Freemasonry in Port Wakefield, 1877

The following report about the opening of a new Masonic lodge in Port Wakefield appeared in the "South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail", 1 December 1877.
trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/90944900

This was Lodge St Vincent No.621 Scottish Constitution, from 1884 St Vincent Lodge No.20 under the Grand Lodge of South Australia.   The Lodge closed some time after 1984.

"Friday, November 23, will long be remembered as a red letter day in the annals of Port Wakefield, being the occasion of the opening of a new Lodge for Masonic purposes under the Scotch Constitution. A special steamer — the Ceres— chartered by Mr. H.C.E. Muecke, conveying a large party, left the wharf at Port Adelaide about 12.30 p.m., and arrived at its destination about 6 o'clock after a most delightful trip. Offing to its being nearly low tide the party were landed in three boats from the anchorage, about three miles from the landing place, and were met by Messrs. Styles, Muecke, McMillan, John Rees, Smith, and others, whose hospitality was thoroughly enjoyed during the interval between the arrival and the ceremony of opening the Lodge. Large parties also arrived from Moonta, Kadina, Auburn, and the neighborhood of Port Wakefield to assist in the interesting proceedings which took place at the Foresters Hall, where about 70 brethren assembled in full regalia, and the coup d'oeil was very imposing. 

The ceremony was performed by the R.W.G.M. (Brother C.H.T. Connor), and his Deputy, Brother Muecke, in a most impressive manner, assisted by the Grand Chaplain of the Order, Brother the Rev. Canon Farr, who delivered a very eloquent address on Freemasonry. The beauty of the ceremony was greatly enhanced by the introduction of music ; and the singing of the anthem, "When Earth's Foundations first were laid," was really admirable, led by Brother Dr. John Rees, who presided at the harmonium. 

The Lodge having been opened and named "The St. Vincent," the D.D.G.M. Brother Muecke proceeded to instal the officers of the new Lodge and to invest them with the distinguishing badges of their offices, as follows :— Brother Muecke, of Port Wakefield, W.M.; Brother McMillan, S.W. ; Brother Leighton, J.W. ; Brother Styles, Treasurer ; and Brother John Rees, Secretary. The ceremony concluded with three initiations, and an adjournment was then made to the Rising Sun Hotel, where the Committee of Reception had provided a sumptuous banquet, which gave great satisfaction, and reflected credit on Host Dixon. After justice had been done to the repast toasts were honored, and some excellent speeches were delivered, particularly one by Brother Rowland Rees, M.P,, who responded to the toast of "The Visitors."

Rising Sun Hotel, Port Wakefield

The Port Adelaide party left Port Wakefield about 3.30 a.m., and on account of the lowness of the tide were conveyed to the steamer in small boats. The sudden veering of the wind had caused a rather heavy sea, and one of the boats, owing thereto and to overloading, was in some danger, and made a great deal of water, but very fortunately the steamer headed towards her, and all being taken safely on board, a start was made for Port Adelaide at 4 o'clock. The party arrived there in time to catch the 11 train for the city ; not, however, in many instances without the saddest experiences of mal de mer."

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The foundation Master of the new Lodge was Bro. E.V.O. Muecke, brother of Bro. H.C.E. Muecke, D.D.G.M..  Eugen Victor Ottomar Muecke, a bank manager, died on 20 Feb. 1882 (aged 38 years) at the National Bank, Gawler  - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/106568754

Poetic tribute to E.V.O. Muecke  - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/97291784
by "Dick Jervois" (Charles Stocker Morris)

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Port Wakefield -  www.portwakefield.sa.au

steamship Ceres -  www.flotilla-australia.com/cgsy.htm#ceres-cgsy

Rising Sun Hotel, Port Wakefield:  www.samemory.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?c=6974

former Masonic Hall, Port Wakefield -  www.flickr.com/photos/ozex/3761690970

Freemasons in Adelaide, February 1844

A report from the South Australian Register, Wednesday 7 February 1844, page 3
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/27446500

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE SCOTCH CHURCH.  

Yesterday the citizens of Adelaide witnessed a ceremony which has never before been performed in the Colony, namely—the laying of a foundation stone with Masonic honours. The building, of which the first stone was thus laid, is the Scotch Church, in Grenfell-street, and we trust the edifice thus commenced under such pleasing, and to us, unusual circumstances, will prove a credit to the Colony, and a source of good to thousands now living, or yet unborn.

The Scots Church in Grenfell Street, Adelaide, constructed and opened 1844

The proceedings were commenced by the Adelaide St. John's Lodge, (which a fortnight ago only numbered five members) meeting at Mr Payne's Hotel. The Lodge was then opened, and some Masonic ceremonies gone through, of which we were allowed to know nothing. The Brethren proceeded in procession along Hindley-street, in the following order:—

PROGRAMME OF THE PROCESSION.

Tyler with drawn sword

Band of music

Brethren two and two

Brother Jones, builder, with mallet

Deacons—Brothers Calder and Young

Secretary—Brother R. G. Thomas

Treasurer with staff—Brother Spence

Chaplain in canonicals—Brother the Rev. R. Haining

Counsel—Brother Wotherspoon, in gown and bands

Masonic Visitors.

Junior Warden— Brother McEuen, with plumb

Stewards—Brothers Greig and Auld, with white wands

Senior Warden—Brother Birrell, with level

Brother Hamilton, carrying the square

Brother John Auld. carrying bible, with square and compass

Brother Haussen, sword bearer

R.W.M. — J. F. Bennett

Stewards—Brother Richmond and McDougall

Tyler, Brother Fusell, with drawn sword.

In this manner the procession proceeded along Hindley-street, the band playing favourite and appropriate Scotch airs, until it arrived at the Provincial Lodge-room, at the Shakspere. Here it was joined by the Brethren of the South Austra lian Lodge of Friendship, No. 613, who formed in the following order in the rear of the St John's Lodge:—

Visiting Brothers—Two and two.

Brothers of the Lodge—Two and two.

The Wardens or the Lodge— Brothers J. G. Nash, and W. G. Lambert.

The Volume of the Sacred Law — Borne by Brother Richards.

The Book of Constitution - Borne by Brother W. Grey, Treasurer.

The Provincial Master's Standard — Borne by Brother Oscar Lines.

Inner Guard—Frederic Wicksteed.

Junior Deacon - E.W. Andrews. Provincial Master - Henry Mildred. Senior Deacon - B.A. Kent.

The Tyler of the Provincial Lodge with drawn sword.

The procession then moved along Currie-street, until near the site of the Church, when it parted, the Brethren opened up, and the order of procession was reversed, those who had been last walk ing up the centre and taking the lead. A circle was then formed round the stone by the Brethren, the R. W. Masters of the South Australian Lodge of Friendship, and of the Adelaide St John's, along with their officers in the centre. A brief statement was then made by Mr Wotherspoon, as to the gift by Mr Edward Stephens of the land on which the Church was about to be erected.

Afterwards the following beautiful and appropriate anthem was sung by some of the Brethren and others present: —
To Heaven's High Architect, all praise,
All praise, all gratitude be given,
Who deigned the human soul to raise,
By mystic secrets sprang from Heaven.
CHORUS. Sound aloud the Great Jehovah's praise, To him the dome the temple raise.

The Chaplain, the Rev. Mr Haining, then offered up a prayer appropriate to the occasion, after which, a plate and a bottle containing the newspapers of the day, and several coins of the present reign were deposited in the stone. The plate bore the following inscription:—

TO

THE WORSHIP OF GOD,

ACCORDING TO THE DOCTRINE AND DISCIPLINE

OF

THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,

THIS HOUSE IS DEDICATED,

FEBRUARY 6, 1844.

The Rev. R. Haining, Minister.

Messrs Thompson Messrs Smith

             " Knott                    " Wotherspoon

   '' Disher                   " Murray

" Calder                             

Elders.

Alex. L. Elder, Treasurer of the General Purpose Fund.

J. Wotherspoon, Treasurer of the Building Fund.

George Young, Secretary.

Thos. Jones, Builder.

The stone having been raised by machinery, cement was lain on, and it was lowered to its bed. The Prov. Master Mildred having proved it by the various tools, it was declared duly laid, and the blessing of the Great Architect above was invoked on the work which had thus been begun. The procession then returned to Mr Payne's in same order as before.

THE DINNER.

The Lodges afterwards dined together in Payne's, along with several other gentlemen who had been pre- sent at the ceremony, the Master of the St John's Lodge, Mr J. F. Bennett, in the chair, supported on the left by the Senior Deacon Wotherspoon, and on the right by the R. W. Master of the South Australian Lodge of Friendship. The Senior Warden occupied the Croupier's chair, supported by Treasurer Spence, and Deacon Brother Young.

The company, about sixty in number, sat down to dinner at six o'clock, and having done justice to the excellent dinner, provided by Mr Payne, the cloth was removed.

The Chairman then gave the health of her Majesty the Queen and Prince Albert and the Heir-Apparent, and other branches of the Royal Family.
Drunk with all the honours.

The Chairman then rose and said—Gentlemen, although now far removed from our native land, I feel assured that none of us have left behind us those feelings of loyalty which exist in the bosom of all true Britons. You have proved this to be the fact by the enthusiastic manner in which you have drank to the health of her Majesty, and I, therefore, have no doubt whatever but you will heartily join with me in drinking a bumper to the health of His Excellency the Governor."

The Chairman again rose and said—Gentlemen, the next toast I have to propose is one more immediately connected with our proceedings this day. It is Prosperity to the Church, whose foundation-stone we have laid this day. It is the commencement of the first Church in the Colony in connexion with the Church of Scotland. I have long looked forward to the time when I should see a Scottish Church in South Australia and this day my wishes and hopes have been realized in seeing a commencement made. The Church of Scotland is one of the most venerable institutions of our native land, and the labour of those who have been engaged in the ministry in connexion with her have long been blessed in an eminent degree. I trust this will long continue to be the case, and that we shall long maintain the character which I think I may say, without presumption, we have obtained as a moral and religious people.

Mr Calder in rising to reply to this toast, said— That he also, along with the Chairman—and he might say with every Scotchman present—had long looked for this day ; but he had never once anticipated a day of such unminglcd pleasure and satisfaction as this had been—a day far beyond his most sanguine hopes. All that could be said on this subject had been already said by the Chairman, and at the beautiful ceremony itself, and he could only reiterate, with the former speakers, his earnest wish that the building so auspiciously begun, should prove all that could be wished, and that the utmost energies of his countrymen would be applied towards it erection and decoration.

Mr Wotherspoon, S.D., proposed all denominations of Christians, and in doing so, made some able re marks on the happy state of things in this Colony as far as regards religion. All denominations were ac- customed to meet together in South Australia, not as adherents to any particular creed, but as professors of the same grand principles of Christianity.

Brother Andrews briefly replied to the toast.

The Chairman proposed— "The Provincial Master, and the officers of the South Australian Lodge of Friendship.

The Provincial Master returned thanks. In doing so he made some remarks on Masonry, in which he staled that, Masons, by their relation in society, should be the kindest of husbands, the most indulgent fathers, and the most lively and interesting friends.

Brother Birrell proposed a Masonic toast. "The heart that conceals, and the tongue that never reveals."

Brother McEuen, J. W., proposed "Our Native Land."

Several other loyal and patriotic toasts were given and drunk, and the evening was spent with great conviviality and good feeling up to a late hour, when the company separated, highly pleased with the events of the day.

We should not omit to mention that the arrangements for the procession and laying the stone were most complete, aud the dinner served up in Mr Payne's usual good style. Among the brethren present, we observed Messrs Gray (Bank of Australasia), Mann, Kingston, Lambert, Drs. Kent, Nash, and many others of the Provincial Lodge.

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South Australian Register, Wednesday 7 February 1844, page 3
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/27446507

PROVINCIAL LODGE

THE Provincial Lodge was opened at two o'clock, and at four the Masters, Officers, and Brethren of the St John's Lodge arrived at the Provincial Lodge-room. The procession was then formed, the Junior Lodge being followed by the Senior Lodge. The master of each Lodge was attended by numerous officers and Brethren. On reaching the site of the intended building the very impressive ceremony of the Masons was gone through in the best style; and the entire body returned in procession to the Provincial Lodge-room, where, after a short stay, the two Lodges separated; the St John's going in procession to Payne's Hotel, where they were joined at dinner by the members of the Provincial Lodge. It was stated, that the Provincial Master would open the Lodge of Harmony, at the Provincial Lodge-room, at six o'clock, on Friday evening next. The principal officers are Mr Andrews, Master; Messrs Lambert and Wicksteed, Wardens. The future meetings of the Lodge of Harmony, are to be at the " Freemason's Tavern," Pirie-street.

The Lodge that never was ...

Many will remember the story "We of the Never Never", a book about outback Australian life in 1902 by Mrs Aeneas (Jeannie Taylor) Gunn, published 1908. This was later made into a movie (1982)

Following are notes on the Lodge that never never was - Palmerston Lodge No. 698 S.C. of Port Darwin.

George Draffen's "Scottish Masonic Records: 1736-1950" states that a Warrant was issued by the Grand Lodge of Scotland on 7 August 1884, to meet at Port Darwin in North Australia. The new Palmerston Lodge was to be No. 698 in the Register of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.

Draffen noted that "it is doubtful is this Lodge was ever erected. If it was, it lapsed soon after."

George Draffen (1910-86) was Depute Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland (1974-6) and Grand Librarian of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.

Is there any record or knowledge of Palmerston Lodge in Darwin or in Adelaide?

Proposals for the new Lodge would have been overtaken by the creation of the Grand Lodge of South Australia in April 1884.  At that time the Northern Territory was part of South Australia.

HCE Muecke, who was RW Provincial Grand Master of the Scottish Constitution in SA until April 1884, resigned from that Office just before participating as Installing Grand Master at the foundation of the new Grand Lodge - he installed SJ Way as Grand Master in 1884 and again in 1909 on the 25th anniversary of the Grand Lodge.

The records of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Scotland in South Australia were apparently lost - perhaps during transfer back to Scotland? Could the Warrant of the proposed new Palmerston Lodge have been sent to Adelaide, and returned to Scotland by Muecke?

The Port Darwin Lodge No.41 first met on 6 May 1896, with 18 Freemasons present. At that time Darwin was known as Palmerston (the name changed to Darwin in 1911). The Lodge acquired a block of land in Mitchell Street in September 1896; Darwin's first Masonic building was erected by 1901.

Updated 5 May 2007: Bro. Len Greenwood has advised:

"the first lodge in Darwin - The Port Darwin Lodge - first officially met in May 1896 at the Victoria Hotel (the warrant was issued in February 1896 but then came by ship to Darwin). Port Darwin moved to Mitchell St (near where the Darwin Hotel used to be) in late 1900 or early 1901 where they stayed until the move to Stokes St in 1962."