THE MASONIC BANQUET.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 279, 1 December 1870, Page 2

THE MASONIC BANQUET.

Yesterday, being St. Andrew's Pay, wrs celebrated by tho annual banquet of St. Andrew's Lodge, which was, as usuul, held in t.lio Lodire R O '»m, '-far Hotel, Albcrt-strwt. There was a lurre muster of brethren. At

8 o'clock übout. sixty I)rot!iron sat down to an excellent-, dinner, which was in every w.iy wl'ml iiii:;hl, have been expected horn Brother Mucreiidy, who was, of coursp, "mine host," iiH usual. Representatives from al! the lodges in Auckland were present. During the evening tho scene was enlivened by B^ngs by Brothers Anderson, Brett, Copland, Die;helm, and Lavcrs —Brother Joseph Brown, organist, of Lodge Am, presiding at the piano.— Brother John Hay, K.W.M., occupied tho chair, who was supported on tlie right by the rt.W D.P.G.M., 5.0., Brother Beveridge, and on the left b- t eR.W.P.G.M., 1.C., brother George P. Pierce. The Senior Warden.-! chair ftob ably filled by Brother Thos. Macfarlane.—The. Lodge was opened in the first degtce, and upon the brethren. entering tho room (he recitative from the " Creation" —" In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Enrth," —was rendered by brother K. Brett.—A blessing was asked, and justice having boon done to the dinner, the anth<M-n " To Heaven's Higli Architect all prai.*e," was sung to the tune of "Cro ition." —The K.W.M. requested all to fill iheir j»la<se.9, and proposed the toast of tho "Holy Lodge of St. John." after which heproposud the ''Queen and Cr ill," and " Brother Albert lulward, Princo of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family." Ho remarked that it was the first time the health of Brother Albert Edward had been proposed in Sh. Andrew's Lo ige as a in ember of the Craft. He observed from papers recently received he had already taken an active part in Masonry.—The toast, was drunk, and the Masonic Royal An'hem, " Almighty Architect," was then sung, and " England's future King," by Brother Brett.—The K.W.M. then proposed the health of 'Sir George Bowan, tho Governor." lie Iwcl clone much good to both races, and anything ho could say vroult fall short of expressing the esteem in which ho was held, and lie hoped that lie might soon follow tho example of the Princo and become one of tho draft,, and it would give him great pleasure to initiate him.—Brother Walter Graanme, J.W. proposed, the " Army, Navy, and Colonial Forces." He had often had the pleasure of proposing this toast, and he could only gsiy that any commendations from him were needless. Both arms had done their duty, and. he Lad no doubt always would do

so. They had mementos in their churrliyards of (heir bravery. He alluded to Broth r Nixon of the Colonial forces, Brother Hamilton of the navy, and Brother Mercer of the army. The toast was drunk with ail honours, when Brother J, Copland render; d " England the homo of the 'World,''' in go • i style, Ins well known fine bass voice bringi .g

homo tho spirit of the song to all hearts

Brother T. Macffarlane proposed, " The heniih of 'Brother T. B. Gillies, Superintendent of the province, our most respected citizen and Chief Magistrate." It was gratifying to him,

aud no doubt to the lodge, to see him present that evening. Amidst alt his 'cares he had spared time "to attend, and they ought to be doubly glad to welcome him. They all knew that he had discharged his duties at his own discomfort for the interests.of the province. He could bear witness to the way in which he discharged his duties in the Assembly, and was confident that there was not a better man in the province to guide its affairs. —The toast was drunk with Macduff honors. — Brother Lavera then sung, " Hard Times come again no more?" in a pleasing style-— Brother T. B. Gillies returned thanks cordially. He had been more devoted to the interest's of the province than his own affairs, and had but little time to attend the lodges or do much, for the benefit of the Craft. The province had had hard trials, hut he believed the day was breaking, and before lons the light would emerge.—Brother Pierce, P.G.M., I.C..then proposed, "The Grand Lodge of Scotland, and Brother the Right Hon. the Earl of Dalhousie, Grand-Master-Mason of Scotland." The toast, should have been given to some one who understood more of the Scotch Lodge than himself. The Earl had been transferred from the English to the Scottish Constitution, and would, "no doubt, do much to advance the interest? of the Craft,—The toast was drunk with Scotch honors.—Brother Beveridge, D.P.G.M., S C, proposed "Tbe Grand Lodges of England and Ireland, the Right ITon. the Earl Do Grey and Ripon, M.W.G. M.E.C., and his Grace'the Duke of Leinster, M.W.G.M., 1.C." The tonst of the three '*}rand Lodges was a formal one, but would bs drunk cordially. He knew Earl De Grey was a most enthusiastic Mason, and would do honor to the chair to which he had been promoted. The same words might be applied to the Duke of Leinster, and it was the wish of (lie Craft, that, he might long regain his position, —The toast was drunk with Macduff honors, after which Brother Anderson sang "Ye banks and braes."—Brother W. Anderson then proposed "Lodge Mother Kilwinninir; "after which Brother Brock, W.M., Lodge Ara, proposed "The Provincial Grand Lodges of New Zealand," complimenting the W.M. of each lodge for the able manner in which they . had performed their duties.— Brothers Pierce, Heyworxl, and Beveridge returned thanks, the latter saying that he should like to see one Grand Lodge of New Zealand, a thing that had been frequently spoken of. It would be a good thing if they could all be joined together ; and he hoped to see that end achieved. He dwelt at some length on this subject, and resumed his seat amid loud cheers.—Brother Brown then gave " The Merry Masons " on the pianoforte. — Brother Doull proposed, " Lodge St. Andrew, and the R.W.M." It was one of the principal toasts of the evening. He had been much pleased with the manner in which the R.W.M. had conducted the proceedings ; and the fact of him having been re-elected this year showed that the members of the lodge were well pleased with him during his previous term of office.—The toast was drnnk with Macduff honors and "He's a jolly good fellow." — Brother Hay, R.W.M., returned thanks : and Brother Hooper, in the absence of the W.M. of Lodge Waitemata, gave, "Free and Accepted Masons all over the World," which was ilrunk cordially, and the choir sung the .anthem, " Come lot us prepare." —Brother E. B. Dixon proposed, "The Sister Lodges in Auckland, Onehunga, and the Thames ;" after which Brother Beveridge gave the toast, " To the Memory of St. Clair of Roslyn."—Brother M. Niccol"proposed, "Masons' Wives and Masons' Bairns" in a very humorous speech, which was well received, and the choir sung, " Hero's a health to all good lasses." — Brother T. B. Gillies proposed " The land of our adoption." He said that they were not only drinking to "the prosperity of Masonry, but to that of those who with them inherited these lands.—Brother Macffarlaue gave " The memory of Robert Burns," and Brother Beveridge gave "The health of the host anc. hostess," to whom they owed their best thanks Cor the excellence of "the repast which they had enjoyed. — Brother Doull proposed " Brother "Brown and the Choir," to which Brother Brown replied, stating that although professional duties kept him from atteuding lodges as often as ho could wish, yet his heart was ahv.-iys there, aud he hoped in future to attend more regularly.—Brother Dr. Sam, W.M., of Lodge of Light, Thames, then proposed " Poor and distressed brethren all over the world," and Brother Diethelm sang " The Standard-bearer," which was one of the best rendered songs of the evening, and was tremendously applauded. " Auld Lang Syne" wiis then sung in chorus by the assembled brethren, and the proceedings terminated, a vM-y pleasant evening hiving been spent.