THIS WEEK we continue our journey looking into the Freemasons rich history and the first meeting of the Lodge of Fiji on May 2, 1882, which was held in a “Masonic Room” at Sturt’s Hotel, then on part of the site now occupied by Morris Hedstrom’s main store (MHCC) in Suva.
According to information in The Lodge of Fiji 1882-1982, written by Leonard .G. Usher, Bro.
WT Sturt’s first hotel in Fiji was at Levuka, where he provided a similar room for the initial Lodge Polynesia when it was operating under the doubtful authority.
“In anticipation of the transfer of the capital, he closed his Levuka establishment and took over the rather primitive Suva Hotel and renamed it Sturt’s,” the book highlighted.
“Later, he demolished it and rebuilt it to standards which, he declared, cannot be excelled for the convenience of passengers and amenity for residents. “It appears that the rebuilding made it necessary for the lodge to find a new meeting place. This it did when the Good Templars Hall, in Loftus St, became available at the same rental — 26 pounds a year — as Sturt had been charging.”
The book stated that the lodge met for the first time in the Good Templars Hall on December 13, 1883.
“The brethren felt that the hall had certain disadvantages. They had to walk some distance from town — then concentrated mainly in the Toorak area and the Good Templars, a temperance organisation, frowned on some slight refreshments being taken during the intervals awaiting the preparation of candidates,” the book said.
“Because of this latter problem, the practice of regular after-Lodge refreshments began only in 1888, when the brethren were able to walk along the soapstone roads to a new Sturt establishment, the Club Hotel, at the corner of Victoria Pde and Gordon St.
“In February 1888, the Good Templars offered the lodge the use of their hall for all time in return for the payment of 45 pounds and an undertaking to share the expenses of the hall. The offer was accepted, but with some reluctance because the lodge wanted a home of its own.
“In 1890, a building fund was established with an initial credit of 100 pounds, and in August 1891, the lodge paid 125 pounds for a piece of land at the corner of Butt St and MacArthur St. The book revealed that on June 24, 1892, in the presence of 54 brethren, the Chief Justice of Fiji, W.Bro. Henry Berkeley laid the foundation stone of a Masonic Hall.
“W. Bro. Vaughan designed the building and prepared the plans. His work was recognised by the lodge by the presentation of an Architect’s Jewel,” the book stated.
“By the time, the building was finished, its cost had grown to just under 450 pounds. After the lodge had borrowed 325 pounds to help to pay this amount, the balance in the bank was four pounds 18 shillings.”
The book stated in 1912, it became possible to pursue the acetylene lighting proposal and a gas plant was installed by W.Bro. J.H Butler.
“The financial situation gradually improved and in January 1925, it had become possible to consider paying off the outstanding debentures,” the book stated.
“This was done in March 1927 and the treasurer was able to tell gratified lodge members that there was in the bank account a credit balance of 17 pounds, the first such balance for more than thirty years.”
