KILWINNING LODGE, ARROWTOWN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1422, 22 February 1879, Page 11

KILWINNING LODGE, ARROWTOWN.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

The opening of a Masonic lodge at Arrowtown took place on Thursday last. The ceremony of installing the newly appointed officers of the infant lodge was conducted in the most impressive manner by P.G.M., Judge Harvey, assisted by P.Ms. G. M. Ross, Dr Douglas, W. Boyd, H. Carstens, and J. Willianisf, and about fifty brothers of the order attended on the occasion. All the appointments called into requisition by the ceremony were of the most substantial and imposing depcription, especially the jewels of the new lodge. The following gentlemen were elected as oifice-bearers of the new lodge : R.W.M., J. Barlow ; 8.W.D.M., W. Preshawj R.W.S. M., J. Dodds; S.W., F. Sykes; J.D., J. Mollison; Treasurer, Thomas Mathieson; Secretary, H. J. Cope; S.D., J. Thomas; G.D., F. Mtzhemj J. G.T., S. Mathieson; and Tyler, G. Hay. The lodge registered under the Scotch ConBtitution, and was christened the Arrow-Kilwin-ning. The new lodge being started under very prosperous auspices, a glorious future may safely be predicted for it. After the installation ceremony, the brothers of the craft adjourned to the new reading room of the Arrow Athenaeum, where a sumptuous banquet had been arranged for by the members of "the newly-established Lodge, in honour of its inauguration, and of which the visiting brothers were invited to partake. Nearly 50 gentlemen sat down to the richly laden tables, and did full justice to the delicious spread. The room, hung with a collection of valuable oil-painiings in massive gilt frames, bore the impress of dignity and substantiality that harmonized well with the important ceremony enacted within its walls, and the long established reputation of the ancient craft. The tastefully arranged tables were presided over by Mr J. Barlow, E.W.M., supported by P.G.M. Judge Harvey and the various P.M.'s; while Mr F. Sykes, S. W., acted as croupier. . The usual masonic toasts were proposed and responded to in a most enthusiastic manner, and altogether the affair was a very enjoyable and creditable one. . Mr Boyne presided at the harmonium and discoursed some excellent music. During the evening Messrs Barlow and Barrel treated the company to a, few of the choicest pongs in a manner that sent all present home in the best of spirits imaginable. The banquet was on a scale of magnificence and completeness that exceeded everything of the kind ever attempted in this portion of Otago, and reflects the greatest credit upon the caterer, Mr George Heller, who conducts the confectionery department of Mr W. Paterson's bakery in Arrowtown. For the first time the natives received ocular proof of how far gastronomy is entitled to the designation of a fine art.