Masonic Notes.

By the death of Bro . William Kelly , P . P . G . Master of Leicestershire and Rutland , Freemasonry has sustained a heavy loss , both generally and as regards the Province with which he had been associated during the whole of his career . Bro . Kelly had been a member of our Order for well nigh < , 6 years , having been initiated

\ v . the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 279 , Leicester , which celebrated the centenary of its constitution only a few years since , in November , 1 S 38 . Since then , he had been the chief pillar of strength of our Order in his Province . He had held most of the principal offices in Prov . Grand Lodge , having been Prov . J . G . Warden

in 184 4 and acted as Prov . G . Master at the annual meeting , held at Loughborough on 24 th July of that year . Subsequently he served as Dep . P . G . M ., Prov . G . Secretary , and finally from 1870 to 1873 as Prov . G . Master . He had helped to found 10 of the 14 lodges now on the roll of the Province , had been G .

Superintendent of Royal Arch Masonry since 1870 , and Prov . G . Mark Master of Leicestershire , Derbyshire , & c , since 1858 . But it was not only by his work in office that he had been able to render such signal services to his Province . He was the author of a highly interesting history of the Craft in the

counties it comprised . It was to him primarily that our Leicester and Rutland brethren are indebted for their knowledge of our ritual , and from him they derived in greatest part that zeal for the interests of the Order by which the Province has for so long been characterised . Indeed , Bro . Kelly ' s death creates a void in the Province which it will be exceedingly

difficult to fill , and in expressing our sympathy with it on its heavy loss , we at the same time express the hope that the memory of his devotion to all the truest and best interests of our Society will be affectionately remembered and his example followed , as long as the Province itself shall preserve its being . # # *

We much regret to record this week the death of a brother whose useful and active Masonic career will compare with that of any veteran of the Craft whose departure has been chronicled in these columns . We refer to Bro . Thomas Chirgwin , P . S . G . W . of Cornwall , and at the time of his death Prov . Grand

Secretary . For the past 30 years or . more , Bro . Chirgwin has been the life and soul of Masonry in Cornwall , and it is difficult to think of any occurrence or Masonic function of importance in which our brother was not a moving spirit . Asa proof of his zeal for Freemasonry , it may be mentioned that , although

his professional and public duties were of the most arduous nature ( he was this year for the third or fourth time Mayor , of the city of Truro ) , he was not content to retire on the well-earned dignity of P . Prov . S . G . W ., but continued to administer the affairs of the Province as its Prov . Grand Secretary . We tender our sincere

condolence not only to the family , but to all the institutions and public bodies that for so many years have been recipients of his wise counsel and unremitting labours in their behalf . Time will not permit of our giving an extended notice of our late brother ' s Masonic career , but we hope to do so in our next issue . * * »

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall which was to have been held at Redruth on Tuesday next , has been postponed cut of respect to Bro . Chirgwin ' s memory . * * «

Mallet , in the Glasgow Evening Neios , reports the inslal'ation of a Worshipful Master of a new lodge that had not yet been consecrated , the installation being performed " under a dispensation granted that the work of the lodge might not be unduly hindered . " The Grand Lodge of Scotland is certainly most practical and accommodating .

The installation , on the 27 th inst ., of Lord Llangattcck as Prov . G . M . of the Eastern Division of South Wales bids fair to be an imposing function . Local interest in the event is becoming general , and many hundreds of members of the Craft are likely to be attratted to Cardiff to witness the ceremony . Wood .

street Hall , which is , we believe , one of the largest in the town , has been secured , and ample accommodation will be found for all who may elesire to be present , The banquet will take place at the Park Hall , and applications for tickets should be maele before Thursday next to Bto . John Murray , 1 , High-street Cardiff .

# # # The new Provincial Grand Master is not by any means new to Masonic work . His career in the Craft extends as far back as 1859 , he having been initiated in the Loyal Monmouth Lodge in that year . In 181 ) 4 he filled the chair of Worshipful Master , and in 1881 he was appointed Prov . J . G . W .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

THE GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Do you not think that the time has arrived when the Grand Lodge of England might reconsider its position as regards the Grand Lodge of New Zealand . To myself , as an old Colonial , it seems not

improbable that if steps are not taken shortly to give fraternal recognition to that young and rapidly rising body , our own Grand Lodge will find itself in a somewhat foolish position . No doubt can now remain in any unbiassed mind that the Antipodean body represents the aspirations and requirements of young New Zealand . I fear that . our Colonial Board'are in no

way in touch with our brethren at the other side of the world . Whilst the leading spirits of New Zealand were to be found in the persons of those who were English born , there was no doubt a preponderance of opinion in favour of remaining under the English Constitution , but time has wrought , and is rapidly working great changes in the Colony . A new

race has arisen , and the native-born New Zealander knows not Joseph . He knows the capabilities of the Britain of ths South . He can see , without any prophetic eye , in the near future a nationality strong and independent , and without the sentimental memories that bound the English emigrant to his Fatherland . He cares not to be kept in leading strings . He is

fully aware of his strength and his capacity for home rule , and he is ambitious of running alone . He has not forgotten the treatment he received at the hands of the Home Government in the great Maori war . He knows what he achieved then when thrown upon his own resources , and he is conscious of the crass ignorance of him and his concerns , which characterises

ggg out of every 1000 Englishmen . The rise of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand has been phenomenally successful . When the movement for ils formation was started in 1889 , it was decided by an enormous majority of the brethren under the three Constitutions that the time had arrived when a Grand Lodge should be formed , and had it not been

for the frowns of the authorities at home and the bullying of most of their representatives in the Colony there is no doubt that the result would have been an almost unanimous' junction of Freemasonry Li the Colony , and a happy launch of the ship . Yet , in spite of all drawbacks , at the present moment no less than 95 lodges are at this moment ranged under the banner of New

Zealand . Moreover , as if to add insult to injury , most offensive circulars seemed to have been issued to brethren formerly under the English Constitution , who have resigned their membership and joined the Grand Lodge of New Zealand , summoning them to appear before the D . G . M . and make submission or be expelled from Freemasonry . Save for the childish absurdity ol

such a su mmons , which is laughable , such a challenge mighthave justified the NewZealanders incutting themselves away from every Masonic tie as regards their old friends . But no such thing . The Colonials are too magnanimous to take petty revenge , and so when this circular dated 23 rd March of this year had been received and laughed to scorn , and was speedily

tollowed by a circular dated April 9 th , 1894 , asking the New Zealand lodges to subscribe for the relief of the family of a brother under the English Constitution , whose children had been left destitute , what did the Colonial brethren do ? Why , promptly subscribed their quota to the fund . They gave , in fact , a kiss for a blow .

When candidates are initiated they are invariably instructed that their duty is to acquiesce in the vote of the majority of a lodge . If this be anything but sheer nonsense , then it i . s the minorities ( upheld by the Grand Lodge of England ) who are in fault , and not the seceders . They are twitted with having violated their obligations . I should be glad to be informed in

what manner . I think I know as well as most people the exact wording of the obligations , but I tail to remember a single phrase that would bear such an interpretation , and how any Grand Lodge or District Grand Lodge can claim authority over a brother who has resigned its membership passeth the ordinary man ' s understanding . But then our Colonial Board is

plainly composed of cv / raordinary men . ' If the lodges under the English , Scotch , and Irish Constitutions desire to remain as they are , by ali means let them do so . They will only be too glad to be allowed to join their New Zealand brethren in a short time . But it is surely time that no further warrants should be granted from England , and that the New Zealand Grand Lodge should be recognised by the

Home Bodies . Already many Grand Lodges the world over have given it recognition , and it is ungracious for the mother lodges to give it the cold shoulder now that it has fully justified its creation . What is the use of being cantankerous ' : The Grand Lodge of New Zealand is there firmly established , and all the diatribes and sneers in the world cannot destroy it or injure it . — Yours fraternally ,

T . B . WHYTEHEAD York , August 31 .

SERVING BRETHREN'S DUES TO FUND OF BENEVOLENCE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Kindly allow me to express , through your Columns , my sincere regret to the military brother who

Correspondence.

spoke to me in the Hall last night after Grand Lodge but whose name I do not know , for my seeming abruptness , but it was absolutely necessary for me to catch my last train at 9 . 15 with a night ' s journey before me . I think Article 103 Book of Constitutions full y

answers his question , as I understood it , without any difficulty ; but if . he has any doubt , and will write me through you with a fuller statement , I shall be very pleased to give him any assistance in my power . — Yours fraternally , LEX SCRIPTA . September 6 th .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

H ^ iS ^^ S ^

S• JARROW . St . Bede Lodge ( No . 1119 ) . —The annual meeting of the above lodge was helel on Thursday , the 30 th ult ., in the Masonic Hall , for the installation of W . M ., and the investment of officers for the ensuing year . There was a large attendance of Past Masters and brethren . The W . M . Bro . A . J . Prince was in the chair ,

and the following officers were in attendance : Bros . John Taylor , I . P . M . j W . H . Dickinson , P . M . j James Sedcole , P . M . ; H . Seiderberg , P . M . ; James Robinson , P . M . ; Thos . Renton , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; George Davies , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd . ; J . T . Dickinson , P . M . ; J . Rigby , S . W ., VV . M . elect ; R . Madgsohn , J . W . ; Thomas Robinson , Treas . ; j . F . Douglas , J . D . ; T . F . Renton

I . G . ; and James Horner , Tyler . Among the visitors present were : Bros . James Shaw , P . M ., P . J . G . D . ; J . C . Moor , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; C . B . Ford , P . M . 4 S 1 , P . P . J . G . D . ; D . iCameron . t . P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; and others . The ceremony ot installing the W . M . elect , Bro . Joseph Rigby , in the chair of K . S . was performed by Bro . John Taylor , P . M ., Installing Master , with considerable ability .

The W . M . afterwards invested the following as officers for the year : Bros . A . J . Prince , I . P . M . ; Robert Madgshon , S . W . ; W . F . Renton , J . W . ; Thomas Robinson , Treas . ; George Davies , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd ., Hon . Sec ; j . V Douglas , S . D . j Thomas F . Renton , J . D . ; John Taylor , P . M ., D . of C . ; J . W . Wilkinson , Org . ; ' James M . Mcintosh , I . G . ; E . H . Johnson and H . Dancaster ,

Stewards ; and James Horner , Tyler . Bro . remce , on retiring from the chair , was presented by the brethren with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , in gold . In the evening the annual festival was held at Bro . Rutherford ' s , the County Hotel . Bro . Jos . Rigby , W . M ., presided . The usual Masonic toasts were proposed and duly honoured in the course of the proceedings .

MANCHESTER . Newall Lodge ( No . 1134 ) . —The first regular meeting , subsequent to the recess , was held on Tuesday , the 4 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-street . Bro . B . Eckersley , W . M ., presided , and he was ably supported by his officers . After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for a gentleman , and , proving favourable , he was initiated in a

charming and impressive manner by the W . M . Bro . A . K . Boothroyd , W . M . 2359 , rendered the charge beautifully . A most enjoyable and instructive meeting was the result . The following brethren were present : Bros . B . Eckersley , W . M . ; G . Webb , I . P . M . ; C . Driver , S . W . ; 11 . Waterhouse . l . W . ; 1 no . Waring , P . M ., Sec . ; J . Ogden ,

S . D . ; S . W . Martin , A . H . Duffin , P . M ., D . C ; J . Green , I . G . ; G . S . Smith , P . M ., P . G . O . ; , A . K . Boothroyd , W . M . 2359 , Stwd . ; H . Mainwaring , P . M . ; W . H . Browne , Mirk Oliver , Allan F . Kidney , Richard W . Jarvis , J . Rylance , and J . Robinson . Visitors : Bros . G . H . Parker , 750 , and A . H . Bateman , P . M . 33 and 1973 .

SUNDERLAND . Londonderry Lodge ( No . 2039 ) . —At a meet ing of this lodge , held at the Masonic Hall , on Monday , the 3 rd instant , the brethren were favoured with a visit from the officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , and the election of chief ofiicers forthe ensuing year touk place . The W . M ., Bro . James Lee , presided , and Bros . William Scott , S . W . ;

N . Lee . J . W . ; F . S . Cowper , P . M ., P . G . S . of W . ; J . C . Moor , P . P . G . D ., D . of C . j and other officers of the lodge were present . 1 he officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge who honoured the lodge with a visit were Bros . Joseph Robson Pattison , P . S . G . W . ; Rev . R . Crookall , P . G . C ; Robert Hudson , P . G . S . B . of England , P . G . S . ; James Shaw , P . J . G . D . ; D . Cameron , P . P . G . D . ; J . Joel , P . A . G .

Sec ; Hartley Camnbell , P . J . G . D . ; T . Hardy , P . P . G . P . ; T . Atkinson , P . P . A . ' u . D . of C ; Bicknell , P . P . A . G . D . of C . j C . M . Wake , P . P . G . S . of W . ; and G . Wanless , P . P . G . S . B . Bro . Wm . Scott , S . W ., was elected W . M . ; Bro . F . S . Cooper , P . M ., Treas . ; Bro . J . C . Moor , Representative upon the Charities Committee of the Province ; and Brc . T . Grieve , P . M ., Tyler , for the ensuing year , all the elections being unanimous . Bro . R . Hudson , P . G . S .,

afterwards made an eloquent appeal on behalf of the Durham Masonic Education Fund , and congratulated the W . M ., Bro . James Lane , and the I . P . M ., Bro . Thomas Hutchinson , M . B . Oxon , upon the excellent work and satisfactory progress of the Londonderry Lodge , of whom Bro Hudson was the first Worshipful Master . Subsequently Bro . J . Robson Pattison , P . S . G . W ., and Bro . Shaw , P . J . G . D ., responded on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge . The meeting was a very successful one .

During the successful Crathie Bazaar which has just closed ; an elderly larm servant went up to the Invercauld stall while Princess Louise Marchioness of Lome was there and said he must have something from her Koyal Highnesses own hand . As a matlcrof fact , there were not many

ihings lelt which wou d have bulled his purse ; but the Princess very kindly asked if he would like to buy a packet of tea . " Anything , " he said , d . lighted to have ihe Princess serving him . " Well , " she said "it ' s very good tea , and if you keep mixing it with other tea it will go a long way . "