An essential qualification for candidates was to reside within 10 miles of the meeting place of the Lodge so that the maximum attendance at Lodge meetings and Lodge of Instruction may be expected. The Ritual to be used for Lodge work would be known as “Taylor’s” later altered to read “Taylor’s as used by Newlands Park Class of Instruction”, and the only recognised centre of instruction would be Newlands Park Class.
The Lodge subscription would not include the dining fee for which all members would be held liable for unless notice of intention not to dine was given to the Secretary four days before the date of the meeting.
The office of Tyler was regarded as one of the progressive Offices leading from Stewardship to Inner Guard, and to be filled by a subscribing member who would be free of the dining fee during his period of office.
It was also decided to adopt the “Extended version of the Inner Working” which was not by any means Taylor’s Working. Nevertheless with one or two exceptions like the Opening Ceremony, the extended inner working and the slight modifications used in Newlands Park Class. Taylor’s Working was adopted.
Regarding the Inner Working, in a letter date June 1948, W. Bro. Bill Candy writes to W. Bro. Ellis, “we should get Bro. Alder along to instruct us in the words and signs. Some I know but others are beyond men” (and they were intending to do this ceremony in the December Installation Meeting, the outgoing Master conducting the Ceremony).
Note:- this is not the complete “The First Fifty Years” as the remainder of the book is short notes on actual meetings from January 1948 to 1997 , lists of Officer throughout those years and will only be of interest to Lodge members.