An Independent Lodge For South Africa.

there are , no doubt , many who formerly opposed the Gnum Lodge scheme who would now be only too glad to espouse it . If the objects of the Craft can be served by the establishment of a United Grand Lodge of South Africa , and if the aims and design of Freemasonry are something more than mere professions , we should think , from an

outside point of view , that there can be no well-grounded difference of opinion between English , Dutch , Scotch or Irish members as to the desirability of carrying out what is suggested , and if anything is to be done at all in the way of consolidation , unification , and improvement , there could be no more fitting opportunity than the present . "

New Zealand. The Installation Of Sir D. Mclean.

NEW ZEALAND . THE INSTALLATION OF SIR D . McLEAN .

WE give , from the report in the Wellington Evening Post , some particulars respecting the installation of Sir D . McLean as Eight Worshipful District Grand Master for the North Island of New Zealand : —The Eight Worshipful District Grand Master elect ( Bro . Sir D . McLean ) took his seat in front of the W . M ., Bro . Lazer ( the Eight Worshipful District Grand Master of Westland ) , the installing

Officer then entered , with the members of the District Grand Lodge , and took the seat previously occupied by Bro . Mountain . He read the warrant issued by Bro . H . E . H . tho Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Freemasons of England , authorising the opening of a District Grand Lodge for the North Island of New Zealand , and appointing Sir D . McLean to preside over and govern it .

The installing Officer , in the name of the Most Worshipful Grand Master of England , formed the Lodge into a District Grand Lodge , and invoked the blessing of the Great Architect upon it . He then appointed certain officers to officiate during the ceremony , as follows : —Bros . E . Stout D . S . G . W ., K . M'Lean D . J . G . W ., James Buchanan D . S . G . D ., and John Percy D . J . G . D . The District Grand Lodge was next opened in the cnstomary manner , and the Installing Officer read to the Grand Master elect the warrant nnder which he was to take

office . He called the attention of Bro . Sir D . McLean to the qualifications which it was essentially necessary he should possess , in order that he might be enabled properly to fulfil his duties . He then addressed him , pointing out the serious nature of his obligations , and the great duties he had solemnly promised to perform . Bro . Sir D . McLean was then conducted under a canopy to the

seat of the Installing Officer , who formally invested him with the badges of his new office , presented him with the warrant , and placed him in the chair . The usual Installation Lecture having been delivered by the Deputy Grand Master ( Bro . Lazar ) , Bro . White P . M . proclaimed Bro . Sir Donald McLean the Eight Worshipful District Grand Master for the North Island of New Zealand . Tho

proclamation was made three times with flourish of trumpets , from the East , the West , and the South . He then delivered an address to the newly elected Grand Master , of whom he spoke in high terms of praise , and concluded by congratulating him very heartily on having attained hia present dignified office . The representatives of several other Lodges also congratulated him .

Sir Donald McLean said : Worshipful Master , Past Masters , and Brethren , —I return you my most sincere thanks for the honour you have done me this day . I feel proud to see so many of my brother Freemasons present at this installation , and I thank those who have taken an active part in it . There are many others better qualified than myself , and it was my sincere hope that you might have found

a person better suited to fill the office of District Grand Master ; but as you have elected me , I hope I shall be able to carry out the true principles of Masonry—at any rate , I shall endeavour to do so . I again express my thanks for the kindness that has been displayed towards me , and I feel sure that the vital principles of our Craft will be well maintained , judging from the assemblage I see here this day .

I return you once more my most grateful thanks , and give you the assurance that it will be my endeavour to carry out those obligations and duties which the Eight Worshipful Master has so solemnly impressed on our minds . Brethren , I feel deeply the high honour you have done me , and can assure you this is one of the happiest days of my life . I again thank you . ( Applause . )

We see , according to the Temps , "That the annual French MasonicCongresshas just completed its labours , after fivelong sittings . The Congress considered Article 1 of the Masonic Constitution relative to philosophic dogmas , and containing a declaration in favour of the Great Architect of the

Universe . The discussion was very long and animated . After deliberation it was decided , by 110 to 65 , that there was ground for revising it and harmonising it with another Article which recognizes absolute libert y of conscience . All the Lodges in France will , therefore , be invited to

consider the question of a revision and to send the result oi their deliberations to the next year ' s Congress . " As unqualified belief in the " Great Architect " is absolutel y

essential to Freemasonry , it should be well understood by outsiders that the above-mentioned revision , notwithstanding its harmonising tendency , must leave that great truth intact , however the expression of it may be modified .

CLUB HOUSE PLATING CARDS . —Mogul Quality , picked is 3 d . per pack , 14 * per dozen packs . Do . seconds Is per pack , Us per dozen packs . If bj post l ^ d per pack extra , Cards tor Piquet , Unique , Ecartd , Ae ., Mogu , Quality iod pei pack , 9 a per dozen packs . —London : W . W . Morgan , 67 Barbican , H . O ,

Consecration Of The Brownrigg Lodge.

CONSECRATION OF THE BROWNRIGG LODGE .

LIEUT . General Browrigg , C . B ., Provincial Grand Master for Surrey , assisted by the Eev . C . W . Arnold Grand Chaplain of England , Eev . Ambrose W . Hall Provincial Grand Chaplain of Surrey , Colonel Burdett Provincial Grand Master for Middlesex , Bro . Greenwood Provincial Grand Secretary of Surrey , and several other brethren , on Thursday , consecrated a new Lodge in Surrey , styled the Brownrigg Lodge , No . 1638 , at the Swan Hotel , Thames Ditton . The

Eev . C . W . Arnold , Grand Chaplain , delivered an oration on the principles of the Order ; and General Brownrigg , after dedicating and constituting the Lodge , installed Bro . W . D . May as Worshipful Master of the Lodge . Bros . F . Buckland was appointed Senior Warden and Edwin Ellis Junior Warden . The brethren afterwards partook of a banquet , and General Brownrigg in responding to the toast of " The

Consecrating Master , " reminded the brethren that tho Craft was widely increasing , and cautioned them as to the admission of membera to the Order . It was a thing to be borne in mind that Masonry should not only increase in numbers but in quality . He felt it his duty to say this to a young Lodge , and he had made the same observations at the late Grand Lodge of North Wales and Shropshire ,

because Masonry was at the present time very popular and very fashionable . The secession of the Marquis of Eipon from the Order and the accession of the Prince of Wales to the traditional throne of King Solomon had given a great fillip to Freemasonry , and for that reason it behoved Masons to be cautious with respeot to those who

were about to be admitted as members of the Order . General Brownrigg afterwards expressed his gratification at the steady increase which Freemasonry had made in Surrey , and said that the more the Craft increased the more would bo expected of it . — Standard .

Funeral Of Bro. Wm. James Page, Of 1507, J.W. 1227.

FUNERAL OF BRO . WM . JAMES PAGE , OF 1507 , J . W . 1227 .

A LAEGE number of relatives , brethren and friends assembled on Thursday , the 14 th inst , at Norwood Cemetery , to pay the last sad tribute of respect to the late much lamented Bro . W . J . Page . The love and respect which our late brother had managed to secure for himself was amply evidenoed by the numbers who deserted thei » avocations at the busiest part of the day to follow his remains to their last resting place . While waiting for the arrival of the

mournful cortege , the orowds grouped themselves in various parts of the beautiful grounds , and among most the subdued conversation re . verted to this latest instance of the uncertainty of human life , and the futility of hopes and aspirations even when entertained by mortals in the very prime of life , pride of strength and conscious assurance that the end , though certain , is still far distant in the hazy future

and requires no present serious contemplation . Bro . Alfred Holtham , the I . P . M . of the Upton Lodge , presented each brother with a spring of acacia , cut from a tree which he had planted in his garden shortly after having attained to the degree of a Master Mason . Eventually the procession made its appearance , and the brethren crowded into the chapel , in which but part of those who attended

could bo accommodated . The impressive ritual having been read , the coffin was lowered into tho grave , each brother throwing the acacia upon its lid , which was decorated with a splendid wreath of suitable white flowers ; many a sturdy form was bent with grief , tears coursed down manly cheeks in sincere and heartfelt regret for the loss of one whom all had learnt to regard as a trusty friend and

faithful brother . Amongst those present we noticed , from the Upton Lodge , Bros . David Posener W . M ., A . Holtham I . P . M ., Bolton P . M ., A . W . Fenner , E . W . Pearcy , W . Odell , Belsey ; and from the Metro , politan Lodge , Bros . Jas . Willing P . M ., Williams S . W ., E . Page P . M ., Douglas S . D ., B . Clark ; Bro . M . Barnett represented the Montefiore Lodge .

A Marble Rink.

A MARBLE RINK .

IN the immediate neighbourhood of the populous districts of Clapham , Brixton and Stockwell , there has recently been completed what , we believe , is the largest , most beautiful and important Skating Eink in this country . Occupying altogether nearly an acre of ground , an area of no less than 18 , 000 feet has been floored with marble and elegant material , not only durable in its nature , but specially adapted to the purpose of rinking , affording a smooth yet

slightly resisting surface , free from all unevenness or possible departure from a true and perfect level . This magnificent floor , partly open and partly covered , is surrounded by covered promenades , the most important of which is about two hundred yards in length , most appropriately ornamented with statuary and gas fittings , and sup . plied with lounges and other sitting accommodation . Provision

has been made for the entertainment of those who , not being rinkers themselves , may be , and frequently are , the cause of rinking in others , a portion of the covered rink being fitted as a drawing room , with grand piano and other appliances for the comfort and enjoyment of on-iookers . Numerous offices appurtenant to such an undertaking are also attached ; a nursery for novices in the art j

store and workshops for skates ; covered orchestra , buffet , and , indeed , every necessary that careful foresight could think of , has been most iiueially provided . The tout ensemble , when the rink is in full use , whether by day or when lit up by the multitude of lamps which surround it , will certainly prove most attractive . We aro informed by our spirited brother , A . T . Timewell , whose name is so well known in the south of London , and to whom the creation of

this magnificent place of recreation is due , that he will be pleased to allow the ltink to bo visited during the ensuing week , and prior to its being formally opened , by any brother who will present his card for that purpose . The Eink is situated almost immediately opposite Albert-square , in th > Clapham-road , and is easy of access from any part of the metropuLs . The opening ceremony is fixed for Saturda the 30 th inst ., whai it is expected that a large and influeatia gathering will assist .