NEW MASONIC HALL AT PORT.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2350, 14 October 1881, Page 3

NEW MASONIC HALL AT PORT.

A very handsome hall was consecrated yesterday at Lyttelton to the uses of the Masonic fraternity. A description of the new temple was given some time since in these columns, also a full report of the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone, an event which drew together one of the largest assemblages of Masons that ever met in Canterbury. In connection with the edifice itself, it is now only necessary to add that the workmen have done their work faithfully upon it, and it stands in the Port a monument of artizsn pride, and a further durable testimony of the prominence and worth of the craft. The ceremony of the conse<. ration was commenced soon after half-pash four o’clock in the afternoon, by the Bev. James Hill, acting under the authority of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dunedin, The prayers and passage? of Scripture were impressively read by Brothers Bev. J. Townsend and the Bev. Edgar Herbert Wyatt, An eloquent oration on the principles of Masonry was delivered by Bro. Bev. J. Townsend, and was listened to by the hundred and thirty odd members present with marked attention. The following lodges were represented .—Conyers, No. 1916, 8.0., by Bro. J. Joyce, W. M.; Union, 536, E. 0., of Tasmania, Bro. W. H. McArthur; Eobert Burns, 604, S.C., Bro. Ferguson, P.M.; Unanimity, 604, E. 0., Bro. W. B. Allwright, W.M. ; Southern Cross, No. 760, Bro. S. S. Powell; Canterbury, 1048, E.C., Bro. Sandstein ; Lincoln, 1018, E C., Bro. Bev. Wyatt; Unity, 341, H. 0., Adelaide, Bro. T. W. Arthur; St. Clair Eilwinning, 656, 5.0., Bro. W. Graham, W.M. ; St. John’s, 346, I 0., Bro. O. Careless ; Lodge of Otago, No. 844, E. 0., Bro. E. D. Mowry ; Concord, 1925, E.C., Bro. O. E. Briggs, W.M. ; St. Augustine, 609, E. 0., Bro. P. Jacobsen; Eoyal Military, 1459, Bro. Bennett ; Corinthian, 463, 1.0., Bro. B. 3utledge, W.M.; Pacific, 1229, E.C., Bro. 3. BadcliSo, besides several others. The District Grand Master, Bro. W. Donald, was also present. After the ceremony, the E. W.M., Bro. James Grubb, closed the lodge and tho brethren proceeded to the Oddfellows’ Hall, where refreshments were partaken of. Subsequently a ball was held. During tho day the now hall was visited by a large number of the craft, who were highly plea-ed with the appearance of it. As before stated, the workmanship bestowed upon the structure itself has been most faithfully performed. Of the infernal fittings, tbs W.M.’s chair was mi.do by Bros. J. Oarrell and P. Arnold, the painting of the pavement was done by Bro. W. Badclitfe, tho furniture by Bro, George Lewis, and the gas and plumbing work by Bro. W. Austin, and all deserved the compliment paid by the visitors yesterday on the excelledco and taste displayed. The hall as it stands will coat about £IOOO, so that it will bo readily understood that the brethren of Canterbury Kilwinning, 585, 5.0., have not been parsimonious in providing for the growing requirements of the order in Lyttelton. The officers of the lodge at present are —Bro. J. Grubb, 8.W.M.; T. Green, I.P.M. ; 0. H. Elme«. S.W. ; P. Ooote, J.W. ; J. Oarrell, S.D. ; F. Arnold, J.D.; John Grubb, treasurer; G. Dimond, secretary ; W. Brown, I.Q. ; 3. Findlay, tyler. The musical portion ot the ceremony was very efficiently rendered by rhe choir of tho Canterbury Lodge, 1048, S,C. Bro. Messenger presiding at the harmonium.