Grand Lodge Of Western Australia.

Brethren , after which the report of the Executive Committee was received , and formally adopted by the Grand Lodge , which was then closed in ample form . At the conclusion of the ceremony a large number of the Brethren adjourned to the supper-room , where a magnificent

banquet had been prepared . The repast placed before the Brethren was an excellent one > and ample justice was done to the menu by the guests , who numbered about three hundred : The chair was taken by the M . W . Grand Master , who was supported by the principal Grand Officers .

At the conclusion of the banquet the usual Loyal toasts were honoured , after which Bro . Norman Malcolm gave a spirited rendering of the favourite song , " Let me like a soldier fall , " and , in response to a tumultuous encore , sang in a fine , manly style , " The Absent-minded Beggar . " Before singing

the latter Bro . Malcolm intimated his desire that should the Brethren feel disposed to "Pay—pay—pay , " the proceeds of their liberality should go to Masonic Charities . The response made to each chorus , in which most of the Brethren joined , was a liberal one , nearly - £ " 20 being donated .

The M . W . Pro Grand Master said that before he made the few remarks he was prepared to offer , he would like to suggest , with regard to the collection that had just been made , that it should be devoted to one or the other of the patriotic funds now being raised . They were met there that evening

not only with a feeling of self-congratulation , but under a sense of devout thankfulness that they had been able to bring their great enterprise of the formation of a Grand Lodge so far and so successfully . They had added a fifth star to the Australian Masonic firmament that evening , and he was sure

it was the wish of everyone that this star should suffer no diminution of its radiance in the opinion of the sister Grand Lodges as the years went by . It was they whose toast it was his duty to propose . To keep his word , though he had several things to say to them upon Masonry in general , and

their own Grand Lodge in particular , he would keep to the toast , and he might say he fully echoed the words of the M . W . Grand Master spoken a short time ago , when he said they were under no ordinary obligation to the senior of those Grand Lodges , the Grand Lodge of the mother colony of

New South Wales . It was no special part of his business ; except as a Mason and a member of their future' Grand Lodge , to make himself known as a member to the Grand Lodges in the Eastern colonies . Nevertheless , as there seemed to be some misunderstanding as to the objects and

way in which it was to be formed , he thought it his duty to call upon the leading Officers of those Grand Lodges and explain exactly how matters stood . He was happy to say that , beginning with South Australia , he found not only a feeling , of friendliness , but . a deep Fraternal , and even a

paternal , feeling for this Grand Lodge . He had not the ' slightest doubt that they would meet with the hearty and unanimous recognition " of all the sister Grand Lodges . With regard to the Lodge with which he chiefly put himself in communication—the Grand Lodge of New South Wales

—it had been a p leasure to find himself amidst true and loyal Masons of that kidney such as he found in Sydney . The way in which the M . W . Bro . Remington , and the President of the Board of General Purposes Bro . Spencer , listened to the matters he had put before them , and the time and care they devoted to

looking into them , entitled those to their deepest gratitude . They first summoned a meeting of the Board . He was invited to attend . Bro . Remington told him afterwards that when the question of the recognition of the Grand Lodge of Western Australia was put to the Board ,

they were nearly unanimous in advising its recognition . Having read a letter from Bro . Remington referring to the decision , Bro . Hackett , continuing , said that a special Communication of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales was summoned , and then the resolution recognising the Grand Lodge of Western Australia was carried . On

returning to Melbourne , the Grand Master-designate there Bro . Peacock endeavoured to get one of the former Past Grand Masters in Victoria to come over , but circumstances prevented them coming . Tasmania had already offered her congratulations , and he had no doubt that when the Grand

Secretary communicated the fact of the Installation to the Sister Lodges they would , with all the speed allowed by Masonic etiquette , accord them hearty and fraternal recognition . He wished to congratulate that magnificent Masonic meeting on the work they had accomplished that

night . They had a new temple of their religion—the religion of Charity , Equality , and Brotherhood . He believed that they had that day lighted a lamp which was ' not likely to go out , but would spread its light and warmth over all parts of the territory ,- and he believed that no person would rejoice

Grand Lodge Of Western Australia.

more at the lighting of the lamp than the Sister Grand Lodges of Australia , whose health he gave them , and asked them to drink with all heartiness . The toast having been drank , the M . W . Grand Master announced to the Brethren that he had just received an

intimation that a cablegram had been received notifying the surrender of the Boer general , Cronje . A burst of tumultuous cheering followed upon the announcement , the Brethren rising to their feet and waving their handkerchiefs and napkinsand singing " God save the Queen " and " Rule

, Brittania , " with true patriotic fervour . This was followed by hearty cheers for Lord Roberts , after which the M . W . Grand Master read the rest of the message , which had been telephoned to him from the "West Australian . " The

reading of the message was received with renewed cheering , after which the Brethren sang the chorus of "Three cheers for the Red , White , and Blue , " and then cheered the Australian Contingent . West

Bro . Major Sherwood P . D . G . W ., the oldest Australian Past Master present , proposed the health of M . W . Grand Master Bro . His Excellency Sir Gerard Smith . They all knew that Sir Gerard Smith had been in the colony nearly five years , and ever since his arrival he had made

himself acquainted with everything that appertained to the well-being of Western Australia , and with regard to Masonry had made it his duty to go round and inquire into the working of the different Lodges . When , as during the course of the splendid meeting upstairs the M . W . Grand

Master reminded them , the first Lodge in the colony was started nearly sixty years ago , in old Government House , there were but few Masons in the colony . Since that time they had progressed under the English Constitution and had now a roll of nearly 2 , 500 members . They must all

congratulate their M . W . Grand Master upon presiding over such a large body . He knew he was echoing their sentiments in wishing him a pleasant trip in the journey he was about to

take to the old country . He had worked hard for Masonry in the colony , and he need only refer to the Military . Lodges in which he had always taken an active and prominent part . The toast was drank with honours .

The M . W . Grand Master said he rose to reply to the toast which had been received in such a cordial fashion with very mingled feelings—feelings of very deep satisfaction and thankfulness that he had been able with the assistance of the Brethren whom he saw around him , and to whom he

tendered his hearty thanks , to see a Grand Lodge in Western Australia before he left the colony . It had been a wish that had been very near his heart since he came there . Though there had been difficulties to be encountered , these , with the hearty co-operation of all Brethren , had been

successfully surmounted . There remained yet a few matters of detail , which he had no doubt they would see overcome , and in time they would be a United West Australian Grand Lodge . He hoped he might live to see that day , and to share in their festivities on that occasion . He had said that

he rose to respond to the toast of his health with mingled feelings , because he had to make an announcement for which some of them might not be unprepared . That was probably the last , as it was also the first , occasion on which he would have the honour of presiding over the Grand Lodge of Western Australia . The circumstances which surrounded

official life were difficult to combat . He had been there now nearly five years—five very happy years—during which he had met with a kindness and hospitality , and with a generous consideration from all classes of the people which would remain deeply engraven on his heart . The fact that all

his daughters had left him—the last one was about to leave him , and he was happy to say she was going to take up her residence among them in Western Australia—would leave a somewhat lonely old couple , and entertainment at Government House might be devoid of some of its interest

and much of its incident . There were other circumstances of a political character which made him anxious to visit the old country , but which , perhaps , he had better not touch upon , unless it were , like the old war-horse , he was desirous to plunge again into the stormy political vortex which , with

a certain amount of political foresight , he could not fail to see before him . He also , although he was too old now to draw the sword , was like the younger men amongst them , anxious for the integrity and the honour of their Queen and Empire . He would have another , and perhaps a more public ,

opportunity of expressing his sentiments towards the people of Western Australia . Just then he only desired to express his thanks—his warm , cordial , and affectionate thanks—to the Masons of the colony for their kindness , for the cordial support they had given him , and for their recognition of the