Masonic Ball.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 321, 27 June 1849, Page 2

Masonic Ball.

On Monday evening, the Master, Officers, and Brethren of the Auckland Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, entertained a numerous party of their friends and acquaintances to a splendid Ball and Supper, at Wood's Masonic Hotel. The arrangements were admirable, and the entire entertainment was conducted in a style of liberality which reflects infinite credit on the good taste and hospitality of the Auckland brothers of the craft. His Excellency the Governor, and Lady Grey.honoured^the festival with their presence, and there was a gallant sprinkling of red coats, Masonic and not, from Colonels Wynyard, Bolton, and Hulme, downwards. His Excellency Sir George Grey, was greeted on his entree with the National Anthem, and received with all due honour by the Master — Major Gray — and the Officers and Brethren. Waltzes, Polkas, Quadrilles, and other figures . of Terpsichorean art, were actively displayed until the midnight hour had chimed ; when the company adjourned to the billiard room, where a supper of most inviting aspe.ct, including a profusion of the choicest viands, whether of lordly joint or fanciful flummery, were ranged in serried and in savoury ranks, sufficiently tempting to provoke the veriest anchorite. There were turkeys (gelatined and roast) by the dozen — pullets by the score — rounds of beef without end — tongues as tender as they were tranquil, and numerous other good things, whether of the cook or confectioner's invention, but for which we have neither name nor space. The champagne was as brilliant in quality as it was abundant in quantity, and, indeed, no stint, appeared to be the guiding maxim of perhaps the best public entertainment ever presented in Auckland. " The Queen — the wife and the daughter of a Mason" — was given by the Master (Major Gray), and was followed, in succession, by " Prince (Albert." « His Excellency the Go-vernor-in« Chief, who has honoured the Lodge with his presence." To this, Sit George briefly responded, giving in return " The Masonic Body of Auckland." The Master next proposed the health of " Lady Grey and the Ladies of Auckland." Sir George acknowledged the compliment on the part of Lady Grey, leaving Mr, Merrimaa to perform his

devoir in behalf of the fair of the city. The ladies, remarked Sir George, would most probably be inspired with a wish to know more of masonry than they had hitherto been permitted ; at least, the many excellent things before them were well calculated to encourage a belief that there must be something essentially beneficial in an order that regaled its friends in so sumptu- , ousa manner. Mr.Merriman,afteran apostrophe to his diffidence, which produced a loud cachinnatory chorus, made a very " neat and appropriate speech " which was received with marked and merited applause. . After leaving the banqueting Hall, dancing was resumed with unabated spirit, and the small hours of early morning were fast verging towards the larger ones of approaching day ere some of the guests could tear themselves from a scene where pleasure and enjoyment had been experienced by all.