MASONIC

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1926, Page 1

MASONIC

Yesterday was an important milestone in the Masonic record of the Pacific Lodge of Hokitika, No. 1220, E.C. It. was the occasion of the diamond jubilee of tli.e Lodge, founded here in February, 1800. The Lodge has had a continuous existence of sixty years. The early portion of yesterday evening was set apart lor the installation of the W.M. id’ the Lodge. The brethren assembled at the Lodge Boom, South lievcll Street, at (> o’clock. There was a very large gathering of the fraternity. Practically all the Masonic Lodges oil the Coast were represented while members of other outside Lodges were present also. Tile commodious lodge room was tilled for the occasion. and the impressive ceremony of installation of Mro. Edward Mark Best as Worshipful Master and the investiture of the officers of the i.odge. was conducted in due form by lit. Wor. Bro. J. Steer, District Grand Master, assisted by Grand Lodge officers of Westland. The District Grand Master was assisted by the Deputy Master, Wor. Bro. Cochrane, who gave the occasional address, and A'or. Bro. Lawn who carried out the investiture of the officers. The following were the officers installed:—\\ .M. Bro. lx. M. Best; I.P.M. Wor. Bro. .1. .). Breeze; S. AY. Bro. E. AY. Heenan ;■ J. AY. Bro. K. P. Ferguson; TrcsaurcrAVor. Bro. F. C'ollyer; Secretary, Bro. H. Swoney ; Organist. A\ or. Bro. S. J. Preston; S.D. Bro. C. Cedermnn ; ■J.D. Bro. G. J. King; T.G. Bro. F. N.. Parker ; Tyler, Bro. I). H. Davies. Before the close of the ceremony of installation at the invitation of the District Grand Muster, Rt. Wor. Bro. 11. L. .Aiiohel. P.tr.Al. addressed the brethren. Subsequent to the Lodge meeting, the brethren accompanied by their wives and lady friends to the number of about 250 >at down to a banquet spread at the Soldiers’ Hall. 'I he catering as carried out in ample style by Mrs Preston. The newly installed W.M. presided, and the following toasts were honoured :—"The King and the Craft;" ■■’rhe Grand Lodge of England;" ‘‘l he Grand Lodge of New Zealand and Sister Constitutions;” "The Worship-mi .Master and Officers;" "The Pioneers of Lodge Pacific ;" " The \ isiturs "'1 he Tvler’s Toast." Several interesting addresses were delivered, and many references to the founders of the Lodge, and to some ol the distinguished men uho had been associated with the life and activities of the Lodge, notably the late Bros. John Lazar and John Levan. At the close cl the toast list, the Hull was cleared in very quick time, ami (lancing was indulged in. an orchestra of four instruments supplying capital music. The hall was very tastefully decorated for the occasion, blue and while being the prevailing colours. The scene presented was a very gay and animated one. and the Lodge Officers were congratulated on the pleasant and successful manner in which the evening’s arrangements passed oil’. The import ant anniversary of the history ol the Lodge was marked very happily, and the event- will long he remembered by all who were privileged to be present on such notable an occasion.