Freemasonry In New Zealand. (Continued From Page 68).

FREEMASONRY IN NEW ZEALAND . ( Continued from Page 68 ) .

Bro . Whitaker , in continuation , said : I was invited to the Thames to be affiliated to the Scotch Constitution in the Sir Walter Scott Lodge , and I was enrolled as one of the brethren on that occasion , and it was then a formal offer was made to me to become the first Provincial the North

Grand Master of the Scotch Constitution for Island of New Zealand . Well , that is now concluded with this ceremony to-day ; 1 am duly installed as your first Grand Master , and I think I may refer to this fact in proof of the Catholicity of Freemasonry , for here I am an Englishman , never having been in Scotland in my life , and you have accepted me as your Grand Master . I

believe I may refer to Bro . Graham here on my right , the District Grand Master of thc English Constitution , as being of Scotch origin . ( Bro . Graham here whispered some words to Bro . Whitaker , which were not audible in the body of the hall . ) Born in Ireland , but of Scotch origin well , I suppose , we must accept him as half-Irishman and half-Scotchman , but half an Irishman

and half a Scotchman fitted together makes one good English Grand Master . ( Cheers . ) Here is Brother Graham , ' sitting , I may say , in all his glory , and I for one do most sincerely wish him a long and happy reign over the lodge of which he has been appointed Grand Master . I now have this to say : I do from the bottom of my heart most sincerely thank you all , brethren , for

the great honour you have conferred upon mc in placing me in this chair , and I assure you it will be my utmost endeavour to conduct the business of this Grand Lodge in a manner that shall be satisfactory to the brethren . I shall endeavour faithfully to . perform my duties with the aid of the officers appointed to assist me , and depend upon it my best endeavours will not be wanting to uphold thc

dignity and support thc influence of Masonry . ( Cheers ) . You arc aware that the Master who sits in this chair is as great an autocrat as the Emperor of Russia . What I say in this lodge is law , and there is but one appeal , viz ., to the Grand Lodge of Scotland . Here the Master of this lodge is supreme . I refer to Bro . Lazar as to whether I am stating what is correct—no brother has a right to

dispute the decision of the Grand Master , but let me add that while I will act with firmness , 1 will also act with moderation , and my decisions so tar as it is possible to make them , shall be founded on justice and truth . ( Cheers ) . Brethren , assist me to close this lodge . At the close of the ceremony the P . G . Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . F . Gould offered up the following very eloquent

prayer : God , our Creator , Preserver , and Benefactor , with whom all hearts are open , all desires known , and from whom no secrets are hid , we thank Thee for the fraternal communion which we have this day enjoyed . Pardon all that Thy holy eye has seen amiss in us . Bless our humble labours to the promotion of truth and love , unity and peace .

Smile upon our institution , and make it the instrument of great good . Dismiss us with Thy blessing , go with us when we separate , guide us even more by Thy good Providence , and finally reunite us at Thy right hand in that world of life and light where Thou for ever reignest . So mote it be . The following brethren were the joint committee for

both Installations , and have given universal satisfaction by the manner in which they have carried out the programme : —Bros . Brett and Tyler , for the S . C . ; and Bros . Lodder , Skinner , and Wade , for the E . C . The brethren present exceeded 300 in number . The ball was one of the most perfectly managed and succesful ever seen in Auckland . The Stewards

of whom the chief was Bro . Adam Brock , must be complimented on the tout ensemble of the arrangements , which were such as could not tail to be conducive to the comfort of everyone . The decorations in the hall were particularly effective and the gay costumes of the ladies presented a more than usually brilliant appearance . On the gentlemen , the bright coloured aprons and regalia

relieved the somkre black . The programme was well selected , and the music was capitally interpreted by Mr . Impey ' s band . At twelve o'clock the doors of the supper-room were thrown open , and there was a rush to the tables , which groaned beneath the weight of substantial fare , tastefully laid out , and all the delicacies of the season . Bro .

Whitaker , P . G . M ., S . C , occupied the chair , with Bro . Graham ; D . G . M ., E . C , and Bro . Lazar , P . G . M ., of Westland , as Croupiers . After the company had satisfied the cravings of the inner man , the signal was given for silence . The Chairman , the Hon . F . Whitaker , P . G . M ., S . C , then rose , and called upon the brethren to fill their glasses . This having been complied -with , he said : Ladies and

brethren , —At Masonic banquets there is one toast which takes precedence , because of all other bodies Freemasons boast of their loyalty , and boast of it in a manner in which they are entitled to boast . The first toast on all Masonic occasions is " The Queen and the Craft . " The toast was drunk with demonstrations ol loyalty , and with English honours , Bro . W . J . Rees , P . M ., who

sat on the left of the chairman , giving the time . The Chairman again called on the brethren to charge their glasses , which having been done , he said : Ladies and brethren , the next toast that I have to propose to you is that of " The Prince of Wales , the Grand Master of the English Constitution , and the Grand Patron of the Scotch

and the Irish Consiitutions . " It is therefore our duty , as loyal subjects of the Queen , and as looking forward at some future time to H . R . H . succeeding to the throne , and regarding him now in the exalted position as Grand Master of the English Constitution , and the position he holds with regard to Freemasonry generally , I say it is our duty to propose the toast of H . H . Highness ' s health , and to drink it with all honours , I therefore give you the toast of

Freemasonry In New Zealand. (Continued From Page 68).

H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Grand Master ofthe English Constitution , and the Grand Patron of the Scotch and the Irish Constitutions . Thc toast was drunk with those marks of loyalty wh ich peculiarly distinguish Freemasonry , and with three times three . The Chairman again rose , after a short pause , and

called on the brethren to charge their glasses . He then said : Ladies and brethren , the occasion on which we are met to-day is one of the greatest importance . One part of the Proceedings was the installation of Bro . George Samuel Graham as R . W . D . G . M . of the English Constitution . It is our duty , therefore on an occasion of this kind to propose his health . He has been a good Mason for

many years , and I have not the slightest doubt that the brethren of his lodge have done well in appointing him to his present high office . I am quite sure you will have the very greatest pleasure in drinking the toast of his health as I have in proposing it . I propose therefore the health of R . W . D . G . M . George Samuel Graham . The toast was drank with Macduff honours . When the enthusiasm had subsided .

Bro . G . S . Graham , D . G . M ., E . C . rose amidst cheers , and said : —Ladies , brethren , and gentlemen , I have to thank you for the kind and cordial manner in which you have responded to the toast that has been proposed . I will not preface with the customary " unaccustomed as I am to public speaking , " & c . —( laughter and cheers)—f or I feel that I am at such a dizzy height that I am afraid to

move lest I should stumble . The flattering remarks made by Bro . Whitaker with reference to my connection with Masonry , I trust , will be fulfilled in my future solicitude for the welfare of thc Lodges over which I have been called to preside . When I look around me to-night , and see assembled here so many ladies , as well as so many non-Masons I cannot but feel that they have

conferred an honour upon me , irrespective of my own brethren , in the support which they gave me in the arduous task which I have this day undertaken . There is a matter to which I would like to allude this evening , and my remarks are addressed more especially to my fellowcraftsmen . We have met , it is true , this evening in a very fine hall , but I think it is quite time , considering

that on this occasion there must be , I should estimate at least upwards of 500 guests present in this hall , that we had a Masonic hall of our own . At present we have no hall that we can call our own , but I trust that at the next Masonic festivity we may be in a position to boast of a hall that we may truly call our own ( cheers ) , and that it will be available for Masons in general . This certainly

has been a red-letter day in the annals of Freemasonry , for we have had ample evidence to-day of the genuine brotherly love that exists in this province . ( Cheers . ) The English , Scotch and Irish Lodges have been united this day in the greatest harmony , and if they will only work together in the grandobjects which I desire to seeachieved . they can without difficulty at once proceed to build a Masonic

Hall which will be worthy of them . In again thanking you for the kindly manner in which you have drunk my health , I may remark that there is a brother amongst us of whom I should like to say a few words . On this day he has received a dignity which is co-equal with my own , I allude to Bro . Whitaker , R . W . P . G . M ., of the Scotch Constitution . I may say that since I was a little child

toddling about that his name was as familiar to me as one of the household gods . ( Cheers ) . Therefore it is to me a pleasant duty to invite you to drink the toast of his health . I call upon you , therefore , to drink " The Health of Bro . the Hon . F . Whitaker , R . W . P . G . M . ofthe Scottish Constitution . The toast was drunk with Macduff honours in double

quick time , led by Bro . Robinson of Lodge Sir Walter Scott . The Chairman again rose , and said : Ladies and brethren , it is now a great number of years since I first became a Mason , and during the whole of that time there has never been any occasion on which I have felt more honoured than I have to-day . I have been placed to-day

in one of the very highest positions in Freemasonry in which a man can be placed in this colony . I feel gratified that I have been chosen and elected by those amongst whom I have lived so many years , and I am sure you will all agree with me that I have reason to be proud of the position which I now occupy . ( Cheers ) , I have for many years past done but little for Freemasonry ,

but now I am ready to promise tbat for thc rest of my life I will render all the assistance that I can for the good of Masonry —( cheers)—and for the advancement of the interests of the Craft in the North Island of New Zealand . ( Cheers ) . I am quite aware that it is not fun to the ladies to make long speeches this evening . Just now the band struck up in the ball-room

outside , and I think that I saw a great many of the ladies were ready to run awa y from the supper table to resume the dance . I think they prefer dancing to speeches—( laughter and cheers)—and being aware of that , and ready as I always am , to accomodate the ladies as far as possible , 1 shall , therefore , cut short my speech , in order that the dance may be resumed . Allow me to say that besides the

honour my brethren have conferred upon me to-day , I have received an additional honour in having my health proposed to-night in such kind terms , and for that , ladies and gentlemen , I return you my most sincere thanks . ( Cheers ) . After a pause , thc chairman again called upon the company to charge their glasses . This having been

complied with , he said : " The next toast that I have to propose to you is the health of a brother who is absent , and I am sorry he is absent on this occasion , because I am quite sure it would have given him a great deal of pleasure to be present . I have just been informed that he has expressed his regret that he could not be present this evening . You must understand , ladies especially—I am not speaking

Freemasonry In New Zealand. (Continued From Page 68).

for Hie brethren—that there are three Constitutions , the English , the Scotch , and the Irish Constitutions , and each of these at the present time has a Grand Master ; and I trust that amongst us there will be rivalry , a rivalry of virtue and friendship , a rivalry that will advance the efficiency and welfare of the lodges , and I think if we can promote that friendly rivalry amongst us it will be of increased advantage and benefit to Masonry . ( Cheers ) .

At all events , if I fail it shall not be my fault , but the fault of the Masters . The toast I have now to propose is that of the Grand Master of the Irish Constitution , Bro . George Patrick Pierce . The toast was drunk with three times three . The Chairman : Bro . Pierce being absent , Bro . Doull , Grand Senior Warden of the Irish Constitution , will return thanks .

Bro . Doull then rose , and said—Ladies and brethren , in the absence of the Chief Officer , Bro . George Patrick Pierce , it devolves upon me to acknowledge thc very hearty manner in which the toast of his health has been drank . I regret very much that he is absent to-night , but I am very glad to see that we have received a challenge from our sister Constitutions . With regard to what Bro . Whitaker has said about rivalry , I hope ail the rivalry that

may exist in future amongst the lodges will be a rivalry directed to the advancement of the interests of the various lodges and the good of the Craft generally . With these few remarks , knowing that the ladies wish to get away to the ball-room , I will conclude by returning you on behalf of Bro . Pierce , my most sincere thanks for the cordial manner in which you have drunk the toast of his health .

The Chairman again called on the brethren to charge their glasses , and said this time he must call upon them to fill up bumpers . This request having been attended to , he said : Ladies , brethren , and gentlemen , thc next toast I have to propose—and the ladies will be glad to hear that it is the last , —but although it is the last , it is cerlainly not thc least , because to a certain extent I regard it

as the toast of the evening—is that of a distinguished brother whom we have amongst us to-day . He came amongst us to-day to do the honours , and with an amount of knowledge of thc mysteries of the Craft far exceeding anything I possess—I will not say exceeding the knowledge of all the brethren present , because I do not know . But he came amongst us to day , and he has enabled us

to conduct the proceedings in a most satisfactory manner . When you look at that brother you will see that he has had many years experience , and though he has attained to an age very much in excess of my own yet he is two years my senior as a Mason . Yet here he is , and I am very glad that we have this opportunity of drinking his health in the manner which I am sure you will do—with

the greatest possible honour . I am told that he will have attained to the age of 74 years at one o ' clock this ( Saturday ) morning . ( Cheers . ) That he should have come all the way from Westland for the purpose of assisting as in the labours of this day , I am quite sure you will agree with me that he deserves our heartiest thanks , and deserves also that we should fill a bumper and drink to his health with

all the honours that we can confer upon him . I have now another matter , which is a personal one , to allude to . During the last two or three days , my lady friends have asked me what we were going to do , and what sort of iitcs we were going to perform ( laughter ) . Being a very diffident man , being a very diffident brother , ( renewed laughter ) I was afraid that I mi ght commit myself to some

extent mcommunciatingany information , that was asked of me , but when I see Bro . Lazar present , and remember the vast extent of his information , I think the very best thing I can do is to introduce him to the ladies , and I have no doubt he will then explain the whole matter to them . ( Laughter and cheers . . ) I have had experience of the mode in which he can convey the great store of Masonic

lore that he possesses , ) and I am quite sure that the ladies whom I see around me on the tip-toe of expectation to hear what he will say , and I am equally sure that he will , so far as Masonry will allow , gratify their very laudable inquiries . I do not for one moment mean to say that ladies are inquisitive . ( Oh , oh , and laughter ) . I do not mean to say that . I can say , however , that I have a

great many lady friends in Auckland , and that during the last two or three days when I have seen them crossing over to me I have got out of the way in order to avoid their very urgent demands as to what we were going to do . ( Laughter . ) I felt that I was not in a position to afford that information , but Bro . Lazar is here anil he is a man of experience , and knows the ladies well . (

Laughter . ) He knows the ladies well , and what will suit them . I have heard that only two or . thrce years ago he and his wife , he being 74 years of age , danced three or four round dances , besides several other dances . ( Cheers ) , Well , he possesses all the information , and knowing that he is a ladies' man to the backbone , I know he will tell them all they want to know . I therefore propose his

health as the R . W . D . G . M . of Westland , and in proposing ' his health I hope he will not disappoint the expectations that they entertain of him . ( Cheers . ) 'Ihe toast was drunk with full Masonic honours . Bro . Lazar , R . W . D . G . M ., of Westland , on rising to respond , was received with hearty applause . He said : Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Right Worshipful

District Grand Master , ladies , and brethren , I was quite unprepared for the high honour yon have conferred upon me , and the kindly manner in which the toast of my health has been dwelt upon . I may say that I believe the sentiments which have been expressed emanate from

thc heart of the Provincial Grand Master , and it is an honour on this occasion , at which I certainly feel some pride , that so many of the fair sex are present . ( Cheers . ) . There is only one thing in the speech of the R . W . P . G Master that I regret , and that is that he mentioned my age . ( Laughter . ) Whatever are thejdeas the ladies may