Nelson, New Zealand.

by the Immediate P . M ., a procession was formed , and tho Lodgo proceeded to Christ Chnrclv for divine service Tho service was choral , aud tho combined choirs of Christ Church , All Saints , Trinity , Presby . terian , and Wesleyan , with their respectivo Masters , wore present , and tho sinking was highly impressive and effective . Bro . W . G . Scaly presided at tho organ ; tho prayers were read by tho

incnmbent Rev . Mr . Loitchton , and thelessous by tho Venerable-Archdeacon Thorpo . The Right Rev . tho Lord Bishop of Nelson delivered au eloquent and masterly discourso from 2 Kings x . 15 , "Aud whon he was departed thence , ho lighted on Jehonadab tho son of Rechab coming to meet him ; and ho salntod him , and said to him , Is thine heart right , as mv heart is with thy heart ? And Jehonadab answered , It is . If

it be , givo mo thino hand . And ho gave him his hand ; and ho took him up to him into the chariot . " Ilia Lordship being requested by the brethren to permit them to publish this instructive and practical sermon or lecture , ordered it to appear in tho Nolsou Church Messenger for January . Tho church was filled from aislo to porch , and numbers Avho could not obtain admission romained without .

After the service , tho procession returned iu roverse order to the hall , and Lod < ro wa 3 closed . Iu tho evening , the customary banqnet took place , a large company of member and visiting brothren being present . After tho usual patriotic and Masonic toasts , Bro . Sealy P . M . proposed the health of tho newly installed W . M ., Bro . W . M . Stanton , conveying some very graceful compliments , and predicting a

year of prosperity for the Sonthorn Star Lodge . Iu responding , Bro . Stanton expressed himself as deeply grateful for the flattering language in which tho toast had been given , bnt hoped that tho Lodge would not expect too much at his hands ; he felt considerable diffidence in undertaking tho responsible position , but would use his best efforts to justify tho choice of tho brethren , to whom

however he looked for that cordial support and unanimity of feeling and action so essential to tho welfare of any social institution . Tho health of the Immediate P . M . was given by tho W . M ., and responded to in suitable terms By Bro . Boor , Avho proposed the retiring Officors , responded to by Bro . Cann . Telegrams were exchanged with the Marlborough Lodge of Unanimity then similarly eugaged , and precisely

afc ten o ' clock , at Avhich moment it was announced they were toasting the Southern Star Lodge , prosperity to the brethren at Blenheim was drunk with full honours . Prosperity to the Forest Lodgo of Wakefield , was then drunk , coupled Avith the health of Bro . Chattock P . M ., who returned thanks . The Bishop and Clergy ; tho health of Bro . W . G . Sealy , Avith hearty thanks for his zeal in conducting tho music

of the day ; the newly Initiated Brethren , responded to by Bro . Rawson ; and tho Visiting Brethren , were all duly given . Bro . Dyson , of Prince of Wales Lodgo , Auckland , returned thanks , and Bro . Morton Tavare 3 of Elgin Lodgo , Jamaica , gave an interesting account of his thirty years' Masonic experience in various countries . The W . M . proposed prosperity to tho newly formed District Grand Lod _ r e of Auckland , and the health of Bio . Georgo Graham tho D . G . M . He

described the cordial reception and fraternal treatment ho received from the Auckland brethren on his visit to the consecration and installation of the Grand Lodge and Grand Master . The proceedings were enlivened from time to time with music , recitation , and song . From high noon to midnight , every incident of tho Festival was harmonious and delighting ; it was the largest Masonic assemblage over seou iu this city , and will long bo agreeably remembered by all who had the pleasure of joining in ifc .

Since the above was written the W . M . has suffered , wo regret to say , a bereavement in the death of his only son , Albert W . 11 . Stanton . Returning from the Lodge on St . John's Day , he found his boy in considerable pain , and immediately called in Bro . Dr . Squires , who , assisted by Bros . Drs . Sealy aud Boor , did all that skill , indefatigable exertion , and fraternal affection could suggest or devise , but in vaiu ;

after a painful straggle of six days , Avith incessant attention , his con-Btitntiou could no longer support the trial , and tho lad died just as the clergyman had commended his spirit to tho Gcd who gave it . The brethren of the Lodge followed at the sad funeral , and the body Was oorne from tho Mortuary Chapel and lowered into the earth by

the tender hands of Masons . The coffin of the deceased Lewis was strewn with acacia sprigs , deposited by the brethren over the beloved son of their Worshipful Master , with whom and with Ay hose family the deepest fraternal sympathy was manifested . The principal boys ' of the Bishop ' s School folloAved the remains of their beloved school fallow . Six of his more immediate companions being pall bearers .

A Fish Ordinary.

A FISH ORDINARY .

OUR readers are , no doubt , aware that Billingsgate Market has recently been rebuilt by the Corporation of London ; and though it will never be one of tho most savoury localities in the metropolis , still , as we must have a fish market somewhere , and as this market has been located at Billingsgate from timo immemorial , AA-e must be content if the building set apart for the sale of iish is

commodious aud suitable , not troubling ourselves as to whether it Smells as sweet , and is as cleanly in its precincts as a fashionable west-end thoroughfare . Those who are afraid of a little dirt aud crowding , and wbo 30 olfactory powers are unusually sensitive , Avill do we'd to stay away from this famous market-place ; but those who , like ourselves , take an interest iu our food supply , will bo amply repaid for their trouble and tho momentary iaconvouienco of visiting it .

They will find it a much more commodious buildL . g than its predecessor , and more imposing externally . Moreover , as there is n place in Loudon where befctor aud fresher fish can be had , and as the parts of the building which face the river havo been selected to sorvL a 3 taverns , thero are several places where the visitor , after s : udyiothe architecture of the new market , will find excellent } accommodation for satisfying the inuer man . We Avero rdcent ' y drawn hither iu , part ^ by gar love of architecture , as becomes true Masons ,

A Fish Ordinary.

but chiefly by a Avish to test tho merits of a new houso opaned within tho last few weeks by onr worthy Bro . Smith , who , for fourand-twenty years past , has enjoyed tho osf . eom of all Craftsmen in tho habit of frequenting a certain hotel in Fleet-street , where vory many Lodges hold their meetings and refresh themselves when tho laboni' 3 of tho day are ended . So highly , indeed , were tho services

of our worthy brother regarded , that a handsome testimonial AA-as preseuted to him afc tho closo of his career at Anderton ' s . We knew , therefore , that in visiting tho tavern so recently openod by him , wo should find everything to our satisfaction ; and that whether Ave indulged in tho hnmblo chop and glass of bitter , or directed our attentions to the more than ordinary attractions of his Fish Ordinary

in tho Grand Saloon on tho second floor of his house , wo shonld havo equal reason to bo gratified . Our anticipations Avere fully realised . Wo tested tho merits of his ordinary , and though AVO do not caro much for word-jingling , and especially in connection with so solemn a duty ns that of dining , wo must nevertheless declare that thffso merits aro worthy of extraordinary praise . The bill of fare , or , in

more polito language , the menu , included evory description of fish in season—salmon , tnrbot , cod , trout , red mullet , eols , whiting , whitM bait , smelts , & c , & e ., several entrees , and two or throe joints . Everything that was brought to table was admirably dressed . Tho service was excellent , tho waiters being well up to their duties , and most civil and obliging . Tho saloon certainly deserves the title of " grand , "

for ifc is capable of accommodating 260 guests . Tho tables were well laid out , tho linen , glass , plate , and cutlery being all that the most fastidious could desire . Thero was a good wino carte , and good wines at moderate prices aro to be obtained , or a tankard of our native beer may bo had at tho usual price . But this is far from being tho limit of tho accommodation at Bro . Smith ' s hostelry , if AVO m-y

term it so . Thero is a , handsome and well-fitted smoking saloon on tho third floor , over Avhich , are placed the kitchcus , while the first floor is set apart for grill rooms , where may be had chop , steak , cold meats , a plate of fish , & c , & c . On the first floor is the bar , in which , during the small honrs of tho morning , when the important business of the day is being transacted , thero is , wo are told , hardly standing

room , so great is the muster of hungry salesmen and fishermen as customers . Indeed , Bro . Smith contemplates an addition to this part of his esta lishnnent , so that ho may be in a better position to meet the requirements of his numerous supporters . On the basement are the sculleries and other offices , so that the tavern is well appointed in all things , aud Avith a commnudcr-in-chief of the proved

excellence of Bro . Smith , there is little doubt that his tavern will soon bo as popular abroad as it is in the immediate neighbourhood ; aud , we may add , deservedly so . Ono thing we have forgotten to mention , and that is , that the chargo for dining at this fish ordinary is the moderate sum of two shillings ; beer , Avine , and spirits are

additional , and attendance at the option of the guest . We strongly adviso our friends to give Bro . Smith au opportunity of proving himself as worthy of their support in his new capacity of " mine host" as ho wai in his former capacity of "head waiter" at Anderton ' s . We guarantee they will come away well satisfied he is up to the mark aud a little over .

INDIAN TEA . —In this country , at the present day , tho popularity of tea has increased to an extent which may fairly entitle it to rank as tho national beverage , and so thoroughly havo the pnblic become imbued with tho conviction of its beneficial properties , that thoy are wont to overlook , or ignore , the fact that , like most other articles of consumption when of bad quality , it is very often adulterated by tho

subtle arts of the adept iu adulteration . The majority of tea drinkers may not unjustly bo characterised us utterly incompetent to detect that which is pnro from that Avhich is rot , so perfect has the art of adulteration become . This is particularly tho case with China teas . Our Celestial friend is pre-eminently proficient in this species of imposition , notwithstanding the apparent iunoseuco Avhich we seem

to recognise in his very child-like and bland countenance . It is a very common delusion that tea in order to bo good should pour ont a dark colour , and knowing this , tho Chinese resort to the employment of most dangerous and deleterious agencies to ensure this result . In face of these facts , so detrimental to the health of tea drinkers , we are happy to find that it is not impossible to procure a

really genuine article , afc a cost , too , even below that charged for the inferior article . This much-needed boon has been conferred upon us by Messrs . Wiltshire and Co ., Avho have opened a depot at 255 Regent-street , Oxford-circus , for tho sale of teas of guaranteed purity , a speeialite Avith them being those grown b y themselves in their large plantation in India . Thi 3 firm has enjoyed the advantage

of more than twenty years practical experience in the cultivation of the tea-plant in India , and the knowledge thus acquired they have resolved to utilize for the benefit of tho public . Among many other advantages which they offer , may be mentioned the fact that by enabling the consumer to purchase direct from the grower , the profit which has iu tho usual way to be provided for the intermediary

agents between the purchaser and tho retailer is done away with , thereby securing to tho former a saving well worthy tho consideration of those who know what the expenses of housekeeping are . It is a fact worthy of note that a large consignment of tea belonging to this firm was recently sold by auction at the Mart in Mincinglane , and realised higher prices than any others of an ostensibl y similar character , a circumstance which , of itself , attests the favour

in which Messrs . Wiltshire and Co . s teas are held by those capable of forming an opinion upon their merits . We may take tins opportunity of stating that any prejudice that ever existed against Indian teas is now overcome by reason of their established excellence , t'hey reach this country iu a purer state than those imported from China , and their more general adoption by us will do much to stimn-; ato and expand an industry of our Eastern Empire hitherto sorel y crippled by the combined powers of ignorance aud pvojuclice . J ;