MASONIC.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7449, 15 January 1890, Page 3

MASONIC.

A special general meeting of the members of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Masonic Union will be held this evening at half-past seven o'clock at the St. Augustine Hall. As the subject to be brought forward is of great importance not only , to the Union, but to the Craft generally, it is to be hoped that there will be a full attendance of members. '■ The installation of the WM. of the St. AuKUStine Lodge, 603, E.C , for the ensuing year and the investiture of his officers'took place last night, when there was a very large attendance of the Craft fenerally, including a number of visitors, t was carried out most impressively, tne very efficient choir of the Lodge, under the organist, Bro. R. T. Searell, giving the j musical part excellently. The following j officers were installed and invested:~ W.it., Bro. Bitchie; 1.P.M., Bro. Chas. Hull; S.W., Bro. Hobden; J. W. Bro. Davie; Secretary, Bro. Gundersen; Treasurer, Bro. P. J. Smith; S.D., Bro. Millar: J.D., Bro. Hawley: D.C., Bro. Fraser; Organist, Bro. B.T. Searell; 1.G., Bro. Broadhnrst; Tyler, Bro. Stevens. Dist. G.M. Bro. H. Thomson and his Grand Lodge officers and the D. Dist. G.M. under the S.C., Bro. Chas. Louisson, with his Grand Lodge officers were present." The former performed the ceremony of installation. During the evening, prior to the closing of the Lodge, advantage was taken of the occasion by the Brethren to make a double presentation. The first of these was to the retlriug immediate Past Master, Bro. J. L. Fenerty; and the second to the retiring W.M., Bro. Charles Hull. In both cases the presentation conalsted of a very handsome Past Master's jewel, suspended from a garter blue ribbon, on which was a bar bearing the name of the Lodge In raised gold letters and the monogiam of the recipient. On the back of the pendant jewel was an inscription recording the fact that the jewels were the gift of the Brethren of the Lodge. They were manufactured by Bro. Gunderaeo, and ere two of the handsomest jewels seen here for many a long day. Both the brethren have worked most zealously and ably for the Lodge, and the presentations were most enthusiastically received by the brethren present. . At the conclusion of the ceremony the two District Grand Masters and their officers retired, and the Lodge was closed. An adjournment was subsequently made to the refectory, which was prettily decorated with Masonic devices, one especially that of a Past Master's apron, with the motto "We wish him a prosperous new year," being exceedingly pretty, and most tastefully executed. The various loyal and Masonic toasts were given and done honor to, several of the brethren of the choir giving appropriate Masonic songs after each.