MASONIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9539, 4 December 1889, Page 6

MASONIC.

LODGE PONSONBY, 708, S.C. The annual meeting of Lodge Ponsonby, 708, S.C., was held last evening at the lodge-room, Pomp&llier Terrace, Ponsonby, for the installation of officers. There was a large gathering of members and visiting brethren, about 90 all told, including 22 installed masters on the dais. The ordinary lodge business and motions were postponed until next, meeting. Brother Malcolm Niccol, D.P.G.M., officiated as installing master in his usual impressive manner, and re-inveeted Brother W. Forrest, R.W.M., who was re-elected to the office, and the formation of a board of installed officers was therefore unnecessary. Brother Niccol then invested the other officers as follows : — D.M., Brother Duncan; S.M., Brother Edger; S.W., Brother Carder; J.W., Brother Bennett; Chaplain, Brother Calder ; Treasurer, Brother A. H. Jones ; Secretary, Brother Fowlda; S.D., Brother Alagee; J.D., Brother Smart; LG., Brother Simmonds; D. of C, Brother Baddiley ; Bible Bearer, Brother H. Grey; S.S., Brother Dleal; J.S., Brother MeWhirter; Tyler, Brother Sbeppard. Brother Niccol delivered the charges to the R.W.M. and Wardens, and Brother P.M. Anderson addressed the brethren.

Previous to closing the lodge the R.W.M. addressed the brethren. He thanked the R. W. the Installing Master for his services to Lodge Ponsonby, not only that evening,' but on many previoue occasions. He had also to thank the brethren for the hearty support they had given him during the past year. It was almost invidious to mention any name, but he could not omit reference fco the secretary, Brother Davenport, whose assiduity and zeal had greatly eased his (the R.W.M.'s) labours. He had, indeed, to acknowledge his indebtedness to all the officers and members of the lodge, and assured them that he was not ungrateful for the honour they had conferred on him, and if it was possible for him to redouble his endeavours in the interests of the lodge be assured them he would do so, and he trusted when they met next year the result would be even.more satisfactory than the present. Hβ had occasion to refer gratefully to the services rendered by Brother Davenport as secretary, and he now regretted to have to find fault with him. He regretted the obstinacy with which Brother Davenport had refused to accept the office of secretary •or of any office in the lodge, and he had to request Brother P.M. Anderson to administer to him some chastisement. Brother Anderson, who had in his hand a splendid Malacca walking stick, silver mounted, addressing Brother Davenport, said that to him had been entrusted the duty of schoolmaster. He had, on behalf of the lodge, to present to him this memento as a small token of the high estimation in which his,services were held by his brethren and as a recognition of the manner in which he had performed hie duties as secretary of the lodge. He warmly eulogised Brother Davenport for the great assistance he had always willingly and ungrudgingly criven to Lodge Ponsonby. The R.W.M., in a brief speech, referred in similar terms to Brother Davenport. Brother Davenport, in responding, said bhab this gift took him by surprise, and he had hardly words to express his gratitude to his brethren for the manner in which they had recognised any services he might have rendered" to the lodge. Reference had been made to the assistance he had givemjbo the other officers,- bub ho had to acknowledge the assistance he had received from all i the officers and brethren, and he only now stepped back to allow other talent to benefit the lodge, but if at any time in the future his services were required he wan as willing as ever to serve as secretary or any other office to which he might be appointed as ever he had been. The R.W.M. and his officers received the hearty congratulations of the various lodges represented, and apologies for unavoidable absence were received from the masters and officers of several lodges. ■ * t The lodge was then. formally closed, and fche brethren retiring from labour to refreshment partook of a well-served spread in the hall, tables having been laid in a -portion of the hall screened off, and in the ante-rooms, while the lodge business was proceeding. After the banquet several songs were sung, and recitations given, and a very pleasant hour.or-two, was spent after the labours of the evening, were ended.