Masonic Instillation and Consecration.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2066, 11 May 1887, Page 2

Masonic Instillation and Consecration.

The consecration of the new and handsome St Mark’s Lodge Boom, at Cam .non, took place yesterday. The Carterton Masons have for some considerable time required a suitable lodge room, and thanks to the exertions of several energetic members of the St Mark's Lodge, they have now a bui.diug of their own, a credit to themselves and an ornament to the town. The erection was entrusted to Mr Kemp, one of the local builders, and Mr Kemp has in every particular most faithfully carried out the work. He has handed over to the Masons a very convenient and compact edifice and it will probably be a long time before any alterations or improvements will be necessary. The Grand Lodge was well represented upon this occasion and probably it was the most important and impressive ceremony that has yet taken place in the Wairarapu. The District Grand Master of the E.C., Bro C. J. Toxward, at the commencement of the ceremony presided, and called upon the Deputy District G. M. Bro Keith Wilson, to conduct the proceedings, which he did in a most impressive manner, assisted by P.M. bro Manly, District Grand Chaplain. The other officers who took tbeir respective paits in the ceremony were District Grand Senior Warden lire Simpson ; District Grand Sword Bearer, Bro Ellison ; District Grand Director of Ceremonies, Bio John Young ; D. G. J. W, lire J. G. Cox, (Featherston); and DG. Tyler Bro J. It. Hamas. There were also a number of other Brethren from Wellington, about 20 iu all. The consecration ceremonial com* menced at 3 o'clock in the afternoon and the proceedings were very impressively conducted. After tbe consecratieu of the building the Worshipful Master Elect, Bro J. Darby was duly installed by P,M. Bro Dr Smith into tbe important office of W.M. of tbe Lodge. Bro G. M. Gardener, who has filled the chair for the past year with great credit, being the retiring Master. Tbe other officers of the Lodge duly invested with their collars and badges of office were : Bro Gayfer S.W., Bro N Grace J.W., Bro Bairstow S.D., Bro A Booth J.D., Treasurer, Bro Dr Jofinston, Secretary Bro T C Barnard, Inner Guard Bro J P Allen, Tyler Bro H S Horn (re elected.) The Grand Lodge Officers from Wellington spoke in very high terms of the efficient and impressive way Dr Smith performed the important ceremony of installation and in' vestiture, and were muoh gratified at the handsome reception they received at the hands of tbe Carterton Masons. On tbe dias were the W.M.’s of the Masterton Ledges and P.M. Bro Hooper of tbe Thistle Lodge, Masterton. A number of tbe officers and brethren of the feathers ton, Greytowu and Masterton (2) Lodges were also in attendance.

Iu the evening a grand invitation ball was held iu the Carterton Public Hall, which was a moat brilliant assembly, about eighty couples being present. The hall was most handsomely and tastefully draped and hung with paintings, devices, ,t:. principally the handiwork ot Bo Gardener i.i.h i, few otl.c. ;.'.cii;Uirs of Lo.i/e. The Bali Stewar is woilo j d abiy iu their capacities and ,lhn Qm aide Band, cm.sH'iig of Messrs Bundqvist, vioiin ; K.isenhurg, pi.no ; Bentley, cornu, ; and Papwort.i, bass, discou'sed epieuuid rau.de. ihe c.uerina was under the superinieiider.ee of Mi K. Pelliug of Masicrtou, nod Ihe icfresluueuts were excellent. The Dali broke up at about 3 o’clock this morning and was eminently successful.