A MASONIC FUNCTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 June 1912, Page 5

A MASONIC FUNCTION

LARGE GATHERING IN GREYMOUTH

One of the finest gatherings of the Masonic fraternity took place yesterday, when close on two hundred members of the craft assembled at the Masonic Hall, Tainui street, when the Very Worshipful Bro. Jesse Steer was installed as Right Worshipful District Grand Master of Westland, under the English Constitution,, this being the highest office granted under the constitution in New Zealand. The patent of appointment was under the hand and seal of the Duke of Connaught, Grand Master of Masons of England. The ceremony of installation was performed by Bro. Fox, Right Worshipful District Grand Master of Canterbury, who gave a splendid address to the large gathering present, which was deeply appreciated. The District Grand Master (Bro. Steer) feelingly responded in an eloquent address, thanking the brethren for their attendance, and assured them of his appreciation of the high honour conferred by the Grand Master of England. The following District Grand Lodge officers were invested for the current year :—• Deputy District Grand Master: Wor. Bro. M. Pollock. District Senior Grand Warden: Wor. Bro. T. D. D. Milne. District Junior Grand Warden: Wot. Bro. S. Austin. District Grand Chaplain: Wor. Bro. E. B. Mabin. District Grand Treasurer: Wor. Bro. M. Pollock. District Grand Registrar : Wor. Bro. I. Brown., President Board of General Purposes: Wor. Bro. J. J. Clarke. District Grand Secretary : Wor. Bro. D. Tenennt. District Grand Senior Deacon : Wor. Bro. G. Cottle. District Junior Grand Deacon : Wor. Bro. T. Thorn.

District Grand Superintendent of Works: Bro. R. C. Forsyth. District Grand Director of Ceremonies; Wor. Bro. H. D. James. District Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies: Wor. Bro. W. Cochrane. District Grand Sword Bearer: Wor. Bro. W. Saunders. District Assistant Grand Sword Bearer: Bro. H. Lewis. District Grand Organist: Bro. G. T. Moss. District Grand Pursuivant; Wor. Bro. J. Bevan. District Grand Tyler: Wor. Bro. H. Hyame. District Grand Stewards: Bros. H. G. Wilton, J. Malloy, A. S. Green, Mitchell, A. Campbell. The impressive ceremony will be remembered by those present for many years, a* it is thirty-three years since a like ceremony took place in Westland, when, at that time the late Bro. John Bevan was installed in the same position as'that conferred upon Bro. Steer.

After the ceremony the brethren adjourned to the Town Hall, where a banquet was held, provided under the able supervision o! the wives of the various members.