GREYMOUTH LODGE OF FREEMASONS.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 700, 14 July 1870, Page 2

GREYMOUTH LODGE OF FREEMASONS.

The ceremony of installing the officers of the above Lodge took place at the Lodge-room, Gilmer's Buildings, on Tuesday afternoon. There was a. good attendance of the members, as also a number of visiting brethren.

The- minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and some business of routine gone through, when the brethren, with the exception of Past Master Ancher, and the Master Elect, retired. On ro-assenibling, Bro. Past Master Ancher declared G. W. Moss, Esq., duly installed Worshipful Master of the Greymouth Lodge for the ensuing year, when the usual honors were given by the brethren according to ancient usage. This is the second year that ,Mr M 033 has occupied the. high position of Master of the Greymouth Lodge.

Brother Past Master. Ancher then proceeded to install the officers of the Lodge, which he did in a most impressive manner, exhorting each in their several capacities to be assiduous in the performance of their duties. The following aretheofficers installed : — Bro. G. W. Moss, Worshipful Master „ C. L. Morice, Senior Warden „ J. J. Blaokmore, Junior Warden „ H. Whitmore, Treasurer „ C. A. C. Hardy,. Secretary „ E. Wickes, Senior Deacon „ . R. J. Joiiuston, Junior Deacon „ T. Thomas. Inner Guard „ A. Fowler, Tyler. „,

The Lodge was then called off at six o'clock, the Worshipful Master intimating that the banquet in honor of the occasion would take place at half-past eight o'clock.'

THE BANQUET,

At half-past eight o'clock, between fifty and sixty of the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet, arranged and prepared by Brother G. Gilmer. The commodious hail in which they were assembled afforded ample room for the large number present, and the brethren seemed thoroughly: to enjoy themselves. , There was everything on the. boards to whet the appetite and gratify the eye, with wines, &c, of the best brands ad libitum. . Indeed,^ great credit is due to Bro. Gilmer for the splendid, style in which every arrangement was made, and the attention and kindness which those present received. After justice had been done to the good things provided, The Worshipful Master gave the following toasts, prefacing each with. a, few neat and complimentary remarks : — *' The Queen and the Craft;" "The Grand Master of England, Earl de Grey and Ripon ;" "The Grand Masters of Ireland and Scotland ;" " The Provincial Grand Master of Canterbury," &c, which were warmly responded to, accompanied with musical honors.

Bro. Past Master Ancher then rose, and said the toast he had the honor- to propose, he felt sure, would myet with a hearty respone from every brother present. He had only to mention that the toast was "The Health of Bro. G. W. Moss, Worshipful Master of the Greymouth Lodge," to ensure ita 'being warmly received.

The toast was drank with enthusiasm, the whole company singing " He's a jolly good fellow," after which three cheers were given, and one more cheer for Mra Moss.

The Worshipful Master, in responding to the toast that had been proposed, ■thanked Bro. P. M. Ancher and the brethren for the very kind manner in whbh they had drank his health. It was not his intention to say much, as there were a numbor of other toasts to be proposed. He assured the brethren that he felt deeply the honor they had conferred by electing him for the second time Master of the Greymouth Lodge ; and he would do all in his power to carry on the business connected with his office. Without the assistance of his officers he could do little, but with unity amongst them, he had no fear but the Greymouth Lodge would be successful. (Applause.) Bro. P. M. Ancher said that it was always with the greatest pleasure that they welcomed Visiting Brethren, but it was indeed a special delight to see present the Rev. Bro. Watkins. He (Bio. A.) was given to believe that Bro. Watkins would shortly become a member of the Greymouth Lodge, and ho know that event would be hailed by the brethren with much satisfaction. He called on the brethren to dr.nk health and prosperity to the Rev. Bro. Watkius. The toast wa3 enthusiastically drank.

Rev. Bro. Watkins said that one could not help feeling thankful on an occasion like the present. He had hoped to be in attendance in the afternoon to witness the impressive ceremony of installing the officers ; but he had been called away to 1 a ceremony of a more lasting character. He had never witnessed the ceremony of installation, and consequently would have to wait another year before he would have an opportunity He came from a feasting place in the old country, but he doubted if ever he saw even there a banquet such as the present. It gave him peculiar pleasure to see the present Worshipful Master elected for the second time. He hoped he would soon take his place as a member of the Lodge. The rev. brother concluded by trusting that the same blessing would bo extended to the brethren as they had hoped would be bestowed oh himself — long life and prosperity. The rev. brother then withdrew.

Bro. D. Maclean in rising to propose the toast, " The officers' of the Greymouth Lodge," said he could endorse all that had been said by Bro. Ancher regarding the Worshipful Master. The other officers of the Lodge he believed were men and Masons. He had not been told to be brief, but believed he had said everything in that single word. (The toast was cordially drank.)

Bro. Blackmore, on behalf of himself and brother officers, returned thanks, and trusted thai; they would always be de3erviug ofi the same, approbation as they had. now received. ■ The Worshipful. Master said it was with great pleasure he rose to propose the health: of Bro. Past Master Ancher. : Ho had been of great service to the Greymouth Lodge, being installed as its first Master, and its present position was in si great measure due to him. He ha r l initiated a great number of the brethren, and he (Mr Moss) had received every assistance from him in his capacity as Master. The good teeling that existed between Bro. Anoher and himself led him

to believe that he would render 3till greater services to the Greymouth Lodsje v Drank with all the honors. Bro. Ancher, P.M., responded to the toast, and said that he.would always consider it his duty to take an interest in the Greymouth Lodge. He trusted tha brethren would work in . harmony, without which no Lodge would prosper. 4 (Cheers.) Bro. H. Kenrtok, in a eulogistical speech, £> r opo3ed the health of the "retiring officers." Draiik' with atl tlie honors. " . ■■ ■■ Bros. Allardyce, Fox, and Kerr then replied. . . ; ._,.-_ , • ' Bro. Andrews," in~a .few pertinent! remarks, gave the health of • the visiting brethren, coupled with the names of Bros. Whitefoord and Barclay. Drank with all the honors. ' Bros. Whitefoord and Barclay replied. Bro. E. B. Fox gave ''The Sister : Lodges," coupled with the name of Bro. Seabrook. (Cheers.) \ ■. Bros. Seabrook, Johnston, and Kirby replied. ; ; ■ . Bro. Kerr proposed the health of " The newly initiated Brethren," which was cordially received. Bro. A. White and Roche responded. Bro.- Strike proposed "The Press" coupled with the names of Bro. Kerr and Arnott, expatiating on the advantages a well regulated press conferred on communities. ■■"•'' • • ■ • .' : Bro. Kerr replied. Mr Girdwood in a happy and humorous speech proposed. " The health of the Ladies." * Drank with the uaual hbhdrs. Responded tp by, Bro. T. Thomas. Bro. F. Kent gave the toast of "Mine Host," which, in; the. absense of Bro. Gilmer, was responded to by Bro. D. Girdwood.. : • ■ Bro. P.M. Ancher proposed the health of A. Fowler, Tyler, and spoke in high terms of the efficient manner in which he performed his duties. Drank enthusiastically. Bro. A. Fowler replied. The. W.M. then gave the toast .; of "Absent" Brethren:" .The toast was warmly received. 'The W.M. said the last toast he had to propose would, he had no doubt, be feelingly received— ' ' All poor and distressed Brethren, " indulging in the hope that they would receive immediate relief, and a speedy return 'to their native couutfy. . "" : ■ A number of songs were siiiig by several of the brethren, which added much to the hilarity of the evening. " Auld- Lang Syne" was snug by the brethren, after which

The W.M. called the Lodge together, and after some unimportant business^ closed the proceedings. ;