Nelson Priory History

At a meeting held on 21 August, 1924; chaired by “Frater” R.W. Stiles and attended by A.S. Shrimpton, H.A. Hobbs, PW Harrold, AE Davies, J Morgan & EN Thomson it was resolved that the “Nelson Preceptory” be formed, with R.W. Stiles to be it’s first preceptor, and that the first officers be appointed in accordance with rank.

Following the granting of a dispensation (due to the time delay in getting approval from Grand Priory in Scotland) by the District Grand Prior dated 9 September 1924, the Consecration meeting was held on 25^th September 1924, at the Collingwood St Masonic hall by the Very Eminent Sir Knight George Barclay, District Grand Prior for New Zealand. The Wellington Prior donating much of the furniture.

At the next meeting, held on 16^th April 1925 the bylaws were adopted and it was passed that the fraters be known as Sir Knights.

The first ritual workings were held at the installation A.G.M. held on 26^th September, 1925 where two knights were admitted, at the time the cash on hand was ₤1.9s.11d

At the following A.G.M. / Installation meeting on 25^th September, 1926, all 10 member knights took the Malta degree.

In the early years it appears that ritual workings were only carried out at the installations with there being few meetings in between these, apart from general meetings held in August to sort out the details of the upcoming September A.G.M. / Installation meeting.

There were only a handful of candidates all coming from the Victory Royal Arch Chapter and the Installation meeting held on 17^th October, 1935 was the last one until a special meeting was held on 23^rd November, 1949 – a recess of 14 years, during which R.W. Stiles had died. Owing to four Sir Knights moving into the district the Preceptory reformed.

At the meeting held on 10^th March, 1951 it was moved that the Preceptory meet four times a year in February, May, August and November. During that year five Royal Arch masons were admitted to the Preceptory.

At the meting held on 28^th April, 1951 the motion that refreshments be of “an entirely Temperance nature” was put and lost (thankfully).

The 11^th August, 1951 meeting saw the working of the Malta degree on the 14 members present that had not yet done the degree. The balance sheet at this time showing cash at the POSB at ₤57.5s.5d, and there were three foundation members still on the roll.

At the meeting held 23 August, 1952 it was noted that since the revival membership had grown and stood at 35 members.

At the muster was held on 14^th August, 1954 the statutes were amended so that aspirants need be craft masons of 5yrs standing & royal arch masons of two years standing & that the first meeting of each year be a Malta degree worked by past priors.

8^th November, 1958 Installation meeting revealed that there were 54 members.

The 8^th February, 1964 meeting was the last one held in Collingwood St, with the 13^th May and 16^th August, 1964 meetings being held under dispensation at the Tudor St, Motueka rooms; since then the meetings have been held at the Nile St rooms.

The dues, following decimalization being $1.50 from the 7^th August, 1967 meeting; the bank balance being $82.16 and membership was at 50.

At the installation muster held 8^th February, 1969 the Preceptory voted in favour of the proposed formation of a Grand Priory of NZ Inc., which was formed in July 1970.

In July 1970 the Grand Priory of New Zealand Inc. was formed and at the 18^th August, 1970 meeting a motion was passed vesting the funds and property of the Preceptory in three trustees due to the Grand Priory of Scotland insisting they were vested in them. At this time the word Preceptory was dropped from the title of Grand Priory. The Grand Priory certificate for the Nelson Priory was dated 3^rdJuly, 1971.

Under the Grand Priory of New Zealand Inc.

The 7^th October, 1974 meeting moved that the installation be altered from May to July.

On 26^thJune 1976 the Annual Muster of Grand Priory was held within the Nelson Priory.

In July 1980, M.Em.Kt. D.E. McEwan, a member of the Chapter, was appointed Grand Master of the Grand Priory of NZ Inc.

In 1988 the Grand Priory of New Zealand Inc. united with the remaining England and Scottish Preceptories in forming the United Great Priory in New Zealand.

Under the United Great Priory in New Zealand

The January 1994 meeting stood in silence in memory of M.Em.Kt. D. McEwan, his chain being gifted to the Priory by his widow.

At the October, 1996 meeting it was resolved that the Installation meeting change from July to January and the balance date be altered to 31^stDecember (from 30^th April).

During the 1990's the ladies were present at the ceremony of installation.

Before the July 1998 meeting, Em.Kt. P. Brown was Installed as District Grand Prior..

January 2000 was the rededication ceremony for the 75^th anniversary of the Priory, with the Grand Master, M.Em.Kt. J.F.Y. Schiscka, being present.

April, 2001 saw P.B. Brown & R.M. McConchie receive their 50 year certificates.

July 2003 the Coat of Arms prepared by the Grand Secretary was approved and a banner ordered bearing the coat of arms. Funds in hand $979.00

	Charter signed	9th September 1924
	Preceptory Consecrated	24th September 1924
	First Preceptor	Ven. Frater R.W. Stiles