OPENING OF PIERCE LODGE, WAIUKU.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 140, 15 June 1893, Page 6

OPENING OF PIERCE LODGE, WAIUKU.

Several months ago representations were made by various Masonic brethren ab Waiuku to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ireland at Auckland requesting thab a lodgo to work under the Irish Con3tibution might be established in, that prosperous and old counbry district. Bro. William Hall, formerly a Past MasDer of Lodge Ballyconnell, 405, County Cavan (Ireland), was the prime mover in the matter, and accordingly a warrant was applied for and granted for a lodge to be called " Pierce " Lodge as a compliment to the late Bro. G. P. Pierce, P.G.M., 1.C., who was an enthusiastic Mason. Wibh the object of consecrating " Lodge Pierce," the members of tho Provincial Grand Lodge, and a number of other Masonic dignitaries, to the number of 23, proceeded to Onehunga at an early hour Thursday, June Ist, and thence took steamer to Waiuku* The weather was cold and cheerless as the fast and commodious litbio steamer Manuknu casb her lines from the wharf, bnb it was nob long before the while fog which hung over the hills surrounding the harbour cleared away, and fche sun shining out made the trip a thoroughly enjoyable one. The settlement known as Graham's Beach was first called at, and after passing the picturesque residences of Messrs Wells and Lodge, we called en route ab Awhitu, Pollok, Waipipi, Toro Point and Karaka, stopping i« few minutes at each, either to land passengers or tako in cargo in the shnpe of produce, etc. The wharf at Waiuku was reached aba quarter pasb 12, the Auckland brethren being met by Bro. Row L. J. McFarland, P.M., Bro. Jaa. Latimer, W.M., atd Bro. R. S. White, secretary (all of Lodgo Franklin), Bro. W* Hall and other?. After lunch at Bro. W. A. Waterman's hostelry, the brelhren assembled ab the local ball which was Converted into a lodge room, when tho Provincial Grand Lodge was opened for the purpose of consecration and dedication of Pierce Lodge. The Grand Lodge was duly opened ab 2.10 p.m., Bro. W. J. Rees, P.G.M., being in the chair. Bro. G. S. Graham, District Grand Master, 8.C., occupied ti>o Senior Warden's chair, and Bro. Hon. W. McCullough, P.G.M., S.G.. acted as Senior Warden. The other offices were filled as follows —Acting Chaplain, Roy. E. J. McFarland ; acting 5.1)., Bro, Arthur Wright, D.G.S.W., E.G., and P.M., I.C. ; Acting J.D., Bro. Wm. Hall; Director of Ceremonies, Bro. E. R. Piggott; Registrar, Bro. Adam Brock, P.M. ; Bro. S. Gilbert, Pursuivant; secretary and treasurer, Bro. Past-Master J. R. Hanna, D.G.S. Among the brethren seated in the hall, decorated for the occasion with Bhrubs, was Bro. J, P. Clark, D.G.S., E.G.; Bro. M. J. Bennett, R.W.M., Lodge Ponsonby, S.C.; tho W.M. of Lodges Prince of Wales (Auckland) and Franklin. Aftsr an opening hymn and prayer, the whole of the brethren marched in procession from the hall to the Holy Trinity Church, where a service was held conducted by Bro. E. J. McFarland. Tho reverend gentleman based his discourse upon the last clanse of the third verse of the third chapter 11. Corinthians, "The letter killebh, but tho spirit givebh life." He said ib was an encouragement to nobice tho opening of a new lodgo in such an oldestablished district as Waiuku, and preparatory to doing so it wa3 deemad appropriate to worship God, as was the custom in olden times. The Tree of Masonry had many branches, and it was to be hoped that this latest addition to it would be strong and vigorous and a power for good in the district, which it was pointed out was its special work, influencing our conduct towards God and towards our brothor men. Stress was laid on the carrying out nob only of the letter but of the spirit of the order. Tho brethren returned to the hall after the service, when the Grand Lodge resumed. Bro. J. R. Hanna read the warrant asking for Pierce Lodgo to be formed, and the ceremony of consecration was impressively performud by Bro. W. J. Ress, the Grand Master. Subsequently, a Board of Installed Masters was formed, when Bro. Win. Hall was duly installed into the chair of King Solomon, the attendant musical ceremonies being ably performed by Bro. is. M, Herapath, P.M. Twelve candidates were balloted for and the ballot proved succeaeful, the lodge starting with a membership of 22. The candidates wore then initiated by Bro. Hall, the newly-installed Worshipful Master, assisbed by Bros. Arthur Wright and J. R. Hunna. Bro. J. P. Clark acted as S.W.,and Bro. Gilbert as J.W., and Bros. Brock and Pigeot as don.-nns. The first candidate initiated was '■ '■ ■>. Rev. Herberb M. Maynard, incumbent o rhe Holy Trinity Church. The work or initiation occupied considerable time, after which the !„ !...i.,ii.,i nr vi ; i..j o-._ a.

Mason five years. Bro. E. S. White was invested S.D., Bro. James Latimer, J.D.. and Bro. Adam Brock, I.G. Bro. W. J. Rees, the Grand Master, thanked the brethren of other constitutions for accompanying him to Waiuku, more especially the English and Scotch Grand Masters. He also acknowledged, his kindness to the Waiuku brethren for proposing that the new Lodge should be called after him, but he felt pleased at the hearty way in which the brethren had agreed to"his proposal to call the lodge after his late predecessor. The Grand Master paid a high bribute to the late Bro. G. P. Pierce and bis efforts in the cause of Masonry. Ho said that he relied on the brethren of Pierce Lodge to work hard and make it one of the strongest lodges in this island. They would find the first year uphill work, bub in the second year there would be plenty of available brethren to take offico. Bro. Rees also referred to the serious breach of etiquette and courtesy of the New Zealand Grand Lodge in scarting a lodge at Waiuku, and in authorising one of their lodges to bury with full Masonic 'rights a man of a lodge 1 working under th* Grand Orient of France. Bro. G. S. Graham said he was pleased to see such a large attendance of brethren, and he was proud to know that Pierce Lodge started under such favourable auspices. Bro. Graham concluded by tendering the newly-invested W.M. hearty good wishes and congratulations. Bro. the Hon. W; McCullough also made some appropriateremarks and wished Pierce Lodge every success Bro. Hall returned thanks for the addresses of the Grand Masters, and said Pierce Lodge was indebted to the Auckland brethren for their visit?. Bro. J. R. Hanna read several telegrams of congratulation from sister Lodges throughout the colony wishing the new Lodge a bright and prosperous year. After the brethren of the different Lodges had tendered their congratulations, the W.M. closed the Lodge in due form at ten minutes past nine o'clock. Tho brethren then adjourned to a banquet, which was served up in splendid style by Bro. Charles Lewis. Several toasts were proposed, including—"The Queen and Craft," " The Iri Grand Master, Bro. Rees," "The English and Scotch Grand Masters," and "Tho W.M. of Pierce Lodge." In responding, Bro. Hall said he firmly believed that the dedication of the Pierce Lodge under such auspicious circumstances is bound to have the best possible effect on the present stato of Freemasonry in New Zealand. It would prove to any brother Masons who may be wavering in, or tempted from their allegiance, that there still remain Masons, good men and true, who aro loyal to their obligations and the dear old Mother Lodges that first admitted them to light, and who can show that genuine Freemasonry is still alive. In dedicating the now lodge he believed a notable Masonic beacon had been established which would indicate to both outeiders, as well as insiders, the proper Masonic road to travel. Bro. Hall roferred at Isugth to the facts in connection with the formation of Pierce Lodge, and made reference to the establishment of a "New Zealand Lodge in their midst. He said he owed a deep debt of gratitude to the brethren of Lodge Franklin for their sympathy and support in forming the Lodge, and stated that his work was much lightened by the efforts of Bro. J. R. Hanna and Bro. A. Brock, of Auckland. The toast of " The newly-formed Pierce Lodge and initiated candidates," was drunk with honours, after which the Auckland brethren took passage oh board the s.s. Manukau, and were given a hearty send off by their Waiuku brethren. Onehunga was reached at four o'clock next morning, and a 'bus being in waiting, the brethren reached town at five o'clock, well pleased with their outing,' and the brighb prospects in store for Pierce Lodge. A great deal of the success of the trip of thte Auckland brethren is due to Bro. J. R. flauna, the energetic District Grand Secretary.