FROM THE FREEMASONS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 124, 2 June 1910, Page 2

FROM THE FREEMASONS.

the' gifts to lord plunket. I

A MAGNIFICENT PIECE OF

PLATE

[PHESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, June 1

The presentation by the Freemasons to Lord Plunket, which was postponed on account of the King's death, was made this afternoon at the office of the Grand Secretary, in the presence of a, number of leading Freemasons. The Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Griffiths, of Blenheim, spoke briefly of the gratitude felt by Freemasons for the constant anxiety and zeal his Excellency had shown for their welfare, and hoped that he would live long to shine as an illustrious ornament of the fraternity. • The service of plate consists ot a; centre-piece and two side dishes. The centre-piece is an epergne, consisting of a large jardiniere engraved with the arms of his Excellency on the obverse side, and the following inscription on the reverse: "Presented by the Freemasons of New Zealand to his Excellency Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., X.C.V.0., Most Worship-, ful Grand Master, 1906 to 1910, m recognition of his eminent services to the fraternity. Wellington, 12th May, 1910." The jardiniere is supported on a single foot of somewhat unique design, having four flat sides and four branches copied from typical, specimens of Maori wood-carving, supported at the base by a Maori head springing from the foot. The whole stands on a plateau three inches by two, decorated in the Maori style of ornament. The entire centre piece is 36 inches by 24 inches, and stands 24 inches high. The whole service, which . is richly set off" by decorated panels j illustrative of various phases of his Excellency's regime and national happenings, weighs close on 1000 ounces of solid silver, and is heavily gilt. The gilding brings out the richness and beauty of the Maori ornamentation, all of which is hand-raised and chased. There were two other presentations. M.W. Bro. Williams, on behalf of the Grand Lodge, presented his Excellency with a suit of regalia for use in visiting Lodges in the Old Country, and on behalf of the Marlborough and Nelson brethren Bro. Malcolm Niccol made a presentation of a greenstone paper-weight. In response, Lord Plunket said that he was glad to acknowledge the kind words spoken. He never felt his powers of expressing thanks so inadequate as on the present occasion. He had been chosen Grand Master and re-elected on three occasions. They had shown in this way the confidence they reposed in him. Now, when he himself might be expected to show some token of his appreciation of his brethren, they further added to the debt of gratitude which he felt towards them by the magnificent memento he saw before him. He would consider it an heirloom in his family in memory of the regard shown him by the Freemasons of New Zealand. His Excellency concluded with a reference to the benefits of the Craft in the matter of morality, good-fellow-ship, and charity.