MASONIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 143, 18 June 1891, Page 6

MASONIC.

The regular monthly meeting of the brethren of Lodge Ara, N.Z.C., was held on May 26th in the Masonic Hall, .Princesstreet, when there was a large attendance. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—W.M., Bro. YV. M. Chapman; S.W., Bro. James Bouskill; J.W., Bro. H. B. Dexter; treasurer, Bro. A. S. Russell, P.M. (third consecutive time) ; secretary, Bro. G. H. Powley, P.M. (elected for the fifth time); D.C., Bro. A. Kidd, P.M. (second time); S.D., Bro. A. Bartlett ; J. D., Bro. W. R. Cook ; Bro. T. H. Wobbe, organist; Brc. S. E. Hughes, I.G. ; Bro. H. L. Posseneskie, 5.3. ; Bro. W. J. Cousins, J.S.; Bro. E. Tonge, Tyler.

The newly-elected officers of Lodge Ara, 348, 1.C., were duly installed on June Ist. The lodge was draped in black in memory of the decease of Bro. G. P. Pierce. Bro. C. C. McMillan, W.M., referred in feeling terms to the loss sustained by the lodge through the death of Bro. Pierce. He recalled the kindly manner in which the deceased brother had spoken of the brethren who had seceded, and said that Bro. Pierce then spoke as a Christian and as a Mason. The Rev. Dr. Kidd further testified to the esteem in which Bro. Pierce was held, and then moved, " That this lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge Ara, 348, 1.C., on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, desires to record in a very special manner its deep sense of the great loss which the Masonic craft in New Zealand, and more particularly this lodge, in which oor brother first became a Freemason and over which he presided as W.M., has sustained in the death of the R.VV. G. P. Pierce, P.G.M., I.C. This lodge in common with all other lodges of New Zealand, and k> unison with the feelings of the community in general, cherishes a grateful appreciation of the high character and qualifications of our departed brother, of his lovable disposition and of his signal services. The lodge desires that a copy of the foregoing resolution, with an expression of deep sympathy and condolence, be respectfully communicated to the widow and family of our departed brother." This was seconded by P.M. Bro. W. J. Rees, and adopted in solemn silence, after which Bro. Pirie played the "Dead March in Saul." The following officers were subsequently installed :—W. M., Bro. W. P. Moat; S. W., Bro. A. Hanna; J. W., Bro. F. J. Whitaker; Chaplain, Bro. Dr. Kidd; Treasurer, Bro. J. Savage; Secretary, Bro. YV. J. Rees; 5.D.,~8r0. G. Gribbin ; J.D., Bro. C. C. Houghton ; D.C., Bro. A. Wright; organist, Bro. J. Hanna; stewards, Bros. McCullough and Western; 1.G., Bro. W. Blomfield; tyler, Bro. E. Tonge. The 1.P.M., Bro. McMillan, acted as installing master assisted by Bros. Rees, Walker, Wright, Anderson, Herapath and Hanna.