Masonic.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2097, 23 September 1875, Page 2

Masonic.

Installation of the B.W.S.P. CkK, Scottish Constitution.

It has often been our lot to chroniole important events in connection with the Masonic fraternity in this city, but we may safely say that the proceeding! which took place in the Masonic on Tuesday evening last are justly entitled to be placed at the top of tbe list. Theoccasion of which we write was the installation of Bro. William McCuliough as Deputy Provincial Grand Master under the' Scottish Constitution,- the appointment formerly held by the late lamented Bro. Andrew JBeveridge. To give due honor to the ceremony, Freemasons to the number of about eighty assembled at the hour named, including Fastmasters from all the lodges in and around Auckland. We do not think the lodge-room erer before presented the same appearance that it did on Tuesday night. It was uncomfortably filled, a good number having to be refused admission.

The proceedings commenced by the E.W.M. of St Andrew's Lodge, Bro. Malcolm Niccol opening his lodge preparatory to the reception of the Grand Master of. the Irish Constitution, Bro. George Patrick -Pierce, and his officers constituting the Provincial Grand Lodge, who were in waiting outside in full regalia, under the direction of Bro. Pastmaster Thomas Jenkins, P.Gr. Director of Ceremonies, who superintended everything in his usual careful manner. En passant we may here specially note that every P.M. belonging to St. Amlrew'i Lodge was in attendance, evidently determining to pay all the respect in their power to the selection of their B.W.P.G-. Master Bro. John Hislop,- Inspector of Schools, Otago. «

Tho P.Gr. Lodge officers haying taken their seats, and transacted their immediate business, the principal business of the meeting as stated by the F G, Master, namely, the installation ceremony, vis then proceeded with. The preliminary portion of the work—the reading of Bro. Hislop's letter requesting the P.G. Lodge of the Irish Constitution to instal. the Deputy for the S.C.; also the patent issued by Bro. Hislop to his Deputy— was quickly got through by the R.W.P.G. Secretary Bro. James C. Doull. The brother elect was then conducted and S resented to the P.G.M. by Bro. Niccol, I>.W.M., St Andrew's Lodge, assisted by Bros. P.M.'s Dewar, Anderson, and Hay. What followed next we dare not tell.

The investiture and installation duly orer, salutations and congratulations fol-: lowed. An oration, thoroughly- appro- - priate for the occasion, was very impressively delivered by the R. W.P.G. Chaplain, Bro. the Rev. Dr Kidd. A few remarks from the newly • installed D.P.G.M. followed, expressive of his pride at the appointment, his gratitude to the large assembly for their attendance, and his. thanks to Brother Pierce and hit f P.G. Lod^e-.'for the prompt and kind s: manner in which Bro. Hislop's reqnett had been responded to. We must not omit to mention that the execution of Brother P.M. Rees on the harmonium contributed rery largely to the imprei* siveness. of the ceremony. .- v : The P.G. Lodge being, qloaed, the officers of St. Andrew's Lodge assumed the charge of the lodge, and under the preai-..." dencyof the newly-installed R.W.D.P.G. Master, brought the Masonic proceedings to a close by requesting all present to assemble at a supper provided for this special occasion. The Banquet. The chair was occupied by Bro. Niccbl, supported by Bros. Pierce, McCuUougb, Dewar, Stephenson, Hay, Anderson, Hay ward, Wade, Birch, and the Rev. D. Bruce (Chaplain of St. Andrew's lodge);

The good things provided having been done full justice, toasts, as follow, were given and responded to:—" The Queen and Craft," by the Chairman; "The Three Grand Masters of the Order," responded to by Bros. P.M. Hayward, Bees and Hay; "The P.G.M..1.C, Bro. Pierce," by Bro. Niccol. The toast of the evening, " The newly installed Brother," by Brother Pierce. "Visiting Brethren," by Bro. Walker, S.W. St. Andrew's Lodge, to which Bro. P.M. Dewar suitably replied; " The R.W.M. of St. Andrew's Lodge. Bro. Malcolm Niccol," by the Pror. Grand Sec, Irish Constitution, Bro. J. C. Doull; given with full masonic and musical honors; " Poor and Distressed Brethren all .over the Globe," by Bro. Thomas Bawdon, Tyler, Lodge Sir Walter Scott, No. 633, S.C., Grahamstown.

Not being able to devote more space to a description of this interesting ceremony, we may refer to remarks which fell from several of the speakers and old Master Masons, expressive of the pleasure they felt at the thorough union and broody feeling displayed by one and all; j%d that no doubt such gatherings as the present would be most beneficial to the craft in this city.—D.S. Cross. ..: