conditions of subscription were set forth on the scrip so issued. The original scrip held by Bro. H. Kingsmill, already mentioned reads as follows:- In response to this invitation, 53 brethren subscribed various amounts ranging from $50 to $1,000, the total being $13,150. Of this amount $12,000 was deposited in the Chartered Mercantile Bank on July 1, 1864 an interval of only two months from the date of the resolution. This result conclusively showed the earnestness and enthusiasm of the brethren then constituting the members of the Lodge.

The same energy that initiated the scheme appears also to have urged the builders of the structure to a speedy completion for on December 23, 1864, Chun A Tack, contractor, was paid for work done $3,000; April 22, 1865 $4,000; August 8, 1865 $200; November 1, 1865 $2,450. In eighteen months retaining walls foundations, and a superstructure (which if not perfect in all its parts is one we may still be proud of) were completed. In the years immediately following the building of the Hall, the reduction of the debt went on surely, if slowly by means of donation of scrip, from holders and payments of redemption made from the Lodge funds. In 1870, five years from the date of the first meeting in the Hall, the debt stood at $9,900 a reduction of $3,250. From that year up to 1889, extensive repairs and other causes prevented an equal reduction, the debt on December 31, 1889, standing at $8,500 or a reduction of $1,400 only. In this year Wor. Bro. Gillies purchased scrip to the value of $700 which he subsequently presented to the Lodge in 1892. Here it may not be out of place to enumerate the donors of script to the Lodge - Bro. Rawling, $500; Bro. Ruttonjee, $500; Bro. G. F. Norris, $200; Bro. W. H. Foster $200; Bro. M. D. Ghandy, $150; Wor. Bro. D. R. Caldwell, $100; Actoria Chapter, $400.

Wor. Bro. D. Gillies was the most active promoter of a scheme for paying off the scrip holders by obtaining an advance from the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank. This scheme was perceived to have many advantages and was consequently adopted by the Lodge and on July 4, 1892, a cheque was handed to the Trustees of the Freemasons' Hall Building Fund in full discharge of all claims of scrip holders whose whereabouts were known, the Lodge making the responsibility of the future redemption of script to the amount of $1,150 standing in the names of various subscribers whose addresses were unknown.

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317 FREEMASONRY Continuation. "The other Lodges heartily responded to the invitation and the result was the foundation of the Masonic Benevolence Fund of Hongkong and South China of whose present position and the benefits it has conferred, all Masons in the District may justly feel proud. Wor. Bro. Gillies, was elected the first President of the Fund, an office he filled until his recent departure for Europe, and the zeal and ability with which he discharged the duties of that position, while exercised for the benefit of the District in general, must be regarded by members of Zetland as adding one more to the many substantial benefits he has conferred on this Lodge. 11 Another article on Freemasonry in Hongkong will be published to-morrow. During the past two days I have dealt with the principal events in the history of the Zetland Lodge, from its foundation - 1846, to its golden jubilee in 1896. It is interesting now to glance over the financial history of the Lodge up to the date of the Golden Jubilee. The principle of the scheme decided upon at the meeting held on May 2, 1864, for the rebuilding of the Lodge; what has since been known as the Freemason's Hall Building Fund and to issue debentures to brethren so subscribing. The conditions of subscription were set forth on the scrip so issued. The original scrip held by Bro. H. Kingsmill, already mentioned reads as follows:- In response to this invitation, 53 brethren subscribed various amounts ranging from $50 to $1,000, the total being $13,150. Of this amount $12,000 was deposited in the Chartered Mercantile Bank on July 1, 1864 an interval of only two months from the date of the resolution. This result conclusively showed the earnestness and enthusiasm of the brethren then constituting the members of the Lodge. The same energy that initiated the scheme appears also to have urged the builders of the structure to a speedy completion for on December 23, 1864, Chun A Tack, contractor, was paid for work done $3,000; April 22, 1865 $4,000; August 8, 1865 $200; November 1, 1865 $2,450. In eighteen months retaining walls foundations, and a superstructure (which if not perfect in all its parts is one we may still be proud of) were completed. In the years immediately following the building of the Hall, the reduction of the debt went on surely, if slowly by means of donation of scrip, from holders and payments of redemption made from the Lodge funds. In 1870, five years from the date of the first meeting in the Hall, the debt stood at $9,900 a reduction of $3,250. From that year up to 1889, extensive repairs and other causes prevented an equal reduction, the debt on December 31, 1889, standing at $8,500 or a reduction of $1,400 only. In this year Wor. Bro. Gillies purchased scrip to the value of $700 which he subsequently presented to the Lodge in 1892. Here it may not be out of place to enumerate the donors of script to the Lodge - Bro. Rawling, $500; Bro. Ruttonjee, $500; Bro. G. F. Norris, $200; Bro. W. H. Foster $200; Bro. M. D. Ghandy, $150; Wor. Bro. D. R. Caldwell, $100; Actoria Chapter, $400. Wor. Bro. D. Gillies was the most active promoter of a scheme for paying off the scrip holders by obtaining an advance from the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank. This scheme was perceived to have many advantages and was consequently adopted by the Lodge and on July 4, 1892, a cheque was handed to the Trustees of the Freemasons' Hall Building Fund in full discharge of all claims of scrip holders whose whereabouts were known, the Lodge making the responsibility of the future redemption of script to the amount of $1,150 standing in the names of various subscribers whose addresses were unknown.

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317 FREEMASONRY Continuation. "The other Lodges heartily responded to the invitation and the result was the foundation of the Masonic Benevolence Fund of Hongkong and South China of whose present position and the benefits it has conferred, all Masons in the District may justly feel proud. Wor. Bro. Gillies, was elected the first Presidnet of the Fund, an office he filled until his re- cent departure for Europe, and the zeal and ability with which he discharged the duties of that position, while exercised for the benefit of the District in general, must be regarded by members of Zetland as adding one more to the many substantial benefits he has confeered on this Lodge. 11 Another article on Freemasonry in Hongkong will be published vo-morrow. During the past two days I have dealt with the principal events in the history of the Zetland Lodge, from its foundation - 1846, to its golden jubilee in 1896. It is interesting now to glance over the financial history of the Lodge up to the date of the Golden Jubilee. The principle of the scheme decided upon at the meeting held on May 2, 1864, for the rebuilding of the Lodge; what has since been known as. the Freemason's Hall Building Fund and to issue debentures to brethren so subscribing. The. condi- tions of subscription were set forth, on the scrip so issued. The original scrip held by Bro. H. Kingsmill, already mentioned cads as follows:- In response to this invitation, 53 brethren bscribed various amounts ranging from $50 to $1,000, the to- cal being $13,150. Of this amount $12,00 was deposited in the Chartered Mercantile Bank on July 1, 1864 an interval of only two month from the date of the resolution. This result con- clusively showed the earnestness and enthusiasm of the brethren then constituting the members of the Lodge. The same energy that initiated the sehame appears also to lave urged the builders of the structure to a speedy completion for on December 23, 1864, Chun A Tack, contractor, was paid for work done $3,000; April 22, 1865 $4,000; August 8, 1865 $200; November 1, 1865 $2,450. In eighteen months retaining walls foundations, and a superstructure (which if not perfect in all its parts is one we may still be proud of ) were com- leted. In the years immediately following the building of e Hall, the reduction of the debt went on surely, if slowly means of donation of scrip, from holders and payments of demption made from the Lodge funds. In 1870, five years rom the date of the first meeting in the Hall, the debt, stood at $9,900 a reduction of $3,250. From that year up to 1889, tensive repairs and other causes prevented an e qual reduction, the debt on Decmber 31, 1889, standing at $8,500 or a reduction of $1400 only, In this year Wor. Bro. Gillies purchased scrip to the value of $700 which he subsequently presented to he Lodge in 1892. Here it may not be out of place to enumerate he donors of script bb the Lodge - Bro. Rawling, $500: Bro. . Ruttonjee, $500: Bro. G. F. Norris, $200: Bro. W. H. Foster 200: Bro. M. D. Ghandy, $150, Wor. Bro. D. R. Caldwell, $100 Actoria Chapter, $400. ex- Wor. Bro. D. Gillies was the most actibe promoter of a scheme for paying off the scrip holders by obtaining an advance from the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank. This scheme was perceived to have many advantages and was consequently adopted by the odge and on July 4, 1892, a cheque was handed to the Trustees. of the Freemasons' Hall Building Fund in full discharge of all claims of scrip holders whose whereabouts were known, the Lodge making the responsibility of the future redemption of script to the amount of $1,150 standing in the names of various subscri- bers whose addresses were unkown. }

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317

FREEMASONRY

Continuation.

"The other Lodges heartily responded to the invitation and the result was the foundation of the Masonic Benevolence Fund of Hongkong and South China of whose present position and the benefits it has conferred, all Masons in the District may justly feel proud. Wor. Bro. Gillies, was elected the first Presidnet of the Fund, an office he filled until his re- cent departure for Europe, and the zeal and ability with which he discharged the duties of that position, while exercised for the benefit of the District in general, must be regarded by members of Zetland as adding one more to the many substantial benefits he has confeered on this Lodge.

Another article on Freemasonry in Hongkong will be published

vo-morrow.

The principle of the scheme decided upon at the meeting held on May 2, 1864, for the rebuilding of the Lodge; what has since been known as. the Freemason's Hall Building Fund and to issue debentures to brethren so subscribing. The. condi- tions of subscription were set forth, on the scrip so issued. The original scrip held by Bro. H. Kingsmill, already mentioned cads as follows:- In response to this invitation, 53 brethren bscribed various amounts ranging from $50 to $1,000, the to- cal being $13,150. Of this amount $12,00 was deposited in the Chartered Mercantile Bank on July 1, 1864 an interval of only two month from the date of the resolution. This result con- clusively showed the earnestness and enthusiasm of the brethren then constituting the members of the Lodge.

The same energy that initiated the sehame appears also to lave urged the builders of the structure to a speedy completion for on December 23, 1864, Chun A Tack, contractor, was paid for work done $3,000; April 22, 1865 $4,000; August 8, 1865 $200; November 1, 1865 $2,450. In eighteen months retaining walls foundations, and a superstructure (which if not perfect in all its parts is one we may still be proud of ) were com- leted. In the years immediately following the building of

e Hall, the reduction of the debt went on surely, if slowly

means of donation of scrip, from holders and payments of demption made from the Lodge funds. In 1870, five years rom the date of the first meeting in the Hall, the debt, stood at $9,900 a reduction of $3,250. From that year up to 1889, tensive repairs and other causes prevented an e qual reduction, the debt on Decmber 31, 1889, standing at $8,500 or a reduction of $1400 only, In this year Wor. Bro. Gillies purchased scrip to the value of $700 which he subsequently presented to

he Lodge in 1892. Here it may not be out of place to enumerate he donors of script bb the Lodge - Bro. Rawling, $500: Bro.

. Ruttonjee, $500: Bro. G. F. Norris, $200: Bro. W. H. Foster 200: Bro. M. D. Ghandy, $150, Wor. Bro. D. R. Caldwell, $100 Actoria Chapter, $400.

ex-

Wor. Bro. D. Gillies was the most actibe promoter of a scheme for paying off the scrip holders by obtaining an advance from the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank. This scheme was perceived to have many advantages and was consequently adopted by the

odge and on July 4, 1892, a cheque was handed to the Trustees. of the Freemasons' Hall Building Fund in full discharge of all claims of scrip holders whose whereabouts were known, the Lodge making the responsibility of the future redemption of script to the amount of $1,150 standing in the names of various subscri- bers whose addresses were unkown.

Old Hong Kong-4 — Page 48

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