OPENING OF THE NEW MASONIC HALL.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 418, 2 December 1868, Page 2

OPENING OF THE NEW MASONIC HALL.

The Masonic body of "Westport, after their own ancient custom and formalities, held an opening on Monday evening of the new Masonic Hall, recently erected by Messrs Touks and Hughes, adjoining the Empire Hotel. The Hall has been recently erected for the accommodation of the Masonic and Odd-Fellows' lodges, both bodies having rented it for twelve months. It will be used for such purposes as public meetings, balls, &c, but the several charitable institutions will meet there for the future, and the Masons have provided the necessary furniture for the various ceremonies. On Monday evening, the hall, being well lighted from the roof, and neatly decorated with evergreens and banners, and the Boor being carpeted with an imitation mosaic pavement, presented a very imposing appearance. About fifty members of the craft were present in full dress and regalia, and Lodc;e was opened in due form at eight o'clock. The officiating or presiding brother was the retiring Master of the Lodge, Brother Eeid, who performed the ceremonies of consecration, and the installation of the officers for j

the ensuing twelve months. The •following are the officers installed: — JBrother Edward King Tyler, Rightyorshipful Master; Bro. John Munro, 3 ibstitute Master; Geo. Soinner, 'enior Warden; John Hughes, Junior 1 garden ; Win. Pitt, Treasurer; James M'Dowell, Secretary; T. S. Parry, Senior Deacon; J. Radeliffe, Junior Deacon; Geo. J. Rooke, Inner Guard ; and W. Poole, Outer Guard. The Treasurer presided at the harmonium during the ceremonies, and sacred music was performed by several of the newly elected officers. The R.W.M. of the Charleston Kilwinning Lodge, Bro. Harris, with the Odcting Depute Master, AVardens, and Brweral members attended on the occa\o;on, and were returned the compliments paid by them some months a<ro to the members of tto AVestport Lodge on the occasion of their visit to

Charleston. The details of the various ceremonies are not reportable by the Press, but wo may be allowed to say that the whole had an impressive grandness even to accustomed Masons. On the conclusion of the ceremonies the whole of the fraternity retired and re-assembled at ten o'clock, accompanied by a few of their friends and guests, among whom were Dr Giles, R.M., Francis Harris, Esq., Mr Inspector Eranklyn, and other local gentlemen ; and they sat down to a sumptuous banquet in the hall, pro-

vided by Brothers Tonks and Hughes. The B.W.M. occupied the chair in the east end of the building, and the Past Master acted as vice-chairman. After partaking of the good things of life, the usual loyal and masonic toasts were drank. " Success to the Thistle Lodge," " The New Master," and "His Officers," "The Past Master," followed, and were severally responded to. "The Sister Lodges," coupled with the name of the B.W.M. of Charleston, who responded in appropriate terms, w r as also heartily drank. " The Officers of the Government " was a toast proposed by Mr Pitt, and it was responded to in an able and humorous speech by Dr Giles, ,vho described his early opinions of Free Masonry—opinions which had been much altered of late years, though ae still confessed to considerable curi-

osity as to their many apparently peculiar forms and toasts. " The Press," by Dr Griles, and " The Ladies," by Mr M'Dowell, were also toasts which were, as a matter of course, warmly received. Various songs and recitations interspersed the speeches ; and at a late, or rather early horn-, the company dispersed, from the largest meeting of the kind, and one of the most convivial, hearty, and well-conducted assemblages, ever held in Westport. The nine Charleston gentlemen who came to town on Monday evening to attend the Masonic banquet, returned yesterday, and were accompanied to the south side of the river by several of their fraternal friends, who gave and received three hearty salutations of friendship over a " stirrup glass," previous to mounting for their return trip.