EARL OF CASSILLIS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17990, 6 February 1924, Page 5

EARL OF CASSILLIS.

0 CIVIC RECEPTION. Tho distinguished Freemason, the Earl of Cassillis, who is at. present on a visit to Christchurch, was tendered a civio reception in tho City Council Chambers yesterday. The Mayor, Sir J. A. Ple.sher, presided, and amongst those present were a largo number of well-known Christehirrch Freemasons. The Mayor paid it afforded him no small amount of pleasure to welcome to tho city so distinguished a visitor. New Zealanders, he said, looked upon Great Britain as tho Homeland, and wero especially glad to greet visitors from overseas, especially thoso coming from the United Kingdom, and even more especially those who had done such great service for tho Empire as had tho Earl of Cassillis. His Lordship had served in the South African War from 1.000 to 1902. and had later served his King and country in tho Great War from December,' 1911, to May, 1919. He had also r;»ceived honourable mention in despatches. The Earl of Cassillis was tvell-known in Masonic, circles, and was the First Grand Principal of the Supremo Grand Royal Arch Chapter, Scottish constitution. Mr Flesher expressed regrot. that Lady Cassillis was not visiting Christchurch. Her Ladyship was associated with the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and held tho title of a Ladv of Grace of that body. The St. John Society had a strong hold in New Zealand, and in Ckristchureh perhaps it had flourished more than anywhere else throughout the Dominion. Ho asked his LordsMp to convey to Lady Cassillis the best wishes of tho peoplo of this city, and tho hope that she, too, would visit Christchurch at a future date. In Christchurch, said Mr Flesher, the people woro mostly of English descent, but there was a fair sprinkling or! Scotsmen amongst them. Throughout tho Dominion every twentieth person was of Scottish descent. Last week his Lordship had received an official welcome in Dunedin, and tho speaker assured him that, although perhaps expressed differently, tho welcome tendered him in Christchurch was equally warm. Mr Flesher oppressed a hope that his Lordship would experience the greatest enjoyment and pleasure during his stay in the Dominion, and also hoped that his Masonic mission would meet with tho greatest of success. Mr S. C. Bingham, Provincial Grand Master of the Royal Order of Scotland, also extended a welcome to his Lordship on behalf of the Order in which tho visitor was interested. The longer his Lordship remained in New Zealand, said Mr Bingham, tho longer ho would wish to remain.

The Earl o£ Cassillis, in reply, said he was deeply touched with the welcomo which hail been accorded him. Lady Cassillis had visited Christchureh previously, ho stated, and had greatly enjoyed her stay hero. Sho was at present in the North Island, but would come down to stay hero at a later date. During the war, said his Lordship, he had seen a good deal of the New Zealand and Australian soldiers, and had secured a splendid opportunity to study them at first-hand. Ho said he had been greatly impressed with the beautiful scenery of the South Island, and intended to proceed to the North Island in tho course of a few days, and visit the scenic resorts there. To-morrow ho would see the beauties of '-c Otira and Buller Gorges. He also expressed interest in the New Zealand sheep industry. He had visited the aerodrome at Soekburn that morning, and had been gTeatly interested in the work which was being carried out there. Tho safety of the Empire depended on aerial and naval defence, and all must rumembor that peopie had cast covetous eyes on New Zealand before, nad would do so again. Preparation in defence was really insurance against war, and we must spend a certain amount on it. Speaking of his Masonic mission, his Lordship said that one of its objectives was the unity of the Empire. Unity was essential to Freemasonry, which aimed at making better citizens for the Empire. The Earl of Cassillis visited tho Sockburn aerodrome yesterday morning, and later inspected the Belfast freezing works. In the afternoon ho inspected the Tai Tapu Dairy Company's works, later motored through Gebbio's Valley, Teddington, Lyttolton, and Sumner, eventually returning to Christehurch. His Lordship told a- "PressV reporter that he had been impressed with the scenery passed on the afternoon motor Irip. "I am enjoying New Zealand," he added, "and prefer it after the climate of Australia."

In the evening ho attended a meeting of the Provincial' Grand Chapter of the Boyal Order of Scotland. To-day, his Lordship will leave for Becfton, going thence to Nelson and Wellington, en route to Australia. He expects to return to Auckland in about three weeks' time.