GOOD TEMPLARISM IN TASMANIA.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 26, 30 June 1874, Page 4

GOOD TEMPLARISM IN TASMANIA.

The ceremony of instituting the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars in Tasmania took place at Hobart Town on Monday, 25th May. It having been arranged that the anniversary of the Tasmanian Temperance Alliance should be held about the same time, that association had invited the Rev R, Rogers, Grand Worthy Counsellor of the Grand Lodge of Victoria, 1.0.G.T., to be prcseut. The Executive Council of the Provisional Grand Lodge of Tasmania had also requested the Grand Worthy Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Victoria to assist at the institution of the Grand Lodge of Tasmania, for which a charter had been granted by the Right Worthy Grand Lodge, and a commission to institute directed to Captain W. Fisher, who filled the office of Provisional Grand Worthy Chief Templar, had been issued, dated Ist December last, and under the hand of the R.W.G.T. the Hon. S, D. Hastings, of Madison, Wisconsin, United States. The Provisional Grand Lodge met on Saturday, the 23rd of May, for the purpose of maturing the arrangements for the forthcoming ceremonies. On the succeeding Sunday the subject of temperance formed a portion of the discourses in many of Ihc various churches of the city, and in the evening, after the ordinary services had concluded, a special religious service, in which ministers of various denominations took part, was held in the Town Hall, A collection was made on behalf of the Benevolent Society and Ragged Schools of Hobart Town, which was afterwards supplemented by a vote from the Grand Lodge. On Monday, 25th May, the Provisional Grand Lodge assembled in the Alliance Rooms, Macquarie street, when the P.G.W. C.T., the P.G.W.S., and the P.G.T. presented their reports. A cordial vote of thanks having been passed to the provisional grand officers, and suitably acknowledged by them, the Provisional Grand Lodge was dissolved. At the request of Captain Fisher, Mr F. Palmer, Grand Worthy Secretary of Victoria then took the chair, and having inaugurated the Grand Lodge, he conferred the Grand Lodge Degree. The election of officers then took place and resulted as follows; G.W.C.T., Captain Fisher ; G.W. Councillor, C. K. Ellis, (Hobart Town) ; G.W.V., George Babington, (Launceston) ; G.W. Secretary, P. Facey, junr,, (Hobart Town) ; G. Treasurer, G. S. Crouch, (Hobart Town;) Assistant G. Secretary, H. T. C. Cox, (Launceston) ; G. Chaplain, Rev C. J. Brammall, (Sorell) ; G. Marshall, J. Reid, (Launceston) ; G. D. Marshall, James Brickhill, (Launceston) ; G. Guard, James Wallace, (Launceston) ; G. Sentinel, H, Hemphill, (Longford) ; G. Messenger, H. Wise, (Bothwell); P.G.C.T., S. B. Mather, (Hobart Town.) The Grand Officers were installed by the Rev R. Rogers, Grand Worthy Counsellor of Victoria. Wednesday, 27th May, was set apart for the celebration of the anniversary of the Tasmanian Temperance Alliance, in which the Good Templars, Rechabites, aad many other temperance bodies took part. A special religious service was held in the Alliance rooms at 11 a.m,, followed by a public meeting, Mr T. J. Crouch presided. Addresses on the subject of temperance having been delivered, the meeting terminated with singing a temperance anthem. A procession of upwards of 2000 persons was then formed and headed by a baud of music, marched with banners to Barrack square, where a variety of sports wore provided for the Jjuvcniles. In the evening a grand soiree was held in the Town hall, at which a thousand persons were present.