R... W... BRO. THE EARL OF ONSLOW,
PAST GRAND WARDEN OF ENGLAND.

W... BRO. THOS. LEITCH MURRAY
SENIOR GRAND DEACON

THE

New Zealand Craftsman
SUBSCRIPTION: 7s. 6d. PER ANNUM, PAID IN ADVANCE.

BOOKED, 10s. PER ANNUM.

VOL. III.—No. 6. APRIL 16, 1892.. A.D., 1892 ; A.L., 5892; A.M., 5652 ; A.In., 2422

THOMAS LEITCH MURRAY,
SENIOR GRAND DEACON,

WAS initiated in July, 1873, and ever since has shown a keen interest for, and taken an active part in,
Masonic work. Secretary of Lodge Sir Walter Scott, No. 533, S.C., Thames, in 1874 ; Substitute Master in
1875 ; again Secretary in 1876 ; and Right Worshipful Master two years in succession, 1877 and 1878 was a
good enough record. So thought the Brethren, for they subscribed for, and the Provincial Grand Master, the
late Sir Frederick Whitaker, presented him with a valuable Past Master's jewel on his leaving the chair.
After ten years of quiet but useful work, he was again persuaded to take the Mastership, and the Brethren
kept him as their ruler until December, 1890, a period of three years.

In May, 1890, Sir Walter Scott changed its allegiance, consequently Bro. Murray was the last Master under
the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and the first under the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. To mark this event, the
Lodge presented him with a large framed shield containing cabinet photographs of himself and the Brethren
who had had the honour of being officers of a Lodge subordinate to two Grand Bodies in one year.

When the North Island was constituted a Masonic Province, Bro. Murray was elected the first Provincial
Grand Treasurer, and for several years was re-elected to that position. On his retiring, the Prov. Grand Lodge
gave him a special vote of thanks for the care and attention he had bestowed on the finances.

That he is respected and loved by the Craft on the Thames may be gathered from the following remarks : He
possesses virtues that tend to make a man beloved and respected, both socially and Masonically. Open and
frank by nature, of good address, a strict disciplinarian, yet not a martinet, he possesses great judgment and
tact, which has often been the means of allaying friction, and his example has shown the Brethren how to
work in peace and harmony. Sir Walter Scott is both financially and numerically one of the strongest Lodges
in the colony. The annual report and balance-sheet of December 15th last gave 93 active members, and the
assets amounted to £659, nearly £200 of which was in cash. If one were to ask any of the members of Sir
Walter Scott how this success had been attained, the reply in each and every case would be, " By the
influence, energy, and foresight of Bro. Murray."

W.. BRO. ARTHUR J. BARTH,

GRAND ORGANIST.

ARTHUR J. BARTH,
GRAND ORGANIST.

"Mine ear is much enamoured of thy note."

Bro. A. J. BARTH was made a Mason some 14 years ago in St. Mark, 857, London, and his talent for
discoursing sweet sounds was taken advantage of by the Lodge until the year 1881.

Joining Otago, 844, Dunedin, in 1883, he served several years as Organist, then he took a Deaconship, then a
Warden's chair, and in 1889 he was installed Master of the oldest Lodge in this part of New Zealand, by the
District Grand Master, Bro. T. S. Graham.

He did not find the Mastership of Otago a bed of roses. The District Grand Master tried to stop the Lodge
joining the Grand Lodge ; it did join, but during the struggle for the mastery Bro. Barth had not a happy time,
yet he came out of the ordeal without losing the respect and esteem of the Brethren, and at the end of his year
they showed their appreciation of his good, qualities by the gift of a Past Master's jewel.

District Grand Steward of Otago and Southland for 1883 and 1884, District Grand Organist from 1885 to
1890, and Grand Organist of New Zealand from its inauguration, is a somewhat solid musical Masonic
record.

Bro. Barth is a Past Master of the Mark degree, and Past Provincial Grand Registrar. He was elected in 1887,
and now holds the high position of Second Grand Principal in the Royal Arch Chapter of Otago.

Of his musical talents it does not become a layman to speak. Sufficient for us to say that he has composed
several brilliant piano-forte compositions, and his Masonic odes have been greatly admired and appreciated.

V. W. Bro. JOHN JOYCE. M.H.R.,
Grand Registrar

__________________________________
CAN SUPERINTENDENTS GRANT DISPENSATIONS?

OUR Wellington correspondent refers to an instance of' the " excessive inconvenience that has been
occasioned by curtailing the powers of Grand Superintendents. The Rev. Bro. Dean, acting Chaplain of St.
Andrew, No. 32, commenting on the recent death of a Brother, proved the retrograde nature of the step."

Now, with all respect to our correspondent, who should know better, and the Rev. Bro. Dean, they are both
wrong ; but perhaps the mistake is excusable, for it requires more time than most men can spare to find in the
Constitution the various Rules bearing on the point, the index unfortunately being of no assistance.

Rule 25 is supposed to give the duties of Superintendents, but it does not. Rule 141 says :
Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Superintendents of Districts may, within their jurisdictions,
exercise the powers conferred on the Grand Master by clauses 20. 76, 84, 100, 105, 107, 116, and
117, but must in every such case report the same without delay to the Grand Secretary.

By reference to Rule 116 it will be found that a Superintendent has power to grant dispensations for Brethren
to be present in Masonic clothing at processions, funerals, balls, theatres, public assemblies, or any place of
public resort.

Very soon after the formation of Grand Lodge a quantity of dispensation forms were printed, a number of
which were sent to the Superintendent of Otago. It was only a few months ago we learnt that, for some
incomprehensible reason, he was the only Superintendent who had been so favoured.

____________________________
ANOTHER APPEAL FROM "THE OTHER SIDE."

IN our issue of November last appeared a contributed " article on Masonic union, written, as we announced
at the time, by a Brother who does not range himself under the banner of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand,
but who, on the contrary, was in the earlier days of the movement a strong opponent of it. In common with
many others, the did not for some time realise that the Grand Lodge of New Zealand had " come to stay ";
but, seeing his error, he makes the amende honorab'e, and does his " level best " to restore Masonic
harmony. Another article from his pen will be found in this number. How strongly he feels on the question
may be judged from the vigour of his language—language which is far more telling, we need hardly point
out, coining from such as he than if it emanated from our proper selves. We are glad to believe that hundreds
of Brethren—similarly placed with him—will echo his opinions.

_____________________________________
" BLUFF."

UNDER the above heading appears in the Catholic Times (Wellington) a somewhat refreshing article, from
which we make the following extracts

. . . . . We have affirmed ; we now re-affirm, that Government have weeded out, and continue to weed out,
of the Public Service those servants who were, or are, suspected of being inimical to Ministers. We re-affirm
that in some of the departments of the Public Service there is a perfect reign of terror ; that nearly each man
suspects his neighbour of being a Government spy, and that many who are almost entitled to retiring
allowance devoutly trust, but hardly hope, they may attain that allowance, and leave unscathed a nest of
intrigue. We assert moreover, that there is a certain secret society, numbering in its ranks prominent
members of the Government and of Public Departments ; that this society was established for the simple
purpose of wielding political influence, and that public servants in certain departments are under the
impression that it would conduce to their interests to belong to such society. But the Government organ
challenges proof. Does this ingenuous sheet suppose we are so foolish as to deliver over to the tender
mercies of the Tong Beng our informants ? Do the Government suppose we are so stupid as to choose their
time and place to make revelations? What, we ask, would be the consequence of giving up the names of our
informants? How long would those gentlemen remain thereafter in the public service? The paltry game at
"bluff " essayed by the new New Zealand Times will be derided even by people the most thick-headed.

. . . . . . We reiterate that in the proper time and place, and in the true interests of the people of New Zealand,
and with no other object, we will make such revelations with regard to the workings of secret societies and
intrigues in public offices as will astound and disgust even the patient citizens of New Zealand.

Our readers will doubtless recollect that " Tong Beng " is the name of a certain Chinese secret society,
discovered to exist in Sydney, established for the amiable object, inter alia, of " removing " objectionable
persons. Under this charming metaphor, our religious contemporary evidently professes to set forth the
doings of the Grand Orient of France in political circles in Wellington. We are not about to constitute
ourselves champions of " secret societies " in general ; still less are we concerned to defend this society in
particular—for between Freemasonry as we practise it and the so-called Freemasonry of the Grand Orient of
France there is indeed a great gulf fixed. But as colonist to colonist we feel impelled to call upon the Editor
of the Catholic Times without loss of time to substantiate the statement made in the last paragraph as above ;
or, failing that, to stand convicted of indulging in the practice he denounces—namely, " bluff !"

____________________________________

T H E R I T U A L:

' SHOULD IT BE PRINTED ?

" I further solemnly promise that I will not write those secrets, indite, carve, mark, engrave, or
otherwise them delineate, or cause or culler the same to be so done by others, if in my power to
prevent it, upon anything movable or immovable under the canopy of Heaven, whereby or whereon
any letter, character, or ,figure, or the least trace of any letter, character, or figure, may become
legible or intelligible to anyone in the world, so that our secrets, arts, and hidden mysteries may
improperly become known, and that through my unworthiness."

—From the New South Wales Ritual.
___________

"Furthermore, I do promise and swear that I will not write, indite, print, paint, stamp, stain, hew,
cut, carve, mark, or engrave the same upon anything movable or immovable," &c., &c.

—From an American Cypher Ritual.
______________

BEFORE sitting down to write this article, we collected together the various Rituals—sixteen—in our
possession, and by way of all introduction, the importance of which will be seen later on, we purpose placing
before our readers some of the many advantages (?) claimed by the compilers for these refreshers and aids to
the memory. It would perhaps be as well to relate here an experience we had with an American Brother over
these very Rituals. Bringing letters of introduction, we made the Brother welcome, and during his stay in
Dunedin we had many opportunities of gathering from him much information relative to the Craft in the

States. During one of his visits to our Sanctum Sanctorurn a discussion was started as to the relative
advantages of the English and American system of conferring the Past Master's degree ; and, " to point a
moral ," we produced an illustrated Ritual, of which the following is a description, as set forth in the author's
(?) preface :

Although this work is a complete Ritual of the Symbolic and Chapter Degrees, and is also profusely
illustrated with engravings of the Secret Signs and Grips, it is not so much the design of the author to
gratify the curiosity of the uninitiated, as to furnish a Guide to the Younger Members of the Order,
by means of which their progress from grade to grade may be facilitated. It is a well-known fact that
comparatively few of the fraternity are " Bright Masons," but with the aid of this invaluable Masonic
Companion any Mason can, in a short time, become qualified to take the Chair as Master of a Lodge.
Everything in this book is clear and correct, and it gives in the plainest possible language an
understandable description of all the Rites and Ceremonies practised in the above-named degrees.
Nothing is omitted in it that may tend to impart a full understanding of the principles of Masonry.
The Ceremonies as they are (or should be) performed, the Pass-Words, Grips, Signs, Tokens, Jewels,
Emblems, Lectures, and Plans of the Interior of Lodges, are all explained, with numerous Notes and
Engravings (all new). This is a valuable book for the Fraternity, containing as it does the Modern "
Work " of the Order. No Mason should be without it. It is entirely different from any other Masonic
book heretofore published.

Our American Brother looked through it, then took up the poker, stirred our office fire, and laid our Ritual on
the top of it. With considerable difficulty we managed to rescue part of it from the devouring element, and
then gave vent to our indignation. Our foreign Brother took our abuse in good part, and when we had
finished, he said we had asked for practical illustrations of how things, Masonic, were carried on in his
country, and he thought he could not do better than give us a practical illustration of what they did with
printed Rituals. The Masonic bodies in the States, he said, had brought pressure to bear, and now no
respectable firm would print or bookseller hold for sale such things, and it was only in the back-slums of
New York that they were produced and sold.

At that time we had not a cypher, or contracted, Ritual in our possession, and it never struck us to ask him
about them. We know that a few of the American Grand Lodges allow of their use, but the keys, we
understand, are most difficult to procure and high priced, and even those bodies who tacitly allow them to be
used do not omit the State Schools of Instruction or the exemplification of the work of the degrees by the
Grand Lecturer.

On the next page we give an excerpt from one of these cypher, or contracted, Rituals, as used, we believe, in
the State of New York :—

The above is not absolutely correct, but is as near to the original as our type will admit.

Another of our Rituals says in its preface that the work is : " A complete Guide to the various Ceremonies
and Routine in Freemason's Lodges, Chapters, Encampments, Hierarchies, &c., &c., in all the Degrees,
whether Modern, Ancient, Ineffable, or Historical ; containing Engravings of the Signs, Tokens, and Grips,
and descriptions of the Regalia and Jewels, and likewise the Pass-Words and other Secret Words in each
Degree. Profusely illustrated with Explanatory Engravings and Plates."

A third furnishes thirty copperplate engravings, while a fourth contains a key to all the degrees.

The compiler, in giving his reasons for the publication of this key, states : " Mankind outside a Masonic
Lodge does not care a straw what takes place within that secret conclave, except as a matter of curiosity. It is
partly to gratify this spirit of inquisitiveness that I have written this book, and partly to give information to
Freemasons themselves. More than half the persons who join Masonic Lodges do. not understand anything
of the principles of the Order. They go through certain ceremonies, pay their fees, and then forget it all in a
short time. By having an authentic detail of the proceedings to read over at their leisure, they may become
Masons in reality."

It is somewhat remarkable that the authors of these open au d illustrated works, save the one who desires " to
gratify the spirit of inquisitiveness," say they are actuated by the purest motives, and their only " desire is to
furnish authentic information to members of the Order, and not to the public at large, and, " to stop the
extensive sale of several erroneous exposes," they go a step further, and publish an illustrated work which
they claim to be authentic. It is as well to bear in mind that these works are by men whose connection with
the fraternity was severed by expulsion. One of them seeking to be revenged, hit upon the bright idea of
making public the secret work, and turning over an honest dollar at the same time.

So much, for the present, of one class of Rituals, Monitors, Text Books, Exposes, or whatever fancy name
the compilers choose to call their handiwork. Let us now say a few words upon a somewhat less
objectionable, though undesirable, kind of work published in England, and which is " compiled from the best
authorities "; who these maybe we know not. The preface to the third edition of one of these self-instructors
intimates that, " while adhering to the ancient landmarks of the Order, this Ritual will afford instruction and
improvement to the junior Brethren in the Craft." The compiler, who forgets to give his name, then proceeds
in this laudable undertaking, and gives the complete working of the first three degrees, and presumably, to
afford further instruction and improvement to the juniors, gives the ceremonies of installation and exaltation.
It is also intimated in the same work that a still further advancement in Masonic knowledge can be derived
from an advanced text book, containing, for self instruction, the complete Rituals " to the 33°, the last Degree
of Freemasonry."

But let us be just, though the complete working is given, there is an attempt made by the author to hide the
most secret part. Here and there throughout the work he places a —, contracts a few words —as an instance
the word three is printed " t...e " but the exact number of dots representing the letters in which the word is
deficient are carefully placed between the first and last letter, so that anyone with a little patience and the
help of a dictionary may penetrate the flimsy disguise—and in the obligations a few " &c.'s " are placed ; yet
the meaning of these dashes, dots, contractions, and &c.'s can, by the expenditure of a few shillings on an
illustrated key, be found out by anyone, and we are told that some booksellers will supply the meaning
without extra charge.

From the foregoing introduction our readers will perceive that there are three kinds of Rituals, which for
convenience we will designate :

THE CYPHER,
THE DOT AND DASH,
THE NAKED.

Cypher Rituals are used solely in America, but not extensively, for the majority of the Grand Lodges in that
country have condemned their publication. The following decision of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania may
be taken as an indication of the American mind upon this subject :—" It is not permissible to have or use in
this jurisdiction any writing, book, or other equivalent which shall set forth or contain the work of
Freemasonry. The work cannot be written, printed, or otherwise indicated."

Dot and Dash Rituals are extensively used in England and by English Brethren in the colonies. In Ireland and
Scotland, and amongst Irish and Scotch Masons in the colonies they are not used; the reason being that
Ireland and Scotland carefully guard their esoteric work, Ireland being particularly conservative in this
respect. Scotland relaxes her rules so far as to supply to Masters only, upon payment of a large fee, a
manuscript giving part of the work. In New South Wales a Dot and Dash Ritual is supplied by the Grand
Secretary to the Subordinate Lodges at 6s. per dozen copies. It will be well to bear in mind that this is the
only English-speaking Grand Lodge that has made this wide departure from established custom.

The third and last class of Rituals are those we have named " Naked." They are generally illustrated, and are
produced in the States ; their sale there is practically nil, but in England and the colonies there is a large
demand. It may seem strange and hard of belief, but it is a fact, that in those countries in which Dot and Dash
Rituals are used, a great demand is likewise found for the naked work. " A steady demand for them things,"
was the reply of a dealer from whom we sought information, " I have six dozen on order, and hundreds have
been sold over this 'ere counter." It was thought in New South Wales by the believers in the official work
that the sale of keys would cease upon its publication. It has now had over two years of trial, and the result
may be learnt from an experience we had on one of our visits to Christchurch. Staying at the same hotel was
a Sydneyite, who struck up an acquaintance. One evening he produced an official copy of the New South
Wales work, handed it to us, with an inquiry as to whether we had seen anything like that before. Asking
what the words in pencil meant on the margins, he said they explained the hieroglyphics, and, purposely
pressing him for more information, he fetched an American illustrated work, which, he said, would tell us all
about it. We elicited that he got the official work from a Masonic friend, and the key he bought from a
bookseller in Sydney.

We intended when we began this article to answer the question—Should it (the Ritual) be printed ? We have
somewhat wandered from that question, yet we think that they who can read between the lines will find the
answer,

In May we shall have more to say upon the subject.
_________________________________

MASONIC UNITY.

[COMMUNICATED.]

WE had hoped that in answer to our former article on this subject, which is assuredly of vital interest to all
who call themselves Freemasons, to have seen a host of Brethren rush into the breach, with the hearty
intention of healing the rupture caused by the natural desire of a large number of our Brethren for home, or
self, rule. This, we opine; is at all times not only a natural, but a desirable, state of things, which, instead of
being checked (as is unfortunately the case in New Zealand), should be in every way fostered and
encouraged. But unfortunately the beneficent teachings of our ancient institution have been distorted, either
wilfully or through ignorance, and the governing bodies representing the mother Grand Lodges have created
and are creating bitter strifes, enmities, and divisions among the Brethren, endangering not only the harmony
and success but the very existence of the Craft in New Zealand, by their rancorous and persistent opposition
to the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, as lawfully a constituted body as that of either of the three which has
sway in the United Kingdom.

That too much heat and ill-temper have been exhibited by worthy Brethren on both sides is undeniably true,
but we consider the time has arrived when all this should be swept away, and wiser counsels prevail ; so that
if we do not all agree at present to recognise the Grand Lodge of New Zealand as a sovereign body, we shall
at least hold out the right hand of fellowship to those of our Brethren who hail from it—for every Mason,
having regularly received the degrees, and having in no way forfeited his Masonic rights, is a member of the
institution, and entitled to its privileges. It is his right to be recognised and fellowshipped, and most
undoubtedly it is the duty of his Masonic Brethren to so recognise and fellowship him all the world over.
Recognising or denying recognition to a Grand Lodge has nothing necessarily to do with the status of the
individual membership or of its jurisdiction. There were Masons and there were Lodges before Grand
Lodges had any existence, and should every Grand Lodge in the Universe cease to exist this day, it would
not in the least impair the existence of the particular Lodges, or the status as such of individual Masons. A

Mason anywhere, a Mason everywhere. This is undoubtedly the opinion of every Brother who has taken the
teachings of the Craft to heart, to whom Masonry is something beyond a society of jolly good fellows who
delight in evening dress, handsome aprons, and glittering jewels ; who band together, not for social pleasure,
but in obedience to a principle which is deeper and higher than creed or personal opinion, and who delight to
greet one another, in loyalty to the idea of the brotherhood of man. Such, indeed, is pure Freemasonry.

Now, why, we ask, is a Brother of any lawful Constitution debarred from paying a fraternal visit to his
Brethren under the Constitution of New Zealand, and why is it that many estimable Brethren who belong
thereto are compelled to abstain from fraternal communion with men with whom they have been on intimate
terms for years ? Shall we say why ? Shall we say that pride, that ill-will, that perhaps disappointed ambition
have led to this ? We don't like to do so, but if we iterated it again and again, it would be but the plain,
unvarnished truth.

When, Brethren, shall this unseemly discord be abandoned? When shall the members of the Craft, regardless
of the Masonic ties of any particular Constitution, open wide the doors of the Lodges, and lovingly greet the
Brother who seeks to join them in their good work?
_______________________________________________________________________________________

GRAND LODGES.

NEW ZEALAND.

ANNUAL COMMUNICATION.

THE second Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand will be held at the Choral Hall, in
the city of Auckland, on Wednesday, the 27th inst.

Since the above was put in type the following " amended notice " has arrived, accompanied with the Agenda:

" Grand Lodge will assemble in the Freemasons' Hall, at noon, for two hours, adjourning until 7.30 p.m. to
the Choral Hall."

AGENDA.

Confirmation of Minutes.
Roll of Lodges to be called.
Communications from Grand Lodges.
Report of Board of Benevolence.
Report of Board of General Purposes.
Grand Treasurer's Balance.
Correspondence, Petitions, &c.
Election of the M.W. Grand Master and the Elective Grand Officers.
Balance-sheet of Grand Lodge.

We presume it is owing to a slip that no notice is given of the installation of the Grand Master and Grand
Officers.

_____________________
INSTALLATION OF THE GRAND MASTER-DESIGNATE, BRO. MALCOLM NICCOL.

We are indebted to the courtesy of Bro. W. H. Cooper, Past Grand Warden, for particulars of the
Committee's arrangements :

A member from each Lodge in the Province will assist the Grand Tyler at the porch, and three members from
the City Lodges will assist the Grand Stewards.

To save time, and assist the Porch Committee, each Brother who attends will hand in his name and rank,
accompanied with the name of his Lodge and its number, on the cards (white) forwarded to the Master of
each Lodge in the Province.

Refreshment cards (red) at the very moderate sum of 3s each are also provided.

The present proposals are that the Board of General Purposes shall meet in the Masonic Institute on Tuesday,
26th inst., at 7.30 p.m., for transaction of ordinary business, and to prepare reports for submission to Grand
Lodge on the following day, at noon. At 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, the M.W. Grand Master, Bro. Thomson,
will install his successor, thus fittingly crowning his labours on behalf of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.

From 300 to 400 Brethren, it is expected, will attend, and the arrangements made are such that the
proceedings will be conducted with all the solemnity and dignity which the occasion demands.

_____________________
LODGE ABERCORN, GISBORNE, JOINS THE FOLD.

THIS Lodge, No. 472. I.C., tendered its allegiance to Grand Lodge last month. It paid its joining fee of £5 5s
some 18 months or two years ago. When Lord Onslow declined the Grand Mastership, it refused to complete
its obligation, but left the fee with Grand Lodge. We don't suppose it regrets that now.

A petition for a new Lodge at Mongonui will be presented at the Auckland Communication.
_______________________________

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

A SPECIAL Communication was held on March 9th for the consideration of business postponed from the
January Communication, on account of the death of the Duke of Clarence.

Twenty-one petitioners were relieved during the quarter to the extent of £8110s. Nominations for election of
Grand Officers were received, on forms supplied by the Grand Seeretary ; they were made freely, and there
will be contests for several of the positions. The election takes place on the 20th inst. The first edition of the
Book of Constitution being exhausted, the Board of General Purposes were authorised to revise the same,
and submit to a future meeting. The report of the Ritual Committee was adopted. Lodges of Exemplification
are to be held. Article 63 of the Constitution was altered, so that Lodge Chaplains need not be ministers of
religion.

With regard to the disputed question of precedency between the Grand Lodge of South Australia and the
United Grand Lodge of New South Wales, it was resolved that it be suggested to the United Grand Lodge of
New South Wales that the question of precedence now in dispute be referred to the M.W. Bro. H.R.H. the
Prince of Wales, the Grand Patron of both Grand Lodges, for settlement.

The Grand Lodge of Egypt announced the death of His Serene Highness, M.W. Bro. Mehemed Thewfik,
Past Grand Master. The Grand Lodge of England announced the death of the V.W. the Grand Secretary, Col.
Shadwell H. Clerke; and the Grand Lodge of Hungary requested the exchange of Representatives.

__________________________________________
VICTORIA.

AT the meeting of the Board of General Purposes in January, the United Victorian Lodge, No. 136, was
suspended for one year for its action in connection with the admission of a candidate. The Lodge appealed,
but afterwards withdrew the appeal, and asked the Board to deal leniently with it, as the members were
young Masons, and acted in ignorance of Masonic law and custom. The Board, at its meeting in February,
removed the suspension, but admonished the Lodge.

The late W.M. of the above Lodge appealed at the last Communication on the 21st March last, against the
decision of the Board suspending him for three years. We do not at present know the result.

On the 22nd March last, Grand Lodge was opened at 10 a.m. in special Communication, to exemplify the
work of the Three Degrees, as drafted by the Committee on the Uniformity of Working.

_______________________________
NEW SOUTH WALES.

AT a special Communication held on February 23rd the report of the Committee appointed to revise the
Constitution was considered.

The proposed addition to clause 8—" No Past Grand rank shall be conferred except by vote of Grand Lodge
"—was ruled out of order, on the ground that the Grand Master had from time immemorial this prerogative,
and that it was contrary to the ancient landmarks (?).

[The Constitution, as drafted by the New Zealand Committee, also gave the Grand Master this prerogative,
but Grand Lodge objected, and, we think, very properly. This is how it stands now :—Brethren of eminence
and ability who have rendered service to the Craft may, by a vote of the Grand Lodge, be constituted
members of the Grand Lodge, with such rank and distinction as may be thought proper.—ED. C.]

The proposed amendment to clause 15, which was, in substance, that the present mode of nomination and
election—i.e., nominating at the March Quarterly Communication, and electing at the June
Communication—be repealed, and that instead a special Communication be held 21 days prior to the June
meeting, at which the nominations should be made. After a long and discursive discussion the proposed
amendment was negatived, and the clause referred back to the Committee for further consideration.

Commenting on the above, a Brother in the Freemason, Sydney, says :
" That was not a very enlightening discussion in Grand Lodge the other evening, on the proposed
reform for the election of Grand officers. Every speaker had a quack remedy of his own, yet when its
curative remedies were tested the " safe cure " pill was found to be made only of common yellow
soap, as many such cures are proved to be. Bro. Gordon's remedy, to have the nomination and
election at the same sitting, had a nice flavour in it, but when Bros. McLachlan and Remington put it
through their mental laboratory, they pronounced it—common yellow soap, with a faint scent of
reform in it. Bro. Ewing—California's chosen Grand Representative—said the pill was the one used
in that Grand Lodge, and was a " safe cure." Many others buzzed around with their remedies, but
none stood the test of the Masonic Pharmacopeia, and were all rejected. The much-criticised
Revision Committee have, therefore, had remitted back to them the task of again trying to solve the
problem. Their task is about as easy and mirthful as that of finding a cure for poverty in this wicked
world."

[We recommend a dose of our " Representation Difficulty : An Attempt at its Solution."—Ed. CRAFTSMAN.]
_____________________________

The regular Quarterly Communication was held on March 9th.

The Board of General Purposes reported that the Grand Lodge of California had extended recognition. Two
applications for new Lodges came before the Board ; one was granted and the other refused. Two Lodges
amalgamated, and one surrendered its warrant owing to sparsity of attendance and other causes. The Board
of Benevolence was granted permission to circulate an appeal to all Lodges. Regulations for the conducting
of the Grand Lodge library are nearly completed.

The Grand Inspector of Workings reported having visited 45 Lodges since his last report. He found a marked
improvement in the working, also a very great desire on the part of officers and Brethren to carefully
administer the Constitution and Ritual. The objectionable habit of stamping to attract the attention of the
presiding officer, to which attention was directed in his last report, has been rectified.

The District Inspector of District No. 1 visited eleven Lodges during the quarter, and finds the ceremonial
working good and, with the exception of No. 45, on the lines laid down by Grand Lodge. The Lodge referred
to still continues to work according to the Ritual of the late Scotch Constitution.

The District Inspector of District No. 11 reported having visited four Lodges, and installed the Masters of
two more during the quarter. He finds the working on the whole good, but complains of the use of the Ritual
in open Lodge.— [Italics ours.—ED. C.]

The Grand Secretary reports 188 Lodges on the roll.

The Grand Treasurer has £6387 17s 8d cash on hand and invested,

The Board of Benevolence granted £333 is in relief during the quarter, of which £10 was to the widow of a
Brother of Lodge Dunedin, No. 931, E.G., New Zealand.

His Excellency the Earl of Jersey was nominated for Grand Master. Four Brethren were nominated for
Deputy Grand Master, three for Senior Grand Warden, four for Junior Grand Warden, and most of the other
offices had an excess of nominations. This, in our opinion, is a healthy sign, and we hope to see, before long,
similar healthy rivalry for Grand office in New Zealand.

THE JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN.—In the January number of the Freemason, Sydney: appeared the
following:—" Bro. Rev. W. Frackleton, the Grand Junior Warden, has not, we fear, grasped the true
character of Freemasonry. He has threatened to resign his office because the Pro. Grand Master accorded his
patronage to a worthy Brother on the opening of an aquarium at one of our most popular marine resorts, the
doors of which are, we understand, opened free to the public on Sundays. Whether doing so is right or wrong
is purely a matter of opinion, and is wholly outside the objects of Freemasonry. But Bro. Frackleton does not
appear to think so. He holds strong views on what is called 'Sabbath Observance,' and thinks that
Freemasonry should be made to advocate his views. He believes that worldly enjoyment on Sunday in the
shape of out-door amusement is sinful, and, therefore, that Masonry should not countenance it. As this is
sectarianism in a bigoted form, it of course, is opposed to the principles of our Order, which does not
recognise any form of religion in a sectarian sense, and prohibits it being discussed in its Lodges. Creeds are
not recognised in Freemasonry, as Bro. Frackleton should know, and if he finds that his conscience will not
permit him to so believe, his retaining office is unjust to the Craft and degrading to himself. He may rest
assured that the tenets and principles of the Order will not be perverted to aid him in the advocacy of his
views on Sabbath observance."

Which was followed in February by :—" At the installation of the officers of Lodge Jubilee, No. 162,
Mittagong there was a numerous attendance of Brethren. The festive gathering after the Lodge had closed
was very enjoyable, Rev. Bro. Frackleton, Junior Grand Warden, being in great form. He lashed out at the
Freemason with a ferocity of expression that was as amusing as it was ill-timed and unmannerly. It was his
night out evidently, and he unburdened his soul to his heart's content. We hope our reverend Brother feels
better now. We have dealt very tenderly with his escapade at Mittagong, and hope that our doing so will not
be forgotten. Abuse will not stop our speaking out when occasion demands."

In Grand Lodge, on the 9th March, a letter was read from the Junior Grand Warden, R.W. Bro. the Rev. W.
S. Frackleton, stating the grounds of his resignation being that he objected to the patronage of Grand Lodge
being given to the opening of a new aquarium, which was kept open on the Sabbath Day, contrary to the law
; but stating that, from an interview he had with the M.W. the Pro. Grand Master, he was quite satisfied that
such patronage was granted under certain representation ; and this explanation would have been quite
satisfactory to him, but that the Freemason newspaper took up the matter, and published an inaccurate article
regarding his action, and would not publish a refutation of same, and he therefore felt placed in a false
position before the Craft throughout the world ; and with much regret he adhered to his former decision of
resigning his position, but would be altogether guided by the opinion of Grand Lodge.

On the motion of R.W. Bro. A. Rofe, seconded by the Grand Chaplain, the Rev. Patrick Fitzgerald, the
resignation was not accepted.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

GRAND CHAPTERS

NEW ZEALAND.

A SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS TO CONSTITUTED ON THE 27Th INST.

A CONFERENCE of Principals and Past Principals, representing seven Chapters, was held in Christchurch, on
Wednesday, October 14th, 1891, to consider the advisability of forming a Supreme Grand Chapter. After
considerable discussion, it was unanimously resolved that should seven Chapters agree to the proposals of

the Conference, a convention of delegates is to he called by Ex. Comp. C. P. Hulbert, P.Z., in January, 1892,
to form the Supreme Chapter, to elect and install the three Grand Principals, and to elect and invest the
Grand Officers. The recommendations that the Conference ordered to be forwarded to each Chapter were :—
The Supreme Grand Chapter to embrace the Mark, Excellent, and Royal Arch Degrees ; Masters and Past
Masters of Craft Lodges to be eligible for " Z," Wardens and Past Wardens for ," H " and " J." The laws and
constitution of the Grand Chapter of Scotland, to be adopted so far as they are applicable to New Zealand.

The following circular has reached us :—
Christchurch, March 24th, 1892.

AM; Sir and Companion,--A meeting of the delegates from Chapters desirous of establishing a Supreme
Grand Chapter will be held at the Masonic Institute, Auckland, on Wednesday, April 27th, 1892, at 3 p.m.
Business—To form a Supreme Grand Chapter; to elect Grand Officers, &c., &c.

H. THOMSON, P.Z.,
St. Augustine Royal Arch Chapter.

_____________________________________
SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

THIS Supreme Body was consecrated on April 26th, 1886. The first Grand Principal is the Right Hon. the
Earl of Kintore, and the Scribe Ezra, Jas. H. Cunningham, whose address is Freemason's Hall, Adelaide. It
has only one subordinate Chapter—South Australian, No. 4, originally No. 583, E.C.,—with a membership
of 83. The Supreme Chapter of Ireland is represented by the Leinster Royal Arch Chapter, No. 363, whose
charter bears the date of November 22nd, 1855 ; its membership is 35. There are also two Lodges working
the Mark Degree—the Adelaide, No. 41, E.C., with a membership of 42, and the Leinster, No. 363, I.C., with
a membership of 49.

_______________________________________
NEW SOUTH WALES.

ON September 30th, 1889, this Supreme Body was duly and solemnly consecrated. The First Grand Principal
is W. H. Tulloh, and the Scribe Ezra is Francis B. Davidson, and his address is D'Eresby Cottage, Cowper
Street, Waverley, Sydney. It has now 11 Chapters on its roll, with 388 actual subscribing members, 73 of
these being Past or Present Principals. It works in fraternal and cordial accord with the Grand Mark Lodge of
New South Wales—the Grand Mark Master, Pro., and Deputy Grand Mark Masters, and Grand Mark
Wardens being ex officio associate members of the Grand Chapter, during their tenure of office. Candidates
for exaltation, if members of a Mark Lodge under any Constitution in fraternal accord with the Grand
Chapter, are entitled to a rebate of one-third of the exaltation fee charged to candidates not so members.

By the Grand Chapter's recently adopted regulations, the Degree of " Excellent Master " and the ceremony of
" Passing the Veils " have been incorporated with the Royal Arch, thus securing uniformity in this respect,
and Mark Masters have their way so facilitated in passing on to the Superior Degree, that they can really
have nothing to gain by making theirs a Chapter Degree.

The Grand Chapters of California, Washington, and South Australia have granted recognition during the past
year.

The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of New South Wales has Thomas Read as Grand Master, and A.
J. Burbidge, 254, Elizabeth Street, Sydney, as Grand Secretary. It had a roll of 15 Subordinate Lodges on
November 2nd, 1891. At the half-yearly Communication in November last it altered its Constitution as
follows :—That the Constitution of this Grand Lodge be so amended that, like those of the Constitution of
the Grand Mark Lodge of England, &c., it may admit of the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner being conferred in
connection with the Mark Lodges holding under this Grand Lodge.

Perfect harmony and good will is the characteristic feature of Mark Masonry in New South Wales.

The Supreme Chapter of Scotland is represented in New South Wales by a Provincial Grand Royal Arch
Chapter, which has jurisdiction over four Chapters working the Mark, Excellent and Royal Arch.

The Supreme Chapter of Ireland is also represented by the Leinster Marine, and the old Australian Social,
No. 260.

__________________________
VICTORIA.

THIS colony has had a Supreme Grand Chapter since 1859. The First Grand Principal is the Hon. Sir W. J.
Clark, Bart., and the Scribe Ezra is T. H. Lempriere, Freemasons' Hall, Melbourne. This Grand Body is
supposed to have thirteen Subordinate Chapters.

[We are indebted for the above information respecting the Grand Chapter of Victoria to Companion S.
Stacker Williams, Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Correspondence of the Grand Chapter of Royal
Arch Masons of Ohio, no other information being available. So scanty is the information supplied of the
doings of this body, that the Committee, to whom its claim for recognition was remitted by the Grand
Chapter of Ohio, deferred making any recommendation until fuller information was supplied.—Ed.
CRAFTSMAN.]

The Grand Chapter of Canada has one or more Chapters located in the colony, under the charge of a Grand
Principal and a District Grand Superintendent.

The Grand Chapter of England is represented by the Melbourne Chapter, No. 752.

The Grand Mark Lodge of England has a Provincial Grand Lodge of Victoria meeting in Melbourne, with
some three or four Subordinate Lodges.

The Supreme Chapter of Scotland has four Mark Lodges in active operation, but we do not know if it is
represented by any Arch Chapters; though having Mark Lodges we should think it would be.

Our readers will perceive that the condition of Capitular Masonry in Victoria is somewhat mixed.

MARK Masons are talking of establishing a Grand Mark Lodge.

_____________________________________
TASMANIA.

THE Zeehan Royal Arch Chapter, which was consecrated on the 1st December last, holds its warrant from
the Grand Chapter of New South Wales. M.E. Comp. Wm. H. Gundry, P.Z., late of Christchurch, New
Zealand, is the First Principal. In connection with this event, the editor of the Freemason, Sydney, asks the
very pertinent question, Is not the establishment of this Chapter by the Grand Chapter of N.S.W. an invasion
of territory?

______________________
IRELAND.

IN its Proceedings, the Grand Chapter of Ireland gives a list of the names of Companions who have been
struck from the roll during 1890.

Applications for warrants are made to the Registrar of the Grand Chapter. The amount of the fee is governed
by the locality whence the application comes. If from the Dublin District the fee is £10, but if from the
country, a colony, or regiment, it is £5, and in such a case the fee includes the registration of the nine
Companions named in the Warrant. These nine Companions must have been registered Master Masons for at
least five years ; they must have received the Mark Degree, and at the time of making application must be
subscribing members of some Lodge on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Ireland.

The Companion named as King (Z) must be a present or a Past Master of a Craft Lodge. The Degree of Mark
Master Mason is worked under the jurisdiction and protection of the Grand Chapter, and is not conferred
except under the Chapter warrants. Candidates are required to have obtained their Grand Lodge Certificates.
The registration and certificate fee of a Mark Master is two shillings and sixpence

The receipts during 1890 amounted to a little more than £400, and the delinquencies amounted to over £100.

_________________________________
ENGLAND.

GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS.

THE General Board reported that (luring the last six months there had been issued 671 Mark certificates,
making a total of 27,358. They had also warranted eleven Lodges, one of which was in Victoria, Australia,
one each in Hong Kong, Madras, and Sierra Leone, and the most of the others in England.

In England the Degree of Ark Mariner is controlled by the Mark Masters Lodge, and the issuance of 91
Royal Ark Mariner certificates, or a total of 3140, is reported. A charter for the organisation of one Ark
Mariners Lodge was issued.

On March 3rd, 1891, there was held a Quarterly Communication, the Marquess of Hertford presiding. He
gave notice that it was the wish of His Royal Highness the Grand Master, that the rank of a Past Grand
Master be conferred upon the Duke of Connaught. A motion to comply with the request was carried
unanimously. " This cheap distribution of titles and ranks is carried on to a considerable extent in many
foreign Grand Bodies."

It appearing that an irregular appointment had been made of a Provincial Grand Senior Warden and of a
Provincial Grand Master Overseer, the appointments were declared null and void, and the Brethren so
appointed were forbidden to wear the clothing or assume the rank which would have followed had the
appointments been regular.

" While they give away a Past Rank, to acquire the rank and privilege of a Past Master one year must have
been served. A case was presented where a Brother was 22 days short of a year ; the difficulty was healed by
his paying a fee of two guineas."

The Grand Master's Council had, without consulting Grand Lodge, changed the manner of saluting Grand
Master. The question was raised as to the authority of making the change, and, after remarks covering nearly
four pages, it was voted to return to the old mode.

Receipts—£4156 12s 6d, all of which was disbursed except £148 4s 9d.

________________________
SCOTLAND.

AT the Convocation on April 14th, 1890, provision was made for supplying Grand Scribe E., of the
Provincial Grand Chapter of Western India, with signed blank diplomas.

The Supreme Committee held a meeting on September 8th, 1890. We quote from the Proceedings :
" On consideration of a communication received from the body styling itself the Early Grand
Chapter of Scotland, submitting propositions as a basis of union between that body and the Supreme
Grand Chapter, Comps. Jas. Crichton, President of Committee, Grand Scribes E. and N. and H. J.
Shields were deputed to meet and confer with representatives from the said so-called Early Grand
Chapter with reference to same and report."

At a meeting of the Committee on November 19th, 1890, it was agreed to issue warrants for three Mark
Masters Lodges in Melbourne. From another part of the minutes we learn that previous to that time there
existed but one Mark Lodge in that Province (Victoria). This Grand Chapter does not practise or recognise
the Past Master's Degree. A Chapter of her obedience seemed to think the Degree a good thing to have in the
family, and for a while worked it. The Scribe E. of the Chapter sent the following transcript of its
proceedings to the Grand Scribe E. :—" At a meeting on Tuesday, the 9th day of September, 1890, the St.
Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter, No. 115, having considered the communication from the Grand Scribe E. of
Supreme Chapter, respecting the Past Master Degree, resolved that they abide by their charter, until altered
by mutual agreement, and in the event of the Supreme Chapter not recognising said Past Master Degree in

the diplomas issued, that Chapter No. 115 will issue its own diplomas for that Degree." The Grand Scribe E.
was instructed to intimate to St. Andrew's Chapter, No. 115, that in respect to their resolution it is a direct
violation of a law of Supreme Chapter, and willful disregard of the authority of Supreme Chapter, especially
so after the full information given by the Grand Scribe E. with reference to said Past Master Degree; that the
Chapter failing immediately in rescinding said resolution, and expunging the same from its minutes, and
ceasing to confer, or in any way recognise the so-called Past Master or Chair Degree, the Chapter will be
forthwith suspended, and its charter recalled. This was confirmed by Supreme Chapter, and St. Andrew's
promptly accepted the situation.

A request for permission for Chapter officers to appear in their official robes on a public non-Masonic
occasion was properly refused.

The Grand Scribe, Robert S. Brown, had an increase made in his salary by £20 per annum.

The election and installation of officers occurred on March 23rd, 1891, and the Earl of Haddington was
given the installed Degree of Z.

At a special meeting of the Committee, held on April 13th, 1891, an application having been received from
St. Andrew's Chapter, No. 115, for a deputation from Supreme Grand Chapter to confer the Installation
Degrees upon the Principals of the Chapter, and also to confer the Ark Mariner and Red Cross Degrees, and
constitute a Lodge and Council respectively of the latter within said Chapter, the Committee resolved to
grant their request and referred the matter to the Grand Scribe E. to make the necessary arrangements.

This is the Chapter from whieh the Past Master Degree was taken some time before. Perhaps this favour was
to square the account.

A proposition was made to add to the rules a clause requiring that—" The Depute Grand Principal Z., before
assuming office shall, if he has not already received them, be installed in the Degrees of J., H., and Z."

__________________________________________
DECISIONS OF GRAND CHAPTERS.

OHIO.—A Master Mason expelled by the Lodge (Craft) for un-Masonic conduct is, by such expulsion,
deprived of all rights as a Royal Arch Mason, and the mere fact that the Chapter of which he was a member
had ceased to exist by surrender of its Charter, does not in any way prevent the effect of such expulsion, nor
does the subsequent restoration of the Chapter Charter inure to his benefit or restore him to membership.—"
When is a Companion, who has been suspended in the Lodge for non-payment of dues, placed in good
standing in the Chapter ? " Decided - At the time the payment of the dues in the Lodge was reported to the
Chapter.—" Can a Companion who was suspended for non-payment of dues be placed in good standing after
his decease ? " No. The Companion's record must stand as he made it.--Resolved : That the M.W. Grand
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio be and hereby is respectfully requested by this Grand Chapter
to require the Secretary of each Subordinate Lodge of its obedience to send an official notice of the
suspension, expulsion, or reinstatement of any of its members to the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons within
whose jurisdiction it may be situated.—Resolved : That membership in a Chapter shall be dependent upon
and co-existent with membership in a Lodge of Master Masons. Resolved : That membership in a Chapter of
Royal Arch Masons shall be dependent upon and co-existent with membership in a Lodge of Master Masons.
Provided, that a dimitted Master Mason, who has in good faith petitioned for membership in a Lodge, and
has been rejected therein, shall not forfeit his membership in the Chapter to which he belongs until after the
expiration of six months from such rejection by the Lodge ; and any such dimitted Master Mason, who has
been rejected, must renew his application to a Lodge within six months after each such rejection, in order to
retain his membership in his Chapter. —Resolved : That the Royal Arch Degree should not be conferred on
candidates at the same meeting at which such candidates have received the Degree of M. E. Master, and that
Rule 27 be amended so that instead of declaring that " All the Degrees may be conferred on an applicant on
the same day," it shall read, " And all the Degrees except the Royal Arch may be conferred on an applicant
on the same day." — Resolved : That hereafter this Grand Chapter will recognise no cases of emergency.

ENGLAND.—A dispensation to wear Masonic clothing does not include the clothing of the R.A. It is
considered very undesirable that Masonic clothing of any Order other than the Craft should be worn on
public occasions, and permission is there-fore never given.

IT was not until near the close of last century that the word Companion was used to designate a Royal Arch
Mason.

ROYAL ARCH Masons coming from Europe cannot visit any Royal Arch Chapters in the United States. The
reason is that the Royal Arch degree is given in foreign countries as the fourth in order, or next to the Master
Mason's, while here it is conferred as the seventh. A foreign Brother must apply for and receive the
intermediate degrees of Mark M., P.M., and M.E.M., and be legally healed as to the R.A. before he can be
permitted to enter a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.—American Mason.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

CONSECRATIONS

LODGE STRATFORD, NO. 75, TARANAKI.
_______________

CONSECRATION AND INSTALLATION.

FOR some months past the Brethren residing in and about the rapidly growing town of Stratford, have been
arranging to form themselves into a Lodge, under the New Zealand Constitution, and, after the usual
preliminaries, a warrant was granted by the M.W.G.M., in pursuance of which the R.W. Grand
Superintendent of Wellington, Bro. Herbert J. Williams, proceeded to Taranaki, and performed the
ceremonies of Consecration on Tuesday, 15th ult. The occasion brought together a goodly number of
Brethren, the attendance book being signed by Craftsmen hailing from Lodges Nos. 2, 10, 18, 34, 40, 48, 52,
and 54, N.Z.C.; Nos. 38, 735, 1236, and 1646, E.C.; Nos. 67, 236, 604, and Hinemoa, S.C; and No. 221, I. C.

The regular meetings of the new Lodge will be held in the Presbyterian Church, but for the opening
ceremonies the Town Hall had been engaged and proved none too roomy. At high noon the gathering was
called to order to receive Grand Lodge, and the proceedings were then opened, according to ancient custom,
by the Right Worshipful Grand Superintendent, Bro. Williams, as D.G.M.; his officers being W. Bro. G. F.
Robinson, S.G.D., as S.G. Warden; P.M. Bro. H. Caplen, as J.G.W. ; P.M. Bro. McAllum, as G. Sec. ; P.M.
Bro. F. P. Corkill, as G. Chap. ; Bro. Warren, as Grand Director of Ceremonies ; P.M. Bro. Pritchard, as
S.G.D.; P.M. Bro. H. Kitchingman, as G. Organist; Bro. Furlong as G. Pursuivant; and P.M. Bro. Webb, as
G. Tyler.

The petition for the erection of Lodge Stratford having been read, the warrant was delivered, and an
appropriate address given by Bro. Warren, of Lodge Ngamotu, the acting G.D.C. The Lodge was then duly
consecrated with corn, wine, and oil, by Bro. Williams and his acting Grand Wardens, and declared duly
constituted as No. 75 on the register of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.

Bro. Alexander Walker Reid, the W.M.-elect, was presented for installation, and, having assented to the
ancient charges and taken the obligation as Master, an Installed Masters' Lodge was opened, and Bro. Reid
properly installed as first Worshipful Master. The officers for the year are—Bro. Jas. Gorrie, S.W.; Bro.
Wm. Mackie, J.W. ; Bro. Chas. Orchard, Sec. ; Bro. Jas. Robson, Treas. ; Bro. P. F. Ralfe, S.D. ; Bro. R. S.
Nixon, J.D. ; P.M. Bro. Irvine, LG.; Bro. J. Reed, Tyler ; with P.M. Bro. Robinson, S.G.D., as J.P.M. The
Working Tools were presented to the Worshipful Master by P.M. Pitcher, and the address to the Brethren
was delivered by P.M. McAllum.

On the conclusion of the installation and investiture the Master's chair was taken by W. Bro. Robinson,
S.G.D., by whom the Rev. Joshua McIntosh, Presbyterian minister, was initiated into Freemasonry.

At four o'clock the Lodge called off for refreshments, and proceeded to the Stratford Hotel, where an
excellent dinner was provided, to which about 40 Brethren sat down. The W.M., Bro. Reid, presided, having
on his right the R.W. Grand Superintendent, Bro. H. J. Williams, and on his left W. Bro. G. F. Robin-son,
S.G. Deacon. P.M. Bro. F. P. Corkill officiating in the West, and Bro. Warren in the South.

After justice had been done to the eatables the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly rendered—" The
Sister Constitutions," proposed by P.M. Bro. H. Caplen, and responded to by P.M. Bro. Cameron, of 1646,
E.C.; " The Grand Officers," proposed by Bro. Yorke, and acknowledged by P.M. Bro. Robinson, S.G.D.; "
The Consecrating Officer," proposed by P.M. Bro. Corkill, who spoke in eulogistic terms of Bro. Williams'
zeal and judgment in the discharge of his important duties as Grand Superintendent. In responding, Bro.
Williams briefly reviewed the history of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, and stated that there were now 27
Lodges of the Constitution in the Province of Wellington, which includes Hawke's Bay and Taranaki. "The
Health of the Newly Installed Master" was proposed by P.M. Bro. McAllum, and duly acknowledged. The
toast of the " Visitors " was given by Bro. Gorrie, S.W., who coupled with it the names of Bro. Heslop
(Lodge Hawera), Bro. Dr. Valintine (Lodge Chichester), Bro. Brewer (Lodge Patea Kilwinning), and Bro.
Furlong (Lodge Ngamotu).

At six o'clock the Lodge resumed labour, there being present 13 Past Masters and a large number of
Brethren. The gavel was committed to Bro. F. P. Corkill, J.P.M. of Lodge Ngamotu, who proceeded to
initiate, separately, Messrs. Sydney Henry James and Harry Norman Liardet, the charge being, in each case,
given by P.M. Bro. Webb. The chair was then vacated by Bro. Corkill, and taken by Bro. H. Caplen, J.P.M.
of Lodge Hawera, by whom Mr. Twentyman Wilson was duly initiated. Addresses were delivered by P.M.'s
Bros. Harkness, M.H.R., and Robin-son, after which the Lodge was closed. There being three other
candidates awaiting initiation it was decided to hold an emergency meeting on 29th for their reception.

This latest addition to our roll of Lodges bids fair to become one of the strongest in the colony, as it is
located in the centre of the fine forest country, which is rapidly being settled in every direction. Within the
next few months Lodge Stratford will receive many accessions of joining Brethren and new members, but,
recognising the harm sometimes done to the Craft by the indiscriminate admission of would-be Masons, it is
intended to exercise more than ordinary care in dealing with candidates. An important element, often lacking
in new Lodges, is supplied by Past Masters Robinson, Caplen, Irvine, and Corkill, all of whom have become
subscribing members

_____________________
HINEMOA, No. —, S.C., MIDHURST, TARANAKI.—Going from home to hear news we find the following in
the Freemasons' Chronicle, Sydney:—" The Right Worshipful the Deputy P.G.M. of the Scottish
Constitution of Freemasonry, Bro. W. McCullough, arrived in Melbourne, via New Plymouth, on March 1st,
for the purpose of officiating at the consecration and erection of Lodge Hinemoa, under the Scottish
Constitution, at Mildhurst, Taranaki."— [Our contemporary is some-what loose in respect to its
geography.—Ed C.]
_______________________________________________________________________________________

THE South African Freemason says, " The question is sometimes asked, how is it that the Brethren are
occasionally appointed as Grand Wardens of England without having served either as Master or Wardens in
a private Lodge ? " The answer thereto, it adds, " is to be found in Rule 7 of the Constitutions, which
practically gives the Grand Master or the Grand Lodge power to import anyone whomsoever into the
Supreme Body of the Craft." It opines that it is an anomaly all the same.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

INSTALLATIONS

PROVINCE OF CANTE'RBURY.

CONCORD, NO. 39, PAPANUI.--The installation of Master and the investiture of officers of this Lodge took
place on Tuesday, March 15th, in the presence of a large gathering of the Craft. The M.W.G.M., Bro. Id.
Thomson, assisted by several Grand Officers, performed the ceremony in a very impressive manner. The
following officers were duly installed and invested for the ensuing year :—W.M., Bro. W. J. Jackson ;
I.P.M., Bro. J. W. Horner ; S. W., Bro. T. G. Strange ; J.W., Bro. William Gifkins ; Treasurer, Bro. J. W.
Horner ; Secretary, Bro. R. B. Wilkinson; S.D., Bro. Charles Samuels ; J.D., Bro. W. H. Were ; D.C., Bro.
John Hayes ; Organist, Bro. W. T. Horsley ; I.G., Bro. F. W. Penfold ; Tyler, Bro. George May ; Stewards,
Bros. S. B. Parker and W. Long. At the conclusion of the ceremony a very handsome P.M.'s jewel was
presented to Bro. J. W. Homer, J.P.M., in token of the able manner in which he had filled the chair during his
term of office. The jewel was made by Bro. Samuel Clarke, who deserves a word of praise for the artistic

merit of the work. After the Lodge was closed, the Brethren adjourned to the Town Hail, where a " social"
was held, and dancing kept up to the strains of Mr H. Fleming's band till the early hours of the morning.

THE ceremony of installation of the amalgamated Lodges Somerset, E.C., and St. John, E.C., Ashburton,
took place at the Masonic Hall, Ashburton, on March 11th. The installing officers were the D.D.G.M:, Bro.
R. D. Thomas, D.J.G.W. Bro. Forrester, P.M. Bro. E. G. Crisp, P.M. Bro. E. J. Paul, who per-formed the
ceremony in an able and impressive manner. The officers for the ensuing year are : W.M., Bro. J. M.
Cambridge ; J.Y.M., Bro. C. Baker ; S.D., Bro. T. Kilworth ; J.W., Bro. W. Crooks ; Treasurer, Bro. H. M.
Jones, P.M. ; Secretary, Bro. Vesty ; Organist, Bro. J. C. Lane ; S.D., Bro. Meddings ; J.D., Bro. Cawsey ;
D.C., Bro. Bissett ; Stewards, Bros. Stone and Stevens ; I.G., Bro. Clark ; Tyler, Bro. J. Mullaney.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

LODGE REPORTS

PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND.

ARA No. 1.—On March 16th there was a fair attendance of members, and a good many visitors. St. Andrew,
No. 8, paid an official visit. The business, or, as this Lodge puts it, the "Businses," was to ballot for Dr. Alex.
McArthur, LL.D.; to affiliate Bro. Captain Skinner, of No. 1480, E.G., Gisborne ; to pass one to the second,
and to raise two to the third degree.

ST. ANDREW, No. 8.—On March 15th the business was of more than usual interest, as besides work in the
other degrees five candidates were initiated into the Craft by the W.M., Bro. Thomas, in a most able manner,
assisted in the various charges by the Grand Superintendent, Bro. M. Niccol, and the Secretary, Bro. W. H.
Cooper, P.M. Before the Lodge closed more candidates were proposed for joining. This Lodge is making
rapid progress, and it has been found necessary to hold two Lodges of Emergency to work off arrears of
business.

UNITED SERVICE, No. 10.—Bro. Kelly, of St. Andrew Kilwinning, No. 481, S.C., Wanganui, applied for
admission as a joining member on March 30th, and the W.M., Bro. J. W. Ellison, gave a lecture entitled, "
What is Freemasonry?"

COROMANDEL, NO. 17, COROMANDEL.—A Masonic reading and discussion took place on March 16th. A
P.M. writing to us says : " Book of Constitution to hand —very crude. Many valuable regulations in Irish
Constitution could be profitably embodied in it."

EDEN, No. 20.—On the 12th inst. this Lodge had an initiation and two raisings.

PONSONBY, No. 54.—On the 5th inst. a ballot was taken for two candidates—Messrs. Cash and Clampett—
and they were to be initiated if in attendance.

______________________________
PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

WELLINGTON.

NEW ZEALAND PACIFIC, No. 2, held its regular monthly meeting on March 27th. In the absence of the W.M.,
through illness, Bro. W. D. Lyon, P.M., presided. There was a large attendance of members and visitors,
including thirteen P.M.'s on the dais. The ceremony of " Passing " was ably conducted by the acting W.M.,
assisted by S.W. Bro. Heginbotham, who gave the charge, and P.M. Bro. Freeman the lecture.

On the motion of P.M. Bro. H. J. Williams it was resolved—" That the Jubilee anniversary of the N.Z.
Pacific be celebrated on September 9th next, and that a committee, consisting of the W.M. and his
Wardens—P.M.'s T. McKenzie, J. Young, W. D. Lyon, F. J. Freeman, and the mover—be appointed to
complete the necessary arrangements." A sum of £5 5s. was voted to the acting Secretary for his past
services.

The Grand Superintendent, Bro. H. J. Williams, announced that the M.W. the Grand Master would officially
visit Waterloo Lodge on Monday, 11th inst., on which occasion there would be a re-union of all the Lodges
in the district; he hoped members of the Pacific would consider it not only their privilege but their duty to
attend.

The Lodge closed at 10 p.m., and at the festive board the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured.
In this degree the Ara Lodge, Auckland, was ably represented in the person of Bro. W. R. Cook, who simply
astounded the phlegmatic Wellington Brethren with his rhetorical and racy recitations.

Spirited reference was made to the large attendance, and the general enthusiasm evoked under the National
Constitution.

ST. ANDREW, No. 32, met on Thursday, March 24th, W.M. Bro. France presiding over a large attendance of
members and visitors.

A most comprehensive and elaborate balance-sheet was presented, and while it was no doubt a faithful
record of every fiscal transaction in connection with the Lodge for the year, it was somewhat of a trial of
endurance to the Secretary in reading it, and on the patience of the Lodge in listening to it. While not
attempting to reflect on the extreme accuracy of the Treasurer, condensation might be suggested with
advantage in the future.

The acting Chaplain, Rev. Bro. Dean, commenting on the recent death of a. Brother, pointed out the
excessive inconvenience that had been occasioned by curtailing the powers of Grand Superintendents in the
matter of granting dispensations, and proved by the case in point the retrograde nature of the step. It was
resolved that the attention of Grand Lodge be called to the excessive inconvenience experienced by such
action, and asking that in future such power be delegated to its original source.— [See our reference to this
matter in the Editorial columns.—Ed. C.]

The official visitation of the Grand Master on the 11th was announced, and the Lodge closed in ancient form
at 9.45 p.m.

LEINSTER, No. 44, held its regular monthly meeting in the Masonic Hall, Boulcott Street, on Monday, April
4th, Bro. J. F. Bulford, W.M., presiding. As usual, in this happy little Lodge, there was a large attendance of
visitors, Lodges Ara, Albion, and Light, E.C., Auckland ; Southern Star, E.C., Nelson ; and Killarney, I.C.,
Blenheim, being represented.

The business of the evening comprised the election and initiation of Mr F. Poole, carried out by the W.M.
and Bro. Bowley, S.W. ; also the nomination of officers for the ensuing year. The following Brethren were
nominated :—W.M., Bro. J, W. Silver ; S.W., Bro. Gentles ; J.W., Bro. Wills ; Treas., Bro. Goldfinch, P.M. ;
Sec., Bro. Hyde ; D. of C., Bro. Hamilton, P.M. ; Chaplain, Rev. Bro. Dean ; S.D., Bro. Stagpole ; J.U., Bro.
Moorhouse ; J.G., Bro. Matson ; Tyler, Bro. Erith.

Bro. Hamerton, P.M., drew attention to the surprising change in attendance that the N.Z. Constitution
appeared to have brought about, and the general enthusiasm manifested.

The Lodge closed at 10 p.m., and most of the Brethren attended the refreshment call, when a most pleasant
hour was spent. Again Ara Lodge showed resplendent in the person of its representative, Bro. W. Cook.

Invitations were extended to Brethren to assist at the reception of the Grand Master on the 11th prox., and at
Greytown on the following day.

_____________
ON DIT.

Every effort is being used to secure a large attendance at the valedictory visit of the G.M., Bro. Thomson, on
the 11th inst. The Waterloo Lodge will be the host on the occasion, and a big host too.

The following day the Grand Master proceeds to Greytown, ostensibly to visit that Lodge, but really to
participate in a re-union of Wairarapa Masons ; and as the Brethren in this District don't mind a ride of
twenty or thirty miles, the function will be largely attended.

I understand the programme includes : Lodge meeting at 3 p.m., Dinner at 6 p.m., "At Home" at 8 p.m.—
enough, in all conscience, even for a Grand Master.

The annual meeting of shareholders in the Wellington Freemasons' Hall Co. will be held this month, when
we understand a highly satisfactory balance-sheet will be presented. Twelve months since, the question was
before the Directors of placing the company in liquidation, but a motion was carried to give it a trial for one
more year. The position then was—£1000 mortgage, and some £150 outstanding liabilities. A change in the
administration took place, and this annual meeting will show—old liabilities wiped off, £250 paid off
mortgage, £156 more for further payment, and a small credit balance at bank of £25 15s.

Bro, R. C. Hamerton, Past Prov. Grand Inspector, I.C., will most probably represent the Grand Master as one
of the Wardens in the Wellington District ; and Bro. H. J. Williams will be asked to continue the direction of
the District as Grand Superintendent.

The Wellington District will show a capital record to Grand Lodge since last July—four new Lodges, and the
transfer of allegiance of two, and two more in prospective.

Circulars have been issued re Masonic Institute ; Bro. Goldfinch, P.M., being acting Secretary. Bro. W.
Cook, of Ara Lodge, Auckland, who has taken up his residence here, is a member of the sister body in
Auckland, and has promised his assistance, and as he is au fait in the matter, and " a whole team in himself,"
the Institute will doubtless go.

The administration of Masonic charity requires immediate reform. Not a week passes but what some " dead
beat," "hard case," or legitimate Brother applies; but the whole are so inextricably mixed up, that the present
system (?—want of) cannot distinguish the wheat from the chaff, and, chaffing aside, the chaff generally gets
the best of it. Masons are very apt to—imperceptibly, perhaps—sneer at Friendly Societies, but in this
matter, such institutions can " walk rings" round the Craft. Why should it be so?

WATERLOO, No. 13.—The Grand Master visited this Lodge on the 11th",inst,, and took part in the ceremony
of passing Bro. Robt. Thomson.

BEDFORD, NO. 25, WAIPUKURAU, HAWKES BAY.--The regular meeting was held on the 4th inst., when Mr
Limbriek was initiated, and ate officers for the year were nominated. On the 14th an emergency meeting was
held, in conjunction with Abercorn, No. 30, Waipawa, for the purpose of meeting and giving a welcome to
the Grand Master. After the close of the Lodge the G.M. was entertained at a banquet in the Town Hall.

ABERCORN, NO. 30, WAIPAWA, HAWKES BAY.—The regular monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on 9th
March, when, besides the members, there were present Bros. Jolley, W.M., Le Cocci, J.W., and Jull, P.M., of
Bedford, No. 25, Waipukurau, who attended as a deputation, to see what arrangements should be made for
the reception of M.W. the Grand Master when passing through Hawkes Bay in April, on his way to
Auckland. We had also Bro. Hescott, your representative, Bro. Heard, of Leinster, No. 44, and other visiting
Brethren present. The idea of arranging to meet the Grand Master was cordially taken up, and a committee
was appointed to work with Bedford. We have had a long spell of quietude with regard to newcomers, but
better this than rushing through a lot of unsuitable candidates.

HAWERA, No. 34, TARANAKI.—On the 7th inst. Bro. David Wilkie, of Lodge Caledonia, No. 254, S.C.,
Dundee, and Bro. Jacob Menli, a former member, applied for admission as joining members.

ST. JOHN, NO. 37, FEATHERSTON, balloted for Mr P. F. Allpress, and initiated Mr Wm. M'Laren on the 17th
March.

MANAWATU KILWINNING, No. 47, PALMERSTON NORTH. — Our installation ceremony, which takes place
on the 13th inst., is to be carried out similar to last year, only on a better plan. The installation will be

followed by a banquet, and on the following day a social gathering for the wives, children, and friends of the
whole of the Brethren in the district, irrespective of Constitution. A large marquee will be erected in the
Lodge grounds for the convenience of the children to play in. Music has been specially engaged for singing
and dancing, and the youngsters in the district are looking forward to have a gay time of it.— [We have had a
complimentary ticket forwarded to us by Bro. White, the Secretary, and we are sorry we cannot attend.--ED.
C.]

NGAMOTU, No. 48, NEW PLYMOUTH.—The regular monthly meeting was held in the Foresters' Hall at New
Plymouth, on Friday, 18th ult. In the unavoidable absence of the W.M., Bro. Little, the chair was occupied
by the J.P.M., Bro. F. P. Corkill. Despite a very wet night, and the fact that many of the members live in the
country, there was a good attendance. Bro. A. J. M'Lusky, late of Lodge Tauranga, 462, I.C., was
unanimously elected to membership, and another Brother, a P.M. of Lodge Clutha, No. 14, was proposed. A
Brother, who some time ago was excluded for non-payment of dues, offered a sum of money in satisfaction
of arrears, with the object of taking clearance from the Lodge ; but in view of the fact that the exclusion took
place while the Lodge held under the E.C., to whose District Grand Lodge a portion of the dues were owing,
it was decided to submit the facts for the consideration and ruling of the Grand Master. A Fellow Craft, now
residing at a distance, applied that he might be raised in a sister Lodge, which was agreed to, subject to the
consent of the Lodge named. Bro. J. W. Warren read a most able and somewhat lengthy paper on " The
History of English Freemasonry from 1717 to the Union in 1812." A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to
Bro. Warren. Among the correspondence was a circular from the Grand Lodge of England, who apparently
have not yet been advised that the Ngamotu Lodge gave adhesion to our National Constitution in November,
1890 !

TARARUA, No. 67, PAHIATUA.—The M.W. the Grand Master consecrated the new hall belonging to this
Lodge on the 13th inst. A banquet followed the ceremony.

OTANGAKI, No. 70, ASHURST.—On the 14th March Bro. Thomas Rimmer was invested as Secretary, and
Bro. Richard James as Treasurer.

GREYTOWN, No. 74, GREYTOWN.—We thank the Secretary, Bro. E. H. Wyatt, for two circulars, from which
we learn that at the regular meeting on the 8th inst. nominations were made for W.M. and Treasurer. They
also considered the report of the Grand Lodge Reception Committee, and they held a Lodge of Instruction at
the conclusion of the regular business. On the 12th inst. at an emergency meeting, they received the Grand
Master and his Grand Officers.

WELLINGTON, No. 1521, E.C.—Owing to the inclemency of the weather, the. attendance was not large on
the 18th March. Bro. Owen was raised to the high and sublime degree of M.M. The W.M. announced that he
had appointed Bro. H. J. Brooke J.W., vice Bro. Young, resigned.

ST. JOHN, NO. —, S.C., ELTHAM, TARANAKI.—On March 11th the ordinary-meeting was held—two
initiations and one passing. On Sunday, March 13th, two. were initiated, and two Brethren had their second
degree given them on behalf of Lodge Hinemoa, S.C., Midhurst.

UNANIMITY, NO. 3, LYTTELTON.—This Lodge held its usual monthly meeting on the 24th ult., when there
was a very good muster of the Brethren and visitors, but owing to the non-arrival of the s.s. Wakatipu,
through stress of weather, Bro. Taylor was unable to receive his third degree, consequently the Lodge closed
down for lack of business. A pleasant time was spent after closing the Lodge.--An emergency meeting was
held on Thursday, the 31st ult., when Bro. C. Whymper received his second degree, and Bro. Taylor his third
degree. The ceremony was. performed by the W.M., in an able and impressive manner, receiving from one
and all their hearty congratulations. There was a goodly attendance of visitors, and a. very pleasant time was
Spent. After closing, Bro. Whymper contributed the latest London Novelty—must be heard to be
appreciated— and Bro. T. L. Smith convulsed the members with his rendering of " Bismark's Dog."

CALEDONIAN, NO. 16, TIMARU, gave Bros. Hampton, Bateman, and Burd their second degree on the 14th
inst. The officers for the ensuing year were nominated.

GERALDINE, NO. 27, GERALDINE.—The regular meeting was held on Wednesday, 16th March, but owing to
very unfavourable weather there was only a small, attendance of members. The business was of a routine
nature. A committee was appointed to draft fresh by-laws for the Lodge. A resolution was passed requesting
members to subscribe to the fund for the purpose of presenting the M.W. the Grand Master with a souvenir.

ASHLEY NO. 28, RANGIORA.—On the 7th inst. Mr. E. W. Cooper, of Cust, was accepted as a member, Bro.
Templar got his second degree, and Bro. Rowe was raised to the third degree.

LINCOLN, No. 33, Lincoln, had only general business on the 11th inst.

CONCORD, NO. 39, PAPANUI.--On the 7th this Lodge had four initiations. Every Thursday night at 7.30 they
hold a Lodge of Instruction.

METHVEN, NO. 51, METHVEN.—The regular monthly meeting was held in the Lodge-room of the Public
Library, on March 10th. There was a fair attendance.. The Lodge was opened in due Masonic form by the
W.M., Bro. J. Gillanders. The principal business was the nomination of officers for the ensuing year. The
following Brethren were nominated :—W.M., F. A. Dunn ; S.W., J. T. Mangin ;. J.W., R. R. Lyne ; S.D., A.
Morgan ; J.D., J. H. Ross ; LG., Wm. Wrathall, P.M.; Tyler, S. Goodwin ; Sec. and Treas., J. Gillana ers,
P.M. Mr. John Fraser, Methven, was proposed for membership. This Lodge is now in a flourishing condition
numerically and financially.

SOMERSET, NO. 1811, E.C., AND ST. JOHN, NO. 1858, E.C., ASHBURTON.—The. Secretary to both these
Lodges, Bro. H. A. Yesty, has kindly forwarded the monthly circulars. The business on the 8th inst. at
Somerset was to accept, and if present, initiate Mr Toppin, and to pass Bro. W. H. Stevens. We are informed
these two Lodges have amalgamated.

ROBERT BURNS, 604, S.C., CHRISTCHURCH.—A correspondent informs us that this Lodge advanced fourteen
candidates to the Mark degree in March. He calls it a peculiar ceremony, and that it was given by one
holding no office or rank in the Mark. Will some Brother kindly forward us the real facts. The Sun ay
meetings of the Lodge of Instruction have been abolished. On the 19th inst. Mr James. Purvis, s.s. Coptic, is
to go to the ballot.

____________________________________________________________
PROVINCES OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

OTAGO, NO. 7, DUNEDIN, contemplates making new by-laws. If they take our advice, they won't. On the 13th
inst. they affiliated Bro. Frederick Ansdell, of Waterloo, No. 13, Wellington.

SOUTHERN CROSS, NO. 9, INVERCARGILL.—Our correspondent tells us—" We can get plenty of men
desirous of joining, but we are in such a position that we are able to pick our candidates." — Would that
every Lodge in New Zealand could say the same.—ED. C.] The circular for the meeting on the 1st inst.
carries particulars of three gentlemen for initiation, and one for affiliation. There is also enclosed a neat
reminder that two shillings and sixpence would be acceptable towards the proposed testimonial to the
M.W.G.M.

WAITAKI, NO. 11, OAMARU.—On the 6th inst. Bros. Hesketh and Lane were raised to the third degree. The
Senior Warden, Bro. James McDonald, was elected W.M., Grand Steward Bro. E. G. Lane was elected
Treasurer, and Bro. Ridsdale Tyler -- the last being a well-merited re-appointment. Toe installation will take
place on May 11th. P.M. Beo. Crawford declined the honour of being nominated by the Lodge as Grand
Steward.

HERCULES, No. 36, Tapanui, had important business on the 14th inst.—the election of Master, Treasurer, and
Tyler. The installation is due on May 12th, but following so close upon that of Waitaki, we don't see how the
Superintendent can be present at both unless one is postponed.

HIRAM, No. 46, South Dunedin, elected and initiated Mr. F. B. Smith, Morhington, on March 22nd. The
Secretary calls attention to by-law No. 5. To what does it refer?

MOKORETA, NO. 63, WYNDHAM.—The monthly meeting was held on Thursday, March 17th. The Lodge
was opened by W.M. Bro. Monteath at 7.30 p.m. Correspondence received; G.L. circulars for Quarterly
Communication. The J.W., Bro. Clark, proposed, and S.W. Bro. Raymond seconded, the nomination of
J.P.M. Bro. G. Crosbie as G. Steward for Southland District, and it was unanimously carried. Bro. Crosbie
thanked the Brethren for this further mark of their confidence, but felt sorry that time would not at present
permit of his accepting the proposed honour, therefore he begged to decline nomination—withdrawn. W.M.
Bro. Monteath proposed Mr. Robert Young, of Wyndham, for initiation, seconded by Treas. Bro Shields.
This closed the business of the evening.

NGAPARA, NO. 68, NGAPARA.—The regular meeting was held in the Masonic Hall, on March 14th. There
was a good turn-out of members, considering the busy season of the year ; also a great number of visitors
from Waitaki, No. 11, Oamaru, so that our little hall was full to overflowing. The business of the evening
was to initiate Mr T. S. Johnston, and raise Bros. Park and Wilson, and consider the motion of the R.W.M.,
notice of which was given at the R.M.M. on 11th January, " That all members of Lodge who subscribed to
the Building Fund of the Hall, pay their dues, now twelve months in arrears, and continue to do so until the
Lodge is free from debt, and thereafter their several subscriptions to be credited as dues." The consideration
of this motion was agreed to be left over till next meeting. Mr T. S. Johnston did not appear, owing to
sickness, Bro. Wilson was also absent, from some cause unknown to Lodge members, so that the only
business that was transacted was the raising of Bro. Park, and, in passing, I may remark, that it does credit to
this gentleman, he having to come from Waitaki North. The Lodge also considered the circular sent from
Grand Lodge, Wellington, re presentation to M.W.G.M. Bro. Thomson, and it was unanimously passed that
the R.W.M. and officers be appointed a committee to collect the funds. As I before stated, we had a goodly
number of visitors from Lodge Waitaki; one, Bro. Wake-field from Lodge Otago (?), and another who has
assisted Lodge Ngapara both financially and otherwise. I am sorry I cannot give his name just yet, until we
are all made one. Amongst the visitors I noticed the homely figure of P.M. Captain Matheson, belonging to
Lodge Waitaki. As he is a most enthusiastic Brother, and is going to settle in the district, it is to be hoped he
will affiliate with Ngapara. During the evening Bro McAlister gave a lecture, explanatory of an engraving,
entitled, " Light and Truth."

________________________________________________________________________
PROVINCES OF MARLBOROUGH, NELSON, AND WESTLAND.

VICTORY, NO. 40, NELSON.—On the 22nd March a full choral service was held at the raising of Bro. Robert
Young to the third degree.

Advance, No. 61, Brunnerton.—On the 17th March Bros. Dent and Masters were given the second degree,
and on the 14th inst. Mr Whittle was initiated, and Bros. Dent and Masters were raised to the third degree.

Southern Star, No. 735, E.C., Nelson, held a Lodge of Emergency on Friday, 25th March, to confer the
sublime degree on Bro. Hanlon, who had taken his first and second degrees some twelve months before in
Lodge Dunedin, 931, E.C. He brought with him a full and perfect clearance from his mother Lodge, besides
having a letter from the W.M., requesting that the favour might be granted, and promising in return to be of
similar service, or otherwise, should the Lodge at any time find it necessary, to call on them so to act. Our
W.M. conferred the degree in a very effective manner, ably assisted by P.M. Baigent, P.M. Bolton giving the
lecture on the Tracing Board, and P.M. Scott reciting the 12th of Ecclesiastes. The J.W. gave the explanation
of the Tools, and the S.W. the final charge. Reference was made at the close to the bereavement of Bro.
James, of Takaka, in the loss of his wife here in Nelson during his absence. A letter of condolence was
ordered to be forwarded to our Brother forthwith. There was a visitor present from No. 931, E.C., the same
evening.

MARLBOROUGH OF UNANIMITY, NO. 1236, E.C., BLENHEIM.—An emergency meeting was held on the 31st
ult., to pass Bros. Green and Carr to the F.C. degree. In the unavoidable absence, through sickness, of W.M.
Bro. Hanna, P.M. Bro. Ogilvie took the chair of King Solomon, and was assisted by P.M. Bro. Treor, who
temporarily filled the office of S.W. The ceremony was efficiently performed, the W.M. and his officers
being particularly distinct and effective in their workings. Owing to the absence of Bro. Lucas, organist, the
musical portions of the degrees had to be omitted, such omission being the exception, as the Lodge possesses
an excellent choir, and a most attentive and enthusiastic musician in Bro. Lucas. The only visitor present was
Bro. Hescott, representative of the N.Z. CRAFTSMAN, who returned thanks to the members of the Lodge for

their courtesy and support given him during his stay in Blenheim. After labour, the Brethren adjourned for
harmony, when Bros. Snodgrass, Green, and Hescott rendered some excellent songs, accompanied by P.M.
Bro. Ogilvie on the harmonium. This Lodge possesses a very handsome and cosy hall, particulars of which
will appear either in June or July issue.

PACIFIC OF REEFTON, 1453, E.C.—On the 12th inst. there was an initiation and a raising.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

AMITY LODGE, of Hackett, Arkansas, proposes to build a hall by contribution of stones, inviting Grand
Lodges, subordinate Lodges, and individuals to contribute a stone each, the stone to be inscribed with the
donor's name. This building is styled novel and unique, and the plan reminds one of the way Mark Twain's
hero white-washed his fence. Stones may be sent to G. P. Hackett, Secretary, Hackett, Arkansas.—Token.

“GINTLEMEN," exclaimed a son of the Emerald Isle, who was relating to his friends the advantages of
belonging to the Lodge of which he was a member—" Gintlemen, I couldn't begin to tell yez half the
privileges appeartainin' to a membership in this Society, but I'll thry to tell yez a few. First, when yez is sick,
it'll not be pertaties and tay yell be gettin', but foine cuts of roast bafe an' lashing of the besht whiskey. Nixt,
yez are dead, yell have such a foine funeral that the folks on the side-walk '11 be afhter askin' wid their eyes
stickin' out like a lobster's : ' Shure, who's in the coffin?' An whin yez are buried, we'll take sech exsadin'
good care av your woives an' childrin that they'll all be rejoicin' greatly because they're widdies an'
orphans."—Independent.

______________________________________________________________
CORRESPONDENCE.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
All communications should be addressed to the Editor, CRAFTSMAN, Box 322, P.O., Dunedin, and should be written
on one side of the paper only.
Correspondents and contributors are requested to be as brief as possible, as the space at our command is limited.
[Letters intended for insertion must be accompanied, in all cases, by the real name and address of the writer, as well as
by the name and number of the Lodge to which he belongs, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good
faith. We do not hold ourselves responsible for opinions expressed by our correspondents.]

____________________________________
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

J. W. MIDDLETON, Carterton.—Will reply shortly.
A. BUCKLER, Ashurst.—Will reply before end of month.
T. DUNELEY, Blenheim.—Your inquiry is answered in leader, "The Ritual."
POSTMASTER MCALLUM, New Plymouth.—Had forgotten about "the Sprat."
T. T.—The Board of General Purposes, after the 27th inst., will meet in Auckland, most likely at the
Masonic Institute.
W.M., CANTERBURY.—Thanks for your good wishes. If the scheme is to be adopted, it rests with you and
others to take the steps necessary to bring it into force.
CRAFTSMAN, WELLINGTON.—We get the Mail in exchange, but overlooked the article marked " Exchange."
It is a breach of journalistic etiquette, but we don't mind.
KEYSTONE.—Your inquiry is answered under the heading of " Grand Chapters." There is a Grand Mark
Lodge in New South Wales, and one is contemplated in Victoria.
S. N. NAPIER.—We believe the subject constituting the Lodges in Hawkes Bay into a Province will come
before Grand Lodge on the 27th inst. Yes, we agree with you that the new Book of Constitution is faulty, and
that several grave mistakes have been made in its compilation. The Board of General Purposes will doubtless
refer to the matter in its next report.

____________________________________________________
SHALL IT BE A SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST ?

The following is an extract from a letter written to us by a prominent and respected member of one of the
District Lodges, E.C.:

TO THE EDITOR.
My own experience of the troubles caused by the formation of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand is that in
most cases they are the result of personal ill-feeling, which has led members of all the Constitutions to do
things which they otherwise would not have thought of doing, I can assure you that the greater majority of

the Brethren of the E.C. would gladly welcome any arrangement which would enable us all, once more, to
work side by side in that harmony which should distinguish us.

Let us all have equal rights and privileges, and let it be a survival of the fittest.

Those have been my sentiments from the first, and they remain unchanged. Whilst I prefer to remain a
member of the Grand Lodge of England, I am quite willing to admit that those who prefer to belong to the
Grand Lodge of New Zealand have an equal right with myself to exercise their own judgment; and I trust
that the day is not far off when we may all be able to meet as Brothers in the most ample Masonic sense of
the word.—Yours truly and fraternally,

D.D.G.M.
______________________________________________________________

MASONIC GUIDE.

TO THE EDITOR.
Dear Brother —I have received and thank you for a copy of your MASONIC GUIDE for current year.

Do you receive our Nebraska Grand Lodge, Chapter, and Commandery Proceedings? Same are mailed you
regularly.

If at any time I can serve you, freely command me.—Fraternally and truly yours,
WILLIAM R. BOWEN,

Grand Secretary,
Grand Lodge of Nebraska.

Omaha, February 24, 5892.

[We do, and thank you for the kind attention.—ED. C.]
_______________________________________________________________________________________

BRIEF MENTION

IN the United States a single black ball rejects everywhere.

ORIGINALLY the Treasurer of a Lodge carried in processions a white staff.

THE Freemasons' Literary Association of Victoria is doing good work. They publish " Transactions."

WE have received many expressions of approval on our attempt to solve the representation difficulty.

WE are under deep obligation to the Brethren in Hawke's Bay for their kindness to our representative, Bro.
Hescott.

WE give the same advice to those Lodges who contemplate drawing up new by-laws as Punch gave to those
contemplating matrimony : " Don't !

WE have two new Lodge advertisements In this issue—Stratford, No. 75 N.Z.C., Taranaki; and Killarney,
No. 478, I.C., meeting at Blenheim.

LODGE Waitohi, Picton, will not, according to a member, join the Grand Lodge of New Zealand because
Bro. Ronaldson is Grand Secretary. A lame excuse.

A BROTHER of Spring Creek, Blenheim, objects to the CRAFTSMAN because he says we signed ourselves as a
"P.P.Z." It is not polite to contradict, so we will simply say the Brother is mistaken ? What does " P.P.Z."
stand for ?

THE Auckland Committee, who have charge of the arrangements for the second annual Communication of
Grand Lodge, have taken the Choral Hall for the occasion. They very soon came to the conclusion that the

Freemasons' Hall in Princes street would only hold about half the number of Brethren who had signified their
intention of being present at the installation of the Grand Master-Designate, R.W. Bro. Malcolm Niccol.

A WARNING.—Brethren had better look out for a person who says he hails from the Lodge of Otago, No. 7,
N.Z.C., Dunedin. "He was thoroughly tested" at a country Lodge the other day, and immediately after the
close of the meeting he went and victimised two storekeepers. The name he gave is not, nor do we think it
has ever been, on the roll of the Lodge of Otago.

WE have to hold over a quantity of Lodge reports owing to the holidays, but we may mention that in one—
Ngamotu, No. 48, New Plymouth—appears the following :—" P.M. Bro. Corkill intimated that at the next
meeting he would invite the Brethren to discuss the article on ` Suggested Allocation of Grand Lodge
Officers,' which appeared in the CRAFTSMAN of March." That article of ours is receiving much attention, and
the number of Brethren is daily increasing who write and tell us that the present system is an absurdity. From
Grand Officers of high rank we have received assurances that they will heartily support the scheme.

THE difference of Constitution does not trouble the Masons of Blenheim—they work side by side in perfect
harmony. This is as it should be. Are we not men and Brethren ?

LODGE Marlborough of Unanimity No. 1236, E.C., Blenheim, is in a prosperous condition. This is due in a
great measure to the labours of that enthusiast, P.M. Bro. Trevor.

THE LATE BRO. MORTON’S RESTING-PLACE.—Two small donations have been sent to us. One comes from
the North Island, and one from the West Coast of this Island. In due course we shall forward to the secretary
of Lodge Malvern, Sheffield, Canterbury.

SOME of our exchanges say that the practice of allowing P. M.'s to vote in Grand Lodge is becoming a
menace to sound Masonic government, and in many jurisdictions, as a remedy, it is proposed to limit this
vote to the J.P.M.

MANY of the American Grand Lodges have stringent laws prohibiting the reporting of Masonic matters in
the public press, which " prostitutes Masonry through the intense desire for notoriety of a few indiscreet
members."

SIR ROBERT STOUT, as an honorary member of the Supreme Council of France and the French Possessions,
would be addressed as " The Venerable, Thrice Illustrious, and Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Inspector-
General." We furnish the above for the benefit of the Catholic Times.

THE new Grand Lodge of New Zealand pays its Grand Secretary £250 per annum, with travelling expenses.
This is not a large salary for such an officer, but as the Grand Lodge is only in a struggling condition at
present, it is wise for it to be careful of expenditure.—South Afriican Freemason.

IN New Zealand all Past Masters desirous of attending Grand Lodge must henceforth register themselves
with the Grand Secretary, and pay a fee of half a guinea (only once), and also be a subscribing member of a
subordinate Lodge. This will lessen the attendance of these " extras," says an exchange.

Dutch Lodges present every initiate with a pair of white gloves for himself, and one for his wife or
sweetheart.— [We wonder if they take the ladies' measure beforehand.] If a man is in the unfortunate
position of possessing neither, as we heard a young Scotchman admit a few weeks ago, he gives the gloves to
somebody-else's sweetheart.—South African Freemason.

On dit, that P.M. Bro. Younger, of Waitohi, 2036, E.C., Picton, has severed his connection with the Lodge of
which he was the founder, and twice Master. It is understood that the step has not been taken without due
deliberation and extreme reluctance, but the reasons alleged by the Marlborough Brethren are that Bro.
Younger was dissatisfied with his Lodge in not carrying out the resolution to join the Grand Lodge of New
Zealand which was passed now some two years ago. Bro. Younger is a firm believer in the advantages of a
General Benevolent Fund, and he holds the opinion that a Grand Lodge can successfully establish such a
fund, and give tangible proof to the Craft and the outside world that Masonry is a living fact.

A GRAND officer, writing to us, says :—" I like your scheme of Grand Lodge elections as given in last
CRAFTSMAN, and trust that something of the kind will be put in force. The present system is a farce, but then
in a new thing like this it is only by experience we learn what we actually need ; and the great thing then is to
get men to give up their ` old fogledorn ' for any new innovation." He also says : —" There is another thing I
think you would uo well to turn your attention to, and that is to publish a model set of by-laws, founded on
the new Constitution. As the Lodges under the Grand Lodge of New Zealand now stand, some are working
under by-laws founded on each of the three Constitutions, which in many in-stances are now ultra vires. I
feel sure that if you were to do as I suggest, you would be doing a great service to the whole Craft, for, as
you are well aware, if Lodges commence to revise their by-laws individually, the result will prohably be as
great a hash as it is now." We had intended drafting a model set of by-laws, and publishing in the
CRAFTSMAN, but until the foundation—the Constitution —is properly laid, what good would it be ?

WHY have we no Masonic Club in Sydney ? " asks the Chronicle. THERE is no fixed Scottish apron—each
Lodge chooses its own colours.

THE movement to abolish the Lodge fee for affiliation is gaining ground in New South Wales.

IN Idaho the Grand Master was asked for a dispensation for the Masonic burial of a suicide who had
murdered a man. He refused. Right.

THE Australasian Keystone commends to the serious consideration of Victorian Mark Masons the
advisability of forming a Grand Mark Lodge of Victoria.

THE Capetown correspondent of our South African contemporary says there is a movement on foot to give a
Masonic welcome to Sir George Grey on his visit. Is Sir George a Mason ?

THE Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire thinks that " unless Brethren avail themselves of the library
and lectures, that Masonry will be nothing more than a charity club or a restaurant."

THE Freemason, Sydney, thinks that Bro. Earl of Onslow's explanation of the state of Masonry in New
Zealand will be a revelation to the " select few " who run the Grand Lodge of England.

A CORRESPONDENT writing to the Chronicle, Sydney, says his sentiments are : Better ventilation in Lodge
rooms, costume suitable for change of seasons—white for summer, and dark for the other periods of the
year.

Our thanks are due to the publishers of " The Masonic Year Book for 1892 " —Messrs. S. T. Leigh and Co.,
155, Clarence Street, Sydney—for a presentation copy. It contains much useful information relative to the
Craft in New South Wales.

A CORRESPONDENT of the Madras Masonic Review says, with reference to the usual three calls by the W.M.
before closing the Lodge, that at the first call only Grand Officers should rise and tender H.G.W. or make
any other remark ; at the second call District Grand Officers, and at the third officers or B.B.

THE Masonic Temple at Cape Town has been destroyed by fire. Such a loss is deplorable. In its interior
construction it was one of the three most magnificent Masonic temples in the world. It was dedicated in
1803, was designed by a Bro. Thiebault, a captain of engineers, and cost over 100,000 francs.

IN the minute book of an old New Hampshire Lodge, dated 1790, it is recorded: " The Master proposed
Thomas Hall Costlo, a gentleman from the West Indies, and having the appearance of a gentleman and a
stranger, he was accepted." An exchange commenting on this says : Many Lodges to-day are no more
exacting than their New Hampshire predecessors.

THE Sydney Freemason tells the following little story :—Bro. Ellis Robinson, the active President of the B.
of B., will not, if he can help it, allow suffering's story to get the weather side of him. Yet he is victimised
occasionally, and by a woman too. One weeping relict told her story into his ears with tears and volubility,

with the result that £20 was voted her ; but how did she expend it? Why, in a fashionable, but cheap, deep
mourning outfit, in which she " did the block," a neat mourning ring, and other signs of woe. Her children
she deposited in the Rand-wick Asylum " till called for," and on a recent Sunday she was seen on the Manly
boat with the " coming man," (No. 2), and looking anything but sorrowful. Such is life.

THE latest fraud and humbug issuing from the anti-Masonic, anti-everything secret, issuing from the Chicago
retreat of men who carry their sins upon their coat sleeves, is to the effect that two men were brutally
asassinated by Freemasons in New York city in 1880. No names are given by these anti-secret assassinators.
Until the names of the murderers are produced, the public can only hold the persons making the charge as
parties to the crime, after the act. They cannot dodge it. The claim of these sons of darkness that Masonry
promotes assassination," finds its best refutation in the fact that they are permitted to five.—Tyler.

WE are indebted to many Brethren for favours. Will they accept our thanks.

THE Grand Tyler of Iowa, on his eightieth birthday, had eighty dollars in gold given him by the Grand
Lodge.

The Grand Superintendent of Southland, R.W. Bro. W. H. Hall, calls his district " Sunny Southland " (?).

A writer in the London Freemason strongly advocates the creation of Inspectors of Lodges as an urgent
necessity.

The Freemasons' Charitable Institution of Victoria has £2408 to its credit. It maintains cottages occupied by
indigent Brethren.

" LOCUST MASONS " is the latest designation for that class of non-affiliates who never show up at a Lodge
except when there is something to be devoured.

IN 1769 Lodges in Manchester met on Sundays. Each member had to put twopence in the charity-box. The
Lodge met at 5 p.m. and closed at 8 p.m.

A " MASONIC Gums " for New Zealand has been published by the Editor of the N.Z. CRAFTSMAN, and is
highly spoken of as a reference in things Masonic.—Freemason, Sydney.

WHY will Brethren, who should know better, discuss in loud, blatant tones Masonic matters in train and
tram, and in the presence of strangers, too. It is shocking bad form to do so, and cannot be too strongly
deprecated."

A CORRESPONDENT asked the Freemason (Sydney) :—" Is there such a rank as ' Past Grand Tyler' under our
Constitution, and if so, has such a Brother the right to wear the Grand Lodge regalia when tyling a Blue
Lodge ?" To both queries the reply was, No.

IN a history of the " Old Falkirk " Lodge, No. 16 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, it is stated "that,
in order to free the Lodge from debt, it was enacted that punch was to be sold at a profit of fivepence per
bottle, and every Brother who did not consume half a bottle was to pay a fine of sixpence."

THERE is evidence that a large number of members of the Order in France are dissatisfied with the political
role which the heads of the Grand Orient of France have been playing, and it is not unlikely that an effort
will be made to return to the old state of things, when Freemasonry in France was the purely benevolent and
brotherly institution it is in other countries. When the Grand Orient left God out of its structure it removed
the foundation, and the result is that the super-structure collapsed amid great confusion.—Tyler.

So, too, is the brotherhood of man nothing notional, sentimental or unreal but natural, actual, and real. Every
man is my brother, because he and I partake of the same spiritual nature, and own the same spiritual
paternity. At times teachers in the church have lost sight of this, the greatest of all truths, or have failed to
give it that prominence which is its due. Sometimes the divine soverignity with all its insignia of authority
and the awfulness of its majesty, has been permitted to supersede the grander truth of the divine Paternity,

and as men have lost the latter and advanced the former, religion has become sterner and less lovely, and
much of its power to sweeten life, and adorn character has been taken away.—Bro. REV. C. J. ARNOLD.

THE following, says the Freemason (Sydney), is an extract from the minute-book of Lodge Leinster Marine,
No. 2, and until 1877 Lodge No. 266, I.C., when it became No. 1 under the Grand Lodge of New South
Wales. The date of the meeting was 17th July, 1826:—" This being a meeting of emergency, was held at Bro.
Hankinson's, George street. Lodge opened on the Third Degree of Masonry. Lodge closed and opened on the
Fourth, or Past Master's, Degree, and passed Bros. Egan, Spencer, Welsh, Charlton, Farnell, and Watson.
Called off and opened on the Fifth, or Mark Master Mason's, Degree, and gave the same to Bros.
Cunyingham, Brown, Farnell, Watson, Egan, Welsh, Spencer, and Charlton. Called off and opened on the
Sixth Degree of Ark Masons, and gave the same to Bros. Brown, Farnell, Charlton, Cunyingham, Egan,
Welsh, Spencer, and Watson. Closed and opened again on the Third Degree, and raised Bro. John James to
the sublime degree of a Master Mason."

WE are indebted to the Times and Express of Blenheim for favours.

LODGE SOMERSET, 1811, E.C., and Lodge St. John, 1858, E.C., of Ashburton, Canterbury, have
amalgamated.

THE Grand Master, on his way to Auckland, was to call at Wellington, Grey-town, Waipukurau, and Napier,
and if it could be managed, he intended staying a few days in Gisborne.

WE understand that the Kauri Timber Co. are closing down their sawmills at Kohu Kohu and Monganui. We
are afraid this will somewhat hinder the prospects of the new Lodges at those places.

OUR representative stayed a week in Gisborne. A few days after Bro. Hescott's departure, Lodge Abercorn,
No. 472, I.C., gave in its allegiance to Grand Lodge. Our readers will doubtless see the connection.

THE balance-sheet of the Wellington Freemasons' Hall, Co., Limited, has reached us. The annual general
meeting will take place on the 20th inst. The property is valued at £1869 5s 5d, and the furniture at £99 4s
4d.

" WHAT is an agnostic?" asked Rollo, who was reading something by Huxley. "An agnostic," replied Uncle
George, "is a man who loudly declares that he knows nothing, and gets mad and abuses you if you believe
him."

NEW ZEALAND seems prolific in its creation of Masonic journals. According to the NEW ZEALAND
CRAFTSMAN, which at present holds the field—and judging from the manner in which it is conducted, it is
likely to be more abiding than its predecessors—it is the sixth since January, 1880, and came into existence
in November, 1889.—Scottish, Masonic Record.

ON the 9th inst. we were informed, on what seemed good authority, that the majority of the English District
Grand Masters have cancelled their edicts of non-visitation, and have told their Masters to use their own
discretion as to whom they will admit belonging to the New Zealand Constitution. Even Bro. John Bevan,
D.G.M. of Westland (so said our informant) has at last come to recognise the futility of further opposition to
what he now considers to be un fait accompli.

THE widow of the late Grand Secretary of England has been left very inadequately provided for. A
committee has been formed for the purpose of inviting Lodges and Brethren to subscribe to a fund for the
purchase of a Government life annuity for Mrs. Clerke. Personal subscriptions are limited to a maximum of
£5 5s. In the case of Lodges, Chapters, and other Masonic Bodies there is no limit. The treasurer is Bro.
Robert Grey, Freemasons' Hall, London.

WE are glad to hear that Bro. F. Dixon Bramald, of 1755, who was obliged to leave this country a few
months ago, in consequence of repeated attacks of influenza, has arrived at Wellington, New Zealand, in
improved health. He has visited the Waterloo Lodge, No. 166, under the Scotch Constitution, and has been
most cordially received with that loving kindness which is so characteristic of the fraternity.— [There is no

such Lodge. Waterloo, formerly No. 463, S.C., is now, and has been, working under the Grand Lodge of
New Zealand for some two years. Its new number is 13.—ED. C.] We shall be glad to hear from our colonial
Brother with items of Masonic intelligence from time to time, and to learn of his welfare in the new country.
Bro. Bramald, who was established as a chemist in the West of England till his health gave way, is now
manager for the New Zealand Drug Company at Wellington, N.Z.—Freemason, London.

As to the philosophies of the East and West, his conclusion was that they rested more upon the ground of
common humanity than any of the other relationships. Both started from a common point—namely, from the
conviction that our ordinary knowledge was uncertain, if not altogether erroneous. This revolt of the human
mind against itself was the first step in all philosophy. The comparative study of religions and philosophies
showed that the idea of annihilation after death was confined to a few philosophers, while belief of the
immortality of the soul was held almost universally. If their study taught them no more than this, it seemed to
him that they ought to be grateful ; for, whether it was right or wrong, it certainly was a fact that people
found it easier to believe what was believed by millions of others than what was believed by themselves
alone.—MAX MULLER.

THE smallest Mason, now that " Tom Thumb "—Bro. Stratton—is dead, is said to be Bro. Robt. H. Huzza, of
Zeredatha Lodge, No. 483, Brooklyn, N. Y. He is but thirty-three inches high.

IT is gravely stated by a contemporary that a French scientist has invented an instrument with which he
claims the soul can be seen passing from the human body at the moment of dissolution.

THE Masonic Home of Kentucky clothes, feeds, gives full ten months of schooling under a splendid corps of
teachers, medicines, repairs to building and grounds, all for a small fraction over £20 per year for each child.
The Home now has over 200 children within its walls.

A LECTURE before Royal Clarence Lodge, Bristol, England, by F. H. Fulford, on "Dunkerley," states that his
son, who was a Mason, became dissipated and an outcast. He besieged Lodges and individuals for aid,
became a hod-carrier, and finally this grandson of a King died in a cellar in St. Giles's.

WEST VIRGINIA has discovered a new standard of physical perfection. A candidate with one leg two and a
half inches shorter than the other, was declared physically disabled from performing the reciprocal duties of
friendship and brotherly love, and therefore unfit as a living-stone for our moral and Masonic edifice.

According to the laws of the Dutch Constitution, if a candidate is blackballed after having been
recommended by the Enquiry Committee, he is put back for 14 days, and balloted for again, when, if the
result is the same, a further adjournment of the ballot takes place, but after the third unfavourable ballot the
W.M. in open Lodge requests the Brother who has an objection to the candidate to step into the room
devoted to silence, and there state to him the nature of his objections. Should no Brother respond to this
invitation, the W.M. requests that the Brother will meet him at his private residence between this and the
next meeting, and give his reasons. At the next meeting the W.M. announces that a Brother or Brothers (no
names are mentioned) have stated the reason for the adverse vote, but he does not consider the reason a
Masonic one, and declares the person elected, or the other way. But should no Brother call on the W.M.
within the 14 days allowed. then the W.M. declares the person elected, as it is considered the bounden duty
of all Brethren who know the applicant to give the Enquiry Committee all information either for or against
him. Some such law as this would prevent a great deal of unpleasantness in some Lodges.—Freemason,
London.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

MISCELLANEOUS

MASONIC CELEBRITIES.
___________

ALBERT PINE,
Sovereign Grand Commander ad vitam of the Supreme Council,

33rd Degree, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A.

CONTINUED.

THE LATIN RACES.

The Rite penetrated and made its ground secure in Mexico, South America, France, Portugal, and Spain,
while to come to our own day, "what Lodges there are in the five Republics of Central America are governed
by a Supreme Council, and those of Nueva Granada, Venezuela, Brazil, the Argentine Confederation, and
Uruguay, by Grand Orients, of which Supreme Councils form part."

ALBERT PIKE AS GRAND COMMANDER.
But the halcyon days of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite date from the active exercise by Albert Pike
of the influence and authority which naturally fell to him as Grand Commander of the Mother Supreme
Council of the world. " The body of which he is the head "—as expressed by myself in his lifetime—being to
other Supreme Councils what the Grand Lodge of England is to other Grand Lodges, and his own personal
authority perhaps ranking higher than that of any other Mason either in the Old World or the New."

When he became Grand Commander of the Rite (S.J.), he was not satisfied with the Degrees, so he went to
work to embellish and re-cast them. His success exceeded even his own expectations, and he added
immensely to their dignity and interest. He also caused to be abolished in the Southern Jurisdiction, the
absurd, bombastic, and superfluous titles of the officers and the Degrees. For example, his own title was
formerly Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander. This he changed to Grand Commander. The Grand
Minister of State became simply Minister of State, and the Grand Secretary General, Secretary General only.
Instead of the Thirty-second Degree being entitled Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, it is now simply
Master of the Royal Secret. Inspectors General, Thirty-third Degree, until the pruning took place, were styled
Sovereign Grand Inspectors General. The late Grand Commander, in proposing to the Supreme Council the
elimination of these high-sounding phrases, explained that the use of them only made the Rite an object of
ridicule to the world.

FAMILY OF SUPREME COUNCILS.
But perhaps his greatest success of all was an external one, for by the comity of Supreme Councils which he
succeeded in creating, the various governing bodies of the Rite became, in effect, the branches of a single
family. Between his own and the other Supreme Councils there was, however, the relation of maternity and
filiation, and the influence naturally attaching to the premier governing body of the Rite, I need hardly state,
was vastly augmented by the remarkable personality and towering ability of its Grand Commander.

If there was a candidate for admission into the family of Supreme Councils, from the decision of Albert Pike
with respect to the validity of its claim to recognition, there was virtually no appeal. In this, as in nearly
every matter concerning the entire Rite, there were many echoes, but there was only one voice.

Throughout the Masonic world his advice was freely sought, and he was regarded in the smaller orbit where
his influence was most felt as the patriarch and law-giver of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

ALBERT PIKE AS A WRITER.
Of Albert Pike's powers as a writer, I shall not err on the side of panegyric, in affirming my belief that had he
given the world the full benefit of his literary labours, the very highest rank in the republic of letters would
have been accorded to him. One of his friends observes :—" Probably no American ever surpassed him in the
use of the English tongue. His published eulogies of deceased Masons are, all of them, beautiful specimens
of' English prose, and those of the Hon. Robert Tombs and General Breckenridge have been copied as
models in works on belles-lettres." Another remarks, —" In prose or poetry he was equally well qualified,
and of' the latter, the Hymns to the Gods,' ' After midnight cometh morn,' ' Ariel,' ' Isadore,' and ' Every
Year,' will show his tender and exquisite feeling, and his ' Words Spoken of the Dead,' in process of
publication, will be a monument to his memory."

Among his published works, other than those of a Masonic character, are " Prose Sketches and Poems "
(1834), " Reports of Cases in the Supreme Court of Arkansas " five volumes (1840-45), and " Nugae," a
collection of poems, including the " Hymns to the Gods."

From his letters to myself, and those of his published writings which are before me, I have selected in each
instance a few passages, which seem to be of general or permanent interest, or which illustrate the writer's
style in his lighter moments.

The extracts I shall first present, are taken from his letters :

ALCHEMISTS, HERMETICISTS, ROSICRUCIANS.
" I have been for some time collecting the old Hermetic and Alchemical works, in order to find out what
Masonry came into possession of from them. I have ascertained with certainty that the square
and;compasses, the triangle, the oblong square, the three Grand Masters, the idea embodied in the substitute
word, the double-headed Eagle of the Ancient and Accepted Rite, the Sun, Moon, and Master of the Lodge,
and others [did] .

" I cannot conceive of anything that could have induced Ashmole, Mainwaring, and other men of their class
to unite themselves with a Lodge of working Masons, except this,—that, as the Alchemists, Hermeticists,
and Rosicrucians had no association of' [their] own in England or Scotland, they joined the Masonic Lodges
in order to meet one another without being suspected : and I am convinced that it was the men who inherited
their doctrines who brought their symbols into Masonry, but kept the Hermetic meanings of them to
themselves. To these men we owe, I believe, the Masters' Degree. The substitute word means " The Creative
Energy from the Father,'—the Demiourgos, and Hiram, I think, was made the hero, because his name
resembled Hermes, ' The Master of the Lodge,' the Divine word (the Egyptian Thoth), the Mercury of the
Alchemists."

SYMBOLISM.
"I do not think there can be much doubt about this, and have written ou in full my notions in regard to our
symbolism, making a MS. book of some 200 pages, and have deposited where it will remain safe and secure
; and believing that I have shown how Masonry became speculative, having at least satisfied myself, I rest
content.

" I suppose no one can say what symbols the English Lodges had before 1717, or with any approach to
positiveness, whether they had any. Is there any information in regard to that ?"

SOME MASONIC SYMBOLS OF HERMETIC ORIGIN.
" I am satisfied that part of the symbols after that in use, and still in use, came into Masonry from the
Hermetic books. Of the time of their introduction I have no information, but I think we may reasonably
believe that until there were Degrees in Masonry, there was not much symbolism. How could they have been
used without Degrees ?

"If any of the symbols, for example, the compasses and square, were not introduced by the Alchemico-
Hermeticism which Ashmole expounded as one of the English school, this philosophy, I think, gave to them
its own meaning, leaving the old, single, rudimentary significations to continue for the mass of Masons. Is
there, however, any prof, that any of them were used by Masons, in Scotland or England, before 1723 ?

"If the Hermetics introduced them, they knew what their symbolic meaning then was among the Adepts : but
for some of them, older than Hermeticism, it had no doubt, invented new meanings,—e.g., for the numbers 3
and 4, as making 7. Plutarch did not know what Pythagoras saw in the 47th Problem : and his explanation of
it is but a conjecture. But I think that in the main, the meanings that the symbols have to me, they had to the
English disciples of Fludd and Ashmole."

OLD ENGLISH MASONRY.
" You speak, in this connection, of English Masonry, saying that ` in Scotland, the early ceremonial must
have been of the simplest character. Is there any evidence that in England, before 1717, it was any more
elaborate ?"'

(To be Continued.)
____________________________________________

MASONRY BY WHOLESALE.

SOME months ago we drew attention to the wholesale advancement of candidates by Lodges in Scotland.
That little paragraph of ours has had a wide circulation. The Rough Ashler, of Richmond, Virginia,. prints the
following interesting communication in reference thereto,. from Bro. Edward Macbean, Glasgow :

Editor of the Rough Ashler,-
In your October number you refer, under the above heading, to a subject that has excited a good deal of
attention in England, and deserves still greater consideration at the hands of our Scottish Craftsmen.

Following on a note of warning sounded from time to time by our Grand Masters and Provincial Grand
Masters (under the English jurisdiction), an active correspondence has lately been carried on through the
medium of the London Freemason. These communications unequivocally point to a growing evil that
menaces our beloved institution. Unhealthy rivalry and various other causes have tended to the introduction
amongst us of many—very many, we fear—who can hardly be expected to strengthen the Order, but are, on
the contrary, exceedingly likely to weaken it.

It has been laid down on high authority that " Masonry is a luxury, but unfortunately the doctrine of
universality has frequently been perverted to read that " it is a necessity for the poor." The natural result is
that considerable numbers of our members are unable to contribute to the charities, and these are the very
persons most likely to require assistance. Though benevolence is neither the " be all" nor " end all " of our
raison-d'etre, still it must, as one of the leading principles of that Brotherhood, be in constant. requisition,
and it behooves us to take due care whom we admit to a participation in these privileges. It is too often the
case that quantity rather than quality is the object in view. Bro. W. J. Hughan computes that English Masonic
charity totals somewhere about half a million dollars per annum, and any business man can appreciate the
tremendous efforts that have to be put forth year after year to secure this sum. The claims, however, are
growing much faster than the income, and It is a grave question how to satisfy any fair proportion of the
demands made on our funds.

Certain restrictions have had to be imposed, and increased stringency must be resorted to very soon unless
greater circumspection is exercised in he admissions to the Craft.

In England the minimum reception fee is about 26 dollars (£5 5s.), with a compulsory yearly subscription of
5 dollars (11 is.) and upwards, part of which goes to the Grand Lodge funds ; but in Scotland the lowest fee
is 8 dollars (.£1 12s 6d), and the annual payment, ranging from half a dollar (2s.) to 1 dollar (4s.), is
practically permissive, as the only penalty attached to its neglect is the loss of the right to speak, vote, or hold
office. The defaulter is fully entitled to attend his own or visit any other Lodge. To many Brothers, therefore,
the regulation has no punitive or deterrent effect whatever.

The smallness of the fees, especially in Scotland, for the three Blue Degrees, readily admits a class who can
only add so many noses to the society, and would be better suited in the fellowship of such bodies as the Free
Gardeners, Rechabites, Oddfellows, et hoc genus omne.

The bazaar held at Edinburgh last year, swelled by contributions from other parts of the world, reached a net
result of 75,000 dollars, but the interest of this sum, plus the regular supplement from the free income of
Scotland's Grand Lodge, will not go very far to satisfy the demands likely to accrue. About five thousand
names are being added to the Grand Roll every year, and consequently petitions will become plentiful, as
most of the subordinate Lodges are poor, and all demands are sent forward to the Benevolent Committee.

The noble " History of Scottish Freemasonry," by D. Murray Lyon, now Grand Secretary, tells us, inter cilia,
that one of the three chief occupations of the Craft in the North is the " making of Masons " ; and what was
true twenty years ago can now be repeated with additional emphasis. In many Lodges practically no inquiry
is made, and to confer on an applicant two or three Degrees in a night is of quite common occurrence. The
quasi mother Lodge of Kilwinning, No. 0, frequently does this, and in some instances for reasons that to
most of us seem entirely inadequate. The Master of a Lodge is really the judge of the " emergency " on
which is based the request for rapid advancement. To initiate, &c., from seventy to one hundred men in a
year shows that the officers must meet pretty often to get through the necessary work. With such bodies the
inquiry " Have we any work ? " (i.e., degrees to confer) is the only subject of interest, and this because of its
bearing on the funds and the chances of overtopping the adjacent Lodges.

In the Province of Glasgow, containing perhaps half a million of persons, there are thirty-six Craft Lodges
(besides many more on the outskirts or residential districts of Greater Glasgow), all mainly, if not entirely,
dependent on initiation fees for their existence. This fact surely requires no comment.

In other directions there is laxity—for instance, Grand and Provincial Grand Officers in Arch, as well as
Craft, who have never served or been installed in the chairs of the daughter branches.

There are symptoms of improvement, and thoughtful onlookers earnestly desire that early fruition may be
noted. How far these remarks apply to American Masonry I must leave my readers to judge.

EDWARD MACBEAN,
S.D. Lodge Quatuor Coronati, 2076.

_______________________________________________

COLONIAL MASONS IN ENGLAND

TO THE EDITOR OF THE AUSTRALASIAN KEYSTONE.

DEAR Sir and Brother,—I have the pleasure to forward you a copy of an important decision, which affects
Brethren from the Australasian Grand Lodges (Grand Officers), who may be at the same time members of an
English Lodge, and who, when visiting the Old Country, might desire to be present at the Quarterly
Communications of the Grand Lodge of England. I believe it is the first time the question has ever been
raised, and coming as it does from an eminent authority like Bro. Sir Albert Woods (Garter), Past Grand
Warden and Perpetual Grand Director of Ceremonies, there is no doubt a most valuable precedent has been
established.—Fraternally Yours,

W. F. LAMONBY.
December 2nd, 1891.

[COPY.
Grand Secretary's Office, Freemasons' Hall,

Great Queen Street, London, W.C.,
November 27th, 1891.

My Dear Bro. Lamonby,—I have just seen Sir Albert Woods (Garter), our Grand Director of Ceremonies,
and explained your dual position as a Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Victoria, and an ordinary
member of our Grand Lodge, as a subscribing P.M. under it. He has considered the matter carefully, and the
decision that he has come to is, that on your first visit to our Grand Lodge next Wednesday, you shall be
received as a Grand officer of the Grand Lodge of Victoria, and you should be placed on the dais ; but that
when you subsequently attend, it should be in your position of an English P.M. , and that on these occasions
you should be seated in the body of the hall, wearing your Grand Lodge of Victoria clothing, but over it the
light blue collar of a P.M. of England, by right of which you claim admission as a member of the Grand
Lodge. I hope this will be satisfactory to you. Will you, therefore, join the procession of Grand Officers on
Wednesday ?—Yours fraternally,

SHADWELL H. CLERKE, G.S.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

OUR EXCHANGES
_______________________________________________________________________________________

CONDENSED EDITORIALS.

Is the E.A. or F.C. Entitled to Full Membership? It is well known that in some foreign Constitutions
(notably, we believe, Nova Scotia) full membership of a Lodge is not conferred upon a Brother until he has
been in due course of time raised to the Is the E.A. or F.C. sublime degree of a M.M. He is then invited to
sign the by-laws, which having done, full privilege of voting and speaking are conferred upon him. Previous
to that period, however, he simply attends the Lodge as a neophyte, takes his place in that portion allotted to
him either as a F.C. or E.A., participates in such ceremonials as are within the status to which he has
attained, but is not permitted either to address the Lodge (except to give information as amicus curice) or to
vote. He is, in fact, considered in all respects as in statu pupillari ; much as an undergraduate at a university
is regarded before he puts on his hood. If we consult the ancient landmarks, we shall find that although there
is certainly no express authority for restricting the full privileges of membership to M.M., there is nothing to
forbid it, and very much in its favour. The E.A. is expressly and inferentially regarded everywhere, and for
all intents and purposes, as one who has newly received Light, and to whom that Light has still further to be
exhibited. He is taught how to proceed upon his way with caution, and advised that by his docility and
capability of receiving instruction his worthiness for further advancement will be estimated. He is instructed
in the obligations which Masonry imposes upon him towards the G.A.O.T.U., towards his sovereign, towards

the civil magistrate, towards his neighbour, and towards his native land. But he is nowhere informed that the
Light which has just been exhibited warrants him to attempt the enlightenment of those who have arrived at
the culminating degree, and have been pronounced worthy to work with both points. The F.C. is expressly
instructed that " as a Craftsman " he is now at liberty to offer his sentiments, subject, however, to " the
supervision of an experienced Master, who will guard our ancient landmarks from encroachment." Surely
this is a very cautiously bestowed privilege. And upon the principle, " expression unius est exclusio alterius,
it would certainly appear from this that the E.A. was not authorised to offer his opinions at all. If it be
expressed that the F.C. may impart his sentiments, subject to certain restrictions, then it is fairly the inference
that the E.A. is excluded altogether. When the young Mason has attained the rank of M.M., however, he is
placed upon full equality with all members of the Lodge, except such as have passed the chair; and even the
priority allotted to them is rather a matter of courtesy than any absolute prerogative. In one of the ancient
lectures to the newly raised M.M. he is expressly congratulated upon the liberty which he has now attained to
enunciate his opinions upon all subjects, to consult with his Brethren, and to advise and instruct his juniors in
the Order. . No one can doubt that until raised to the sublime degree the young Craftsman does not
Masonically possess the full privileges of membership in many important respects. And if not a full member
so far as the Order is concerned, why a full member for other purposes ? The question also remains whether
it is really for the benefit of the young Mason during his period of pupilage that he should have full and
entire privileges. He is supposed most especially to be learning how to put a bridle upon his tongue, and to
endeavour to gather wisdom from the experience of others. Surely then, it would do him no harm to remain
for a very few months quietly in his place, and practically perfect himself in the application of our motto—"
Audi, vidi, tace."—Freemasons' Chronicle, Sydney.

________________________

Sentiment in Finances THERE is no more important question connected with Lodge government than the
management of its finances, and, to our mind, nothing that needs a more constant and unremitting attention. .
. Like bread and butter in our daily life, it bears the most important relation to Lodge health and prosperity. .
. . The sources from which a Lodge derives its income are, ordinarily, two : from fees for degrees, and
annual dues of members. The fees are usually collected in advance, and there is seldom any trouble there, nor
is there any sentiment in it either—a man buys the " Light " and pays for it. That is business. . The sentiment
in the finances of a Lodge comes in where the question of expenditure is concerned, or the collection of
annual dues. In expenditures there are many wasteful extravagances. If the Lodge is fortunate enough to have
a full treasury, there will always be found someone ready to spend the funds, and a supper is suggested, new
jewels, new aprons, a new room with more comfortable surroundings. All these are desirable if the Lodge
can afford it ; but the sentiment of " keeping up appearances," " doing as well as our next-door neighbour,"
has ruined more men than any one thing beside. It is a false pride, that leads to depleting capital rather than
living within one's income. The most colossal fortune would totter to its fall by a continual drain upon its
principal. The story of great estates is worth a careful study. The poor man of to-day, by frugal habits,
becomes wealthy, and leaves his millions to his heirs. His heirs divide the estate, and begin to absorb it. The
second generation further depletes the vast revenues, and the third ekes out a miserable existence, and dies in
the poor-house. The story is an old one, but it is the story of worldly wealth. . . . A Lodge has no right to be
extravagant. The fundamental principles of the fraternity are against it. In only one thing—charity—ought
there to be no stinting. . . Many a Lodge finds its hands tied when a call for help from a worthy Brother is
made, because the sentiment of appearances has depleted its treasury. . The sentiment of collecting dues
plays an important part in Lodge affairs. There should be no sentiment there. When a man signs the by-laws,
thereby consummating his membership with the Lodge, he enters into a written contract to do certain things.
One is to pay a stipulated sum, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, toward the support of a Lodge. The
obligation between the Lodge and member is mutual. It is his duty to pay and it is the duty of the Lodge to
collect. There is no sentiment in it. It is a plain matter of business. The sentiment comes when misfortune
over-takes the member and he is unable to pay. Neglect to pay or neglect to collect is not sentiment—it is
neglect. This neglect is criminal on both sides. It is criminal because it is a violation of contract. A member
who is unable to pay his dues ought to be helped, but one who simply neglects to meet his obligation from
year to year, until the amount staggers him, has violated a contract, and ought to stand the consequences.
There is a good deal of maudlin, sentimental sympathy for a Brother who is behind in his dues, when, in fact,
he occupies that unenviable position simply from neglect. He deserves censure (and so does the Lodge)
rather than sympathy. There is enough in back dues on the books of Masonic Lodges to establish the
grandest Masonic charity ever conceived—that is there from sheer neglect.—New York Dispatch.

_________________________________

The Degree of Past Master FOR a number of years last past there has been a growing sentiment in
Capitular circles that the Past Master's degree has outlived its usefulness, and should be abolished or returned
to the symbolic Lodge. To those zealous Brethren who seek to eliminate this degree, its real significance is
either unknown or forgotten. It is a landmark of Royal Arch Masonry and can no more be dispensed with
than physical disqualification. The possession of the Past Master's degree is an indispensable requisite to
exaltation, engrafted in the ancient Royal Arch Constitutions and perpetuated by obligation. Any attempt,
therefore, to dispense with this pre-requisite, is, in effect, a subversion of the " original plan of Masonry "
and a removal of one of the old landmarks. As every intelligent Craftsman will remember, in the Masonic
system formulated by Lawrence Dermott, and from which the Masonry of the United States is in the main
descended, the Royal Arch was a superior grade conferred only upon those who had been regularly elected to
preside over the Lodge, or who had " passed the chair." This condition has always been annexed to the
degree, and is still an indispensable requisite in every country where the English Royal Arch is conferred
according to the old regulations. In Pennyslvania, where we find the oldest Capitular records extant, a
Brother who had passed the chair became a " Geometric Master Mason," and was then entitled to
advancement, and such advancement consisted in the conferring of the Royal Arch. It will be further
remembered, that the Royal Arch was conferred in the Lodge and not in any higher or auxilliary body, and
was intended as the completion of Masonic knowledge. But this perfection of knowledge was reserved only
for the Masters, and he only who had been elected to preside became a Master. Under our present system we
have happily reconciled all conflicting claims and duties, and at the same time preserved the ancient
landmarks. The aspiring Brother no longer waits upon chance and fickle fortune to elevate him to the dignity
of the East before claiming the right of every worthy Mason, while we on the other hand violate no
obligation in cotuinunicating our final mysteries to one who has not "passed the chair." Call it a degree if you
will, or designate it by any other term ; make its ceremonies voluminous, or meagre, as may best suit the
wishes of the majority ; confer it in the Chapter or Lodge ; before or after the Mark ; alone or in connection
with some other degree, but never abolish, suspend, or disregard it under pain of wilful violation of
obligation. " My son, remove not the ancient landmarks."—Bro. GEORGE W. WARVELLE, in the American
Tyler.

______________________
Article 219, E.C., and New Zealand MANY educated Brethren look upon the decisions of the Grand
Lodge of England as oracular utterances, and refer to them with a reverence and a feeling of awe not always
accorded to the most sacred subjects. We confess to having a most irreverent feeling for the edicts of that
Grand Lodge, savouring as they so often do of that human frailty—inconsistency.

We use this somewhat elastic definition in deference to the feelings of the educated Brethren above referred
to. The very latest example of this frailty was exhibited at the last Quarterly Communication of the Grand
Lodge of England, when dealing with a letter from one of its District Grand Masters in New Zealand, as to
the correct interpretation of Article 219 of the Book of Constitutions. As our readers are probably aware,
Article 219 deals with the rights of the minority of the Lodge in apparently clear language. When in 1888 a
minority of Lodge Cambrian in this colony asked for an official interpretation of this simply-worded clause,
they were informed that the minority in the matter of changing their allegiance had to bow to the decision of
the majority; or, in other words, as the majority of that Lodge had decided to surrender its warrant under the
E.G., and tender allegiance to the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales, the minority had to follow suit,
or else be placed outside the pale of actual Masonic intercourse. This decision was beyond doubt sound as an
exposition of Masonic lawWhen the Grand Lodge of New Zealand was established in 1890, this deliverance
of the Grand Lodge of England was acted upon by many Lodges in New Zealand as a guide in discussing the
question of change of allegiance, and materially assisted the Brethren in solving their perplexing difficulty.
One of the District Grand Masters of the E.C. in New Zealand, finding that his office was rapidly becoming a
misnomer, stated a case for the opinion of the Grand Registrar of the E.C., as to whether if three of a Lodge
refused to change their allegiance the warrant could not be held by the trio. Ignoring the previous opinion
which he had given re Lodge Cambrian, Bro. Philbrick, Q.C., the Grand Registrar, gravely told his Grand
Lodge that three could hold the warrant, despite what the majority did. . The motive for this remarkable and
unbecoming inconsistency is very easily found. The miserable jealousy of the District rulers in New Zealand
has so far shattered their Masonic manhood as to cause them to resort to coercive tactics of the most pitiable
character, by which Masonic law has been ontraged, and the principles of Lodge government ignored with an
audacity begotten by a lust of power. In the natural order of things, all the colonies of the British Empire
become self-governing, and, as a matter of course, the feeling of self-reliance developes in the Masonic
Lodges, and they desire local self-government, and will have it. It is therefore stupid folly to attempt to

smother this aspiration, as it must end in failure. When so pronounced a desire as exists in New Zealand is
shown, it is the fraternal duty of the mother Grand Lodges exercising jurisdiction in that colony to let their
offspring go with their fraternal good wishes. By such a course they practically retain their loyalty, but by
endeavouring by coercions and judicial depravity, such as Bro. Philbrick, Q.C., is clearly guilty of, they not
only make a failure but alienate all Masonic love and sympathy, and convert loyalty into rebellion. This
inconsistent interpretation of Article 219 will not have the effect intended. Indeed, we venture to prophesy
that within a very few years those to whom the Grand Lodge of England has pandered will repudiate the
latest " Philbrickian " interpretation of Article 219, and find peace at last in the bosom of the Grand Lodge of
New Zealand.—Freemason, Sydney.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

THE prerogatives of Grand Masters to make Masons at sight originatad for the benefit of English princes.

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