Nine Brethren were present and they determined to erect a Lodge under the Irish Constitution and subsequently applied to the Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro. GP Pierce for a dispensation and a Charter from the Grand Lodge of Ireland. Brother EH Power was chosen to be the first Master and Brother S Sam the first Secretary.

 

On the 27th of April 1870, in St. George’s Hall, Pollen Street, the first Masonic Lodge was opened in the booming goldfield town of Thames. The ceremony of consecration and dedication took place under the direction of RW Bro GP Pierce and his Provincial Grand Lodge Officers. Following the ceremony a religious service was held in St. George’s Church where the Provincial Grand Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Kidd LLD preached the sermon.  The offertory was given to the Thames Hospital.

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Thames township, or “The Thames” as it was often referred to, is located on the southern shores of the Hauraki Gulf. European traders and missionaries began to settle in the area early in the nineteenth century, drawn to its wealth of timber. It was not long before it was recognised that geology would produce valuable minerals. The first major discovery of gold was made on August 10th, 1867 by a prospector William Hunt, in a waterfall in the bed of the Kuranui Stream. This mine produced over 102,300 oz. of bullion and was known as the Shotover.