GREY MOUTH MASONIC HALL.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 447, 6 January 1869, Page 2

GREY MOUTH MASONIC HALL.

The opening and consecration of the magnificent new Masonic Hall recently erected by Mr Gilmer, of Sweeney's Hotel, Greymouth, took place on Wednesday last. It is now some seven months since the first Lodge of Freemasons was constituted in Greymouth, and at that time, although the new Lodge was formed under very encouraging auspices, it was expected that the Lodge-room constructed by Messrs Tonka and Hughes would afford sufficient accommodation for a considerable time to come. But, says the Argus, the remarkable rate of progression the Lodge made in the accession to its numbers, made it evident that the room then in use was not extensive enough, and Mr Gilmer offered to build a suitable hall, capable of giving the required accommodation. The offer was accepted, and Mr Gilmer, in the most spirited manner, set to work to fulfil his promise, to enable the Fraternity in Greymouth to celebrate the festival of St. John in becoming manner, in a noble hall. At High Noon on Wednesday the Brethren mustered strongly in the old Lodgei oom, at the Albion Hotel, where the Lodge was opened, and seven new members were initiated. After the initiations were concluded, Brother Touks (one of the former proprietors of the Albion Hotel) was presented with a handsome Master Mason's Jewel, in recognition of his many and valuable servises to the Lodge since its formation. This interesting and pleasing ceremony over, the Brethren, to the number of about seventy, formed in procession, and marched to the new Lodge-room, where the ceremony of consecration was most impressively and appropriately performed by W. M. Archer, assisted by the S.W. Brother Moss, J. W. Brother Kenrick, and the other office-bearers of the Lodge. The appearance of the hall was all that could be desired, the emblematic decorations and furniture being conceived and executed in the most faithful and elaborate manner. Altogether, the hall is probably one of the finest in New Zealand.