In the 'Marlborough Press' of May 24th, 1883. appeared the following advertisement - Master Masons are respectfully invited to attend a meeting at Mr A. Fisk's office, Wellington Street, on Monday evening, the 28th instant at7.30pm. To take into consideration the advisability of forming a Masonic Lodge in Picton. (Signed) Thos. Younger, P.M.

At the preliminary meeting, attended by 4 Brethren, a resolution: "That it is desirable to form a Masonic Lodge in Picton to be called the Marlborough Lodge under the English Constitution", was carried. An interesting point about this resolution is that it is the one and only time the name "Marlborough" is mentioned. Neither do the minutes reveal how it came about this name was dropped and Waitohi substituted. It was also decided that the lodge meet monthly on the Monday nearest the full moon,.

A further meeting was held on June 4, when a further 2 were present and again on June 16th. At the latter meeting it was decided to forward a petition to the M ,W. the Grand Master (H. R.H. the Prince of Wales) through Lodge Reunion E.C.

The next meeting, held at the St. George Hotel, did not take place until July 16.1884, just over a year later. when authority was given for the purchase of furniture, jewels etc., up to a total value of 40 pounds.

The Charter having arrived from England the lodge was formally dedicated and consecrated as Waitohi Lodge No.2036 E.C. on September 15th, 1884. One joining member and six candidates were proposed at this meeting.

The next few years were uneventful there being a steady influx of candidates, a number coming from Cullensville (Havelock) where there was much gold mining activity.

The lodge had since its formation been meeting at the George Hotel. In 1888 the section on which the present lodge room stands was purchased at an auction.

    Plans for a building were approved on July 20th, 1888 and a contract let to a local building firm. The building was completed in good time and formerly consecrated on February 1st. 1889.

About this time correspondence was being received regarding the proposal to form a New Zealand Grand Lodge and many long discussions, recorded rather fully, took place on the subject. Opinion was divided on the merits of the proposal and it was decided to adopt a 'wait and see" attitude meanwhile. At one stage after the formation of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand letters from the Grand Secretary of that body were received couched in very strong terms alleging that the lodge had agreed to join the new Constitution. This the Lodge equally stoutly denied stating that the representative who had attended a meeting of delegates, had no authority to commit the lodge having been asked only to gain information. However, matters were eventually smoothed over and following discussions a resolution was unanimously carried on October 4th, 1897, that the lodge join the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.

On December 22nd, 1897. the lodge was formally constituted under the Grand Lodge of New Zealand

For some years the lodge had been financially embarrassed by the failure of members to pay their dues and the minutes in the early part of the century record many motions expressing concern at this. The position became so bad that there was a purge of the membership and no less than thirteen members were struck off in one night. To square its debts the lodge borrowed 100 pounds in 1906 and from then on the position improved.

In October, 1927, the section next door to the lodge room was acquired for 100 pound but no use was ever made of it other than making it available to members during the depression for growing vegetables, and it was eventually sold for 90 pound when funds were required for building the new lodge room.

In June 1934, it was felt something should be done to mark the lodge's Golden Jubilee and it was decided, to erect a new lodge room. The foundation stone was laid on February 16th, 1935. Good progress was made and it was officially opened on April 13th, 1935. The lodge was fortunate in receiving a number of handsome gifts in refurnishing the room. The canopy above the Master's chair was transferred from the old building and the paintings on the walls of the old building cut out, framed and hung behind the chairs of the Master, Wardens and Secretary in the new lodge room. The seating incidentally in the body of the room was obtained from railway carriages and the seating in the East from railway buses. The pedestal used for the presentation of Working Tools was made from timber taken from the old Building.

The Waitohi Lodge has remained in good heart, with membership remaining in the 80s. Work has continued on the lodge rooms over the years with the building being plastered on the outside and the refectory area completely renovated. The appearance of the interior of the Lodge Room has been kept very much as it was which makes it a very interesting room indeed.

The Masters Chair