The Banquet.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1707, 14 June 1883, Page 2

The Banquet.

The installation banquet given by the bietlnen of Lo Ige Alpha to the visiting bretluen was served in the large diningroom <it Bro. Kirk wood's private hotel. The ohan' was occupied by Bro. Mosis, W.M., having on his light Bro. Lodder, D.D G.M., and on his left Bio Rev. W. E. Mulgan, acting D.G. Chaplain. Tlie vice-chairs were occupied l>y Bios. Searanckc, S.W., and Chitty, J.W. T.u> company numbered about GO. 'Hie vi.mds were of tlio choisest description, and the spread reflected the highest credit on the culinaiy resources of the woithy ho^b. The inner mm having received the fulledt attention, The Ohurman proposed the toast of " The Quean and Craft," which was received \\ lth every symptom of loyalty, the brethren singing the fit at veiss of the National Anthem. The toists of "Our Grand Master, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales," and "The Grand Masters and Provincial Grand Masters of the Scotch and liish constitutions,"' ueie proposed from the chair, and duly honoured. Bro. the Rev. W. E. Mulgau responded for Bro. Wliitaker, P.G.M., 8.C., and Bio, Johnson, W.M., Lodge Beta, 450, 1.C., acknowledged the compliment paid to Bro. Pierce, P.G M., 1.0. The chairman proposed '• The health of Bro. Lodder, D.D G.M.," and in doing so referred in graceful terms to the ad mil able way in which their respected bi other had performed the duties pei taining to his high offi.ee th.it evening. The toist was drunk with musical honours. Bro. Lodder in responding, said the success w Inch had attended his ellorts was to be attributed to the able assistance he had recci\ ed from the otliei members of the Grand Lodgf present. It had given him great pleasiue to come amongst them on the present occasion, and to assist at so interesting a ceremony. Ho sincerely hoped th.it the new lod^e would prosper dm ing the year, and that those who followed in their footsteps would reap an equal measure of success. Bro. Wade, D.GS., proposed " The W.M. of Lodge Alpha, Bro. Moses." He need not tell them that much of the success of a lodge at its commencement depended upon the W.M., who had to set the whole thing going, and to attend to many things which in" the after life of the lodge would not require looking after. He was bound to f>ay that the brethren in electing Bro. Moses had exercised a wise discrimination. Bro. Moses had filled a similar office before, and had received a fitting recognition of his ability for the work. He felt sure the lodge had every reason to be proud of its first officers. The toast was. drunk with Macduff honours. Brq MJoses, iv responding, said he felt proud to occupy his present position, because from his knowledge of the brethren he was convinced that they would not have elected him to the office had they not have believed him to be fitted for it. Speaking of the intentions of the members, he could safely say they were at one with him in thinking they should look at the quality rather than the numbers of their prospective associates. His great desire was to see Masonry practised not only inside the lodge, but outside— in the world— as well. If they worked together shoulder to shoulder to attain this, ttyey win tn,e admiration of outsiders, and set before society the true type of Masonry. (Applause.) Bro. Searanclte proposed "The visiting brethren of Grand Lodge." Bro. v v W a de, in responding, said it always gave him pleasure to assist at ceremonials of the character they had witnessed that evening. Bros. K*es-George~and Charles Hesketh also responded. Bro. Gamble said he supposed his name 1 had been coupled wifi' the toast for thpge reasons. The first was fliat hq was tjje youngest member of the Qrand 'Lodge • the. second ' that ' he had/ Had nothing ' to. 'do with r !th'e ( business of the 1 eVenin^ T > and, * third' th^tr, be isye\'

cduld' in' liis 'life 'make^ an Wft'ef^dfnner speech. (Laughter). ' At the same tfme ho thanked them all very much for the kind manner in 1 which the toast'had been received. The toasts of "The Sister Lodges," proposed by Bro. Chitty ;r; r ".Absent Brethren," by Bro. T. B. Lew;is, and " Distressed Masous throughout the world," by tlie Tyler (Bro." Carnachan) brought the list to a close, and the rest of a very pleasant evening was devoted to harmony.