LODGE OF UNANIMITY, No 604, E.C.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 527, 25 February 1876, Page 4

LODGE OF UNANIMITY, No 604, E.C.

About five months ago it was determined to build a new Masonic hall in Lyttelton, the old one being in a very bad state of repair, and a piece of land in London street was bought for the purpose. After due consideration, however, it was agreed by the majority to have the new building erected on the old site. Tenders were called for the work, and Messrs Sutton and Weastall’s offer to erect it for £750 was accepted. The building, which is in the Gothic style, was designed by Mr W. B. Mountfoxt, and when completed, will be a great ornament to the town. The materials of which it is composed are stone from Mr Wilson’s White Bock quarry and brick. The ceremony of laying the laying the foundation-stone took place on Wednesday evening. The brethren met in the Oddfellows’ Hall at 6 p.m., about thirty being present, the R.W.D.G.M. Bro Donald presiding. A procession took place to the N.E. corner of the new building, the R.W.D.G.M. opening the proceedings with prayer. A bottle, containing copies of the Press KDA\Lyttelton Times of that day’s issue, a number of coins, and also the papers and coins that were originally interred when the old hall was built in 1856, and a document bearing the following inscription : “ 1.T.N.0.T.G.A.0.T.U. —This corner stone of the New Zealand Lodge of Unanimity, No 604, olim 879, was laid by Wm. Donald, Esq, R.M, Right Worshipful District Grand Master of Canterbury, New Zealand, on February 23rd, A.L. 5876, A.D. 1876 of the Lodge, the first stone of which was laid A D. 1856. Robert Anderson, W.M; Hugh McClellan, I.P.M; Peter Cunningham, S.W; W. D’Authreau, J.W; 0. A. Rich, S.D; W. B. All wright, J.D; Geo, M. Warne, I.G; E.C. Brown, treasurer; Geo. White, secretary; B. W. Mountfort, architect; Sutton and Weastall, contractors,” were placed under in a prepared cavity in the stone, and corn, wine, and oil were poured on the stone with the usual ceremonies. The brethren then adjourned. We understand that the brethren of the lodge intend the consecration of the new building to be a most imposing ceremony.