A Masonic Grand Lodge For Queensland.

A MASONIC GRAND LODGE FOR QUEENSLAND .

A MEETING , oonvened by advertisement , was recently held for the purpose of considering the advisableness of following the example of New South Wales , Victoria , South Australia , and other colonies , in the establishing of a Grand Lodge in this colony . In all 216 brethren responded to the advertisement , and assembled in the lower room of the Masonio Hall , Alice-street . The platform was

occupied by the following brethren-. —Dr . Thomson , Theodoro Unmack , J . G . W . Barnes , Dr . Taylor , and the Hon . J . It . Dickson . Dr . Thomson wa 3 voted to the chair , and he read the advertisement convening the meeting . The Hon . J . R . Dickson moved— " That in the opinion of this mooting it is desirable that a Grand Lodge of free

and accepted Masons of Queensland be formed , and that immediate steps be taken to that end . " He said that the question they had met to consider was of the greatest moment to Freemasous , as it was proposed to establish a United Grand Lodge of all the Constitutions at present represented in the colony . The object held in view in

taking this step was the promotion of the welfare and prosperity of the Craft in Queensland . Tho nine brethren whose names were appended to the advertisement calling the meeting had long considered that the establishment of a Queensland Grand Lodge would be a great advantage to Freemasonry , and at an informal

meeting they had considered what course shonld be adopted . Information had been obtained as to the constitution of the Grand Lodges of the other colonies , and that meeting had been called as the initiatory step in the direction aimed at . He firmly believed that if their obieot was carried into effect it would be advantageous in every

way . It would remove all the petty rivalries and jealousies that were bound to exist while there were three distinct Constitutions . Victoria , New South Wales , South Australia , New Zealand , and Tasmania had established Grand Lodges , so that Queensland was the only large colony in the group that had not done so . This in itself

was sufficient to justify Queensland in following the same course . The movements in these colonies wero not conceived or carried out in any feeling of antagonism to the Grand Lodges of the old country , and it would not be in this colony either . The time had arrived when they felt that they could walk alonp , and in this he believed

they would have the support of these who had retired from the ranks of Masonry on account of tho rivalries alluded to , and also of " young Queensland , " to whom the distinctions between the then Constitutions were meaningless and unintelligible . In desiring to establish a Grand Lodge they only desired local self-government , and to

participate in the responsibilities and privileges that Grand Lodges hold with regard to the Lodges connected with them . It was also to be remembered that the Grand Lodges were by no means inimical to proposals for the formation of new Grand Lodges , when it was shown that they could go alone . The brethren who had originated

tbis scheme m Queensland had no selfish or interested motive in view and no desire for personal aggrandisement . They only de 3 ired and aimed at the welfare of the Craft generally . Bro . T . Finney s 'conded the motion . He said there could bo no doubt that the time bad arrived when a Grand Lodge should be established in this

colony . There were at present about Bixty Lodges working under the three Constitution ? , yet the Grand Lodge of Englaud was formed in the year 1717 with only four Lodges . By forming a Grand Lodge here they would do away with many of the tedions and vexatious delays they woro nov subjected to in transacting their business at

the other Bide of the world . They would also keep their funds in tlie colonic " , and would in time bo able to establish the educational and chiritable institutions which they so much d sired to see in exift'nee . Up to tho present the Masons of Australia had done nothing towards rearing up such monuments to tho usefulness of

Masonry , and had nothing tangible to show tho outside world snch as t ' lere were in other countries . When they had their own Grand Lodge step 3 in this diioctiou might be taken , hot not before , as they wero disunited , and did not work together . Bro . A . E . Harris supported the motion , acd contended that the Masons of England

nppi'ovcd of tho establishment of colonial Grand Lodges when the severance was loyally and courteously effected . Dr . Taylor also sp ke in favour of the motion , and argued that the proposal was perfectly regular and iu older , aud did not in the slightest degree infer , as some people seemed to think , that there was a schism in tho

Craft . Bro . J . G . W . Barnes read communications that had been received from various Lodge Officers in the country districts , expressing concurrence in the scheme , Bro . G . H . Pickbnrn , Master of the Laidtey Lodge , said his Lodgo would work under tho proposed Grand Lodge if it was established . Bro . W . Gartside said

it was a mistake to suppose that Masons wero unanimously in favour of this proposal . So far as his own Constitution was concerned they were perfectly satisfied with tho working of the Grand Lodge . They only paid 7 s ( id per member initiated , aud he had knmvn six oco ( isiuii 3 when sums of money up to £ -50 had been received from the

Gi . iiul Lodge . It wiiS now pivposi d to do uwuy with this , but what wero ttu-y going to receive in ita placn ? Am ) , in addition , tln-y would loso a gretit doul of the prpstige they now enjoyed . Tin ; motion wa , 3 thtn pnt and carried , only seen voting against it . lir . > . R . J . Kessell then moved : — "That tho brethren present now

undertake to use their boat efforts to Ciiry out the first resolution and form a Masonic Union . " Tho motion was seconded by Bro . E . Mansfield , and carried . On tho motion of Bro . G . S . Hutton , seconded by Bro . V , Lnraen , it wan resolved : — " That Bros . Dick . son , Deigbton , Thomson , Taylor , Carter , and Dranrs of tho Eii"li . « h

Constitution ; Bros , Barnes , Sweetman , Skillor , Potts , Mai't-regorv , and Lirsen of tho Scottish Constitution ; and Bros . Unmack , Mac Donnell , Hutton , Hip wood , Ayacough , and Eohlin of the Iri . s ><

CotB'itution be appointed an Executive Committee , with power to ar d to the r number , for the purpose of taking steps for currying out the objects of the Masonic Union . " A vote of thanks to the Chairman Closed the business of the meeting .

Laying The Memorial Stone Of A New Masonic Building.

LAYING THE MEMORIAL STONE OF A NEW MASONIC BUILDING .

THE ceremony of laying the memorial stone of the new Mason o Hall for West Bromwich took place on the 27 th ult ., and was performed by the Mayor ( Councillor Heelis , J . P . ) and Colonel Foster Gough . Representatives from a large number of Lodges assembled iu the Town Hall , where a procession waa formed , and proceeded ,

via Victoria-street , to the site of the new building , in Edward-street . The building is to consist of a large lodge and assembly room , banqueting room , caretaker's residence , store rooms , kitoheD , lavatories , & c . The building will be fitted with every requisite for Masonic purposes , and for letting to the publio for outside gatherings .

All the rooms will be lofty , well lighted , and well ventilated , and the elevations will be faced with best bricks and stone dressings , the style adopted being renaissance . On the stone is the inscription : — " This stone was laid by his Worship the Mayor of West Bromwhich , E . W . W . Heelis , Esq ., J . P ., and by hi 3 brethren and the Eight

Worshipful the P . G . M . Colonel Foster Gough , LL . D . of the Freemasons of Staffordshire . " The vessel containing the coins and documents having been presented to the Mayor by the different officials , the engraved plate waa handed by the P . G . S . of West Bromwich to his Worship , who called

upon the Prov . Grand Secretary to read the inscription , whioh waa as follows : — " This stone was laid by E . W . W . Heelis , Esq ., Mayor of West Bromwich , and tried and proved by the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master Mason of Staffordshire , Colonel Foster

Gough , LL . D ., and his Officers . —May 28 , 1889 . —B . Heelis , builder j VYood and Kendrick , architects . " At the ceremony there were a number of Masonio formalities ob .

served ; but after the final descent of the stone upon its bed , his Worship the Mayor called upon the Eight Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master of Staffordshire to try and prove the Btone ia accordance with the established customs and ancient forms used

by his Craft . Having replied to the Mayor , accepting the request oa behalf of himself and the brethren of the ancient Craft over which he presided in this Province , the Provincial Graud Master said : —Men and brethren here assembled to behold this ceremony , know ye that we be the lawful Masons , ever true and faithful to the laws of oar

country , and bound by solemn obligations to ereot , or assist in the erection of , handsome buildings , to be useful to the brethren and mankind , and to serve God , the Great Architect of the Universe . We have among us , sealed from the eyes of all men , secrets which may not be revealed , and which no man has discovered ; but those secrets

are lawful and honourable , and are not repugnant to the laws of God or of man , for they were entrusted , in peace and in honour , to the Masons of ancient times , and having been faithfully transmitted to us , it is onr duty to convey them unimpa ired even to the latest posterity . Unless our Craft were good and our calling honourable ,

we should not have had amongst us so many illustrious brethren , ever ready to obey our laws and to promote our interests . We are assembled before yon this day for the purpose of trying aud proving this foundation stone , and aa the first duty of Freemasons in every undertaking is to invoke the blessing of tho Great Architect

of tho Universe upon their work , I will ask you to unite with our Senior Provincial Grand Chaplain in an address to the Throne of Grace . The Provincial Grand Chaplain then offered prayer . A silver trowel for the ceremony , benring an inscription of the date and the event , was presented to tho Mayor by the architects .

The P . G . M . then placed himself on the east side of the stone with the D . P . G . M . upon his right , and the two Wardens placed themselves oa the west side , each bearing the badge of his office , other officials and bearers of tho mallet , corn , wine , and oil being near . The usual questions were put and answered , and after having applied the plumb ,

rule , level and square , with appropriate ceremonies , the Provincial Grand Master said : In tho name and by the authority ot the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason of England , His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , and in his worthy and worshipful behalf , I declare this foundation stono , having been first tried and proved , according

to the ancient Freemason's Craft , by the square , level , and plumb rule , to bo well and truly laid in every particular . Subsequently corn was strewn , and oil and wino poured , upon the stone .

Following a short address , the National Anthem waa sung , and the procession re-formed and proceeded to the Lodge-room . Later ia the afternoon the Masons and Officers dined together at the Town Hall . A large number of people witnessed the ceremony .

Ireland.

IRELAND .

MASONIC FEMALE ORPHAN SOCIETY . AT t , h « half-veavly mooting of the Bowl of Governors , held at the Sehoolheine , Bills ' ori'lue , on thn 1 th inst ., the bailor , for the •lection of nine pupil * was < lei'l , ir . ( i , at follows , viz , : — E . A . Cuddy , 13 , " ; J . M . Charl .-p , 2097 ; A , Johntt . n , 1325113 ; E . T . Jon ^ , 3026 ; M

L E . Miieguiiv , 3035 ; J . C . Mecredv , " 2338 ; E . Mtd ^ ley 1 ) 00 ; . M . Novburn , 2171 ; M . Nibluck , 2785 ; M . J . Porter , 3087 ; E . M . Koekf . » rd , 1285 . Johnstou , Porter , Mac ^ ui tv , Joaes , N iblock , Ne * bum , Mecredy , Charle 3 , aud Caddy were accordingly declared elected .

We be ? to call tbo attention of our readers to the fact that the clay fixed for the distribution of prizes at Wood Green stands for Thursday , tti 8 27 th instant , and not for Saturday , the 29 th , as originally announced by us . The uhange of date was necessitated through the adjourned meeting of tho General Committee bt'iug fixed tor tho

29 th June , and it is to prevent these two events clashing that the alteration u £ date has been made .