BIG MASONIC FUNCTION

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 53, 2 March 1907, Page 6

BIG MASONIC FUNCTION

INSTALLATION OEREMOJSY AT THE CHORAL HALL. SERVICE AT ST. PAUL'S. A large gathering of brethren of the Masonic fraternity took place this afternoon at the Choral Hall, visitors being present from all over the Auckland district, in addition to the officers of the District Grand Lodges of "Wellin°i;on and Canterbury. The occasion for the as-semblage-of such a large number of Free Masons was the ceremony of installing W. Bro. Lieut-Col. John Rankcn Reed as District Grand Master for Auckland. The masters and officersof all the lodges of the English Constitution in the city and suburbs were present, also several representatives each from the following country lodges, belonging to the E.C.:--Lodge" Rodney (Warkworth), Franklin (Paparoa), Corinthian (Thames), Pfrionga (Alexandra), Albion (Helensville), St. George (Dargaville), Zealandia (Whangaroa), Star of North (Whangarei). Northern Light (Kawakawa), and Turonganui (Gisborne). , A letter was forwarded by R.W. Bro. J. Rees. P.D.G.M. of the Irish constitution, expressing regret that his absence i from Auckland prevented his being present with the Grand Lodge officers. W. Bro. O. Nicholson, Grand Superintendent, Is.Z.C, also wrote regretting, under present circumstances, that the Grand Lodge of that Constitution would not be present, but at the same time forwarding his personal good wishes to the D.G.M. elect. fe.W. Bro. W. McCullagh, Grand Master of the Scottish Constitution, Auckland District, was in attendance with the Grand Lodge officers, and was received with the customary honours. In addition to the Grand Lodge S.C., masters and brethren of lodges of sister constitutions also attended the function. The arrangements for this interesting ceremony were very well carried out, reflecting credit on the Executive Committee, W. Bro. A. S. Bankhart, P.D.S.G.W.; W. Bro. Arthur Wright, D.G. Treasurer; W. Bro. W.W. Daw. D.G. secretary, also the D.G.M. elect. The hall presented a splendid appearance when the brethren were all assembled. The walls of the hall were tastefully draped with flags of various nations, the national ones of the four Constitutions occupying a prominent position. The floor of the hall, and also on the platform, was covered with crimson cloth, and, in fact, everything possible was done to perfect the arrangements, a large staff of men having been encaged this morning getting the hall in proper condition for the ceremony. The Installing Grand Master was the R.W. Bro. A. de Bathe Brandon, D.G.M. for Wellington, who was assisted by R.W. Bro. C. Dillworth Fox. D.G.M. for Canterbury. The important duties of Grand Directors of Ceremonies were fulfilled by Bro. W. Hooker and Bro. Chas. W. Jenkins. Bro. R, Leslie Hunt was musical director and organist, that portion of the service being most effective. Bro. E. Dormer officiated as "Herald/ , The Acting District Grand Master for Auckland, Rt. W. Bro. C. Dillworth Fox. D.G.M. Canterbury, opened the Lodge, after which the B.W. Grand Master and officers of the Grand Lodge S.C. were received. After the warrant from the Most Worshipful] Grand Master, H.R3L the Duke of Connaiight had been read, the installations ceremony was duly performed. Bro. A J.. Tapper, D.J.G.W., sang "Be Thou Faithful. Unto Death," after which the Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Brother Alfred Seymour Bankhart, "'was duly installed Brother H. J. Bradney next sang, " Let no honour and truth forsake thee, so shalt thou find favour in the sight of God and Man." The address to the brethren was given by the D.G.M. for Canterbury, after which the newly installed D.G.M. for Auckland delivered an address, and announced the appointment of the following officers: — The following are the District Grand Officers for 1907:—District Grand Master. Rt. Wor. Bro. Lt.-Col. J. Ranken Reed; Deputy District Grand Master, Wor. Bro. A." S. Bankart; D.S.G. Warden, Wor. Bro. A. Sturges; D.J.G. /Warden, Wor. Bro. A. J. Tapper; D.G. fehaplain, Bro. P. S. Smallfield; D. Asst. G. <Miapsf|ln, Bro. Dr. Cailaghan, D.D.; D.G. Treasurer, Wor. Bro. A. Wright; D. G. Registrar, Wor. Bro. H. E. Elliott; President Board of General Purposes and Present Board of Benevolence, Wor. Bro. BL Robinsnn; D.G. Secretary, Wor. Bro. W. W. Daw; D.G.S. Deacon, Wor. ■ Bro. A. Woollams; D.G.J. Deacon, Wor. Bro. G. H. Foster; D.G. Superintendent of Works, Wor. Bro. W. H. Newton; D.G. Director of Ceremonies, Wor. Bro. W. Hooker; D. Asst. G. Director of Ceremonies, Wor. Bro. C. H. Jenkins; D.G. Sword Bearer, Wor. Bro. A. G. Allom; D.G. Standard Bearer, >Vor. Isro E. Canavan Smith; D. G. Organist, Wor. Bro. R. Leslie Hunt; D.G. Pursuviant, Wor. Bro. F. Price; D. Asst. G. Pursuivant, Wor. Bro. J. E. Banks; D.G. Tyler, Wor. Bro. W. Caron; D.G. Stewards. Wor, Bro. Dr. E. A. Bewes, M.D., Wor. Bro. R. Robertson, Wor. Bro. T. Gresham. Wor. Bro. N. Newcomb, Wor. Bro. J. G. Berry, Jr., Wor. Bro. A. J. C. Hall When the ceremony at the hall was concluded the brethren inarched in procession to St. Paul's Church, the juniors going first, Bro. H. Robinson, P.D.S.G.W., acting as marshal. A feature of the procession was the presence of six lewixs (sons of masons) attired in blue suits, knee breeches, with three-cornered hats, white stockings, and shoes, with silver " buckles. Masters Mervyn Reed, Seymour Colbeck, Gordon Larnar, and Leslie Lamer bore the volume of the sacred law on a blue velvet cushion. Master Adrian Stopford and Master Thomas Stevenson Davies were in attendance, one in front and the other behind, each carrying wands. At the church a large crowd had gathered to witness the procession. The serj vice was conducted by P.D.G. Chaplain Bro. the Rev. Canon Nelson, assisted by the District G. Chaplain Rev. Bro. P. Smallfield. The sermon was preached by Dr. Neligan, Anglican Bishop of Auckland. This evening:visiting brethren will be entertained at a banquet in the Choral Hall.