Freemasonry In New Zealand.

FREEMASONRY IN NEW ZEALAND .

No better evidence of the spread of Freemasonry in Hawke ' s Bay could possibly be given than that which is furnished by the fact that it has been found necessary , in the best interests of the Craft , to erect another Hall in

Napier . It is now twenty years ago since the first lodge was opened in this town , at which time , and for that purpose , the late Colonel McGregor , Mr . Michael Fitzgerald , Mr . J . A . Smith , and others , obtained a dispensation from thc Grand Lodge of Ireland . The first meetings were held in the upper . floor of a store at the Spit , and though the most

primitive furniture and accessories were well in keeping with the cheerless appearance of the apartment in which the brethren assembled , the warmth of heart and Masonic spirit that were there engendered , gave ample promise of bearing good fruit . The canopy of Heaven being the roof tree of Masonry , it mattered little to the fathers of the Craft in Napier where they practised the rites and

ceremonies of the Order , so that they could secure freedom from prying eyes and listening ears . But no great length of time elapsed before better accommodation was obtained , and in due course land was bought , and thc first building dedicated to Masonry was erected in this town . By this time Scinde Lodge , 419 , I . C , numbered amongst its members nearly all the principal people of the province , and until

about two years ago was the only lodge in Hawke ' s Bay . With the growth of population came brethren of other Constitutions , who naturally and loyally desired to see another lodge established . Some old Masons of the English Constitution thereupon met , and decided to forma lodge which , under the name of " Victoria , " has gone on prospering until it became necessary for thc convenience and

comfort of both lodges that another Hall should be erected . This building is now completed , and was formally consecrated to-day . Situated on a section at the corner of Munroe and Dickensstreets , the new hall presents a striking appearance , the front being remarkably classic in its design . The facade of the edifice is of the Doric style of architecture , having

three windows and four fluted columns , with entablature surmounted by pediment . Admission to the building is obtained by a door , the only one , on the north side , which leads into a vestibule seven feet wide , from whence entrance is gained"Jboth into the lodge-room and into the ante-room . This latter apartment is 20 fett long by 18 feet wide , and will be ordinarily used as a refreshment room . The

lodgeroom is an extremely handsome hall , measuring 40 feet in length , and 20 feet in width , having plastered walls and cove ceiling , finishcil with heavy cornices . In the east , west , and south walls there arc alcoves for thc chairs of the three princia" officers , whose stations are in those situations , the eastern alcove being surmounted with cornice and crimson canopy . Thc chairs are placed on dais painted to

represent black and white marble . Runnmground the walls are stuffed spring seats , covered with crimson rep . The Masonic furniture is very handsome and complete , and much of it being the gift or manufacture of the members , no expense has been spared to make the several piesentations worthy of the Lodge . Thc officers' pedestals , and the altar , are beautifully designed , the tops resting on

entablatures supported by columns in groups of three , having carved capitals , with moulded bases , and cornices complete ; each pedestal represents one of the three orders , Doric , Ionic , ami Corinthian . Until gas is laid on , the hall is lighted by a kerosene chanelclier , and ventilated by a patent ventilator . The contractors for the building were Messrs Baillie and

Davis , who have performed their work in a manner that has given the greatest satisfaction . Indeed every one connected with the Victoria Hall appeals to have vied with e . ich other to make the building at once an ornament to the to-. vii , and a creelit to the Craft . We should mention that the architect is Mr . W . A . Dugleby , whose knowledge of the requirements of a Masonic Lodge , combined wilh

his piofessional ability , has left nothing to be desired . To the untiring energy of J . M . Batham , Esq ., the present Worshipful ilaster of the Victoria Lotlge , is also greatly due that Masonic spirit and zeal that have animated the brethren , by which , without any assistance , they have quietly and unostentatiously worked together to that result which shows itself in the completion of as handsome a

lotlge as any in this colony . The consecration of the new building was fittingly appointed to take place on thc Masonic Festival of St . John the Baptist , and the August ceremony was attended by every Mason in Hawke ' s Bay who could be present . The ordinary monthly meeting of the brethren of the Victoiia Lodge was held at 3 p . m ., and the lodge having been

duly formed in the Third Degree , the Delegates of the u rovincial Grand Loelge were admitted at 4 p . m ., with the usual honors . The Delegates were Bros . Past Masters Batham and Harwood , Bro . P . M . Batham taking the chair . The brethren then resumed their seats , ami the Secretary , having read the delegation , temporary Grand Officers were appointed , P . M ' s . Kennedy and Wundrum

occupying respectively the Senior and Junior Warden's chairs . The ceremony of dedication tr . en commenced by the Hev . Chaplain reading the fiist three verses from the 1 st chapter of Genesis , which was followed by the beautiful anthem " Father of Light " that nas most impressively sung . On the application of Bro . P . M . Drauslicld , ihe lodge was formally examined , and Bro . Architect

Dugleby having returned the Working Tools , the D . I' . G . M . expressed his approval . Iiro . P . M . Price then announced the desire ei ihe brethren that the Hall shoulil be con-cciated according to the ai cknt form and usage , U ) on which the Kcvt ' . Chaplain read the Ct iisecration Prayer . The following programme was then obstivcd : —Proces-: i . ti i . l . l ! i - -. 1 :. ; V . ii . h l-y Oigin ; : it t' -imiiiaiimi nf first circuit ia t ! : c l-.. i :-l , ihe .- 11 . ill ev . t _ -le ii-a lied to l- ' ic-eiiiaMnirv

Freemasonry In New Zealand.

corn sprinkled ; grand honours ; Ode to Masonry ; at the termination of second circuit , wine was sprinkled , and the Hall dedicated to Virtue ; grand honours ; Ode to Virtue ; at the end of thc third circuit , oil sprinkled , Hall dedicated to Charity ; grand honours ; Ode to Charity . The Rev . Chaplain then pronounced the Invocation , the choir responding . After the anthem , "To Heavens' High

Architect , " had been sung , the D . P . G . M . delivered an able address , and this concluding the ceremony , the delegates of the District Grand Lodge retired . The proceedings were most impressively conducted from first to last , and occupied about two hours in their performance . The choral portion of thc service was presided over by Bros . Rudman and Aplin .

A banquet in honour ofthe occasion was afterwards held The chair was taken , shortly after 8 o ' clock , by the W . M ., Bro . Batham , supported on his right by P . M ' s . Bros . Harwood and Wundram , and on his left by P . M ' s . Bros . Kennedy and Sutton , and the W . M . ofthe Scinde Lodge , Bro . Dransfield . Bro . Morgon , Senior Warden of thc Victoria Lodge , and Bro . de Lisle , Junior Warden , occupied

the vice-chairs in their respective positions . I here were nearly 100 brethren present . The first toast was the usual one , " The Queen and the Craft" by the W . M ., Bro . Batham , followed by " The Three Grand Masters " — those of England , Ireland , and Scotland , respectively . " The District Grand Masters of New Zealand " was also given by the

Worshipful Master . P . M . Bro . Harwood then proposed " Prosperity to the Victoria Lodge . He said it was now , he believed , two years since the formation of thc Victoria Lodge , and from that moment to the present it had advanced steadily , increasing in strength until it had assumed the position it now occupied— a position which it had attained by the

united efforts of its members and the untiring exertions of its officers and Master , especially of its present Worshipful Master . ThehandsomeMasonic Hall in which they were nowassembled stood as a grand monument of the attachment of its members to the Craft . They must all earnestly hope that thc lodge might continue to flourish for many years to come , under its energetic promoters , in unity ,

strength , peace , and harmony . ( Applause . ) The toast was acknowleelged by the Worshipful Master , who took occasion to thank Bro . Harwood for his kindness in coming to Napier 10 assist in the ceremony of that day , a kindness which was all the more felt by him ( the Worshipful Master ) as Bro . Harwood was tt . c only Past Master in thc English Constitution whose services were at all

available . Thc W . M . also thanked the officers of the Scinde Lodge for thc efficient assistance they had rendered . He then gave some particulars of the efforts made to get the hall erected , dwelling with warmth of feeling upon the liberal and willing aid that had been accorded by thc brethren of the lodge . Over £ 600 of shares had becn taken by the brethren , the shares bearing no interest , and

a considerable portion of the furniture and requisites had been presented lo the lodge by the brethren . The brethren had worked hard to get the lodge erected , and it rested with them to do credit to it and never disgrace it . ( Applause . ) Bro . Morgon , S . W . of the lodge , proposeel , "The Lodges of Sister Constitutions , " responded to by Bro . Wundram ,

P . M . Bro . Dransfield , W . M . of the Scinde Lodge , proposed in highly eulogistic terms , " Thc Worshipful Master of the Victoria Lodge , " acknowleelged by the VV . M , Bro . Bitham . Bro . De Lisle , Junior Warden of the Victoria Lodge , proposed " The Past Masters , " coupled with the name of Bro . Sutton , P . M ., and suitably acknowledged by him .

Bro . Kennedy , P . M ., proposed " The Building Committee and the Architect of the Hall" ( Bro . Dugleby 1 . Bro . D'Arcy Irvine , M . A ., proposed " Visiting Brethren . " Bro . Kinross acknowledged the toast , aiiei congratulated the Victoria Lodge upon the handsome hall they had erected for their meetings , and expressed a hope that it would frequently be graced with the company of ladies at

Masonic balls or other occasions when the presence of the . air sex was permissible . ' Bro . Combs proposed "The newly-made Masons , " icsponded to by Bro . Lush , of VVaipukurau . The VV . M . proposeel the health of the caterer , Bio ,

Johnson , whicli was suitably acknowleelged . The Worshipful Master informed the brethren that hc had received telegrams from the Tauranganui Lodge ( Gisborne ) anel from the Wellington Lotlge , conveying expressions of congratulation . He had also received a cordial letter from the District Grand Master of Westland

( B : o . Lazar ) , expressing regret that he was unable to be piesent . lis had besides receivcel telegrams anti lctteis from various brethren regretting their inability to attend . He mentioned these matters as evidence of the kind interest evinceel in the prosperity of the lodge . ( Applause ) . Bro . Garner proposed "Absent Brethren , " which was

duly honored . Bro . Ellis proposed " Old Masons" ( of not less than ten years' standing ) . The toast was acknowleelged by Bro . Raven , who then proposed the health a ' . " Our Worthy Chaplain "—acknowledged in feeling terms by Bro . D'Arcy Irvine , Chaplain of the Loelge . Bro . Combs proposed " Prosperity to the Craft . "

Brt ' . D'Aicy Irvine proposed "The Press , acknowledged by Bro . Pirani . "The I .-. dies" was proposed by Bro . G . irnc-r , and was responded to by Uro . B < gg . Bro . Blyth proposed " Buried Animosities , " which having

been honoured , the last toast usual at all Masonic banquets was given by the Tyler , Bro ; Motley— " All Poor and Distressed Masons throughout the Universe-. " " Anld Lang Sync" then concluded a banquet , whicli was nliout IIK most pleasant anti harmonious of any that I 1 . 1 :. l-. c-n IMVCII in Napier , or perhaps in . eiiv pail of New

Freemasonry In New Zealand.

Zealand . The evening was enlivened with songs and recitations by the brethren , the accompaniments being played by Bros . Rudman and Aplin , but the hour at which the company broke up—nearly two o ' clock in the morningprecludes a fuller notice than we have given . We may ,

however , mention that Bro . Johnson deserves great cicdit for the manner in which he discharged his duties as caterer . Everything was served in good style , and the ornamentation of the feast was in excellent taste . Amongst these a large model of the hall in sugar merits notice . It was executed in true artistic style .

Freemasonry In The United States.

FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES .

LA UNIVERSAL . An association composed exclusively of thc members of this lodge gave an excursion dunxa on Sunday to their wives and daughters and a few friends . They had two commodious barges and a steamer chartered , which

enabled them to carry the large number they had on board . An excursion started from Fulton Ferry at 10 a . m ., and airived at the Grove ( Occident ) about 4 p . m . On their passage they landed at the foot of West Tenth street , but owing to the miserable conduct of the police officers upon the wharf they could not get on board more than one-half of thc number that had congregated there to go . In

justice to the force of this city , we give the number of each officer , to wit -. 520 , 624 and 1822 , who officiated on that pier . The party contained some of thc best citizens of our Spanish popjlation , among whom we noticed R . W . Bro A . Gonzalez , D . D . G . M . for the Spanish , French anil Italian lodges ; also W . Bros . F . Lozano , G . Dean anti Isaac Simonson ; Bros . S . W . Jaureque anel J . W . S

Gonzalez ; Past Masters S . Sanchoz and Y . Hara ; F . Garcia , S . D .: L . Caras , J . D ., and Bro . Michael Flood , c > f Brooklyn Lodge . The last nameel brother acted as floor manager , and filled his position with courtesy anil great satisfaction to all . At a late hour the excursionists returned home refreshed and well pleased with the day ' s recreation , there being not an angry word spoken , indeed , or

any utterance on the part of any one that would bring a blush to the cheek of the most fastidious during the entire day . The representative of the Dispatch returns thanks tc all for the courtesies received at their bands , and may the brethren of La Universal long live to enjoy many more ot similar excursions , even though it occurred upon tlio special elay of rest . " Better the day better thc deed . "

TAIIERXACLE LODGE , The excursion and picnic of Tabernacle L'jdge , No . 59 S , up thc Sound ami at Hudson Grove , on last Tuesday week , was a very pleasing and enjoyable affair . The elay was lovely— " made to ouler "—the sail exhilarating , ami the com |_ rny joyous and happy , and determined , one and all , to make everybody else so . The committee of arrangements deserve great praise for the manner in which they

performed their duties and cared for the comfort of their guests . The games at the Grove were very interesting and well-contested , and aileled considerable interest to the occasion , as did also the balloon ascension . The only little hitch in thc programme regrettable , was thc refusal of VV . Bros . Wiley and Pascall to run a ten-mile foot race , who declined on account ot their great size and thc state of the thermometer .

J ACOII SciiM-CK Uhland Lodge , No . 735 , of this city , have sustaiuctl a very severe loss in the recent elecease of Bro . Jacob Schmuck , their late Treasurer , who died of brain fever ( contracted during the late heated term ) on the 26 th inst . Alas my brother ! Thy taking off is deeply regretted by all who knew thee . The fiaternity has lost one of its most openhearted , generous and trustworthy members , thy

family , a loving husband and father , and thy friends and acquaintances , one whose place cannot be easily filled . His funeral was attended by the members of No . 735 and ether lodges , to the number of 130 , and by others enough to fill 63 coaches , and other conveyances—and his remains were iuterreel with our beautiful ceremonies , VV . Bro . Raushaupt officiating in a very workmanlike and affecting manner . — -Ncic York Dispatch .

St. Helen's, Bishopsgate.

ST . HELEN'S , BISHOPSGATE .

Thc following is from the Times : Sir , —Will you allow me to make known through your columns an interesting discovery which has been made at thc ancient church of St . Helen's , Bishopsgate , in thc city of London ? Iu taking down a portion of the wall at thc north-west corner of the church , a ship ' s anchor has been

found imbedded in the Masonry . If any of your readers have studied the arclneology of anchors , they could , perhaps , afford a clue to the date of its probable insertion . It would not have been built in at the original erection of ths church , but used at a later period to bind the masonry together when fount ! to be defective , and we should suppose it is not unlikely to have been a contrivance of Sir

Christopher Wren , 111 whose time the church was repaired . We take this opportunity of calling the attention of your readers to the elegant ancient door wbich has been discovered at the west end of the nun ' s choir , which will shortly be covered up with brickwork , the churchwarden-

not having sufficient funds for ils restoration . This 1 I 001 anti many other interesting features were piasteretl up by classic innovators , but have been uncovered in the course of the restoration now progressing , anti shoulil be seen by all who feel an interest in the antiquities of the city ol London . We are , Sir , your obedient servants . WADMO ' . E AND BAKEH .