HARBOUR BOARD. Proposed Railway Bridge. Auckland, May 9

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 50, 17 May 1884, Page 6

HAR BOUR BO ARD. Proposed Railway Bridge. Auckland, May 9

A special meeting of the Harbour Board, convened for the purpose of authorising the Works and Tariffs Committee to inquire into and report upon the proposed railway bridge to connect with railway and wharf, I or any other matter affecting the question, was held yesterday afternoon. Lhere were present : The Chairman (Mr Graves Aickin), and Messrs D. H. McKenzie, J. Lamb, G. W. Owen, and M. Niccol. The Chairman explained that he had convened the meeting in accordance with a promise made at a conference of the Chamber of Commerce, Harbour Board, and some members of the City Council, so that this question of the bridge from the end of the Railway Wharf connecting with the railway bridge or, connecting with Fort and Customs-strGets, should be considered. It was a matter with which the interests of the Harbour Board were largely identified, inasmuch as it was proposed to use some of their allotments in Customsstreet for the extension of the bridge. For that reason, it was just as well to have a Committee to look after their interests. He therefore proposed, " That the Works and Taiiffs Committee be a Committee for the purpose of inquiring into and reporting upon the matter of the proposed railway bridge connecting with the Railway Wharf, or any other matter having relation thereto." — The resolution was seconded, and carried nem con. . The Chah'man then went on to explain that a conference of the bodies interested, viz., the City Council, Harbour Board, and Chamber of Commerce, had been called for to-day at 11 o'clock. The President of the Chamber of Commerce was now in communication with the Minister of Public Works, and had received a telegram from the Under-Secretary stating that the plans of the bridge had either been posted or were about to be posted. The Minister himself had also telegraphed that he would give the matter his immediate attention. He (the Chairman) therefore did not know that there would be much business to do at the meeting today. Doubtless the Conference would be again postponed. The members present then resolved themselves into a meeting of the Works and Tariffs Committee for the despatch of other business.

'find a friend, and in every climate a h >me. Such is the nature of our instit.n tion, that, in the Lodge, which is confined to no particular spot, union is cemented by sincere attachment, and pleasure reciprocally communicated in the cheerful observance of every obliging 1 office. Virtue, the grand object in view, luminous as the merit lan sun, snines refulgent on the mind, enliven 1 * the heart, and heightens cool approbation into warm sympathy and cordial attention. We are taught as Freemasons to seek our happiness in promoting the happiness of our fellows, to be tolerant of the opinions of others ; and while it allows «ve.ry nun to enj^y his own religious opinions, it toadies eacli to give his brother credit for being as sincere in hi* belief as himself. As all religions teach morality, if a I rother is found to act the part of a truly honest man, his private speculative opinions are left to God ami Jii nself. Thus, through ttie influence of Masonry, all those disputes which embitter hfe aad sour fciio tempers of men we avoided, while the common good, the general object, is zealously pursued. But •uo not suppose bretnreu that I advoctte a man's having no religion but Freemasonry or that I recommend it as a substitute for a religion ; on the contrary 1 advij-eyou all to regard it as the handmaid and sister to religion. 1 would be inclined to think tne mau who proposed to travel through life having no connection with any church and who relied on his observing the moral law as laid down in the Lodge, very much like a shipmaster iv these modern limes who would attempt to circumnavigate the glode without the aid of observation of fie sun, but relying t-olely on his dead-reckoning. Let us, as prudent men, like the skilful seaman, neglect no means of navigating our immortal souls on the, voyage turuuirli life, ever keeping eternity in view. Let us a > live that when our summons conies to join the innumerable caravan that ever journeys to that land where all must take their place in the silent hails of deatn, we go, not like the galley slave at niyit, whipped to his dungeon, but sustained and cheered by an unfaltering trust, approach our grave, as one who wraps his mantle round him, and lies down to pleasant dreams, assured, that when we stand before the Orient to be tried by the unerring square of the Great Architect Himself, we shall be found worthy to occupy a place in that Spiritual Temple above, which is built and formed of such as have acted up to His Divine Laws. Let us then, brethren, apply ourselves with becoming zeal to the practice of the excellent principles incalcated by our order. Let us ever remember that the great objects of our association are — the restraint of improper dcs : re 3 and passions, the cultivation of an active benevolence, and the promotion of a correct knowledge of the duties we owe to <jjrod, our neighbour, and ourselves. Let us be united, and practice with assiduity the sacred tenets of our Order. Let all private animosities, if any unhappily arise, give place to affection and brotherly love. It is useless parade to talk of the, subjection of irregular passions within the walls of the Lodge if we permit them to triumph in our daily intercourse with each other. Uniting in that grand design let us be happy, and endeavour to promote the happiness of others. Let ns ever cultivate the great moral virtues which are laid down on our Masonic Trestle Board, and improve in everything that is good, amiable, and useful. May the benign influence of the Mystic Art preside over our councils, and under its ■sway let us act with a dignity becoming the high moral character of our venerable institution. After the delivery of the address the anthem, " When earth's foundations first were laid" was sung, and the P.G. Sec. then read the dispensation for the constitution and erection of Lodge " Te Aroha." The officers elect were now presented, after which the 95t'i P?alm was chanted. The dedication was then performed, the organ pealing forth in solemn strains, ami prayers offered up by the Acting P G.M. Bro. Cuff here read an appropriate passage of the scriptures, and after a voluntary, beantifn'ly played by Dr Walker, and the singing •of " Hail Masonry." the G.L. was closed and Lodge Te Aroha opened. Toe biethern were congrahilate I u v Bro. iNiccol on their selection of a W M in Bro. Pavitt, whose estimable qualifies and Masonic zeal and knowledge rendered him peculiarly fit for that high office. Having been <!uly affiliate-i and taken the oat 1 ) of fi lolity, the new W. M. was duly installed, anH the officers invested as follows : — Bros. J. B. Hannah, D.M.; G. Wihon, S.M. ; J. A. D ihson, B.W. ; F. Sykes, J.W. ; J. Warren, Treasurer C. Ahier, Secretary ; C. H Bennett, W.D. : H. P. HomiItrook, J.D. ; W. Grey, Sen. S. * and Comes, O.G. A congratulatory telegram was next read from Bro. G. W. Pierce, P.G.M., -J.C, and hearty good ■wishes were received from several Lo-lges for the prosperity of Lodge Te Aroha The W.M. acknowledged the generous sympathy and z ( ;al displayed by the P.G.L., in so m.my of its members ■coining sue i a long distance at /jre.at jiersonal inconvenience te initiate the work and further the cause of Masonry at Te Aroha The gpnerous assistance rendered by the brethern of the Sir Walter Scott Lodge, Thames, was also warmly recognised, and after a hearty vcte of thanks to the P. G.L. the Lo Ige was closed in due form. An adjournment w.is uidda to Bro. Warren's liolel, where nearly 50 members sat down to an excellent repast. The. customary loyal and Masonic toasts were drank, an! after spoiling a pleasant hour or two, the bretnern separate! with mutual congratulation" on tie success of the whole evening a proceedings.