Provincial Grand Chapter, S.C.

An imposing, interesting, and, as far as Royal Arch Masonry is concerned, an important ceremony, was performed at the ordinary meeting of the Kilwinning Otago Royal Arch Chapter No. 116, on December 20th, 1886, when M.E.P.Z. Comp., Louis Court was installed as Grand Superintendent of the Provincial Arch Chapter of New Zealand. The Otago Kilwinning Chapter having been opened, M.E.Z. Comp. W. Caldwell explained to the companions the purpose for which they had met, and the steps which had led up to the resuscitation of the Provincial Grand Chapter. Scribe E having read the commission from the Scottish Grand Chapter, the M.E.P.Z. Comp. H. Neill presented M.E. Comp. Louis Court to M.E. Comp. Caldwell, and the latter installed him as P.G. Superintendent of the Provincial Grand Chapter of New Zealand. M.E. Comp. Caldwell then proclaimed the P.G. Chapter duly constituted. The honours having been paid. to M.E.P.G.S., the following P.G. officers were invested: Prov. Grand H., Comp. J. Robertson, P.Z.; Prov. Grand J. Comp. D. A. McNichol, P.Z.; Prov. Grand Scribe E., Comp. H. Neill, P.Z.; Prov. Grand Scribe N., Comp. S. W. Gibbs; Prov. Grand 1st S., Comp., H. Credington; Grand 2nd S., Comp. H. Carter; Prov. Grand 3rdS., Comp. W. Parker. M.E Comp. Caldwell then addressed the M.E.P.G.S., and his newly-invested officers, pointing out the responsibility that laid upon them. The M.E.P.G.S' in replying, stated that he, with the assistance of his officers, intended doing all he could for Royal Arch Masonry, and felt sure that their efforts would be crowned with success. He also thanked M.E. Comp. Caldwell for the able manner in which he had conducted the installation ceremony, and stated that had it not been for that exalted companion the Provincial Grand Chapter would not have been reconstituted. The ceremonies were beautifully carried out, and wit- page 4 nessed by a large number of visitors, amongst whom were the M.E. Companions Sir R. Stout, P.Z.; T. S. Graham, P.Z.; and C. de Longueville Graham, P.Z. The Chapter was closed in customary and ancient form at 10.15 p.m.

The Companions afterwards assembled at a banquet given by M.E. Comp. Court in honour of his installation. After the usual loyal and Royal Arch toasts had been honoured, M.E. Comp. Sir R. Stout proposed the health of the newly installed Prov. Grand Superintendent, and in so doing on behalf of the English Chapters stated that they would do their best to support the M.E. Comp. in his high position. In replying, M.E. Prov. G.Z. Comp. Court intimated that, accompanied by the Prov. Grand Scribe E. Comp. Neill, he intended visiting all the chapters in New Zealand, and hoped to bring back favourable reports. He also hoped that he would supervise Royal Arch Masonry as well as the M.E. Comp. Sir R. Stout presided over the interests of the Colony.—(Applause). The health of the M.E. Comp. W. Caldwell, P.Z., was then drunk, and in reply this exalted companion said that he hoped that the ceremony of the evening would be productive of good for Royal Arch Masonry throughont New Zealand, and he for one intended to closely watch the actions of the Prov. Grand Chapter. The other toasts honoured were "The visitors and M.E. Comp. Sir R. Stout," "Sister Chapters," "Prov. G. Scribe E. Comp. H. Neill," and "The Press." During the evening a number of brethren sang several songs, etc., and the companions separated shortly before midnight, thoroughly satisfied with the success of the ceremonies and social gathering.

Otago Royal Arch Chapter 844, E.C.

The election and installation of Z. and officers of the above chapter was held in the Masonic Hall, Dunedin, on the evening of the 12th inst. The chapter was opened by M.E. Comp. H. Eldridge P.Z.; E. Comp. C. Braid being H.; and E. Comp. Bamfield as T. There was a large attendance of visiting companions, both the Joyce and Kilwinning Otago Chapters being well represented. E. Comp. Braid stated that he thought it would be advisable under the circumstances to proceed with the election and installation of officers for the ensuing year. After some discussion M.E. Comp. S. James, P.Z., stated that he had seen an exalted Comp. from England who thought the installation could be proceeded with, and if by accident anything was wrong the G. Chapter would condone it. The ballot was then taken and resulted as follows:—M.E.Z. Comp. Bamfield; H. Comp. Henry Eldridge P.Z., T. Comp. O. J. Hodge; Scribe, E. Comp. F.P. Cahill; Treasurer, Comp. J. E. Peake, P.Z.; P.S. Comp. the Rev. W. Ronaldson. M.E. Comp. Eldridge then vacated the chair in favour of M.E.P.Z., Comp. J. A. D. Adams, who proceeded to install the above officers, being assisted during the ceremony by E. Comps. S. James, P.Z., and T. Fordyce, P.Z. The ceremonies were well carried out, and it was remarked by some of the visiting companions, that the interior of the Chapter was equal to anything they had seen in the colony.

Lodge Of Unanimity, 604, E. C.

The annual meeting and installation of W.M. and investiture of officers of this lodge took place in Lyttleton Masonic Hall on 23rd December. Bro. S. Mitchell was installed as W.M., and the following were the officers invested: I.P.M., Bro. H. Arnold; S.W. Bro. C. Curtis; J.W., Bro. J. Schmidt; Treasurer, Bro. J. Thompson; Secretary, Bro. R. Griffiths; Chaplain P.M., Bro. Allwright; Organist, Bro. H. Crofts; S.D., Bro. R. Brown; J.D., Bro. W. Austin; D. of C., Bro. C. Russell; I.G., Bro. the Rev. E. Chambers; Tyler, Bro. A. Gordon; W.D.D.G.M. Bro. Dr Deamer acted as installing master.

Lodge St. Andrew, 418, S.C.

Bro. Farquhar Macrae, who is well known throughout both Auckland and Otago, was installed as the R.W.M. of Lodge St Andrew, 418, S.C. (Auckland) on page 5 December 28th in the presence of a large and distinguished number of brethren. The following are his officers for the ensuing year:—D.M., Bro. R. B. Symon; S.M., Bro. James Anderson; S.W., Bro. J. P. King; T.W., Bro. Malcolm McLeod; Organist, Bro. Dr H. Walker; Treasurer, Bro. T. Ellison; Secretary, Bro. John F. Bulford; S.D., Bro. Page; J.D., Bro. Urquhart; Stewards, Bros. Robinson and Mason; I.G., Bro. Burford; Tyler, Bro. Tonge.