RT. WBRO. THE HON’BLE JAMES GIBBS
WBro. The Hon. Justice James Gibbs was installed as the District Grand Master in July 1870. His installation was hailed as a dawn of a new era in Freemasonry in Western India. The Freemasons Magazine and Masonic Mirror of UK wrote:-
“Mr Justice Gibbs was conducted into the District Grand Lodge and having produced his patent from the Grand Master of England was duly Installed, Proclaimed and Saluted as the District Grand Master of Bombay and its territories, the first District Grand Master ever thus honoured.”
Masonry in the District has been in a state of transition for the last 6 years, but for the great work done by this distinguished Brother and a few others, might have received a death blow. Who is there among the fraternity that does not remember reckless and heartless speculations that swept like an avalanche over Bombay in 1864-65 which brought the ruin and misery on so many widows and orphans (what this was is not known).
“Masonry was dragged into a vortex and many a good and true man who would have joined the Order then stood aghast at the demoralising influence exercised by several of those who as Masters in Israel should have shown a better example. Brother Gibbs who was in England during the eventful period arrived in Bombay at the crisis and displayed great interest openly in the cause of the Holy Order.”
Extraordinary statement with harsh words. In his anger the author seems to have forgotten to tell us what happened in 1864-65.
At the November 1870 Communication, (which was presided over by Rt. WBro. Taylor) it was announced that while Punjab had agreed to the line of demarcation (describe earlier), for the jurisdiction of the District of Bombay; Bengal and Madras had not agreed.
Also WBro. Percy Leith announced that a project was afoot to construct the Masonic Hall and suggested that representatives of all constitutions be invited to discuss the matter.
A General Masonic Charity Fund was established in 1871 (presumably as decided in 1866).
In 1871, as a result of serious differences between members of the Lodge Eastern Star No. 1189, some of its members petitioned and obtained the charter from the Most Worshipful Grand Master (The Marquis of Ripon) and Lodge Cyrus No. 1359 was formed. Our present Rt. Worshipful District Grand Master Rt. WBro. Percy J Driver is an Initiate of this Lodge.
The first Hindu gentleman to join Freemasonry is believed to have been Mr. Bhagwandas Bansiram of Ahmednagar who joined Lodge Rising Star of Western India (S.C.). It was noted that among Indians, the Muslims and Parsis were in the forefront to become Freemasons while Hindus were rather reluctant to join. Lodge Cyrus however had the privilege to Initiate the first four Hindu Brethren in EC in 1872. They were Shantaram Narayan, Bala Mangesh Wagle, Ghansham Nilkanth Nadkarni and Dr. Shantaram Vithal Sanzgiri.
In 1874 the DGM reported, that, while he was in England, he was privileged to have the honour to act as Deputy Grand Master at one of his visits to the Grand Lodge. While thanking the Grand Master, he mentioned that the honour belong to all the Lodges in Western India.
It was announced that the members of Lodge Friendship and Harmony No. 1270 had erected a building for the Masonic Temple at Egatpura (Igatpuri). It was said to have been the second of its kind for the English District and was consecrated and dedicated by WBro. Andrew Hay, the Deputy DGM.
WBro. Andrew Hay consecrated Lodge Pleiades No. 1487 at Sholapore (Solapur) on 6th August 1874 while Lodge Sukkur No. 1508 in upper Sind was consecrated by WBro. Scott. Both these Loges had started functioning earlier with the DGM’s Provincial Warrants. Lodge Pleiades No. 1487 was closed in 1881. Lodge Sukkur No. 1508 was transferred to Pakistan in 1950.
The DGM announced that the Freemasons Hall (Baboola Tank) was now free from debt and certain improvements were contemplated.
At the April 1875 communication Lodge Star of India was reported to be in abeyance and later closed in 1877.
The DGM and officers of the English Constitution were invited to be present at the Installation of Most Worshipful Lord Moreland as Grand Master (S.C.) at which they were authorised by our Grand Lodge to assist in the ceremonies. The Scottish Constitution honoured our DGM with the rank of Hon. Past Grand Master of Scottish Freemasonry in India.
DGM appointed WBro. Balfour, a Scottish Deputy DGM as his Deputy DGM upon the resignation of his previous deputy (with the permission of Lord Moreland adding that it would augur well for both Constitutions).
In 1875, HRH the Prince of Wales visited Bombay and laid the foundation stone of Prince’s Dock according to Masonic Rites and Ceremonies. The Royal Prince was also the Most Worshipful Grand Master of UGLE and a Patron of Scottish Masonry. An address signed by Rt. WBro. Moreland and our DGM was presented to the Royal Prince.
In 1876, two new Lodges were consecrated, Lodge Industry No. 1606 at Deesa (Kathiawar) and Lodge Berar No. 1649 at Badnera. While Lodge industry had a short life and was closed in 1881, Lodge Berar was shifted to Amravati and transferred to Grand Lodge of India in 1961.
Presiding over the April 1876 communication WBro. Balfour, Dy. DGM handed over to the District Grand Secretary, for record, the Holy Bible used at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Prince’s Dock in the preceding year. This was presented by the District Chaplain to the DGL and contained the following message in the handwriting of HRH the Prince of Wales “This Bible was used on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone on the Prince’s Dock, Bombay, November 11, 1875 Arthur Edward, Grand Master”.
At the December 1877 communication WBro. Balfour Dy. DGM presiding, announced that Lodge Aryan No. 1709 consisting principally of Hindu brethren was opened. This Lodge was privileged to Initiate Bhogilal Chimanlal Shah who became District Grand Master in 1959, resigned in 1961 to become Deputy Grand Master and later elevated to become Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India. Needless to say this Lodge Aryan was transferred to GLI in 1961.
Launch Excelsior No. 1738 at Bhusawal was consecrated in 1878.
Another lodge Hiram (of Masters and Past Masters) No. 1784 was said to have been consecrated on 26th March 1879 . The history of this Lodge states that then Dy. DGM WBro. Tyrell Leith was installed as Worshipful Master on 20th August 1878. It is presumed that as this Lodge was not allowed to initiate candidates, its operations would have commenced against a possible Provincial Warrant.
The minutes of Lodge Hiram for 30th January 1879 are said to mention that the Lodge elected WBro. Tyrell Leith as the new DGM to succeed Rt. WBro. Gibbs. As the prerogative for the appointment of District Grand Master has always rested with the Most Worshipful Grand Master, the above stated election was only recommendatory in nature.
A farewell address was presented to Rt. WBro. Gibbs in 1879, when he informed the brethren that the Most Worshipful Grand Master was pleased to accept the nomination of WBro. Leith to succeed him as District Grand Master.
After his installation Rt. WBro. Leith unveiled a portrait of Rt. WBro. Gibbs and presented him with the Loving Cup saying “Rt. Worshipful Sir, I beg to pledge you in this Cup”. The Cup was filled with champagne and handed down to each brother to pledge the toast. The pedestal of the Cup was carved of wood dugout from 64 feet below the surface of the earth at Prince’s Dock.
The Brethren gratefully acknowledged that the retiring DGM had for some years strengthened the relationship and cooperation between the English and Scottish Constitutions. Bodies of the two jurisdictions met in the same building. A joint address by both Constitutions was presented to him. In his reply, the outgoing DGM said, he ruled over Parsis, Hindu and European Lodges adding that Lord Zetland, the Grand Master died just about the time the first 3 Hindus were admitted to the Craft . Lord Zetland was eager to carry out the views of the late Grand Master HRH the Duke of Sussex who wanted to extend the beneficial objects among the natives of India.
The road from Kamala Nehru Park to Kemps Corner in Mumbai which was named as Gibbs Road during the British regime is believed to have been named after Rt. WBro. Gibbs.