Masonic Installation

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 10, 12 July 1892, Page 2

Masonic Installation

♦ i The occasion of the installation of | Bro. Hugh Lind Sherwill and the in- j vestiture of the officers of the Feilcling J Lodge last night, was one of the most j brilliant Masonic celebrations ever '■ seen on this coast. Upwards of 70 i brethren representing lodges in all parts of the district were present. The Grand Lodge was represented by the Grand Superintendent of Wellington, R.W. Bro Herbert J. Williams, and W. Bro G. Kirton, Grand Steward, who also officiated as Master of Ceremonies. The Installing Master was Bro Walter L. Bailey, assisted by Pastmasters Bros Charles Bray, Win. Carthew, Peter Thomson, Owen Pleasants. The Board of Installed Masters consisted of Bros W. A. L. Bailey, J. H. Williams, E. Smith, P. Thomson, G. Kirton, 0. Pleasants, W. Carthew, W. G. Haybittle, J. Salek, T. D. Brown, W. J. G. Winchcombe, F. Meyrick, P. Neale, C. Bray, W. Dawitk, W. Batt, W. E. Trueburton, J. Fleming, A. jack. The working tools were presented by R.W. Bro Williams, Grand Superintendent. At the conclusion of this part of the ceremony the newly Installed Master, Bio Sherwill, invested the following officers : —S.W. Bro H. Worsfold; J.W. Bro Charles Bray, Jr. ; Secretary, Bro T. W. K. Foster j Treasurer, Bro J. H. Stevens; S.D. Bro J. C. Morey; J.D. Bro G. A. Bailey; I.G. Bro W. H. Hartgill; Tyler, Bro E. Gregory; Organist, Bro J. B. Pringle. The following are the names and rank of the several brethren present: —H. L. Sherwill, S.W., (master elect); H. Worsfold, J.W., T. W. K. Foster, Secretary, J. H. Stevens, Treasurer, C. Bray, Jr., S.D. J. C. Morey, J.D., E. Gregory, Tyler, W. H. Hartgill, Organist, H. J. Booth, John Nilsson, G. B. Simpson, E. Goodbehere, S. Strachan, C A. Levett, G. H. Saywell, J. T. Bray, J. B. Pringle, A. H. Tompkins, John Sorley. Visitors—John McLaren, R. James, J. Marshall, T. Dickson, A. R. Curtis, John Waugh, A. Buckler, J. Craven, James Symonds. John Jarvis, R. G. Logan, J. M. Duley, James Hocking, B. Green, Win Dixon, T. Whyte, J. Salmon, G. W. Shailer, J. Burraeister, T. H. James, J. Smart, H. Wollernian, G. J. Smith, R. D. Knight, J. W. W. Porter, R. Sandel, C. C. Driscoll, F. E. White, Alfred Drew, J. R. Harper, F. M. Spurdlc, P.M. At the conclusion of the Masonic Ceremony, the brethren adjourned to the Assembly Booms where the banquet was prepared. The room was partitioned off at the end near the door of entrance, and the walls and ceiling hung with flags of all nations. The display on the tables, which were nicely set out with flowers, was certainly impossible to surpass, and the older Masons, who are experienced in these things, admitted that they had never before seen in New Zealand or elsewhere a more sumptuous repast. The menu contained every luxury and delicacy in season, and reflected infinite credit on Mrs Hastie, hostess, aud her chef de cuisine. The wines were good and well selected. After ample justice had been done to the good things provided, the W.M. proposed the Masonic toast, " The Queen and the Craft," the whole of the brethren singing the National Anthem. Bro. Hartgill sang " The Oak " which was followed by the toast of • 'The Grand Lodge." In his speech the W.M. referred in complimentary to the rulers of the N.Z. Constitution. In replying, Grand Superintendent Williams made a splendid speech in which he referred to the great success they had achieved. Lodges belonging to other constitutions were now casting in their lot with them, while new and strong lodges were forming in various parts of the colony. He said that the number at present under the Wellington Superintendent was so great that the Grand Master proposed to divide it, and make Hawkes Bay a separate district. He complimented the W.M., Bro. Sberwill, on his elevation, and was good enough to express a very high opinion of the manner in which the Feildiug Lodge was worked, of the unanimity amo* the brethren, and the regularity of the attendance on all occasions of the Past Masters. He said he would report favorably to the Grand Master. The address of Bro. Williams was Very interesting as well as instructive, and during its deliverance the speaker was frequently applauded. Bro. P.M. W. G. Haybittle then proposed the health of the newly-installed Master, and spoke in eulogistic terms of him, both as a respected citizen and a mason. The toast was duly honored, after which Bro. Edmund Goodbehere contributed a song. In replying to the toast of his health the W.M. made a feeling speech ; he said that this was truly the proudest day of his life; he had, as they all know, held many positions of honor and trusc among his townsmen, but none of them had ever afforded him such real gratification as this. He sat down amid applause. Bro. Dixon, of Palmerston, sang a touching ballad very nicely, and then the W.M. proposed the health of the 1.P.M., Bro. Walter Bailey, and the other retiring officers. In referring to Bro. Bailey, 1.P.M., the W.M. paid a high tribute to the way in which he ruled and governed the Lodge during the past year. He also testified to the instruction and assistance he hud giyen his wardens so as to prepare and make them competent to fill higher positions in the Order. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Bro. P.M. Neale, told a moving tale of "The Plague that Moveth in Darkness," which excited roars of laughter. Bro. Bailey, in responding to the toast of the retiring officers, made a neat speech, in which he complimented them, and the other members of the Lodge, on the truly loyal support they had given him. During his occupancy of the chair, the Lodge had held fifteen meetings, and work had been done at them all, with one exception. He warmly thanked the brethren for the cordiality with which they had received the toast. Bro. P.M. Charles Bray then proposed the health of the Visiting Brethren, which toast was duly honored and responded to by the principal officers of the several lodges present. Bro P.M. Kirton as a member of the banquet committee, proposed the health of their hostess, Mrs Hastie, the chef, and the other assistants. He spoke in the highest terms of praise, but this was unnecessary because the viands testified to their own merit. The toast was honored musically " Here's a health to all good

Lasses "by everyone present. In the absence of Mrs Hastie, Bro P.M. Haybittle responded in a few wellchosen words. The Tyler's toast " All poor and distressed brethren," was honored in silence, according to ancient custom, and on the plate being passed round £4 7s was collected, which will be duly forwarded to the benevolent fund of the Grand Lodge. After this several good songs were sung and speeches made, and shortly past midnight the gathering dispersed. We may state, in conclusion, that the rain fell in torrents at intervals during the day and evening, which prevented the brethren from Bulls attending.