LODGE-BETA WAIKATO, NO. 12.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 309, 2 July 1898, Page 2

LODGE-BETA WAIKATO, NO. 12.

INSTALLATION OF WOR. BRO. F. W. BROWNING. The annual installation of the Worshipful Master of Lodge Beta-Waikato, No. 12, was held in the Masonic Hall, Hamilton, on Thursday evening. There was a large and brilliant assembly, and the attendance was the largest on record, there being fifty-eight in the hall, the seating accommodation being taxed to the utmost. The Lodge was tyled at 6.30 p.m. sharp, there being 23 members present, and after the ordinary business had been transacted, the visitors were received. These comprised representatives from Lodges Ara, No. 1 ; Te Aroha, No. 52 ; Ponsonby, No. 54 ; Franklin, No. 58 ; Mongonui, No. 78 : Alpha, No. 81 ; Auckland, No. 87 ; Arorangi, No. 89 ; Waiuku, No. 90 ; Mohikinui, No. 96 ; Star of the North, No. 102 ; Alexandra, No. 1188; and Eden, 1530, E.C. ; Union (Glasgow). No. 332 ; and Ponsonby, No. 708, S.C. The Lodge having been raised to the third degree, the Grand Lodge Officers, anion? whom were Right Worshipful Bro. T. L. Mnrray, D.G.M. ; Right Worshipful Bro. A. Bartlett, Grand Superintendent ; Right Worshipful Bro. A. S. Russell, P.D.G.M., and many others. The Lodge was then lowered to the second degree, and at the request of the Master, Bro. A. S. Ruasell took the chair, he having kindly consented to act as Installing Master. The W.M. elect, Bro. Francis Wise Browning, was duly presented by Wor. Bros. G. Edgecumbe and J. Primrose, P.M.'s, acting a 3 presenting officers, with Wor. Bro. W. Dey, P.M., as Director of Ceremonies. A Board of Installed Masters was formed, and Bro. Browning duly placed in the chair of King Solomon according to ancient custom. The working tools in the various degrees were presented as follows : —Third degree, Wor. Bro. T. Prince, P.M. ; second degree, Wor. Bro. R. J. Gvvynne, P.M. ; and first degree, Wor. Bro. C. J. W. Barton, P.M. The Deputy Grand Master delivered the address to the Master, who next invested his D.M., Wor. Bro. G. Edgecumbe, P.M., and his Wardens, viz., S.W., Bro. J. W. Oldham ; J.W., Bro. A. H. Atkinson, and these in turn were addressed by Wor. Bro. W. Dey, P.M. The Master then invested the other officers as follows, viz :—Treasurer, Wor. Bro. C. J. W. Barton, P.M. ; Secretary, Wor. Bro. R. J. Givynne, P.M., D. of C. Wor. Bro. W. Dey, P.M. ; organist, Bro. G. F. E. Elgecumbe ; S.D. Bro. M. A. Going; J.D. Bro. J, E. Hammond; 1.0. Bro. J. S. Colhouu ; S.S. Bro. J. W. 11. Bright, and J.S. Bro. A. S. Brewis ; Tyler, Bro. L. Newton. The Installing Master delivered a most impressive address to the Brethren, which was listened to with wrapt attention. A collection was taken up on the suggestion of Grand Superintendent on behalf of the Widows and Orphans, when £3 17s was received, The Worshipful Master, on behalf of the members of Lodge Beta-Waikato, then presented Wor. Bro, R. B. Peat, P.M., with a handsome Past Masters' Jewel from the members of the Lodge as a token of their esteem towards him. The Jewel had been in the hands of the Lodge for some time, but owing to the distance at which Bro. Peat lived from the Lodge no previous occasion had occurred at which it could be presented. Bro. Peat thanked the brethren for their kindly present, and expressed a wish that the Lodge would continue to prosper. The Grand Lodge officers offered their congratulations to the new Master and then retired. Congratulations were given by the other visitors and the Lodge was closed in due form. The ceremony throughout was choral, Dr. Walker presiding at the organ. After some light refreshments the brethren made a movo to the Volunteer Elall, where

THE BALL was to be held, and a brilliant spectacle awaited them. This function is, without doubt, the event of the year in Hamilton, and the reputation the members of Lodge-Beta have earned for doing everything they undertake in a thorough, masterly manner was fully sustained. The kill of Thursday was the fourth they have given in succession, and to say that it eclipsed all previous efforts requires no perversion of the truth. Profiting by past experience, the Masons left the preparations in the hands of a few real workers, and, judging from the success attained, this is a very wise proceeding. The weather looked very threatening all day, but the rain hung off until near the last dance, wheu it came down in torrents, making thinga very unpleasant on the home journey—more especially for those who had some distance to travel. The decorations of the hall were of a most artistic character. The orthodox liuing of green stuffs gave way to a consistent dressing of drapings and designs in the lodge colour of light blue, relieved with maroon, with just a sullicient quantity of nikau intermingled to hide the barren-looking windows and lend a pleasant relief to the eye. The walls were brightened with clusters of flags, surrounding shields bearing the arms of the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, Scotland and New Zealand, while underneath ran a dado of white with a border of Betas and Masonic emblems, painted in the colours of the Lodge. The stage was nicely arranged drawing-room fashion, and the room was brilliantly lighted, although the glare below was tempered by the softening influence of tinted globes, and the whole effect was decidedly pleasing and pretty. The lighting arrangements were left solely in the hands of Bro. A. H.Atkinson, and the work reflected the greatest credit upon him. Large dressing-rooms had been erected at the entrance to the hall, and these, besides obviating the necessity for making that dark and dangerous journey to the back of the hall, allowed the dressing-rooms situated there to be utilised as an immense supper-room. The decoration of the supper-room, the tables and the supper itself were left entirely in the hands of the ladies, and, in the light of after events, this was t> very wise step indeed, and the feast provided was, indeed, fit for the proverbial king. Everything was of the very choicest description, and flattering enconiums were showered in from all sides, and the ladies will feel some recompense for the trouble taken, in knowing that their efforts were fully appreciated by the numerous guests from far and near. The music provided by Mr Thos. Hartly's band was delightful, and, as the floor was in good order, one could not help but spend a most enjoyable evening. Mr Hartly played the piano, Mr Wallett the violin, Mr J. Munro the cornet and Mr J. H. Edwards double bass. Shortly before nine o'clock the hall was thrown epeu to the visitors, and shortly afterward the brethren arrived. The (Jrand March was immediately commenced, and the many hued colours of the dresses and the rich regalia made the scene quite an enchanting one. Soon afterwards tbe inspiriting strains of the " British Fleet " gave the signal for the Lancers, and the first of a long programme of 22 dauces roused the enthusiasm of the visitors. The whole affair went with the greatest spirit and vim, and the swing was not allowed to lapse. Not a single hitch of any kind occurred to mar the entertainment, which was without doubt one of the most enjoyable we have ever had the pleasure of attending. At midnight the ladies exercised their privilege and claimed the collars and aprons of their Masonic friends for the remainder of the dance, the Wor. Master (Mr P. W. Browning) presenting his regalia to Miss Stevens, the only debutante of the evening. At the conclusion the entire company sang " Auld Lang Syne," and gave hearty cheers for Mr and Mrs Browning, Mr and M*s Swarbrick, Mr and Mrs Edgecumbe, *nd the ladies »f

Hamilton. The following is a list of some of the dresses worn : Mesdamea Browning, grey velvet, grey and pink flowered silk trimming ; Swarbrick, ruby velvet ; black silk ; Save, petunia silk ; Brewis, pink, black lace trimmings ; Stevens, black satin, which lace smd chiffon fichu ; Hume, black, with pretty creme lace trimmings ; Bright, black, with heliotrope and black luce trimmings ; E. de C. Drury, white satiu with silk embroidered panels ; Manning, white brocaded silk, with white lace trimmings; Sandes, black silk ; Kenny, white,with lavender silk sleeves, and sash; Oldham, heliotrope, with black trimming ; Pilling, green silk, trimmed with lily of the valley ; Mathias, grey, with pink sleeves and steel bead trimming; Slade, black, with white chiffon; Uoing, pale blue, white lace trimming ; Howden, grey ; jKidd, dark green; Sharp, black; Crawford, grey lustre, creme lace trimming; McConachie. dark dress ; Windsor, navy blue.; Bright, black. Misses Sandes, grey lustre, witii white feather trimmings and pink rosea ; A. Sandes, cream, yellow sash ; Sage, Salmon pink, silk cream lace trimmings ; J. Edgecumbe, pink, with cream satin and chiffon trimmings ; Stevens, (debutante) white muslin, with white satin sleeves and sash ; Atkinson, heliotrope, with white feather trimmings ; Holloway, pale green and creme ; Day, rose pink with white lace ; Whitten, cream, with yellow ribbons and sash; Moore, cream, with ereme silk sleeves and sash ; Richards, pink crepon ; Watkins, black, amber sash ; Hume, white pink sash and roses; Carey, pink, with ruby velvet trimmings ; M. Carey, white over pale blue ; McPherson, black velvet, blue sleeves and trimmings ; Kidd, very pretty white dress ;• Williams, white satin, with white net sash ; Hardwick, pale green, with pink trimmings ; Cox, cream, with pink satin stripe, cream satin ribbon ; A. Jolly, pink, pink chiffon trimmings ; Colbourne, pink, with white lace; M. McPherson, black, with pink sleeves and trimmings; Sharp, lavender, with white sash ; Sharp, pale blue, with white sash; Trubshaw, creme, with cardinal sash and flowers : Broome, black net embroidered with pale blue; Walnutt, white, with cardinal ribbon and white satiu sleeves; C. Walnutt, green figured silk with white satin sleeves.