THE LATE MR. W. D. LYON.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 515, 24 May 1909, Page 6

THE LATE MR. W. D. LYON.

respected by a very wide circle in Wellington and elsewhere. As far as the public woro concerned, ho was known chiefly for his many admirable performances on the amateur oporatib and draihalio stage. So gifted was Mr. Lyon aa an amateur .comedian that it was impossible to misplace him, arid had he olected to follow the'stage as a profession he must havo had a distinguished career. His work was marked with .a-refinement, seldom found ia the amateur player, and still more rarely in an amateur comedian; and there was a distinctkin ajjd , subtlety about it*that oommaafed admiration. ■ , ;!." .

Mr. Lyon first showed a'predilection far the stago as a. singer: of; humorous songs, from whwh/ho drifted into an amateur miristroJ show, in which he was associated with Messrs. E. G. Pilcher and J. M. Clark, of this city. The old Amateur Dramatic Club was formed in 1880, and in that connection Mr. Lyon gave many performances that older playgoers-will romomber with pleasure. With the club he played Peckovor in "Tho Contested Election, and Loirbcnd in "The Overland' Route." -Tho latter piece was notable far, perhaps, tho most, remarkable male caste in amateur theatricals in Wellington. It contained the names of the late Harry Marshall, J. M. Clark, Morria Pox, Harry Nicholls, C. R. Baillio, T. Bayers, and'W. D. Lyon. It, would be a puzzling task to got such talent together nowadays. In 1890 the Amateur Dramatic Club amalgamated with the Amateur Operatic Society, and from that time up till somo five years ago Mr. Lyon devoted bis attention to comio opera. Here, again, he proved his versatility 'and theatrical resource by giving somo admirable performances that compared favourably with those witnessed on the professional stage..;. Among.-those were tho Jndgo in. "Trial by Jury," John Wellington Wells in "The Sorooror," Rip in "Rip Van Winklo," Koko in "Tho Mikado," Lurcher in "Dorothy,"- Shadbolt in 'The Yeomen of tho Guard," the Lord Chancellor in "lolanthp," tho Duke of Plaza Toro in "Tho Gondoliers," Robin Oakapplo, in "Euddigoro," King Hildrobrand in "Princess Ida," and tho comedy role in "Tho Grand Duko.". Of these characters' he was, perhaps, best as Rip, 'Shadbolt, and Lurcher. On tho suggestion of i.tho decoasod his old companions and friends are to act as pall-bearers at tho funeral this-morning. Thoso will bo: Messrs. H. E. Nicholls. E. G. Pileher, J. M. Clark. Waltor Meek, J. Seivwright, F. W. Haybittlo, H. B. Bridge, and E. 5. Hill.

Aβ a Mason, the deceased ranked high. Ho was initiated into tho Now Zealand Pacific Lodgo, No. ,2 (the oWost working lodge in New Zealand), on August 20, 1883, his fattier, tholate Mr. Wm. Lyon (formerly of Lyon and Blair), having boon one of tho foundation members in 1842. Mr. W. D. Lyon occupied tie chair of Senior Warden in 1886-7, and became Worshipful Master in 1888. Hβ took an active part in tho'welfare of his lodge, and from 1898 to tho time of his death ho bold tho offico of Treasurer. Ho also took an active part in the formation of tho Grand Lodgo of Now Zealand, in which ho hold,tho high rank of Past Senior Grand Warden.' At Wβ own request tho sorvico at tho graveside to-day will bo fully Masonic. Tho officiating members will be Bros. H. J. Williams, U. Seaton, and E. C. Poors ,(tho present Master, of the Pacific Lodge). '■ Mr. Lyon's twenty-fifth anniversary as a raomber of tho Pacific Lodgo was celebrated on. August 24, 1908, when tho deceased (then in feeble health) attended, ard in the courso of a pleasant evening delivered a striking address on tho higher jnrmoiplee of Freemasonry, which ho said were founded on brotherly lovo, relief, and truth, Ho at least novor fell short of tho Masonio standard ho sot.

At tho Savage, Club a. solemn bnsh followed the "announcement of the chairman (Mr. J. M. Olark) that: he had a painful tay?, to, perform. .All; present .knew what that, duty was.-.; Fully 25 por cent, of the members.wero'porsonaJ.friends of Mr. Lyon, and. their feelings were most acute. It was, perhaps,; strange that the chairman for tho night was Mr. J. ; M. Olark, a friend of the deceased for the past forty, years, and. an intimate, one for thirty years; \ Hβ said that no kindlier, ■gentler, and more lovable man over'walked the; earth, and he was sure that brother was even now in that harpy;hunting ground where all'fiood;Savages desire to go. Shakespeare had a quotation for every incident and occasion in life, and when he said, .''Take Wm for all in nil, : weshallnot look upon his face again." The words might well be applied to Savage Lyon, He proposed that the secretary be instructed to forward a letter of condolence to Mrs. Lyon/; and that a wreath of flowers be forwarded as expressing the club's heartfelt sympathy. The resolution was agreed to silently by air present standing. . The funeral is to leave tbe ,late residence, of the deceased on Wellington Torraco fot the cemetery at 10 o'clock this morning.