HAWERA MASONIC LODGE— INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 183, 9 December 1881, Page 2

HAWERA MASONIC LODGE— INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS.

Last evening, about fifty brethren and visitors assembled at the Town Hall for. the purpose of witnessing the imposing ceremony of installation of officers for the eusuing year, B.W.M. Bro. Pitcher, presiding. Ainongsfc tbe visitors were J3ro, the Hon. Major Atkinson, P.M. Bvo. Brooking, Bros. King, Boss, Beveridge, and others of the De Burgh Adams Lodge, New Plymouth ; P.M. Bro. King, Manawatu Lodge, Bros. W. Richards.and Eeid, Waterloo Lodge, Wellington ; Bro. Smith, Kilwinning Lodge, Patea; and Bro. Purdey, St. Andrews Lodge, Weliington. The lodge having been formally opened, a hrother was passed to the degree of v> FelUvwcraft, when the installation of officers was proceeded with, P.M. Bro. Dr. Smith acting as Installing Master, which tlnties he fulfilled in a very in;isterly and impressive manner. The following brethren were duly installed :—: — P.M. Bro. Pitcher, R.W.M.; Bro. Bate, D.M. ; Bro. Fergussou, S.W. ; Bro. Pinches, J.W.; Bro. Miller, S.D.; Bio. Innes, J.D.; Bro. Bowman, Secretary ; Ero. Kempthorue, Treasurer : Bro. Watts, 1.T.; Bro. Brown, 0.T.; and Bros. F. Bayly and Meuli, Stewards. ■ At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Installing Master, P.M. Bro. Smith gave a very impressive address to the newly-installed officers, pointing out their respective duties, and urging upon them the necessitj' of being at all times punctual hi their attendance. The several visitors having responded on behalf of then? respective lodges, the lodge was brought to a close at an early hour, for the purpose of attending the customary banquet on such occasions.

THE BANQUET.

The whole of the brethren and visitors then adjourned to Bro. Owen's hotel, in the dining room of which a really excellent table' had been prepared. In fact, without going into particulars, we may say it is doubtful whether the banquet could have been surpassed in some of our large cities. It was a credit to Hawera. After the brethren had testified their full appreciation of Host Owen's cuisine, various toasts were drank with great enthusiasm, interspersed with songs by several brethren.

The first was the charter toast, proposed by the B.W.M. Bro. Pitcher, viz., "The Queen and the Craft."

Son» hy Bro. Meredith. The R.W.M., Bro. Pitcher, proposed "The Three Grand Masters— England, Ireland, and Scotland." Bro. Pinches obliged the company with a song. P.M. Bro. Dr. Smith proposed "The Newly-Installed Officers." Song by Bro. Brown. The EiW.M., Bro. Pitcher, responded on behalf of the newly-installed officers in a brief speech, in which he expressed himself perfectly satisfied with his officers, and believed that ere long they would be able to work the Hawera Lodge in a very creditablo manner.

P.M. Bro. King proposed " The Officers of the Lodge." Song by Bro. P.M. King. Bros. Bate, Pinches, and Bowman, in short speeches, responded to the toast of " The Officers of the Lodge."

Bro. Bate proposed " Sister Lodges," coupled with the names of P.M. Bro. Brooking, of De Burgh Adams Lodge, and P.M. Bro. King, of RTanawatu Lodge.

Song by Bro. Beveridge, which, being a Dutch one, caused considerable merriment. - > ■

P.M. Bro. Brooking and P.M. Bro. King responded on behalf of " The Sister Lodges."

Bro. Pulford yroposed^ " The Visitinjfi Brethren," coupled with- the name ofßrd Hon. Major Atkinson.

Song by Bro. Pardey. ~^ 80. Hou. Major Atkinson returnee thanks on behalf of the visitors in,a com plimentary speech. Song by Bro. Brown. P.M. Bro. King proposed " The Host Bro. Owen."

Song, another Dutch one, by Bro Beveridge, which, like the former one met with a capital raceptiou. Bro. Pulford proposed "The Press,' coupled with the name of Bro. Innes.

Bro. Innes having responded, the pro ceediugs of one of the most social and pleasant evenings which are usually speni amongst members of the craft wex brought to a close at an early hour by al singing most heartily " Auld Lang Syne.'