THE GOVERNOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9346, 24 April 1889, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR.

MASONIC BANQUET TO LORD " 1 , ' ONSLOW. Som time ago, when it became definitely known that the Earl of Onslow, G.S. Warden of England, was on his way to New Zealand in the capacity of Governor of the colony, and that his port of arrival would be Auckland, - tho Masonic brethren determined to give the illustrious brother a cordial and, fraternal reception on his arrival, and when Lord Onslow reached Australia a cable message was sent to him inviting his presence , to a Masonic banquet on his arrival in Auckland. His Lord- ! ship promptly . and frankly accepted the invitation, and since then the committees appointed for various duties have been working to make the affair a ;success, and a credit to the craft. . A new departure, and;a wise one, was taken when it was resolved to follow the lead given in New South Wales on the installation of Lord Carrington as Grand Master, namely, to admit lady friends of members as spectators at the banquet, and the selection of the Choral Hall as the scene of the banquet was in every way suited to this arrangement, as the orchestra gallery, which was reserved for their use, afforded , ample opportunity to the fair sex to watch the lords of creation enjoy the luxuries of this life, and listen to their speeches afterwards. ■ ' • - THE DECORATIONS. V ■ The decorating committee consisted of Brothers Hewson, Carlaw, Wine, C'oom, and Olive, and admirably indeed they carried out the duties entrusted to them, . for the hall was made a picture of beauty. The walls were garlanded with flags, and set out artistically with nikau fronds, ferns, and a profusion of chrysanthemums of all colours, and everlasting flowers. Across the centre hung a festoon of the three national flags, the Royal Standard in the centre, the Scottish, Lion on the right, and the Harp on a green flag on the left. These extended right across the hall, and had a striking, effect. , Nothing could be more happy than . the blending of colours in the decorations, and the hall bore a light and cheerful aspect,- such as it never presented before. ■■ ■ THE BANQUET. The banquetting committee consisted of the Board of General Purposes of 'the District Grand Lodge, E.G. This committee , consists of Dr. Dawson, Rev. C. M. Nelson, W. Lodder, , C. Laßoche, Esam, Coom, Windsor, J. P. Clark, Carlaw, Hewson, Rev. W. Tebbs, Wright, Hatswell, and , others. This committee called for tenders for the banquet; and were extremely fortunate in having for : the successful con- * tractor Mr. Canning, of St. Mango- Cafe,. Queen-street, and under the direct supervision of that king of caterers, Mr. Castles, 5 a spread was laid Which would do credit to® any part- of the world. . There - were' three tables * laid longitudinally, and one across the top at . the stage end, and these were decorated in great taste and skill, the most luxuriant and beautiful pot plants being used for this purpose. The epergnes and other points of vantage were set off with miniature flags and banners,: and in the middle of the centre table was constructed a pedestal in black, with the 1 Masonic emblems in raised gold figures, and supported by four Masonic pillars.: ' On the top was a massive, silver opergne, surmounted by a frosted cake and a crown. So far as the catering was concerned, there was" nothing omitted which was 1 in season or which could be desired.. The menu was ' as follows :— Oysters au natural. • Soups: A' la reine, orintannier. Entremets (cold): Uelantine turkey, roast ! ducks,'roast ducks, roast turkey, roast beef, chicken pie, braised ham,- mayonaise ,of fowls, chicken in: ' aspic jelly,'roast fowls, roast lamb, spiced beef, ; pigeon pio, ox tongue, lobster salad. -Sweets: Trifle, lemon jelly, compote of apricots, - apple pie i and cream, orange pudding, ; gooseberry pie and \ cream, apple souflet, gelee ct'or, compote of pears,; peach pie, and custard, lemon pudding, plum pie and; custard. Dessert. Wines : Champagne, hock, sautenie, sherry, port, claret, liqueurs, etc., etc. - _ Punctually at eight o'clock, His Excellency Lord Onslow, accnmpanied by Captain Saville, A.D.C., arrived, and His ? Excellency, was escorted to the post' ofhonour. by Brother G. S. Graham, D. G. M.,; I Brother Sir F. Whitaker, P.G.M., S.C., and Brother G. P. Pierce, P.G.M., I.C. Brother Graham presided, and on his right j was Lord Onslow (the guest of the evening), ' j Brother Sir F. Whitaker, Rev. C. M. Nel- ' son, and Brother M. Niccol. On his left were Brother G.: P. Pierce, Brother the | Rev. W. Tebbs, and Brother W. Lodder. ! The vice-chairs were occupied by Brothers / Clark and Skinner. There were about 140 . brethren seated at the tables in regalia, and on the stage were about 80 ladies. THE MUSIC. The musical committee consisted of , ■Brothers Major Pirie, McKenna, and Wind- ; sor, and they secured the services of Mr. ' Eady's fine string band, who were stationed ' in the gallery, and who, in addition to the \ music appropriate to the toasts, played the following - selections in exquisite taste ' . Overture, "Reception",(Schliepegnell); selection,"Mikado" (Sullivan); Leid ohne -.vorte, "Frulilingsleid," V ■ (Mendelssohn); fantasia,*/ "Ernani," \ (Verdi) overture, " Lustpeii'' (Kela BeLa); selec-1 1 tion, "Chimes of Normandy " (Planquette) : waltz, " Mia Bella" (O. Roeder); intermezzo, " Childe, . Harold" (Gautier); violin solo, "Old Folks at Home" ■>?!■ (Stobbe); march, "Gladiateur" (J. \ 1 •Phillip). Musical director, Arthur Jiady. ; ; I Brother B. J. Esam officiated as director 1 t bf ceremonies and toast master, and per- ; formed his duties in a most satisfactory ' manner. 1 ■ ■■ . ■ * ARRIVAL OF LADY ONSLOW. / At half-past nine o'clock, just before the speaking commenced, the Countess of 1 j Onslow arrived, and was received by the ' j upstanding. She was escorted to 1 the platform, and took her seat beside Miss 1 Whitaker, Mrs. Graham, and Mrs. Pierce. 1 TIIK TOASTS. ' The Chairman proposed the toast of Her ' Majesty the Queen, which was loyally i drunk, the band playing the National ' Anthem. f ■ The Chairman then proposed the toast of 1 "The Prince of Wales,. Grand Master of 1 England and Grand Patron of Irish and 1 Scottish V Freemasons." He said that * they all experienced the care and recognition that they ; had received from the Grand Lodge of England presided 1 over by His Royal Highness the Prince 8 of Wales. ' This was of course so far r as the English Constitution was concerned, I but he was also patron of the"other Orders, a and his loyalty and fealty extended to the * craft amongst the whole human race. The s interests of Masonry here were as carefully 0 looked after by their Grand aster as if c they were nob 16,000 miles away from where v he resides. " n The toast was responded to with Masonic 15 honors, the band playing " God Bless the t Prince of Wales." •Brother Graham, on vising to propose p the toast of the evening, was received with t cheers. He said, Brethren, at my initia- S tion into the mysteries of our ancient I order, some 31 years ago, it never occurred c to me that I should have such an important t and pleasant duty imposed upon myself as t that of having, on behalf of the Free- G masons in this province, to propose the a toast which I am about to do. In doing a so, 1 trust the brethren of the three con- 3V stitutions will make all allowances for any b errors of omission or commission. We S have assembled this evening to welcome h our noble guest, who is ,i worker in the fc] craft. I cannot help - looking back to si the earliest recollections I have of Auck- J land, and comparing the reception we Ii afforded yesterday to that of our first h Lieutenant-Governor, Captain llobson, si in 1840. My memory is but that tl of early childhood, and I think there A are some, my seniors, here, who may a have to' "speak this evening, can set me li right if those memories of an infantile lc period are incorrect. However, brethren, A' I give them to you as I can. In that o. early date there was a reception, and the (( whole of the inhabitants made a special ir holiday of it, and welcomed with the same a; loyalty as we do this day the representative ci of our beloved Queen and country. lean- t< not say that so far as guard of honour, trium- b phal arches,, or the ladies they could bear si comparison with the present; still, they were there; and though we had not p the excellent band of to-day, and '■< guard, we had a few soldiers and a drum- f c mer and fifer. If my memory serves mo n correctly, Governor Hobson was so escorted ',1 to the tune of "The King of the Cannibal ti Islands," and the ladies;, principally repre- w sented by aboriginals, were, though dressed A in a primitive manner, still in the frhion of l the time. Brethren, you may say, - What Q has this to do with Masonry and tho sub- b jecb V' lb is simply to illustrate that- in that (( early stage there' were germs of making this a glorious, country; Britain of the £ South. The early settlers had their vicissitudes, those remaining amongst us reap- -j

ing the rewards of their labours. Concur reutly with this our Order was established and has progressed until ■ we .- have attained that proud position of •' having District and Provincial Grand Lodges for th< three Constitutions, with interest helc conjointly for the benefit of the craft, ant whilst emulating each other in their working still do so with all brotherly love, and har mony. We see around us to-night the re suits. _ We are favoured with the presence of ladies, and especially Lady Onslow, sup porting us in our proceedings. . Though we have had. several Governors heretofore we have not had the privilege to welcome 1 one who has taken such an interest in the craft You have no doubt noticed as I have the number of farewell banquets given to oui illustrious brother before his departure fron: England, and the expressions of regrel which were given, but their loss is our gain. But, brethren, words fail me to express on your behalf our. feelings towards him. ■ I - can only say. we hope his identifying himself with this, the land o: our adoption, will be conducive to his ami Lady Onslow's health and happiness. Hi can be fully assured we as Masons will be all ready and willing to assist him with the right _ hand of fellowship, and with the heartiest good wishes of the craft. I propose the toast of our guest. (Loud cheering). The toast was responded to with Masonic and musical honours. The Chairman" said , he had received a communication from the Grand Lodge ol Westland, containing hearty good wishes and welcome to Lord Onslow, and he had also received a similar communication from Lodge Te Awamutu. Lord Onslow, on rising to respond to the toast of his health, was received with loud cheers. He said :Right Worshipful Sir and Brethren. I need hardly tell you how gratified I felt when I learnt of the early steps which you took to welcome me on my arrival as a Mason, for although I was assured of your loyalty, and knew that when fully invested . I would not ; fail to meet ; with ; manifestations of loyalty, yet I felt some misgivings as to the manner of the reception which would be given to the humble individual who for the next five years is to do his best to represent Her Most Gracious Majesty in this colony. (Cheers.) When I found such an influential section of the community prepared to accord me such a welcome, it pave me encouragement to proceed with my task, and . it "proves, if proof were wanted, how the craft gives welcome help when required. I recollect when I was initiated, I asked some of my elder brethren what was the use of Freemasonry. ' Of course I understood all about the dinners given at Oxford and Cambridge, but my elders then told me that the time would come when I would appreciate the benefits of belonging to the Masonic | body, and. brethren that day came to me on j the 22nd of April, 1889, in the cordial welcome which I received from you and the citizens of Auckland. 1 That cordial welcome and your invitation was followed by one from the Auckland Racing Club, and at their meeting I for the first time saw that ingenious machine you rail the totalisator, and if I continue on the same favourable terms on which I commenced I shall have no reason, to regret my acquaintance with it. (Laughter.) • Let me thank you and the citizens generally for the great kindness [ have been met with. I nave met with offers of sports and amusements from all quarters, but all my life I have been a man of business, and my duty is to proceed without delay to the seat of Government and take office. I have seen your magnificent town and harbour, and I learn that it has one characteristic with Wellington in that it possescsa Government House. (Cheers). 1 think wherever Englishmen are found they will continue the same whether under the Northern Star or the Southern Cross, and none will be more anxious to lend help to each other than the brethren of , the craft. We all know the great interest which is now being manifested in drawing the mother country and the colonies together. Let us not overlook one of these bonds which has for its principles good fellowship and federation, which are those of the symbols and emblems of Freemasonry, and which shall combine throughout the whole empire of our. Empress Queen. (Loud and prolonged cheering.) ■ ■ . Lord Onslow, on rising to propose the next toast, was received with renewed cheering. The toast was the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, and Scotland, * and their ! : representatives in this colony." He said : Wearied as you must all be with the sound of my voice ("No, no."), I have to propose this toast. I confess I feel in a somewhat difficult position as a member of the Grand Lodge in proposing what might appear to ; be my own health. (Laughter.) But I have been at Grand Lodge meetings when this 1 toast was proposed, and when there were fewer to drink it than those who sat down. However, I obey the commands of the W.M., and ask you to drink the toast of the Grand ; Lodges and their worthy and able representatives in this colony. (Cheers.) The toast was acknowledged with Masonic and musical honours. • Brother ■ Graham, on behalf of the District Grand Lodge, E.G., remarked that it was now 12 years since the Grand Lodge was formed in Auckland. He was pleased to see the cordial welcome which had been accorded to their guest, and might add that the District Grand Lodge had risen to success, and had achieved the object for which it was instituted. He thanked them for the manner in which they had responded to the toast. Brother G. P. Pierce said as'representative of the smallest constitution in New Zealand, it afforded him great pleasure to rise and return thanks. • There was one peculiarity about it, ■ however, and that was that it was the first constitution of Freemasonry established in New Zealand, for Lodge Ara was the first lodge established, and Sir Frederick Whibaker was its first master. (Cheers.) The fact of its being the first lodge was disputed by the Pacific Lodge in Wellington, but by records which, had been exhumed it was now found that the Ara was the first lodge of Freemasons in New Zealand. The Irish constitution, as he said, was the smallest in New Zealand.' It had only one Provincial Grand Lodge, and one P.G.M., and he was not an Irishman. (Laughter.) It afforded him great pleasure to visit the lodges in the South, and he could assure their guest that'.from Invercargill to Auckland ho would find the same loyalty and devotion to Her Majesty, and also to their mother constitutions of the old country. (Cheers.) An abler speaker was to follow him, and without further remarks on his part, he thanked them for the manner in which they had responded to the toast. (Cheers.) . ~ . ■ Sir F. Whitaker was received with ap- j plause. He had two duties to perform, first ! to return thanks for the Grand Lodge of Scotland and next for himself as P.O.M. He might say that he had met with every consideration from the Grand Lodge, and bhe most satisfactory relations existed bebweon the Grand Lodge and the Provincial srand Lodge. ' With regard to himself, illusions had been made by Mr. Pierce ibout his (Sir F. Whitaker) experience as a Mason. . He was an English Mason, and lie aecame an Irishman, and now he was a Scotchman, and reference was made to low, they got along, but it so happened jhat the D.G.M. of the English constitution was a Scotchman, his friend Brother Pierce, the P.G.M. of the [rish Constitution was an Englishman, and ! ie himself, the P.G.M. of the Scotch Con- I stitution, was an Englishman. This showed -hat they were not exclusive. Whether the | Ira or the Pacific Lodge was the oldest was j i matter of dispute, but he was the first Englishman who was Master of an Irish odge.in New Zealand. He had now been a Mason since 1838, and if there were - any.: >).der present he would like to sec them. Cheers.) He felt obliged for the manner n which the toast had been .responded to, vnd expressed his great pleasure with the jordial reception which was always accorded ;o him not only by hie Masonic brethren Jut by the public of Auckland on all occasions. (Loud cheers.) Brother M. Niccol, S.P.G.M., S.C., proposed the toast of " The Ladies," and •eferred to the gratification which they all elb in having so many of their lady friends present; above all, in seeing amongst them <he Countess of Onslow (cheers) ; and he iruated it was not the only occasion on vhich they would see her the guest , of Auckland, and that thoy would see Her Ladyship and Lord Onslow - housed in Jovernment House, that commodious osta- j ilishment which was prepared for them; Cheers.) Band: "Here's a Health to All Good leases." v Brother P. M. Brook responded for the adios in happy terms. j

i'- j _ The band then played '' Auld Lang I, ' Syne," and as Lord and' Lady Onslow red • tired they played the National Anthem. 3t i This brought the proceedings to a con--10 elusion, and the caterer and managing comd j mittees were warmly congratulated on' all d sides. . : - LORD ONSLOW'S MOVEMENTS. 2-.: Lord Onslow made a careful inspection ;e of Government House yesterday, and had >~■ the plan.-i of the buildings, with the various r e additions, submitted to him. He finds it e more comfortable in many respects, it is ie understood, than he at first sight anticib. pated: His Excellency. and Lady r Onslow e were especially pleased with the oaks ir planted in the grounds, as reminding them n of their old country associations. In resb turning from the football match yesterday is afternoon they,paid a visit to Bishop Cowie ie at Bishopscourt. This afternoon at four [S j o'clock His Excellency will lay the foundais tion of the Home for the Aged. )f It was intended at first to invite His Exd cellency to dine at the Northern Club, bub e the idea was abandoned owing to the are ranwemerit that he would leave this (Wede nesday) morning. But as he is now to e stay to lay the foundation stone of the )- Costley Home for the Aged Poor, lie will >[ have another evening to spare, and will be : entertained at dinner at the Northern Club c this (Wednesday) evening. ;»*• Lord and' Lady Onslow will leave for a' Waikato and the Lake Country en route for if Wellington ; to-morrow forenoon at eleven s o'clock. ■■ , ■1 ■ a LORD ONSLOW AND THE HINEMOA. ' [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] { • Wellington', Tuesday. r . The order that the Hinemoa should prov ceed to Auckland to bring Lord and Lady Onslow to Wellington has been : countermanded owing to information. received from a His Lordship that lie- prefers coming to b Wellington overland via Napier, visiting the Lake district en route, to the sea voyage £ by the Hinemoa. The following letter, re--0 ceived by a gentleman residing in Welling0 1 ton from a . friend in Sydney, settles the s question as to the new Governor's preference for the " overland route" : — " 1 had a chat \ ; with Lord Onslow last week. His Lordship is £ very affable and quite certain to be popular x ; in New Zealand. • He is a very enthusiastic 3 horseman, and looks forward to exploring a £ good deal of New Zealand by mean of that s quadruped. His imagination in this directs tion has evidently been fired by conversations he has had with Sir George Bowen. When the. latter was Governor of , the [.: colony, the facilities for getting about by rail were very small, and no doubt horse- ' flesh was generally relied upon. Lord 1 Onslow is- anxious to have a look at j the Lake district, and I fancy would prej fer going that way rather than by sea. The Hinemoa, he was informed, was pretty 3 lively, and he didn't feel enthusiastic about travelling in her, even after I had assured him how comfortable she is. Hi 3 desire j since leaving England has been to travel 7 by the biggest vessel he could find. He inspected the Mararoa, and was sorry 3 lie didn't go by her instead of the J Mariposa." Apropos of the Hinemba I may state that she went to Picton and back [.; yesterday. She left the wharf at 1.27 and r arrived there at 6.27 p.m., thus making the j. voyage from wharf to wharf in five hours, v.; Captain Fairchild, who was in command, expresses himself . greatly pleased with the: : way the machinery worked. His Honor j. Mr. Justice Richmond, who is to preside at j the Supreme Court sessions at Blenheim, [ and his private secretary, together with j ,Dr. McGregor, Inspector of Lunatic j. Asylums ; and Mr. McGregor, Inspector of p. Machinery, were also passengers. It is now uncertain when she goes to Auckland.;