Our First Master - W. Bro. John Herbert Hankins A.G.R.

 

W. Bro. John Herbert Hankins A.G.R.
 Born 13th June 1846 – Died 27th June 1928

Our Foundation Master was John Herbert Hankins.

The Consecration, Erection, and Dedication of Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge, Scottish Constitution, and Installation of its Officers was conducted on Thursday 26 April, 1883, at the Masonic Hall, Palmerston North.

John Hankins was a barrister and solicitor, and was formerly a member of Lodge Westland, No. 88, and had been a Mason for at least fourteen years with experience both in English and Scottish Constitutions.  He was one of the strong leaders of the new township, and his name crops up in the records of many and various organisations as Palmerston North was growing. 

John Hankins married Agnes Sophia Wemyss in 1872 and they had four sons and three daughters.  He was articled to C.E. Button a barrister and solicitor in Hokitika and was admitted to the bar in 1876.  He then came to Foxton to offices opposite Whytes Hotel. 

He then expanded to Palmerston North in 1881 and founded the firm Fitzherbert Abraham now Fitzherbert Rowe which is still in existence today. When the Palmerston North Law Society was formed John was its first president.  John was a keen sportsman, one of the founders of the Manawatu Racing Club of which he was President and became a life member. He was also President of the Manawatu Rugby Union and donated the Hankins Shield which is still played for annually.

Source: 

The MANAWATU KILWINNING LODGE No. 47.  The EVOLUTION and the MEMORIES.  125th Jubilee 1883 - 2008.

 by V.W.Bro. John Livingstone, P.G.Lec., Chaplain and Bro. David Fountain, M.M.