FREEMASONS' HALL

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3750, 23 July 1883, Page 4

FREEMASONS' HALL

This fine old hall, which has recently been seriously injured by lire (says tho Homo News) was originally intended to be used solely for the meetings of Grand Lodge. The foundation-stone was laid ■with great ceremony in 1775, and the building was dedicated in tho following year, it has been the scene of many grand Masonic celebrations, but it is butter known to tho general public in connection with the numerous charitably meetings and festivals held within its Avails previous to the year 1809, when the adjoining banqueting hall was built. From that date the Temple was reserved for masonic purposes, while the new hall was appropriated to banquets and public meetings. It was in the old ball that the convocations of tho British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society held its meetings, but the connection of the hail with the tavern was so distasteful to many of the benevolent people who met there that they, in 1829, built I'xefer Rail, which till quite recently had no place of refreshment connected with it. There is an interesting painting of tho hall by T. 11. Shepherd, depicting in curious detail the anniversary festival of the Royal Humane Society, wherein is to bo seen a procession of persons, male and female, who bad been saved from drowning during the previous year. One of them carries a banner, on which is inscribed, "We praise God ami thank you." The Temple contained many Masonic treasures, and the panels between the pillars on either side were filled with fine full-length portraits of Past Grand Masters, including the Duko of Cumberland, elected Grand Master 1781 ; the Piince of Wales (afterwards George IV.), elected 1791 ; the Duke of Sussex, elected 1813; and tho Earl of Zetland, elected 1841. Tho other portraits destroyed aro those of tho Prince of Wales, elected 1875 ; tho Duko of Kent, Lord Petre, tha Duko of Manchester, tho Earl of Moira, and tho Duke of Athole. The Marquis of Ripon was tho successor of the Earl of Zetland, but as he seceded from tho Craft on becoming n Roman Catholic in 1874. his lordship's portrait did not adorn the Temple walls. The Prince of Wales has frequently presided lit meetings of Grand Lodge, but was not present, at the last grand festival held on Wednesday last weok. This was the last occasion on which the Temple was used, and the fine old hall, with its noble statuary, splendid portraits, and grand fittings, was then seen for the last time, all having been destroyed. Most people are astonished at the fire being corifinod within the four walls of the Grand Lodge room, but this fortunate circumstance was owing to tho entire absence of windows, in tho side walls. Masonic niectirnrs arc usually held in the evening, and tho only light let into the Temple was through Home of tho recessed clerestory windows. None of the Lodge rooms are in any way injured, and the banqueting hall having entirely escaped damage, the festival of the Masonic Girls' School will, take place on Wednesday next as announced. The lire was caused through overheating a flue in the tavern kitchen. It may be noticed as a .singular coincidence that only a (cw hours before the fire broke out. the children of the Royal Caledonian Asylum in the adjoining hull were singing a ditty to fhe tune of " There is nac lurk about tho house." Indeed, before the Caledonians had done their dancing tho alarm of fire drove them all away from the building.