New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND .

THE mail just arrived brings us the following Auckland items : — The installation of officers of Lodgo St . Andrew took place on 21 st December , at tho Lodge Room , Masonic Hotel . There was a very largo attendance , including visitors from all the other Lodges , and amongst them wo noticed Bros . P . M . 's Niccol , Heather , Burns , Lodder , Willcocks , and tho Rev . C . M . Nelson W . M . Prince of Wales

Lodgo . Bro . Walker , tho outgoing and incoming R . W . M ., presided , and having opened the Lodge in tho first degree , and raised it to the third , tho brethren were called on to receive Bros , the Hon . F . Whitaker R . W . P . G . M ., Anderson R . W . P . S . M ., and Tyler R . W . P . G . Secretary . The Provincial Grand Master was escorted to the chair . He nominated Bro . P . M . Niccol as Installing Master , and tho

following officers were duly obligated , invested , and installed as officers of the St . Andrew Lodge for the ensuing year : —Bros . W . C . Walker R . W . M . ( elected for the third time ) , T . VYhitson R . W . D . M ., F . M . Hewson S . W ., G . R . Hendry J . W ., J . Lewis Treasurer , G . Payne Secretary , J . McEwen S . D ., S . MoCosky J . D ., M . Gallagher Senior Steward , W . H . Niccol Junior Steward , J . Hughes I . G ., C . Porter

Tyler . The installation ceremony was earned out in a very impressive manner , and at the closo of the proceedings Bro . the P . G . M . gave a short acldress , stating his intention of devoting time and attention to the working of the Lodges under his control , and said that his presence that night on the occasion of tho installation of tho Officers of the St . Andrews ' s Lodge was only the commencement of many

attendances . After the R . W . M . had thanked the brethren for tho high honour conferred on him in electing him for the third time to tho chair of the St . Andrew ' s , the Lodge was closed in form , and the brethren adjourned to the dining room , where an excellent repast was provided for them . The installation and investment of officers of the Ara Lodge , I . C

took place at the Masonio Hotel , on 27 th December . Amongst visitors present on this , the installation of officers of the oldest Masonio Lodge in New Zealand , were Bros . W . P . Pierce R . W . P . G . M . I . C , G . S . Graham R . W . D . G . M . E . G ., Rees P . M . P . G . Sec , Burns P . M . P . G . D . C , Heather P . M . P . G . R ., Dr . Kidd P . G . Chaplain , Rev . C . M . Nelson D . G . Chaplain and W . M . Prince of Wales Lodgo , W . L .

Mitchell P . M ., W . Lodder P . G . Treasurer , G . H . Lavers D . G . S . W ., W . H . Skinner P . M ., Cole P . M . and D . G . J . D ., W . M . Waitemata Lodgo , and other visitors . Bro . Heather opened the Lodge in form , and raised it to the third degree . When officiating as Installing Master , he installed and invested Bro . M . M . Levy as W . M . for the ensuing year . Bro . Levy then invested the following Officers : —Bros . E . S .

Willcocks S . W ., E . W . Page J . W ., Rees P . M . Treasurer and Organist , Mitchell P . M . Secretary , Dr . Kidd P . M . Chaplain , T . E . Durance S . D ., J . B . Crowther J . D ., C S . Weston J . D ., F . G . A . Kummer and G . Thorne jun . Stewards , and 0 . Porter Tyler . After the installation service , the brethren sat down to an admirably prepared spread , laid by Bro . Hood , to which ample justice was rendered .

The installation of officers of the Lodge United Service ( I . C ) , took place at the Lodge Room , Masonic Hotel , on 28 th December . There was a fair attendance of members of the Lodge and visiting brethren . Amongst the latter were Bros . G . P . Pierce R . W . P . G . M . ( I . C ) , G . S . Graham R . W . D . G . M . ( E . G . ) , Cole W . M . Lodge Waitemata , and other dignitaries of the Order . Bro . Redfern opened the Lodge and raised

it , after which Bro . P . M . Burns , who had been appointed Installing Officer , installed and invested Bro . Francis Roycroft W . M . The ceremony was conducted in a highly dignified ancl impressive manner , as were also the subsequent charges , & c , which were delivered by Bro . Burns . Bro . the W . M . elect being himself installed , then invested

the following Lodge Officers : —Bros . J . Goodacre S . W ., W . J . Suiter J . W ., Batt P . M . Treasurer , Barns P . M . Secretary , B . Holmes S . D ., D . Hamilton J . D ., Melton and Sutherland Stewards . Tho proceedings having terminated and the Lodge closed , the brethren adjourned to au admirably served repast , which was laid in the hotel dining room .

According to ancient custom the members of the Tongariro Masonic Lodge , English Constitution , assembled within the walls of their Lodge room , on the evening of St . John ' s Day , to assist in the installation of office bearers for the ensuing year . The attendance of members was unusually numerous , and included many visitors from sister Lodges . The choice of the members this year

fell upon Bro . Edward Hardcastlo , the respected R . M . of the district , and we think the brethren of the Craft may be congratulated upon obtaining the services of so able a Master . The retiring Master , Bro . John Fleetwood , acted as Installing Officer , and was assisted by Bro . J . W . Robinson , as Director of Ceremonies . The following brethren were then formally installed in their respective chairs : —

Bros . Edward Hardcastle W . M ., Edward Wright S . W ., J . P . Watt J . W ., J . G . Woon S . D ., J . D . Tripe J . D ., B . N . Manley I . G ., T . Read Tyler , C . H . Ashforth Secretary , J . Bridge Treasurer , and J . R . Roes Chaplain . The choral service was supplied by Bros . J . G . Woon , J . G . Bakor , Culpan , Holden , and Sheriff , with Bro . Crawford presiding at tho harmonium . The impressive ceremony of installation

was carried through with excellent effect . Daring the evening the Installing Officer took occasion to present to the Secretary , Bro . C . H . Ashforth , a testimonial expressive of the esteem in which that brother was held by tho members of tho Tongariro Lodge . The testimonial waa in the form of a very valuable and handsome gold watch , bearing the following inscription : — " ' Fidelis usque ad mortem , ' Presented as a souvenir to Bro . C . H .

Ashforth , by the members of the Tongariro Lodge No . 705 E . G ., after nine years zealous services as Secretary . St . John ' s Day , 27 th Deceii / oer 1877 , Wanganui , N . Z . " Bro . Fleetwood , in making the presentation , said the testimonial only expressed the unanimous feeling of the members , and was a token of their appreciation of the valuable services rendered by their Secretary daring the many years ho . had filled that important office . He trusted that Bro , Ashforth

New Zealand.

would long retain his post , as he felt sure he would always retain tho respect and good will of the brethren . Bro . Ashforth acknowledged the receipt of the testimonial in appropriate terms . He said that the services he had rendered the Lodge had always been given with great personal pleasure . He felt exceedingly grateful to tho members for their substantial mark of esteem , and trusted that ho

would long be spared to continue in office as Secretary . The installation having been duly completed , tho brethren adjourned to Bro . Howe ' s Commercial Hotel , where a banquet had beoa prepared in a manner befitting tho reputation of this hostelry . Tho chair was occupied by tho W . M . Bro . Hardcastle , supported by Bros . H . S . Harrison , W . H . Watt , Major Noake , and C H . Borlase . Tho

toast list embraced the usual Loyal and Masonio toasts , and also tha special toast of " Secretary , Bro . Ashforth , " which was proposed by Major Noake . The speaker referred in eulogistic terms to the lengthy services of the Secretary , and the admirable manner in which the duties of the office had been carried out . He ( Major Noake ) being

cne of the earliest members of the Lodgo could speak with soma authority on the subject , and therefore it afforded him the very greatest pleasure iu proposing the toast . Bro . Ashforth , in respending , again thanked tho members for their confidence and good wishes .

The brethren separated after spending a very enjoyable reunion . The installation of Master and Officers of tho Lodgo of St . John , took place in tho Masonic Hall , Kelvin-street , Invercargill , on 20 th December last . It speaks wonders for the growth and vitality of Freemasonry when it can be stated of this , one of the youngest daughters of tho Grand Lodge of Scotland , that in the small space

of eight months it has grown to a membership of about forty-live , well on for half of that number having been initiated in the Lodge itself . Tho meeting was presided over by Bro . Henry Feldwick , the retiring R . W . M ., who also acted as Installing Master , honoured by having for his supporter no less distinguished a Mason than Bro . William Caldwell P . M . No . 432 S . C , a Grand Steward of the Grand

Lodge of Scotland and 33 ; he was also assisted by P . M . ' s Wade and Jacobs of Lodge St . John , Bro . A . 0 . Henderson W . M . of the Southern Cross Lodge E . G ., P . M . ' s Bros . W . Craig , W . Mofiet , and J . T . Martin , and Bro . F . H . Monckton W . M . of the Aparima Lodge E . C . j Bro . Chapman Jacobs acted as Director of Ceremonies , the Rev . W . H . Dean , Chaplain of the Southern Cross Lodge , as Chaplain , and

Bro . John Feldwick presided at the organ . Tho R . W . M . elect , Bro . Horatio Wragge , having been introduced to the Installing Master , was duly installed , and subsequently saluted by the members in their various degrees . Tho other officers were then invested and instructed in their duties , which being done , Past Master Bro . Caldwell delivered to the Master , Wardens , and fellows , eloquent , though

eminently practical addresses on the duties they owed to each other , and to the Craft in general . The newly installed Master then returned thanks to the presiding officer , the Hundredth . Psalm waa sung , and the ceremony of installation brought to a close by a prayer offered by the Acting Chaplain . The following is the com . plete list of Officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . Horatio Wragge

R . W . M ., Henry Feldwick I . P . M ., J . H . Kerr D . M ., E . R . C Bovvea S . M ., F . W . Barwell S . W ., D . Hunter J . W ., Chapman Jacobs P . M . Treas ., John Thomson Secretary , George M'Leod S . D ., R . Gilchrist J . D ., John Feldwick Organist , Thomas Findlay I . G ., A . Munro Tyler . After the installation , tho usual votes of thanks were returned—to

P . M . Bro . Caldwell , who had kindly attended from Dunedin , and another to the members of the Southern Cross Lodge for the use of their fine hall . Tho Lodge having been closed , the brethren thereafter adjourned to their own hall , in rear of the Prince of Wales Hotel , where a repast was served by Bro . Richard Powell in a style that could not have been surpassed anywhere .

Honours To A Plymouth Freemason.

HONOURS TO A PLYMOUTH FREEMASON .

AT the last meeting of the Cornwall Rose Croix Chapter , held at tha new Pnblic Rooms , Truro , the Rev . George Ross , M . A ., M . W . S . in the chair . It was proposed by Bro . William James Hughan 30 ° P . M . W . S ., seconded by Bro . Colonel John W . Peard 30 ° P . M . W . S ., and agreed

to by a unanimous vote , that" In appreciation of bis valued services to this Chapter , from its inauguration in 1875 to the present , Bro . Richard Rodda P . M . W . S . of the Huysho Chapter , Plymouth , be elected the Premier Honorary Member of tho first class . "

We congratulate our distinguished Brother on such a special mark of confidence and good will , especially under such happy auspices , and as we hear effect is to be given to the vote by having it illuminated , we are glad to know the fact will bo pleasantly and permanently chronicled .

Lodge of Israel , Liverpool , No . 1502 . —The third Annual Ball in connection with this flourishing Lodge took place on tho 13 th inst ., at the Adelphi Hotel , and the well-known enthusiasm of tho brethren at the head of affairs was conspicuously displayed , inasmuch as a most enjoyable and successful gathering was the result . The ball was in aid of the Benevolent Fund of the Lodge ( the first introduced

into this province ) , which has now at its disposal no less a sum than £ 150 . The arrangements were admirably carried oat by tho committee , which , among others , comprised Bros . Alex . Jones W . M ., A . I . Henochsberg I . P . M ., R . Robinson P . M ., A . Lvona Treasurer , B . Woolf , S . Schonstadt S . W ., and H . M . Silver Hon . Sec . There were in all abjut 170 present , the brethren appearing in full Masonic

clothing . The supper and refreshments were of a most rccherchd character . Great praise is duo to tho excellent manner the dutiro arrangements were carried out by tho band of Stewards , headed by their indefatigable Captain . Bros . A . I . Honochaberg P . M ., S . I . Henochsberg S , D ., and A . Hart were untiring in their duties as M . C . 's .