Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devon.

upon the tabic . The brethren sang as an anthem some verses from the first book of Kings , and the P . G . Master then declared the Lodge duly constituted and dedicated , and pronounced the final benediction . Before closing the Lodge the Prov . Grand Master said he must express on behalf of the Lodge their thanks to the Right Worshipfnl Grand Master of Cornwall for his presence amongst them on that

occasion , and for kindly undertaking the duties of Depnty Provincial Grand Master . Their thanks wore also due to the brethren who had taken so much trouble to arrange and beautify that room and to those who had conducted the mnsical part of the ceremony . He trusted that these two things were an augury that the meetings of the Lodgo would be conducted in harmony and its path strewn with

flowers . The Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , who on raising waa accorded a most hearty reception , aaid that he wished for a long continuance of the friendly feeling which had always existed between the Provincial Grand Lodges of Devon and Cornwall . He shonld always remember tho grand gathering of the two provinces in the Plymouth Guildhall ,

when , with the kind co-operation of tho respected and much-lamented predecessor of the present P . G . M ., a most cordial welcome was given to the Grand Master of England . The noble lord said it would always be his pleaaure and duty to 'try and carry out that feeling of harmony which had hitherto existed between the two Provincial Lodges .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed , and W . Bro . C . Croydon , at the request of the P . G . M ., opened the St . George Lodge for the first time , and subsequently , in an able manner , installed the W . M . elect W . Bro . G . R . Barratt P . M . P . G . Steward , who invested the following brethren aa his Officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . C . Croydon P . M . I . P . M ., John Lynn P . M . P . P . G . S . B .

as S . W ., E . Aitken-Davies P . M . P . P . G . S . Wks . as J . W ., the Rev . W . E . Darby Chaplain , Josiah Austin P . M . P . P . G . O . Treasurer , James Gifford W . M . Sec , J . S . Sloggett S . D ., J . T . Bond J . D ., James Griffin P . M . Dir . of Cer ., C . G . Withell A . Dir . of Cer ., A . Brickwood Hutchings P . M . P . G . Std . ( Cornwall ) Organist , W . Cann I . G ., J . Ray Plimsanl S . Steward , H . M . Bing and F . Couch Junior Stewards ,

J . Gidley P . M . Tyler , J . Griffin Charity Steward , and G . R . Barratt Representative on the Committee of Petitions . Several brethren heartily congratulated the W . M . on his well deserved appointment of being Master of a Lodge founded on such excellent principles , especially considering the fact that the Lodge numbers seventy-three members , and several propositions for initiation were announced .

The W . M . bore testimony to the great assistance he had received at tho hands of Bro . J . Gifford Secretary , who had been most energetic in his efforts to found the Lodge . The brethren of St . George , together with a large number of friends , subsequently banqueted together at the Congregation Hall , Courtenay-street . The room was beautifully decorated with flowers , moss , and flags for the occasion , and

presented an attractive appearance . It was decorated by Bro . F . Hodge , florist , under the able direction of the W . M ., Secretary , Treasurer , and other members of the committee . The banquet was supplied by Bro . H . Matthews , of Bedford street , who is to bo complimented on the excellent spread . The W . M ., Bro . G . Barrett , presided , and was supported by a large number of the Provincial Officers who were at the consecration , and , among others , by Bro . I . Latimer , J . P ., P . M . 189 , and P . P . G . J . W .

The nsual Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly hononred . Many were the congratulations offered to Bro . Barratt on his election , and the W . M . responded in suitable terms . He read a number of letters from various brethren , regretting their inability to attend . Among these were letters from Lord Wolseley , Bros . P . S . Macliver , M . P ., Edward Clark , Q . C , M . P ., Admiral Glasse , W . B . Richardson , M . D '

W . J . Hnghan P . G . D . of England , and Dr . Merrifield of Plymouth , most of whom congratulated Bro . Barratt and tbe Officers of the Lodge for founding a Lodge on such grand principles . Bro . P . Howard Davis J . W . of Wolseley Lodge ( tbe first temperance Masonic Lodge ) , Manchester , replied to the toast of the Visitors . In doing so he said that his Lodge was consecrated twelve months ago ,

in the presence of over 1 , 850 Masons , and the W . M . announced that there were 67 joining brethren , and 27 candidates for initiation . St . George Lodge was started on the same principles as the Wolseley , and there were now eighteen temperance Masonic Lodges on the roll . They had either obtained charters , or were applying for warrants . They were very much struck with the name St . G ° eorge

in Manchester , and they had decided on starting another temperance Lodge , the Sfc . George of all England . Bro . Davis advocated the formation of a Benevolent Fund in connection with St . George Lodge . During tho evening Bro . E . A . Lyona gavo a very amusing roadino-.

Bro . Kinton Bond a good recitation , and Broa . Hearder , Dyke , H . J . Barter , Davis , and J . Rendle excellent songs . The Masonic glee choir also rendered glees and choruses . The gentlemen who took part in the musical service at the P . G . L . were Bros . Barter , Dyke , Firks , Gillman , Goodall , Hoarder , G . Hele , Rendle , Congdon ' , Dawe , and others .

The P . G . M . of Devon would have been present at the banquet hut for an important engagement . The P . G . M . of Cornwall did not , therefore , put in au appearance .

Grand Lodge Of Natal.

GRAND LODGE OF NATAL .

THE half-yearly meeting of this Grand Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Smitb-street , on the 28 th March . There was a large attendance of tho members of the Craft . The meeting was opened by the R . W . Bro . R . I . Finnemore , B . M ., D . G . M ., who said . * Brethren , I have , as your District Grand Master , convened you today for several reasons . In the firat place this is the anniversary of the formal opening of our District Grand Lodge , and ifc is necessary to appoint new Officers . In tho next place it is desirable that no

Grand Lodge Of Natal.

•¦ime shonld be lost in pasaing Bye-lawa . I drafted a code in 1882 , which was printed and circulated among the Lodges ; but owing to impending changes in our Constitution it was thonght advisable , and recommended by Colonel Clarke , the Grand Secretary , that we should postpone the settlement of this matter until the final revision of the New Book of Constitutions in England had been completed . I have

not yet received a copy of the new Constitutions ; but , from a summary of alterations which wns published in the Freemason , and whioh I have carefully studied , I have been enabled to ascertain in what respects tho Old Constitutions have been amended , and with thia knowledge I have drafted a second code , whioh I shall lay before yon to-day for your conaideration and approval . In preparing the

new code , which I have made aa brief and aimple as I conveniently could , I have adhered as far as possible to the resolutions which were passed at tbe last regnlar Communication of District Grand Lodge , which was held under my presidency in Piefcermaritzburg in September last . Beyond the necessity for appointing new Officers , and finally passing the Bye-laws , subject to the approval of the Most

Worshipful Grand Master , there is also another reason why I wished to meet you here to-day , namely , that being abont to leave the colony for some months , after a residence of nearly thirty-four years , for the purpose of re-visiting the mother country , I was desirous of bidding adieu to my Masonio brethren , and of arranging sundry Masonic matters of importance preparatory to my departure . During

my absence from the colony the Masonio government of the district will devolve upon the Deputy District Grand Master , assisted by the District Board of General Purposes ; and I feel sure that you will accord to my depnty during my absence the same hearty support and co-operation which it has been my privilege to experience at your hands . As to the amended Constitutions , I find that I am empowered

to appoint the President of the District Board of General Purposes , who will rank next to the District ; Grand Registrar . Tbe appoint , ment of two District Grand Standard Bearers is also authorised , and the office of District Assistant Grand Secretary is now provided for and recognised by the new rules . I think it well also that I should exercise the power of appointing two District Grand Chaplains , as

there are so many candidates desirous and deserving of holding office in District Grand Lodge that ifc is difficult , if not impossible , for me to adequately recognise the claims of all of them . I would recommend thafc the District Board of General Purposes be constituted without further delay , as there will be many matters arising for their consideration . From the reports of Lodges for the past year , ifc will

be seen that the state of Freemasonry generally in the district is eminently satisfactory and encouraging . It is true that no new Craft Lodges have been opened in the district daring the past year , as it waa anticipated they would be . Unfortunately , difficulties arose whioh prevented our Newcastle brethren realising their wish to obtain a charter ; and I understand that the brethren at Ixopo have

abandoned for the present their expressed intention of establishing a Lodge at that place , because it is considered thafc the Carnarvon Lodge at Richmond will suffice , for some time to come , for the wants of the brethren in the locality . The recent erection and dedication of two new Masonio halls , one at Richmond the other afc Greytown , and the position generally of the existing Lodges , however ,

furnish satisfactory evidence of the vitality and progressive character of Freemasonry in the district , and is a subject of congratulation . Sundry matters of detail connected with the Craffc have afc different times during the year been submitted for my decision and action . Thus there was one appeal to me from the decision of a private Lodge ; one application for permission to temporarily change

the places of meeting of a Lodge ; several applications for my ruling on points of order or practice ; sundry amendments of bye-laws of private Lodges submitted for my approval ; and various other matters , including , I regret to say , a few applications for pecuniary relief or assistance . All these matters have been dealt with by me as they arose , and in such a manner ns circumstances would enable

me to deal with them . Business of this nature , as well as necessary communications with the Grand Secretary in London , the Deputy D . G . M ., ancl the District Grand Secretary from time to time , has entailed npon me an amount of correspondence which is not inconsiderable ; bufc notwithstanding my official and other duties I have endeavoured to settle all points as they arose and to ensure as far

as possible that there should be no delay in answering letters . The experience of the first year of our District Grand Lodge has thus shown thafc the home authorities rightly judged thafc the time had arrived when Local Government of the Orderin the colony had become necessary . I may here mention thafc Bro . George Russell D . G . Senior Warden is compiling for publication a History of Freemasonry

in tho district , moro particularly with reference to the Port Natal Lodgo , No . 738 , with which he has boon so long and honourable connected ; and I have no donbt but thafc this publication will be found to be of great interest to members of our Fraternity . I have the pleasure also to announce to you that Bro . M . H . Emanuel of Lodges 738 and 1192 , P . M . 1069 , has kindly mado a present to tho District

Grand Lodgo of a handsome silver square and compasses , which I now submit for your acceptance . The D . G . Secretary will read to you the letter which accompanied the presentations . I am sure I am only expressing the unanimous feeling of the members of District Grand Lodge when I say that we sincerely appreciate the gift ; and for my own part I value still more the kindly expressions

towards myself as District Grand Master which accompanied it . My sincere thanks are due to the outgoing Officers for their attention to their duties during their tenure of office ; and I thank you all , brethren , for your salutations and reception of me to-day . I will not now detain you from tho more important business of the meeting with any further preliminary remarks , bnt will conclude with the

time honoured wish , that as the labours of our District Grand Lodge have been begun in order , and the blessing of tho Great Architect of the Universe has beon invoked on our proceedings , so may they be conducted in peace and with a true regard to the best interests of the Order , ancl may be closed in love and harmony . The following District Grand Officers were then invested * . —