WESTLAND DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF FREEMASONS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXIII, Issue 3912, 12 March 1881, Page 2

WESTLAND DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF FREEMASONS.

[west coast times.] The annual meeting of this Lodge was held at the Lodge Room yesterday, commencing at 1.30 p.m. As the various lodges throughout the district wera aware that a successor to the late Brother John Lazar would be inducted to the office of District Grand Master, and as an authority from his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was known to have been received, conferring that position upon Brother John BevaD, a large assemblage of members of the order came from all parts of the Coast. With the exception, perhaps, of the meeting at the funeral of the lato District Grand Master, a larger number of brethren met on thi3 occasion than on any other since the Myetic Order was first established on the Coast. At the hour named 10T members had signed the entrance book, and before the proceedings closed, at 6.30 p.m., it was supposed 120 Masons had put ia an appearance. The Grand Lodge w&a

penod in due foi-iu, and after adopting ie minutes of last meeting and dealing ith the correspondence, the installation f officers was proceeded with. Brother ohn Bevan, D.G.M., was supported on ie right by Brother Revell D.D.G.M., nd t> the right and left aat a large umber of Masters and Past Mast9ra of arioua lodges. The D.G.M. acquainted hose present of the nature of hia ppoinfcment, and said it was unnecessary nd unusual for any instillation to take ilace, beyond announcing the receipt of lis appointment from the Grand Master f England, by which Commission he waa mpowered to inst? 1 . the several officeisof ho Westland Grand Lodge. He was >roud of the honor c >nfei.od upon him, md he waR exceedingly "ratified to see so nany present from the Greymouth, Ross, lumara, Wsstport, and other lodges. He iccepted the fact of such a large attendmce as a mark of approval of the ippointment, which he highly appreciated. Be addressed the brethren at some length )n the value of Maaonry, and charged ;hom to follow the sterling principles of ;he order in their private and public life. In the installation ceremony the D.G.M. performed the duty which devolved upon mm in a masterly Masonic manner, jhowins; bis fittednessforthe new position with which he has been entrusted, at the 3ame time passing fitting and happy remarks appropriate to each case ; complimenting the officers who had acted in past years, and suitably directing the new officers in their respective avocations. The following are the officers who were installed : — D.D.G.M.— Bro. W. H. Revell D.G.S.W.— Bro. G. Benning D.G.J.W. -Bro. J. Kerr Registrar — Bro. 0. Malfroy Chaplain — Bro. E. Chambers Treasurer — Bro. M. Pollock Secretary — Bro. W. D. Banks S.D.— Bro. J. Williams J.D.— Bro. H. J. Thomson Director of Ceremonies — Bro. R. Ferguson. Superintendent cf Works — Bro. J. C. Malfroy Sword Bearer — Bro. A. L. King Organist. — Bro. E. Gosson Pursuivant — Bro. Kenway Stewards— Bros. Trice, Smith, Warner, Foldi Tyler— Bro. J. E. Cuddeford After the installation, the brethren marched from the Masonic Hall to the Church of England, where an impressive service took place, the Rev. Mr Hamilton officiating ; and an excellent addres9 was given by the D.G. Chaplain, Bro. E. Chambers, from the text, " Love one another." On returning to the Lodge room, an unanimous vote of thanks was passed to the Revs. Messrs Hamilton and Chambers, on the motion of the D.G.M., seconded by the D.D.G.M., and acknowledged by the D.G. Chaplain, Bro. Revell, W.M. of the Westport Lodge, then took occasion to offer the congratu~ lation of the lodge in his district upon the appointment of the D.G.M. Bro. Malfroy followed, and spoke on behalf of the Totara Lodge, and the Secretary of that lodge read an address prepared for the occasion. Bro. Kerr, P.M: of the Greymouth Lodge, also spoke in becoming terms of the D.G.M.; likewise did Bro. Nicholson, W.M., on behalf of the Lazar Lodge, an address being also read by the Secretary. Bro. Hyams, of the Pacific Lodge, expressed the 'sentiments of the brethren here, and the D.G. Secretary read a number of telegrams which had been received from all part 3of both islands of this Colony. The D.G.M. said he felt more than gratified at such expressions of feeling. In fact language failed him to express the pride he felt in receiving these kind congratulations, and such hearty wishes from all parts of the district and Colony. He paid a welltimed compliment to the late Grand Master of the District, and concluded by trusting that the good feeling which had made itself so manifest at the commencement of his career as District Grand Master, might long continue. The lodge was then closed, according to Masonic custom, at 5.30 p.m. THE BANQOET. At nine o'clock the brethren partook of a banquet at the Town Hall, ther<* being about a hundred present. The lateness of the hour at which the meeting broke up, and pressure otherwise on our columns, prevent us publishing a lengthy report, suffice it to say that a most pleasant evening was spent. The banquet did great credit to the caterer Bro. Hudson, and the utmost good-will and Masonic enthusiasm wa3 kept up until long past midnight.