MASONIC.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2927, 3 July 1878, Page 2

MASONIC.

VISIT OF THE E.W.P.G.M., S.C. TO LODGE Sli£ WALTEE SCOTT.

There was a special meeting of Lodge Sir Walter Scott last night to receive the E.W.P.G.M., S.C., for the North Island, Bro. F. Whitaker, on the occasion of his first visit to the Lodge since his installation ag P.G.M. There was a good attendance of the brethren of the lodge, as well as members of sister lodges. The lodge was opened punctually to time by the E.W.M., Bro. T. L. Murray, P.M., Bros. T. A. Dunlop and G. McVay occupying the senior and junior wardens' chairs respectively.- Bro. W. McCullough, P.M., officiated as Past Master, and amongst the visitors we noticed Bro. E. T. Wildman, P.M., D.D.G., E.C.; Bro. G. N. Brassey, P.M., G.S. of Works, E.C.; Bros. E. Bullen, E. H. Power,'G. Black, A. Aitken, J. Hopcraft, S. Young and W. XJlimo, P.Ms. The lodge was opened in due form, passed and raised, and at eight o'clock the E.W.P.G.M. and his officers were announced, and they were received with the usual honors, Bro. A. Brodie acting as G.8.W.; Bro. W. Fraser, Director of Ceremonies; Bro. H. Goldsmith, Grand Sword Bearer; Bro. T. Bawdon Grand Tyler. The E.W.M. welcomed Bro. Whitaker in a few remarks, expressing the pride and pleasure the lodge felt at being selected for his first official visit. He then resigned the chair to the E.W.P.G.M.

The E.W.PG.M. thanked the E.W.M. and brethren for their welcome. He had not been a very good mason .for some years, but having accepted the high position he now occupied—the proposal to place him in which originated in Lodge Sir Walter Scott—he would endeavor to carry out its dnties. One of these was to report annually to the Grand Lodge of Scotland on the state of the subordinate lodges in this province. ' To do this faithfully it was necessary for him to visit and inspect the lodges, and for that purpose he was there that evening. He would therefore request the R.W.M. to resume the chair, and the other officers to keep their places, and he would then call upon them to perform certain parts of their ceremonies. The subsequent proceedings consisted of opening, passing and raising the lodge, and a portion of the ceremonies, in the third degree, with all of which the E. W.P.G.M. expressed satisfaction, and stated that he should be able to report most favorably of the lodge working. Tbe proceedings were diversified by some music from an excellent choir, Bros. W. H . Eeed »nd — Trewheela playing the accompanimentsThe anthem /' Behold how good and pleasant," was excellently rendered. At nine o'clock the lodge was closed, and the brethren adjourned to THE BANQUET, which was provided in the lower floor of the Hall by Bro. T. Eawdon. An excellent supper was laid out, and the attendance was nearly as targe as at the proceedings in lodge. Bro. T. L. Murray, E.W.M., presided, and on his,right sat the guest of the evening, Bro. Whitaker with the P.M.'s mentioned above on the dais right and left. It is needless to say that the spread was done full justice to, and that it reflected credit on the caterer. •

"The Holy lodge of St. John," was proposed and drunk in silence. "The Queen and Craft" was next proposed by the Chairman, and it was drunk heartily, with cheers, and "God Save the Queen " by the choir. " H.B.H. the Prince of Wales, Grand Master of English Freemasons and Grand Steward of Scotland with the rest of the Royal Family " was proposed by Bro. J. Hopcraft, P.M., and cordially drunk. Music.—" God Bless the Prince of Wales."

Bro. W. Eraser, P.G.D.C., proposed •• The Health of His Excellency the Governor," which was drunk with cheers, and " For he's a jolly good fellow." Bro. T. A. Dunlop, Vice-Chairman, proposed "The Army, Navy and Colonial Forces," which, like the former toasts, was cordially received and drunk with enthusiasm.

Song—" The . Scout "—Bro. M. H. Airey. This was well received, and was succeeded by Mr W. H. Reed in his local song on the war in the East, which was received vociferously. The toast was responded to by B/os. £. Bullen, J. Hopcraft, and C. A.

son. / Bro. W. McCullough, P.M., proposed "The health of the Grand Master of Scottish Masonry, Sir Michael Shaw Stewart," in doing which he paid a high compliment to the distinguished brother for his administration of the affaire of Scotch Masonry since he had attained to the high office, as evidenced in one very materal instance by the attention which all preir affiujnriiia received at his hands during the4ast few month?. The toast was drunk with Macduff honors.

Song—" The Village Blacksmith " Brother Weston.

" The three Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland " was proposed by Bro. A. Brodie, P.M., and drunk cordially with Maeduff honors. Bro. Wildman, EM. and D.D.G., EC., returned thanks, and reciprocated the good wishes expressed for the Grand Lodges. Bro. F. Whitaker, E.W.P.GM, also returned thanks, in which he deprecated the movement now taking place in New South Wales for setting up a Grand lodge for New South Wales. Bro. Climo, P.M. and W.M. of Lodge of Light;, returned thanks. Song-"Sandsof Life" Bro. T. Mills. The Chairman, Bro. T. L. Murray, proposed the next toast, that of" The E.W. P.G.M., Bro. F. Whitaker" which he said required very little to recommend it to the brethren, as he was one of the oldest Masons in the Colony, and had shown that he was interested in the welfare of the order. ■... The toast was drunk with cheers, Macduff honors, and musical accompaniments.

Bro. F. Whitaker, K.W.P;G.M., S.C., iv reply, said ho was reminded of the occasion on which he was affiliated into the Lodge Sir Walter Scott, and lie replied to the toast with much pleasure from the fact that the origin of

his present position was in the same lodge. He had now been handed his certificate of admission to the Grand Lodge of Scotland. This reminded mm of another circumstance, that he had gone the r -und of the Lodges. He commenced in England, had gone over to Ireland and had now landed in Scotland. (Cheers.) He did not see how much further he could go. He did not think they would countenance the New South Wales Grand Lodge. He believed that the division of the Colony into two districts would give them satisfaction, as they had never before been visited by a Grand Master, only by a Deputy. With the assistance of a Deputy he hoped to visit each lodge once a-year. There were dull times just now, but this did not apply to Masonry, if h.; might judge by the gathering around him. He (the speaker) would not detain them more than by returning thanks for the way his health had been proposed and drunk, and , the gratification which his visit afforded him. Song—" The Friar of Orders Grey — Bro. C. Brown.

Bro. W. Carpenter proposed " The Sister Lodges." He was sure the large attendance that night was due to a desire to do honor to the K.W.P.G.M.

Drunk with Masonic honors

Bco. Wildmin, Corinthian Lode, E.G.; Bro. W. Climo, Lodge of Light, 1.0., returned thanks

Song—Bro. Eeed. Bro. Wildman, P.M., proposed "The health and good wishes of the Visiting Brethren to the B.W.M. and officers of Lodge Sir Walter Scott" in congratulatory terms, in which he endorsed the eulogiums of the R.W.P.G.M. Drunk with musical honors. The toast was responded to by the R.W.M., Bro. T.L. Murray.

Bro. Fraser proposed " The Health of the R.W.M, T. L. Murray." He thought the toast had been put in a lefthanded fashion, and he wished to put it in a different phase. He thought Bro. Murray was due some recognition outside his position as Master of the Lodge. Drunk with enthusiastic cheers, and responded to by Bro. T. L. Murray, who then proposed "The Visitors." Bro: A. J. Allom returned thanks, as did also Bro. C. A. Robertson in feeling 'terms as an original member of the Lodge Sir Walter Scott. Song — " Brodie's Lament " — Bro. Sampson. Bro. Brodie, P.M., proposed "The Grand Tyler and his better half " in most cordial and complimentary terms, in which he said*uat Bro. Rawdon had done as much to promote Scottish Masonry in the .North Island, and the elevation of the R.W.P.G.M. to his position as anyone that could be mentioned. As a caterer he had that night eclipsed all his former efforts, and they knew that he^ had done something in that line before. The toast was drunk with, Macduff honors and cheers, and musical honors.

Bro. Kawdon returned thanks in felicitous terms for himself and Mrs Rawdon. He and Mrs Rawdon-had done their best to make the meetings agreeable, and he would continue to do the same. He was very gratified at the way his and Mrs Rawdon's healths had been drank.

Song—("Scots WhaHae." —Bro. C. A. Robertson.

Bro Wilson proposed " Masons' Wives and Masons' Bairns" in happy terms, coupled with the name of Mrs Whitaker. Drunk with musical honors—"Here's a health to all good Lasses, 1' and cheers. Bro. Whitaker, R.W.P.G.M., returned thanks for the toast.

Bro.AHom proposed " The Press" Drunk with cheers, and responded to by representatives present. Song—" I'm not myself at all "—Bro. W. H. Heed.

Bro. Eawdon, R.W.P.G. Tyler, pro posed "Poor and Distressed Masons al. over the World " in feeling terms.

Drunk with apron, heart and hand. "Auld Lang Syne" and "God Save the Queen,"" sung by the company, brought the proceedings to a happy close.