THE MASONIC HAIL.

Wairarapa Age, 20 September 1923, Page 5

THE MASONIC HAIL.

FOUNDATION STONE LAID. BY VISCOUNT JELLICOE. A very large crowd assembled yesterday afternoon to witness the laying of the foundation stone of the new Masonic Hall at Chapel street, Masterton, by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, New Zealand Grand Lodge, Viscount Jellicoe. The members of Masterton Lodge, No. 19, assembled at the lodge rooms in Bannister street at 1.45 p.m., and , thence marched in procession to the site of the new hall, the Masons in their regalia making a most impressive spectacle. Several lodges were represented, a large number of Carterton Lodge being present and also officers and members of the Eketahuna, Pahiatua, Greytown, Featherston hnd Martinborough Lodges. The ceremony of laying the stone was carried out with full masonic honours, and was a most inspiring one. On the platform besides the W.M. (Bro. F. W. Temple) w r ere the Most Worshipful Grand Master Grand Lodge, Rt. Wor. Bro. Geo. Russell, P.G.M., Very Wor. Bro. ,F. J. Hunn, P.G.D. of C., Very Wor. Bro. E. P. Rishworth, P.G.D. of C., Wor. Bro. A. Philpotts, G. 5.8., Wor. Bro. H. Teagle, P.G. Purs., and Wor. Bro. A. W. Chapman, G.S., and Wor. Bro. H. E. Hart, Master of Lodge, Wairarapa, No. 238. The Grand Director of Ceremonies was Very Wor. Bro. Jas. Rod. the Grand Chaplain Buo. Rev. J. H. Sykes and the acting Grand Organist Bro. C. H. Worsley. During the ceremony several Masonic hymns were sung, Bro. C. H. Worsley presiding at the organ. The laying of the stone was well done, the Most Worshipful Grand Master showing that he was no novice at that wwk. After the stone was laid a number of Masonic rites were performed, and, after Worshipful Brothers F. J. Hunn, A. Phillpotts and A. W. Chapman had used the several Masonic tools, the Most Worshipful Grand Master pronounced the stone well and truly laid. In a cavity beneath the stone was placed by the Wor. Master a canister containing various interesting records of the Lodge, which the Most Worshipful Master hoped would not be Been by human eyes before ages had passed. The Grand Chaplain then gave an address, outlining several of the ideals of freemasonry, and the ceremony concluded by his pronouncing the benediction. The Masons then marched back to the old lodge rooms, and His Excellency motored to the football match.