Nine members of Zetland 24 attending - left to right; WB Ebby Kuhn, RW Wayne Bannister, WM Aubrey Buck, RW John > Murray, WB Bill Dixon, Bro. Bob King, RW Evan Thomas, RW Ellwood Bateman, RW Ronald Bateman.

ZETLAND VISITS ZETLAND by RW.: Evan Thomas

On August 12, 2000 Zetland Lodge visited Zetland Lodge. Led by Worshipful Master Aubrey Buck, nine members of Zetland Lodge #24 of Shediac visited Zetland Lodge #326 of Toronto, Ontario. As one of five Zetland lodges still meeting in Canada the Shediac lodge journeyed to Ontario to assist the Toronto Lodge to celebrate their 125th anniversary.

Accompanying WM Buck were RW.: John Murray, DDGM #2, Secretary; RW.: Evan Thomas, PDGM; RW.: Wayne Bannister, PJGW, Senior Warden; RW.: Ronald Bateman, PJGW; RW.: Ellwood Bateman, PDDGM #2, Director of Ceremonies; WB.: Ebby Kuhn, Treasurer; WB.: William Dixon (now living in Ontario) and Bro. Robert King, Senior Deacon.

Also attending were 2 members of the Zetland Lodge #83 of Calgary, AB and a large contingent of Ontario Grand Lodge Officers.

The meeting was primarily given over to the formal reception and introduction of all visiting brethren. The visitors were formed into 2 groups, Presiding Grand Lodge officers and visitors of lesser rank. They were then escorted into the already opened lodge and received with formal honours.

After the formalities of reception were completed the conducted a short ceremony honouring the members of their "Over Eighty Club". This is a club made exclusively of Zetland Lodge members over 80 years of age. It is worthy of note, that WB.: Kenneth Heans their Worshipful Master is President of that Club. WB.: Heans, who was born 83 years ago in St. John, NB, is now in his second term as Master after first presiding 26 years ago.

Their Secretary, Bro. William Gosse, then presented a brief overview of the history of Zetland Lodge #326 which he had just recently finished compiling. A more complete written and illustrated booklet of this history was presented to all members and guests.

After the meeting was closed we attended a formal Roast Beef Banquet. During the Toasts following the banquet, RW.: Wayne Bannister, Senior Warden of Zetland Lodge #24 of Shediac was given the honour of responding to the Toast to the Visitors.

Zetland Lodge #326 of Toronto meets in York Masonic Temple, a modern 1 story building located in north central Toronto, approximately 20 minutes from downtown. The building contains 2 lodge rooms, a large dividable banquet hall and kitchen and includes a fully equipped lounge and bar. The smaller of the 2 lodge rooms comfortably seats 60 people while the larger handles more than twice that without the addition of portable chairs. Some 22 lodges along with a number of community service groups call this lodge hall home.

This was a visitation with a two-fold purpose. First, of-course, was to celebrate the 125th birthday of Zetland Lodge #326 and second was continue the effort begun in 1997 by Zetland Lodge #24 to periodically have a reunion of all the Zetland Lodges of Canada. While the second purpose met with only limited success (only 3 out of 5 active Zetland Lodges were in attendance), it was apparent that the reunions still have some appeal and momentum particularly on special occasions, so we look forward to the next one in a few years.