MASONIC PRESENTATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10059, 2 June 1910, Page 5

MASONIC PRESENTATION.

TO THE DEPARTING GOVERNOR. SPEECH BY LORD PLUNKET. By Telegraph—Press .Association. WELLINGTON, June 1. The presentation by the Masons to Lord Plunket, which was postponed on account of the late King's death, was made this afternoon [at the ofFue of the Grand Secretary, in the presence of a number of leading Masons., Grandmaster Griffiths; of Blen- , heiin, spoke briefly of the gratitude felt by Masons for the constant anxiety and zeal His Excellency had shown for their welfare, and hoped he would live long to shine as an illustrious ornament of the fraternity* The service of plate presented weighs close upon 1000 ounces of solidsilver, and is heavily gilt.. The gilding brings out the 1 richness and beauty of the Maori ornamentation* ail of which was hand raised and chased. There were two other presentations. Bro. Williams, on behalf -of the Grand Lodge, presented His Excellency with a suit of regalia for use in visiting Lodges in the qjd country, and on behalf of the Marlborough and Nelson brethren, Bro. Malcolm Nicol made a presentation of a greenstone paper weight. .. In response Lord Plunket said , he felt glad to acknowledge the kind words spoken. He never felt the . , powers of expressing thanks so inadequate as on the present occasion. He had been chosen as Grand Master, and re-elected on three occasions, so they had shown in th«s way the confidence they reposed in him. Now, when he himsslf might be expected to show some ken of his . appreciation of his, brethren, they further added to the debt of gratitude which he" felt towards them by a magnificent memento. He' would consider it an heirloom in his family, in memory of the rel gard shown him by the freemasons I of New Zealand. His Excellency concluded with a reference to the benefits of the Croft in the matter of morality, good fellowship, and charity.