MASONIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8931, 15 July 1892, Page 10 (Supplement)

MASONIC.

The annual meeting of Lodge Ara, No. 1 New Zealand constitution (the premier Masonic Lodge in the colony), was held on June 22 at Freemasons' Hall, and on few

occasions in the history of Freemasonry in New Zealand have the proceedings been of greater interest, not only because of the event itself, but also from its surrounding circumstances. Brother W. M. Chapman was retiring from the chair, and Brother A. S. Russell was elected to till it. There is no brother in Auckland, at all events, who has a longer or better record than Brother Russell. He hus held the highest offices within the gift of the craft, and was the first Deputy Grand Master appointed under tho Grand Lodge of New Zealand when the national lodge was established. When tha Lodge assembled there were nearly 100 brethren present. The ceremonies were conducted throughout with full musical effects. The W. M. elcct, Brother A. S. Russell, installed his officers as follows :—Brother W. M. Chapman, I.P. M.; S. D. Hanna, P.M., D.51. ; H. I>. Dexter, S.W.; C. Westpfahl, J. W.; Rev. W. Calder, Chap. ; A. Kidd, P.8.G.P., Treas. ; G. W. Bastey, G.R., Sec. ; G. 11. Powley, P.S.G.W., D. of C. ; A. Bartlett, S.I). ; S. E. Hughes, J.l>. ; Carl Schmitt, Direct. Music; T. H. Webb, Org. ; W. J, Cousins, I.G. ; J. Bancroft, S.S. ; G. H. Dixon, J.S. ; E. Ton go, Tyler. Brother Chapman, the retiring W.M., was presented with a P.M. jewel on behalf of the lodge by Grand Master Brother Niceol. The brethren afterwards assembled in the lower hall for re-

fresh mer.t.*.

The installation of officers of Lodge Coro- ! mandel, No. 17, N.Z.C., took place on June 17. The W.M. elect, Brother John Fawcus, was installed by M.W. Grand Mas--1 ter M. Niccol, and the W.M. invested his officers as follows :—I.P.M., Brother Thos. Scott; W., other Arch. Kelso; J.W., Brother E. (J. Handle ; treasurer, Brother J. 11. Harrison, P.M. ; secretary, Brother J. D. Colebrook, l'.M. ; S. I)., Brother A. J. Litton ; J.W., Brother V*. V. Gat-land ; 1.G.. Brother E. J. Surfien ; fcyler, Brother J. Marshall. The lodge bavin;; been closed, an adjournment was made to the Public Hall, where dancing was commenced, and kept up with great spirit, until four next morning, the visitors all taking part, and thoroughly enjoying themselves. The installation of officers of Ara Lodge 318, 1.C., the lodge which had the honour of instituting Freemasonry in New Zealand, took place on Friday, the 2tth June. The following officers were installed : — Brothers A. Hanna, W.M.; W. I*. Moat, 1.P.M.; F. J. Whituker, S.W.; C. L. Arnold, J.W.; Rev. K. Kidd, P.M., Chaplain; A. Wright, P.M., Treasurer; A. Brock, P.M., Secretary; W. Blomiield, S.D.; E. R. Piggott, J. 1).; J. R. Manna, P.M., D. of C.; J. 11. Phillpot, Organist; Houghton and King, Stewards; 11. G. Oxenham, 1.G.; Captain Touge, Tyler. The second harmony meeting was arranged for July 7 to take place at the Masonic Institute, and the best possible arrangements wore made for the occasion. Brother Tewsley presided, and Brother Niccol, M. W.0.P.M., delivered an interesting address on " Masonry." An excellent musical programme was given by Messrs. Cousins, Bengc, and other?, and the gathering was an interesting one. The annual meeting for the installation of officers for the Lodge United Service, No. 10, New Zealand Constitution, took place on June '29 in the Freemasons' Hall. The W.M.-elect, Brother H. A. Ellison, was installled in the chair, and he then proceeded to invest his officers as follow :— Brother A. Erickson, S.W. ; Brother W. McGuire, J.W. ; Brother L. H. Neumegen, treasurer; Brother T. W. Allen, P.M., secretary ; Brother W. Craig, director of ceremonies ; Brother E. Tonge, tyler; Brother M. H. Keesing S.D. ; Brother P. Baxter, J.I). ; Brother A. O. Carter, I.G. ; Brother F. Reid. orgnnist; Brother W. L. Crystal, S.S. ; Brother L.' Cooke, J.S. A beautiful tea and coffee service was presented to the retiring W.M. J. W. Ellison, by Brother Niccot, G.M., on behalf of the lodge. The recipient returned thanks in suitable terms.

The annual meeting of the members of Lodge Harmony, No. 2180, E.G., Otahuhu, was held on July 12, for the installation of officers for the ensuing year. Brother H. G. Wade, P.M. Lodge Waitematn, was, with the usual ceremonies, installed in the chair. He then proceeded to invest the officers whom he had selected to assist him to rule and govern the Lodge during the ensuing year. The annual mooting of the Lodge Eden No. 20, N.Z.C., was held in the comfortable little lodge room in Ivarangahape Road on on Tuesday, the 12th of July. The list of installed officers is as follows Brothers Wm. S. Williams, W.M. ; W. J. Wright, S.W.; P. Crowe, J.W. ; G. P Cox, Trcas. ; G. Hardy, Sec. ; E. D. Halstead, S.D. ; F. Stenning, J.D. ; R. McK. Jack, I.G. ; 11. J. Phillpot, D.C. ; J. Morrison, S.S. ; G. Towler, J.S.; J. Moore, Tyler. The customary congratulations were tendered, after which . the visitors were hospitably entertained in another part of the building.

. A special feature in Masonic affairs was the form which the celebration of the installation of Brother A. S. Russell as W.M. of Lodge Ara, No. 1, New Zealand Constitution, took on July 1. The Lodge did not intrench on the installation night by a hurried banquet and a few toasts, but took the wiser course of fixing a definite night for' the celebration on which they could enjoy the society of their lady friends. On these lines an "At Home" was held at the Freemasons' Hall, Princes-street, on July 1. The hall was neatly decorated, and the enjoyment of the visitors was catered for by Brother G. If: I'owley as M.C., and the stewards, Brothers \V. H. Chapman, S. 1). Hanna, 0. Westpfahl, A. Dexter, S. IS. Hughes, and W. J. Cousins, the latter brother officiating as secretary.