Lodge History Print E-mail

Welcome to Lodge Awatea No. 258, Palmerston North, New Zealand!

A move to form another Lodge in Palmerston North came in 1922 at a time when, after the First World War and a short boom following it, a recession was being felt.

A meeting held on 13th May 1922 was attended by sixteen brethren. The meeting agreed that Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge No. 47 with 169 members and Lodge Hula No. 171 with 102 members had become too large, and that the Craft would benefit if another Lodge were formed.

The selection of a name for the Lodge caused considerable debate. From the names suggested - Caledonia Manawatu, Manawaroa, Scotia and Te Awe Awe - Caledonia Manawatu was preferred. This name was not approved by the Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bro. J. H, Perrett. The names Tiritea and Hokowhitu were then considered, but at last, when a decision could no longer be deferred, the name Awatea was chosen. Awatea means dawn, or the rising of the sun, and was a fitting selection. The sun rising out of the sea is the design which has been incorporated in the Lodge badge.

The constitution and dedication of the Lodge was held in the Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge Room in Church Street, on Monday 28th January 1924.

The attendance of 188 included 14 Officers of Grand Lodge. The ceremony was followed by a banquet in Municipal Hall, for which a charge of 5/- per head was made.

The first year saw 13 candidates initiated and 5 joining members.

Before the Lodge was constituted it was decided to work a ritual as near to the Scottish as possible, and the Scottish influence was felt in the Lodge for many years. This influence was strong and in 1925 W. Bro. Peter McKenzie was Master and the officers appeared at one meeting in kilts. A special Burns Night was held and attracted a gathering of 137 visitors, representing 20 Lodges.

In 1939 the membership of the Lodge reached 100.

In the same year an unusual ceremony was performed when W. Bro. Thomas Simpson, a Past Master of The Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge No. 47, installed his father as Master of Lodge Awatea.

As with all organisations the Lodge was affected by the war. Twenty-nine members of the Lodge served with the Forces. One pillar in the Lodge Room was presented in memory of Bro. R. J. Wright and the other was presented by Bro. Wood in memory of his son Russell.

The first initiate of the Lodge, Bro. H. K. Snell, was installed as Master in 1941.

From its formation the Lodge has always given generously to appeals for assistance and from time to time has extended its endeavors in this field. A Sick Visiting Committee was established in 1945, and in 1950 the Lodge joined other Lodges in forming the Manawatu Almoners' Association which has now developed into a very strong and active body.

After the war many Lodges sent food parcels to Lodges in the United Kingdom. Lodge Awatea held a monthly collection for the purchase of parcels which were sent to Lodge Lockerbie Quhytewoollen No. 258, Scottish Constitution at Lockerbie. Dumfriesshire. Parcels were sent regularly until 1964 when food became easily available in Scotland. A very close association developed between the Lodges and on occasions members of one Lodge have been welcome visitors at the other.  The Master of Lodge Awatea is presented at his installation with and proudly wears a jewel from the Scottish Lodge.

The year 1948 Is also notable as being the year in which membership reached 200.

In September 1949 the Lodge acted as host when the Railway Craftsmen's Association was formed. (see attached link on this site)  Over ninety Lodges were represented among the 217 members present. The Lodge presented the Association with a model of Stevenson's "Rocket" as a memento of the link between the Lodge and the Association. At a later meeting, the Railway Craftsmen's Association formally presented to the Lodge an inscribed chair for the use of the Lodge Almoner, this chair is still in use today.

The first meeting place of the Lodge was in the Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge Room in Church Street and this proved to be eminently suitable for some years.

A Building Fund was opened in August 1939, but owing to the War it was not until February 1948 that arrangements were made to purchase the land in Fitzherbert Avenue on which the present Lodge premises stand.

Following a period of extensive planning the foundations of the building were laid in September 1953.

The Lodge building was opened by R.W. Bro. P. W. Morris on 28th August 1954.

From early in its life the Lodge has extended its activities beyond those that are strictly Masonic and by encouraging members and their families to meet socially has greatly strengthened the bond which has held them together.

The first of these recorded in the Minutes was in 1925 when the Installation was held in the afternoon and a Ladies' Evening at night.

In 1955 the first Christmas Party for children was held.

After the meeting in December 1971 at which 150 were present, 27 sons of members were entertained in the refectory where they were specially addressed by a Past Master of the Lodge

In September of 1973, a debutante ball was held to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Lodge.

Lodge Awatea No. 258 has always been a very strong Lodge, and this coupled with the great enthusiasm that has always been evident among its members bodes well for the Lodge, and from this very happy state of affairs the future growth of this Lodge is certainly assured.