Charles Gray as a Freemason
William, one of Gray’s older brothers, was a member of Coronation 127 Lodge, Johnsonville and he persuaded Charles to become a member. Six months after he was married Gray was proposed by Edward Gardiner and seconded by George Edward Manson. Charles Gray became member 53 of Coronation Lodge on 27 October 1906. On 18 January 1908 the Lodge Coronation Building Committee was empowered to raise funds for building a Hall. A bank guaranteed loan of £500 at 6% was negotiated with the guarantee signed by Bros. J. H. Richardson, A. Moore and C. Gray. Charles was organist at Lodge Coronation for 1907 to 1908, again from 1911 to 1912 and then from 1915 up until 1920. When Lodge Tawera-o-Kapiti 253 was founded at Paraparaumu in 1923 Gray became a foundation member and organist. He did retain his membership with Coronation Lodge right up until his death. In his will Gray left a section in Wairaka Road to the Trustees of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of New Zealand. This was to be used if they wanted to build a Free Masons’ Lodge in Pukerua Bay. A lodge was never built and the section later passed into private ownership. (Bill Hudson, personal communication; GRAY, Charles R23133358. Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga.)
