MASONIC INSTALLATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1016, 4 December 1883, Page 2

MASONIC INSTALLATION.

One of the most successful gatherings in connection with Scotch Masonry which has ever taken place in Ashburton was held last evening in the Masonic Hall, Tanored street, the occasion being the install ition of the officers of the Thistle Lodge, No. 627, S.G., by the newly appointed District Grand Master, Bro the Rev. James Hill, of Lyttelton The officers installed were —R.W. M, Bro 0. Reid ; D.M., Bro G. >-t. Hill ; S.M.. Bro J. Soily; S. W., Bro J. Tait; J. W., Bro John Bland; Treasurer, Bro J. Smith; Secretary, Bro W. Sparrow,P. M.; SD., Bro T. Williams; J.D , Bro R. Powrie; I G., Bro J. Smith; Stewards, Bros T. Hicks and J. Reid; organist, Bro W. Townshend; Tyler, Bro R. Cullen. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the D. G. M. Bro the Rev J. Hill presented I. P. M. Bro D. McFarlane with a massive gold jewel on behalf of tha officeri and brethren of the Thistle Lodge. The jewel, which had been o'.taino ! from Mr R. Murray, jeweller and watchmaker of this town, boro the following inscription Thistle Lodge, Ashburton, 627. Presented to P. M. Bro. D McFarlane by the members as a mark of their esteem ; Nov. JBi3 ” The Dis'rict Grand Maser, in making the pnsedation, sai l that to an honest and honorable man the knowledge of always having nsod his best endeavors to do his duty, was a source of great pleasure ; but when, as in this instance, his friends desired to show their appreciation of his worth and present him with something as a token i f their esteem, the performance of those duties became doubly pleasant. Bro. McFarlane male a very suitable reply, in which ho stated that he had in the past done his level best to further the interests of Masonry in the district, and he would continue to do so. About fifty of the brethren remained to partake of the banquet supp’ied by Bro. T. Hicks, who certainly deserves to be complimented on the way m which the things were served up. Bro. 0. Reid, W.M , presided, and was supported by the masters and past-masters belonging to the various lodges in the district. Several loyal and patriotic toast) ware given and responded to, and a very pleasant evening w~s brought to a close by the brethren singing “ Auld Ling Syne ”