Grand Lodge Of New York.

" The refusal or neglect to pay dues , when there is ability to discharge the obligation , indicates a want of integrity , and is a clear violation of a solemn compact ; and in either case deserves the condemnation of all just men , and ought , in common fairness to the faithful

and diligent Craftsmen , to subject the delinquent to a deprivation of certain privileges . My opinion is that the just penalty for the nonpayment of lodge dues should be suspension from all the rights and privileges of Masonry , save that of charity ( for that right is derived from a

higher than the written law , and , in its application , the Masonic teaching recognizes no distinction among Masons ) . This penalty should only be inflicted in accordance with safeguards established by the Grand Lodge , and should continue until removed by the payment of the amount

due at the time of suspension . " That provision of the Constitution relating to unaffiliated brethren , is too sweeping in its restrictions . Brethren who have been honourably discharged from membershi p in lodges of our own or other jurisdictions , are justly entitled to

the privileges of Masonry , if they desire to accept and discharge the duties which it imposes ; and I recommend such a change in our present law as will recognise the claims , under proper restrictive regulations , of such brethren as may be necessarily affiliated for the time being . In

regard to the terms of the law regulating dimission , I recommend such a modification of its provisions as will permit a discharge of membership , and the issue of the necessary certificate of the fact , to such brethren as may have removed from the jurisdiction of this Grand

Lodge , as it is a requirement in almost all other jurisdictions that the certificate of dimit shall accompany the petition for affiliation . In many instances this regulation , as applied to the restriction relative to granting dimits contained in the law of this jurisdiction , has occasioned much

annoyance and inconvenience . "The rapid increase of ephemeral societies during the past few years has occasioned a demand in many localities for the use of Masonic apartments for their meetings . During the past year frequent applications were made in

behalf of Lodges , for permission to rent their rooms to other associations ; and while not refusing permission , except in cases where Lodge rooms had been solemnly dedicated , I could only reply that the Grand Lodge had no regulation on the subject , probably for the reason

that it comtemplated no such employment for Masonic apartments , and that a Lodge ought to have a sufficient degsee of pride in its connection with our ancient and honoured Fraternity to refuse , for the sake of the few dollars it would gain , to allow the use of its rooms for any but

Masonic purposes . Much contention and ill feeling has grown out of the practice , and it is recommended that a regulation on the subject be proposed for incorporation in the statutes , so that in the future , Lodges may act end govern themselves accordingly . "

Bro . James M . Austin , M . D ., Grand Secretary , presented his twenty-first report , from which the following statistics are taken : Receipts of the Grand Lodge for the year ending April 30 , £ 1 , 896 . 54 dols . Lodges granted warrants , 17 ; dispensations issued for the formation of new

Lodges , 15 , namely , Allemania , Brooklyn ; Social Friendship , New Baltimore , Green county ; Star of Cuba , New York ; Moi-Monides New York ; Pentalpha , New York ; Stnyvesant , New York ; Fordham , N . York ; Sanctorium , Brooklyn ; Lincoln , New York : Fellowship ,

Renssellaer Falls , St . Lawrence County ; Shakspeare , New York ; La Universal , Brooklyn ; Naphthali , New York ; Justice , New York ; Noar , Knowersville , Albany County . Number of lodges marking returns during the year . 682 ; number of lodges incorporated under general

act during the year , 12 ; reports received from American Grand Lodges , 45 ; reports received from foreign Grand Lodges , 13 , The following figures give the standing of the order in the State for the year : Initiations , 5 , 300 ; affiliations ,

1 , 000 ; whole number registered , 6 , 300 ; dimitted , 1 , 777 3 expelled , 49 ; suspended , 25 ; stricken from roll for non-payment of dues , 2 , 840 ; restored , 352 ; died , 945 ; net increase of membershi p , 1 , 016 : total number of Masons in the

Grand Lodge Of New York.

State , 79 , 849 . In closing his report , Bro . Austin referred feelingly to his twenty-one years ' service , and gave some interesting facts concerning the standing of the Fraternity now as compared with the time that he first took the office of Secretary .

Eio . James M . Austin , from the Committee on the Hall and Asylum Fund , presented the annual report , as follows : Receipts from all sources , loans , donations , kc , for the year , 273 , 39 6 . 72 dols . of which sum has been paid out but 1 , 451 . 72 dols . The amount expended thus far in the purchase of the property and the

construction of the new Temple 15 932 , 757 . 40 dols . and the indebtedness is 352 , 710 dols . The subscriptions to the two years' loan amount to 8 9 , 990 dols . and to the five years' loan to 4 , 209 dols . A vote of thanks was tendered by the trustees of the fund , to M . W . Bro . Simons and W . Bro . Barker for services .

Bro . James E . Morrison , the Executive Committee of the late Masonic Fair , held in N . Y . city , presented a supplementary and final report , from which it was shown that the total receipts of the fair were 59 , 921 45 dols . and the net proceeds 44 , 793 dols . The election for Grand Officers resulted as follows :

Bro . EH wood , E . Thorne , Grand Master ; Bro . James W . Austed , Dep . Grand Master ; Bro . Jesse B . Anthony , Senior Grand Warden ; 8 ro . Levi M Gano , Junior Grand Warden ; Bro . John W . Simons , Grand Treasurer ; Bro . James M . Austin , M . D ., Grand Secretary . An amendment to allow no Masonic labour to

be done on Sunday , except the burial of a Mason , was adopted ; also , an amendment which makes Section 49 of the statues read thus : " A lodge shall have the power to enact a bylaw which shall provide a penalty for the nonpayment of Lodge dues , which penalty shall be

unaffiliation ; but such penalty shall not be inflicted except for the non-payment of at least two years' dues , nor until the brother shall have been duly summoned thirty days previous , to pay said two years' dues , or show cause why he should not be adjudged an unaffiliate for such

non-payment . If within said time he shall show that through indigence he is not able to pay the same and support his family , no penalty shall be inflicted during the continuance of such indigence , unless by a unanimous vote of his Lodge . Any such unaffiliated brother may be

restored to membership by a unanimous vote of the members present , and voting at a stated communication , provided he shall pay the amount due at the time of such unaffiliation . " An amendment was also passed allowing

unaffiliates to be received without fee ; also one providing that " one who shall remain an unaffiliated Mason in this jurisdiction , for one year or more , ahall not be allowed to visit a Masonic Lodge , or join in a Masonic procession , nor be entitled to receive Masonic relief or

burial . A petition was presented against the use of certain sectarianism expressions in the ritual . Resolutions upon this subject have been prepresented year after year for several years , without effect . The petition was referred to the committee or . work and Lectures .

Ihe Committer ; on work and lectures , to whom was referred the petition referred to , reported in favour of striking out the sectarian expressions in the ritual . The report was laid on the table . After the installation of Bro . Ell wood E . Thorne a » Grand Master of Masons of New York the Grand Lodge closed in ample form .

Freemasonry In New Zealand.

FREEMASONRY IN NEW ZEALAND .

The installation of officers of the Pacific Lodge No . 1229 , E . C , was held at the Masonic Hall , Revell-street , Hokitika , New Zealand , on Tuesday evening , February 3 rd . The following brethren were duly installed ,

viz—Bros . F . Eisfelder , W . M . ; T . Branwell , S . W . ; W . Ramsay , J . W . ; C . E . Linneman , Treasurer ( re-elected ) , ; W . D . Banks , Secretary ; C . Hill , S . D . : M . Pollock , J . D . ; G . Beaming , I . G . ; G . E pp ing , Tyler . t

Freemasonry In New Zealand.

After the minutes had been confirmed , the Treasurer ' s balance-sheet was read and adopted , showing a credit balance of over 4 ^ 400 , besides assets valued at £ 2 ^ 0 . The installation ceremonies were conducted in a most eloquent and impressive manner by the

R . W . D . G . M ., Bro . Lazar , who , notwithstanding his advancing years , seemed to have increased his powers of rendering still more effective the beautiful charges of this truly elaborate ceremony , whilst at the same time thoroughly impressing his hearers with the importance of

attaching themselves more zealously than ever to their noble work . The R . W . D . G . Master also complimented the members upon the flourishing condition of the lodge ; stating his belief that there were but few lodges even in England , that were either worked in a more

able manner or maintained such a position , or had proved themselves more worthy of a conspicuous place in the records of the Craft than the Pacific Lodge , Hokitika , and more particularly so when the large amount of money spent during the past twelve months , in that most

laudable of all Masonic purposes , charity , was taken into consideration , for he was pleased to notice that that great virtue had been exercised even beyond the Craft , viz ., in giving subscriptions to the hospitals , and other cases of public distress .

After the lodge was closjd , the brethren adjourned to the Empire Hotel , and partook of a sumptuous banquet ; about 60 brethren sat down to table . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , many excellent speeches relating to the advancement of the

time honoured Craft were made , and occasion was taken by Bro . P . M . Bevan , and Bro . J . P . Klem to refer to the very fraternal reception recently accorded them by the Masons of Nel son whilst on a visit there , and when the toas was given " Success to the Southern Star Lodge

of Nelson , " it was received in a most enthusiastic manner , and drank in bumpers . After the last and sacred toast was given , the brethren separated , feeling that they had once more strengthened that fraternal bond of union which is at once the glory and cape stone of that

ancient andhononrable institution—Freemasonry . It is a pleasant fact to have to record that , notwithstanding the very praiseworthy example recently set by the Great City Lodge of Lond on , respecting banquets , the Pacific Lodge adopted many years ago the plan of not allowing the

lodge funds to be used for convivial purposes , as it was then , and is still , considered totally at variance with the intent and teachings of the sacred cause of Masonry . The result has in every way proved a success , for the brethren

are no less warm in their fraternal greetings , nor is the lodge less well attended , but otherwise ; and last , though not least , its best desires never languish for want of funds when the practical test is required to be applied .

Freemasonry In South Africa.

FREEMASONRY IN SOUTH AFRICA .

CAPE OF GOOD HOVE . —The installation of the recently elected W . M ., and the investiture of the officers of the Lodge of Good Hope , No . 833 , took place at the lodge . There was a large attendance of brethren upon the occasion , and everything passed off very satisfactorily . Bro .

C . T . Wheelwright , I . P . M ., was the Installing Master , and performed the interesting ceremony in a highly creditable manner . He was assisted by Bro . S . Bain , P . M ., and Bro . J . Bell , W . M ., and there were also present during theevening P . M . Bros . J . C . Kemsley , E . Tonks ,

and Nettleton . The following now constitute the officials of the lodge—Bro . E . R . Smyth , W . M ., Secretary ; Bro . G . Madge , S . W . ; S . Alabaster , J . W . ; Bro . W . Philips , Treasurer ; Bro . C . R . Whinfield , Secretary ; Bro . Miller , S . D . ; Bro . Proctor , J . D . ; Bros . Holmes and

Probert , Stewards ; Bro . Jas . Grubb , I . G . ; Bro . Morley , O . G . Due honours having been paid to the newly-installed Master , and the lodge closed , the brethren adjourned to the banquetting room , where an excellent rcspast had been most tastefully laid out by Mr . Fox , of the Club . To this full justice was ^ done . The usual loyal and