On the 18th of December 1869 nine Master Masons met in the Mason’s
Hotel, Princes Street for the purpose of constituting a new lodge. Most of
them were members of the Waitemata Lodge 689EC and one was from
the Ara Lodge 348IC. The name of the lodge was to be, The Prince of
Wales Lodge of Auckland. While there were six lodges meeting in
Auckland at that time there was only one English Lodge that being the
Waitemata Lodge; the six were:
The warrant was drawn up in England and signed by the then GrandMaster, George Fredrick Samuel, Earl de Gray and Earl of Ripon, on the 7th
of December 1870
Hotel, Princes Street for the purpose of constituting a new lodge. Most of
them were members of the Waitemata Lodge 689EC and one was from
the Ara Lodge 348IC. The name of the lodge was to be, The Prince of
Wales Lodge of Auckland. While there were six lodges meeting in
Auckland at that time there was only one English Lodge that being the
Waitemata Lodge; the six were:
 | Ara 348 I.C. Auckland, Founded February 1842 | |
| Waitemata 689 E.C. Auckland, Founded September 1855 | |
| St. Andrew 418 S.C. Auckland, Warrant December 1861 | |
| Onehunga 420 I.C. Onehunga, Warrant December 1863 | |
| United Service 421 I.C. Auckland, Warrant May 1864 | |
| St. John 464 S.C. Otahuhu, Founded June 1868 |
The warrant was drawn up in England and signed by the then Grand
of December 1870
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Our History
| The Collection Plate |
The wooden collection plate which has the name of the lodge carved into the rim was presented by W.Bro. Daw to the Lodge at the regular meeting on 9 July 1908. On that occasion it was immediately put to the use for which it was intended and a collection for charity was made. One hundred years later, at the regular meeting on 10 July 2008, the members were reminded of the plate’s history and, to mark the occasion, a collection for charity was again made |
| Copyright © 2008 The Prince of Wales Lodge No. 1338 EC. All rights reserved. Masonic Hall, 131 Market Road, Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand |
December 1869 to August 1871
Lodge Room, Masonic Hotel, Princes Street
13th September 1871
Alexandra Hotel, Parnell
28th September 1871 to April 1876
Lodge Room, Masonic Hotel, Princes Street
4th May 1876 to 20th September 1877
Star Hotel, Albert Street
18th October 1877 to 1st December 1881
Lodge Room, Masonic Hotel, Princes Street
29th December 1881 to 1975
Freemason's Hall, Princes Street
1975 to 2010
Masonic Hall Fraternity Building,
131 Market Road , Epsom, Auckland.
Lodge Room, Masonic Hotel, Princes Street
13th September 1871
Alexandra Hotel, Parnell
28th September 1871 to April 1876
Lodge Room, Masonic Hotel, Princes Street
4th May 1876 to 20th September 1877
Star Hotel, Albert Street
18th October 1877 to 1st December 1881
Lodge Room, Masonic Hotel, Princes Street
29th December 1881 to 1975
Freemason's Hall, Princes Street
1975 to 2010
Masonic Hall Fraternity Building,
131 Market Road , Epsom, Auckland.
A short history
of the Prince of Wales Lodge 1338 E.C.
In 1840 the foundation stone of a new nation was laid when the Treaty of
Waitangi was signed at Koroareka, now Russell, in the Bay of Islands. It
had been a wild place, known as the Hell-Hole of the Pacific in its early
years, while used by whaling ships, which had spent many months at
sea. However, in 1840 the majority of Maori and British representatives
signed an agreement that was to bring a formal peace between them.
This helped cement the foundations on which New Zealand would be built.
of the Prince of Wales Lodge 1338 E.C.
In 1840 the foundation stone of a new nation was laid when the Treaty of
Waitangi was signed at Koroareka, now Russell, in the Bay of Islands. It
had been a wild place, known as the Hell-Hole of the Pacific in its early
years, while used by whaling ships, which had spent many months at
sea. However, in 1840 the majority of Maori and British representatives
signed an agreement that was to bring a formal peace between them.
This helped cement the foundations on which New Zealand would be built.
Stowed in the hold in mailbags during its voyage, rats
gnawed on it causing several patches that needed
repairing.
The Lodges first treasurer Major Charles Heaphy VC
(the first VC to be won during the Maori wars) was a
skilled draughtsman who undertook the repair (which
can still be seen today in the lodge).
gnawed on it causing several patches that needed
repairing.
The Lodges first treasurer Major Charles Heaphy VC
(the first VC to be won during the Maori wars) was a
skilled draughtsman who undertook the repair (which
can still be seen today in the lodge).
Many changes have occurred during its long history but its traditions live on
through the dedication and the enthusiasm of its present brethren.
through the dedication and the enthusiasm of its present brethren.
The lodge has continued to grow in strength moving several times.
Albert Street - 1880:
Showing the Star Hotel.
Showing the Star Hotel.
Princes Street - 1901: Showing
the Freemason's Hall (right) and
Grand Hotel (centre) after the fire.
the Freemason's Hall (right) and
Grand Hotel (centre) after the fire.
Princes Street - 1880:
Masonic Hotel (on the left).
Masonic Hotel (on the left).
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| Major Charles Heaphy 1822 - 1881 |
| The firing glasses |
For many years the lodge were the proud owners of a set of firing glasses of which there were sufficient for each member to use one in the refectory after meetings. |
Click on image to view full size
Click on image
to view full size
to view full size
| It was the custom of the members to applaud speeches with a short period of drumming on the table, followed by three bangs on the table top . |
| This practice has existed since at least 1886 when it was noted in the minutes from the opening of the Rodney Lodge rooms. Sadly, over the years, through breakage and loss, there are few examples remaining. |
The lodge purchased the two pillars, still in use today, in 1882. Some years later these were adorned with the terrestrial and celestial globes made by Bro. Ted Knowling and two other brethren. The main section of each pillar is brass and, as part of preparing the lodge for the installation of a new master each year, it is the job of the junior brethren to ensure these pillars are properly polished. |
| Pillars |
| Around 1991, one pillar was damaged when being moved. New wooden bases, to which the Prince of Wales feathers were added, were made by Bro. Ted Millar. |
Click on image to view full size
Boaz and Jachin, two copper pillars,
stood in the porch of Solomon's
Temple.
stood in the porch of Solomon's
Temple.
 | Read More | |
Click on image to view full size
Shortly after the signing of the treaty, land was
purchased in the Tamaki Makau Rau region
known in Maori as, ‘isthmus of a thousand
lovers’ a place that many wanted.
It was later named Auckland after Lord
Auckland, a Governor General of India, by
Captain Hobson RN, the then Governor of the
new colony. By 1869, Auckland had grown to
13,000 people.
purchased in the Tamaki Makau Rau region
known in Maori as, ‘isthmus of a thousand
lovers’ a place that many wanted.
It was later named Auckland after Lord
Auckland, a Governor General of India, by
Captain Hobson RN, the then Governor of the
new colony. By 1869, Auckland had grown to
13,000 people.