MASONIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9090, 26 June 1888, Page 6

MASONIC.

LODGE ARA, 348 I.C.

TflE important ceremonial of the installation of officers of Lodge Ara, 348 1.C., the foundation lodge of masonry in the colony, took place at the Freemasons' Hall, Princesstreet, yesterday at high noon. The ceremony under ordinary circumstances would have taken place on the 24th, St. John's Day, but as that day was Sunday it had to be deferred until the following day. The ceremony of installing Brother C. C. McMillan and his officers was made highly impressive. The hall itself, in every available place, was handsomely decorated with camellias and other winter flowers, the columns, &c, being festooned with ever greens and bright red berries. Some idea of the interest felt in the installation may be gathered from the i"act that although it •was midday, and an inconvenient hour for most business people, there was the largest gathering of Freemasons that haa ever assembled in the Hall, and the board of installed masters on and around the dais numbered 44. Amongst them were Brother G. P. Pierce, G.W.P.G.M., 1.C., and masters and representatives of all the Auckland and suburban lodges, as well as of the Thames, Waikato, and the Petone Lodge (Wellington) was also represented ; Brother H. C. Baddeley represented the Victory Lodge, Nelson. A letter of apology was received from Brother W. Lodder, D.D.G.M., E.C.. who was unavoidably absent, and also from Brother Josiah Martin, W.M. Prince of Wales Lodge. In regard to the latter, reference was made to Brother Martin's recent bereavement, and the Lndge unanimously resoived to send a letter of condolence to Brother Martin on the bereavement he had suffered by the death of his son. Brother D. F. Evans, the retiring W.M., opened the Lodge, and conducted the ceremonies up to the third degree, after which Brother P. M. Powley duly installed Brother C. C. McMillan into the chair of King Solomon. He then installed his officers as follows :— Brothers S. D. Hanna, S.W. ; G. Robson, J.W. ; Rev. Dr. Kidd (P.M.), Chaplain; W, L. Mitchell (P.M.), Treasurer; G. H. Powley (P.M.), Secretary; A. S. Russell (P.M.), D.C. ; W. M. Chapman, S.D. ; C. Westpfhal, J.D. ; A. Hanna, Organist; C. C. Houghton, I.G. ; Jas. Boskill, S.S. ; (J. L. N. Arnold, J.S. : Captain Tonge, Tyler. Brother Evans then delivered the charge to the W.M., Brother Hanna, P.M., addressed the Wardens, and Brother Powley the brethren, each address benigmoet impressively delivered. Hearty congratulations were tendered from the representatives of lodges, after which the lodge was closed by tho newly installed W.M. The brethren then adjourned to the lower hal , ., where an excellent cold luncheon was served by Mrs. Tonge.