MASONIC CONVERSAZIONE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10109, 17 October 1917, Page 6

MASONIC CONVERSAZIONE.

Last evening .at the Empire Hull an interesting ■ Masonic -'gathering took place, when the'fraternity held a conversazione and lecture, the proceeds of which arc to Lie devoted to buying comforts for the Ikivs of the army and navy. The hull was most tastefully decorated for the occasion and presented a brilliant spectacle, between three and four hundred brethren arid guests being present. \ isitbrs_ were in attendance from Wanganui, Wellington. 11 lilt find intermediate towns, while a very large number ol lady guests were also, present. and' an extremely enjoyable evening was spent.

The opening event took the form ol a Grand March of Masons in full regalia, after which the ode was sung, the intervals being tilled in with selections from the. Avvapuni Orchestra. The chairman. Truv., Ctntr.d .Muster (Ruapoliu), presulecl, and was supported by R.W. Hro. J. W. Ellison, Prow Grand Master (Wellington) and R.W. Hro. T. A. Peterkin. Past Deputy Grand Master. . Tiie chairman' in a few remarks thanked tin; brethren of oilier lodges for their attendance, and hoped that the re-union would 1”‘ ihe. forerunner of many others. : He' then introduced Wor. Hro. Treadwell, .JAM., of Wanganui. who gave a splendid address entitled, "England's Preparedness." The speaker in the course of his remarks gave some interesting- sidelights on the international political situation immediately preceding the war. He Towed thtix, coi'itraiy, to .common belief, England at the beginning of the war was in a position to do her part, both with her aim\ and navy. At the outbreak of the war we were, able to mobilise the fleet in the ■\orth Sea, with the result that the German fleet was rendered impotent, ami the promise to our Allies to look alter then toasts w;is carried out, and has been kept .•ver since. The fleet also protected nil trade routes. The speaker, who has recently returned from England, gave some interesting reminiscences of the trip, showin"- the marvellous power and watchfulness of the British navy over the mercantile marine, and the elockwork-iike arnumemenls that wore in vogue for the convoying of ships -through the danger vones. Ho also paid a glowing tribute to the coin age of the British sailors, and showed that the spirit, of Sir Richard (iron title still animated the whole navy to day, ivii 1 ; shown liv the indomitable courage M our men at the battles,of Jutland and the countless other actions in which they have taken part during - the war. The M„-d.ei- also referred to the good work of •Lord Haldane in placing the -army on a trie footin'’- and stated-that the eihoency ~f ih,.' priiish Medical Service ui 1910 was owtu'g to soilie extent to the elioi'ts- oi the hue Dr. Martin. ('Applause) 111jißo outlined (he hemic work of the Butish army tin the early stages o the war. : ,nd referred to the fact that although tbo Hritish troops liehl only 30 miles, of front, this front was the grave of German ambition, and.' the salvation of the Empne. (Applause.) 1 Wor. Hro. Cohen, P.M.. alter complimenting the previous speaker on his line address, proceeded with his eulogy. Ue said that 'Masonry was a universal system which stood to promulgate the ethics of purity,, and truth, justice, freedom and charily were its foundations. He matte an eloquent appeal for a generous collection which was to be devoted to buying comforts for the boys ol the army and navy, ami referred to the splendid work of the YiM.G.A. and Salvation Army, througn •whom the money was to be sent._ je aLo referred to the work of their distinguished visitor, RA\. Hro. I . A. I eteiIvin, in connection with boiiutifxiim ti.c van'll) at Trentham. Tiie collection was -then taken up. after which a dainty supper was partaken of. , V slidrt concert programme was tfu-n .riven vocal items being contributed by Miss V. Graham. Hro. D. D. Y tlson (Dannevirke) and Hro. D. Poricous (la-- \ in). .Monologue items were given o\ M‘-s E. H. Eel in (Pahiatua). and Y or. itro. D. D. Webb, all the items being encored. The accompaniments were played H\ Misses V. Graham and V. Kendall. A vi>ie of thanks was proposed by -R.Y . Hi". .) X'ash to Wor. Hro. Treadwell and lips’visiting brethren. An ode for our ; nnv and mivv was then sung, ami the singing, of.. "God Save the King and v “Auld Lang Syne’ terminated the funetion. . . . Special mention is due to the Awapnni Orchestra for the charming music supplied throughout the whole proceedings, and also to Y'or. Hro, llopwood. PAL, who had charge of the 'arrangements.