CRICKET MATCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 13, 27 October 1880, Page 2

CRICKET MATCH.

Paimbrbton v. Halcojibb. On Saturday last a cricket match between teams belonging to the Pulmerston and Httlcombe Cricket Clubs was plnyed upon the ground of the former. Mr Watson captained the Paliuerstou eleven, and Mt Hyde ltd the Halcorabeites. The Palmerston men were the first to go to the wickets, and put together 70 runs before they were disposed of. The Halcombe men followed, and were put out for 40 runs. The Palmerston men then went to the wickets, and when time was called they had lost only three wickets for $1 rum*. The play of the Palmerston men is said to have been very good. Subjoined are the scores :— Palmebston. Pirani b Parkes O Staite b Parkes .. 1 Thomsono&bHydel2 not out.. .. 6 Mason b Miller . . 9 Charles bit wicket 19 not out.. .. 20 Benson b Miller. . 7 OC. Miller bJ. Miller .. 11 Watson 0 Parkes b Hyde . . 2 Lloyd b Hyde . . 0 Turner b Miller ..0b Parkes . . 4 Reeve* not out .. fi candb Hyde.. 6 Mariner 0 Parkes b Miller ..8 Extras .. 7 Extras .. 6 Total .. 70 Total .. 62 **"*>>. Halcohbe. Lath 0 Lloyd b Mason „ 16 Ciiff b Thomson . . . . 0 "Waters 0 Mason b Thornton 2 Sjfauon c Staite b Thomson 0 Hyde b Thomson . . 3 Tiaw b Thomson . . 3 C. Millar c Charles b Benson 1 VoiupkiusC.Reevesb Benson 1 (A.court b Thomson . . O JParkes b Thomson . . 6 T. Miller not out . . 7 Extras .. ..8 Total.. .. 42 CONSECRATION OF MASONIC HALL, AT PALMERSTON. » This event, which will be long remembered by manyteaidents in the Manawatu district, was carried out at Palmertton on Friday last with great success. For months past the members of '• The United Manawatu Lod* e " of Freemason! have been working towards one objeot, and that object bas been the erection of a building which would answer their requirements and | be an honor to the craft. In achieving this I end the Masons of Manawatu have succeeded beyond all expectation. When it is considered that three years ago the Lodge was opened with a few members, snd now its roll of Membership includes 60 names, — and that it owub a Masonic Hall whioh, for size, architecture, comfort, and appointments will compare favorably with any other hall in the colony established by as young a Lodge, — we think our readers will agree that the success has been great. Friday, 22ud October, was the day fixed for the oonsecrktion and* dedication ceremony to

take place, an ; . the weathur on theocoision fortunately was everything that could be desired. Mr Chas. Whiie, of the Pacific Lodge, Wellington, P.M., -who had been appointed to not for the District Grand Master on the occasion, arrived at Palmer ston from Wellington on the previous day, accompanied by Mr Robert Burrett. The Foxton members of the craft nrrived at the inland town by the up train, aad about 40 more Masons arrived by tho down train from Wanganui. including about 25 from that town alone. There were also a few Masons present from the Napier side ; altogether, a largo number of lodges were represented at the ceremony. At 2 o'clock theLodtre was formally opened for the last time at its old meeting room in the Square, and adjourned to the new hall. The procession was then formed, as follows : — Membeis of St. Andrew's Kilwinning, S.C. ; niomb* r» of Tongariro Lodgo, E.O. (a» lodges) ; United Mauawatu Lodge; viriting brethren of other lodges ; District Grand Lodga Officer:— O. White, Acting District Grand Master; \V. J. Swainson, P.M., Aotinsr Senior Warden ; T. King, W.M. United Manawatu Lodge, Acting Junior Warden ; S. Coleman, tyler ; Rev F. Dewsbury .chaplain ; W. J. Batt, Acting Director of Ceremonies. Bro. J. M'lntosh, P. M., carried tho Volume of Saored Law. The procession, in the above order, marched round tho Square down to the Hull. On arriving there, the procession stopped, and formed two linen, facing inwards, through which the Grand Lodge officers marched into tho bui'ding, the brethren following in reverse order to that in which the procession marched. As the brethren entered the hall, Hro. W H. Flood, of Napier, who presided at the harmonium, played as a voluntary, " The heavens are telling," from Haydn's " Creation." On entering the building the Grand Master at once took his seat in the W.M 's chair on the dais, and was supported on bis right by Bros Hardcaat.lt>, Hodge, and Nathun, P.M.'s, and on the left by Bros. Maclean and Keeling, also P.M.'s. At the conclusion of the voluntary, the W.M. of the Lodgo, Bro. King, rose, and addressing tho Grand Master, asked for his assistance in the consecration and dedication of the newly erected building to the purposes of Masonry. The Grand Master having signified his assent, the chaplain (Bro. Dewsbury) then read in an impressive manner the dedication prayer, the choir giving the response, " Glory be to God," &c. The choir then chanted the 133 rd Psalm, " Behold, how good and joyful," which being concluded the chaplain read portion of the. Bth chauter of the Ist Book of Kings. After the Divine Blessing had been invoked. the Grand Master,preceded by Bros. Coleman and Batt, and followed by Bros. King, Dfcwsbury, Hawkins, and Swainson, bearing the elements of consecration, walked in procession round the inside of the building. When the eastern end of the building was reached, the Grand Master sprinkled the " Salt " on the Mosaic pavement, tho choir giving the response, " So mote it be." This process was repeated throe times more for ihe " Corn," " Wine," and " Oil," respectively, one of the following verses being sung before each. : — Cobn. Lord t Who art God alone, Accept before Thy throne Our fervent prayer! To fill with light and grace Tbis house Thy dwelling place, And bless Thy chosen race, 0 God, draw near! So mote it be! Wine. As through the Universe All Nuture'B works diverse Thy praise accord ; Let Faith upon us shiuo, And Charity combine With Hope to make us Thine, Jehovah ! Lord ! So mote itbe * Oil. Spirit of Truth and Love J Descending from above, Our hearts inflame; Till Masonry's control Shall build in one the whole A temple of the Soul To Thy great Name ! So mote it be ! Tho above verses were sung solo and chorus, the solos beinar taken by Bros. Batohelor, J. Kusselt, and Quinn. The Grand Mastor then declared the building duly consecrated to the purposes of Masonry. The ohoir then sang the following hymn as a dedication anthem, to the wellknown tune of " Maidstone" : — Pleasant are Thy courts above, In the laud of light and love ; Pleasant are Thy courts below, In thii land of sin aud woe. O 1 my spirit longs and faints For the converse of Tby saints ; For the brightness of Thy face : For Thy fulness, God of grace 1 Happy birds, that sing and fly Hound Thy altars, O Most High 1 Happier, souls that fiud a rest In a heavenly Father's breast 1 Like tho wandering dove that found No repose on eartti around. They can to their Ark repair, And enjoy Jit ever there. Happy souls, their praises flow, Even in this vale of woe ; Waters in tho deserts rise, Manna feeds them from the Bkies. On they go from strength to strength. Till they reach Thy throne at length ; At thy feet adoring fall. Who haat led them safe through aIL Lord! be mine this prize to Kin, Guide me through a world of aln; Keep me by Thy saving grace, Give me at Thy sido a place. Sun and Shield alike Thou art, Guide and guard my erring heart ; Grace and glory flow from Thee, Shower, 0 shower them, Lord, on me. At the conclusion of the hymn, the or ganisfc played tha " Hallelujah " chorus from the " Messiah," and the consecration proceedings terminated. About thirty ladies witnessed the ceremony of consecration from a railed space at the west end of the building, at tha back of the Senior Warden's cb«ir. Bro. Flood presided at the harmonium in hit able itylo, and a small choir renders J the music ■uitable to the occasion in a very effective manner, considering that only one rehersal had been held. The proceedings all through were carried out without hitch of any kind, and in such a manner as to reieot the greatest credit on the managing members. About 100 Masons were present at the gathering, some of them wearing the magnificent regalia and jewels of the higher Orders in Free, masonry. The day was observed as a close holiday by the residents of Palmerston in honor of the occasion. THE BALL. In the evening a grand ball wag held in the Publin Hall of the town Ihe building was beautifully decorated for the occasion, and wa* quite crowded. Indeed it was not until »ome of the gue«*s quitted the festive scene that the round dances could »c enjoyed at all, so great was the orush. It was estimated that about 200 persona were present, comprising visitors from all parti of the coast. The ball was opened by a Masonic quadrille, in. wbieh only members of the craft took part. The gentlemen decorated their partners with regalia and jewels, and the Utter evidently wore them with rauoh pleasure until the close of the ball. The refreshraents were supplied on a very liberal scale, and the band, whioh consisted of piano, violin, and cornet, was all that could be desired. Dancing was kept up with great vigor until 6 o'clock in the morning, and was thoroughly eajoyed by all. Altogether, the consecration of the Masonic Hall at Palmeraton wan carried out in such • manner a* to render the st2ud October a red Utter day in the history «f P«ltaentoa. |