MASONIC INSTALLATION AT. RAKAIA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2114, 20 April 1889, Page 2

MASONIC INSTALLATION AT. RAKAIA

(.FBOM OUB OWN COBBESPONDINT.) ' The installation of the Wonhiptal Masts* and the investiture of the officers of the South Rakaia Lodge, 1857, E.G., took plaoo m tha Masonfß Hall, on Wednesday evening. Offioera Thistle, and St. John's Lodges, Ashburton! besides a namber of visitors from Methvea and other Lodges, The ceremony of installation was very ably performed by the D.G.M., Bio H. Thompson, assisted by Past Masters Bros Hardy and Lyttelton, as D.G.S.W. and D.QJ.W., Past Masters Bros Pelton and DixoD, as DG.S.D. and acting D.GJJ). The following were installed for the ensuing year.— W.M., BroW. Midgley; 1.P.M.,8r0 L. Oxley; S.W., Bro 0. Hugonin; J.W., Bro A. J. Howell ; Treasurer, Bro D. G. Holmes; Seoretary, Bro J. Turner: S.D., Bro H. OnildB ; JJX, Bro R. Alexander: I.Q. Bro. A. Olark; Tyler, Bro W. Kemble. Tha mnsioal arrangements were under the direo. tion of Bro Eneen, who^ery kindly offered his assistance, .and Igreatly, added to the impressivenesa of the oeremony. Daring the evening P.M. Bro Lyttelton presented Bro L. Oxley with a very handsome Past Master's jewel, as a mark of esteem and as a slight reoognition of his services as Worsbipiah Master of the South Rakaia Lodge for tha paßt two years. The gift was accompanied by some very aioe remarks by Bro. Lyttelton. The Jewel was the work of Messrs Oaatea and ,Go., of Christohuroh, and engraved as follows.— "Pre^ sented by the Rakaia Lodge, No. 1867, E.O to W. Bro L. Oxley, P.M., on the oottvpletion of his second year as WorshipfijV Master. Rakaia, AprU, 1889." The gUt being suitably acknowledged, the Lodge was dosed m due form, and the brethren adjourned to the ref ectory where light refreshments were provided. The nsual loyal and Masonio toasts were honoured, and a very pleasant evening was spent by those present, a number of songs being rendered by brethren 'andvisitors. During the evening the D.G.M. '' referred m feeling terms to the seriona loss sustained by ;the death of the late Bro Dr Deamer, who had always taken a very great interest m the Rakaia Lodge. Reference was also made to the important Masonio questions at present under consideration. The gather* ing was a moat successful one, and there is every prospect of Masonio matters general!* m the diatriot taking rapid strides.