New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND .

THE PROGRESS OF FREEMASONRY . ON the 28 th November , Bro . the Hon . F . Whitaker ( a member of tho New Zealand Cabinet ) , P . M . of Lodge Ara , I . C , and ono of the founders of Freemasonry in the colony , was affiliated in Lodgo Sir Walter Scott , S . C ., preparatory to his taking tho position of Provincial Grand Master of the Scottish Constitution in tho North Island of New Zealand , for which ho has been nominated by all tho Lodges interested and holding under tho Scottish Constitution . Tho W . M . aud officers

of the Corinthian Lodgo , E . C , and thoso of tho Lodgo of Light , I . C , together with a largo number of visiting brethren attended , and the Freemasons' Hall , in which the ceremony was hold , was crowded to excess . The R . W . M ., Bro . the Rev . James Hill , performed the im . pressive ceremony of affiliating tho distinguished brother . After which tho Lodge was called off , and re-assembled iu loss than

half-an-hour to partake of an excellent banquet . Tho R . W . M . of tho Lodge ( the Rev . J . Hill ) presided , and tho guest of the evening was seated at the right of tho R . W . M ., and His Worship tho Mayor ( Bro . Macdonald ) on his left . The R . W . M . ( the Rev . J . Hill ) proposed tho toast of the evening . He said : Brethren , I have now to propose the toast of the evening .

In common with all tho Lodges under the Scotch Constitution in Now Zealand , tho Sir Walter Scott Lodge has been in connection with tho Provincial Grand Lodge of Dunediu . For several years it has boon the opinion of the brethren , both in the South and North , that there should be a Provincial Grand Lodgo in the North Island , and Bro . Hislop , tho Provincial Grand Master in Dunedin , kindly agreed to

recommend its formation to tho Grand Lodge of Scotland . Somo months ago the idea was revived . One of the first things to be done was to nominate a brother to occupy the high and important position of Right Worship ful Master of the proposed new Lodge . Tho brethren at the Thames suggested the namo of Bro . Worshipful Past Master the Hon . Frederick Whitaker , and the unanimous concurrence of tho

Lodges concerned was given . Bro . Hill concluded by proposing " The health of Bro . Past Master the Hon . Frederick Whitakor . " Bro . the Hon . F . Whitaker , who , on rising to respond , was received with loud cheering , said : Right Worshipful Master and brethren , I hardly know how to thank you for the honor you havo this day accorded me , first by affiliating me into your Lodgo , which I heard

spoken of as tho best worked and best managed Lodge in New Zealand , and for your having put me up as your representative in the Provincial Grand Lodge , and then again this evening the manner in which the R . W . M . has proposed my health , and you have responded to it . ( Cheers . ) Well , now all these honours conferred on one man in one evening would be enough to turn his head , and would bo

enough to turn mine if I was subject to such . It does strike me to ask myself why do I deserve this honour , or do I deserve it ? I say I do not feel that I can answer that I havo done anything to entitle mo to this honour which you have done me . It is true , as the R . W . chairman has said , that I was connected with the first Masonic Lodge in New Zealand , and when I look back at that time , 33 or 34 years

ago , I do so with satisfaction . There were then in Auckland only a few wooden and raupo houses , and in a small room , not one-fourth tho size of this , wo established tho first Lodge in New Zealand . It is with pride and satisfaction I look back to thoso days , and notice how early men from tho mother country plant Masoury in tho countries they take up their abode in . With about a dozen brethren wo sot to

work and laid the foundation of Masonry in New Zealand , and now we seo the fruit thereof ; and thoso who took part in that openingand there are few that remain—look with prido aud satisfaction on that treo which they have planted , and which has now spread and flourished to such splendid proportions . ( Cheers . ) During the time I have been in New Zealand I have been connected , in a Masonic

way , with somo important events . I was present , as a Mason , at the laying of the foundation stone of the first church in New Zealandthat of St . Paul ' s , in Auckland . Occasions such as these aro peculiarly pointed out as occasions on which Masons should meet . I also feel proud of another instance in which , in a Masonic manner , I took part iu a Masonic ceremony , that was when I , as a Master

Mason , laid the foundation stone of the Supreme Court in Auckland , and I am proud to say that in no other part of New Zealand have I seen as Court buildings anything to compare with the Supreme Court in Auckland , and of that building I , as one of the craft , laid the foundation stone . ( Cheers . ) It is possible that these connections have given me some claim to the honor which you have conferred on

me . In accepting your offer to be nominated as Provincial Grand Master of tho North Island , I felt I was undertaking something that I did not know much about , and it has been a principle with me , through my life , not to undertake anything of which I do not at least think I know something , but in accepting tlio honor of being Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge , I feel I havo a great deal to

learn , but I promise that I shall devote my best energies to justify your choice . ( Cheers . ) Now , this evening I see a gathering round me . I recently camo from a placo where there used to bo a gathering of about the same uumbor , but it was of a widely different character , ( the New Zealand House of Representatives ) . Here wo aro mot in fellowship . There , thore was nothing of tho kind , and we fought—if

I may bo allowed to tiso the expression—like cats and dogs . But , leaving politics out of tho question , if I could take you there with me , you would seo something which would surprise you , aud I feel altogether greatly relieved in coming out of a hotbed Jiko that into a community like this , were wo all feel alike . It is totally unlike what I havo left , and I fool a certain amount of recreation in being

amongst you . ( Cheers ) . I fool that I havo como to a rc-uniou ot brethren , and feel that it is a happy occasion on which men of different religious beliefs and different political opinious can meet on a common platform , where all their endeavours are directed to tho ono object—tho benefit of each other aud tho benefit of the couisiuuity —( cheers ) , without bickering or quarrelling , seeking tho same

New Zealand.

, tho benefit of the Craft , and , through the Craft , of tho world . ( Cheers . ) Masonry has now taken root , and I feel happy that hero we can meet without that clashing of interests which is experienced in tho political world . Now , when I looked around amongst you I thought it rather incongruous that I should havo been chosen by you as Provincial Grand Master ; but I havo now begun to look upon it

as a matter for congratulation . I did think that the Hon . Sir Donald McLean was more fit to be appointed Provincial Grand Master of tho Scottish Constitution , aud that I would havo been better fitted to the English Constitution ; for although I was connected with tho opening of tho first Masonic Lodgo in New Zealand—and that was under the Irish Constitution—I waa made a Master Mason

in the English Constitution in 1839 , and am on tho roll of the Grand Lodge of England . But in New Zealand , up to the present , I havo been connected with the Irish Constitution , and this is my first introduction to Scottish Masonry , and if it improves as I go on , I havo now landed in the best . ( Cheers and laughter . ) I now think , on tho whole , that this is hotter . It shews that Englishmen aro willing

to accept a good Scotchman , and that Scotland is willing to accept what you , I suppose , believe to bo a good Irishman engrafted on a good English stock . ( Cheers . ) I agree that , on tho whole , this is the best as it is ; and I am sure you all honour and respect tho Hon . Sir Donald McLean , P . G . M . of the English Constitution . Whatever opinion wo might entertain of Sir Donald McLean ' s politics , or

his action in tho Native Department , wo must all acknowledge that he is a good Mason , and wish him long life and happiness as the head of tho Provincial Grand Lodge of tho English Constitution . ( Cheers ) . When I was asked to take tho position of P . G . M . of tho Scotch Constitution in tho North Island , I began to consider what you wonld expect me to do . Not having a great deal of connection with t ^ o

people of Scotland , except in this country , I began to ask myself would they expect me to play the bagpipes —( cheers and laughter)—for after all , although in Scotland that is a favourite instrument , ibis not so in mine , and is very seldom heard thore . I heard it played exceedingly well , too , in Nolson , on board the Hinemoa . A man in tho ship struck up the Scotch bagpipes , and I felt very much inclined

to dance . ( Cheers ) . I thought to myself , surely ho does nob know that I havo been elected Provincial Grand Master , but I accepted tho honor as being paid to myself , and considered that I had been paid the highest compliment . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Then I hope you do not wish me to embrace the Scotch thistle . ( Laughter ) . I remember the old adge—nemo me impune lacessit . ( Laughter . )

And then I hope you do not want me to learn Gaelic . I fear I could never accomplish that . ( Cheers ) . But if what you desire is that I should get up in the duties of Master of the Provincial Grand Lodgo , all I can say is I will try . Not being connected with any other Lodgo in New Zealand , I shall look on this Lodge as my parent to

bear me out , and I shall pay it tho greatest gratitudo for rendering me that assistance . ( Cheers . ) Permit mo again to thank you for the honor you have done me . I feel that moro honor has been conferred on me than I now deserve , but in tho future I will try to deserve it all . ( Cheers . )

The New Zealand Herald thus comments on tho appointment of Bro . Whitakor : —¦ " It has come to be the fashion now to find out that everything that has been done in apparent conformity with law has really been in violation of the law , and wo feci it incumbent upon us as journalists , if we would not bo quite left behind , to find out and make public something in that line on our own account . However ,

we do not profess in this to speak from our own knowledge , but upon information . The Hon . F . Whitaker was a few days ago installed into tho office of Provincial Grand Master by the Masonic Lodgo Sir Walter Scott , at tho Thames . Outsiders wondered how this Lodge , which is but of yesterday , compared with other Lodges in the North Island , should have assumed this duty , bub they considered that it was one of the mysteries of tho Craft with which tho profano

must nob intermeddle . lb seems , however , that ib is all wrong in point of Masonic law , and that tho dnty of appointing a Provincial Grand Master lay with an Auckland Lodge . As wo are informed , Bro . Whitaker is not Provincial Grand Master of tho Masonic Lodges under the Scottish . Constitution . Jusb to mention another catastrophe . Sir D . McLean was appointed Provincial Grand Master of tho English Constitution by a Lodgo in Wellington , while there is a more ancient Lodge in Auckland with whom only is the power to appoint . "

We may add that the appointment of Sir Donald McLean , as District Grand Master for tho whole North Island has not given satisfaction to the Lodges under the English Constitution in Auckland , aud steps aro being taken at tho present moment to nominate Bro . G . S . Graham , of Auckland , an excellent Mason , and a gentleman , of good social standing for tho office of District Grand Master for Auckland . Tho reasons why such an appointment should bo

mado are difficult to explain within reasonable limits in tho columns of this Journal , but thoy are easy to bo understood by all Colonial Masons , and wc shall be glad if the Colonial Board can seo thoir way to carry out tho wishes of tho Northern Lodges in thia matter , feeling confident , as wo do , that such au appointment would have a marked effect on the prosperity of English Masonry in that important division of tho Colony of New Zealand .

HoMiOWAT s PIM . 3 AND OiKiitESl . —• Influenza , Coughs , and Colds . —Iu diseases of tho throat and chest , so prevalent iu our changeable climate , nothing so speedily relieves , or so certainly cures , us these inestimable remedies . These disorders are too often neglected at their commencement , or are injudiciously treated , resulting in cither case iu disastrous conse * ( nonces . Whatever tho condition ot the patient , Hoilovvay ' s remedies will restore , if

recovery be possible ; they will retard the alarming symptjiiw till tho blood is purified and nature consummates tlio cure , gradually restoring strength aud vital nervous power . Ily persevering in the use of " llollowny ' s preparations , touo is conferred on the stomach aud rVauio generally . Thousands of persons have testiiied that by tlie use of thc-o remedies aloao they Uayo beeu restored to Health after every Q UWC means uudfcikjd ,