Another Installation another Master, four words which not that long ago  may not have been heard again in this Lodge.  As has been alluded to before, the Research Lodge was akin to the Titanic, a very fine crew but sinking through striking the iceberg of indifference.  But a few worthy brethren thought it was worth salvaging and worked hard to keep it afloat and they have succeeded thus far, and it is up to this new crew to, hopefully have to stop bailing and go full steam ahead into a more secure future.

 Masters of Research, as all Masters are, have been compared to many people and occupations, Captain of a ship for instance, though not the Titanic or Oracle  for that matter, if one has to be compared to anything I would prefer the conductor of an orchestra, bringing together many fine soloists to perform concertos of interest and knowledge.   

But the finest performers in the world are lost without one very important component.  As a ship needs passengers an orchestra needs an audience to spin it’s magic or it too will sink. As the old saying goes if in a forest a mighty tree falls, but there is no one to hear it, does it make a noise?  Well whether I be Captain, conductor or indeed tree feller I intend, with all my power to have the Research Lodge make some noise.  But we need you, Brethren, to be there to hear it, the officers of this Lodge can only keep going if there is someone willing to come to our meetings and listen or indeed take part.  Some of our lectures and talks do delve deep into the mysteries of masonry, some are modern historical pieces and some of a more lighter note and general interest  mode and even controvercial in nature. Nothing wrong with that as long as it’s well thought out and well researched, masonry can have more than one point of view of it’s past and future.  

One worthy Mason stated at a meeting last year that he didn’t think there was anything new to research or lecture about, with the many years of Masonic research done in many countries what could there possibly be to talk about.  I disagree, masons are human beings and they by nature are inquisitive and will always find something new to agree or disagree about  this society of ours is not only about the past but very much of the future if it is to survive.   

So it is not just the members of this Lodge that decide whether it carries on, it will be the Masons of Taranaki who will decide with their presence at our meetings whether this Research Lodge succeeds or not, you Brethren, are our most important partners in keeping Masonic research alive, for in the end it will be you who decide whether there is a Research lodge. But always remember knowledge can be fun too!  

I do intend to make use of our perapetetic charter and have at least one of our Lodge meetings a year at another Lodge, if invited of course. Another way to spread our selves around. 

I do  look forward Brethren, to the year ahead although with some trepidation as all Masters do I think, no matter how many times you have been in the chair there are always new challenges to face, problems to overcome and to ensure there are some new members just queuing up to join.  

We have now a few new masons at varying stages of their Masonic career here in Taranaki at the moment and, as I am sure their lodges will do, keep their enthusiasm for this wonderful and special organization alive in their hearts and who knows Research may well benefit by their interest at a later date. 

I thank you all for coming this evening and look forward to working with you this coming year, to indeed open the book so we can all read and learn.