PATEA KILWINNING LODGE.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1120, 3 December 1883, Page 2

PATEA KILWINNING LODGE.

Installation of Officers.

The installation of the R.W.M., and officers of the Patea Kilwinning Lodge, 586, S.C., took place on Friday evening last, (St. Andrew’s Day). The Lodge was opened at 7.30 by the Retiring Master, Bro Rev. J A Luxford. After some routine business had been disposed of, the R.W.M. and members of Hawera Lo lgc were received according to ancient custom. About forty brethren had now assembled in the Lodge-room, where all the emblems and ornaments of a Masonic Temple were seen to advantage. Stewards were then despatched for the Installing Master—Bro Geo Gordon, P.M., and he was received with all the rites of the order. Bro Lpxford, P.M., then presented the Master Elect, Bro Thomas Haywood, and in a most impressive manner he was installed into the chair by Bro Gordon, P.M. Bro Luxford, P.M., then installed into their respective offices the following brethrenS.W., Bro T. Eyton, J.W., Bro A. A. Gower, D. M., Bro E L Barton ; S.M., Bro P C Gowland P.M.; Secretary, Bro John Gordon Rose ; Treasurer, Bro E L Birton; S.D., Bro S Taplin; J.D., Bro W J Smith; J.G., Bro A Wood ; Tyler, Bro W J White. The Installing Master, Bro Gordon also conferred the degree of P.M. upon Bro William Cowern. During the ceremony several Masonic anthems were rendered, Bro Pitcher, P.M,, acting as organist, and Bro S Taplin as precentor. The R.W.M., Bro Haywood and his officers then closed their Lodge, and the Mystic tie adjourned to the long room behind the Harmonic Hall, where an excellent banquet was prepared by the popular hosts of the Albion Hotel, The R.W. Master, Bro Haywood presided, and was supported on his right by P,M : s

Gordon, Fergiisson, Pit«;h t, an d Qowland, and on the left by P.M's Luxford,, Matthews, Robinson (New Plymouth), and Cowern. After the customary loyal and Masonic toasts, Bro R.W.M. Haywood proposed the toast of ihe “Installing Master, Brother Gordon, of Canterbnry.” Bro Gordon; in responding said he had heard favourable reports of the Patea Lodge and had long cherished a desire to pay a fraternal visit. He was pleased , with what Inhad heard and seen, and felt gratified if his services that evening had given pleasure. The next toast was “ Visiting Brothern.” Bro Pitcher, responding for Hawera, Slid he hoped these fraternal visits would hencefal’i become periodical. Bro Robinson responded for the other visitors and expressed thanks for the truly Masonic spirit of the Patea members. The Retiring Master, Rev Bro Lnxford, in a onlogistic speech proposed the “ R.W.M. of Patea Lodge, Bro Haywood.” He (Bro Lnxford) could confi lontly assort that the new master was skilled in the ancient customs and work of Masonry, and he hoped his officers would give their hearty co operation and that the motto of tho craft would be their ideal. Bro Haywood suitabyl replied, but felt he was not worthy of all the enlogism I ostowed by the Retiring Master. Bro Cowern th\m sketched the history of the Lodge, and specially dwelt on the successful and progressive work of the past year under the mastership of Bro Luxford and proposed tho toast of “ Retiring officers coupled with the name of the Retiring Master.’’ The Retiring Master while thanking the brethren for the manner in which they had received the toast, was not going to cast a reflection on the vote of the Lodge last year by following Bro Haywood’s example and saying “wo arc not worthy of this eulogy.” He boMevod the Patea brethren always gave an intelligent vote. Tho work of the year, though arduous, had given the officers and himself the greatest possible enjoyment. A special toast was given to the Retiring Secretary, Bro Barton, who replied in a chaste and happy speech. Masonic honours and songs interspersed the toasts. Among the vocalists were the brethren Rose, Barton, Robinson, Pitcher, Taplin, Oaplcn, Capt Gibbons, Gowland, Gower. After spending a most enjoyable evening the fraternity dispersed, all being delighted with St Aadrew’sday’s installation.