MASONIC.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5896, 31 December 1880, Page 2

MASONIC.

A very interesting Masonic ceremony toofe place at Sydenham (an important suburb of Christchurch) on the evening of Wednesday,, the 15th iusfc., on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Conyers Lodge, E.G. This? thriving Lodge ih to be congratulated on the progress it has made since its formation in. 1879 by Bro. John Joyce, P.M. aud W.M., who has been unceasing In hiß efforts to» render it successful; while the members* one and all, vio with each other in. their efforts to beautify and adorn the building, the interior of which is very tffectirely decorated with appropriate Masonic emblems. And as a proof of the interest the brethren have> displayed, it is only necessary to mention thatBro. E. Keece presented the Lodge with articles amounting to L 23; Bro. M'Clatchie, past-trea-surer, gave a handsomelyoarved chair for th&W.M.; another brother presented a fine harmonium; Bro. G. Hart, the secretary, presented!: a set of collars and jewels ; while Bro. Guscott gave a full eet of tracing boards. In addition* to these handsome presents, another of the.members gratuitously decorated the walls of the Lodge. It is pleasing to record that in a. very few months' time the building will be> entirely free from debt, and the brethren in a. position to devoto their funds to charitable and educational purposes, for which their byelaws fully provide. The Lodge was opened nt 7.30 p.m. by Bro. O. de Longueville Graham, P.M. (»t the request of the WM), and there

•was a very numerous attendance of the members a7d visitors present The following lodges wore represented on the occasion .— Unanimity Canterbury, Canterbury Kilwmnintr, Kobcrt Buvna. Lincoln, Somerset, Corinthian. St. Clair Kilwinmng, Port Chalmers Marine, and Palaierston. After the transaction of the ordinary bu6inesB > of the Lodge, Bro. Graham proceeded to initiate two candidates, and this ended, theR.W.D.D.G.H.. Bro. Hemy Thompson, was announced, and received with the honours due to his exalted position ; and haviug assumed the chair proceeded to install the W. Bro. J. Joyce, P.M., for tho second time as W. M. of the Lodge, the caremony bsing rendered inßro.Thompson o well-known impressive style. After the installation of the W.M., the officers of the Lodge were presented to Bro. O. do Longueville Graham, P.M., 942 and 1749, who suitably addressed and invested the following members:—S.W., Bro. Walker; J.W., Bro. Mar! in ; secretary, Bro. Hart; S.D., Bro. Eden ; J.D., Bro. Watts j treasurer, Bro. Day; 1.G., Bro. Charters ; and Hie installation ceremony was brought to a close by the usual addresses of the installing otticer. Votes of thanka were afterwards ordered to be recorded on the minutes to the B.W. tfro. Thompson and W. Bro. Graham for their services, whilo similar compliments were properly paid to Bros. Keece, M'Clatchie, Hart, Gusoott, and the other members who so Generously contributed towards the furnishing and embellishment of the Lodge. •were responded toby acclamation. THE CONVERSAZIONE. On the following evening the W.M. and his officers entertained the members of the Lodge, with their wives and sisters, at a conversazione. The lodge-room was beautifully decorated wittt a variety of floral designs, while in the anterooms ample provision wa3 made for tne refreshment of tho visitors. During the course of the evening those present were addressed by the W.M. and his Wardens (Bro. C. de li. Graham and Bro. G. Hart), who gave a brief but highly interesting history of the settlement of the Province of Canterbury. Some very excellent songs and duets were contributed by the members and ladies present, and tlancing was kept up with great spirit until an early hour. Prior to breaking up a vote of thanks was passed to those ladies who had contnbuted_to the success of the evening by the rendition of a number of songs and duets, to which the w .M. on their behalf responded; while a s^ilar compliment was paid to him by the J.vv ; oi the Lodge, Miss Eeece making an appropriate reply for the Master; while Bro. Eaaton, the liecturemaster, moved that the thanks ot those present be accorded to Bro. P.M. trraham for the services he had so kindly rendered. This carried by acclamation.

The installation of principals and investiture of officers of the Eoyal Arch Chapter of Otago, No. 844 8.C., took place at the Masonic Hall, Moray place, on Dec. Bth, when the following companions were invested and installed :—Ex. Comp. J. T. Peake as M.E.Z. ; Ex. Comp. Marsdan as H. ; Ex. Comp. De Leon as J. ; Comp. Bamfield as Scribe E. ; Comp. Titchener as Scribe IT.; Comp. Braid, P.S.j Ex. Comp. Eldridge as treasurer, and Comp. Riedle as' organist. The ceremoay was performed in a most efficient manner by lix. Comp. Meyers, P. M.E.Z., assisted by Ex. Comp. C. de L. Graham, of Joyce Chapter, Port Chalmers. A good mnster of pastprincipals and companions of the Chapter were present, and a number of_ visitors, amongst whom were the following principals of the Isalwinning Otago Royal Arch Chapter: —Ex. Comps. Forrest, Kerr, and Court.