MASONIC BANQUET.

Kumara Times, Issue 1340, 17 January 1881, Page 2

MASONIC BANQUET.

A banquet in honor of the installation of the Worshipful Master and the various officers of the Lazir Masonic Lodge) E.C, was held at the Public Hall on Monday evening last. The spread> which was all that tlie most, fastidious epicure could desire, reflected the greatest credit on that well-known caterer, Mr Gilbert Stewart. The tables were most tastefully an.l beautifully decorated, the splendid display of glass being shown to great advantage by the various hues of the many choice bouquets of flowers which, although in abundance, were arranged with a most pleasing effect. Shqrtly before nine o'clock about sixty of the craft sat down, Bro. Nicholson, W.M., occupy, ihg the chair, supported on his right by D.G.W:M. Bro. J. Bevan and D.C.S.W. Hudson, of Hokitika, and Bro. Kerr, P.M., Greymouth, on his left by Bro. Williams, P.M., Bro. Hyams, W.M., Hokitika, and Bro. Barkley, W.M., Greymouth, Bro. Barnett, S.W., officiating as vice-chairman. There were a number-of visitors from other lodges in the district also preseut. After full justice had been done to tlie sumptuous repast provided, the Chairman gave the toast of " The Queen and the Craft," alluding to her Majesty as " the mother of the Masons, and the most benevolent lady that ever graced the throne of England." The toast was drunk with Masonic honors, followed by the " National Anthem." " The Grand Master of England, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales'' was then drunk with Masonic and musical honors. Song: " God bless the Prince of 1 Wales," Bro. J. Williams. Toast: " The Grand Masters of Scotland and Wales." ■Song: "Tlie Good Rhine Wine," Bro. Will.y. Tlie Chairman, in proposing the toast of « The 8,. W. D. G. M. Bro. Bevan," said tbat he, in common with every one of the craft, felt assured that the present District Grand Muster wou f <3 closely follow in the footsteps of his late and lamented predecessor in office, Bro. Lazar. When the formal installation 6f the District Grand Master took place in a few we<>ks time, he trusted to see a large number of the craft present at the cei'enViny, and he hoped the members of the Lazir Lodge would muster in full force on the occasion. The toast was drunk with Masonic and musical honors. S»wr : «My old friend John," Bro. Rodgers. The District Grand Master, in replying to the toast, said he felt quite overwhelmed by the enthusiastic and hearty manner they had responded to the toast of his health. He trusted his connection with Masonry would only end with his life •; and if he succeeded in only one-half emulating the actions of his worthy and lamented predecessor, Bro. Lazar, he should feel he had attained a great deal. Daily intercourse had proved to him that Masonry did .Hot only exist in the lodge-room alone, as he ngarded Masonry as a goodly tree, laden with the fruit of truth, "whose branches extended over the face of the whole earth. He felt the responsibility greatly with which he had been invested, and he would endeavor to honestly and conscientiously perform the duties of the office, to the satisfaction and good of the craft generally. These reunions were like the gathering of one large family, in which brotherly love and affection predominated, and it was very pleasing to him, on assuming the position he now occupied, to find the Laear Lodge iu such a satisfactory condition as regarded Masonry. He trusted to again meet them shortly; and, in tendering his thanks for the toast they had honored him with, they could rest assuted the interests of the craft in Westland would never suffer at his hands.

Toast: " The District Grand officers, cmpled with the name of the name of the District Senior Warden, Bro. Hudson."—Drunk with masonic and musical honors.

Song : " Three Times Three " Bro. J. William?.

The District Senior Warden, in re sponding, said it gave him great pleasure to respond on behalf of the District Grand Lodge. It was mainly attributable to their late respected District Grand

Master that the Lodge haft been published in Westl'atid. It whs extremely gratifying to the District Grand Lodge to find that Masonry was making so much headway, not only throughout the district but the world generally. All must admit the benefits of having a District Grand Lodge, as it afforded a means of settling all small disputes that might arise in a minor and tendered to cement any litt'e differences of opinion'. He tViisted that when the installation of the District Grand faster took place, he should see many of those present :n Hokitika oh the occasion', and he again thanked fhem Heartily on behalf of the District. Grand, Dodge officers for the manner in which they had received and responded 'to tha't toast. The District Grand Master said that being now entrusted with the. gavel by the Chairman, he liad great pleasure in proposing "The health of the newlyinstalied Worshipful Master of the Lodge, Bro. W. Nicholson." a . nibat pains-taking-brother and one whose acquaintance he was,proud to say he had made on the. formation of the Lazar Lodge. He felt assured that the members of the lodge would have no cause to regret their choice, as Bro'. I Nicholson was of an amiable disposition, and of; untiring ieal in the cause of Masonry. The toast was drank with Masonic and musical honors. ;= ' . ' Song by Bro. Benning. . . The newly-elected Worshipful Master said he sincerely thanked them for the honor accorded him in the toast they had just responded toj but after the high encomiums parsed oh. liim. by the proposed he was scarcely able to reply. He should, to the best of his ability; uphold the dignity of the office tc. wrhicli he had been elected ] but in so doing he would require the assistance of the newly-installed officers, as to. ensure harmony and order in a .satisfactory condition in any large body, all niust act conjointly and with one mind: He should feel gratified if when liis terni df office expired he could Ifeav'e it witli the same eclat as his predecessor had done. He must beg to be excused saying any more on the occasion as the references to himself personally-Had been of too flattering-a nature. P.M. Brother Kerr,' of 'Greyniouth,; said that he had been entrusted witli the proposing of the next toast, and before giving it; He would like to say how much pleasure it gave him' to be there that evening} and when he looked round arid stiw the iiumb'er of visitors that had come sonie miles to be present on the occasion, {(; Avas at once conclusive testimony of tHe genial spirit, that pervaded the working of the Lazar Lodge. He might say He had attended the preliminary itheetirig of this Lodge, and was well acquainted with its formation ; and the beautiful ceremony he had heard within its walls' that afternoon had given him infinite pleasure. He was gratified to knowthat their late respected and levered 'Grand District Master's office had fallen to such an able representative, and one whose name was hailed by the craft From one end of the Coast to. the other, tiro. «L Bevan, and he trusted he would be lbiig spared to perform the duties of the office to which he had been elevated. He would now ask them to drink " Tlie healUi of the Past Master, Bro. Williams," who was held in high esteem and respect by the brotherhood generally. Aa faster' .of the lodge he (Bro. Williams) Had discharged his duties feelingly; and he felt that his actions would be appreciated: He gave "' The health of the Pasi Master (if the Lazar Lodge, Bro. J. Wililiarris.'' The toast was duly and masouicalrjr honored.' Song: " Let me kiss him for his" mother," Bro'R. J^iSeddon. The Past Master, Bro. Williams, in rising to reply, said that twelve months ago, when he responded to the toast of his health on his accession to office, he knew the responsibility and difficulties he had to cope with. It had given him the greatest pleasure to assume the honorable position to which he was then electedj although he had no Past Master to support him in carrying out hia duties. He was very thankful to, the various officers of the Lodge who had so ably assisted him in his short* comings during his term of office. He should now be only too happy to do all in his power to assist his successor, whom he had no hesitation in saying would do his duty strictly and faith* fully. He thanked them heartily for the manner in which they had received the toast proposed. The toast of "The Worshipfui" Mas T ters of the Greymouth and Kilwinning Lodges" was duly proposed amthresponded to by W.Ms. Barkley Somerville respectively. ■ A number of formal toasts, between which some capital songs and reciter tions were given, followed, *nd the