BRO. ALFRED KIDD.

PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES, N. Z.C.

————

Bro. Kidd was born at Hounslow, England, and he came out to New Zealand in 1864. He was at the

Thames soon after the gold rush "broke out" down there, and it was in Sir Walter Scott, then one of

the strongest Lodges under Scotland in New Zealand, that Brother Andrew Beveridge, then

Provincial Grand Master revealed to him Masonic Light in 18/6. Leaving the Thames in 18/9 Bro.

Kidd came to reside in Auckland, he affiliated to Lodge Ara, 348 LC., and after filling the various

offices was elected and duly installed, in 1884, Worshipful Master of the oldest Lodge in New

Zealand. On retiring from "The Chair" the brethren presented him with a valuable token of their

esteem and confidence—which token took the shape of a Past Master's Jewel, suitably engraved,

setting forth his services to Freemasonry in general and to Lodge Ara in par ticular.

The late Brother G. P. Pierce, Provincial Grand Master of the Irish Constitution appointed him a

Grand Officer, but he resigned his Provincial Office when he gave his countenance and support to

the movement for the establishment of a Grand Lodge for New Zealand.

The Executive of the Auckland Branch of the Masonic Union consisted of five Brethren, Bro. Kidd

was one of them, and at the first Communication of the new body he was chosen as one of the first

Grand Officers. At a general meeting of the Craft under the New Zealand body, held. in Auckland

early in 1892, to recommend to Grand Lodges the District's share of Grand Officers for the ensuing

year, Bro. Kidd was unanimously nominated as President of the Board of General Purposes, and in

January last he was again nominated for this responsible position.

We do not believe in the "higher degrees," at least such of the so -called "high degrees" as are in

existence in New Zealand, but even in those Bodies, a Brother cannot attain to the positions Bro.

Kidd has reached without possessing great qualifications and social abilities of no mean degree. He

is a Past Master of the Mark, a Past Most Excellent, a Past Principal of the Scotch and Irish Royal

Arch Chapters in Auckland, of which Chapters he is also a foundation member, and he has just

been elected Most Wise Sovereign of the 18° Rose Croix.

Of his successful career as a public man it becomes us not to speak, save to say that, he is "ever to

the fore when wrong wants redressing or the public good is at stake. Mr Kidd is deservedly

popular.'

————————————————————————————————————————————————

EXCLUSION.

———

THIS striking of names from a Lodge roll, says Paton, is altogether a modern practice, taking its rise since the

modern organisation of permanent Lodges . . . Still, the non-payment of arrears is only a violation of a

special voluntary obligation to a particular Lodge, and not of any general duty to the fraternity at large. The

punishment therefore inflicted (if it is to be considered at all as a punishment) should be exclusion or erasure

from the roll, which only effects the relations of the offender with his own Lodge, and not suspension, which

would affect his relations with the whole order, whose moral code he has not violated.

Does striking from the roll, then, impair the general rights of a Mason? Are its effects, even in a modified

form, similar to those of suspension or expulsion? and is his standing in the Order affected by the erasure of

his name ? There can be but one answer to this, and that answer is that "striking his name from the roll of the

members of the Lodge, under a bye-law, does not affect a Brother's standing in the Fraternity, nor debar him

from any of the privileges of Masonry, except that of membership in the particular Lodge."

It is unreasonable to suppose that a transgression of the bye-laws of a particular Lodge, involving no moral

turpitude, and violating no general law of the Order, can have any effect on the relations of the transgressor

with the Order. He who is excluded from membership in his Lodge, for not complying with the rule which

levies a tax upon him, loses, of course, his membership in that Lodge ; but his membership in the great body

of the Craft, against whom he has committed no offence, still remains unimpaired.

Yet he loses something not inconsiderable. He is, to a certain extent, shorn of his Masonic privileges; for

he forfeits the right of membership in his own Lodge, and with it all rights which are consequent on such

membership. And hence the question naturally arises, Can he be deprived of this right of membership?

Can his name be stricken from the roll by the mere operation of a bye-law, without any form of trial, and

without any opportunity for defence or explanation?

Now, to say nothing of the injustice which is in many. instances perpetrated when a Mason is struck off the

roll of his Lodge for non-payment of dues—since the omission to pay may often arise from poverty,

misfortune, excusable neglect, or other causes beyond the control of the delinquent—to say nothing of all

this, because the question here is not as to the nature of the offence, but as to the mode in which punishment

is to be inflicted—it follows from all the recognised principles of justice, law and common sense, that the

crime should be first proved and the accused be heard in his defence, before judgment be pronounced against

him.

The erasure of a member's name by the mere operation of a bye-law of his Lodge, without any opportunity

being given him to explain, or defend his conduct—to offer reasons why the law should not be enforced in

his case, or to prove that he has not violated its provisions, would, under any other circumstances, and in

relation to any other offence, be at once admitted everywhere to be a manifest violation of all Masonic law

and equity. If the bye-laws of a Lodge, for instance, prescribed erasure for habitual intemperance, and

required the Secretary to keep a record of the number of times that each member exceeded the strict limits

of sobriety, who will dare to say that at any time, on the mere report of the Secretary, that a member had

violated this bye-law, and was habitually intemperate, he should at once, without further action, and by the

mere operation of the bye-law in question, be struck off the roll of his Lodge ? There is no one who does

not see the obvious necessity, in such a case, of a charge, a summons, and a trial. To exclude the worst

member of a Lodge under such a bye-law, without these preliminary measures, would be so fatal a violation

of the principles of Masonry, as justly to subject the Lodge to the severest reprehension of the Grand

Lodge.

And yet the fact that the offence is not intemperance, but non-payment of arrears, does not in the slightest

degree involve a difference of principle. Admit, for the sake of argument, that the failure to pay Lodge dues

is in itself a Masonic offence, and that a Lodge has a right to declare exclusion an appropriate punishment for

its commission, still here, as in the more undoubted crime of habitual drunkenness, it is necessary to the

justice of the punishment that there should be a charge, a summons, and a trial—that the defaulting brother

should have an opportunity to defend himself, and that the Secretary who accuses him should be made to

prove the truth of his charge, by the correctness of his accounts. It is the Magna Charta of Masonic liberty

"that no Mason can be punished or deprived of any of the privileges of Masonry, except upon conviction

after trial" ; and to this, in every other case, except non-payment of arrears, there will not be a single

dissenting voice in the whole body of the Craft. It is time that, guided by the dictates of sound justice and

good common sense, this exception should no longer be made. It is time that the Mason should no longer be

permitted to say, as a reproach to the consistency of our legal code, "I may lie, I may steal, nay, I may

commit murder, and my Lodge will not and dare not deprive me of my Masonic privileges, except after a

conviction or an impartial trial ; but if I omit to pay the Secretary a few shillings, then, upon his mere report,

without any opportunity given me to show that the omission was the result of ignorance, of poverty, of

sickness, or of misfortune, I may be visited with the severe penalty of Masonic exclusion."

If then, it be admitted, as it may be presumed it will, that expulsion or suspension cannot be inflicted without

trial, and simply because it is a punishment, and because punishment should always follow, and not

precede conviction, then to strike the name of a member from the roll of his Lodge, must be equally as

illegal, unless he is called upon to show cause why it should not be done. The one case is strictly analogous

to the other. If you cannot suspend without trial, neither can you strike from the roll without trial. No

punishment whatever can be inflicted without preliminary trial and opportunity for defence.

It may therefore be laid down as Masonic law, that no member should be struck off the roll of his Lodge,

except after due notice given to him, and opportunity afforded for defence ; after which it is generally held,

that a vote of the majority is sufficient to put the bye-law in force, and declare the penalty of exclusion.

—————————————

VALEDICTORY.

————

By the time this issue of the CRAFTSMAN is in the hands of the subscribers, my engagement as editor,

under the new proprietors, will have ceased.

My successor will be Brother W. H. Cooper, Past Senior Grand Warden of New Zealand, Honoris

Causa. In Auckland the Brother is well known, to those who know him not, it may suffice to point

out that he has for many years taken an active part in Colonial Masonic life, and was one of those

active spirits to whom is due the credit of introducing Home Rule in Freemasonry. He has taken a

keen interest in the welfare of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, he is a member of the Board of

General Purposes, and has just retired from the auditorship of that Grand Body. To the above

qualifications for the position of leading Masonic thought in New Zealand, the following additional

ones may be mentioned :— He was initiated in England and is therefore possessed of that

"indescribable something" which members of Lodges in touch with the Mother Grand Lodge of the

World insensibly acquire. He is also a Past District Grand Warden, E.C., a Mark Man, an Excellent

Master, an Ark Mariner, a Past Principal, and Past High Priest of the Holy Royal Arch, a member of

the 18° Degree, and a Sir Knight.

The new proprietors are deserving of every consideration, and with the able assistance of Bro.

Cooper and the policy of the past to guide them, as expressed by a Past Grand Registrar of South

Australia in these words, "It," the CRAFTSMAN, " is a fearless exponent of true Masonry, a castigator

of hyprocisy and tyranny, and an organ wherein a Mason can get sound Masonic law and history,"

they should receive the like loyal support that I have had during the past three and a half years.

"There was a little city," says the Preacher, the Son of David, "and few men within it ; and there came

a great King against it and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. Now there was found in it a

poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city ; yet no man remembered that same poor man.

Then, said I, wisdom is better than strength; nevertheless, the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his

words are not heard." If it should chance to you, my Brother, to do mankind good service, and be

rewarded with indifference and forgetfulness only, still be not discouraged, but remember the further

advice of the wise King :—" In the morning sow the seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand;

for thou knowest not which shall prosper, this or that, or whether both shall be alike good." Sow you

the seed, whoever reaps. Learn, that you may be enabled to do good ; and do so because it is right,

finding in the act itself ample reward and recompense.

T . G . D E R ENZY.

—————————————

McCULLOUGH v. SLATOR.

————

THE Plaintiffs in this action have unreservedly withdrawn their case against the Defendant. Our

article "Freemasons in Relation to the Laws of the Realm," and Counsel's opinion attached thereto,

published in December last, showed clearly that it would have to end this way.

—————————————

N O T E S .

————

"AT the Union Grand Lodge, held in 1813, we are told there was a piece of furniture constructed

under the direction of Brother John Soane, Superintendent of Works, to represent the Ark of the

Covenant, and this was denominated The Lodge."

—————————————

IT has been well said by a reverend and learned brother, "In that awful day when the secrets of all

hearts shall be disclosed, the gazing multitude who have curiously inquired our secret, shall be

astonished to know that the greatest deep of Masonic secrecy was the unpublished act of doing

good."

—————————————

FREEMASONRY affords a striking instance of the truth of the Aphorism "Cast thy bread upon the

waters, and thou shalt find it after many days " Brother Ruspini, the founder of the Freemasons'

School for female children, was at the period of its formation possessed of a good income, and could

have had no idea of his family requiring the aid of charity. The property he had accumulated was

wasted by his successor, and when his remains were slumbering in the tomb, two of his grand -

children became the recipients of the benefits of the noble institution their ancestor had originated.

—————————————

IN FUTURE issues of this paper more prominence will be given to the various meetings of the Craft,

throughout the Colony ; and the reports will be published more in extenso. The Secretary of

Chapters, Lodges, etc., are asked to kindly forward copies of their summons with a report of any

business of more than ordinary interest to the Editor, Box 152, Auckland.

—————————————

Music in a Lodge is essential to the rendering of the work in a most impressive manner. In the

opening and closing ceremonies, and in the conferring of degrees, there is abundant opportunity for

musical services that will deepen the influence intended to accompany those exercises. The chant or

hymn at the proper place in the ceremony may help to fasten the spoken words upon the mind, or

give significance to the symbolism that is presented. Then, too, appropriate music, will enliven the

ordinary proceedings, thus lending an additional attraction to the gathering. The best mu sical talent

may well find use in a Masonic Lodge ; but if the best cannot be had let the brethren press into,

service that which is available. Let them have an organ or piano in the lodge-room, and if they can

do no more, sing together the familiar hymns of the Fraternity.

—————————————

The newly appointed Grand Representative of the Spanish Grand Orient has kindly forwarded us the

following particulars. We offer Bro. Robertson our hearty congratulations.

"The Grand Orient of Spain has decided by unanimous vote to recognise and enter into fraternal relations with the

Grand Lodge of New Zealand, and has appointed the Very Worshipful Bro. George Robertson, P.G. Sec., to

represent it near the Grand Lodge. The names of three illustrious Spanish brethren have been submitted for the Grand

Lodge to choose one to represent it near the Grand Orient. The treaty of amity between the two Grand Bodies, duly

ratified at Madrid under the seal of the Grand Orient on let January, 1893, binds them "to live constantly in good and

brotherly relationship, to communicate reciprocally all interesting matter relating to the maintenance of their mutual

harmony, and to respect their mutual jurisdictions, and, lastly, to treat each other and live as members of the one and

undivided family." The Grand Orient of Spain has 162 lodges under its jurisdiction. The Grand Master is Dr. Miguel

Morayta."

—————————————

THE absurd argument that a Lodge cannot sever its connection with the Grand Lodge which

originally chartered it without disloyalty, has been brought forward in every movement for Masonic

autonomy in the Australasian colonies In New Zealand, it has over and over again been advanced by

brethren who have evidently no knowledge of the manner in which the numerous Grand Lodges of

the United States, Canada, and Australia have been established. The word loyalty means neither

more nor less than submission to law, and in Masonry a Lodge or Brother does not become disloyal

by giving his assistance to the furtherance of a measure which is held to be legal by all Grand

Lodges, and which the majority of his brethren believe to be for the good of the Craft. On the

contrary, by so doing, he proves his loyalty to Freemasonry. The word has become so distorted in

application that the sound of it is becoming distasteful. No Grand Lodge has the right of claiming the

perpetual allegiance of Lodges in a distant and distinct territory, nor are we aware of any Grand

Lodge that claims that right. It is universally admitted by Grand Lodges that the Craft in any distinct

division of the earth has an inherent right to establish a Grand Lodge. This principle is as fully

recognised as is any Landmark, and yet the same ridiculous cry of disloyalty is raised again and

again, only to be again refuted. The Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, and Scotland, on whose

behalf the claim of loyalty is made, do themselves fully recognise that they have no claim on their

Lodges in a colony where the Craft desires to establish a Grand Lodge. Was Lord Carnarvon, the

Pro-Grand Master of England, disloyal when he recommended the Lodges in New South Wales to

unite under an independent Grand Lodge, or was Lord Carrington disloyal when he accepted the

Grand Mastership of the new Grand Lodge Were the Grand Masters of England and Scotland

disloyal when they congratulated heartily the Freemasons of South Australia and New South Wales

on the establishment of their Grand.Lodges, and in the warmest terms recommended their recognition

by the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland? Were the brethren in the former colonies of England,

now States of the American Union, disloyal when they founded Grand Lodges and laid the

foundation of the noble system of American Freemasonry ? If all these were disloyal, then we are

proud of being similiarly disloyal.

—————————————

OUR attention has been called to the fact that at a number of Masonic banquets the refrain of "For

he is a jolly good fellow" is frequently sung in connection with the toasts. We think it is hardly

necessary to point out that such a course is un-Masonic in every sense of the term, and it is to be

hoped that W.M.'s will see their way to abandon it. There are plenty of "fires," and if the brethren

were to learn and use them instead of "profane" catches, the effect would be much better. Whilst

on this subject it may not be out of place to suggest that a few more Masonic songs might be

appropriately introduced into the after proceedings of our banquets. We hear "The Little Hero,"

"Nancy Lee," "Pour out the Rhine Wine," etc.. etc., everywhere, and a b rother who attends all the

monthly meetings in any large town can safely say beforehand what songs he will hear at any

particular meeting. Masonry possesses a number of really beautiful songs both as regards words

and music, and if some of our musical brethren would occasionally favour the Lodges with one or

two of them, they would be conferring a benefit not only on their listeners, but on the Craft

generally, as such a course would brighten the tone of our social hours. Our excellent

contemporary, The South Australian Freemason, when commenting on the same thing very

appropriately expressed its sentiments as follows :—

"As a question of taste and propriety, " He's a jolly good fellow," though highly appropriate at a "free

and easy," is not, strictly speaking, to be regarded as a Masonic refrain. Though well intentioned, it

somewhat jars upon one's notions of refined sentiment. Dulse et decorum est to honour the brother

whom you may esteem, but the pleasing fact may be conveyed to him in other more polite and becoming

methods than by dinning into his ears a sound signifying nothing."

_______________________________________________________________________________

THE Masonic Home Journal has the following comment on the prospective Masonic Congress in

Chicago:— The Masonic Congress in Chicago, in 1893, is expected to inaugurate the time of "peace on

earth and good will toward men." No more wars after 1893. Armies are to build public roads and edifices ;

warships are to carry mails, not guns. Swords are to be converted into plowshares, and spears into pruning

hooks. Surely, a consummation devoutly to be wished. If the Chicago Congress can do all this, we say

Amen. Let us have a dozen congresses, so as to hasten the millenium, when dogs will not bite nor bears and

lions growl."

THE London Freemason in its review of Freemasonry in 1892, says :—" There has been warranted at

Blenheim, Marlborough, in New Zealand, a lodge bearing the significant title of Reunion, and we

trust the day is not far distant when the prevalence of a better feeling than presently exists in that

Masonically distracted colony will bring about a reunion of the various constitutions therein

established. But this very desirable consummation will not take place till the brethren realise that

neither the desire for a new order of things, nor a preference for the old, justifies them in abusing each

other violently . . . . . As regards New Zealand, it is, unfortunately, not in our power to record any

material improvement in the relations of the various sections of the Craft toward each other. The so-called

Grand Lodge of New Zealand is undoubtedly stronger than it was a year ago, but though a few lodges have

left their old allegiance in order to join the new organisation, there does not appear to be a very encouraging

prospect that the schism which now divides Freemasonry in this colony against itself will be put an end to

at a very early date. . . . . There are still 65 lodges, reckoning English, Irish, and Scotch together, which

do not desire to join the schismatic body, and while they, or a majority of them, remain in their present way

of thinking, the schism must remain likewise. We regret it is not in our power to write more hopefully."

——————————————————————————————————————————————

LODGE REPORTS.
——————————————————————————————————————————————

PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND.

—————

At the regular meeting of Lodge St. Andrew, N.Z.C., Bro. Niccol, M.W.G.M., presented to the

lodge, on behalf of Bro. Neil McCulsky, an old member three handsome carved pedestals to add to

the suitable furnishing of the lodge. In making the presentation, Bro. Niccol referred to this as one of

the numerous donations which Bro. McCulsky had made to the lodge with which he had been

connected for so many years.

The monthly meeting of Lodge United Service, N.Z.C., was held last night, the W.M., Brother H. A.

Ellison, presiding. There was a fair attendance, and the business included the initiation of one

candidate and the passing of one brother to the F.C. degree.

A Masonic curiosity is now in the possession of Bro. John Page, P.M. of St. Andrew's Lodge. It is an

antique glass goblet capable of holding about a pint, and standing on a short stem. Around its

circular form with the tesselated border on the base, are cut in clear outline all the Masonic emblems

of the three degrees of Freemasonry. They have evidently been cut by hand, and they are extremely

faithful. This curious old form of present was given to Brother William Still, at Houndsditch,

London, in the year 1810 at a public-house known as "The Green Man." Many old Masons in

Auckland who have seen the goblet are surprised at the fidelity of the engravings, and none of them

appear to have ever seen a Masonic presentation of the kind before.

The regular communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand, I.C., was held at

Freemasons' Hall on January 12, Brother Rees, Provincial Grand Master, presiding. The principal

business was the election of officers far the ensuing year, and the following brethren were appointed:

P.S.G,W., James Patterson, Lodge of Light. Thames ; P.J.G.W., D. C. Sharpe, St. Patrick's, Dunedin;

chaplain, Rev. R. Kidd, LL.D., Ara, Auckland ; treasurer and secretary, J. R. Hanna, Ara, Auckland ;

S.D., A. H. Wright, Victoria, Invercargill ; J.D., John Squires, Killarney, Blenheim ; registrar, A.

Brock, Ara, Auckland ; director of ceremonies, A. King, De B. Adams, New Plymouth ; sword-

bearer, R. Kilpatrick, Killarney, Blenheim ; organist, J. H. Phillpot, Ara, Auckland ; pursuivant,

McKellar, De B. Adams, New Plymouth; stewards—Messrs Curtis, Killarney, Blenheim ; Duplock,

Victoria, Invercargill ; Stewart, St. Patrick's, Dunedin ; Goldwater, De B. Adams, New Plymouth ;

tyler, Captain Tonge.

———————————————

PROVINCE OF HAWKES BAY AND GISBORNE.

————

ABERCORN, No. 30.—Held its regular meeting on Wednesday, 1st March. The following resolutions

were arrived at with respect to the proposed alterations in Constitutions :—FEES OF HONOUR : (a) to

be remitted in certain cases, and (b) to be paid by the Lodges nominating. " No " to both. TRAVELLING

EXPENSES OF GRAND MASTER, to be provided for by Board of General Purposes. " Yes." DEPUTY

MASTER of old Constitution to be recognised as such under N.Z.C. although not a P.M. "Yes." Owing

to the lateness of the hour at the previous meeting, the charge and lecture on 3rd T.B. was held over.

The former was delivered by S.W. Bro. Williamson, and the latter by W.M. Bro. Clark, Bro. Craver

being the interested recipient. The following resolution carried by the Lodge is almost self

explanatory :—Resolved: " That it be a recommendation to Grand Lodge that the sense of the Craft

Lodges in this Island be taken as to whether they will be willing to help towards engaging Bro. Martin

P.M., F.G.S., as lecturer, to visit each Lodge and deliver his course of lectures. No definite

engagement, however, involving expense to Craft Lodges, to be made until they have been consulted."

If the Lodges are agreeable the scheme is, I think, practicable, and there is not the least doubt that if

the appointment were made, both Grand and Craft Lodges would benefit ; for the public lecture would

draw the right class of men to us, and the private lectures would cause an awakened interest in the art

to be felt by the old members. A brother was proposed for affiliation, and a gentleman for initiation.

Bro. Josiah Martin, P.M., and a member of District Grand Lodge, E.C., on the 24th January, delivered

in Scinde Lodge a lecture to Masons. There was a good attendance of the brethren. The lecturer, who

has made the subject a study, went deeply into the sublime symbolism of the rites of the Order.

Ancient literature was quoted from, to show from what a remote date the allegorical teaching of the

craft has descended to more modern times, and the universality of the craft was also dwelt upon. The

"mysteries" of all times and countries, from those of ancient Egypt up to the mystical lore of Maori

tohungas, received illustration by apt quotations from standard works. The whole lecture was most

interesting, and was highly enjoyed by all the brethren present.

———————————

PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.

————

LODGE MASTERTON, No. 19.—The following is a list of _the officers invested on the 15th February,

1892 :—W.M., C. A. Pownall ; S.W., Jos. Dixon ; J.W., A. C. Copping ; Treasurer, R. M. Galloway

; Secretary, W. Seller; P.M., W. Clement Cargill; J.D., J. Yates ; Tyler, Bro. E. P. Richards.

WELLINGTON LODGE, No. 1521, E.C.—The meeting of the 17th February was a most successful and

enjoyable one, the Brethren mustering in force and the visitors including the W.M. and Brethren of

Lodge Aorangi, as well as two distinguished visitors from the U.G.L. of Victoria—Bro.

Meadowcroft, G. Sec. for Foreign Correspondence, and Bro. Meadowcroft, junior, P.S.G.D. The

degree was conferred by the W.M., with the assistance of the S.W. and J.W., who delivered the

lecture on the Tracing Board and the W.T. respectively.

MANAWATU KILWINNING LODGE, No. 47, N.Z.C., PALMERSTON NORTH.—The regular monthly meeting

of the above Lodge took place on Wednesday, March 1st, 1803, before a large attendance of brethren

and visitors, the principal business of the evening being the nomination of officers for the ensuing (I

will forward names when elected) term. The ballot also took place for Bro. James Metcalfe, late of

Kumara. Lodge, No. 45, N.Z.C., as a joining member, which resulted in his being unanimously elected

as a member of this Lodge. The following were then proposed as candidates for admission to this

Lodge:— Messrs R. Edwards, Shepherd, and Black, all residents of this town ; after which the Brethren

adjourned from labour to refreshment where a pleasant hour was spent with the visitors. Fraternal visits

have been paid by this Lodge to both Feilding and Otangaki Lodges. On Monday, January 30th, the

W.M. Bro. Dawiek, accompanied by his officers S.W. Bro. Salmon, J.W. Bro. Hocking, S.D. Bro.

Harper, Secretary Bro. White paid an official visit to Feilding Lodge, No. 41, N.Z.C., where we were

very warmly received and hospitably entertained by the W.M. Bro. Sherwill and his off icers and

brethren. We also had the company with us of P.M, Bro. Ball and P.M. Henry Neill, and Bros.

Litchfield, Hawkins, and Barrand, all being driven there and back in Bro. Harper's brake and Bro.

Barrand's buggy, and a very enjoyable turn-out it was.

On Tuesday, February 28th, an official visit was paid to Otangaki Lodge, Asburst, No. 70, N.Z.C.,

the following brethren being driven there and back in Bro. J. R. Harper's brake :—J.W. Bro.

Hocking, S.D. Bro. Harper, Secretary Bro. White, and Bros. Dunderdale and Jaffrey W.M. of St.

Andrew's Lodge, Wellington. We were all very warmly received by the W.M. Bro. Buehler, his officers,

and brethren. A number of the Feilding brethren were also present, including the W.M. Bro. Sherwin, P.M.

Bro. Haybittle and Bray, and Bros. Worsfold and Foster, Secretary, the whole quite giving an animation to

the scene. The work consisted of raising Bro. Potts to the high and sublime degree of a M.M.

A ceremony of great interest to members of the Masonic Order was performed in the Freemason's Hall,

Broad street, last evening, when the Royal Arch and the introductory degrees were worked for the first

time in Manawatu. There was a full attendance of members, and the officers acquitted themselves

admirably. The beautiful room and the splendid regalia of the Chapter also attributed greatly to the

effective working. We are informed that the membership is increasing very rapidly, and at last night's

meeting propositions were received from Masons resident in Feilding and other places. [This extract

from the Manawatu Daily Times, February 9th. 1893, and refers to our First Exaltation Degree

Workings.]

The regular Convocation of the Manawatu Royal Arch Chapter, No. 11, N.Z.C., Palmerston North, was

also held on March 8th, when three Brethren were Exalted and took their seats as Companions in the

Chapter.

SIR DONALD MCLEAN, No. 1646, E.C., WAITARA, TARANAKI.—VISIT OA DEPUTY DISTRICT GRAND

MASTER E.C.—On Thursday evening December 8th, 1892, the Deputy District Grand Master of the

English Constitution (Sir K Osborne Gibbes, Bart.) paid an official visit to the Sir Donald McLean

Lodge 161.6 E.C., at Waitara. The Right Worshipful D.D. Grand Master was accompanied by W.

Master Bro. Clarke, and Past Masters Bros. G. F. Robinson, J. C. George, H. Dempsey, D. McAllum, J.

Little, and F. P Corkill, of Lodge Ngamotu ; Bro. West, of Sydney ; and Bro. Craig, of London. The

proceedings at the Lodge-room were purely formal, and the brethren afterwards adjourned to Bro. Box's

Masonic Hotel, where supper was served and an hour or so very pleasantly spent in fraternal intercourse

under the chairmanship of the Worshipful Master (Bro. John Cameron, P.M.) of Lodge Sir Donald

McLean.

HUNTERVILLE.—Argyle Hall.Lodge tyled at 3.30 p.m. on 21/11/92. Minutes last meeting read and

confirmed. Balance-sheet read, adoption postponed on audit. A. E. Ashemp initiated E.A. Degree. Bro.

H. J Williams, G.D.S, present, admitted with G.L. honors ; on Lodge being passed, ceremony of

installation was ably performed by him. Congratulations received from Lodge Thistle, 647, S.C., Mary's

Chapel, No. 1, S.C., Feilding, 41, N.Z.C., Rangitikei, 38, N.Z.C., 79, N.Z.C., and others. P.M. Jewel

presented to out-going W.M., Bro. W. G. Thompson, by G.D.S. on behalf of members. Bro. Mahony's

notice of motion re Bye-laws, postponed to next regular meeting. Permit received from G.L. to wear

regalia at ensuing festivities. After usual ceremonies, Lodge closed in Peace, Love, and Harmony, at 6

p.m. The following are the names of the officers installed and invested :—W.M., W. A. Floyd : S.W.,

W. H. Mahoney ; J.W., D. Robb ; Treasurer, W. Thompson ; Secretary, M. Morris ; S.D. W. Watt ; J.D.,

J. Allison ; 1.G., H. Insod.

———————————

PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY.

————

LODGE ASHLEY, No. 28, RANGIORA.—A special meeting of Lodge Ashley was held by Dispensation

from Grand Lodge on Thursday, January 5th. This was rendered necessary owing to the fact that most of

the business set down for the regular meeting on December 29th had been postponed owing to the death

of Bro. Buckham. There was a large attendance of members and visitors. After the correspondence had

been dealt with, Bros. J. Lilly and W. S. Hughes were raised to the high and sublime degree of Master

Mason by W. Bro. J. Swanson, P.M., the charge being delivered by the W.M. Bro. R. Ball. The Lodge

being reduced to the First Degree, Messrs Horace James Pick, William Wadey, and George James

Walsh were initiated in the mysteries of Freemasonry by the W.M. Bro. R. Ball, the charge being

delivered by the S.W., Bro. A. P. Tutton. Bro. T. W. Rowe, Secretary, read the report of the Choir

Committee to the following effect :—That the Choir consist of all the brothers willing to enroll

themselves members of it ; That Bro. A. Aldersley be organist, Bro. T. W. Rowe conductor, Bro. R.

Ball, W.M. secretary, and W. Bro. J. Sansom, P.M. treasurer ; That the foregoing four Brothers, together

with Bros. H. Jones, A. P. Tutton, G. F. Smith, D. McKay, A. Templer, and J. W. Bing, be a Standing

Committee for the selection of music and the performance of similar functions ; That it be an instruction

to the Committee to arrange as soon as convenient for music in the opening and closing of the Second

and Third Degrees ; That the Organ be put in repair as soon as possible ; That the Monday night

preceding Lodge night, and such other times as may be fixed upon, be practice nights ; That the Lodge

supply all music. The adoption of this report was moved by Bro. Rowe, seconded by W. Bro. J. Sansom,

P.M., and carried, Bro. T. W. Rowe, Secretary, then moved the following motion standing in his name

:— "That this Lodge obtain a blank volume lettered on the back History of the Ashley Masonic Lodge,

No. 28, N Z.C., Rangiora,' in which the Librarian shall insert an authentic history of the Ashley Masonic

Lodge, to be compiled from the various books and records of the Lodge, with the assistance of such of

the older members of the Lodge as shall be willing and able to render it ; such history to be approved by

all the P.M.'s of the Lodge now on its roll, and by the other past officers, before being inserted in the

said volume, and at the end of each Lodge year the Librarian for the time being shall insert a fresh

chapter as a record of the past year, such chapter to be approved by the W.M., S.W., J.W., and

Secretary, before being inserted in the Lodge History." Seconded by W. Bro. J. Sansom, I.P.M., and

carried. Bro. G. Pain's resignation of his office as Tyler was accepted, and a hearty vote of thanks

accorded him for his services in the past. The W.M. reported that he had been promised several pounds

towards the cost of a memorial for the late Bro. Buckham. An apology was received for the absence of

Bro. Dr. Clayton, and hearty good wishes were tendered the W.M. on behalf of Lodges Concord and

Ashley. The Lodge then closed, after a long and arduous session of four hours, at 11.28 p.m. A short

time was spent. in the refectory, where the toasts of the newly raised and initiated brethren, the visitors

coupled with the names of Bro. L. J. Cox, Lodge of Concord, No. 39, Papanui, the late Tyler Bro. G.

Pain, and all poor and distressed Masons, were duly honoured. Songs were contributed by Bros. G. F.

Smith, J. Lilly, G. J. Walsh, and A. Templer.

GERALDINE, No. 27, N.Z.C., CANTERBURY.—The regular meeting of the brethren of the Geraldine

Lodge, No. 27, N.Z.C., was held in the Masonic Hall, Geraldine, on Wednesday, February 15th. When

the routine work of the lodge had been completed, Bro. A. White, R.W.M , on behalf of the members,

presented Bro. J. M. Murray, P.M., with a handsome Past Master's jewel. The jewel, which was supplied

by Mr Ferguson of Timaru, bears the following incription :—" Presented to Bro. J. M. Murray, P.M., by

the members of the Geraldine Lodge, No. 27, N.Z.C., in recognition of his work as the first master of

the Lodge." The R.W.M., made the presentation in a few happily chosen words, expressing the

appreciation of the members for the great services rendered by the recipient. Other brethren spoke in a

similar strain, and Bro. Murray very feelingly expressed his thanks to the members.

LODGE ASHLEY, No. 28, N.Z.C., RANGIORA.—The usual monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on

Thursday, January 26th, when there was a large attendance of members and visitors. Bros. S.

Criglington, H. J. Pick, W. Wady, and G. J. Walsh, were passed to the Degree of F.C. Freemasons by

the W.M. Bro. R. Ball, the charge being delivered by Bro. A. P. Tutton, S.W. As the three last

mentioned had only been initiated three weeks, a Dispensation from Grand Lodge was necessary to

enable the ceremony to be performed. Bros. T. W. Rowe, Secretary, and J. Roberts, D.C., acted as extra

Deacons. After the Lodge had closed in the Second Degree, Bro. T. W. Rowe delivered a lecture on the

"Plurality of Worlds," for which lie received a hearty vote of thanks, on the motion of W. Bro. W.

Samson), P.M., seconded by W. Bro. A. B. Blackett, P.M. Two candidates were proposen for

initiation—Mr William Bridget., aged 41, bootmaker, Rangiora, proposed by Bro. R. Ball, W.M., and

seconded by Bro. G. F. Smith, J.D.; and Mr Sidney Gerald Smith, aged 21, schoolmaster, Rangiora,

proposed by Bro. A. Aldersley, and seconded by Bro. R. Ball, W.M. Bros. E. W. Relph, late of Lodge

Ashley, No. 1877, E.C., and G. Pain, late Tyler of the Lodge, were also proposed and seconded for

affiliation. W. Bros. J. Sansom and A. B. Blackett, P.M.'s, and Bros. G. F. Smith, J.D., and J. Roberts,

D.C., together with Bro. R. Ball, W.M., were appointed a Committee to obtain subscriptions towards a

memorial for the late Bro. Buckham. Hearty good wishes were received by the W.M. from Lodge

Phœnix, No. 1690, E.C. After Lodge closed, a pleasant hour was spent in the refectory, where the usual

toasts were honoured, and songs contributed by Bros. G. F. Smith, J. Lilly, and T. W. Rowe.

CONCORD, No. 39, PAPANUI CANTERBURY.—On the 15th inst. the annual meeting of this Lodge took

place. Bro. William Gifkins was installed Worshipful. Master. The balance sheet is satisfactory, and the

statement of assets and liabilities shows a balance of asset s of £191 13s ld.

———————————

PROVINCE OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

————

Bro. W. B. Scandrett, on retiring from the position of town clerk at Invercargill, was entertained by the

mayor, officials, and workmen of the Corporation, and presented with a marble clock, and with a gold

brooch set with diamonds and rubies for Mrs Scandrett,

The first convocation of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Zealand was held at Dunedin

on 25th January, visitors from the North being present. The reports and balance sheet showed that there

are now twelve Chapters and one Mark Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter, and another

charter was granted during the proceedings. There is a credit balance of £30 7s 10d. The following

officers were elected :—First Grand Principal, M.E. Companion Gillon; Wellington; Second Grand

Principal, H. Thomson, Christchurch ; Third Grand Principal, . W. B. A. Scandrett, Invercargill ;

Treasurer, Greig ; Scribe, E. Williams ; Scribe, N. Feldwick, Invercargill ; Chancellor, Elliott,

Wellington ; First Sojourner, Kidd, Auckland ; Second, G. Robinson, New Plymouth ; Third, H.

Wundram, Napier ; Swordbearer, C. J. Ronaldson, Dunedin ; Superintendent of Works, Brown, Oamaru;

Standard-bearer, McKelvey, Dunedin ; Janitor, Masters, Wellington. A Supreme Committee of

Management was appointed, consisting of various officers and Companions Niccol, Ronaldson, and

Porritt.

———————————

MARLBOROUGH, NELSON, AND WESTLAND.

ADVANCE LODGE BRUNNERTON.—The ordinary meeting of the Advance Lodge took place on February

2nd. W. M. Ward gave an interesting account of a visit made by himself and his officers to Lodge

Robert Burns, Reefton, on the night of their installation. He spoke in grateful terms of the hearty and

enthusiastic welcome accorded them by the Reefton Brethren, and hoped that this would be but the

beginning of many similar visits. Mr C. Gutbertlet, baker, Taylorville, was initiated during the evening.

The new installed master Bro. Ward worked the initiation, Bro. P. M. Bland gave the charge in his usual

eloquent and impressive manner, and Bro. Scott the lecture on the first tracing boards .

———————————————————————————————————————————

POETRY
———————————————————————————————————————————

OUR BELOVED DEAD.
————

THE LATE ALBERT PIKE.

To the past go more dead faces,

Every year.

As the loved leave vacant places,

Every year.

Everywhere the sad eyes greet us,

In the evening's dusk they greet us,

And to come to them entreat us;

Every year.

But the truer life draws nigher,

Every year.

And its morning stars climb higher,

Every year.

Earth's hold on us grow slighter,

And the heavy burdens lighter,

And the dawn immortal brighter ;

Every year.

————

" Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,

Do it with thy might ;

For there is no work, nor device,

Nor knowledge, nor wisdom,

In the empire of shadows

Where thou goest."

———————————————————————————————————————————

GRAND LODGES
———————————————————————————————————————————

NEW ZEALAND.

————

ANNUAL COMMUNICATION.

THE Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand will be held in the Freemason's Hall,

Princes Street: Auckland, on Friday the 28th April, 1893.

——————

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION.

————

HOLDEN AT THE HIRAM MASONIC HALL, SOUTH DUNEDIN, ON TUESDAY,

THE 24TH DAY OF JANUARY, 1892.

PRESENT.

M.W. Bro. Malcolm Niccol Grand Master

M.W. Bro. Henry Thomson Past Grand Master

R.W. Bro. Albert Kaye Deputy Grand Master

R.W. Bro. Edward Thomas Gillon Past Deputy Grand Master

R.W. Bro. Alfred Henry Burton Grand Supt., Otago District

R.W. Bro. William Horatio Hall Gr. Supt., Southland Dist.

R.W. Bro. Herbert James Williams Gr. Supt., Wellington Dist.

R. W. Bro. James Edward McKelvey As Senior Grand Warden

R.W. Bro. Elijah Titchener Junior Grand Warden

R.W. Bro. Henry Feldwick Past Grand Warden

V.W. Bro. Rev. James T. Pinfold As Grand Chaplain

V.W. Bro. Rev. Wm. Ronaldson Grand Secretary

W. Bro. Arthur Gethin Creagh As Senior Grand Deacon

W. Bro. William Henry Hopkins As Junior Grand Deacon

W. Bro. Joseph Arming Kirby As Grand Director of Cer.

W. Bro. Robert Hamilton Grand Sword Bearer

W. Bro. Arthur James Barth Grand Organist

W. Bro. Charles John Ronaldson As Grand Pursuivant

W. Bro. Edward George Lane Grand Steward

W. Bro John Alexander Algie As Grand Steward

W. Bro. George Weller Williams As Grand Steward

W. Bro. John Marshall Brown As Grand Steward

W. Bro. Benjamin Fargher As Grand Steward

W. Bro. Henry Wetherilt As Grand Steward

W. Bro. James Wansbrough As Grand Steward

W. Bro. Alexander Barron As Grand Steward

W. Bro. William Hargood As Grand Steward

W. Bro. Robert Hill Cathcart As Grand Steward

AND

The Masters, Past Masters, and Wardens of many Lodges, with visiting Brethren of Sister Constitutions.

Opening of Grand Lodge.—The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form, and with solemn prayer.

Minutes.—The Minutes of the Quarterly Communication held in Christchurch on Wednesday, the 26th
day of October, 1892, having been printed and circulated amongst all Lodges, and members of Grand

Lodge, were taken as read and ordered to be confirmed.

Apologies.—Telegrams and Letters of Apology were received from Officers and Members of Grand
Lodge.

Roll of 84 Lodges Called.—Officers and Members of Thirty Lodges answered when the Roll was
called, numbering one hundred and four, besides visitors.

Telegram from Auckland.—Announcing application for a new Lodge to be called, the Auckland
Lodge, was read. The M.W. Grand Master explained the circumstances connected with the application,

and expressed his approval, and asked Grand Lodge to give its consent to the issue of the Charter.—

Granted.

Quarterly Statement of Receipt and Disbursements was read by the Grand Secretary. Sundry
explanations were made by the Grand Master.

The statement will be found at the end of this Report.

Reports.—THE REPORT OF THE BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE was as follows :-

Your Board has to Report that the following applications have been made :

1. From " Lodge " Ruahine," No. 80, Woodville, on behalf of the Widow of Bro. Driscoll. A grant

of £10 was made to meet this case.

2. From the W.M. of Lodge " Ashley," No. 28, Rangiora, Canterbury, on behalf of the widow of

Bro. George Dance. A grant of £5 was made on her behalf, both these grants were made conditionally

on the application and recommendation being made in proper form. This will, no doubt, be done. And

also a grant of £5 on an application made by Lodge N.Z. Pacific on behalf of the widow of our late Bro.

Horrocks Heighton.

It may not be amiss to mention, for the information of applicants to the Benevolent Fund, that the Board

is by the Book of Constitutions, Rules 152, 153, obliged to see that all applications are in due form. The

Petition with the Recommendation are so specified that no latitude is allowed the Board. A knowledge

of this fact may prevent much delay. The Forms can be obtained on application to the Grand Secretary.

Several other applications were received : these were all dealt with on their merits ; some could not be

entertained as not falling within the powers of the Board, others had to be deferred on account of their

informality.

As the Board of General Purposes presents the Balance Sheet of the Benevolent Fund to Grand Lodge,

your Board thinks it will be sufficient to draw attention to the same, convinced that the Brethren will

feel assured of the value of the gradually increasing fund, and that due care is observed in

disbursements. The total balance to the credit of the Fund is £421 ls. 9d.

JAMES F. LOGAN,

President Board of Benevolence.

Office of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand,

Masonic Institute, Auckland,

January, 14th, 1893.

Moved by the M.W. the Grand Master, and seconded by Right Wor. Bro. II. J. Williams—That the

Report be adopted.—Carried.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES.—Read.

MEETINGS ,—During the quarter the Board met on November 2nd, December 7th, a special meeting on

December 23rd, and January 4th and 11th.

The following business has been transacted :-

LODGES.—Since last Grand Lodge Communication, L edge " Oamaru-Kilwinning " late No. 537, S.C.,

has opened, working as No. 82 under Charter from this Grand Lodge. Lodge " St. Thomas-Kilwinning,"

late No. 659, S.C., Kaitangata, Otago, has opened as No. 83. From the Rt. Wor. the Grand

Superintendent of Dunedin we learn that Lodge St. John, No. 2102, E.C. Mosgiel, has taken the same

step asking to have the Charter ready for the meeting of the Lodge on January 12th. This has been

prepared and sent to Rt. Wor. Bro. Burton by whom it was presented to the Lodge, No 84. The Rt. Wor.

the Grand Superintendent of Southland has informed us that Lodge " Lake of Ophir," late No. 1195,

E.C., has passed the resolution to join the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, and will take order as No. 85.

The M.W. the Grand Master has promised to install the W.M. of Lodge "Oamaru-Kilwinning" on his

way to attend Grand Lodge Communication in Dunedin. Since then Lodge "Arrow Kilwinning" has

taken steps to follow the action of Lodge Ophir, and will be No. 86.

RECOGNITION.—The Grand Lodge of Iowa and the Grand Lodge of Roumania have both extended

recognition to this Grand Lodge, and the names of Wor. Brethren have been submitted by both as a

choice of Grand Representatives.

GRAND REPRESENTATIVES.—The M.W. the Grand Master has approved of the nomination of Wor. Bro.

Hon. Almon R. Dewey, G.S.W., etc., as our Grand Representative at the Grand Lodge of Iowa, and of

Wor. Bro. Constantin Ciocan, Capitani en retraite as our Grand Representative at the Grand Lodge of

Roumania. Commissions have been forwarded to both Grand Lodges for these Grand Representatives.

The M.W. the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba has nominated Rt. Wor. Bro. Thomas

Tweed, of Medicine Hat, Assiniboia, for appointment as Grand Representative of this Grand Lodge near

the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, the Grand Representative of Manitoba of this Grand Lodge being Rt.

Wor. Bro. the Hon. H. Feldwick, as reported at the last Communication of Grand Lodge.

BUSINESS REMITTED TO THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES BY GRAND LODGE.—GRAND LODGE

CLOTHING.—From London, tenders, have been received from the Masonic firms of Bros. Geo. Kenning,

H. T. Lamb, and Spencer and Co. These have been carefully considered by your Board. A Sub-

Committee was appointed to carry out the detail, and on its recommendation your Board have decided to

accept the tender of Bro. H. T. Lamb, and in the meantime to send for the following sets of clothing:—

Grand Master, Grand Wardens, and Grand Deacons. No tenders were received within the colony.

SUGGESTED ALTERATIONS IN THE BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS.— (1) NOMINATION OF GRAND

OFFICERS.—Your Board found after much consideration that it would be impossible, for want of time,

to adopt any other plan than that laid down by the Book of Constitutions, as any alteration in the manner

of nomination and election must necessarily be laid before the Lodges, and for this purpose a period of

six months has to be allowed before any change can be made. Your Board, therefore, thought it well to

leave this matter for future deliberation. (2.) MEMBERS IN ARREARS.—This Clause having been referred.

back by Grand Lodge, your Board, after further consideration, now recommends that the same be

withdrawn, it having been found that a very strong feeling exists amongst the Lodges and Grand

Officers against altering the Book of Constitutions in this direction.

CORRESPONDENCE— American and other Grand Lodges.—The Board has received many letters from

Grand Lodges in which reference is made to the receipt of the "Brief History" of the formation of this

Grand Lodge. As this pamphlet, with the accompanying Reports of Grand Lodge Communications,

reached America after the session of the majority of Grand Lodges, no definite reply has been received.

The book, in the meanwhile, will be submitted to the respective Committees on Correspondence to

report to the next Communication of their Grand Lodges. Necessarily, therefore, a considerable time

will elapse before we shall hear definitely of the result of the debate on the same. The letters received

from Grand Masters and Grand Secretaries have been of the most courteous and fraternal description.

LODGES.—The usual large amount of correspondence has been conducted in the office, and constant

communication has been kept up with all the Lodges on varying subjects. This has been submitted to

your Board for the instruction and guidance of the Grand. Secretary.

It may not be amiss to mention that a large and increasing amount of letter writing is occasioned by the

incomplete and inaccurate manner in which the returns are sent to the office. Many certificates have

been returned owing to errors in names or dates as given in the returns. Your Board has adopted a new

form for returns which will in a short time do away with very many of the errors occurring, and simplify

the secretaries' work to a considerable extent. These "forms" only went out for the returns to December

31. 1892, but already several secretaries have recognised the advantage, and have expressed themselves

very much in favour of the new form. Lodges having already supplied the names of the members of

Lodges these are not required again. The "form," before being sent out of the office , has the number of

Brethern entered therein, as per Grand Lodge Register, and only the names of new Brethern have to be

returned in Form No. 2, together with the amount of Certificate Fee.

FEES OF HONOUR.—The Fees of Honour of Grand Lodge Officers have all been paid for 1892-93 with

the exception of £10 10s., which still remains unpaid, but will probably be received shortly.

LODGE FEES. —The fees of thirteen Lodges to June 30, 1892, have not yet been sent in, a sum of over

£100 being due from this source, including sums owing for Books of Constitution, Dispensations, "Brief

History," etc. Some Lodges have already sent in their returns to December 31, 1892, but in no case have

these amounts been credited to the Grand Lodge Account to that date. The annual Balance Sheet of

Receipts and Expenditure to December 31, 1892, will thus show very nearly the normal receipts of

Grand Lodge for the year.

FORMATION OF NEW DISTRICTS.— This subject has been brought before the Board by the M.W the

Grand Master, and after discussion it was resolved that the Board recommend Grand Lodge to take into

consideration the Constitution of new districts—New Plymouth to Wanganui inclusive, the boundary to

be arranged with the Board in Wellington, and for Nelson, Blenheim, and Westland.

FORM OF WORKING.—The Committee in Wellington have had this under consideration, and will submit

a report to Grand Lodge.

NOMINATION OF GRAND OFFICERS.—W.M.'S of all Lodges and all members of Grand Lodge have been

notified that at the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge which will be held at Dunedin on January

24th, 1893, nominations will be received for Grand Lodge officers.

The following nominations have been received by the Grand Secretary :—

Name For Office of Present Rank Nominated by

AUCKLAND.—
Malcolm Niccol Grand Master Grand Master Lodge No 8

Malcolm Niccol Grand Master Grand Master R.W. Bro. E. T. Gillon

Alfred Kidd P. G of G. P P. G of G. P R.W. Bro. E. T. Gillon

George H. Powley P. G of G. P P. G of G. P The Grand Master

George W Basley Gr. Registrar Gr. Registrar The Grand Master

James F Logan Gr. Treasurer Pre. B. of B., 45 The Grand Master

Rev W Calder Gr. Chaplain Master Mason The Grand Master

Thomas Thomas Grand Deacon P. Master, No 8 W. H. Cooper

Thomas Thomas Any Office P. Master, No 8 R.W. Bro. E. T. Gillon

William Craig Any Office P. Master, No 10 Lodge No 10.

John W Ellison Any Office P. Master, No 10 Lodge No 10.

WELLINGTON.—
Nathew Goldfinch As. Gr. Sec. P. Master, No 44 G. Sup H.J. Williams

Nathaniel Grace Any Office P. G. St., No 53 Do.

H. J. Freeman Do. P. Master, No 2 Do.

H. F. Wood Do. P. Master, No 74 Do.

Wm. Robert Franklin Do. P. Master, No 72 Do.

George Kirton Do. G. Steward, 44 Do.

J. L. Stevenson Do. P. Master, No 79 R.W. Bro. E.T. Gillon

Rev. Oliver Dean Gr. Chaplain W.M., No 13 R.W. Bro. E.T. Gillon

Frederick Silver G. Steward W.M., No 44 Lodge No 44

Frederick Silver Any Office W.M., No 44 Lodge No 44

Richard Mothes Gr. Steward P. Master, No 62 Lodge No 62

F. J. Dawes Any Office other

than Gr Steward

P.G.Steward, 62 Lodge No 62

H.L. Sherwill Gr. Steward W.M., No 41 Lodge No 41

Rev. W. E. Page, M.A. Any Office Pt Gr. Chap., 19 Lodge No 19

CANTERBURY. —
Frank H. Davie Any Office Pt. Master, No 4 D. Gr. Master A. Kays

J.J.M. Hamilton Do. Do. No 4 Do.

S. Derbidge Do. Do. No 3 Do.

J.M. Murray Do. P.G.Steward, 27 Do.

Wm. Sansom Do. P. Master, No 62 Do.

Richard T. Searell Gr. Organist M. Mason, No 4 Do.

Rev. D.J. Murray Gr. Chaplain P. Gr. Chaplain Do.

OTAGO.—
J.M. Brown Any Office P. Master, No 82 G. Sup. A. H. Burton

J.A. Kirby Do. P. Master, No 46 Do.

Henry Wethewrilt Do. P. Master, No 46 Do.

John A. Algie Do. W.M., No 83 Do.

C.J. Ronaldson Do. P. Master, No 7 Do.

A.C. Creagh As. Gr. Reg. P. Master, No 11 Do.

Rev. W.S. Lucas Gr. Chaplain W.M., No 57 Do.

Arthur J. Barth Gr. Organist P. Gr. Or., No 7 Bro. Barton, W.M., No 7

SOUTHLAND.—
Miles R. Bree S. G. Deacon J. G. Deacon, 49 Lodge No 40

Charles Sawyer Gr. Warden Jn. G. Deacon, 9 Lodge No 9

Charles Sawyer Any Office Jn. G. Deacon, 9 G. Sup. W. H. Hall

W.V. Siddall Gr. Deacon P. Master No 9 Do.

W.V. Siddall Any Office P. Master No 9 Lodge No 9

George Crosbie Do. P. Master No 63 G. Sup. W. H. Hall

Walter Henderson Do. P. Master No 64 Hon. Henry Feldwick

NELSON.—
Leonard G. Boor, M.D. Any Office S.G. Deacon, 40 Lodge No 40

HAWKES BAY & GISBORNE.—
No Nominations

Nominations by Bro. Burton for Board of General Purposes :— Bro. J. McNeill, P.M., Clutha Lodge ;

Bro. Wm. Grumitt, P.M., Waitaki.

ELECTION OF AUDITORS.—Auditors have to be elected at this Communication. Wor. Bros.

Chapman and Fowlds have been nominated.

NOTICES OF MOTION.—(a) Rt. Wor. Bro. H. J. Williams, Gd. Sup. Wellington District :—" That the

resolution of Grand Lodge at its Communication at Christchurch, October 13th, 1891, requesting the

Grand Master to retain possession of Charters,' be rescinded,"

V. W. Bro. Grand Secretary.—" That the following paragraph in the Minutes of the Communication of

Grand Lodge, held at Wellington on the 29th July last, viz. : ' Letter from Bro. A. Gundersen, Secretary

of St. Augustine Lodge, Christchurch, asking that the Charter of the Lodge might be given up to the

District Grand Lodge, E.C., Canterbury,' be expunged from the records of Grand Lodge, as St.

Augustine Lodge had made no such request," the letter being intended to be of a private character.

QUARTERLY STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS TO DECEMBER 31ST, 1892, will be laid

before Grand Lodge in due course, the Annual Balance-Sheet will be presented at the April

Communication.

ALFRED KIDD,

Pres. Bd. of G.P.

Office of Grand Lodge, Masonic Institute,

December 23rd, 1892.

The following amendments were made.

GRAND LODGE CLOTHING.—For Deputy Grand Master and Grand Superintendents instead of Grand

Deacons.—Agreed to.

MEMBERS IN ARREARS.—The recommendation of the Board of General Purposes that this clause in

"suggested alterations in the Book of Constitutions " be withdrawn, was agreed to.

FEES OF HONOUR.—Explanation given by Rt. Wor. Bro. Gillon in regard to Fees of Honour—on re-

appointment to subsequent office— was not intended to be charged in full when a Bro. received higher

rank, only the difference to be charged.—Explanation accepted.

REPORT, AS AMENDED, ADOPTED.—On the motion of the M.W. the Grand Master, seconded by Rt.

Wor. Bro. Albert Kaye, the report—with amendments—was adopted.

SUPPLEMENTAL GRAND REPORT.

PAST RANK UNDER OTHER GRAND CONSTITUTIONS.—A Circular Letter has been received from the

Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, enquiring what is the practice of this Grand Lodge in the matter of the

status of Grand Lodge Officers and Past Masters foreign to this. Grand Lodge not having legislated

upon this subject, or expressed any opinion thereon your Board recommends that Grand Lodge take the

matter into its consideration. It might be as well to enquire what is the practice of other Grand Lodges

both European and American, as well as those of Australia, before any definite action is taken,

especially as regards our Australian Brethren with whom we are in fraternal relations.

CHARTERS. —In connection with this subject the Report of the Quarterly Communication of the United

Grand Lodge of New South Wales has an important correspondence which has been carried on by that

Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge of England. In the letter of V.W. Brother Philbrick, Q.C., the Grand

Registrar of the Grand Lodge of England, he states that the Grand Lodge of New South Wales held in its

possession the 183 Charters of the Lodges which had joined the Grand Lodge, and that on the

application to the Grand Lodge of England that they might be handed back to their Lodges, the consent

was at once given, and the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales was instructed to

cancel those Charters and restore them to the Lodges to which they had originally been granted. Letters

have been received from sundry Lodges on the question of the Charter—some decidedly objecting to

their been handed back at present. Lodge United Service asks that its original Charter may be returned

to them in order that it may be sent to the Grand Lodge of Ireland under which it was originally

working. This correspondence is submitted to Grand Lodge in connection with the motion of Rt. Wor,

Bro. H. J. Williams on the question.

RULINGS OF GRAND REGISTRAR.-1. Right of E.A. to vote, &c. By-Laws of Lodges having been

forwarded to the Board for revision, have been handed to the Grand Registrar. Exception having been

taken by some Lodges as to the right of an E.A. to vote at the meeting of the Lodge, the Grand Registrar

ruled that by the Book of constitution an E.A. is a member of a Lodge and has a right to vote. The Board

decided to lay this before Grand Lodge.

Another question submitted to the Grand Registrar was in connection with a site for a Masonic Lodge

which the members of the Lodge unanimously desired to be vested in the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.

This opens up the very important question of the legal status of Grand Lodges in British Dominions. It

will be seen that the Grand Registrar recommends in his letter that it is advisable to pass through the

next session of Parliament an act incorporating the Grand Lodge of New Zealand and empowering it to

hold property.

A third question referred to the Grand Registrar arose from an appeal by a Brother against the ruling of

the W.M. in balloting for a candidate. The objection taken was that certain Brethren who by the Bye -

Laws of the Lodge were not eligible to vote had nevertheless done so. The W.M. ruled that the objection

was too late and should have been made before the vote was taken. The Grand Registrar upheld the

ruling of the W.M.

ALFRED KIDD,

Pres. Bd. of G.P.

FORM OF WORKING. —It was explained by the Grand Master that a Form of Working had been drawn

up, but as there had not been sufficient time for its full consideration, no report would be presented at

this Communication.

NOTICE TO LODGES.—By Rt. W. Bro. E. T. Gillon "That Lodges be recommended not to call

themselves N.Z.C., and that a circular from the Board of General Purposes be issued to this effect."—

Carried.

RULINGS OF GRAND REGISTRAR.—Rt. Wor. Bro. E. T. Gillon referred to the suggestion of the Grand

Registrar in re the Incorporation of the Grand Lodge, and moved, seconded by Wor. Bro. Gieseg, "That

this Grand Lodge does not approve of any application to Parliament by private Bill to incorporate Grand

Lodge."—Carried. At the same time Bro. Gillon suggested that it might be desirable to take advantage

of the Religious, Charitable, and Educational Trusts Acts so as to Incorporate Trustees on behalf of

Grand Lodge.

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT, AS AMENDED, ADOPTED —On the motion of the M. Wor. the Gr. Master,

seconded by Rt. Wor. Bro. W. H. Hall, "That the Supplemental Report, as amended, be adopted," was

carried.

PAST GRAND RANK . —Rt. Wor. Bro. E. T. Gillon moved, seconded by M. Wor. Bro. Henry Thomson,

Past Grand Master, "That Past Rank of Past Senior Grand Warden be conferred upon Wor. Bros. C. P.

Hulbert and R. C. Bishop in recognition of their services to Grand Lodge, both in the initial stage, as

well as since its formation."—Carried.

GRAND REPRESENTATIVE.—The M. Wor. the Grand Master reported that he had appointed V. Wor. Bro.

J. H. Hankins, Past Grand Registrar, as Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.

NOTICES OF MOTION . —1. Moved by Rt. Wor. Bro. H J. Williams, seconded by Wor. Bro. J. M. Brown,

"That the resolution of Grand Lodge at its Communication at Christchurch, October 13th, 1891,

requesting the Grand Master to retain possession of Charters, be rescinded."—Amendment proposed by

the M. Wor. the Grand Master, "'That the possession by this Grand Lodge of the original Charters of

those Lodges which created it, or subsequently joined it, is both necessary and proper, but Grand Lodge

is quite prepared either to cancel these Charters, or to consent to their cancellation by a duly authorised

representative of the Grand Lodges which granted them. This was seconded by M. Wor. Past Grand

Master Bro. H. Thomson. After discussion, it was moved by Rt. W. Bro. H. Fehlwick, M.L.C., seconded

by Wor. Bro. A. G. Creagh, "That this debate be adjourned sine die."—This was carried:

2. Moved by V. Wor. Bro. Grand Secretary, seconded by the M. Wor. Past Grand Master Bro. H.

Thomson, "That the following paragraph in the Minutes of the Communication of Grand Lodge, held at

Wellington on the 29th July last, viz.," Letter from Bro. A. Gundersen, Secretary of St. Augustine

Lodge, Christchurch, asking that the Charter of the Lodge might be given up to the District Grand

Lodge, E.C., Canterbury," be expunged from the records of Grand Lodge, as St. Augustine Lodge had

made no such request, the letter being intended to be of a private character."—Carried.

AUDITORS.—Moved by M.W. Bro. H. Thomson, seconded by Rt. Wor. Bro. H. J. Williams, "That Wor.

Bro. Chapman and Wor. Bro George Fowlds be elected Auditors for the ensuing year."— Carried.

CHARTER OF LODGE ST. THOMAS KILWINNING, KAITANGATA. —The M.W. Grand Master presented to

Wor. Bro. J. A. Algie the Charter of his Lodge.

PRESENTATIONS.—The M.W. Grand Master was asked to make the following presentations :—From

Lodges Otago and Hiram an illuminated address to V. W. Bro. the Rev. Wm. Ronaldson, Grand

Secretary ; and a Past Master's Jewel to W. Bro. C. J. Ronaldson, from the members of the Lodge of

Otago, both of which were acknowledged by the recipients.

BRO. THE REV. WM. RONALDSON, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand of Antient Free, and

Accepted Masons.

DEAR SIR AND VERY WORSHIPFUL BROTHER,—The brethren of the Dunedin Lodges, holding under the

Grand Lodge of New Zealand, gladly take the opportunity of the first occasion on which a Communication of

the Grand Lodge has been field in Dunedin, to give expression to their confidence in your ability and their

esteem for your character.

Believe us, Very Worshipful Brother, it was a source of considerable pride to us that one of our own

members should have been selected for the important and onerous office of Grand Secretary ; that pride has

been increased by the manner in which you have filled the position for nearly three years ; and it is now our

prayer that the Great Disposer of all things will enable you to devote many years to the consolidation of that

institution whose welfare, we well know, lies so near your heart.—We are, Rev. and Very Worshipful Sir and

Brother, yours with fraternal affection,

J. BARTON, W.M.

On behalf of Lodge of Otago, No. 7.

HUGH MCCORKINDALE, W.M.

On behalf of the Hiram Lodge, No. 46.

Dunedin; January 24th, 1893.

GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS.—The following Reports have been received since the last Quarterly

Communication :—Nova Scotia, 1892 (3 copies) ; Indian Territory, 1892 ; Nebraska, 1892 ; Quebec,

Outlines of Hist of Freemasonry, 1759 to 1892 ; Colorado, 1892 (2 copies) ; Delaware, 1892 (3 copies) ;

El Derecho, 1892 (6 numbers). Grand Lodges will kindly accept the thanks of this Grand Lodge for their

courtesy in forwarding copies of their proceedings.

Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form with solemn prayer at 11 p.m.

————

SWEDEN.

——

His MAJESTY KING OSCAR of Sweden has declined to recognise the Grand Lodge of New Zealand until

such time as it is recognised by the Mother Grand Lodge of the World. King Oscar could not do

otherwise considering that he is a Past Grand Master of England, in addition to being the head of the

Freemasons in his kingdom.

————

GRAND ORIENT OF ITALY.

——

UNDER the initials " G.R." we find in the Rivista della Massoneria Italiana of November-December,

1892, the official organ of the Grand Orient of Italy an excellent article on the Grand Lodge movement,

entitled " Freemasonry in New Zealand." It is, of course, no secret that the initials "G.R." stand for V.W.

Bro. George Robertson, Past Grand Secretary and Grand Representative of Italy near New Zealand. The

article is too lengthy to reproduce, but we give a condensed summary of the paragraphs. Bro. Robertson

is master of the subject, for was he not Secretary of the Central Executive of the Masonic Union ? What,

however, gives us the most gratification is the zeal he displays in thus fulfilling one of the chief duties

of a Grand Representative. To enlighten the body he represents of the progress Masonry is making in the

jurisdiction to which he is accredited. Would that all Grand Representatives might do likewise.

FREEMASONRY IN NEW ZEALAND.

1. Description of the state of the Craft in 1889.

2. Example shown by the brethren in the Australian Colonies in asserting their right to govern
themselves.

3. Formation of a Central Committee and particulars re preliminary meeting in Wellington in 188 9.

4. Opposition of the District and Provincial Grand Masters and position taken up by the Grand Lodges of
England, Ireland, and Scotland.

5. Attitude taken up by Lord Onslow, his indecision.

6. Conference of D. G. M.'s in Dunedin and more opposition,

7. Vacillation of Lord Onslow who could not act as Lord Carrington had done in a similar position in
New South Wales.

8. Committee unable to guarantee 120 Lodges proclaims the formation of G.L. with Bro. Thomson as
first G.M.

9. Description of the meeting at Christchurch.

10. Progress of G.L. since then.

11. Particulars as to Boards of General Purposes and Benevolence, also as to division of districts and
excellent work done by Superintendents.

12. Aims of the Craft in New Zealand and possible formation of Charitable Institutions.

13. Recognition of the G.L. by most of the foreign Grand Lodges and appreciation of the brethren in New
Zealand of the fraternal feeling shown by the G.O. in at once recognizing the G.L. of New Zealand

14. Formation of a Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter and election of M.E. Comp. Gillon as First
Principal.

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THE old feud between the Roman Catholics and the Freemasons is often explained and apologised for by

saying that the Freemasons of the Continent are not like those of England, an innocuous fraternity, but are

atheistic and revolutionary associations banded together for the purpose of making war on the Church. The

Lyceum, the organ of the Jesuits in Dublin, however, declares that Freemasonry in its essence is hateful to

the Catholic Church, the Freemasonry of England and Ireland just as much as that of Italy and France. The

Lyceum says : Freemasonry is disposed to make use of the public positions attained by its members to

further its secret ends ; that it obliges them to use the trust conferred on them by the people for the service of

the people, as an opportunity to do the business of the Lodges, and to carry out their decrees. We have shown

that the Church can claim to be rendering a service to society and social order when she reprobates the

Masonic organisations.—Review of Reviews.

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LETTERS.
———————————————————————————————————————————

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

——

Letters intended for insertion must be accompanied, in all eases, 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 public Won, but as

a guarantee of good faith. We do not hold ourselves responsible for opinions expressed by our

correspondents.

Correspondence is invited, and Brethren are solicited to forward inquiries relating to any matter of Masonic

practice, or bearing upon the history or expression of the Institution. We only impose these easy conditions : -

Do not write on both sides of the paper.

Do not write on either side unless you feel you must.

Do not write unless you have got something to say.

Do not write for a reply privately, through the pOst, because we are busy.

Do not write and expect us to endorse your opinions every time, as they may not be our opinions.

Do not not write unless you say what you have got to say in a friendly way, as nothing written in a

cantankerous spirit will appear in this journal if we can help it.

Do not get impatient with us under any circumstances, because we (lo not deserve it. If you do, in that case,

as in every other one, BE BRIEF, and address THE EDITOR.

——————

" THE MASONIC GUIDE."

——

TO THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR AND BROTHER,—Several members of the Ruapehu Lodge, 2137, E.C., who are subscribers to the

CRAFTSMAN and to " The Masonic Guide of New Zealand for 1893," have called my attention to the fact that

in the last named publication, the Ruapehu Lodge is classed as " inert and lifeless, meeting irregularly, and

might with justice be considered dead." Since its formation on 15th January, 1885, to the present time, the

Ruapehu has met for the despatch of Masonic business, regularly every month without a single exception.

Emergency Lodges have been very frequently called and just as regularly formed. The 5th of last month saw

the close of a satisfactory year's working. Since then we have had the annual installation, an initiation, and

two passings. An emergency meeting is called for 23rd instant, at which it is proposed to initiate a newly

elected member, and at our regular monthly meeting on 2nd March, the business will consist of balloting for

a candidate and raising two brethren. At our last monthly meeting it was unanimously resolved "That the

time has now arrived when the Lodge should erect a lodge-room of its own," and a committee was appointed

to report as to the probable cost, etc. Believe me, Ruapehu is not dead or to be classed with the dead or

dying, but with the living and the very much alive. The Lodge's minute book will show the regularity of its

meetings, and of its inertness it is perhaps not for me to speak, but I hope I have written sufficient to

convince the Compiler of the "Guide" that he has misclassed us.

Before concluding I would ask that in the next issue of the CRAFTSMAN you will make the Compiler's error

known, and announce to the Fraternity that Ruapehu is not only a live but a thriving and prospering Lodge,

and hopes to continue to be a Masonic Landmark as long as the prominent mountain after ' which it is named

shall remain a physical one.—Yours obediently,

CHAS. GODFREY ESAM, P.M.,

Secretary, Ruapehu Lodge, 2137, E.C.

Marton, Rangitika, 14th February, 1893.

[The Compiler of the Masonic Guide took every precaution to avoid mistakes. At the latter end of 1891 our

Representative made a special trip to gather the necessary information for the Masonic Guide of 1892, but

upon applying to the authorities of "Ruapehu" it was refused, thereupon we inserted the particulars he

succeeded in getting on the spot, its correctness was not challenged. In the present instance we did not care

to meet with a like rebuff to that of 1891, but made careful inquires and was assured that "Ruapehu's"

position has not altered since the previous year. We would point out, with all due respect, that if a little more

consideration was shown to those who try to supply correct information, many mistakes would be avoided.

However we have much pleasure in publishing the particulars of "Ruapehu's" prosperity, and sincerely wish

them continued and increasing success.—EDITOR CRAFTSMAN.]

T. G. DE RENZI:, ESQ.,

Auckland.

WOR. SIR AND BROTHER,—I have to thank you for the copy of the Masonic Directory for 1893 received to-

day, which I regret to find like the issue of 1892 is not reliable. In the Canterbury E.C. district for the past

two years there have been no dormant lodges as set forth, all meeting regularly and increasing their

membership most satisfactorily.—I remain, yours fraternally,

W. R. MITCHELL,

D.G. Secretary.

[The same remarks apply to Bro. Mitchell as given to Bro. Esam. Our Representative applied to the District

Grand Secretary of Canterbury in September last for particulars of his District and for an exchange of

courtesies, these were promised but they never came. A mistake, we think, is excusable under the

circumstances. Indeed we think it is much to our credit, considering the withholding of information, that only

two errors have been found in the Guide. What we said months ago we repeat, as it may be the last time we

shall have the opportunity. During our three and a-half years Editorship not one communication from the

English, Irish and Scotch Bodies in New Zealand have been refused admission in this journal.—Editor
CRAFTSMAN.]

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THE ROYAL ARCH.
———————————————————————————————————————————

OAMARU.—A very notable and interesting ceremony took place on Thursday afternoon, February 23rd,

in the Masonic Hall, Wansbeck street, Oamaru, the occasion was the constitution and consecration of

the Waitaki Royal Arch Chapter, No. 13. The ceremonies being performed by M.E. Comp. H. Thomson,

Second Grand Principal, assisted by Ex. Comps. Waddell, Brown, and Gledhill, of the North Otago

Chapter. After the consecration, a Lodge of Excellent Masters was opened, and the degree conferred on

17 brethren, the ceremonies in this degree were performed by the officers of the North Otago Chapter,

the principal offices being sustained by Comps. Waddell and Gledhill. In the evening the following

officers elect of the Waitaki Chapter were duly installed and invested :— Jas. Wansbrough, Z. ; R. H.

Cathcart, H. ; D. McLennan, J. ; A. Mackay, Scribe E. ; E. W. Grave, Scribe N. ; N. Swinard, Princip

Soj. ; F. J. Kernshed, 2nd Soj. ; R. P. Crouch, 3rd Soj. ; W. Ridsdale, Janitor. Severs Companions were

exalted ; Comp. Crawford gave the Historical lecture, the Symbolical and Mystical was given by M.E.

Comp. Thomson. Special votes of thanks were recorded to Comp. Thomson for his services, and to the

Comps. of the North Otago for the very efficient aid they had afforded in the various ceremonies. At the

conclusion of the ceremonies, the Comps adjourned to the supper-room, where a banquet was held and

the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured. M.E. Comp. Thomson in replying to the toast of his

health, took the opportunity of paying a graceful tribute to the replying of the North Otago Chapter for

the hearty manner they had rendered assistance at the various ceremonies.

The sender of the above report says, "I also enclose for publication the report of the Institution and

Consecration of the Waitaki Royal Arch Chapter, No. 13. You see, after much exertion and great

patience we have obtained our object. Of course, you know the ins and outs of the whole affair, so it

would be useless for me to go over the ground you know so well, suffice it to say that we have started

with a membership of over thirty, and we have every reason to hope that the Chapter will become a very

strong one, all the obstacles which have been placed in our way, have only been instrumental in causin g

an enthusiasm which would not otherwise have existed." [The writer takes much for granted. We know

nothing of the formation of the Waitaki Royal Arch Chapter, No. 13. We are, however, exceedingly

anxious to know.—ED. CRAFTSMAN.]

———————————————————————————————————————————

MISCELLANEOUS.
———————————————————————————————————————————

MASONIC CLOTHING.

———

BY BRO. FRED. J. W. CROWE, PROV. G.O., DEVON.

Brother Speth thinks that white gloves were always de rigueur, but "confesses that his researches have

not cleared the ground" as to the evolution of the present clothing from its primitive form. By a

resolution of June 24th, 1727. the Worshipful Master and Wardens of all private Lodges were ordered to

wear " the jewel of Masonry hanging to a white ribbon," and on the 17th of March, 1731, the Masters

and Wardens and Members of private Lodges were ordered to wear "white leather aprons," lined with

white silk : the Grand Stewards to wear aprons and ribbons (or collars) of red silk, their jewels being of

saver, and not gilt as at present. (En passant as to jewels, it is rather curious that Grand Master, William

St. Clair, in the picture before referred to, wears his jewel on a long ribbon over the right shoulder and

under the left arm, the pendant resting on the left hip).

Turning to the Royal Arch degree, we have but the very slightest knowledge of how the present clothing

originated, but it was certainly not always as now, as the following extract made by Brother Hughan

from the earliest preserved minutes of the old "Moderns" Royal Arch Chapter meeting in London, on

June 12th, 1765, shows. The "Excellent Grands" were clothed in proper Robes, Caps on their heads, and

adorned with suitable jewels, but no aprons. Sojourners appeared "with the emblems of their

employment," and "all the Companions to wear aprons, except those appointed to wear robes ; the

aprons shall be all of one sort or fashion, viz : White Lerther, indented round with crimson ribbon, and

strings of the same, with a T. H. in gold, properly displayed on the bible, and purple garters indented

with pink." What these garters were, and when they were discontinued, is an interesting point, as yet

unsolved, and the meaning of "indented," as applied

to the apron, is also doubtful ; unless it means a

dog-tooth edging of crimson.

In Scotland the companions now wear the same

clothing as in England, but did not always do so.

The Royal Arch clothing of Ireland is quite different

to that of England, and is first defined in the

Constitutions of 1839. The apron is of white

lambskin, twelve to fourteen inches deep, and

fourteen to sixteen inches wide, bordered with two-

inch scarlet ribbon, with half-inch gold lace in the

centre. It has the usual triangle and triple tau on the

flap, and gold tassels on crimson ribbons. The sash

is plain scarlet ribbon four inches broad ; and the

only difference in clothing for the Grand Officers is

that their aprons are trimmed with gold fringe two

inches deep.

The sash in England is only worn in the Royal Arch

and certain of the hauts grades, but in Scotland

sashes are worn by officers of Grand and Provincial

Grand Lodge, and also by the officers of many

private Lodges. Like the apron, the sash is of great

antiquity, and as space will not permit any further

reference in the present article, I refer the reader to

Bro. Simpson's admirable papers on "Brahminical

Initiation" and "The Noose Symbol" for information

on some early forms of it. Gauntlets date from the

early part of the century, but are only provided for in the revised "Constitutions" of 1884, although worn

in Grand and Provincial Grand Lodge for years previously.

On the Continent the differences in clothing are very great, and in commencing with Denmark I propose

to give some general particulars of Freemasonry there, as so very little is known or can be ascertained

by the brethren in general with regard to the extremely exclusive systems of Denmark and Sweden,

which are now practically identical. I wish here to express my gratitude to Bro. Simonsen for much

valuable information, and specimens of clothing, etc., now in my collection. Bro. Mackenzie states that

the Rite is that of Zinnendorf, since January, 1855, but as that Rite only consisted of nine degrees, and

there are thirteen now worked, this cannot be so. The Rite is that of Sweden, and Kenning's Cycloptudia

is not quite accurate in its description under that heading, as only twelve degrees are there named.

The Rite adopted in Denmark in 1855 (March 18th) was practically a Scottish Rite addition to the Craft

degrees, and on that occasion the Lodge "Cerbus Federici," which is now a "St. Andrew's Lodge," was

founded at Elsinore, from whence it was removed after two years to Copenhagen. The present Danish

Grand Lodge, based on the Swedish Rite, was-founded on November 16th, 1858, and the first meeting,

at which the Consecration ceremonies were worked, took place on the 21st of the same month.

The clothing of the 1st degree is the leather apron A and a small trowel of unpolished silver on a leather

string, with the jewel of the Lodge. Of these jewels I am able to show four (W) of Lodge " Zorobabel,"

which is not working now, being merged in the next named ; (X) is the jewel of Lodge Zorobabel and

Frederic of the Crowned Hope" ; (Y) of Lodge "Christian," and (R) of "Northern Star." All are worn on

a ribbon of red and white stripes. Fellow Crafts wear apron B, with a polished silver trowel on white silk

ribbon, and the Lodge jewel. The edging and rosettes are of white ribbon. Master Masons wear apron C,

which is edged and lined with sky-blue silk, with rosettes of light blue ribbon edged with yellow, and a

square of gilt metal on the flap ; a collarette (C ) of ribbon similar to the rosettes, to which is suspended

an ivory key on a sky-blue ribbon ; a golden trowel on blue ribbon ; and the Lodge jewel.

In the 4th and 5th degrees apron D, with collarette D1 and shoulder-belt D2, are worn, a dagger being

suspended to the latter. The colours are black and white, and the emblems of silver. It should be

mentioned that the brethren wear small swords in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees, and in the 4th

and 5th, daggers.

In the 6th degree apron E is worn, with collarette E1 and sash E2. The edging of the apron, with rosettes

and lining, are red, the axe and centre emblem of gilt metal, and the sash of crimson edged with green.

The collarette is green, with green and silver enamelled jewel.

In the 7th degree apron F, sash F1, and the same collarette as El is worn, whilst to the sash is attached

the same key as will be seen on the sash of the 8th degree. The apron is white, with green decorations

and lining, and the sash green, with five emblems of crimson ribbon having a secret symbolical

meaning.

In the 8th degree, apron G and sash G1 is worn, the motto on the key being : on one side " aperientem

quis claudit " ; and on the other " claudentem quis aperit." The narrow edging and lining of the apron are

scarlet, the broad border and strings black, the cockle-shell of metal silvered, and the sword worked in

red silk with black shading. The sash is black with a red gilt-edged cross. In this degree the brethren

receive a ring bearing the letters F.D.G., which they wear on the middle finger of the right hand. To be

continued.

———————————————————————————————————————————

TO SUBSCRIBERS AND OTHERS.

————

Subscribers are respectfully notified that Payments and Editorial Correspondence should now be sent to

Arthur Cleave and Co., Box 152, Post Office, Auckland.

The Proprietors are aware that part of the Editor's Correspondence is of a private and confident ial

nature, in such cases, if the writers mark their communications " Private," the Proprietors will undertake

to treat such correspondence as being of a confidential nature.

Subscribers are respectfully notified that the correct filling of orders is sufficient evidence of their

receipt.

PAYMENTS RECEIVED BY ARTHUR CLEAVE AND CO., SINCE 16TH FEBRUARY, 1893

s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Anderson J. A. 11 0 Gossett Dr. 8 6 Lodge Ara 11 0 Philp D. M. 18 6

Anson J. 0. 19 6 Goulding R. L £1 10 0 Lodge St. John Pickett J. 8 6

Auckland (?) 8 6 Graham 11 0 No 84 £1 0 0 Porrett Rev. T. 8 6

Avenall 11 0 Halladay J. C. 11 0 Lodge St. John Porter Adam 8 6

Baker J. 11 0 Hansard 1 0 No 37 £1 0 0 Provis J. E. 10 0

Beacham E. 1 0 Harper C. 1 0 LodgeTe Aroha Prudhoe 8 6

Bews 7 6 Hayhurst J. M. £1 0 0 Waterloo Royal Pybus J. B. 8 6

Buckland H. 10 0 Henderson A. 7 6 Arch Chapter £1 0 0 Rasmussen 4 0

Burton A. H. 11 0 Hulbert C. P. 8 6 Mace Job 19 6 Rees H. J. 7 6

Butt 7 6 Humphreys 0. 8 6 Mackay A. 8 6 Reid George 8 6

Caplen 8 6 Jotie J. 10 0 Mason J. 7 6 Reynolds J. 8 6

Clark Alfred 8 6 Johnson S. 7 6 Matzen 11 0 Ridgway and

Clark G. H. 8 6 Jolly J. H. 8 6 McArthur D. 11 0 Gelding 5 0

Clifford H. J. 8 6 Kennedy A. F. £1 1 0 McKenzie J. 7 6 Rosa 10 0

Clist 17 6 Kenny Dr. £1 1 0 Milkgan 1 0 Shanks 6 0

Davenport £1 1 0 Kidd A. 8 6 Morley C. J. 1 0 Smardon S. T. 8 6

Dunlop £1 1 0 Lane E. G. 8 6 Morris J. 17 6 Stewart A. 8 6

Dutton 12 0 Lodge Abercorn £1 0 0 Nazer George 1 0 Sykes L. 10 0

Edsor 11 0 No 30 Nelson Capt. 7 6 Taylor A. H. 7 6

Ellis R. H. 8 6 Lodge Grand £4 10 0 Oates J. G. 11 0 Tewsley 11 0

Freeman H. J. 8 6 Lodge Leinster £1 0 0 Ogle J. 11 0 Todd Dr. 8 6

Furlong T. 11 0 Lodge Manawatu Pearce B. 13 0 Tyree A. 11 0

Gillanders Kil £1 0 0 Peet W. and J. 11 0 Wallace D. B. 11 0

and Syms £1 2 0 Warburton G.E. 9 6

Gilles R. J. 8 6 Wolstenholm 10 0

AMOUNTS COLLECTED BY MR MARTIN IN NAPIER
s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.

Bell 10 0 Gorman £1 0 0 Owen 7 6 Tait £1 0 0

Boyd 10 0 Horell 7 6 Roulston £1 0 0 Waterworth £1 0 0

Carr 10 0 Johnstone 10 0 Sidey .. 7 6 Winsley 7 6

Denholm 10 0 Lodge Scinde £1 0 0 Simpson 7 6 Wundrum 7 6

———————————————————————————————————————————

OUR EXCHANGES.
———————————————————————————————————————————

CONDENSED EDITORIALS.

———

IN his (Bro. Henry Robertson, of Canada) review of California he pronounces the law of that

jurisdiction, which makes unaffiliation within the jurisdiction for the space of six months an offence

subjecting the party to suspension from the rights and privileges of Masonry, "the most

heartless Masonic law on record," and he doubts whether it will ever become general.

On our own parts says our Canadian namesake, we do not think such a law can ever

commend itself to the Masonic mind. We agree that non-affiliates have no claims upon

Lodges, as matter of right, but there is nothing in the nature of non-affiliation which justifies its

treatment as a Masonic crime, and we do insist that

Lodges and Chapters have the right, of which they cannot properly be deprived, to extend their charities

to such brethren and companions.

We insist further that brethren and companions, as individual Masons, have not only the right, but that it

is their duty to extend to such brethren and companions, being otherwise worthy, recognition as Masons,

in all social and charitable ways, and that this is a right and a duty of which they cannot lawfully be

deprived by any Masonic power whatever. That Grand Lodges and Grand Chapters can make laws, and

enforce the them by pains and penalties, is doubtless true, but this is a case where we think those bodies

have transcended the boundaries of legitimate power, and that the act ought not to be recognized as law

elsewhere.

——————

IT is the Worshipful Master's sole prerogative to call special meetings of his Lodge at his own will and

pleasure for the transaction of such business as he sees fit to bring before the Lodge, but he must

remember that the members be duly notified thereof, as to time, place, and hour

of meeting, and that it is his duty to be present to open such special meeting at

the hour named. Until the Lodge is opened it is not a special meeting, and it

may not be the will and pleasure of the Worshipful Master to hold the special

meeting. The bye-laws prescribe the time of holding the stated meetings, and in the absence of the W.M.

the Senior or Junior Warden, according to seniority and having the Warrant in their possession, can

open the Lodge and perform its work A Past Master, in the absence of the Master and Wardens, even if

in possession of the Warrant for the time being, cannot open the Lodge any more than the humblest

member could. Such a meeting, if opened by him, would be clandestine, and its work illegal and null

and void. Even the subsequent entry into the Lodge, after its clandestine opening, of the Master and

Wardens, either or all, and the approval of the work, cannot take away its illegal opening, or hea l the

clandestine work. The Grand Master can grant a dispensation to open a Lodge in the absence of the

Master and Wardens, but no other person can. Should the Master be absent from the jurisdiction, or

incapacitated in any manner from the performance of his duties, the Senior Warden becomes de facto

the Worshipful Master, and if he desires a special meeting he, as the acting Master, can call it, and all its

work would be regular, if done under the Ahiman Rezon. A Lodge cannot have two Masters.

——————

THE same Masonic law governs the humblest entered apprentice and the Grand Master. The highest

prerogative of the Grand Master is to expound the law, and set an example to

the Crafts-Grand Master's men and Lodges over whom he presides, by a

faithful, Prerogatives, unwavering adherence to its tenets.—The G.M. of

North Carolina.

   

WHATEVER may be so, the so-called "prerogatives " and extra legal powers which the Grand Master is

believed by some to have, I consider him, under the jurisprudence which obtains in this jurisdiction,

divested of all discretionary power where the written law is clear and unambiguous. His sole duty in

such a case is to know the law, obey it, and see that others do so likewise.—The G.M. of Louisiana.

   

A Heartless

Law

Stated and

Special Meeetings

Grand Master’s

Prerogatives.

NOTWITHSTANDING the well settled doctrine announced in my address last year, and unanimously

confirmed by Grand Lodge, to the effect that the powers of the Grand Master are limited to the

provisions of the constitution and general laws of this jurisdiction, yet there seems to prevail an opinion

in the minds of many of our lodge officers and brethren that the Grand Master is immaculate and super -

human, having powers and authority above and higher than the laws which he has vowed to enforce, and

that he can, at his own will and pleasure, set them at naught.—The G.M. of Iowa.

   

WITH respect to the supposed Landmark that the Grand Master has "the prerogative to give

dispensations for opening and holding Lodges," the late Bro. Albert Pike thus criticises the statement:—

"The old Lodges were opened and held by spontaneous and free action of the members, without

authority from anyone The practice of granting Warrants and Charters grew up in modern days ; and the

Grand Lodge may, if they see fit, take away from the Grand Masters the power of granting what are now

incorrectly styled dispensations."

   

THESE works (Dr. Anderson's two Books of Constitutions published in 1723 and 1733), therefore, are

confidently relied upon, in some quarters, as affording conclusive proof of the existence of Grand

Masters, during the continuance of Ancient Masonry, or in other works, before what is designated as the

"Revival" of A.D. 1717. This has led, in the U.S.A., to a vast literature on the "Inherent Prerogatives of

Grand Masters," a topic which is amusingly referred to by one of the reporters of Foreign

Correspondence. . . . .

Bro. F. J. Thompson thus expresses himself with regard to a subject which has profoundly exercised the

minds of the "Corps;" or as they are not unfrequently called, the "Mutuals."

"The shades of night were falling fast,

As through an Alpine village passed

A Mason, who bore 'mid snow and ice,

A banner with the strange device

'Grand Masters' Prerogatives.' "

" His brow was sad, his pen, all ink

Stuck o'er his ear while he paused to think,

And then, as if by some one stung,

He shouted in an unknown tongue,

'Grand Masters' Prerogatives.'"

The subject, however, will hardly be deemed of even "academical" interest by the members of our

Lodge, unless, indeed, the mysterious attributes which are supposed to centre in a Grand Master, can be

said, with any appearance of truth, to have had their origin in some recognised fact in Masonic

history.—R. F. Gould on " The Assembly," in Are Quatuor Coronatorium, Vol. 5, part 3.

———————————————————————————————————————————

BRIEF MENTION.
———————————————————————————————————————————

THERE are 101 boys, 105 girls, and 20 widows in the Kentucky Masonic Home.

THE All Seeing Eye is the name of the latest Masonic publication.

THE new Masonic Temple at San Francisco is to cost 1,000,000 dollars.

THE Grand Lodge of Canada has 352 subordinate Lodges with 29,892 members.

THE Masonic Lodges of the Continent of Europe almost universally meet on Sundays.

The Grand Lodge of Scotland refuses to recognise the Grand Lodge of Tasmania. Some of the Lodges

have not paid up, we suppose.

A WRITER in the Australasian Keystone boldly asserts that there is a great want in the Lodges in

Victoria—" the want of Instruction."

IN some American Masonic jurisdictions, the members when visiting are instructed to refuse an

examination until the Charter is shown them

WHILE the Bible remains open on the Masonic Altar, the Roman Catholic Church will always oppose

the institution.

A WARNING note has been sounded in England, "Be more watchful with regard to new members."

THE Acacia Club of Chicago has a fine Masonic Library and a valuable portrait gallery of brethren.

A MASON who is "on the make " and uses the Craft to help him, is a poor, uncouth ashlar.

ON all ballots for candidates, and for officers, every member of a Lodge should vote. Not to vote, or be

excused, is to shirk duty and probably do harm.

MASONIC offices are not complimentary perquisites to be disposed of by any circle or clique. Neither

are they to be considered as a result of rotation in office.

THE Grand Master of West Virginia decided that a ballot having been closed and the candidate rejected,

it cannot be reopened. This is good Masonic law.

ROYAL ARCH CHAPTERS under England have been recently instituted at Campore, India, and at

Limassol, Island of Cyprus.

SPEAKING disrespect fully of the volume of the Sacred Law is a grave Masonic offence, punishable by

expulsion.

THE Grand Lodge of Maryland at its recent session having prohibited the use of postal -cards, the Lodge

in future will send out their notices enclosed and sealed.

THE 27th Landmark, according to the Grand Lodge of Nevada, is as follows :— Every Master, before

closing his Lodge, must give or cause to be given, a lecture on Masonry, or a part thereof."

THE only prerogative of the Grand Master allowed in ancient times, was his right to preside over every

assembly of the Craft within his jurisdiction, wheresoever and whensoever held. How times have altered

for the worse !

THE Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry, according to the Grand Lodge of Nevada, consist of 39

articles, of which the third is "Belief in the resurrection of the body."

A CATHOLIC paper, printed in Mexico, says :—" True charity is to wound and kill—if it he clone for the

church ; and a New York church paper exclaims" Faithful Mexico!"

A PAPER read in Boston by the Rev. "Brother" Stoddard starts with the fundamental objection of a man

selling his liberty and his manhood in swearing to keep a secret " that he knows nothing about."

THE NEW ZEALAND CRAFTSMAN says :—" Of all the sins most common to Freemasonry that of

ingratitude is the most common and reprehensible."—Masonic Home Journal.

AN Auckland ærated water manufacturer has registered the Square and Compasses as his trade-mark. At

first we were told he would not do it, then that he could not do it, now he has gone and done it. How is

this my persuasive friends?

IT should be the duty of the W. Master and brethren, when a strange face appears in the lodge-room, to

make the visitor welcome ; for the former are at home, while the latter is a guest.

A SPANISH Masonic journal, published in the island of Cuba, demands that women shall be admitted.

and that the day is not far distant when they will be admitted into Freemasonry on equal terms with men.

THE Catholic Hierarchy in the States desire to seperate from the Apostolic See and elect a Pope of their

own. The Freemasons, says the Catholic press, have a finger in the pie.

TEN years ago the Craft in the State of New York was 600,000 dollars in debt. At the present time it is

out of debt, and has 250,000 dollars at interest. It has also the finest Masonic Home in the world.

REV. BRO. H. W. RUGG is opposed to persons who attempt to join the Fraternity merely because they

think it will help them in their business, and says such members generally find themselves disappointed

in their anticipations.

IN Holland a Fellow-Craft has to wait one year before he can become a Master Mason, and he must

prove himself worthy as an initiate before getting his second degree.

THE old regulations required that every Mason should belong to a Lodge. A new regulation should he

made requiring that every officer of a Lodge should belong to a Lodge of Instruction.

THE case of an expulsion coming up for action, the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island restored the expelled

brother to the rights and privileges of Masonry, but declared that it had no power to re -instate him in his

former Lodge membership. This is also the law in the State of New York.

SPEAKING of the Lodges in London, Bro. R. F. Gould, the celebrated Masonic writer and historian, says

that they are "to a great extent, select, and expensive dining clubs . . . . . the entire instruction

communicated to inquiring brethren consisting of a smattering of ritual and ceremonies."

THE evil of intemperance will have to be met soon and overcome, and the sooner Freemasonry sets its

seal against libidinous practices the better for the institution, and just that much better for the world at

large. Intemperance is a Masonic offence, and should be dealt with as such.

IT is an abuse of power for the W.M. of a Lodge to prohibit a Master Mason, a member of his Lodge,

from attending a meeting of his Lodge, without assigning any reason, either to the Lodge or the member

prohibited. Such a Master should be dealt with severely.

SEDUCTION has been declared by the Grand Lodge of New South Wales to be a Masonic offence, and on

proof is followed by expulsion. We in New Zealand have gone further than that and declared that

fornication, adultery, and leading an immoral life, is an offence to both God and man, and on proof we

also expel.

A CERTAIN Lodge in which little work has been done in the course of the year, upon inquiry as to how

they spent their time at the meetings, gave the naive reply:— "We tried to get acquainted with one

another." There is a profound moral here for those who can read between the lines.

POPE LEO gave Freemasons a terrible roasting in his recent remarks before the College of Cardinals at

Rome. We have something to say on this matter in another part, for it will no doubt be interesting to

Freemasons to know what a terrible pack of villians they are.

IT is not generally known the precise position held by the Order of Knights Templars in Scotland. The

Grand Encampment refused to unite in the formation of the Convent-General, and declined the

invitation to assist in the organisation of a general governing body for the Templars of the World.

GRAND MASTERS PREROGATIVES.—It is the sense and opinion of the Grand Lodge of Nevada that the

Grand Master does not possess and ought not to exercise the prerogative of making Masons at sight, and

that the only way in which any man should be allowed to approach the sacred altar of Masonry, is by

regular petition to an organised Lodge, as report thereon, after due inquiry and a favourable ballot.

A NEW GRAND LODGE.—" The Grand Lodge of Oklahoma " has been instituted and a new grand

jurisdiction added to the list. Ten Lodges of the Grand Lodge of Indian Territory unanimously voted to

organise a Grand Lodge, and accordingly Grand Master Bennett organised the new body in proper

shape, good spirit, and with his blessing. They do these things in America much easier than we can

manage the same thing in New Zealand.

AN interesting debate took place in Lodge Caballera de la Noche, Havana, concerning the admission of

women into Masonry, and the formation of Ladies' Lodges. We quote the concluding paragraph of the

article in La Gran Logia, the official organ of the Grand Lodge of the Island of Cuba :—"That initiation

of women into Masonry is fully justified, though premature, owing to the present condition of Spanish

society ; but the question ought to be left open and means studied in order to carry out the idea."

A COMMITTEE has been appointed by the Grand Lodge of California to organise a "Masonic Widows'

and Orphans' Home Association" This institution will receive considerable support from the r esources

of the State, which, according to its statues, pays to each and every Orphan Asylum, in which the

inmates are supported in part or wholly by charity, the sum of 100 dollars annually for one whole

orphan, and 75 dollars for each half orphan or abandoned child maintained at such orphanage.

THE jurisdiction of Alabama has 10,448 Freemasons, of whom 604 are clergymen, giving the proportion

of one clergyman to every 17 brethren. In spite of this great moral influx into the Fraternity, the Grand

Lodge found it necessary to pass the following resolution :—" That any delegate from a subordinate

Lodge, who is in an intoxicated condition at the session of the Grand Lodge, shall be publicly

reprimanded by the Grand Master, and that his Lodge shall arraign him for trial upon due notice given

by the Grand Secretary to that effect."

AN Englishman has produced a pack of "Royal Masonic Playing Cards," in which he represents the king

as Grand Master ; the queen by the Princess of Wales ; and the knave (with apologies to H.R.H.),

another member of the Royal, Family ; and others, the Craft. The cards are embellished with Masonic

emblems. We see as much fitness in such a display as there would be in hanging the Square and

Compasses in front of a public-house.

THE RIGHTS OF EDITORS.—The Grand Lodge of Connecticut held a special communication at Norwalk

on January 16, 1893, for the purpose of investigating the case of the editor of a local paper who printed

the entire proceediugs of a meeting of St. John's Lodge. The case promises to be a celebrated one of its

kind, and high Masonic authorities in over thirty Grand Lodges have, in response to requests, given

under seal their opinion as to the rights of an editor in such a matter in contra distinction to his duties as

a member of the Fraternity.

AT the annual meeting of Lodge St. George, 1801, E.C., Dargaville, a very handsome jewel was

presented by the members to Bro. P.M. Powell. The jewel was designed and manufactured by Bro. A. G.

Bartlett, of Queen street, Auckland, and is a very unique specimen of the jewellers' art. The centre of the

jewel exhibits the Square and 47 Problem, which is so arranged as to form part of a Maori whare from

the base of which spring ferns, while the upper part displays a faithful representation of St. George. The

whole, surrounded by a handsome scroll, is typifying the E.C. St. George and New Zealand.

How many members of a Lodge are familiar with their own by-laws, much less the general laws of their

order. Not one out of ten we can safely assert. We sometimes witness the discussion of an important

matter, and the laws of the Fraternity are hauled out and hunted through in real school -boy style, for

some solution of the problem under consideration. This ignorance is not confined to those who seldom

attend meetings, but some of the most active members of the order are frequently the least posted on the

laws governing the same. A member, to be useful, should use some of his activity in posting himself on

the laws, especially his own by-laws, and those who have not thus familiarised themselves, should not

enter into a too free discussion of matters of which they have but slight acquaintance.

WE have been favoured with a copy of an early newspaper The Sydney Monitor, dated August 7th, 1833,

in which the following advertisement appears

MASONIC.

His Royal Highness the M.W.G.M., the Duke of Sussex being desirous that the Warrant of Constitution

from the Grand Lodge of England, which has been in abeyance since the year 1829, should be forthwith

revived and acted upon ; notice is hereby given that all members of the Craft who are disposed to unite

themselves in the renewal of the Lodge of Australia, No. 320, are requested to transmit their names,

together with the dates of their initiation and rank in Masonry, addressed to the W. Past Master of No.

820 at the lodge-room, Royal Hotel, Sydney.—July 25th, 1833.

FREEMASONRY IN GERMANY.—A pamplet of 49 pages recently published has caused a great stir and

commotion in Germany, especially in the three Prussian Grand Lodges. Its sale has been so rapid that

five editions were required within the space of three months to satisfy the demands, something

unprecedented in the annals of Masonic publications. Its author has been a Mason for 38 years, and in

1890 he voluntarily resigned his high office of Grand Master. The pamplet is not only intended to be

read by Freemasons but by the public at large. Nothing, in the opinion of the author, impedes so much

the progress of our Society as the secrecy in which the brethren think it necessary to hide their work,

and their boasting of being possessed of a knowledge that the profane are not able to penetrate. It is

important that everybody should know that the, idea of Freemasonry is no longer a secret, and that it

should be communicated to all those who are willing to inquire into the depth of questions having for an

object the solution of weighty problems. The Grand Lodge of The Three Globes in reply, makes a bitter

attack on the author.