LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE MASONIC HALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2007, 5 June 1868, Page 6

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE MASONIC HALL.

Tho foundation stone" of the "new Masonic Hall, Moray Place, was laid on Whit Monday, wiHk Masonic Honors, oy the Bight Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of New Zealand, sc^ Bro/ Vincent Pyke; assisted by the JDepaty District Grand Master of Otago, K.C.,

Bro. A. Carrick ; and the Assistant Provincial Grand Registrar, 1.C., Bro. O. White. It had been intended that the ceremony should take place upon the anniversary of Her Majesty's Birthday, but the inclemency of tho weather caused it to bo postponed. Although rain had fallen during the morning, the weather was all that could bo desired, and tho proceedings were uueccsafully and completely carried out. The Masonic Bodies had for a long time felt the necessity of a building for Masonic purposes, but it was not until the beginning of tho year that action was taken. A company was then formed, and the site having been purchased, a contract waa entered into with Mr Horsman, for tho erection of a building designed by Messrs Mason and Clayton. The building is to be strictly Grecian in style, tho portico being of the Corinthian order; tho binding be ng of brick, cemented. Tho Hall, as a whole, will have a frontage of (53ft. to Moray Place, and will bo 77ft deep. It will include two largo rooms— the lower one COft by 40ft, and 20ft. high, to bo let for public purposes ; and the upper one 48ft by 38ft, which will be strictly devoted to Masonic purposes. Tho Public Hall will bo well plastered, but plainly finished. Tho upper storey will have, over the entraiico hall, and the small rooms there, a supper room, 35ft Gin by 10ft, with a shifting panel for dividing it into two apartments; and a serving room, 23ft by 10ft. From the level of tho two rooms, a flight of Btairs will lead to tho Masonic Hall, at tho west end of which will bo two rooms, 14ft by 12ft and 18ft by 12ft, as well as a lobby. Tho only entrances to the Hall will be through these rooms. Tho floor of the Hall will bo supported on iron girders. There will bo no window opening or light-iidmitting aperture ; but there will bo abundant ventilation. — The exterior of tho building will (judging from the drawing) bo most pleasantly effective. Of the 77ft depth, 30ft Gin will be occupied by the portico. Thoro will be six. plain-shafted Corinthian columns, 25ft high, supporting a cornice, sft deep, and a pediment, the apex of which will rise 7ft. In tho tympanum, it is intended to have, in bold relief, a group emblematic of Faith, Hope, and Charity. To a height of 10ft, the front will bo rusticated ; and abovo this there will bo two panels, with bead and heart mouldings, enriched with Masonic emblems. Above the portico, tho main building rises several feet; and there are two window openings (to the small upper rooms), with small enriched columns bearing semicircular arches, each window bein<{ flanked by pilasters, with foliated capitals. Between tho windows, the cornice is, at the centre, finished with a block-relief, and at each ond, there are pilasters supporting a small pediment. It was arranged that the District Grand Lodgo, E.C., tho Provincial Grand Lodge, S.C., and the Shamrock Lodgo, T.C., should meet at, tho Masonic Hall, while members of daughter lodges assembled at the now Post-oflice. This was done, and all tho lodges having joined, a procession was formed, all the members wearing Masonic jewels and regalia. There was a large number of persons present as tho procession left the Postoffico, and the streets all along the line of route were crowded with Hpectators, business being almost at a standstill. Tho ceremony commenced by the Pro. Grand Superintendent of Works placing the plans on the table. They wore received by the Architect. The Band played the National Anthem —all standing uncovered.

The Right Worshipful District Grand Master of Otago, 8.C., Bro. A, Carrick, addressed tho brethren.

Bro. H. S. Fish, acting in the absence of tho Provincial Grand Chaplain, offered up prayer. The band played " Hail, Masonry.*' The District Grand Secretary Bro. H. S. Fish, jun., read a scroll, which he afterwards placed in the vase about to bo lodged in the cavity in the stone. The Hcroll, which waa tastefully engrossed, read as follows :—" Tho footatone of this building was levelled on tho first day of June, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight: in tho year of Light, five thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, tho thirty-second year of the reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty Q-ieen Victoria, by Vincont Pyke, Eight Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of New Zealand, Scottish Constitution ; Alexander C;irrick, Very Worshipful Deputy District Grand Master of Otago, English Constitution; Charles White, Assistant Provincial Grand Registrar of New Zealand, Irish Constitution; assisted by the officebearers of tho District Grand Lodge of Otago, English Constitution; tho Provincial Grand Lodge of Now Zealand, Scottish Constitution; and in the presence of the Worshipful and Right Worshipful Masters, Ofiice-bearers, and Brethren of the under-mentioned . Lodges :— Celtic Lodge, Scottish Constitution, W. Harron, Right Worshipful Master ; Si John's Lodge, Milton, Scottish Constitution, A, J. Ferguson, Right Worshipful Master; Clutha Lodge, Scottish Constitution, John M'Neill, Right Worshipful Master; Shamrock Lodge, Irish Constitution, Charles White, Worshipful Master ; Waitaki Lodge, English Constitution, William Luke, Worshipful Master ; Hiram Lodge, English Constitution, C. J. Levien, Worshipful Master ; Lodge St. Clair, Scottish 'Constitution, G. H. Campbell, Right Worshipful Master : St Andrew's Lodge, Scottish Constitution, Chas. Rose, Right Worshipful Master ; Port Chalmers Marine Lodge, English Constitution, Jno. Joyce, Worshipful Master ; Lodge of Dnnedin, English Constitution, Frederick Russell, Worshipful Master; Otago Kilwinning Lodge, Scottish Constitution, S. T. Kerr, Right Worshipful Master; Lodge of Otago, Englfch Constitution, IL E. Glennie, Worshipful Master. Tho name of tho architect hereof is William. H. Clayton ; aud the namo of the builder is Edward Horsman.

The Provincial Grand Secretary Bro. W. M. Hawkins, placed in the vase the following coins : A sovereign, halfjsovereign, crown, half-c*own, florin, shilling, sixpence, fourpence, threepence,' penny, and halfpenny.. .t . , , . ' ,', The Assistant Provincial Grand Regiatrar of Now Zealand, LG, Bro. Charles White, placed in the vase copies of the' Evening Star and JSsenmg Mail of tho 80th ult, and the Otago DaUy Times of the day. ~. ~ . ,-■■■ v. ..... . '..'/= '-. 'T\ The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies presented, on behalf of the Directors of tho Masonic Hall Company, Bro.

V. Pyko with a very handdome troweL The trowel, which was of silver, elegantly chased, bore the inscription: — "Presented to Vincent Pyke, Esq., Provincial Grand Master of New Zealand, Scottish Constitution, on laying tho foundation atone of tho Masonic Hall, Dunedin, Juno Ist, 1868." Mr Horainan, the contractor, then laid tho cement on tho atone ; Bro. V. Pyke, using a handsome silver mortar board which ho had used at tho laying of tho foundation-of tho Taradalo Viaduct, in Victoria, spread tho coment. Tho upper stonu was then lowered with three stops : at each stop tho brethren Balutiug thrice. While this portion of the ceremony was proceeding, asaluto was fired at intervals by tho Artillery, tho signal being given f y Captain and Bro. J. J. Atkinson.

Tho Band played "Great Light to Shine."

Tho Stone having been laid with the usual ceremonies, three cheers wore given, and the band played, '' On, on my dear brethren."

The Architect (Mr W. H. Clayton) presented the plaiw. TJiey were inspected, and returned to him.

Tho W.P.G. Secretary, in tho absenco of tho P.G-. Chaplain, offered up prayer, and the band played tho Masons' Anthem.

Tho R.W.P.G.AL Bro. Pyko addressed those present. Ho said—

K.W. and W. Officera of tho P. and D. Grand Lodges, R.W. and W. Masters.^ Wardens, and Brethren of the Masonic Fraternity—l congratulate, you upon liaviDg, to-day, taken tho firat atcp in operative Masonry. Hitherto wo havo labored under many difficulties, owing to tho restricteel nature of the accommodation available for our purposo ; but when this building shall havo % been completed, and tho c»p-wtone shall havo been, lifted into itß placo, wo bhall have nioro ainjjlo space for tho exercise of our Masonic duties. Nothing can be moro hopeful or satisfactory than tho progress which Freemasonry his already made in this Provinco ; and so great ia my faith in its vitality, that I feel amnred the future will even excel tho past.

Ladies and Citizens—We havo this day, in your presence, levelled tho footstono of a Masonic Temple, in accordance with the ancient and established usages of our Craft. Our operative brethren reared the magnificent temples and the gorgeous palaces of the antique world ; and in subsequent eras, they designed and erected the solemn fanes, tho princely mansions, and tho lordly towers of civilized Europe. It is not for us to Btrivc to emulate

" The glory that was Greece, And the grandeur that was Komc." It is not for us to institute comparison between our humblo labors, and the architectural splendour of the Middle Ages. But we may fairly claim that the building which we purpose to erect, will bo creditable to our order and an ornament to the city. And, lot me call your attention to thu fact, that tho t-ra of the revival of Freomnuoory is also the era of constitutional liberty. In tho ol<!cn times our brethren were compelled to assemble in crypta and vaults, in secrecy and terror. la despotically governed countries, they moot in fccrecy nnd terror still. But wheresoever freedom flourishes, them Freemasonry lilts up its honored head in tho broad light of day. A. little more than 150 yeara ago, there was scarcely a Masonic temple in the world. Now, every town, almost every village in tho British Empire, in the United .States, and in tho free countries of Europe, haa its Masonic Hall or its Lodge ; and Maaonry is slowly but surely extending its way into other lands. Monarch* arc its patrons, philosophers arc its advocates, divines aro its expounders, and statesmen arc its defenders Donjon and keep—dark Btrongholdaof feudal tyranny—have crnmbkd into iluat, and the noble edifico of Freemasonry has ar.sen on their ruins. Our happy native land needs no fortresses, for every loyal heart ig a tower of strength; and tho best guarantees for tho preservation of that order and liberty which we so highly prize, aro to bo fonnd in tho extension of masonic principles. If you ask me what those principles aro. I will define them in tho woraa of one greater than I, thus :—'' Hinor all men. Lovo tho Brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King." Tho dreadful din of political warfare, and the horr.d discord of sectarian strife, are novw heard within our peaceful hallß. Wo have not the insensate presumption to dictate to any man what his political faith, or his religious creed, should bo. Wo agree that these aro matters which can only bo referred to tho sacred tribunals of every man's own reason and conscience. In all tho world. Free* masonry offers the only broad plitform where n all men may, unite without regard to tho narrow limits of particular institutions, whether civil or religious. Wo know that our W"rk is a good and a righteous work ; and, therefore, it is with unfeigned satisfaction that wo observe tho inter-.-st taken in our proceedings, as evinced by the presence of bo many citizens. To you, fair HUtors, who oonstitnto the lonic capital of polished society, our thanks are especially due. Although you may not be admitted to our Lodges, yon are ever remembered and sacredly regarded in our most sublime ceremonies. And nothing has so greatly cheered us as the presence of your bright eyes and smiling faces, which have imparted Bitch unusual lustre to onr proceedings this day. And permit mo to in- j form you that you have not been forgotten in the design of our building, which will include a spacious hall available for public and j social purposes. I ILW. and W. Officers and Brethren—l accept it as a happy omen that so many of j you nave shown yourselves on this occasion, ! because it is a proof patent to the outer ■•rorld that you do not lightly esteem your Masonic privileges. The craftsman may hew the stone a»d spread the cement; but all his labor wdl bo in vain, unleE3 the Supreme Muitt-r Builder of the Universe be pleased to fa.yor the design. lam sure you will all join wilh me in the expression of a fervent hope that the summer of fruition may follow the spring-time of onr undertaking, and that Freemasonry may continue to flourish, in spite of all opposition, throughout tho habitable glot>e. May it become instrumental in diffusing the light of wisdom, in aiding thv> strength, of reason, in dispensing tho beauties of virtue, and in lessening the aggregate of human misery and vice; and may our own conduct in this life bo such, that when our frail bodi"B thall mingle with the dust, we may be fonnd worthy b£ admittance into that Grand Temple which in, not made with hands, but is eternal in tho heavens. ,

His Honor the Superintendent, Bro. •Tames JMacandrew, and the Mayor, Bro. T. Birch;1 also gave t riot addresses. Cheers were given for the Superintendent; the Mayor, -and the Ladies; and, at the instance o£ the' Mayor, throe hearty cheers were given liy the spectators for the Masons. ' ■'* •■■;■' i Aft«* a short address by the IHstriot Grand Kogißtrar, Brotner Charles Whito, the band struck up " Rule Britannia;" ap.d before the proceedings, terminated,

Bro. W. J. Burton loiTr~i —~~~~-- the scone. " The .procession was »••. r again headed l,y ii lo back to the Post Office } >IMk*W was set out, of whic).' n >n; ;i '■'Vii., took. WccaWS^^S expressing satisfaction at 1, Uu! '^t winch tho programme «, L **?n? w * Everything was Wt .j, • shals and directors <>f the ~ ' tll« tay funned tho duties udmirahh^T" no hitch or delay, and n ,, u ;,' lh«« •», to in .-my way »,i ir tho cliW % Ktt!-^ posing and interesting «„,,„'; »>< ««k