Brethren,

Firstly, may I take the time to thank the Research Lodge of the Taranaki Province for their faith in giving me the responsibility of the Chair of King Solomon. It is a worthy challenge given the times we are living in, and the circumstances we find ourselves in.  As indicated in my inaugural address to the Lodge, I seek opportunities to engage in a meaningful way with the Lodges in the Taranaki District, hoping that some may see their way clear to inviting this Lodge to visit theirs to present papers of mutual interest.

    This brings into sharp focus the reason and purpose of a Research Lodge.  We meet four times a year; why?  It gives every member a chance to research, refine and ultimately present the results of their particular choice of the manner in which they wish to advance their Masonic knowledge, in the form of a paper.  This is then analysed and critiqued by the Brethren present, and when published forms part of the library of this Lodge.  There are so many potential subjects; Our ritual, it's origins and interpretations; Our furnishings and decorations; our policies and processes; a comparison of society and Freemasonry; The potential subjects are endless. Yet few papers reach the forum of our Lodge of Research.  I look to you, Brethren, to restore our Lodge, to affirm it's function and to create a history that, when our descendents look back, they can say without fear of contradiction, this is a great Lodge.

Roger Gregory

Master.