Masonic.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1709, 25 June 1874, Page 2

Masonic.

LODGE OF LIGHT, 1.0., NO. 454,

The installation of officers of the Lodge of Light took i^ace at the Mascnic Hall, Queen-street, last night, a dispensation having been obtained from the Provincial Grand Master to hold the lodge at that hour instead of at noon. The business of the monthly meeting was first transacted, after which the installation of the officers elect took place, Bro. P.M. McTurlc officiating as installing officer. There was a large attendance of the brethren, many of them being visitors from other lodges. The following officers, were instilled according to ancient custom: —W.M., Bro. S. Young; S.W., Bro. O. Garrett; J.W., Bro. M. Hyams; Tieasurer, Bro. Osborne; Secretary, Bro. R. M. Mitchell, P.M.; S.D., Bro. G. Blott; J.D., Bro. S. Mills"; 1.G., Bro. F. Last; . Tyler, Bro. Ross ; the chaplain, Bro. Lush was not present, Immediately after the installation, the W.M, made a presentation to the retiring master, Bro. McTurk, consisting of a handsome illuminated address.

Bro. P.M. McTurk responded in appropriate terms, and referred to the pleasure which he had always derived from his connection with the Lodge of Light. During his term of office lie had endeavored to the best of his abilities to fill the office of master faithfully and conscientiously, and the testimonial which Bro. Young had presented—reminding him, as it did, of the respect and esteem of those with whom he had been associated —would be cherished by him as longas he lived.

The regular business of St. John's Day and the monthly meeting having been concluded, the lodge was closed. The musical portion of the ceremonies was capitally rendered by the choir of the Lodge, Bro. P. M. Wildman presiding at the harmonium. An adjournment was then made to the Pacific Hotel to

THE BANQUET, Which was laid in the dining hall of the hotel. The spread was a capital one, and reflected credit on Mr Curtis the caterer. About'so sat down to the table, and a full hour was spent in discussing the good things provided, of which there was an ample supply, of first-rate quality ; embracingsolids and the more tasty refections usually found at a well-appointed banquet. The W.M., Bro. S. Young proposed "the Queen and Craft." Drunk with enthusiasm. Music " God Save the Queen."

The toast of " The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family " was then proposed from the chair and drunk with the usual eclat. Music " God Bless the Prince of Wales."

This was followed by "The Three Grand Masters of Ireland, England and Scotland; " drunk with Maeduff honors.

" The , Provincial Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Master, coupled with the name of Bro. P. M. Wildman, P.G.J.W., was submitted by the W.M.," drunk most heartily, and responded to by Bro. P.M. Wildman, who »aid that he was a very young Provincial Grand Officer. He was sorry the Grand Lodge had been resting on its oars, but he believed a different state of things would now be brought about, as it was proposed to hold a meeting of the Grand Lodge once a quarter, and emergencies as required, a course which would conduce to the good of the craft. Bro. P.M. Keddell, Lodge Coromandel, proposed "Bro. His Excellency Sir James Fergusson," and in doing so referred to the principles of loyalty inculcated in Freemasonry, and the cheerfulness which Masons ever displayed in the home country and the colonies in submitting to those in authority. Music " The Blue Bells of Scotland."

Song—" Koran Darling "—Bro. Trewheela.

Bro. P.M. Hopcraft proposed " The W.M. Lodge of Light/ and in doing so referred to the long connection of Bro. Young with the Lodge of Light, and the pleasure which his elevation to the chair afforded to all those who had known Bro. Young for any length of time. He (proposer) had no doubt whatever that the term of office of Bro. Young would see a better feeling cultivated amongst Masons and between the two lodges on the Thames, the gathering that evening being a very good sign that such was the intention of those in authority. The large number of visitors from the Sir Walter Scott Lodge proved that those brethren were alive to the necessity of cultivating the true principles of Masonry, and he had no doubt but that the W.M. just installed would do all in his power to cement the kindly feeling displayed by the presence of so many visitors from the sister lodge. The toast was drunk with cheers, and cheers for Mrs Young, and Bro. Young responded in feeling terms to the toast, thanking the brethren for placing him in the chair, and for being present on that occasion to do honor to him and to the lodge over which he had been called upon to preside. " The newly-appointed officers, coupled with the name of Bro. Osborne, Treasurer," was proposed by Bro. P.M. Lipsey, and drunk in bumpers, and responded to by all the officers in succession. Song—" England dear England ''— Bro. S. Catran. •

"The immediate-P.M. and retiring officers, coupled with the name of Bro. P.M. McTurk," was heartily drank, and responded to by Bro. P.M. McTnrk, who reciprocated the kindly feeling which had been displayed towards himself, and paid a just tribute to the manner in which he had been supported by his officers. Song—."Molly Darling" —Bro. E. White.

The next toast was "Our Sister Lodges, coupled witk the fir Walter Scott Lodge," in proposiug which Bro. P.M. Climo adverted to tho necessity which existed for a Grand Lodge for IVcw Zealand, in order to reconcile those little differences which sometimes ci;ept in between members and Lodges hailing under different constitutions. He. expressed a hope that the time Mas not for distant when questions of nationality and constitution would be sunk in a union*to secure one grand constitution for all lodges in this colony, or at least one for the Australian colonies. The ioast was received with every expression of regard, and responded to by Bro. W. McCullough, W.M. Sir Walter Scott Lodge, who coincided with theremarks which had. fallen from the proposer, and stated that the same idea regarding a Grand Lodge,= ? for the colony had been mooted in the South, and had been received with great favor. He would like to see the scheme carried out,; and suggested that the members of the lodges on the Thames should confer together with a view to the object suggested. r Bro W. Rowe proposed the.health of Bro. P.M. Davies, and alluded to the high place which he had attained in the esteem of his fellow citizens, as well as amongst the members of the craft. Bro. Davies responded in felicitious terms. Soug—'• My Highland Home "-7-Brp. j McCullough. --•■•■-! " Our visiting brethren, coupled with i the name of Bro. ,-P.M. Dewar," was proposed by Bro. P.M. Mitchell, and, responded to by P.M.'s Bros. Dewar, Ked- ! dell, Brodie and Aitken. Bro. Dewar expressed the highest esteem for the W.M. Bro. Young. He had known him for many years—before he joined, the craft, and in many relations of life he had been respected. It was on this account that he (Mr Dewar) was present that evening, having sacrificed another pressing engagement to be pre <cnt in order to show his esteem for Bro. Young. . Song—Bro. Trewheela. The toast of " The Ladies " was proposed by Bro. Brearley and responded to by Bros. Radford and Aicken. " Poor and distressed Brethren all over the world" was proposed by Bro. r TV Rawdoh, and drunk according to custoni. In addition to the above regular toasts the following were also drunk:—" Healths of P.Ms. Hopcraft and Wildman " proposed by the W.M.; " Absent Brethren," Bro. C. F. Quint; "the Choir," by Bro. P. M. Wildman ; and "Host Curtis," by the W.M, "■■:■ i Besides the songs mentioned above-the following selections were given in admirable style by the choir, consisting of Bros. S. Catran, K. White, W. H, Pearce, Trewheela and P. Woodward with Bro. Wildman at the pianoforte : —Glee— "Oh Lady, fair Lady;" Song and Chorus—" Wandering Refugee ; " Two of Christy's songs and choruses. Song—' " Nil Desperandum " and " Auld Lang Syne." At the installation ceremony there were about a dozen Masters and Post Masters present, and a like number at the banquet. The whole proceedings were very successful, and the gathering was one of the most enjoyable reunions which has taken place in connection with the crkft on the Thames. . -';