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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 14

Installation

Installation.

The annual meeting, installation of R.W.M., and investiture of officers of the above lodge took place on the 27th ultimo, at the Masonic Hall, North-East Valley. There was an excellent attendance of visitors, the lodge-room being crowded. Amongst the distinguished brethren in the E. were W. Bro. Sir Robert Stout, D.D.G.M., E.C.; the R.W.M's of Lodges Dunedin, Celtic, and St. Andrew, and about a dozen or more P.M.'s of various lodges. The visitors having been received, the lodge was passed, and the Installating Master, R.W. Bro. Wm. Caldwell, 33, G.S. of the Grand Lodge of Scotland assumed the chair. The R.W.M. Elect, Bro. page 24 Charles Allen, was then presented, and after the necessary formula a Board of Installed Masters was formed, Bro. Allen being installed in the chair of K.. S .. for the ensuing term. The brethren then paid the customary honors to the newly-installed R.W.M. The following officers were invested I.P.M., Bro. Jas. Farquharson; D.M., Bro. Thomas Short; S.M., Bro. Brown; S.W., Bro. Fredk. Smith; J.W., Bro. Thomas S. Jeffery; Treasurer, Bro. Wm. S. Howrth; Secretary, Bro. G. W. Williams, P.M.; Chaplain, Bro. Henry R. Clarke; S.D., Bro. John P. Bell; J.D., Bro. Geo. W. Connolly; I.G., Bro. Geo. J. Bertin-shaw; Stewards, Bros. Jack and S. Burton; Tyler, Bro. Thos. Johnson. The Installating Master then addressed the R.W.M., wardens, officers, and brethren at some length, and, referring to certain events which had recently occurred in the lodge, gave them some sound advice. The R.W.M. thanked the Installing Master, visitors, and the brethren of the lodge, in a neat and appropriate speech. The ceremony was conducted in that efficient manner which W. Bro. Caldwell is noted for. P.M. Bro. E. J. Schlotel made a good D. of C., and the D.G. Organist, Bro. A. T. Barth took charge of the choir. Before the lodge closed Bro. Caldwell, on behalf of the officers and members, presented the retiring R.W.M., Bro. Jas. Farquharson, with a P.M.'s jewel. In making the presentation Bro. Caldwell referred to the fact that the custom of giving P.M.'s jewels was becoming very common, and in several instances the recipients had done nothing to deserve them. Bro. Farquharson, however, was not one of these, and during the couple of years that he had been in the chair, had done his work well, and always studied the interests of the lodge. He had therefore much pleasure in presenting him with the jewel. P.M. Bro. Farquharson thanked the officers and members of the lodge for their present, and in so doing said he would always do as much in the future as he had done in the past for Lodge St John Kilwinning. Apologies were received from the W.M.'s of Lodges Otago and Hiram. A special vote of thanks was accorded to Bro. Barth for his services at the harmonium. The customary congratulations and good wishes having been paid, the lodge was closed.

A banquet was afterwards held in McGrath's Hotel, when the following toasts were honoured:—"The Queen and the Craft," "H.R.H. the Prince of Wales," "G.M. of the Grand Lodge of England," "The Three Grand Lodges, coupled with the name of Bro. Caldwell, G.S. of the G.L. of Scotland," "The District Grand Lodges and Bro. Sir R. Stout," "The Visiting W.M.'s," "The Newly Installed R.W.M.," "I.P.M. Bro. Farquharson," "The Visitors," "The Officers," and "The Tyler's Toast." Songs, etc., were interspered with the toasts, and the brethren separated at midnight after having spent a very pleasant evening.