WAIPUKURAU.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1680, 11 May 1904, Page 24

WAIPUKURAU.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The annual installation meeting of Bedford Lodge of Freemasons, Waipukurau was numerously attended last Tuesdav’ evening visitors being present from many parts'of the district The M.W. Grand Master of New Zealand. Bio. H. J Williams, made a special trip from Wellington to be present, and was accompanied by the President of the Board of Benevolence,-R.W. Bro. H. J- freeman The installing master was R.W. Bro J W. McDougall, G.S., and he was assisted by Bros. Dc Lisle W J Gibbons and T. Hobson, the latter fulfilling the duties of Director of Ceremonies Bro Edwin Hosking was duly installed as W.M. for the ensuing term, and he then invested the following officers: I.P.M.W. Bro. Rev. F. W. Martin, S.W,

Bro. H. Newson, J.W. Bro. R. A. Stevenson, chaplain Bro. T. Hobson,- organist W. Bro. Bcholes, treasurer Bro. J. Fleming, secretary W. Bro. P. H. Jolley, S.D. Bro. G. Fbx, J.D. Bro. A. Cook, I.G. Bro. D. Milne, tyler, Bro. 11. J. Hartley. At the conclusion of the Lodge proceedings, the brethren sat down to a banquet at the Tavistock Hotel, at which the usual patriotic and fraternal toasts were honoured. During the evening, the \ Grand Master gave an interesting address on the w_M - k of the institution, which embodied valuable information for tbe brethren.

We are in the period of duck-shooting, and by association, also of reminiscence ana present day, marvellous achievements with dog and gim Birds are plentiful, that combined with good weather put up big bags *or the first day’s shooting of the native game season. On the opening day here 91 birds off one gun were bagged, 73 for two guns, and 68 for three while several were totalled at 30 and 40 birds respectively. It is estimated that the numerous company of shootists around the lakes and lagoons were in number about forty souls. The footbaill season was opened here last Wednesday, with a scratch match between the local club, and its neighbour, Waipawa Ciub. The game was a fast one, and the player's showed good form for so early in the season, and reeulted in a victory for Waipawa by three points to nil. A meeting of the Ping Pong Club was held last Monday night, and it was decided to re-aesembl© as a social club fot* the winter season, meetings to be heU on tbe Monday and Wednesday evenings of each week, the first of such to be held on the 12th May.

Mr. Coney, the new lessee of the hotel, will take possession on or about the 14t*h of this month.