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WE are constantly being asked why it is our news column Ireujj dand frQm Ireland ; s s 0 scantiiy fiued , and the only answer we Masonic Press . ^ tQ { urnish is t y , atj notwithstanding all our efforts , the news will not arrive to an extent worthy of so important a jurisdiction

Within the last few days an esteemed correspondent has propounded a still more difficult question—Why is it that Ireland has not a Masonic organ of its own like the Freemason ? To this we reply that there is no reason why Ireland should not have its representative oigan in the Masonic Press , but that until its Grand Lodge frees itself from the prejudices against

Masonic journalism , which , apparently not without some show of reason , are ascribed to it , no one , we think , would be foolhardy enough to venture upon so costly a speculation . It is not a bed of roses that the proprietor of a Masonic newspaper lies upon , even under the most favourable circumstances , when news is always forthcoming , and subscribers are numerous

and considerate . He has his share of the difficulties which are the common lot of all newspaper proprietors , and , in addition , the constituency he appeals to , and on which he must chi efly rely for support , is composed oi somewhat heterogeneous elements , which it is by no means the easiest task in the world to reconcile one with another . Yet , strange to say , though the Grand

Lodge of Ireland is said to be strongly opposed to publicity being given to its doings and those of its subordinate lodges , there is hardly a lodge meeting in the country , and certainly no event of unusual importance in Masonic circles , which is not reported in the daily or weekly Press . If a concert or bazaar is held in aid of the Irish Masonic Charities , if the first

stone of a new building is laid with Masonic ceremonial , or if a new hall is dedicated to the purposes of Masonry , a full and particular account of what happened is always certain to be found among the current news of the day in the columns of the local or general Press , so that the Irish public appears to take an interest in our proceedings if the Irish Craft does not . We

cannot pretend to explain this ; but we venture to say that Freemasonry in Ireland would fare more prosperously if , in the absence of any organ of their own , our Irish brethren availed themselves more freely of the opportunities for discussing Masonic questions of general interest which the

Freemason and other similar journals are able to afford them . We should all benefit by an interchange of ideas , and Ireland , with its old-world notions about a secresy which is seldom observed by its members , certainly not less than other Masonic communities .

* * * WE have much pleasure in drawing attention to a letter from Gould ' s R . W . Bro . H . M . ADDISON ( of Adelaide , S . A . ) to our ry " Masonic Historian ( Bro . R . F . GOULD ) . We take the same

view of the subject as Bro . GOULD does in his History of Freemasonry . Surely it was inconsistent of the Grand Lodge of South Australia to recognise the mushroom organisations called " Grand Lodges " in New South Wales and Victoria , and yet to seek and obtain the recognition of the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland ? Grand Lodges , when formed by a

majority of lodges in any Country , State , or Province , are entitled to recognition , with due regard to the rights of the minority . This was the case with Australia , and we were delighted that such cordial support was so soon given lo that vigorous body . But when a small minority of lodges , as in New South Wales , seeks to form a Grand Lodge against the wishes of the

majority , we fail to see how such can be legally and fairly recognised . Bro . ADDISON evidently realises this inconsistency on the part of his Grand Lodge ; but pleads for a consideration of the peculiar circumstances of the case . We admire the spirit of his letter exceedingly ; but would like to ask him , in all courtesy , What about the majority in New South Wales ?

The great body of brethren in that Colony refuse to recognise the so-called " Grand Lodge of New South Wales , " and yet the Grand Lodge of South Australia is on terms of amity with it ! According to his plan , the

members of both those bodies might together visit lodges in South Australia , though opposing one another in New South Wales . Scotland withdrew its recognition on this and on other grounds , which we much regret . Still , it was a pity the recognition was granted to New South Wales .

Supreme Grand Chapter Of England.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER OF ENGLAND

The Quarterly Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England was holden at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday evening . There were present the following companions : — Comps . J . M . P . Montagu , as M . E . Z . ; F . A . Philbrick , O . C , as G . H . ; Rev . H . A PicKarl , as G . J . ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . E . ; Emil ~ E . VVendt . D . C . L ., G . S . N . ; Baam de Ferrieres , G . P . S . ; Rev . Dr . Smyth , ist G . A . S . ; George Cooper , 2 nd G . A . S . '

Frank Richardson , as G . D . C ; E . Letchworth , Major J . Sampson Peirce , D . P . Cama , P . G . Treas . ; J . M . Case , H . J . P . Dumas , Major Harding , Dr . Ralph Gooding-J . H . Matthews , Robert Grey , Wilhelm Ganz , F . S . Knyvett , Rudolph Glover , A . A . Pennlebury , Assistant G . Scribe E . ; Edgar Bowyer , Beech , W . M * Bywater , H . Maudslay , J . Shirley Hodson , M . E . Z . 1706 ; J . Warren , J \ 34 S ; T . Ovenden , M . E . Z 13 ; G . Haldane , P . Z . 349 and 1615 ; Hugh Williams ' ,

, P . Z . 5 S 0 , 1094 ; C F . Matier , P . Z . 59 , 645 ; Chas . Fredk . Hogard , P . Z . 10 , 141 , 142 205 ; H . E . Dehane , H . 890 , rsr A . S . S 62 , H . ; H . M . Hobbs , M E . Z . 2096 ; H . E . Fences , P . Z . 452 ; Chas . H . Driver , P . Z . 742 ; H . Massey , P . Z . 619 , 192 S , H . ; W . H . Ferryman . Z . and P Z . 134 S ; E . Stanton , P . Z . 181 ; Joseph J . Marsh , 1-526 , M . E . Z . W . A . Dawson . P . Z 382 ; Henry Wright , J . 1615 ; L . G . Gordon Robbins , P . Z . 10 ; and H . Sadler , G . Janitor .

After the reading and confirmation of the minutes , the following report of the Committee of General Purposes was , on the motion of Comp . Robert Grey , president , taken as read , received and ordered to be entered on the minutes : —

Supreme Grand Chapter Of England.

THE REPORT or THE COMMITTEE OF GENERAL PURPOSES . To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England . The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 20 th April to the 19 th July , 1887 , both inclusive , which they find to be as follows : —

To Balance Grand Chapter ... £ 478 11 6 „ ,, Unappropriated Account 207 2 7 „ Subsequent Receipts ... 324 1 9 £ 100 9 15 10

By Disbursements during the Quarter £ 240 18 6 „ Balance 560 4 g „ „ Unappropriated Account ... 20 S 12 7 £ wog 15 10

Which balances are in the Bank of England ( Western Branch . ) The Committee have likewise to report that they have received the following petitions : — ist . From Comps . John Scrivener Palmer , as Z . ; John Potts , as H . ; Edward Prescott , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Cherwell Lodge , No . 599 , Banbury , to be called the Cherwell Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , Banbury , in the county of Oxford ,

2 nd . From Comps . William Watson , as Z . ; John Purser Griffin , as H . ; Thomas Watson , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Gundulph Lodge , No . 1050 , Rochester , to he called the Gundul ph Chapter , and to meet at the King ' s Head Hotel , Rochester , in the county of Kent .

3 rd . From Comps . Thomas Mathews , as Z . ; Edward William Shackell , as H . ; Henry White , as J . ; and ten others for a chapter to be atttached to the Bute Lodge , No . 9 60 , Cardiff , to be called the Sir George Elliot chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , Working-street , Cardiff , South Wales ( Eastern Division . )

4 th . From Comps . William Long , as Z . ; Thomas Barnes , as H . ; Thomas James Scoones , as J . ; and eight others for a chapter to be attached to the Coleridge Lodge , No . 1750 , Clevedon , to be called the Adair Chapter , and to meet at Regent House , Clevedon , in the county of Somerset . 5 th . From Comps . the Rtv . William Mortimer Heath , P . A . G . Soj ., as Z . ; John Mowlem Burt , as H . ; Henry James Mason , as J . ; and seven

others for a chapter to be attached to the de Moulham Lodge , No . 1146 , Swanage , to be called the de Moulham Chapter , and to meet in the Town Hall , Swanage , in the county of Dorset . 6 th . From Comps . James Douglas Christie , as Z . ; Francis William White , as H . ; Thomas Edwin Cocker , as J . ; and seven others for a chapter to be attached to the Star of Southern China Lodge , No . 2013 , Canton , China , to be called the Jubilee Chapter , and to meet at Canton , China .

The foregoing petitions being in all respects regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted . The Committee have likewise to report that they have received a memorial from the companions of the Chapter of Concord , No . 124 ,

Durham , praying for a charter authorising them to wear a centenary jewel , in accordance with the resolution passed by the Supreme Grand Chapter on the ist February , 1882 . This memorial being in form , and the chapter having proved an uninterrupted existence of 100 years , the Committee recommend that the prayer thereof be granted .

The Committee have further received a memorial , with extract of minutes , on the removal of the Orpheu ; Chapter , No . 1706 , from the Freemasons' Hall , to the Holborn Restaurant . The Committee being satisfied of the reasonableness of the request recommend that the removal of this chapter be sanctioned . ( Signed ] ROBERT GREY , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C . 19 th July , 1887 .

Comp . ROBERT GREY then moved , and Comp . LETCHWORTH seconded , the recommendations contained in the above report , which were put , and carried unanimously . Comp . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE next addressing the acting M . E . Z ., said that companion was aware that at a recent meeting at the Royal Albert Hall his Royal Highness the Piince of Wales , the M . W . G . M . of Grand Lodge of England , was pleased to grant special rank in honour of

her Majesty s Jubilee . As First Grand Principal of Supreme Grand Chapter of England his Royal Highness had now been pleased to declare that those brethren appointed as Past Grand Craft Officers should have Past Grand rank in Grand Chapter , provided , ot course , that they were duly qualified according to the Royal Arch regulations . He had , therefore , now to announce , by his Royal Highness' command , the names and ranks of those companions on whom he had conferred Past Grand rank .

Comp . Sir Reginald Hanson , Bart ., Lord Mayor ... ... S . N . „ Sir John Staples , K . C . M . G . ... ... ... P . S . „ Sir Philip Cunliffe Owen , K . C . B ., K . C . M . G . ... P . S . „ Thomas Trollope , M . D . ... ... ,,, A . S . „ Thos . Weller Foley ... ... ... ... A . S . „ Sir Charles Warren , G . C . M . G . ... ... ... P . S .

„ George B . Brodie , M . D . ... ... ... A . S . „ Rev . Philip H . Ernest Brette ... ... ... A . S . „ Charles Driver ... ,,, .,. ... Swd . Br . „ William C . Beaumont ... ... ... Swd . Br . „ William E . Stewart ... ... ... ... Swd . Br . „ Dep . Insp .-Genl- Thomas Purchas , M . D ., R . N . ... Swd . Br .

„ John A . Farnfield ... . „ ... ... Std . B . „ Charles Maitin ... .,. ... ... Std . B . „ Lieut .-Col . George Haldane ... ... ... Std . B . „ Col . William Bristow ... ... .,, ... Std . B . „ Frederick Binckes ... ... ... ... Std . B . „ James Terry ... ... ... ... Std . B .

„ Francis R . W . Hedges ... ... ... Std . B . „ George Kelly ... ... ... ... D . D . of C „ Charles F . Matier ... ... ... . , D . D . of C . „ Charles F . Hogard ... ... ... .. . D . D . of C . „ John Hedley ... .,, ... ., A . D . of C . „ Robert Bradley ... ... ... . . Std . Br .

„ Lieut .-Col . James R . Bramble . „ ... ... Swd . Br . „ Andrew H . Moyes ... ... ... ... D . D . of C . „ Sir Charles B . Graves-Sawle , Bart . ... ... S . N . „ William Naylor ... ,., ... ... Std . Br . „ Walter G . Rogers ... ... ... A . S . „ Rev . William Whittley ... .,. ... A . S .