Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We have b ou requested to insert the following letter : — To the Editor 0 / the Freemason . D S IR AND BuorHEi * , —Iu the early part of fche year 1890 you were good enough to publish two letters of mine , on the subject of the Grand Lodge movement in New Zealand , in whioh I commented on the illegal measures r < soTr , "d to , a » d tha usurpation of power by

Bro . T . S . Graham , the I > 3 tri ; c Grand Master of Otago and Southland , & o ., to crush the movement . The earlier of my two letters was , however , rendered practically pointless by yonr non . publioation of the correspondence accompanying it . I regret that yon have nofc since referred to the matter , either in approval or disapproval of the District Grand Master ' s action , aa it is one of the most striking

incidents in the movement . I wrote again at a later date , comment-Jog on a speech made by the District Grand Master in defence of his action , but as my letter haa neither been published nor acknowledged in your columns , I fear it must havo been mislaid by yon . I am moved again to write to yon because I see , from articles in your numbers of 9 th and 16 th August , yon have reopened fche question .

I shall not now attempt in any way to argue in justification of -the establishment of a Grand Lodge of New Zealand , bufc will merely attempt to show that , if practical unanimity haa not been attained , and if Masonio schism exists , some part of the responsibility for this unhappy state of affairs lies with the District Grand Masters ( especially with Bro . T . S . Graham ) , with the Grand Secretary of

England , and indirectly with the Grand Lodge of England . It ia universally admitted thafc in a country such as one of our self-governing colonies the Craft , by act of the Lodges , has tho right of establishing a Grand Lodge . The Grand Lodge of England has affirmed that right in the cases of South Australia , New South Wales , and Victoria , by cordially granting its recognition to the Grand Lodges

so formed therein . One of the conditions to be observed iu the establishment of a Grand Lodge beforo ifc obtains recognition , has over and over again been emphatically stated by the Grand Lodge of England to be thafc the Lodges must have given their consent to its creation . It therefore follows that the Grand Lodge of England recognises the right of Lodges to

disonss a resolution on the subject , ai ifc is only by th « passing of resolutions in open Lodge that Lodges can give their consent , and therefore the New Zealand Lodges were not transgressing the law when they considered such resolutions . Ifc further follows that any Officer , either Grand Master or District Grand Master who , without boing so empowered by tho English Constitution , issues a

mandate forbidding the discussion of the question by Lodges , usurps powers not belonging to him , and infringes the privileges of tho Lodges . Now , Bro . T . S . Graham did issue mandates against the Lodges of his District discussing the question of tbe establishment of a Grand Lodgo of New Zealand , and fortified hia position by tho statement in District Grand Lodge ( held 18 th November 1889 ) that

the Grand Secretary of England had written to him , stating that discussion in open Lodges on the subject was not to bo allowed . Thus , although the Grand Lodge of England bas , aa I have pointed out above , affirmed the right of the Lodges to discuss a certain question , fche District Grand Master of Otago , and tho Grand Secretary of England declare thafc ifc is illegal to do so . Who can

explain away the inconsistency ? The Grand Lodge of England has assumed the responsibility by its silence , and we ara therefore supposed to accept the two conflicting doctrines that Lodges must approve of the establishment of a new Grand Lodge to render it a legal body , and that Lodges must be prevented from using the only means which they possess of expressing- approval . Absurdity cannot

further go , and if tbe consequences had not been a terrible rendering of Masonio good feeling , and a schism in the Craft , the illogical position of the Grand - Lodge of England would be laughable . The Grand Lodge of England has much to answer for in the present unhappy state of Masonry in New Zealand . The position ifc has always taken np in respect to movements on the part of its own

Lodges for independence is a most unsatisfactory one . If conservatism , or a policy of do-nothing , had nofc beeu too strong in ifc , it wonld long ago have adopted the American rule that Lodges in a Colony or Province mnst obtain the consent of their parents before attempting to erect a Grand Lodge , and that , thereafter , if a Grand Lodge is successfully established all the Lodges must fall into lino .

England , however , refuses to advise in the first instance , then allows her officials to usurp powers detrimental to Masonic feeling without reprimand , and then finally refuses to recognise the new Grand Lodge because a minority of Lodges havo nofc disobeyed the mandates of those officials . The American rule works admirably , thafc of Eng . land has invariably resulted in anarchyschismor disunion .

, , I bave a strong affection for tho Grand Lodge of England , of which I was myself for years a member , and would not willingly malign it , but it is only too evident that ifc is completely oufc of touch with its colonial Lodges , and appears unable to draw a lesson from past Masonio disasters in the Colonies . Years ago , in Victoria and New South Wales , when the movement for tho establishment of Grand

Lodges sprang up , District Grand Masters , by forbidding the right of free discussion in their Lodges , acted contrary to the rulings of the Grand Lodge of England , and plunged the Craft of these Colonies into schism . Those Officers were not , however , ever called on for an explanation . The Pro Grand Master of England visited the Colonies , and recommended the Lodges to do exactly what their District Grand Masters said was illegal , pledging them that the Grand

Lodge of England would approve . The Lodges did as they were recommended , and the Grand Lodge of England approved wifch acclamation . Yet , when a similar movement is afoot in New Zealand , the Grand Lodge of England , without a word of censure or remonstrance , allows a District ; Grand Master and the Grand Secretary ( if Bro . Graham ' s statement is correct ) to throw the precedent net by itself and its Pro Grand Master to the winds , and

Correspondence.

thereby destroy , perhaps for many years , the bonds of Masonio Brotherhood . I trust that yon will excuse the length of this letter , taking into consideration in my favonr that much has been said in yonr valuable paper on one side of the question , and that it is only fair that the Craft in England shonld have an opportunity of hearing

the other side , in order that it may form a conclusion aa on whom rests the chief blame for the creation of a Masonio schism . I do not refer to Bro . J . J . Williams * letter , aa the tone of it appears to me fco be injudicious . As Masons we may sometimes have to impnte blame , but we should not lampoon those who differ from ns . Others will doubtless deal with Bro . Williams' assertions and figures . Yours fraternally , COIONIAI : . 18 th September 1890 .

Knaresbro' A Masonic Centre.

KNARESBRO' A MASONIC CENTRE .

To the Editor of the Harrogate Advertiser . DEAR SIR , —It may interest some of tho older residents in Knaresbro' to learn that great interest at present attaches to antient Masonic seals , curio ? , data of dormant warrants , charters , and parchment certificates of Freemasonry . In the Inst century thoro was located at this antionfc market town

a Lodgo of Freemasons , meeting at tha " Crown" hostelry , nndor warrant dated SOfch October 1769 , and denominated " The Crown Lodge , " which having become extinct ( why or when it ia uncertain ) . In the year 1787 a new Lodge was formed , No . 499 , named " The Newtonian" ( probablyin compliment toits principal founder ) , whioh assembled at " The Elephant and Castlo Inn , " High Street , upon the

4 th Mondays monthly . This Lodge became exceedingly popular , and by successive re-nnmberings 490 , 408 , and 323 , ifc ultimately became extinct on 3 rd December 1851 , by erasure from tho rolls . There was formerly attached hereunto by charter , dated 15 th August 1788 , a Royal Arch Chapter , named " Tho Holy Cross , " No . 62 , which history informs ua " also became extinct ; in the year 1823 . " Greafc

difficulty has existed for many years pasfc ( by tho Fraternity ) to discover beyond the merest trace of tho above , and other Lodgep , existing afc thafc period afc Harewood Bridge , Ofcley , Wefcherby , Ripon , and at Pateley Bridge , yefc members of the Graft ; in theso neighbourhoods will , I am sure , ba delighted to loarn that afc lost aomo moro tangible proof of these old associations have come to light . Through

the courtesy of Bro . W . P . Bell , Old Bank , Knaresbro ( who has been favoured by the owner with temporary possession of tho samo ) , I am now enabled to copy , verbatim et literatim , the two parchruonfc certificates , and describe the apron , & o . " To all to whom theso presents shall come greeting—We , the Worshipful Master , Wardong , nnd Secretary of the Newtonian Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons ,

No . 408 , late 499 , hold at Knaresbrougb , in the county of York , do hereby certify tbat Bro . Richard Smithson , was regularly raised to the degree of a Master Mason in our said Lodge , on 27 th Nov . 1809 , aged 22 years . In witness whereof wo have hereunto set our hands and seal of our Lodge , this 15 th day of May 1810 . Peter Lomaa W . M ., Tho . Ouram S . W ., Tho . Foxton J . W ., Benson Lund Secretary . "

The seal , which is about the size of a florin , is ( upon a black watered ribbon , interlaced throngh the margin of the parchment ) from a well out die , a square and compasses , with G in centre , No . 499 Newtonian Lodge , Knaresbro' tho impression is now incomplete ( portions being broken off ) , yot doubtless ore long tho dio itself will be unearthed .

Accompanying fche above is an apron of white lambskin , beautifully illustrated ( evidently from a copper-place ) , with Masonio embloraa and allegorical designs , representing " Faifch , Hope , and Charity , " nnder the flap of the apron ia written as follows : — " The gift of Bro . Joseph Smithson , of Leeds , to his Bro . Richard Smithson , of Knaresborongh . —Leeds , 11 th Sep . 1821 . "

The other is a certificate of the United Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of England . His Mosfc Gracious Majosty King George the Fourth patron . His Royal Highness the Duko of Sussex Grand Master . " To all whom ifc may concern : These aro to certify that our Brother Richard Smithson , who hath signed his name in the margin hereof , was regularly received into Freemasonry on

the 25 th day of September , A . L . 5809 , and was admitted to the third degree on the 27 th day of November 5809 , in the Newtonian Lodge , No . 490 , Knaresbro ' , and that he is duly registered in the books of the Grand Lodge , accordingly . In testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names , and affixed the seal of the Grand Lodge at London , the 15 th day of January A . L . 5822 , A . D . 1822 . Thia

certificate shall not entitle a brother to admission into any Lodge without due examination . William H . White , Edward Harper , G . Sees , Richard Smithson , Ne Varietur . " The seal is exactly the same aa that in nse by Grand Lodge at the present time , as also the form of embellishment in allegory and Latin transcription , whioh was adopted at tho Union , 27 th December 1813 ( St . John ' s Day ) .

Quoting from Dr . Granville's " Spas of the North of England 1841 , " we learn that " The new Spa and Baths at Starbeck , near Knaresborongh , wero opened in 1822 , when the Freemasons walked in procession ( and regalia ) with the promoters . " With theso facts , names , and data before him , the local antiquary now has a now field of Masonic research opened out , and , by the kindness of local families ,

may discover further traces , in the shape of documents , furniture , or paraphernalia , formerly in nse by members of the Masonio Craffc in this neighbourhood , and more especially of manuscript scrolls of parchment , usually about 6 or 7 inches in width , rolled up to several feet in length . Some of theso documents have a purchase val no at

the present time , whilst even a sight of them would at all times be esteemed a favonr by , Youra fraternally , JOHN RICHABDSON . " The Exchange , " Harrogate , 25 fch January 1891 .