MASONIC INSTALLATION AND BANQUET.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 103, 30 June 1876, Page 5

MASONIC INSTALLATION AND BANQUET.

The installation ofthe officers elected for the ensuing year for Lodge Clutha, S.C., No! 460, took place on the evening of St. John's Day, the 24th instant. The following were the officers installed :— R. W.M., Bro. John Macdonald ; D.M., Bro. Henry S. Seunert; S.M., Bro. John Low; S VV., Bro D. M'Niven ; J.W., Bro. A. B. Henderson ; Treasurer, Bro. A. C. Campbell ; Secretary, Bro. B. Marr ; S.D., Bro. R. Henderson ; J.D., Bro. Wm. Lloyd ; 1.G., Bro. John Hornby ; Tyler, Bro. John Finn. The ceremony over, the brethren were called from labor to refreshment, which took the shape of an excellent banquet, provided by Brother Lloyd, of the Farmers' Arms Hotel, and which was served in the Athenseum Hall. The spread abundantly testified to the liberality of the caterer and the efficiency of his cooks, while the wines were pronounced to be really of the '• best brands."

The good things having been disposed of, The Chairman, (Bro. J. Macdonald, R.W.M,) gave the toast of "The Queen," which was responded to by the company singing the National Anthem. The Chairman next gave "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," which was heartily received, and called forth " Rule Britannia."

Past Master Bain then proposed " The Right Worshipful Grand Masters of Scotland, England, and Ireland,'* which was received with Masonic honors.

;. TheC/hairman next gave " The Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand, Scotch Institution," and in. doing so referred to the fact of the Provincial Grand Master having resigned, his office. The Lodge, he said, would therefore have to elect his successor during the present year; and he hoped the election would be an amicable and unanimous one.

Mr Reunert sang the "British Lion," in his usual capital style, . Bro, Henderson next proposed " The Past Masters of Lodge Clutha," and expressed his regret there were so few of them present. He coupled with the toast the name of Bro. Bain, who seemed always to stick to the Lodge. Bro. Bain in responding said he had almost forgotten that he was a Past Master. He had been present at every banquet of the Lodge," but could not say whether it was the plum pudding , or the whiskey that induced him to attend. The Chairman gave " Our "Visitors" coupled with the names of Bros. Greig, Fleming, and Canning, to which these gentlemen briefly reponded, Bro. Bain : Song. - Bro. Dunne proposed " Success: to* the Lodge Qlutha," coupled: withz-the^ name of the R. W.M., Bro. Macdbna|lv: In doing so he.; said, all, the knew the services Bro.. Macdonald' had rendered tb the Lodg&V Sp; had its: interests at heart; and he^Brd. Dunne)

believed he thought of it by day ami dreamed of it by night. Neither floods. nor adverse winds or weather, ever pievented him from attending the meetings. By his action in presiding over their meetings, Bro. Macdonald acted with tact and impartiality, add the utmost harmony and good feeling were preserved and fostered. Every brother was satisfied witb the manner he had performed his duties, and all knew the enthusiasm he evinced in every matter connected with Masonry. The toast was most enthusiastically received.

Bro. Macdonald, in returning thanks, said he had now been elected to the high honor of R.W.M. for the fourth time in the space of five years. He had endeavored to do his best for the prosperity of the Lodge, and was glad to {have the evidence he had that his efforts had been appreciated by the brethren. There were certain improvements he had desired to be carried out which had not yet been accomplished, but which he hoped would be by-and-bye. While he appreciated the remarks which had been made with reference to his actions in connection with the Lodge, the greater part ofthe credit belonged to the gentlemen whoJheld subordinate offices in the Lodge, and, much as had been their success during the past year, he expected yet greater things during the year upon which they were entering. Regarding the newlyinstalled officers, he said that had he the election of them himself everyone would now have been in the chair he now occupies ; he could not desire a single change, and he felt, sure every officer had been elected on the ground of his personal merit alone. He again thanked Mr Dunne and the brethren for the hearty manner in which ihey had expressed their good feelings towards him.

Amongst the other toasts which were proposed wero " The speedy relief of distressed brethren ;" " The memory of departed brethren j" " The Press ;" " The Host and Hostess ;" <fee. A number of excellent songs were sung, and a very happy and successful banquet was brought to a conclusion by the company joining and singing " Auld Lang Syne."