LODGE BETA-WAIKATO, NO. 12

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1592, 26 June 1903, Page 2

LODGE BETA-WAIKATO, NO. 12

Tub largest gathering of Masons ever held in Hamilton assembled at the Masonic Hall last evening on the occasion of Bro. J. S. Colhoun being installed as W.M. of Lodge Beta-Waikato, No. 12. There was a large attendance of the members of the Lodge, and visitors were present from Alpha No. 81, Waipa No. 115, Te Aroha No. 52, and Tanpiri No. 110, aud many of the Auckland and more distant Lodges, there being over 80 brethren, including 25 P.M'a., iu the Lodge. R. Wor. Bio A. G. Bartletr, D.Gr. M., conducted the ceremony in a very impressive manner. The working tools wore presented hy Wor. Bro. H. F. Edgecumbe, W. M. Lodge Waipa, 3rd degree, Wor. Bro. M. Roberts, W.M. Lodge Alpha, 2nd degree, acd Wor. Bro J. Rowe, W. M. uodge Te Aroha, Ist degree Wor. Bro. F. W. Browning, P.M.. addressed the W.M. ; Wor. Bro H. D. I'lanna, P.S G.W., the Wardens. and R. Wor. Installing Master the brethren. The other officers inves'ed were.as follows:—l.P.M., Wor. Bro. J E. Hammond; D.M., Wor. Bro. G-. Kdgecumbe, P.M. (re-elected) ; S.W., Bro. P.E.Stevens; J.W., Bro. A. J. Smith; Treas., Wor. Bro. C. J. W. Barton, P.M. (re-eleoted) ; Secretary, Wor. Bro. R. J. Gwynne, P.M. (reelected) ; D. of C.,: Wor. Bro W Dey, P.M. (re-elected) ; Organist, Bro. G. V. E. Edgecumbe (re-elected) ; !S.D , Bro. H.E.Tristram; J.D., Bro. H. Coop ; 1.G., Bro. E. J. Ruohs ; 8.5., Bro. C. F. E. Barton; J.S., Bro. D. Lusby ; Tyler, Bro. G. G Wilson (re elected). The service throughout was choral, the hymns heing especially well rendered. The collection ou behalf of the Widows and Orphans Fund amounted to £5 6s 9d.

THE" BALL

Immediately after the installation the Masons repaired to the Volunteer Hull, where the installation of W.M. was celebrated by a ball. The arrangements, as usual, were most complete, and the brethren timed their return from the Lodge-room very nicely, reaching the hall well hefoie the appointed time for dancing. The visitors present were representative of all parts of tho province, and if they did not enjoy themselves they must indeed be hard to please. Tho decorations, which were directly under the supervision of Bro. Swarbrick, excited general admiration. They were of consistent decign, and in pl.ceot the usual greenery, drapings and designs in the lodge" colours, light blue relieved with maroon were employed with just a suffi oient sprinkling of nikau to give effective relief. Flags aud trophies, surmounted by shields bearing the arms of the Grand Lodges of England, Scotland, Ireland and New Zealand were nnmerously ein» ployed, and they served in a small dogiee to sol ten tho bare walls of the building, A deep darlo in white, bordered with Betas, encifcle'd the wall, while over each window drape was a shield bearing a Greek Beta in silver on a blue ground. The dressing rooms at the entrauca to the hall relieved the crush in the main bu.ld ing, and enabled the room at the back of the hall to be used as a supper room The supper, which was left entirely in the hands of the ladies, was a delightful one, tastefully laid, and could not have been surpassed : in fact, no praise is too great to bestow on those who, at tho last moment, undertook the taak of ministering to the wants oi those present. Excellent music was supplied hy Mr Bosworth's string band, consisting or Miss Soppett (piano), Baudmaster Hunter (cornet), Mr Stewart (clarionet), Mr J. H. Edwards (double bass), and Mr T. H. Bosworth (violiu). Punctually at nine o'clock the music struck up for the ' Grand March,' in which the gay-coloured dresses of the ladies, mingling with the rich regalia of tne brethren, made the scene an enchanting one. A long programme was carried out with spirit, and the ball terminated in good time to allow of a few hours' sleep before breakfast. • Many of the dresses were striking and pretty, and we regret that we are unable to publish a list ot them. The attendance at the ball was far greater than on any previous occasion, and dancing with any degree ot comfort was not to bo thought of. Truly we are behind the times as far as a public hall is concerned, but the writer is sick of making comments on this subject and will say no more.