Masonic.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 97, 28 April 1883, Page 3

Masonic.

♦ Thursday last will long be noted in Masonic annuals as a memorable day in the history of tbe craft in the Manawatu, the occasion being the opening and consecration oF the Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge, S.C., at Palmerston. Nearly 100 Masons were present at the ceremony, the following lodges being represented : — United Manawatu, E.C. ; Feilding, E.C; Rangitikei. E.C; St. Andrew's Kilwinning, Wanganui, S.C. ; St. An<lrew's, Wellington, S.C ; Waterloo, Wellington, S.O. -, Lcinster, Wellington, 1.C. ; United Service, Auckland, EC ; Tongariro, Wanganui, I.C., and the District Grand Lodge of New Zealand, E.C. The Provincial Grand Lodge was then opened by Bro E. T. Giilon, acting R.W.P.G.M., the other chairs being filled ns follows:— P.G.S.W., Bro A. Lindsay, P.G.J.W. Bro Curtis, P.G.S. Bro T. JL Walton, P.G.I.G. Bro T. G. Graham. After the Provincial Grand Lodge had been duly opened, the various lodges and visitors were received, the hall being •densely packed. B.W.RG.M. Bro E. T. Oillon, of Lodge Waterloo, Wellington, performed the beautiful ceremony of consecration in a masterley manner, after which the master elect and officers of the new Lodge were installed, Bro Batt, P.D.S.B., acting as master of ceremonies, and Bro the Rev. J. Jones, of Feilding, officiating as Lodge Chaplain. After the new lodge was duly opened and dedicated by the P.G. Master to Freemasonry, Virtue, and Science, an address on the nature and objects of Masonry was eloquently delivered by Bro C L. Maclean, P.M., of Bulls Lodge. The following are names of the officers of the new lodge;— R.W.M., Bro J. H. Hankins; S.M., Bro T. Graham ; S.W., Bro W. H. Smith ; J.W., Bro G. M. Snelson ; Treas., Bro H. S. Palmerson ; Sec. Bro T. R. Walton ; S.D., Bro J". Walkley ; J.D., Bro S. M. George; Tyler, Bro T. "Schlager. After an address by Bro Gilion, replied to by the newly installed R.W M., the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed. Tlie lodge was then called to refreshment for a short time, after which the initiation of candidates was proceeded with, about 20 being admitted. On the conclusion of the ceremonies, the "brethren adjourned to the Foresters' Hall, which had been specially engaged for the occasion, and where a most excellent banquet had been set out in capital style by Bro Walkley of the Commercial Hotel. A long toast list was successfully dealt with, the festivities being kept up till an early hour. In replying to one of the toasts Bro Giilon took occasion to the new lodge upon its successful inauguration and the excellence «of its working.