A MASONIC JUBILEE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 215, 19 February 1915, Page 4

A MASONIC JUBILEE.

I>H BURUIf ADAMS, REJOJ CBS. A WNE. GATHERING 1 ;. Yesterday was a.red-letter day in. the, h.story ox the De Burgh. Adams Lodge, which celebrated its jubilee, having beoa consecrated in Eobruary, JBUS, and the event was rendered the more unique because it also commemorated, the, jubilee of the present Worshipful Master, 11. Wor. Bro. J.,Ellis, who was serving Ilia eighth term in that position,, and was. one o£ the foundation members of the lodge. The lodge, as several speakers commented, was -founded in- troublous times, during the, Maori war, and, was celebrating its jubilee during the European crisis. Nevertheless, the celebrations, as befitted such an-, a-uspici'ous occasion, were of an enthusiastic nature. Members of the Masonic fraternity came to New Plvmouth from all parts of the North Tslaml, antl also from the Smith Island to congratulate the local" lodge and as3ist in adding lustre to the proceedings. GARDTIN PARTY AT "AOTEA." In the afternoon, a garden party was held at "Aotea," which Messrs Sole Bros., si'd -ami esteemed members of tilie lodge, had. turawu open to the members.. There was an attendance of fully five ; hundred -Masons and their wives and families. The grounds were looking at 1 their best: and the weather, though windy 'in the open, was perfect in the shelter of the hush. A pleasant time was. spend wandering along the fernshaded paths, and visitors,' especially ii'i.im the north, were loud in their praises of the beauties which nature displayed with such iavisli hand, and which WeiY; so jealously guarded bv Messrs Sole Bros. Tho ecene was indeed a pretty one., the vari-coloured dresses of the ladies contrasting with the green shades and adding to the general effect. Afternoon tea, served in ;i spacious, marquee. provided an enjoyable interlude, members of the lodge bring zealous in their attentions to t«-> wants of Iheir visitors. The strains of the New Plymouth Citizens' Band, under the baton of Bandmaster Cummings, added to the enjoyment.

THE EVENING'S CELEBRATIONS. .In the evening there was a record gathering of Musojis in the -Theatre itoyal, when some 300 members of the fraternity attended a meeting of Ue Burgh Adams Lodge. The other three lodges working under the Irish constitution, viz., Ara, Auckland (the oldest lodge in the Dominion), Lodge of Light, Thames, and St. Patrick's, Dunedin, were all represented, *the two former in strength. The English Prov. 'Grand Lkdge and the Scottish Provincial Grand Lodge'were represented, whilst t-'ießigiil Vv'or. Bro R. W. Sargent, Provincial (irand Master for Taranaki, .represented the New Zealand Constitution. Every lodge in Tarn',naki wa3 ifully represented, as well as many lodges from Auckland to the Bluff. After the visitors had been welcomed, the quarterly communication of the Irish Grand Provincial Lodge was lield. Grand Lodge officers present were:—Prov. G.M., It. Wor. Bro. W. J. Rees (Ara); Dep. i'.G.M., 11. Wor. Bro. A. Goldwater (IJ-2 Burgh Adams); Prov. G. Inspector, 11. Wor. Bro. J. Ellis (De Burgh Adams): I'.G.S.W.. V. Wor. Bro. E. Whittle (l)j Burgh Adams); P.G.J.W., V. Wor. Bro, C. W. Spooner (Ara); P.Q.TroaS., V.Wor. Bro. C. Blomfield (Ara); P.G. Sec., V. Wor. Bro. Frank Wiseman (Ara); Act-ing-P.G, Chap., 'Wor. Bro. Archdeacon •Evans (Do Burgh Adams); ActingP.G.S.D., V. Wor. Bro. C. J. Sc'mauer (Ara). Acting-P.G.J.D.. Wor. Bro. J. W. Mi- Patrick); P.G.5.8., Wo'r. Bro. P. H. Devonport; P.G.1.G., Wor. Bro. F. E. McCullengh (Lodge of Light); P.G. Steward. Wor. Bro. J. W. Ttavden (lie Burgh Adamsi; Bro. W. Ho?kin (lie Burgh Adams) was organist. Rislit Worshipful Prov. Grand Masful W. J. Bees referred in fitting terms to tlu occasion they were celebrating. R. W. Bro. Brooking, in reply, said.' The De Burgh Adams Lodge desires to extend unto you all a sincere and hearty welcome. It is celebrating its jubilee, and whilst perhaps in this time of stress and trouble there is not much opportunity for celebrating, still we feel that we cannot let the occasion pass without asking our friends to re j(.icc with us in reaching this stage in our Masonic experience. I sav thai this is a time of trouble. The coincidence is at least remarkable tha+ the Lodge was opened in a time of, and through the stress of war. In ISG4 this district of Taranaki was full of war and trouble. We had the foe literally at our gates, and several regiments of Imperial troops were quartered in the town and neighbourhood. Every male civilian between IB and GU was under arms, and doing military duty in its defence. Many of the officers of these Imperial troops were members of the Fraternity, and our sister Lodge, the Mount Egmont, E.C., was thought to be of itself inadequate for the Masonic situation, and these military brethren set to work to institute another, indeed two other Lodges, in the town. The De Burgh Adams was one of these, application being made to the newly-elected Prov. G.L. under the I.C. in Auckland for permission to open a Lodge under the I.C. in New Plymouth, and it was called after the first Prov. Grand Master, Bro. Henry De Burgh Adams. The Lodge was opened on the Bth February, 18(15. The local panel's of the period contain a very circumstantial account of the proceedings, and the brethren seem to have spread themselves out to make it a success. The majority of the. members were officers and sergeants of the Imperial troops, more particularly of the 43rd Regiment, with a few of the civilian gentlemen of the town, and during its first year the Lodge identified itself very closely with its military members, but at the end of the twelve .months a big change came over the

scene. The Imperial troops were removed from the district, and the brethren who had worked so heartily and cordially to lay our Masonic foundations had regretfully to leave their work when it was just started. Tile Lodge suffered a wholesale exodus, and was left with only its few civilian members to continue it, and some of these on block-house and outpost duty. The then W.M., the late R.W., Bro. B. C. Hamerton, found himself with only five others available to carry on, and but for the enthusiastic, assistance of the, then W.M. of the Mount Egmont, W. Bro. 11. W. Brewer, whom we expected to have seen with us this evening, who regularly attended and made a seventh at the meetings until such time as others joined and the number increased, the. Lodge iwould have had to close cither permanently or temporarily. Uro. Brewer, wo arc pleased to say, is not fie onlv brother who was identified with us in that eventful year. W. Bro. W.O.P. OVallaglmn, Bros. F. ,T. Mann, and A. Standish are also on our list of foundation members, whom we heartily greet to-night, and W. Bro. McKellar, who la still with us, and who has on five ocea- I sions occupied the chair of the Loilsie, without mentioning our present W.M., R.W. Bro. .T. Ellis, hut he deserves a chapter to himself, and it will take « decanter and a glass to sing his praises. Since these stirring and anxious times I do not know that the district, and with it the Lodge, has a great deal to chronicle. It is said, "ITappy is the country that has 110 history," and that might perhaps apply also to the units in its general life. \Ya have had our

ups. and downs naturally. For some years of our cfirly days., the struggle maintain two lodges in the town required all the enthusiasm tile- Brethrea >. could put into it; but later years times have improved. The Lodgo ilias been -fortunate in that, whilst never courting a- large roil of mere numbers, it has been favored with many earnest and enthusiastic brethren, who have taken a deep interest in its progress and welfare. Some ) we are pleased to say, are still'with us; some who have passed out in life's journey of fifty years, • notably P.M.'s H. Holford; Abner- King, Horatio * Hammond, and Bros. Foulis and Joe Ward, who were amongst tho best members that any Lodge could hope to Have. Others, again, in seeking fresh fields for life's energies and necessities have left our little circle in deep mnto&l regret and regard. One cannot look back over a period of fifty years without seeing it rich in remembrances, though perhaps there may be little to ' chronicle.

Of our Masonic record in tho years that are gone it is. of course, not for us to say, but from the' assemblage of friends to-night we would fain gather the assurance that in our journey down the "ringing groovy of time" wq have at least not forfeited the esteem of' our brethren around us, but have rather gathered unto ourselves the good name that passeth riches. And of the future —well, what can we say of the futuret To some of us at least the past is all > we have, and to all of us the future in _ in the Jap of God, and whether that future be passed in the sunshine of peace, or whether, as eve'r, it is flecked < with clouds and -shadows, we will hope that in the coming years, when the brethren gather around for the centenary of the Lodge, they will be members of the world-flung British Empire, which has long since fought its way through the red fields of affliction, antl gained the sunny heights of Peace and Love, and that those brethren, on looking back, will say: "The men of old did lay a fair foundation, and we have builded the best/ we knew." .> ; V. Wor. Bro. Archdeacon Evans gave a short address on the ideals of Masons (of whom there were'more than two millions in the world), being instrumental in bringing about universal and lasting peace. ' Afterwards the brethren adjourned to 1 the refectory, where they Were tho guests of De Burgh Adams at a banquet, and after the good fare provided by Bro. Wooller had been discussed fully, an hour or two was spent in, fraternising and harmony. "The King and The Craft?' and "Grand Mas-... ters in Masonry" and "Provincial Grand Masters" were proposed bv the chairman, and the latter to by R.W. Bros. Sargent, Provincial Grand, Master for Taranaki, N.Z.C., and R.W. Bros. W. J. Rees, Provincial Grand Master Irish Constitution; "De • Burgh; Adams Lodgo," proposed by Eight Worshipful Bro. W. J. Rees, and responded to bv Wor. Bro. W. Brooking; "Visiting Brethren," proposed by \Wor. Brt>. A. Goldwater, and responded to by representatives of Lodges present. Songs were rendered by Bros,. W. Perry, F. S. Johns, and Dobbie, a cornet solo by Bro. I\ Buckley (Wan-, ganui).

SOME STATISTICS. ( Lodge De Burgh Adams opened with a membership of 43. During the fifty < years 305 members have passed through the, hooks, and there, are now fiftythree on the roll. Of these the follow*-, v ing have been members for over fifteen years:—John Ellis. P.M., date of initia- , tion 1§65; W. F. Brooking, P.M.. 1868; J. S. McKellar, P.M., 1868; RTS. Hughes, 1880; A. Goldwater, P.M., 1881; J. Avery, 1882; 0. W. Sole, 1889; S. Alleman, 1894; E. J. Sole, 1894; H. R. Gattley, 1895; J. E. Birch, P.M., 1895: W. ■T. Cleland, 18DG; .T. Tarry. 1890; R. M. Corney, 1890; M. Samson, 1898; J. "Mander, 1899; L. Marks, 1899: A. L. Hammond, P.M., 1800; C. A. Harrison, 1900; and J. F. The following is a complete list of Worshipful Masters —Luke Richard Castray, 1805; Edward Frederick,Hcmingwav, 1805; Robert Chisenall Hamerton, 1800 1 809; Edward Trieze Morshead, 1887; John Ellis. 1888, 1873, 1876-7, , 1881-2, 1894-5, 1895-6, 1914-15; James - Scott McKellar, 1889, 1874, 1876, 1880, IPW-1; Gervase Disney Hamerton, 1870, - 1872; John Cameron, 1870. 1872; William Fr.-neis Brooking, 1871, 1878, 1879, ■ 1888-9, ISKH-5; William Dakers, 1874; . lAbner King, 1882-3, 1883-4, 1888-o,'' • 1892-3, 1893-4; Benjamin 1 Watson ,) Buttle. 1884-5; Enoch Newham, 1885-8; Abraham Goldwater, 1886-7;-. 1891-2, 1898-7, 1897-8; Edward Snowball, 18878; Horiato Hammond, 1898-9, 1899-0; ■' Donald Kenneth Morrison, 'IBQO-1, r 1901-2; James Edward Birch, • 1902-3;, Samuel Harper, 1903-4; Albert" Lewis, v Hammond, 1905-6; Edward '• 190G-7; William Walter Murton, 1907-8; 1 William Henry Beadle, 1908-9; William / Charles Nixon, 1909-10; Robert Mabon „ Corney, 1910-11; Robert Owen Ellis, 1911-12, 1912-13; James William Hay- ■ den, 1913-14. . ,j, ,

THE FIRST MEMBERS. The following is a list of the first v members of the Lodge:—Luke Richard' Castray, P.M., Deputy Assistant-Com-missary General; William Black, P.M., Captain Taranaki Militia; Alexander Thompson, P.M.. Major 70th Regiment; ; William Percival, P.M., Captain Military •: Settlers; Wellington Carrington, P.M., Surveyor; Edward Frederick Hemmingway, Purveyor to the Forces; Edward ■ Smyth Willcocks, Solicitor; Robert , Chisonhall Hammerton. Treasury Department: Henry Handley Brown, Clerk in Holy Orders; Joseph Cooper, Quartermaster, 43rd L.1.; Augustus Frederick Turner. Surgeon 43rd L.1.; Edward Trieze Morsliead, Post Office Department; Edward Binney Laing, Customs Department; Edward Henry Lay. Bandmaster 43rd; James Craig Sharl&nd, merchant; C. P. Sisaon, Lieut. Militia: R. G. C. Spence, Militia; William George Pring O'Callaghari, Lieut. Militia; Andrew Matt. Adolpli. Page, Captain Militia; Charles Baker, Color-Sergeant; Henry Parker Chapman, Ensign Militia; George St, George, Surgeon; William Hussey, Lieut. Militia; Francis Joseph Mace, Captain Mounted Rifles; H. E. Clery, Lieut. Militia; William Henry Skinner, Surveyor ; "Edward Tomlinson. Surgeon 70th; Arthur Standish, solicitor; Arthur Richard Close, Captain 43rd L.1.; D'LTrban W. F. Blyth, Captain 43rd L.T.; Hubert 1 John Hill, Captain 70ft; John James Daniels, Sergeant-Major 43rd; John Ellis, Sergeant 43rd; Edward Shaughnessy, Sergeant 43rd; Benjamin Rees, Sergeant 43rd; William Morris, Sergeant 43rd; Charles Bennett, Sergeant 43rd; William Butler Garland. Sergeant 43rd; George Barnes, Sergeant 43r'd; Robert Bayfield, Sergeant 43rd; George Cracknell, Ser| cant 43rd; James Ellingham, Sergeant 43rd; Charles Lane, Sergeant 43rd; John W. Simpson, Sergeant 43rd; John Hewitt Sergeant 43rd; Simeon Howell (Tyler), blacksmith.