MASONIC CEREMONIAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 9069, 15 May 1908, Page 5

MASONIC CEREMONIAL.

INVESTITURE OF OFFICERS.

DEDICATION AND CONSECRATION OF NEW LODGE-ROOM.

Representatives of various Masouio Lodges throughout the Dominion and sister Lodges in Wairarapa assembled eu masse at the recently enlarged and renovated room of the Masterton Masonic Lodge, yesterday afternoon, to participate in the ceremony of the dedication and consecration of the new Lodge-room, and the installation of the Worshipful Master and investiture of officers for the ensuing year. The various ceremonies were impressively carried out by R W. Bro. R.'Fletcher, Provincial Grand Master, who was assisted by RW. Bro. J. Moncrieff, G.S. W., V.G. Bro. T. Porritt, P.G. Chaplain Bro. luder, Acting Grand Secretary, aud W. Bro. J. G. Elliott, Director of Ceremonies. The attendance totalled nearly one hundred.

The visitors expressed themselves favourably impressed with the uew Locige-room, which the Masterton Masous decided to erect some time ago. The building is now completed, and is a distiuct credit to the Lodge, as well as to the towu. The appoiutmeuts have beeu carefnlly carried out iv every detail, leaving nothing to be desired. The building is of the louie order, aud the Liodge-room proper is 27 x 30, 17ffc high, with steel coved ceilings. There is a recess for the choir measuring 10 x 7. This room is haudsomely finished iv craft colours, aud the furnishings, which have mostly beeu douated by members of the Lodge, are iv keeping with the general appointments. The refectory is 40ft x 24ft (siu, aud occupies the larger porciou of the old Lodge-room, with a part of the new building; and, in addition, there is a kitchen 14tt x Bft. The lobby is 29ft Gin x lOt'fc, aud a tylers' room 10ft x 10ft. The architects for the buildiug were Messrs Varjham and Rose, and the builders Messrs King and Sou. Mr W. H. Cole carried out the paiutiug, aud the plumbing work was entrusted to Mr !S. Smallwood.

Officers were installed as follow :— W.M , Bro. A. E. Wiuzeuberg; 1.P.M.. Bro. P. J. Hunu; S. W.. Bro. R. J. Foss; J.W.. Bro. J. B. tleury; Secretary, Bro. R. J. Young; Treasurer, Bro. T. Wagg; U. 0., W. Bro. J. G. Elliott; F.M. Cliaplaiu, W. Bro. G. Hyde; P.M., S.D. Bro J. Tait; J.D., Bro. J. Cochrane; 1.G., Bro. O. Kiug; S.S., Bro. O. McDougall; J.S., Bro J. Elder; Tyler, Bro W. T. Robins.

The brethren then adjourned to the refpctory, where a banquet, provided by Mr A. Rebay, was partaken of. The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were hououred.

Bros. F. J. Huun, R. J. Young, J. B. Heury, Feudall, Diament, Mausell and Russell contributed to the musical program me.