MASONIC.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2806, 8 July 1890, Page 2

MASONIC.

Lodge Beta, N-Z-C.

lm: adjourned annual meeting of the brethren of Lodge Beta was held on Thursday evening, for tho purpose of installing the officers for the ensuing term. Tins being the first ceremony of installation held in Waikato undct Mm New Zealand Constitution, there was great interest taken iu it,

and ii number of visitors, including several

of the Grand Lodge Officers, attended from Auckland, among them being Bros. Malcolm Niccol (Grand Superintendent), A. Kidd (Grand Pursuivant), W. H. Cooper (Assistant Grand Secretary), J. Page (Grand Sword-bearer R.W.M. Lodge St. Andrew, N.Z.C), Dr. Walker, G. H. I'owley, W. Parkinson, B. J. Ksam(l\M. Kemuera K.C.) W. S. Lyell (W.M. Lodge Papakura, X.Z.C.), and J. Mayo (P.M. Lodge Franklin, N.Z.C). The retiring W.M., Bro. A. Primrose, was present, and also P.M.S. Bros. Barton and Hay (Beta). Th« Lodge was opened by the W.M. and Lodge St. Andrew, N.Z.C, with Bro. J.

Pago as W.M. was received as a Lodge.

Tlio Grand Officers were received with tho customary honours, and Bro. Niccol took over the Lodge as Instilling Master, Bros. P. M.s. Powleyand Parkinson acting as S.W.

and J.W. respectively. Jlrn. E. Lvithborne was installed as W.M., with Bro. A. Primrose as 1.P.M., and the other officers were invested as follows:— S.W., .1. Primrose;

.1.W., G. \V. Sare; Secretary and Trea surer, G. Kdgeeiimbe, P.M.; 8.1). f Coates; J. 1).. Dr. W. Muroh ; L.G., it. J (Jwynno ; Tyler, K. Younge.

Urn. Cooper, A.G.S., delivered the working tools in the master's decree, Bro. (I. H. Powley, P.M.. lli.wn in tlio fellowcraft degree, und Brn. l>. J. Jjiaui, L'.M., those in tho entered appicntice decree. The charge to tin Master was given by JSru. Powlev, P.M. and that t;> the Wardens by Bro. JJsuii, P.M. In delivering the charge to the Brothren, Bro. Nicoul, Grand Superintendant, departed from tlio usual form. und gavu a most interesting address on Masonry, particularly as it referred to the Grand Lodge of Now Z-jalaiid, of which the foundation stono had lately been luid, and which to be leady for the coping stone at the earliest moment would require the united action of all the brethren.

Jiro. P.M. Burton apologised fur theabsence of Bio, P.M. Hdgecumbe, owing to illness in liis family, and general regret was expve=sed at Bro. Kdgecmnbenot being able to attend, and hearty sympathy was extended to him in his trouble. Hearty congratulations and good wishes wero received from tlio following- lodces : — Ara, N.Z.C. ; St. Andrew, N.Z.C. ; United .Service. N.Z.C. ; Albion, N.Z.C.; Pakakiirn, N.Z.C. ; flemuora, E,C. ; Franklin, N.Z.C.; I'humix, N.Z.C,; Sir Walter Scott, X.Z.C. ; Akaroa, \.Z.C. Bro. Cooper said that ho had been instructed to convoy tho he irty good wishes for a prosperous year trum Bro. 11. Thompson, R.W.G.M.N.Z.C. Before tho lodge was closed the plate was passed round for a subscription towards estiblishing a charity fund in tho lo Ice, and a handsome amount was collected. The Lodi?e then adjourned to tho Hamilton Hotel where a sumptuous banquet had been prepared by Mrs Gwynne and at which over 30 brethren were proHent. After amplo justice had been done to the good things provided the usual toast list was honoured. The toast of the G. M. of the New Zealand Constitution, Brn. Thompson, was received with great applause and hearty sympathy was expressed towards

him in his present serious illness. A number (if other toasts followed, including those of the M. W. the J'rincs of Wales, the Grand Masters ot the Irish and Scotch Constitutions, the Provincial Grand Mastors of the English. Irish and Scotch Constitutions, the \V. At. Lodgo Beta, the Installing M-j.ster, Visitors, the olhcers of Lodge Beta, the Hostess and Distressed Brethren all over tho world. During the evening songs were .-sung and a very enoyablo time was spent by all present,