MASONIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9241, 19 December 1888, Page 5

MASONIC.

LODGE WAIRO A, No. 709, S.C.

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS. The annual' installation of officers of the above lodge took place in the new Masonic Hall, Wairoa South, on the 12th inst. The S.s. Waitoa arrived at the Wairoa landing, from Auckland, with a number of Masonic brethren on board. Others preferred coming by train, and were driven in convey ■ ances from Papakura to Wairoa. An excellent luncheon was laid out - in the Wairoa Public Hall for the visitors, prepared for them by the members of the Lodge Wairoa. At five p.m. the brethren of the various lodges assembled if. tho Masonic Hall, and the Lodge was opened in due form and with solemn prayer. After the minutes of tho former meeting had been confirmed, apologies were read from brethren that could not be present on account of other engagements. The S.P.G.M., Brother M. Niccol, and his officers were received with the customary honours, as was also the R.W.M. of Lodge Ponsonby and hie officers. The S.P.G.M. assumed the chair, and proceeded to instal Brother James Atchison in accordance with ancient custom. The secretary read the usual questions, after which Brother James Atchison took the solemn obligations of R. W. M. -elect. The Lodge was then raised to the 3rd degree, and the brethren below the rank of Installed Master retired. A Board of Installed Masters having been opened, the R.W.M.-elect was duly installed in tho chair of King Solomon, in accordance with ancient custom. Tho Board of Installed Masters being closed, all the M.M.'s were admitted. The R.W.M. was proclaimed in the east, and the tools of a M. M. presented. Lodge lowered to the second degree, and F.C.'s admitted. The R.W.M. was proclaimed for the second time, in the west, and the working tools of tho F.C. presented. The Lodge was lowered to the first degree and E.A.'s admitted, and the R.W.M. proclaimed for the third time, in the south, and presented with the working tools of an E.A. The warrant of the Lodge was then handod to the care of the R.W.M. The address to the R.W.M., Wardens, and Brethren was given by the Installing Master in an impressive manner. The R.W.M. then invested the following officers:— Brothers D. McLennan, I.P.M. ; James Walker, S.M. ; Thomas P. Fraser, S. W. ; D. Crawford, J.W. ; A. Noble, secretary and treasurer; H. U. Poynter, S.D. ; H. Henderson, J.D.; R. B. Waterton, I.G. Brother Dr. H. Walker, P.M., 4185.C., and P.G.0., S.C., presided most ably as organist during the ceremony. Amongst those present we noticed the following brethren: — William Forrest, R.W.M. Lodge Ponsonby, 708 S.C. ; William Edger, 8.8. 70S S.C. ; John Hewson, P.M. 418 S.C. and 1710 E.G., 2138 E.C. ; E. D. MeLcnnan, R.W.M. Lodge Star in the Far South, No. 717 S.C. ; William Trimble, P.M. 39, 111, 523 S.C. ; William S. Williams, 1530 E.C. ; E. L. Smith, 708 S.C. ; Edward Daws, 418 S.C. ; J. Strathern, 418 S.C. ; C. Helander, 6S9E.C. ; James Todd, 717 S.C. The lodge was closed in P.L.H. at seven p.m., and the brethren then adjourned to the public hall, where dancing was commenced at eight o'clock and kept up until twelve, when supper was partaken of, and the usual loyal toasts proposed and responded to. Dancing was again commenced, and kept up with spirit until an early hour, Mr. Adams' band supplying the music. The s.s. Waicoa left the Wairoa landing, with most of the visitors from Auckland on board, at threo a.m., arriving in town in good time for business. A great many more brethren would have been present from Auckland and elsewhere, but the weather was most unfavourable.—'[Own Corresponnent.]