HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 25, 27 June 1872, Page 2

HAMILTON.

(From our own Correspondent.)

June 26. Mondav, the 24th, being St. John's Bay, ' the brethren of theTjoige-Beta; Waikato, No. 450,1.C., assembled at the Royal hotel, to celebrate the festival in accordance with the ancient : .custom ofthe craft. The following Brethren were installed, in office for the ensuing six months :—W. Cummitig, W.M. ; J. K. McDonald, S.W. ; W. Austin, J.W. ; F. Gaudin, Sec. and Treas. ; Wallace, S.D. ; S. Graham, J.D. ; J. Highley, J.G., and W. Neilson, Tyler..' The Auditor reported the finances of the Lodge in a prosperous state, being a balance ia hand of 43£ 13s Bd. It is also gratifying to report .that the Lodge is increasing in,, numbers, several members having been added to its list during the last six months. After 'concluding the business of Lodge the brethren adjourned in regalia to a banquet prepared.in Brother Cumming's usual sumptuous style, .to which ample-justice- was done. The usual loyal iind Masonic toasts were given and responded to most heartily, and the brethren resigned themselves to hilarity, passing the evening in a most ehjoyable'nlariner* enlivened with'songs, recitations, and Shortly after 12 p.m. all joined heartily ia singing that : spirit-stirring song, "Aulrt'Lang Syne,"' and ' returned 1 to close the Lodge, when the brethren-separated highly gratified with their evening's re-union. • * Messrs. Allen and ißuckland arrived .here on Monday, en route for Auckland," with .1,800 sheep, which they have driven right through, the country from Patea, and report that they encountered no opposition from the Maoris on their long journey, -which goes a lo.ng way to prove that the Maoris have ceased to look upon the pakeha as an intruder, and that he may now travel from one end of the island to the other without much fear of-molestation, and we may reasonably anticipate, at no very distant day, that those who still hold out will resume the same friendly relations with us, as existed previous to the outbreak of the war in 1860, with this difference,- that peace will, be established on a firmer basis, (in consequence of their having tried their strength, and been foiled). This is an. ultimatum most ardently desired by all who wish to see the colony advance, as it is certain to do with its unbounded mineral resources, splendid soil* and climate. The latter has "been proved to" be the most congenial to the European of any of the numerous islands that stud the South Pacific.