MASONIC FAREWELL

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1924, Page 4

MASONIC FAREWELL

TO GOVERNOR-GENERAL. j C'HRISTCIIUROH, October 22. His Excellency Lord .lellieoe, Most Worshipful Grand Master of New Zealand, was entertained at a farewell dinner in the Caledonian Hall last night by the .Masons of New Zealand, and was presented with a I’ast-Grand Master’s regalia and it Masonic jewel, set with diamonds. Very Worshipful Brother A. H. Ilohhs, president of the Board of General Purposes was in the chair. About d()0 brethren, r<«prc.senting till parts of New Zealand, attended, every seat at the tables being occupied. Amongst those present were Most Worshipful Brother H. li. Michel, Pro-Grand Mitster and Most Worshipltd Brothers M. Thompson (Tinniru), .1. J. Rottgall (Cliristehureh), and S.

Clifton Bingham (Cliristehureh), Past Grand Masters, Very Worshipful Brothers J. Simpson and 1). Malison were Grand Directors of Ceremonies. An apology for absence was received from the Grand Master Designate, the Bight Hon W. F. Massey, Prime Minister. He expressed regret at his inability to be present, and added: “Aon will realise, probably, that it is most difficult for me to get away while Parliament is sitting, especially when the session is drawing to a close. I convey every good wish for the function.” Apologies for absence were received also from the Most Worshipful Brother Malcolm Nicol, Past-Grand Master and Past-Grand Secretary, Worshipful Brother Armstrong, Deputy-Grand Master, and Most Worshipful Brother T. Boss, Past-Grand Master. Only one toast, " Our guest,” was honoured. It was proposed by Most Worshipful Brother Michel, supported bv the three Past-Grand Masters and several Provincial Grand Masters. . TOAST OF THE EVENING.

Most Worshipful Brother Michel, in proposing the toast, said that New Zealand had been fortunate ill its Grand Masters and its Governors, lie spoke for some ‘211,000 Freemasons when lie said that they never had had a Grand Master who was more, respected and loved than laird .lellieoe. I‘ reeii’.asonry was an institution that stood for good ill all paths of life. It was striving to make tlie ideal of the brotherhood of mao and the Fatherhood of God .-omething more than mere figures of speech. His Excellency, realising that, had done a great deal fur the institution in New Zealand. The words “Gootl-hyo” often had conveyed more pain and sorrow than ally other words in the English language. Brethren from the north, the south, the east and the west felt that they were cold words in respect to their Grand Master. In his two years of office lie had done a great deal not only for Freemasonry lint also for the community. The Viscountess .lellieoe also had made great sacrifices in depriving herself of Lord .lellieoe’s company. She. like many other women, recognised the great good there was in I 1 rocmasonry ; and she had done her part in helping the people of this Dominion. All Freemasons hoped that in the Old Country his Excellency would think ol the work that was lining done in New Zealand for the craft. Brother -Michel concluded by asking brethren present to drink the toast with the deepest enthusiasm. • PRESENTATION OF .IEWEI. . | Most Worshipful Brother C lit toll Bingham, who presented the jewel, said that it had as its main features the square and the compass, well known symbols of Freemasonry, and especially of the Past-Grand Master. It carried a circle ol leni-leaves, emblems

of New Zealand and representations of the Rose. .Shamrock and Thistle. Ihe speaker hoped that it would remind his Excellency of the love in which he was held in New Zealand, and ol the fact that New Zealand Freemasons alwavs had looked up to him lor an example lie never had tailed to show. Ills E,VT:I,I.i;NO " SPEK< 11.

11is F.N'ellcm'V, responding said ill-' 1 lie could iml adequately cxpicss liis ;i|i prccialion of the honour iloue to him Thev Mould remind him, il a reminder was necessary, of happy hours lie hud spent as ;i member of the era 1 1 in Now Zealand, lie well knew the "lent work done by his predecessors, lie could not have followed in their steps with’ out the valuable help given him by tlie .Most Worshipful the Pro-Grand .Master. To other officers, it Iso, he owed a deep debt of gratitude, to the Might Worshipful Grand Secretary and: the Wry Worshipful ’President of the Hoard of Genera! Purposes especially.' During the past twelve months there had hoeii many signs of progress. The number of lodges had increased by eighteen, the annuities had been inI creased by sixteen, the eonti ibutious of lodges to the Widows and Orphans and Aged .Masons Fund had increased, by L‘(lso, the income of the fund had iu-j creased by L'lOt); and the result of circular appeals had increased by CIOOO. lie would like to see a large increase in the number of Freemasons in tho Kmpire, as Freemasonry stood for the highest ideals, lie would carry with him from New Zealand memories of good men and true. Anything he could do for Freemasonry in the Old CounIhy he would do with all his heart, as he wished to see it more widely spread as a moral force. It was advancing by leaps and bounds, especially in the dominions, but much more was to be (lone. That was the last large gathering id .Masons he would see in Xew Zealand. He regretted sincerely that the time had come for saying “ Goodbye.” lie hoped that they would continue to flourish as Freemasons, would continue to live up to the high ideals of the craft, and would have continued ,

prosperity and happiness. From the bottom of his heart, he thanked them. Might Worshipful W. G. ITav, Senior Grand Warden, and Might Worshipful Mrotlier .T. TC. Ilornblow, Junior Grand Warden, expressed appreci-

ation of the Grand Master’s Work and diameter. . (TIHISTCIII'MCTI FAMEWELL, rniUSTCHrMnr, October -_>i. This afternoon, the citizens of Christchurch said farewell to the Gov-ernor-General at a function in the City Council Chambers. 11 is Excellency was accompanied by Lady Jollieoe and the Hon. I.uey Jcllieoe, and the hoys of the High School Cadets formed a guard of honour. An address I was presented to the Governor-Gen-eral by the -Mayor. During the afermioii, Lord Jcllieoe, who was accompanied by Lady Jcllieoe and lion. Luev Jcllieoe, deposited a wreath of aruni lilies on the front door of the Cathedral. The inscription on the wreath was: “To the immortal memory of Nelson, Admiral of the Fleet, —Viscount Jcllieoe and Viscountess Jcllieoe.”

Later the Governor-General anil Viscountess Jellieoe attended the session of tile Synod of Christchurch Diuese, and said farewell to the Archbishop and members. The synoclsmen heartily cheered their excellencies, and sang ” For They are .Tollly Good bellows.”

Lord Jellieoe, in an address to the Synod, said Christchurch always reminded him "of the Old Land. The ideals of the early settlers had been carried out by those who came niter them. It was one of his greatest pleasures on coming to Christclutrch to attend the beautiful services in the Cathedral. That was one of the first thoughts of the pioneers. Every hour in Christchurch reminded him of England, Lord and Lady Jellieoe left by