Brethren at a later date, they were Bro. Arkwright, Cash, Thompson, Macintosh and Edwards. The dedication of the Marton Ruapehu Lodge No. 2137 EC was carried out on 15 January 1885, at the Forester's Hall, Marton: The 15th of January was a day of considerable interest to most of the good folks of this smart little township, but most especially of course to those residents who were members of the Fraternity, that being a day appointed for the opening of the Marton Ruapehu Lodge English Constitution. For the information of our readers we may mention that the town of Marton is situated in the Rangitikei District and is in the center of an excellent farming country distant from Wanganui by rail 32 miles. It is well laid out, and has a business look about it which is very pleasing, and gives it a well to do appearance. It has lately arranged for a permanent water supply which will be a great boom to the inhabitants, as previously there had been difficulty in not being able to find pumping supply by either driving or boring. On the morning in question it was easy to see that some special event was expected as one after another of the business places sent up bunting to flutter in the breeze, and when the train from Wanganui arrived, the Masonic contingent from there made the streets look quite lively in appearance. Masonically speaking Marton is in the district of Wellington and the District Grand Lodge Officers arrived via Palmerston North. Arkwright was Master of the Lodge in 1884-85 and 1889 Arkwright was a Grand Steward. In December 1893, Arkwright was installed as District Grand Master took place at the Masonic Hall in Wanganui. Following some disturbance at the Forster Hall the New Lodge rooms in Wellington Road, Marton were built for one hundred and seventy five pounds and consecrated in 1894, R.W Bro Francis Arkwright was the consecrating officer. In 1890 the newly formed Grand Lodge of New Zealand was established and many Lodges joined the constitution. In 1904 Marton Ruapehu Lodge No. 2137 EC joined and became The Ruapehu Lodge No.128 NZC. Political career in New Zealand Together with John Stevens and Robert Bruce, Arkwright was one of the three initial candidates in the for the Rangitikei electorate. An editorial in the Feilding Star argued in early July that the liberal politician Stevens, the