MASONIC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5463, 15 January 1896, Page 4

MASONIC.

LODGE. ST AUGUSTINE, No. 4. ; rThe largest Masonic 'gathering thajthas; :•• jnrer been: eeen in- tie St Augustine Hall .took place-last evening, the occasion being. ; the'installation of Bro Alexander Malcolm MTJatyre as 'Worshipful Master for the. ensuing year, and the inyestiture of his officers. Special arrangements had been made for seating an extra number of but these were speedily over--1 taxed, and at the last it was found impossible to' accommodate all. The Installing Master was E.W; Bro J. J. M.Hamilton, 6KJ.W., who was assisted by the following ©rand Lodge officers: — Acting Grand Supt., C. P. Hulbert, P.G.S; ; E.W. Bro A. Kaye, P.G.D.M.; C. Hull, G.J.W.; E. JE. Chambers, G. Chaplain; Hardy, SWarty, Arnold, Derbridge, Eevell, Hobden, T.- L. Smith, &. Bonnington, Dr "Withers and many others. The ceremony was.magnificently rendered, tie orchestra being constituted as follows :— Piano, Bro J. C. Allan; organ, Bro E. Trist Searell; fljst violin, Bro E. J. Painter; second ■violin, Bro. G. Bonnington; flute, Bro A. Gundersen ; 'cello, ' Bro ; Oakey ; . cornet, JJro M'Lean. For the installation of Bro . MTntyre there was a board of forty-seven Installed Masters ; and the WM. elect having been duly placed in the chair, the following officers were invested with the regalia and jewels of their respective offices: — 1.P.M., W. Bro W. Bfqadhurst; S.W., Bro Maitland , Gard'ner ; J.W., Bro E. Trist Searell; treasurer, W. Bro F. J. Smith, P.M.; secretary, W. Bro J. J. M. Hamilton, P.M.; chaplain, W. Bro. C. Hull, P.M.; organist, Bro J. 'C. Allan; S.i)., Bro E. Malcolm; J.D., Bro A. W. Morgan; D.C., Bro F. Turveyj Btewards, Bros D. C. M'lntyre and ; D. A. Watt; 1.G., Bro F. W. Hobbs; tyler, Bro .^. Gee» t In f the course of the imposing ceremony, " the" following musical ? tems were given: — "Within this Holy Dwelling," Bro Millar; "Serenad<i" (Gounod), the orchestra; "The Holy City," Bro S. G. Cowell; selection (Boccherini), the orchestra. In the course of the proceedings, an exceedingly handsome Past Master's jewel was presented by Bro G* P. Hulbert, on behalf of the Lodge, to Bro Broadhurst, in recognition of the services rendered by him during his mastership, and the gift was feelingly acknowledged. , j The Lodge having been closed in ancient form, the brethren adjourned to the Congregational schoolroom, opposite the hall, where supper was served. The toasts of "The Queen and the Craft " : and "The Grand Master of New Zealand" .having been honoured, Bro M'lntyre proposed "The Grand Lodge Officers," which was responded to by Bros Hulbert, Thomson and Hamilton. The other toasts were — "The Worshipful Master," "Sister Congtiiiutions," "The Visitors," "The Immediate Past Master," " The Officers of the Lodge" and " The Tyler's Toast." Musical and other items were interspersed :— Song, "From Bock to Eock," Bro Gard'ner ; flute sold, cavatina by Clinton, Bro A. Gundersen ; song, "For All Eternity," Bro S. ff. Cowell, with violin obligate by Bro ; E. J. Painter ; quartette, " Lovely Night," 2ros Morris, Broadhurst, Gard'ner and "Woodhouse ; recitation, "Tubal Cain," Bro CL Hull ; song, "Big Ben," Bro F. Hobbs ; also, items by Bros Millar and F. W. Hobbs. The song by Bro Woodhouse was "The New- Tear," the composition of Alfred Hill, Wellington, sung for the first time in public. A beautifully-designed monogram, painted on glass in gold and colours, was presented by Bro M'Dougall to the Immediate Past Master, Bro Broadhurst. It is worthy of notice that no fewer than eighteen, iibdges were represented in the congratulations offered to Bro M'lntyre.