Picton stalwarts share meeting

Two of the oldest institutions in Picton renewed their connections this week, with the Waitohi Masonic Lodge holding its February meeting onboard the Edwin Fox ship.

The Edwin Fox arrived in Picton in 1897 so is one of the oldest man made items there and almost certainly the oldest part of the maritime side.

The Waitohi Masonic Lodge was formed in 1885 so is one of the oldest if not the oldest Picton based organisation continuously active for the past 138 years.

Lodge Master Craig Hammond says it was fantastic to be able to hold a meeting onboard the ship.

“It’s a great privilege for us. The Edwin Fox is an important part of history, not only for Picton but for New Zealand.

“And the research carried out by historians to find out who Edwin Fox was shows that he was indeed a Mason, also a good friend of the Calcutta-based shipbuilder who built the Edwin Fox in 1853.”

Heritage buff and Mason Dale Webb, who has previously chaired the Marlborough Heritage Trust, says it is great the Lodge has a link with the Edwin Fox and maintains that relationship.

Previously in 2017, the Waitohi Lodge raised $15,000 towards the repair of the drydock gate, Dale says. The Lodge held two meetings that year at the Edwin Fox Maritime Museum, but in the Visitor Centre, not on the ship itself. Both meetings were well attended with a lot of visitors from out of Picton and the ship received some valuable publicity as well as the financial assistance.

“The New Zealand Masonic Grand Master was so taken with the ship that he flew down from Auckland to personally make the presentation of the gift.”

The Freemasons are a men’s organisation that raises funds for philanthropic purposes, often sponsoring young people with scholarships to attend university.

For anyone interested in freemasonry please make contact at lodgewaitohi@gmail.com or on Facebook at The Waitohi Lodge No 111.

Thank you

Thank-you to the kind man who saw my daughter fall off her scooter down Scott Street on Monday and brought a few goodies to help dry up the tears and get us home.

Such a kind heart and gesture thank-you so very much. It’s people like you that remind us how powerful a touch of kindness can be in any situation.

Thanks,

Genevieve Hearn