Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Chapter Committee, In The Room Of The Late Lamented
the new Freemasons' Hall about to he erected in the city . Unfortunately , the Prince ' s numerous engagements prevented the wishes of the Craft from being carried out . All that could be done , however , was clone . A few days before His Royal Highness ' s departure from Calcutta , a
deputation from the District Grand Lodge of Bengal , consisting of District Grand Master Roberts , the Deputy Grand Master and Past D . D . G . M ., together with the District Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary , had an interview , for th e purpose of presenting an address . This address was
beautifully engrossed and illuminated , and enclosed in a silver casket , appropriately ornamented with miniature Craft tools and jewels , and Royal Arch symbols and jewels , all in gold . The Prince expressed his acknowledgments in a few well-chosen and kindly words , and the deputation
retired , much gratified with their reception . These , however , as Ave have pointed out in the case of England , are merely the accidents of the year . The evidence of a substantial progress must be looked for in the ordinary labours of the various Lodges , but especially in the activity of the
several District Grand Lodges and other ruling bodies . If these pursue their work half-heartedly , and only as a matter of course , we justly conclude that the star of Freemasonry is under a cloud ; but if theLodges are well attended , if the duties required of members are fulfilled earnestly ,
as well as with ability , tho inference is that the Craft is prospering . We have this evidence in the case of India . The District GrandLodges meet regularly , aud are well attended . Moreover , not only aro the Lodges becoming numericall y stronger , they are likewise becoming more numerous .
There are now eighty-nine Lodges in the East Indies , grouped in six districts , namely , the Eastern Archipelago —which may certainly be regarded as East Indian—with three , Bengal with thirty-one , Bombay with sixteen , British Burmah with eight , the Punjaub with seventeen , and
Madras with fourteen Lodges . In addition , there are twenty-three Lodges under the Grand Lodge of all Scottish Freemasonry in India , with its head quarters at Bombay , and presided over by Bro . Henry Morland as Grand Master . Royal Arch Masonry is represented by thirty-five Chapters ,
including tho three warranted this year , arranged in five District Grand Chapters—namely , Bengal , Bombay , British Burmah , Madras , and Punjaub . All this is eminentl y satisfactory , and we take this opportunity of congratulating onr Indian brethren upon the earnest manner in whieh they
pursue their Masonic duties . Every year they grow stronger , meeting numerously , building themselves new Temples , and last , but most important feature of all , they
have their benevolent institutions , in order to meet the claims of the indigent and friendless members on the charity of the Society . We can only say to India , —Go on prospering in the future as heretofore .
In Australia and New Zealand , as well as in South Africa , tho same picture is presented . Australasia is divided info six districts , including Western Australia , which , however , at present has no District Grand Lodsre . First
comes New South Wales , with its 28 Lodges , 8 of which are located in Sydney , the capital of the colony . Queensland has 16 Lodges , of which 3 belong to Brisbane , the capital . South Australia has 14 Lodges , 4 of them being in Adelaide , while in Victoria there are no less than 63
Lodges , of which 9 are in Melbourne . Western Australia has 4 Lodges , and Tasmania 7 . This gives a total of 132 Lodges , distributed throughout our Australasian colonies . In New Zealand there are 36 in the five districts of
Canterbury , Otago , Southland , Westland—South Island—no District Grand Lodge as yet—and Northland . Of these 5 are located at Auckland , which is somewhat anxious to be constituted as a separate district , and two each at Christchurch , Dunedin , and Wellington . South Africa
embraces 3 districts—namely , Western Division with 5 Lodges , Eastern Division with 21 , and Griqualand with 3 —making together 29 ,- and there are besides 3 Lodges in Natal , 1 at Cape Coast Castle , 1 at Lagos , and 2 in St . Helena , making in all 36 Lodges in Africa , but omitting
the 9 English Lodges ( 3 at Alexandria , 5 at Cairo , and 1 at Ramleh ) in Egypt . There are as yet no District Grand Chapters in Africa , but there are 5 R . A . Chapters in Cape Colony , and 1 in St . Helena , besides certain others that have been warranted this year . But this is . very far from
representing the full extent of Masonry in these countries . Both the Irish and Scotch Grand Lodges have numerous Lodges under their respective jurisdictions . Under the Irish jurisdiction there are Provincial Grand Masters for Victoria , New South Wales , Queensland , and South Aus-
Chapter Committee, In The Room Of The Late Lamented
tralia , as well as one for New Zealand , while under the jurisdiction of the Scottish Grand Lodgo there aro exactly the same districts presided over by officers of tho same rank .
In addition , there are sundry Dutch Lodges in Cape Colony . But perhaps it is in New Zealand that the Craft has made tho greatest strides this year . Ifc is only recently that the North Island of New Zealand has been erected
into a separate District Grand Lodge , and the most memorable event we have to record is the installation , on the 20 th June , of Sir Donald McLean K . C . M . G . as the first District Grand Master . The ceremony was very ably performed b y Bro . John Lazar , District Grand Master of
Westland , South Island , in the presence of a large concourse of brethren . Bro . Sir D . McLean , having been formally proclaimed and congratulated , expressed his sense of the honour conferred , and his determination to spare no effort in order to carry out the arduous duties
of his office . We regret to say , however , this election has not given universal satisfaction . The Brethren at Auckland muster strongly , and they consider this would justify the establishment of an Auckland District Grand Lodge . We believe , indeed , that steps are being taken—they are
certainly in contemplation— to secure this result . If Masonry will be still further strengthened hereby , we see no reason why their wishes should not be gratified . This , however , is the sole cause of dissatisfaction , as in all other respects the appointment of Sir D . Maclean has been well received by tho New Zealand Craftsmen .
Still one e \ ent remains to be chronicled in connection with
New Zealand , which especially illustrates the deep sense our brethren there entertain of tho duties of hospitality . Early in the year a submarine telegraph was successfully laid between Australasia and New Zealand , and when the cable ships " Hibernia" and " Edinburgh" arrived in
Nelson Harbour , it was known this task was completed . The members of the Southern Star Lodge , No . 735 , located in that town , held an emergency meeting , for the express purpose of inviting those among the officers of the ships who wero Craftsmen to a banquet . This , accordingly , was
held in the month of March , at the Commercial Hotel , when the W . M . of the Lodge , Bro . Moutray , presided , and a most agreeable evening was passed . The example thus set b y the Masons was quickly followed by the general public ,
and a picnic and ball were held , to which the officers of the expedition were invited . This , of course , was the " right thing" for the citizens of Nelson to do , but the merit of having led the way puts another bright feather in the cap of New Zealand Freemasonry .
We are now approaching the close of this portion of onr record of the year ' s events . The balls and picnics and other pleasant reunions which have been held at different times in different parts of the country do not need to be referred to particularly . There is one , perhaps , which
deserves special mention , and that is the dramatic entertainment given under the auspices of sundry Cheshire Lodges , when Bro . Charles Duval took the lion ' s share of the work of entertainment , and generously placed tho lion ' s share of the proceeds to the credit of the Cheshire
Masonic Educational Institute . When we find a brother turning his talents to so excellent an account , it wero churlish , indeed , if we did not express to him our heart y thanks for his devotion to the cause of charity . This cannot , of course , be clone very frequently , bat when it is
clone , the event must be recognised . Other items there are , which are likewise worthy of introduction . On his return from India , the Prince of Wales put in at Gibraltar , and during his brief stay there his Royal Highness laid the first stone of a new Market , with Masonic ceremonies .
There was , too , a Masonic ball in honour of the occasion , at which both he and his brother the Duke of Connanghfc were present . It is well , also , to note that among the first to welcome the Prince on landing at Portsmouth were the brethren of the Province of Hants and the Isle of Wi ght ,
under their respected Provincial Grand Master , Bro . W . B . Beach , M . P . On this occasion an address of welcome was presented , at the railway station , at tho moment of the Prince ' s departure for London . Last * bub nob leasb , Sheffield enjoys the honour of
havingset an admirable example to brethren in other parts of the country . Early in tho year a scheme waa prepared for the establishment of a Masonic Library , and a
goodly array of useful Masonic works were annnonnced as having been collected for the purpose . We should like to see this example very generally followed . Good must come if the doings of the Craft are—within proper limits , of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Chapter Committee, In The Room Of The Late Lamented
the new Freemasons' Hall about to he erected in the city . Unfortunately , the Prince ' s numerous engagements prevented the wishes of the Craft from being carried out . All that could be done , however , was clone . A few days before His Royal Highness ' s departure from Calcutta , a
deputation from the District Grand Lodge of Bengal , consisting of District Grand Master Roberts , the Deputy Grand Master and Past D . D . G . M ., together with the District Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary , had an interview , for th e purpose of presenting an address . This address was
beautifully engrossed and illuminated , and enclosed in a silver casket , appropriately ornamented with miniature Craft tools and jewels , and Royal Arch symbols and jewels , all in gold . The Prince expressed his acknowledgments in a few well-chosen and kindly words , and the deputation
retired , much gratified with their reception . These , however , as Ave have pointed out in the case of England , are merely the accidents of the year . The evidence of a substantial progress must be looked for in the ordinary labours of the various Lodges , but especially in the activity of the
several District Grand Lodges and other ruling bodies . If these pursue their work half-heartedly , and only as a matter of course , we justly conclude that the star of Freemasonry is under a cloud ; but if theLodges are well attended , if the duties required of members are fulfilled earnestly ,
as well as with ability , tho inference is that the Craft is prospering . We have this evidence in the case of India . The District GrandLodges meet regularly , aud are well attended . Moreover , not only aro the Lodges becoming numericall y stronger , they are likewise becoming more numerous .
There are now eighty-nine Lodges in the East Indies , grouped in six districts , namely , the Eastern Archipelago —which may certainly be regarded as East Indian—with three , Bengal with thirty-one , Bombay with sixteen , British Burmah with eight , the Punjaub with seventeen , and
Madras with fourteen Lodges . In addition , there are twenty-three Lodges under the Grand Lodge of all Scottish Freemasonry in India , with its head quarters at Bombay , and presided over by Bro . Henry Morland as Grand Master . Royal Arch Masonry is represented by thirty-five Chapters ,
including tho three warranted this year , arranged in five District Grand Chapters—namely , Bengal , Bombay , British Burmah , Madras , and Punjaub . All this is eminentl y satisfactory , and we take this opportunity of congratulating onr Indian brethren upon the earnest manner in whieh they
pursue their Masonic duties . Every year they grow stronger , meeting numerously , building themselves new Temples , and last , but most important feature of all , they
have their benevolent institutions , in order to meet the claims of the indigent and friendless members on the charity of the Society . We can only say to India , —Go on prospering in the future as heretofore .
In Australia and New Zealand , as well as in South Africa , tho same picture is presented . Australasia is divided info six districts , including Western Australia , which , however , at present has no District Grand Lodsre . First
comes New South Wales , with its 28 Lodges , 8 of which are located in Sydney , the capital of the colony . Queensland has 16 Lodges , of which 3 belong to Brisbane , the capital . South Australia has 14 Lodges , 4 of them being in Adelaide , while in Victoria there are no less than 63
Lodges , of which 9 are in Melbourne . Western Australia has 4 Lodges , and Tasmania 7 . This gives a total of 132 Lodges , distributed throughout our Australasian colonies . In New Zealand there are 36 in the five districts of
Canterbury , Otago , Southland , Westland—South Island—no District Grand Lodge as yet—and Northland . Of these 5 are located at Auckland , which is somewhat anxious to be constituted as a separate district , and two each at Christchurch , Dunedin , and Wellington . South Africa
embraces 3 districts—namely , Western Division with 5 Lodges , Eastern Division with 21 , and Griqualand with 3 —making together 29 ,- and there are besides 3 Lodges in Natal , 1 at Cape Coast Castle , 1 at Lagos , and 2 in St . Helena , making in all 36 Lodges in Africa , but omitting
the 9 English Lodges ( 3 at Alexandria , 5 at Cairo , and 1 at Ramleh ) in Egypt . There are as yet no District Grand Chapters in Africa , but there are 5 R . A . Chapters in Cape Colony , and 1 in St . Helena , besides certain others that have been warranted this year . But this is . very far from
representing the full extent of Masonry in these countries . Both the Irish and Scotch Grand Lodges have numerous Lodges under their respective jurisdictions . Under the Irish jurisdiction there are Provincial Grand Masters for Victoria , New South Wales , Queensland , and South Aus-
Chapter Committee, In The Room Of The Late Lamented
tralia , as well as one for New Zealand , while under the jurisdiction of the Scottish Grand Lodgo there aro exactly the same districts presided over by officers of tho same rank .
In addition , there are sundry Dutch Lodges in Cape Colony . But perhaps it is in New Zealand that the Craft has made tho greatest strides this year . Ifc is only recently that the North Island of New Zealand has been erected
into a separate District Grand Lodge , and the most memorable event we have to record is the installation , on the 20 th June , of Sir Donald McLean K . C . M . G . as the first District Grand Master . The ceremony was very ably performed b y Bro . John Lazar , District Grand Master of
Westland , South Island , in the presence of a large concourse of brethren . Bro . Sir D . McLean , having been formally proclaimed and congratulated , expressed his sense of the honour conferred , and his determination to spare no effort in order to carry out the arduous duties
of his office . We regret to say , however , this election has not given universal satisfaction . The Brethren at Auckland muster strongly , and they consider this would justify the establishment of an Auckland District Grand Lodge . We believe , indeed , that steps are being taken—they are
certainly in contemplation— to secure this result . If Masonry will be still further strengthened hereby , we see no reason why their wishes should not be gratified . This , however , is the sole cause of dissatisfaction , as in all other respects the appointment of Sir D . Maclean has been well received by tho New Zealand Craftsmen .
Still one e \ ent remains to be chronicled in connection with
New Zealand , which especially illustrates the deep sense our brethren there entertain of tho duties of hospitality . Early in the year a submarine telegraph was successfully laid between Australasia and New Zealand , and when the cable ships " Hibernia" and " Edinburgh" arrived in
Nelson Harbour , it was known this task was completed . The members of the Southern Star Lodge , No . 735 , located in that town , held an emergency meeting , for the express purpose of inviting those among the officers of the ships who wero Craftsmen to a banquet . This , accordingly , was
held in the month of March , at the Commercial Hotel , when the W . M . of the Lodge , Bro . Moutray , presided , and a most agreeable evening was passed . The example thus set b y the Masons was quickly followed by the general public ,
and a picnic and ball were held , to which the officers of the expedition were invited . This , of course , was the " right thing" for the citizens of Nelson to do , but the merit of having led the way puts another bright feather in the cap of New Zealand Freemasonry .
We are now approaching the close of this portion of onr record of the year ' s events . The balls and picnics and other pleasant reunions which have been held at different times in different parts of the country do not need to be referred to particularly . There is one , perhaps , which
deserves special mention , and that is the dramatic entertainment given under the auspices of sundry Cheshire Lodges , when Bro . Charles Duval took the lion ' s share of the work of entertainment , and generously placed tho lion ' s share of the proceeds to the credit of the Cheshire
Masonic Educational Institute . When we find a brother turning his talents to so excellent an account , it wero churlish , indeed , if we did not express to him our heart y thanks for his devotion to the cause of charity . This cannot , of course , be clone very frequently , bat when it is
clone , the event must be recognised . Other items there are , which are likewise worthy of introduction . On his return from India , the Prince of Wales put in at Gibraltar , and during his brief stay there his Royal Highness laid the first stone of a new Market , with Masonic ceremonies .
There was , too , a Masonic ball in honour of the occasion , at which both he and his brother the Duke of Connanghfc were present . It is well , also , to note that among the first to welcome the Prince on landing at Portsmouth were the brethren of the Province of Hants and the Isle of Wi ght ,
under their respected Provincial Grand Master , Bro . W . B . Beach , M . P . On this occasion an address of welcome was presented , at the railway station , at tho moment of the Prince ' s departure for London . Last * bub nob leasb , Sheffield enjoys the honour of
havingset an admirable example to brethren in other parts of the country . Early in tho year a scheme waa prepared for the establishment of a Masonic Library , and a
goodly array of useful Masonic works were annnonnced as having been collected for the purpose . We should like to see this example very generally followed . Good must come if the doings of the Craft are—within proper limits , of