PRESENTATION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2000, 29 November 1888, Page 2

PRESENTATION

♦ ■ In oonneotion with the departure for Auckland of Mr 0. Hawaon, who has for several years been acoountant of the Ashburton branoh of the Bank of New Zealand, a pleaaing ceremony took plaoe^ yesterday afternoon. Among other publio and social matterß m which Mr Hawson has taken inteiest, he has been prominently associated with the St. John's Lodge of Freemasons, of which he is the immediate Past Master.' The members of this Lodge had, previous to Bro. Hawson's removal being mooted, resolved to present him with a Past Master's jewel, as some recognition of his great and valuable servioes to the lodge, and the short notice of his departure leaving no time to call an emergenoy lodge, he was invited to meet the members of the lodge at Mr Crisp's office yesterday afternoon. There was a good attendance— Bro. H. M. Jones, W.M. of the Lodge addressing Bro. Hawaon referred to his taking an aotive part m the affairs of the lodge at a time when they were at a very low ebb, and attributed their present satisfactory position principally to Bro. Hawson's energy and perseverance. He expressed regret at losing so valuable a member and offioer, and conveyed the heartiest wishes of the lodge for his auooess and prosperity m his new sphere, congratulating him upon his preferment, and trusting that the change might be beneficial to the health of Mrs Hawson. He oonoluded by presenting Bro Hawson with a solid gold Past Master's jewel with the monogram of the recipient and inscription on the baok. Bro Hawson thanked the brethren for their expressions of regard and good wishes for him and for the jewel whioh they had given to him. He regretted exceedingly having to aever his oonneotion with the lodge, and would never forget the happy hours he had spent there. Powerful reasons, prominent among them the hope that the change would benefit his wife's health, had caused him to aocept the offer of a post m the head office of the Bank. He hoped that the other Past Masters would oontinue their labors m the lodge, and with the number of good young members who had joined, there was no fear as to its continued prosperity. Broa Crisp, P.M., Curtis, P.M., and Harrison, Mayor of Ashburton, having spoken m regard to Bro Hawaon's Bprvioes to Freemasonry and m other matters, and to the high esteem m whioh he was universally held, m whiah the brethren heartily coincided, the gathering dispersed. The jewel was a massive and handsome one, prooured from Mr Bobert Murray, East street.