Here are some historic records regarding Temple Lodge meetings in its Lodge rooms on the second floor of the Duncan Emporium Building.

This was the District Deputy Grand Master's impression of the Temple Lodge meeting room in the spring of 1901, prior to the Lodge moving into the upper floor of Wor. Brother Harry Smith's Duncan Emporium Building:

".......Having been notified by V.W. the Grand Secretary that the Grand Master had placed Temple Lodge, No. 33 in No. 1 [District] Jurisdiction, I having notified them of intended visit , went up the line to the pleasant village of Duncans. There was some difficulty getting a good attendance on account of a counter attraction in the shape of the Rockmasters' Association [Note: this is a misprint in the original. It should be "Flockmasters Association", an association of sheep farmers and sheep raisers. Several Freemasons were members.] annual supper clashing, but ultimately a faithful few were got together, and the Third Degree was conferred by W. Bro. John Frame, and I can testify with much pleasure to the able manner in which this, as well as the regular routine work was conducted. The officers all seemed to be well up to their duties. The present meeting hall is much too confined in space, but I understand that the present Worshipful Master, Bro. Harry Smith, contemplates providing more suitable quarters. I hope this may soon be an established fact, as comfortable quarters are a very necessary accessory to a Masonic Lodge whenever obtainable..........

H.L. Salmon, D.D.G.M. No.1 District., Victoria, B.C., June, 1901"

Source:Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1901, page 41

These were the impressions of M.W. Bro. T.N. Woodgate, the District Deputy Grand Master, District No. 1, of his official visit to Temple Lodge, No. 33, on its first lodge meeting in the Duncan Emporium Building:

".....On January 4th [1902] I paid an official visit to Temple Lodge, No. 33, Duncans. The Lodge on this occasion held its first communication in the new Temple, which has been provided largely through the instrumentality of the G.S.B, W. Bro. Harry Smith. The furnishing was not complete at the time of my visit, but I have no doubt that in due time this will be done and the occupation of these quarters will have a considerable effect on the progress and prosperity of Masonry at Duncan's. The room formerly used was entirely unsuitable and I consider that this, combined with the scatterd membership, inseperable from a country Lodge such as Temple, No. 33 has reduced the average attendance of members much below what it should be. W. Bro. Robinson passed one candidate aand was ably assisted in the ceremony by the S.W. and S.D. I installed two officers who were not present at the regular installation ceremony held St. John's eve, and took the opportunity of addressing some remarks and suggestions to the Lodge. An agreeable feature of the occasion was the presence of some of the officers of United Service Lodge, No. 24, who were paying a fraternal visit to Temple Lodge. The reception and entertainment afterwards given to your representative and the visitors at the Tzouhalem Hotel was fully attended and of an extremely hospitable character."

Source: Proceedings, Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of British Columbia, 1902, page 40

"October 21st, 1911, my visit was to Temple Lodge, No. 33, at Duncans, where the E.A. degree was conferred in the American work. The Hall used by this Lodge [in the Duncan Emporium Building] is a suitable one, but is not dedicated."

Source: Report of Grand Master Francis J. Burd, in Proceedings, Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1912, page 44