Correspondence.

As 247 " Lodges or other Masonic Societies " have , in that report , been openly acknowledged as Vice-Patrons , it is quite clear that the plain meaning of Rule 2 J is well understood and admitted by the Committee of Management . Bro . Mead ' s statement at last Grand Lodge as reported by you on page 261 of

Dec . 15 th , 18 94 — that the 247 lodge ; had been " silently allowed to become "Vice-Patrons " and your statement on first page of last week ' s issue that the rank was by " courtesy " —scarcely state the tact fairly , seeing that the London Committee and not the 247 lodges direct the printing of the Report .

Moreover , an examination of these 247 lodges shows that 13 Prov . Grand Lodges and 15 private lodges or Masonic societies ( less than five of the whole number being located in London ) possessing voting power from 180 to 700 each—each lodge having thus , presumably , contributed more than double the amount

needed by latter clause of Rule 25—have not , in accordance with that rule either " silently" or by " courtesy " been " allowed to become " Patrons of the Institution . Why f I would ask who has "silently " suppressed these claims—if any such claim or claims have been made !

If any of the 28 lodges or Masonic societies had paid 400 guineas to the other Institutions , would not either the Boys' or the Girls' Committee have , in due business fashion—in good faith and . silently—ranked each lodge or Masonic society as a Patron .

If the 247 lodges are not entitled to either rank , why then so hurriedly alter this particular rule before a general revision is presented for the judgment of Grand Lodge i * —Yours fraternally , 57 , 221 .

COLONIAL BOARD AND THE CAMBRIAN LODGE OF AUSTRALIA , No . 556 , E . C . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Your issue of December Sth to hand with report of Grand Lodge communication in re—this

matter . The decision is a surprise to me ; surely the merrfbers of Grand Lodge could not have foreseen the false position they were placing the Grand Lodge in , by adopting the plausible excuse that the matter was subjttdice . What difference can it make to Grand Lodge in dealing with its own officials or

Sub-Committee for neglecting , and in this case apparently wilfully , to carry out Grand Lodge resolutions , or the articles of Constitution '¦** Is Grand Lodge to play second fiddle to its own officials for neglect ? Who are Grand Lodge's superiors in its own sphere ? To make Grand Lodge subordinate to anybody , be it

judge or official , seems to me utterly absurd , and I think now that members have had time to consider the subject carefully , they should at once rescind the resolution arrived at on the 5 th December , and wipe out the absurdity of the subordinates being superior to their creators , a part being greater than the whole .

The whole trouble has bcen ca . us . ed through thc neglect of Grand Lodge officials in carrying out instructions , and replying to letters , as the various districts in this Colony ( New Zealand ) have found to their cost .

The reading of Article 219 , Book of Constitution , is as plain as a pikestaff , and Grand Lodge itself has on numerous occasions decided that the minority are the proper custodians of the warrant , and are the lodge . Thanking you in anticipation , —Yours fraternally , COLONIAL PAST MASTER ( E . G . ) . Auckland , January 26 th .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1065 ] . — THE R . A . IN PROVINCES . In that extraordinary volume devoted to the History of Freemasonry in Herts ( 46 S pages 4-to !) , Bro . G . B , Abbott states that the earliest reference lo Royal Arch Masonry in Hertfordshire occurs in my " Origin of the English Rite of Freemasonry , " viz . the appointment of Colonel A . D . O'Kelly as Grand Superintendent in

1811 . He regards that appointment correctly as a sinecure , as there was no Royal Arch Chapter started in thc province until 1830 . Bro . Abbott cites still more remarkable instances of provincial authorities having "nothing to do , " for between 1797 and 1829 " two brethren were successively appointed Prov . Grand Masters , there being no lodges then in Herts

for them to rule over . " I find that Bro . T . B . Parkyns , M . P . ( afterwards Lord Rancliffe , Prov . G . M ., & c ) , was the Grand Superintendent for Leicestershire lrom 1793 , though no chapter was formed until 1796 ( the present No . 229 ) at Leicester . Thc same distinguished Craftsman was also Grand Superintendent for Derbyshire , as announced in thc Grand Chapter Proceedings

for 1794 . In thc admirable roll or "Succession of Grand Superintendents from thc formation of the Grand Chapter of England to the present time , " at pp . 282-5 , Grand Lodge Calendar , Derbyshire is not credited with any Provincial Ruler before 18 / 6 , but it is quite clear that Lord Rancliffe was Grand

Superintendent in 1793 , as given in my " Origin' from an official source . Though such was the case , there does not appear to have been even a single Royal Arch Chapttr at work in Derbyshire prior to the union of the two Grand Chapters in 1817 . Other instances might be mentioned but these most suffice for the time . W . J . HUGHAN .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"THE KEYSTONE" for the week ending the 16 th February contains an article on " Masonic Legislation , " the usual formidable array of " Masonic Editorial Notes , " among which are included " A Story of Teeumseh , " quoted from the Freemasons' Repository , and some curious particulars relating to " Masonry Among Savage Tribes . "

"MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS OF THE PUNJAB , " at the regular communication at Lahore , on the 27 th December , 1894 , Rawal Pindi : Prii . tedbythe Murree Brewery Press , by Ram Saran , 180 , 5 . We have already furnished . particulars of this communication , at which Bro .

E . Woodall Parker was installed District Grand Mark Master of the Punjab . The report , however , is valuable because it contains in an appendix a mass nf important information relating to the Degree in the District , with specimens of the agenda and other papers for the guidance of Masters and Secretaries of lodges ,

The "CRAFTSMAN . "—Proprietor and Publisher , Bro . Q . | . Harris ; printed by Messrs . Daniel Owen and Co .. Limited , Cardiff . The February and March numbers well sustain the reputation of this useful Masonic periodical . The former is particularly well furnished with portraits of newlyinstalled Masters of lodges in Wales and elsewhere , while in

the latter is , one of Bro . Thos . Matthew * :, of Cardiff , the W . M . designate of the " Llangattock Lodge , No . 2547 , and a full record of his Masonic services . The March number also gives reports of sundry balls recently held under the auspices of various lodges at Cardiff , Newport , and Monmouth . There is also in both numbers an ample supply of Masonic news .

"WORDS AND MUSIC FOR USE IN THE CEREMONIES . " —Compiled hy VV . Bro . VV . F . Ch-e = eman , P . M . 39 S , P . Z . 1604 , Secretary Warrant Officers' Lodge , No . 234 G , and dedicated to the Founders of that lodefe . Bro . Cheesman ' s selection does srreat credit to his taste , and will be found very seiviceable by those lodges , which introduce music into our lodge ceremonies . It is , moreover , printed in good type , and very neatly , and at the same time , strongly bound .

The " MASONIC GUIDE "—Birmingham , Alabama—is an excellent periodical , and in its issue for December , 1 S 94 , contains a series of well-written articles supplemented by reports of the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter cf Alabama and a Masonic- Directory . Among the

most readable of the contents are a paper entitled "Who is the Man in the Moon ? " a disquisition on the " Past Master's Degree , " and 1 well-told story with a suspicion of Masonry in it— " My first two Patients . " It is a very creditable compilation .

"INDIAN MASONIC REVIEW . "—Madras , printed by Addison and Co ., Mount-road . The February number begins with an article on " My Grand Lodge Certificate , " while the reports of lodge and other meetings are both numerous and ample . Perhaps the most valuable contributions are " Notes on the Ritual , " continued from a previous number ; " A Curious Custom , " communicated by Bto . W . Leslie-, and an article borrowed from the

American Tyler on "The Landmarks of the Order . " By the way , is it not possible that the " Brother M'Cready " referred to in connection with Lodge No . 24 , Newcastle-on-Tyne , as having resigned the management of the theatre in that town in Bro . Leslie ' s " A Curious Custom " was the distinguished actor , William Macready , who retired from the stage in 1 S 51 ? Perhaps some of our readers may be able to say if our suggestion is correct .

" THE TENNESSEE MASON . "—Nashville , Tennessee . —The number for January completes the second volume of our Tennessee contemporary , and affords us the opportunity of congratulating it on the ability with which it appears to be conducted , as well as on the character of its contents . The chief feature of this number is the " Official Report of thc Secretary of the Widows' and Orphans '

Home . " There is also an article headed " The Supreme Ideal of Templarism , " which is not only well worth reading on the ground of its own merits , but because it was writter by the late Bro . Robert Macoy , who was for many years the Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery of New York , and must have been one of the liUst contributions of that able writer .

"THE FREEMASONS' CALENDAR FOR THE PROVINCE OF NOTTINGHAMSHIRE , FOR THE VEAK , 1 S 95 . "—This most compact and ably edited Masonic Calendar has been compiled , as usual , by the indefatigable Prov . Grand Secretary ( Bro . Arthur Stubbs , of Nottingham ) . This is the iGth year of publication , and it was never more valuable or more appreciated than at the present time . The work is

rather larger than the previous edition for 1894 , is published with commendable promptitude , dating as it does from Maich 15 th . 1 S 95 , to February 28 th , 1 S 9 G , and the compilation has been made on a similar basis to that of its immediate predecessors . Not only are the ordinary particulars supplied as to the Lodges , Chapters , and other Masonic Bodies in the province , but Ihe names of all the

members are printed , in order of joining of all these organisations , involving considerable labour in thc preparation of such a mass of details . Neither are neighbouring provinces neglected , for these also are duly and carefully attended to , in respect of the Craft , Mark , Arcli , and other Degrees . Subscribers in the province to the Masonic Chaiitiesare much indebted to liro . Thomas Salisbury for

tie excellent I able he has prepared for then information . There are eight columns , in lieu of thc ordinary four , exhibiting the Annual , as well as the Life Qualifications , tbe grand tolal for the four Branches of ' our Central Charities being 121 G votes . This is not an extraordinary record for 761 members , and lO lodges , & c , and suggests

that there must be a number of brethren whose sympathies have still to be elicited on behalf of the "distinguishing characteristic" of a Freemason . The expenses of publication ate defrayed by the Prov . Grand Lodge , and copies are presented to all Master Masons registered in the province on June 30 th , 1894 .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

DONCASTER . St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 242 ) . —The monthl y meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Rooms on Friday , the ist inst . Present : Bros . C . H . Woodhouse VV . M . ; E . Newsum , I . P . M .: J . H . Pawson , S . W . ; ' Bridge , J . W . ; H . C . White , Sec .: G . Smith . J . D . j p ] Duff , Org . ; C . Hopkinson , Stwd . ; J . F . Hanson

I . G . ; F . Webb , D . C ; A . W . Fretwell , P . M . ; F . 1 Forth , P . M . ; J . Fitzgerald , P . M . ; S . Lester , P . Jenner H . VV . Burnett , G . M . Parkinson , Sam Smith , T . VV ' Turner , A . Reasbeck , S . Venus , W . C . Wright , H . w ! Hardy , and J . Mason and C . Richardson , Tylers . Visitors-Bros . F . G . Turner , 57 ; and G . Eland , J . D ., A . I . Peace , I . P . M ., J . Constable , Sec , and R . Brew , all of

2259 . The lodge was duly opened , when Bros . VV . C . Wri ght and H . W . Hardy were passed to the Degree of F . C , the W . M . being ably assisted by Bro . Newsum . Ballots were taken for Messrs . Hastie and Tom Bletcher , which the W . M . announced as unanimous , and Mr . J . Taylor was

proposed as a candidate . Auditors were appointed for the year closing in April , and after "Hearty good wishes " from the visiting brethren , the lodge was closed . The brethren afterwards partook of light refreshment in the ante-room , when a very pleasant hour was spent in toast and son ? .

HAMPTON COUdT . Hemming Lodge ( No . 1512 ) . —A meeting 0 f this lodge was held at the Greyhound Hotel on the 21 st ult . Among those present were Bros . J . W . Clarke , acting W . M ., in the absence through illness of Bro . Trotter ; W Hopkins . S . VV . ; G . J . Tagg . J . W . ; J . C . Jessett , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; Capt . Walls , P . M ., P . p

G . W ., G . Std . Br ., Sec . ; C Wheatley , J . D . ; H . Gale , I . G . ; George Ransford , P . M ., D . C . ; C . Davis , A . D . C . ' C . Brooke , Org . ; H . Wheatlev . P . M ., and Hill , Stwds , W . Spearing , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; and 1 . Smith , P . M . Among the visitors were Bros . A . Gargini , P . M . 3 ; J . H . Wood , P . M . 145 ; A . H . Bowers , 2540 . The minutes of the previous meetine were read and

confirmed . Bro . Balls was then raised to the Third Degree , and Bro . Austin passed as a F . C , both ceremonies being well performed by the acting W . M . Apologies for nonattendance were received from Bros . E . H . Trotter , W . M . ; P . Cronin , S . D . ; W . Fisher , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . ; and others . The lodge was then closed , and a banquet followed ,

The LP . M . presided , and gave the numerous toasts with brevity . Bro . VV . Spearing , P . P . G . S . B ., responded on behalf ol "The Provincial Grand Officers . " During the evening Bros . C Brooke , Ridgewell , Hopkins , J . C . Jessett , and others , im trumentally and vocally entertained the brethren .

NEWCASTLE . Tristram Lodge ( No . 346 ) . —The annual meeting was held recently at the Assembly Rooms , Barras Bridge , when the lodge was favoured with a visit from tht Provincial Grand Lodge . Bro . J . Straker Wilson was

acting W . M ., and the officers of Provincial Grand Lodge present were Bros . Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., P . G . M . ; R . B . Reed , D . P . G . M . ; T . Purvis , P . G . D . Eng ., P . G . Treas . ; T . J . Armstrong , P . PJ . G W . ; T . G . Mabane , P . P . J . G . O . ; I . Paee , P . P . G . S . B .: F . H . Corder . P . P .

G . D . C ; John Heppell , P . P . S . G . O . ; W . M . Lyon , P . P . G . M . O . ; J . C . Moor , P . P . G . M . O . ; C B . Ford , P . G Sec . ; R . Whitfield , P . P . G . R . ; W . J . H . Ryder , P . P . G D . C ; Wm . Richardson , P . P . S . G . D . ; T . R . Short , P . G D . C . ; Seymour Bell , P . P . G . D . C . ; W . E . Moffett , P . S , G . O . ; VV . H . Barlow , P . A . G . D . C . ; I . G . Youll , P . P .

G . S . ; Dr . A . Wilson , P . P . G . M . O . ; and T . W . Lovibond , S . VV . ; and E . Shewbrooks , J . VV . The VV . M . elect , Bro . Thomas Lovibond , was installed as W . M . by Bros . R . B . Reed , D . P . G . M ., and Thomas Purvis , P . G . Treas . The investment of officers followed , and Bro . Canon Tristram congratulated the W . M . in the name of the Provincial Grand Lodge .

SOUTH SHIELDS . Wouldhave Lodge ( No . 362 ) . —On Tuesday , the 26 th ultimo , the annual meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , for the purpose of installing the W . M . for the ensuing year . Bro . W . E . Moffett , P . S . G . O ., W . M ., was in the chair , and was supported by the D . P . G . M , Bro . R . B . Reed , and the following officers of Prov . Grand

Lodge : Bros . T . Purvis , P . G . D . England , P . G . T . ; C . B Ford , P . G . Sec ; W . M . Lyon , P . P . G . M . O ., * T . G . Mabane , P . P . J . G . O . ; J . D . Todd , P . P . G . M . O . ; C . F . Sutcliffe , P . P . J . G . D . ; 1 * . Coulson , P . P . J . G . D . ; I H . Wilkes , P . G . R . ; T . R . Short , P . G . D . C . ; J . C Moor , P . P . G . M . O . ; Wm . Brown , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Gibson Youll , P . P . G . S . ; John Heppell , P . P . S . G . O . ; and Robt . Ferry ,

P . G . O . The W . M . elect , Bro . James Sedcole , P . G . S . B ., S . VV ., was presented to Bro . W . E . Moffett , and installed as W . M . by the D . P . G . M . and Bro . Thos . Purvis , P . O . Treas . The newly-installed W . M . afterwards appoint '" the following officers for the ensuing year : Bros . VV . E . Moffett , I . P . M . ; George Harland , S . W . j David Walton , J . W . ; John Readhead , M . O . ; T . B . Grimes . S . O . ; J '

K . Mabane , | . 0 . ; C . E . Sutcliffe , P . M ., Treas . ; M . JWheatley , P . M ., R . of M . ; James Page , Sec ; John Cosans , S . D . ; W . Atmstrong , J . D . ; T . Coulson , P . M'i D . C . ; and T . Potter , Tyler . Afterwards the brethren dined together in the banqueting hall . Bro . James Sedcole , the newly-installed vV . M . i presided , and Bro . G . Harland , S . W ., was in the vicechair .

YATTON . Agricultural Lodge ( No . 1199 ) . — Th ' annual gathering of the brethren of this lodge was held al the Assembly-rooms , on Monday , the 18 th ult ., when Br "' R . W . Statham was installed as W . M . for the ensuinS year , the ceremony being performed by Bro . L °

Dungarvan , P . G . M . The W . M . invested the following **> his officers : Bros . G . W . Knowles , I . P . M . ; II . Stroa * Smith , S . W . ; Atkingston , J . W . ; C L . Fry Edwards . Treas . ; T . A . Smith , Sec . ; J . H . T . Evans , S . D . ; . 1- ); , ' Pitts , J . D . ; W . Reece , D . C ; E . Thatcher , Org . ; A . W * Metcalf , l . G . ; W . A . Lyddon , Stwd . ; and James Bali , Tyler . The brethren subsequently dined together .