MASONIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14461, 2 March 1909, Page 2

MASONIC

A very pleasant meeting of the District Grand Lodge, S.C., N.Z. South, was held in the supper rcom, Masonic Ilall, last week. R.\V. Bro. Gore presided, being supported by W. liro. T. S. Gr;tluwn,^L).G. Master, 0.K., ami W. Bro. D. A. M'Nicoll, I'.G. Snp. 1.e.. ami a large gathering of brethern,. the occasion being a presentalion to K.W. Br;i. A. M'Lcau, D.D.G. Master, S.C. who is severing his connection with the district owing to his proinutio»i lo tlv; hcadniastcrship of tho Alexandra School,

lt.\\ r liro. (lorn, in addressing Bro. M'Lean said, tlml, as that gentleman had been many years connected with the craft and had occupied many of the highest positions it was in tlio power of the brethren to confer on any of its members, lie had necessarily been in close intimacy with tlio craft Lodges, and also witli the higher degrees. His genial nature ami the kindness and consideration he bad always shown to every member of the craft had endeared him lo them. The members of tlio Grand Lodge did not think they would be doing justice lo themselves to allow him to depart without expressing their appreciation of tJie many services he had. rendered to the District Grand Lodge, and the esteem and affection they had tor him as a mail and a Mason. On their behalf he had very much pleasure in presenting to Bro. M'Lean that handsome gold watch, bearing his initials and suitably inscribed, as a memento of Ihe many happy bout* they Imvo passu! with him. He had also tc. present lo Bro. 51'Lea.u for Mrs M'Lc»i a tray and silver tea service. They, hoped Bro. M'Lean awl his family would enjoy the blessing of good health, and that all happiness and :pro3i:or'ity would attend him in I lie nciv sphere ha had been pionioted io.

li.W. Bro. T. S. Graham, on rising l to speak to tho toast, of Bro. M'Lcan's health, said he did so lo supplement the remarks just made by It.V. Bro. Gore and to express his regret that Ihoy had to part from Bro. MT.caii, —he desired to speak of him as butsido the Craft, where lie was found an ardent, follower of drill, an athlete, footballer, and he had often had tho pleasure of meeting him upon Iho cricket ground,—in all these cxercisc.s outside his regular school duties ho proved himself -efficient and a favourite, as evidenced by the various compliments paid him now that- he was leaving them. His long and faithful services to George Street School had at length been now ended by the Education Board, and they all wished him every success with tho Alexandra School, previously conducted by the late liro. Closs. RAY. Bro. M'Nicoll also added his testimony to the many good qualities of the guest of the evening, and stated that he had had every opportunity of judging the character of the worlhv brother, as lis had heeti associated with his in school work for the last 27 years. N Bro. F. C. Davie, R.W Master of Lodgo St. John Kilwinning; tiiopj handed lo Bro. M'Lean a handsome gtild albert- and sovereign case as a memento of the maiiy happy hours the brethren had spent with Tiro. ii'Leun, and. hoped he would Iw long spared to wear the present. 11.\V liro. M'Lean, on rising lo reply, wis received with great applause, ho stated that, he was at a. lo's in replying to the many hind things said about him, hut hoped that, if he was spared to come back to Ditncdiu be would have (he pleasure of venewing acquaintances which he had made, and of being of slill further use in promoting the beautiful t-cnents of Freemasonry.