New Zealand.

New Zealand .

,,, eoNIC RECEPTION OF BRO . LORD MAS ONSLOW . The brethren of Auckland have given Bro . Lord Onslow eception worthy of his high rank in the Craft , and his rf serfs as an enthusiastic Freemason . At the Quarterly rommunication of the District Grand Lodge , held on 5 th March it was resolved , on the motion of Bro . W . P . Moat , P B . ! P- __ That the Boar ( j 0 f General Purposes be in-¦ ff ' nicted to make proper arrangements forthe fitting

recep-Strut * _ . f ____„__ __ r « ___ .. 1 ,,-J -r \ i _ ... 1 Lt . —* . —_ tion of our future Governor , Lord Onslow , and that an address be prepared for presentation to him , welcoming him to our shores , and expressing our unabated loyalty to the throne and to the Grand Lodge of which he is so distinguished a member . " As soon as it was known that his lordship had landed in Australia , a meeting of the Board of General Purposes

was held , when it was resolved that an address should be oresented to him on his arrival , and that he should be invited to a bancjuet . A cablegram vvas accordingly dispatched , and his Excellency at once accepted the invitation . The Provincial Grand Masters of the Irish and Scottish Constitutions were invited to concur in making the address a joint one from all the Freemasons of Auckland district , a

proposition to which they ai once consented . The brethren of the Mark Degree , vvho seem to have a peculiar affection for his lordship , on account of his antecedents in connection with their Order , determined , also to present an address . It was further arranged that the brethren , in . regalia , should line the approaches to Government House on his

Excellency ' s arrival on 22 nd April , closing in as his Excellency passed through , and that the addresses should be presented by the District and Provincial Grand Masters at the door , so that he might really be welcomed on his arrival at his home in the midst of his brethren . This programme was carried out , the Mark Masters being stationed close to and within the entrance .

THE MASONIC RECEPTION . The brethren of the three Constitutions assembled in the Freemasons' Hall , shortly after nine o'clock , and here they were suitably arranged in their respective orders and lodges , and proceeded to Government House , lining the entrance in open order up to the verandah . The English Grand Lodge was represented by Bros . G . S . Graham ,

D . G . M . ; W . Lodder , D . D . G . M . ; H . G . Wade , D . G . S . ; Rev . C . M . Nelson , Rev . W . Tebbs ( the latter also appearing as P . G . C . of Somerset ); Clark , and Warren . The Irish Constitution was represented by Bros . G . P . Pierce , P . G . M . j Powley , Mitchell , Dr . Kidd , and A . Brock . The Scottish Constitution vvas represented by Bros , the Hon . Sir Frederick Whitaker , P . G . M ., and M . Niccol , D . P .

G . M . ; the other officers of the _ Grand Lodge taking up their positions with their respective Craft lodges . The bands and troops marched past Government House without stopping , and when his Excellency ' s carriage arrived a halt was made , and the viceregal party having alighted , vvere greeted with cheers , and Lord Onslow was at once received on the verandah by the District and

Provincial Grand Masters , and Bro . G . S . GRAHAM , advancing , addressed his Excellency . He said that to him had been entrusted the pleasing duty of presenting an address from the Freemasons of Auckland . He then read the address , Which was handsomely bound in blue and gold , and ornamented with Masonic emblems . The text was as follows : "Tothe Right Worshipful Brother the Right Hon . the

Earl of Onslow , P . G . S . W . of England : Right Worshipful Sir and Brother , —On behalf of the Freemasons of Auckland , we beg to offer you a cordial and fraternal welcome to New Zealand . We hail vvith great pleasure the advent of . so distinguished a brother in Freemasonry as yourself , and we cannot but feel that your residence amongst us will tend to promote the welfare and prosperity of the Craft

throughout the colony . With hearty good wishes for the health and happiness of yourself , Lady Onslow and family , and trusting that your sojourn amongst us may be every Way agreeable and enjoyable . We have the honour to subscribe ourselves , Right Worshipful Sir , yours truly and fraternally—G . S . Graham , D . G . M . ( E . C . ); G . P . Pierce , P . G . M . ( I . C ); and Fred . Whitaker , P . G . M . ( S . C . ) . "

His LORDSHIP read the following written reply : "Worshipful Brethren , —It has afforded me sincere pleasure to receive in your name , representing as you do the important District Grand Lodge of Auckland , so cordial and fraternal a welcome on landing on the shores of New Zealand . It shows , if proof were wanting , that brotherly tove , the first principle of Freemasonry , is as

strong in this important province of the Empire as in the heart of the Grand Lodge of England itself . As a Grand Warden of that Iodge , it will be a pleasure to me to express J" ? ? oyal H'Shness the Grand Master the satisfaction which I feel in learning that Freemasonry in New Zealand ooes not yield in vigour , in prosperity , or in loyalty to any w her sister colonies in Australasia . —ONSLOW . Auckland , A Pnl 22 nd , 1889 . "

The Rev . C . M . NELSON then advanced to his excellency W present the address from the Mark Master Masons . He said m the absence of the P . G . M ., Bro . F . W . F . Dawson , who was on duty at the Easter encampment , it was his ft , -f j "* , duty as D . P . G . M . to present this address from £ ne Mack Master Masons of Auckland : — tut r- ° S 16 R , W * Bro * the Hon * the Ead of Onslow , K . C V ? - > P -G . S . W . Right Worshipful Sir and Brother , itattords us great pleasureon behalf of the Mark

, New 7 f asons of Auckland , E . G ., to welcome vou to in Mi The S reat interest y ° have always taken 1 Mark Masonry , and the exalted position you Lcupy , „ connection with the Degree , is already well am J ° and W S appreciated by us . You come as at ? u ' worshipful sir , not as a stranger , but Ortfe other ** who has made such a mark in our Vou l L never be effaced ; and whilst we honour Oi *»„ he re P resentative of our Gracious Majesty the M"een , we would K » n- ., « ,. ¦ . „ ^ = n * . „ . .: „„ .. „ -J iw Mivt luuoi sui aiiu

, _ * raff » r I MV * 5 T " . *^'' . UUL -c ^ LC of M = ? J * gards as a representative of that Grand Lodge beh ,, ~ u- ¦ ter Masons of which we have the honour to e numblebut loyal members .- ( Signed ) F . W . E . Dawson , PGn'A ^ - ^ 1- Nelson » D . P . G . M . ; W . P . Moat , t > G c' *\ * Treasurer ; T . W . Kitt , P . G . Swd . Br ., j- ' - Secretary . " "Wn ° N * SLOW re P * ied as follows : fcaterna ? !? i Brethren , —I have received your friendly and be w *! 3 pi 1 ress with feelings of no small gratitude . To "eicomed , not as a stranger , but as a brother , in a

New Zealand.

land where I am not personally known , adds another proof of the value to all men of being included within our Degree . Cemented by this common bond , I am led to hope that my brethren of the Craft , wbo are so numerous , so influential , and so widely spread throughout the colony , will be favourably predisposed towards my humble efforts worthily to represent her Gracious Majesty ; that they will not done amissbut will rather

readily mark whatever may be , seek to interpret all actions in the spirit suggested by the principles inculcated by our Order . —ONSLOW . Auckland , April 22 , 18 S 9 . " Lord ONSLOW then retired into Government House , and the brethren , re-forming procession , returned to Freemasons' Hall , where , after disrobing , they separated for the day .

THE BANQUET , given by the District Grand Lodge , took place in the Auckland Choral Hall , on the 23 rd . His Excellency , accompanied by Capt . Saville , A . D . C , arrived , and was received by Bro . W . P . Moat , P . B . of G . P ., and Chairman of the Reception Committee , and escorted to his seat by Bro . G . S . Graham , Dist . G . M .,

vvho was accompanied by Bro . G . P . Pierce , P . G . M ., I . C , and Bro . Sir Fredk . Whitaker , P . G . M ., S . C , and attended by six Stewards , & c . Bro . Graham presided , and on his right was Lord Onslow ( the guest of the evening ) , Bros . Sir F . Whitaker , Rev . C . M . Nelson , and M . Niccol . On his left were Bros . G . P . Pierce , Rev . W . Tebbs , and W . Lodder . The

vice-chairs were occupied by Bros . Clark and Skinner . There were about 140 brethren seated at the tables in regalia , and on the stage were about 3 o ladies . Bro . B . J . Esam officiated as Director of Ceremonies and Toast Master , and performed his duties in a most satisfactory manner . At half-past nine o ' clock , just before the speaking com .

menced , the Countess of Onslow arrived , and was received by the brethren upstanding . She was escorted to the platform , and took her seat beside Miss Whitaker , Mrs . Graham , and Mrs . Pierce . The CHAIRMAN proposed the toast of " Her Majesty the Queen , " which was loyally drunk , the band playing the National Anthem .

The CHAIRMAN then proposed th . e toast of "The Prince of Wales , Grand Master of England and Grand Patron of Irish and Scottish Freemasons . " He said that they all experienced the care and recognition that they had received from the Grand Lodge of England presided over by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales . This was , of course , so far as the English Constitution was concerned ,

but he vvas also Patron of the other Orders , and his loyalty and fealty extended to the Craft amongst the whole human race . The interests of Masonry here were as carefully looked after by their Grand Master as if they were not 16 , 000 miles away from where he resides . The toast vvas responded to with Masonic honours , the band playing "God bless the Prince of Wales . "

Bro . GRAHAM , on rising to propose the toast of the evening , was received with cheers . He said : Brethren , at my initiation into the mysteries of our ancient Order , some 31 years ago , it . never occurred to me that I should have such an important and pleasant duty imposed upon myself as that of having , on behalf of the Freemasons in this province , to propose the toast which I am about to do . In

doing so , 1 trust the brethren of the three Constitutions will make all allowances for any errors of omission or commission . We have assembled this evening to welcome our noble guest , vvho is a worker in the Craft . I cannot help looking back to the earliest recollections I have of Auckland , and comparing the reception we afforded yesterday to thab of our first Lieutenant-Governor , Captain Hobson ,

in 1840 . My memory is but that of early childhood , and I think there are some , my seniors , here , who may have to speak this evening , can set me right if those memories of an infantile period are incorrect . However , brethren , 1 give them to you as I can . In that early date there was a reception , and the whole of the inhabitants made a special holiday of it , and welcomed vvith the same loyalty as we

do this day the representative of our beloved Queen and country . I cannot say that so far as guard of honour , triumphal arches , or the ladies they could bear comparison with the present ; still , they were there ; and though vve had not the excellent band of to-day , and guard , we had a few soldiers and a drummer and fifer . If my memory serves me correctly , Governor Hobson was so escorted to

the tune of " The King of the Cannibal Islands , " and the ladies , principally represented by aboriginals , were , though dressed in a primitive manner , still in the fashion of the time . Brethren , you may say , " What has this to do vvith Masonry and the subject ? " It is simply to illustrate that in that early stage there were germs of making this a glorious country—a Britain of the South . The early settlers

had their vicissitudes , those remaining amongst us reaping the rewards of their labours . Concurrently with this our Order was established , and has progressed until we have attained that proud position of having District and Provincial Grand Lodges for the three Constitutions , with interest held conjointly for the benefit of the Craft , and whilst emulating each other in their working , still do so

with all brotherly love and harmony . We see around us to-night the results . We are favoured with the presence of ladies , and especially Lady Onslow , supporting us in our proceedings . Though we have had several Governors heretofore , we have not had the privilege to welcome one who has taken such an interest in the Craft . You have no doutt noticed , as I have , the number of farewell banquets

given to our illustrious brother before his departure from England , and the expressions of regret which were given , but their loss is our gain . But , brethren , words fail me to express on your behalf our feelings towards him . I can only say we hope his identifying himself with this , the

land of our adoption , will be conducive to his and Lady Onslow ' s health and happiness . He can be fully assured we , as Masons , will be all ready and willing to assist him vvith the righthand of fellowship , and with the heartiest good wishes of the Craft . I propose the toast of " Our Guest . " The toast vvas responded to with Masonic and musical

honours . The CHAIRMAN said he had received a communication from the Grand Lodge of Westland , containing hearty good wishes and welcome to Lord Onslow , and he had also received a similar communication from Te Avvamutu Lodge . Lord ONSLOW , on rising to respond to the toast ofhis health , was received with loud cheers . He said : Right Worshipful Sir and Brethren , —I need hardly tell you how gratified I felt when I learnt of the early steps which you

New Zealand.

took to welcome me on my arrival as a Mason , for although I was assured of your loyalty , and knew that when fully invested 1 would not fail to meet with manifestations of loyalty , yet I felt some misgivings as to the manner of the reception which would be given to the humble individual who for the next five years is to do his best to represent her Most Gracious Majesty in this colony . When 1 found

such an influential section of the community prepared to accord me such a welcome , it gave me encouragement to proceed with my task , and it proves , if proof were wanted , how the Craft gives welcome help when required . I recollect when I was initiated , I asked some of my elder brethren what was the use of Freemasonry . Of course I understood all about the dinners given at Oxford and

Cambridge , but my elders then told me that the time would come when I would appreciate the benefits of belonging tothe Masonic body , and , brethren , that day came to me on the 22 nd of April , 1889 , in the cordial welcome which I received from you and the citizens of Auckland . Your kind invitation by cablegram seems to have induced other public bodies to send similar ones , for it was shortly followed

by one from the Auckland Racing Club , and at their meeting 2 for the first time saw that ingenious machine yon call the totalisator , and if I continue on the same favourable terms on which I commenced , I shall have no reason to regret my acquaintance with it . Let me thank you and the citizens generally for the great kindness I have been met with . I have met with offers of sports

and amusements from all quarters , but all my life I have been a man of business , and my duty is to proceed without delay to the seat of Government and take office . I have seen your magnificent town and harbour , and I learn that it has one characteristic with Wellington in that it possesses a Government House . I think wherever Englishmen are found they will continue the same , whether under the

Northern Star or the Southern Cross , and none will be more anxious to lend help to each other than the brethren of the Craft . We all know the great interest which is now being manifested in drawing the mother country and the colonies together . Let us not overlook one of these bonds which has for its principles good fellowship and federation , which are those of the symbols and emblems of

Freemasonry , and which shall combine throughout the whole Empire of our Empress Queen . Lord ONSLOW , on rising to propose the next toast , was received with renewed cheering . The toast vvas " The Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland , and their representatives in this colony . " "He said : Wearied as you must all be with the sound of my voice , I have to

propose this toast . I confess 1 feel in a somewhat difficult position as a member of the Grand Lodge in proposing ; what might appear to be roy own health . But 1 have been at Grand Lodge meetings when this toast vvas proposed , and when there were fewer to drink it than those vvho sat down . However , I obey the commands of the W . M ., and ask you to drink the toastof the Grand Lodges

and their worthy and able representatives in this colony . Bio . GRAHAM , on behalf of the District Grand Lodge ( E . C ) , remarked that it was now 12 years since the Grand Lodge was formed in Auckland . He was pleased to see the cordial welcome which had been accorded to their guest , and might add that the District Grand Lodge had risen to success , and had achieved the object for vvhich it was

instituted . He thanked them for the manner in which they had responded to the toast . Bro . G . P . PIERCE said , as representative of the smallest constitution in New Zealand , it afforded him great pleasure to rise and return thanks . There vvas one peculiarity about it , however , and that was that it vvas the first constitution of Freemasonry established in New Zealand , for Lodge

Ara was the first lodge established , and Sir Frederick Whitaker vvas its first Master . The fact of its being the first lodge was disputed by the Pacific Lodge in Wellington , but by records vvhich had been exhumed it was now found that the Ata vvas the first lodge of Freemasons in New Zealand . Tbe Irish Constitution , as he said , vvas the smallest in New Zealand . It had only one Provincial

Grand Lodge , and one P . G . M ., and he was not an Irishman . It afforded him great pleasure to visit the lodgis in the South , and he could assure their guest that from Invercargill to Auckland he would find the same loyalty and devotion to her Majesty , and also to their mother constitutions of the old country . An abler speaker was to follow him , and , without further remarks on his part , he

thanked them tor the manner in which they had responded to the toast . Bro . Sir F . WHITAKER was received with applause . He had two duties to perform—first , to return thanks for the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and next for himself as P . G . M . He might say that t . e had met with every consideration from the Grand Lodge , and the most satisfactory relations

existed between the Grand Lodge and the Provincial Giand Lodge . With regard to himself , allusions had been made by Bro . Pierce about his ( Sir P . Whitaker ' s ) experience as a Mason . He was an English Mason , and he became an Irishman , and now he was a Scotchman , and reference was made to how they got along , but it so happened that the D . G . M . of the English Constitution was a Scotchman , his

friend , Bro . Pierce , the P . G . M . of the Irish Constitution , was an Englishman , and he himself , the P . G . M . of the Scotch Constitution , was an Englishman . This showed that they were not exclusive . Whether the Ara or the Pacific Lodge was the oldest was a matter of dispute , but he was the first Englishman who was Master of an Irish lodge in New Zealand . He had now been a Mason since

1 S 38 , and if there were any older present he would like to see them . He felt obliged for the manner in which Ihe toast had been responded to , and expressed his great pleasure with the cordial reception which was always accorded to him , not only by his Masonic brethren , but by the public of Auckland on all occasions . Bro . M . NICCOL , S . P . G . M . ( 5 . C . ) , proposed the toast

of " The Ladies , " and referred to the gratification which they all felt in having so many of their lady friends present ; above all , in seeing amongst them the Countess of Onslow , and he trusted it was not the only occasion on which they would see her the guest of Auckland , and that they would see her ladyship and Lord Onslow housed in Government

House , that commodious establishment which vvas prepared for them . Bro , BROCK , P . M ., responded for the ladies . The band then played "Auld Lang Syne , " and as Lord and Lady Onslow retired they played the National Anthem . This brought the proceedings to a conclusion , and the Caterer and Managing Committees were warmly congratulated on all sides ,