THE MASONIC HOTEL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10627, 4 June 1897, Page 3

THE MASONIC HOTEL.

The formal opening of the new Masonic Hotel (which wan fully described In oar oolnmns several weeks hro) took place yesterday, and the vationa details of the magnificent etractnre excited general admiration. In order tn celebrate tbo antpiolona occasion a sumptuous luncheon was given by Mr Frank Moeller la the. lares dialog-room, ot which about 120 Indies and gentlemen wore present. We nndtratand thsre were no formal lovlsailoua to tho luncheon, bat nevertheless a large gathering assembled to pp.rtako of Chn hospitality co lavishly dlnplayed by the popular hoet and hoateen of the Maaonio. The place of honor won oconpled by the Mayor and Mayoroaa (Mr and Mra G. H. Swan), onpportnd by Mr K. D. D. M'Loan, M.H X, for Napior, After the tables were cleared his Worship tho Mayor reforred to the rapidity with which the present handsome hotel had ailsen from the ashoa of the old Masonic of a year ago, and he paid & well deserved tribute to the great enterprise of Messrs Neal ami Close, the ownera of the property, for having erected inch a fine structure as that they were then assembled In. Mr Swan also referred in felicitous terms to the excellent management of Mr and Mrs Frank Moeller, and said that it was principally owing to their eklll and taot that the Moaouio had become saoh ft popnlar hostelry. Tho Mayor oonoludcd by asking all those present to honor tbo j tossb of Mr and Mrs Moeller, which, it Is needless to say, was done moot heartily and with mneloal honors. Mr Moeller brlifly thanked those present on behalf of blrmelf aod wife, and said that they , would do their utmost to retain the good opinion of their friends, as they had endeavored to do In the past, He, however, did not wish to claim all the praise, as Meesri Neal and Close wore entitled to lo more than he was for their euterpilae In building such a handsome and oou> modious' hotel an tho Masonic. Mr Moeller then called on the assembled guests to drink the health ot Messrs Neal and Close, a toast whiob. w&b honored with acclamation, inasmuch at they were " jolly good follows." Mr John Close, la responding, nald he had frequently been told that the new Maaonic was ter too large and In advance of the time, " bat, ladlea and gentlemen," he quietly added, "everything that Neal and Ulose do Is In order to advance the city of Napier," a sentiment which was loudly applauded. He said he heartily thanked those present for their reception of the toast, At this juncture there ware lond cries for "Mr Neal/ and after a short interval Mr Neal rote from the other end of the hall, and In a few appropriate words expressed his thanko for the manner in which the towt of tbe Grin had baen received. He paid a warm tribute to Mr end Mra Moeller'a kindness and attention in managing tho Masonic, and resumed bis seat amidst hearty applause. Tbe proceeding then terminated, and every one present) appeared to regard It as a most suspicions opening for the new building.