THE MASONIC BANQUET.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1244, 25 July 1872, Page 2

THE MASONIC BANQUET.

Under jthe presidency , of the. W/. MJ elect^ Bro. James Kerr, ' supported bf Bro. Lazar and the officiating P.M's, tipwards of sixty members of the craft sat down to supper, in the long room at Gilmer's Hotel, on "Tuesday evening last; The preparations and adornment of the hall, as well as the banquet, were under the superintendence of Mr W. G. Vealej whose name for excellence as a' supervisor on such occasions has now become' a house| hold word on the Coast, and his efforts of last night did not deteriorate from his well-earned famo as a caterer. . ; While the tables literally groaned under the supply of edibles and other tempting things, there was a freedom of and from that coarseness that in many feasts of a similar description sometimes meets the eye and detracts from the sense of enjoy] ment that is requisite- at such times! An evident determination by the company to enjoy themselves was also apparent: and when this primary and best element was added to the good things of this lift upon the board, the success of the usual yearly Masonic festivity was at once assured. ! ' i We regret that ; a' report 'of the proceed--ings could not be given in our yesterday's issue, but our apology for this was the lateness of the hour at which the brethren sat down to the table, and the protracted length' of the Entertainment. ' It was nojb until nearly half-past nine o'clock before the grand attack upon the victualling department was made, aiid the " wee sma . hours" were well dipped into before signs of a departure by any were giveru Immediately after the supper, when appetites were satisfied, and a lull of contentment was observed the W.M. and Chairman gave out the usual Masonic toasts, which were heartily applauded^ and met with customary fire. It is hardly necessary here to report theafc toasts, because in all entertainments of a similar kind they are 'always given and always at the commencement. When the toast— "The District Grand Master, Bro. John Lazar," was given, the W.Mij Bro. Kerb, said— ln proposing the toast to which J.<: now call upon the brethren present to respond, I have only to mention the name to -elicit : your heartiest applause, and .the most cordial and outspoken testimony of your approval. Throughout the Coast it, Has become synonymous with Masonry, and the spread of the science in c New Zealand' has also become identified with : the name of Bro. Lazar. At each succeeding celebration, such as the present, we have: had -that brother amongst us, guiding us and instructing us, and the words of [Wisdom and counsel that we listen to are the words of one -who has become aged in the practice and profession of the Masonic art. Years seem but to perfect him in his knowledge "and ability to instruct, while they at the same time appear to mellow his heart more thoroughly with" the pure and npble principle convej'ed. It was not only in Westland that Bro. Lazar was respected and beloved, for those who had the pleasure of being present that afternoon knew him literally harnessed with

the tokens, emblems, and insighias, of the order, "every one oftwhichcould tell a tale ot lovp, esteem, anoV -praise 'from 3he Masonic communities in- which he had.resided. " ;; V" : '--'" ■"■■■.••■ "•■■.'••'"'

Bro. D.G.M. Lazar, ia responding, said that it always afforded him the greatest satisfaction in coming to visit his „in,. not. only, -on acJßonnt'of the pleasure in watehihg^and recognising the 'advancement and improvement in their lodges, but also becauße of the pleasant recollections of its foundation, in which he had taken ah active part. From the first opening of the Greymouth Lodges he had always taken an active in teres't in ' its 'welfare, because from the moment of its opening until the present he recognised a spirit of enterprise and determination .to succeed. Then, as now, he.said, '-'tonijoun Grey," you have vitality and you have stamina. To ; an old Mason who has-the interest of the body at heart,, it is great pleasure to mix with you and to recognise your praise worthy, efforts to become acquainted with the hidden mysteries of our art. To some of. the outward world ;ths, speculative mysteries of our order appear:abstruse and unmeaning;; .but to. those who pay attention to the precepts and tenets enforced by the symbolical signs and laws laid down for, our guidance, and act according to them, infinite pleasure and a great .reward will be the result. - Af ter : some more remarks and acknowledgment and recognition of the compliment paid to him ' by the Greymouth Lodge, Bro. ; Lazar sat down amid great applause. Song, Bro. Lawn. Bro.; PiM. Beaokmor*! proposed the health'; of ' ]the'' WlMi Brother,; James; Kei^, : ;jn ! :' very :,'^^hig^ly .ißulpgwtioV terms, 1 adverting to the' fact that he had joihedj the lodge; with him,/that he had watched! his. progress. from his joining to the pre-: sent moment, . and had longjcecogniß.ed his zeal, intelligence, and ability. P.M,| Blackmore concluded 'his remarks with' the statement that he felt assured, under' the working of Bro. Kerr, the Greymou|h Lodge would not' suffer "any detriment or! loss, but would prosper even more than 1 it had hitherto done. ' Song,vby Bro. WV Hill./ : ; \ W.M. Kerk, in responding, said that' he gratefully recognised the warm feeling shown to him, and thanked the last speaker and the; brethren present for the expression. He ' Would, hbweverilißa^ that "the proof of the ' pudding ; is in the eating," and. he hoped.that when his term! of office expired such similar proof 1 would then be afforded 'to him as had been given to-night. , For, ■ himself,,, he, promised to endeavor to earnKthat, and if gobd inten-' ticin, assiduity, and close attention to the proper working of the Lodge would do 1 so, it would be by him. He* however,must have his hands strengthened by the brethren themselves,' because without; their cordial help he and his officers were' powerless. By the union of the whole; and working aa a whole in the bonds of love .a rid fraterni^, he and his'officer^ would be encouraged in the fulfilment o| their duties, and the efficiency' of thd Lodge secured. ■„;._ . ; .< Song, Bro. Wilson. „: , <■ | Bro. .P.M. Moss ..proposed .'IThe 1 Officers of; the. Greymouth Lodge," an 4 -said'that they wereyourig 1 , eager; and full of v hope and .promise, and contained ex! cellerit elements within themselves. Their Master, although young, had been a mbsi promising Mason from the day. he\ joined] and he"'TYas ; pleased to' see him arrive at the culminating point of ' a Mason's am* bition, namely, the Chair. He felt assured that all support would be afforded by the! older brethren' iv -aiding^ to secure thd efficiency ~~6i the Lodge, "as wishe'd for bv him in his endeavor to make it the first in excellence upon the Coast. „. | Sorig, Bro. Lazar. fj Bro. Hindmarsh, S. W., , responded to the foregoing toast, arid stated that he" andhisbrotherofficera would try and dc their best, arid endeavor by punctuality and regularity of attendance and anxietj to work ; welij arid keep 'up the prestige o" the Lodge beyond even its present well earned-fame; --•••■ - -:. - .- -. | W.M. Kerr proposed "P.M. Black more;" and bore testimony to his anxioui endeavors and labors during the past'yeai of office, and by personal knowledge. of hit excellence in the chair; ' Song, Bro. Ashion. „, „., , \ Bro; P. M. Blackmore responded^ am acknowledged the remarks of the, W.M in a short speech. ' : He stated his sole am in taking the chafr was for. the advance ment of Masonry, and that his rwhph course of conduct duping his occupancy o the same was for that purpose* Bro. PlMi Anoher proposed v . The re . tiring, bfficersof the Greymouth* Lodge," ! Song, Bro. Sharp.;." , V -V : " i • Bro. MARKspfoposed "ThePastMasters of the Greymouth Lodge," to which Bro! P.M. Edward Anoher, as oldest P.M.; responded. -■■■■*■■■■ , Masonic recitation, Bro. Hill. ( Song, Bro. Wilson, s. -s ; .-. ; ; The-W. Mi' proposed "The' Sister Lodges," coupled'with; 'the name of Broi Cooper, Greymouth St 4 Andrew's, ,td which 'Brpl' Cooper replied. • '' " . S.W^.j^DMARSB proposed i'T^e visiting brethren^ to which Bro. Marks reSong—" Trip to Chistchurch," Bro. Lazar: "■ ,., , „; . , „-.,.:. „: „■-:.,■>,, . ; , Bro. W^ S. SMlxia: proposed " The health of Bro. G.; T. N. Watkins, Chaplain .of the . Lodge/ and made some most felicitous and .complimentary "remarks on the subject of his toast! During the time that Bro. Smith was addressing the chair, aßd at the termination of his speech, the cordial applause given to him was nomore than his well-timed and well-chosen expressions merited. ■ ; TheKev. Bro, replied in a happy speech, adverting to his first connection- with the Lodge, T ,thp fraternal feeling always-preya-leht; there, arid the -"marked progress in Masonry that he observed in several of the young 'members/ He'paid bigh'testimony to the energy arid iritelligerice'o| the Master elect, and spoke with pleasure at his ornatiori to, the chair. ' Song, Bro HiNDMARSH. . , i The reiriainder of the. toasts of the morning (evening was long past) consisted of "The.Press," "The Ladies," "The Host," «&c., and were most industriously given, replied to, and accompanied by all and sundry of these adjuncts that invariably are upon the termination of a hjappy festivity ; and happy and pleasant indeed was the one now past. It was, take it all in all, one of the best,. most agreeable and riiost' en joyable.Masonic banquets we ever attended; and from that most excellent host Gilmery, who exceeded himself, down to that John Brown, who drank only sodawator,. everything was done to render it a success—which it was,. . *