CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XX, 14 May 1898, Page 615

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, May 4. We have heard, of course, a great deal of talk about Masons this week, but. that is as far as we are ever allowed to get. The Choral Hall, already so Masonic in aspect and decorations. was greatly beautified with flowering plants and palms', and we can picture the brilliant scene when the brethren were assembled in full regalia for the ceremony of installation of Bro. Hon. R. J. Seddon. The only thing we were permitted to take part in was the BALL. which took place on Friday evening at

the Opera House, also charmingly decorated with soft-hued draperies and Masonic emblems and banners, the stage converted into a handsome drawing-room, the walls covered with mirrors and curtains, with beautiful plants in every gap. On the arrival of the newly-installed Grand Master, Bro. K. J. Seddon, who was accompanied by Mrs and Miss Seddon, the whole body of Masons, receiving as a kind of guard of honour, dancing at once commenced. G.M. Bro. R. J. Seddon dancing with Mrs J. J. Hamilton, who was handsomely gowned in riqh black silk, finished with jet and chiffon; Mrs Seddon also wore a handsome black silk, with cream gauze sleeves, white osprey and diamond spray in her hair; Miss Seddon, in ;»ale blue and white brocade, trimmed with white lace; Mrs and Miss Seddon were presented with exquisite bouquets on arrival by Misses Hamilton and Smith; Mrs W. Stringer wore a lovely gown of pink brocade, a garland of crimson roses on the bodice: Mrs Parsons, black satin, with jet and lace and pink poppies; Mrs R. D. Thomas, yellow silk and some beautiful point lace: Miss Thomas, cream silk, the bodiee finished with crimson roses; Miss Davie, cream satin and gold embroidery; Mrs (Dr.) Thomas, black silk, with trimming of pink; Mrs C. Morris, a pretty floral silk, finished with white lace; Miss Fodor, pale blue velvet, with cream chiffon rucked sleeves: the Misses Maddison, in pale blue and eream silk respectively; etc. The gallery was much used by nondancers as one got an excellent view from there. On Friday and Saturday ‘DOG TRIALS' were held on the hills at Cashmere and proved very interesting to our menkir.d; but we also came in for a share of the enjoyment, for drag parties were got up and quite a number of friends found themselves all thinking alike that a drive out to Cashmere was a desirable thing. On Saturday evening Mrs J. D. Ilall gave a very charming PROGRESSIVE EUCHRE PARTY at her residence, Park Terrace, which went off with much vigour. Among the guests were Dr. and Mrs J. C. Palmer, Mr and Mrs W. B. Cowlishaw, the Misses Cowlishaw, Palmer, Lee, Mills (Dunedin), Ronalds, Wilson, etc. Mrs Cowlishaw, Avonside, gave a small luncheon party one day last week and her friends were pleased to see her so much better, as her health has been very unsatisfactory lately. Invitations aie out for great festivities at Mr and Mrs Andrew Rutherford’s, Mendip Hills, North Canterbury, on the occasion of the coming of age of Miss Rutherford. There will be a large house party as well as guests from all the surrounding district for a ball, picnic, and a euchre party, and in the country these things always go with such zest. INSTALLATION OF THE GRAND MASTER. The ceremony of installation of R.W. Bro. Hon. R. J. Seddon as Grand Master of the New Zealand Constitution took place on Thursday. April 28. at the Choral Hall, Latimer Square, Christchurch, in the presence of a large and representative gathering of Masons, the brethren hailing from Auckland to the Bluff. Apart front the installation ceremony, another very important feature of the meeting was the recognition by the Grand Lodge of England of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, after an estrangement of about nine years, some of the brethren representing the English Constitution being present, making a still more complete and impressive ceremony. The Choral Hall is peculiarly well fitted for a function of this kind, as the decorations are of a Masonic character, and when the hall was arranged in due Masonic form, with all the members in regalia, it made an imposing sight ami one not easily forgotten. Grand Lodge opened in the afternoon at 2 o’clock, but the installation ceremony did not take place until the evening sitting, the retiring G.M.. Bro. W. Barron, presiding. After an ode had been sung by the choir, under Bro. R. T. Seareli. the warrant of election of W. Bro. R. J. Seddon as G.M. of the New Zealand Constitution was read by the G.S. and also the list of Grand officers for the ensuing vea-r. as follows:—Deputy G.M., W. Bro. T. L. Murray. Auckland; G.S., W. Bro. W. D. Lyon, Wellington; G.J., W. Bro. C. J. Ronaldson, Dunedin: Grand Superintendents: Auckland, Bro. Barker; Hawke’s Bay and

Gisborne, Uro. W. Beilby; Wellington, Bro. H. .J. Williams; Canterbury, Bro. .1. .1. .M. Hamilton; Otago, Bro. 11. Weatherilt; West Coast, Bro. H. L. Mitchell; Nelson and Marlborough. Bro. C. W. .1, Griffith; Southland, Bro. M. R. Bree. The installation ceremony then proceeded, and addresses were given by the retiring G.M.. Bro. W. Barron, by the P.G.M.. Bro. Henry Thomson, and by the newly-appointed G.M., Bro. Hon. R. ,1. Seddon, and others. The representatives of the Grand Lodges present tendered greetings to the. newly-installed G.M.. and after singing the National Anthem the Grand Lodge closed and one of the most noteworthy meetings of Masons came to an end. An adjournment was made to the social hall, where the banquet was held, about. 350 being present. Numerous toasts and some excellent music were given by brethren during t.he evening.

DOLLY VALE.