OUR CHAPTER - Chapter of Peace

The influence and connection that the Wayfarers Lodge subsequently developed with our Chapter is considerable and it has in fact over the years been the strength of the Chapter. This began several years ago when members of the Lodge became interested in the work of the Chapter, some to affiliate and some to take the degrees and so join.  After all, the Lodge of Peace had also been formed originally to provide a Masonic home for some of the many unattached masons who had gravitated to Auckland and when it was founded, Wayfarers had much the same objective, so there was much in common between the two lodges.

The Chapter had been formed out of the Lodge of Peace, largely on the English pattern in that it could rely on the mother lodge for candidates and joining members. This worked well for a number of years and many members of the Lodge became candidates in the Chapter.  A number who were already Royal Arch masons in other Chapters decided to throw in their lot with the new chapter, where other brethren from the lodge had made a home.

When the number of men joining the craft decreased the Lodge of Peace had fewer new members, thus providing fewer suitable candidates for the Chapter, which soon had to look elsewhere for possible members.  At this point the Wayfarers Lodge came to the assistance of the young Chapter.  Several members of the Lodge who had come north from Otago and elsewhere and never become Royal Arch Masons joined the Chapter and soon took office, a number in time becoming First Principal and very active. This naturally encouraged more and more interest among the younger members of Wayfarers and more candidates for the degrees from Wayfarers, as well as more joining members.  It was of advantage to both parties, giving the Chapter new members and providing for the lodge a Royal Arch home, which was to a degree an extension of what they knew in their own lodge. A special Wayfarers atmosphere existed and many brethren who had joined as unattached masons could now progress through the Royal Arch degrees. Thus, the influence of the Chapter among the brethren of the Wayfarers Lodge began to spread and a number became interested in becoming Royal Arch masons in the Chapter.

A number of brethren from Wayfarers became in due course first principals of the Chapter, and they naturally brought in other brethren from Wayfarers as their candidates.  Notable amongst these were H.A.L. Hec Turner, I.R. Pip Parsons and Lloyd King. These three brethren in the early days of the association were hard workers for the Chapter. All three were great supporters of the Wayfarers Lodge but gave great service to the Chapter as well.  Two of these brethren sat side by side at their desk in the Chapter for a lengthy period, Hec Turner as Scribe E and Pip Parsons as Treasurer.  When both found it necessary to retire from active office in the Chapter it seemed that the heavens would fall.  

Lloyd King took over as Scribe E and was a very assiduous worker in this position.  He interested many members of Wayfarers in joining the Chapter, being a tower of strength and a most effective scribe.  In more recent times the late W. Bro. Brian Stevens was a strong supporter of the Chapter and as an influential past master of Wayfarers he was able to do much for the Chapter.  In addition to these few brethren there are others who have given great support to the Chapter.

In more recent years the Lodge of the Liberal Arts has also proved to be a strong supporter.  It has provided the Chapter with a steady stream of new Companions, several of whom have taken high office in the Chapter.