Provincial Priory Of Northumberland, Durham, And Berwick-On-Tweed.

time and quite overpowered the worthy knight , thanking them most cordially for their great kindness to him at all times . He should value their handsome gift . A duplicate portrait of Sir Knight H . Hotham , in the dress of a Knight Templar , was also presented on behalf of the members of the preceptory to the E . Preceptor , to be hung in the hall above the Treasurer ' s desk , to remind

future made knights of their old friend who had for so many years been a member of this old encampment , by V . E . Sir Knight C . J . Banister , Pro Prior . The E . Preceptor , on behalf of the preceptory , accepted the portrait with thanks , which was recorded on the minutes . Business of the preceptory being over , it was closed in due form . The banquet was held in the dining hall , under the

presidency of the E . P . Sir Knight C . R . Fry , the vice-chair being occupied by Sir Knight T . J . Armstrong , E . P . elect . The loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed by the E . P ., also " The Health of their Chief , Sir Knight C . J . Banister , V . E . Pro Prior , " in most flattering terms , which was drunk with enthusiasm . Sir Knight C . J . BANISTER responded most heartily , after

which he proposed " The Health of their Dear Old Friend , " whose Jubilee as a Knight Templar they were celebrating that day , hoping that he might be spared yet for many years to be with them at their meetings and at the festive board . This was drunk with full honours , and , in response , Sir Knight HY . HOTHAM , P . P . Sub-Prior , thanked one and

all most cordially , most particularly his old and valued friend , their Pro Prior , whom he had the honour more than 30 years ago of proposing as a candidate for the Degree of Knights Templar , and he was very pleased to see him looking so well , and trusted that he might rule over them for many years to come .

Other toasts were proposed and ably responded to . The gathering was the largest and most enthusiastic that has been held for many years , sir knights coming from all parts of the province—Berwick-on-Tweed , Sunderland , Stockton-on-Tees , Darlington , & c . Recitations and songs between the toasts brought a truly happy evening of a red-letter day to a close .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

GRAND LODGE OF CONNECTICUT . The annual communication was held on the 19 th January , when the following were among the Grand Officers elected for the year , namely : Bros . H . H . Greene , M . W . G . M . ; J . W . Mix , D . G . M . ; J . H . Swartwout , S . G . W . ; Clark Buckingham , J . G . W . ; J . G . Root , G . Treas . ; and J . K . Wheeler , G . Secretary .

GRAND LODGE OF FLORIDA . At the Annual Communication of the Gr : nd Lodge of Florida , held at Jacksonville on the 18 th January last , when about 100 lodges were represented , the following brethren were elected Grand Officers for the year , viz . : — Bros . G . S . Hallmark , M . W . G . M . ; N . R . Carter , Dep . G . M . ; W . F . Bynum , S . G . W . ; J . J . Delaney , J . G . W . ;

Rev . T . Leitner , G . Chap . ; H . Robinson , G . Treas . ; D . C . Dawkins , G . Sec ; G . Beal , S . G . D . ; Wm . Lake , J . G . D . ; R . A . Montsalvatge , G . Swd . Br . ; H . Glogowski , G . Std . Br . ; R . R . Shepherd , G . Marshal ; R . H . Weller , G . Org . ; W . Fox , G . Purst . ; C . H . Munger and T . Turnbull , G , Stewards ; and Octavius H . Dorsett , G . Tyler .

GRAND LODGE OF NEW J ERSEY . This Grand Lodge held its 100 th annual communication at Trenton on the 25 th January last . As might have been anticipated , there was an unusually large attendance and greit enthusiasm prevailed in Taylor ' s Opera House , when the most attractive portion of the proceedings took place .

Bro . J . M . Congdon , M . W . G . M ., presided , and there were many distinguished visitors from neighbouring jurisdictions , the most prominent being Bros . Joseph Eichbaum , M . W . G . M . ; the Hon . Richard Vaux , P . G . M . ; J . S . Africa , S . G . W . ; T . R . Patton , G . Treas . ; Michael Nesbit , P . G . M ., G . Sec . of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania ; E . M . Ehlers , G . Sec ; John F . Collins ,

D . D . G . M . 4 th District of New York ; and others . An address by the Grand Master and an oration by Bro . H . R , Cannon , P . G . M ., constituted thechief portions of the cele . bration , and there was a long and admirable programme of suitable music which was ably carried out . A grand banquet brought the celebration to a close . The following are the Grand Officers for the year . Bros . R . M . Moore , M . W . G . M . ; Charles H . Mann , D . G . M . ; J . M . Harris , S . G . W . ; G .

W . Fortmeyer , J . G . W . ; Rev . H . S . Velhslage , and Rev . G . M . Murray , G . Chaps . ; Charles Becktel , G . Treas . ; J . H . Hough , G . Sec . ; Thos . H . R . Redway , D . G . Sec ; H . S . Haines , G . Instructor ; J . W . Farrow , S . G . D . ; Jos . S . Farrand , J . G . D . ; Charles Russ , G . Marshal ; W . H . Wilmot , G . S . B . ; A . M . Loudenslager , G . Purs . ; Jas . A . Smith G . Org . ; Job C . Kinyon , and Robert Dingwell , G . Stivds . ; and Gilbert B . Slack , G . Tyler .

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND ( E . C . ) A Quarterly Communication of this District Grand Lodge was held on December 21 st , and attended by representatives of the majority of the lodges working under that body . The R . W . D . G . M ., Bro . T . S . Graham , presided , and was supported by the W . D . D . G . M ., Bro . Sir Robert Stout . The Scotch District Grand Lodge oaid a fraternal

visit , being represented by R . W . S . D . G . M . Bro . Louis Court , and the majority of the D . G . Officers . The business transacted was either of a routine or private character , During the evening the R . W . D . G . M ., on behalf of the D . G . Lodge and all the Craft in Dunedin , congratulated Bro . Sir R . Stout upon the honour that had been conferred upon him by his Sovereign .

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF QUEENSLAND . An emergent communication of This District Grand Lodge was held at the Town Hall , Warwick , on the 19 th November , 1886 . Bro . Barron L . Barnett , Dep . D . G . M ., presided at District Grand meeting , and there were

present Bros . John Fenwick , D . G . Sec , as Dep . D . G . M ; A . O . H . Phillips , as D . S . G . W . ; R . A . Cowton , as D . J . G . W . ; W . D . Wilson , as D . G . Sec ; Thomas Trevethan , D . S . G . D . ; H . M . Davies , as D . J . G . D . ; W . Wallace , D . A . G . D . C , as D . G . D . C ; R . Gibson , D . A . G . D . C , the representatives of sundry lodges , and other brethren . District Grand Lodge having been opened , the

The Craft Abroad.

D . G . M . in the chair announced that the meeting was held at the invitation of the St . George's Lodge , No . 1372 , for the purpose of laying the foundation-stone of a new Masonic Hall in Warwick . He further stated that the D . G . M ., R . W . Bro . Gregory , regretted that owing to unavoidable circumstances , which rendered his presence at the Legislative Council imperative , he

had been , at the last moment , prevented from attending . He then called upon the brethren to join him in procession to the site of the proposed new hall , and assist him in the duty of laying the foundation-stone . A procession was accordingly formed , and on its reaching the ground Bro . Barnett , assisted by his D . G . Officers , laid the stone in accordance with the usages proper to such a ceremony ,

and in the course of the proceedings delivered a most eloquent discourse on the principles of Masonry . The procession having been re-formed , the brethren returned to the lodge room , and District Grand Lodge was closed . On the 1 st December following the regular Quarterly Com . munication was held at the Masonic Hall , Brisbane . R . W . Bro . the Hon . A . C . Gregory , D . G . M ., presided , and there

were present Bros . Barron L . Barnett , D . D . G . M . ; Daniel Jones , D . S G . W . ; J . B . Stanley , P . D . S . G . W ., as D . J . G . W . ; Rev . J . Dean , D . G . Chaplain ; W . Finnicane , D . G . Treasurer ; the Hon . Sir Samuel W . Griffith , K . C . M . G ., P . D . S . G . W ., as D . G . Registrar ; Adolph M . Hertzberg , P . D . G . D C , as D . G . Secretary ; C . Claudius Carter , P . D . S . G . W , as D . S . G . D . ; J . D . Reeve , D . J . G . D . ;

the Hon . Frank T . Gregory , P . D . G . Registrar , as D . G . S . of Works ; John Fenwick , D . G . Secretary , as D . G . D . C ; the Hon . W . F . Taylor , P . D . G . Sword Bearer , as D . G . Sword Bearer ; J . G . Vidgen , D . G . Organist ; J . T . Brigg , D . G . P . ; J . E . Meyer and A . F . Luya , D . G . Stewards ; and other brethren , P . D . G . Officers , Representatives of lodges , and visitors . This being the first

occasion on which District Grand Lodge met in its new hall , the D . G . M . was invited solemnly to dedicate it to the purposes of Freemasonry , and the complete ceremony of dedication was carried out very ably and impressively , the oration being delivered by Bro . Barnett , the Dep . D . G . M . The regular business of the meeting , which , however , does not need to be described , was then proceeded with , and in due course District Grand Lodge was closed .

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF CANTERBURY , N . Z . A Quarterly Communication was held at the St . Augustine Ivlasonic Hall , Christchurch , N . Z ., on Thursday , the 2 nd October , 1 SS 6 . R . W . Bro . H . Thompson , D . G . M ., occupied the chair , and among those present were Bros . Dr . Deamer , D . D . G . M . ; C . P . Hulbert , D . S . G . W . ; W . Sansom , D . J . G . W . ; J . F . Smith , D . G . Reg . ; W . R .

Mitchell , D . G . Sec ; G . M . Douglas , D . S . G . D . ; S . Debridge , D J . G . D . ; M . O'Connell , as D . G . S . B . ; W . T . C . Mills , D . G . P . ; E . F . Haskins , F . M . Warren , and W . Skinner , D . G . Stewards ; Richard Stevens , D . G . Tyler ; sundry P . D . G . Officers ; and the representatives of a majority of the lodges . The District Grand Lodge having been opened , and the

minutes of the previous meeting , after certain clauses improperly inserted had been struck out , confirmed , a number of apologies for non-attendance were read , the roll of lodges was called over , and sundry reports handed in , that by the D . G . Treasurer showing a balance to the good of

over £ 509 . The report of the StandingCommittee recommended the grant of a further £ 10 as rent to the St . Augustine's Lodge , and a vote of £ 20 towards relieving the distress of a brother , having been adopted , the rest of the business was disposed of , and D . G . Lodge closed with the accustomed formalities .

OPENING OF A NEW MASONIC HALL AT WAIROA SOUTH , NEW ZEALAND . On December Sth , 1886 , the new Masonic Hall at Wairoa South was opened for Masonic purposes . The consecration of the hall was held in connection with the annual installation of officers of the Lodge Wairoa , 709 ( S . C . ) , and the two ceremonies were carried out with due solemnity .

After the arrival of the visitors , no time was lost in having the preliminaries arranged . The lodge assembled , and duly received Bro . M . Niccol , R . W . S . P . G . M ., and the officers of Grand Lodge . After the ceremonies incidental to such an occasion had been gone through , and the hall duly opened for Masonic purposes , the installation of the officers for the ensuing year then took place , and among

the P . M . s present on the dais were Bros . Kidd and Suiter ( I . C . ) , Dr . Walker , Hitchins , and Dewar ( S . C . ) , and Vosper and Cole ( E . C . ) The installation ceremonies were performed by Bro . M . Niccol , and the following are the officers installed : Bros . James Walker , R . W . VI . ; Dr . Leger Erson , P . M . ; F . Lawry , Depute ; Hitchins , Substitute ; Rev . Farley , Chaplain ; H . S . Dadley , S . W . ; C . Farley , J . W . ; D . Crawford , Secretary ; J . Aitchison ,

Treasurer ; T . P . Fraser , S . D . ; D . McLenan , J . D . ; J . Hewson , I . G . ; and G . Martin , Tyler . After the business of the lodge was closed the brethren sat down to a banquet provided by the ladies of Wairoa South . The chair was occupied by Bro . M . Niccol . The customary toasts were proposed and duly responded to . At the close of the banquet the hall was cleared , and at half-past nine p . m . dancing was commenced , and was continued until four o'clock next morning .

LODGE ST . ANDREW , 418 ( S . C . ) The annual installation of officers of this lodge took place on December 28 th , and on no previous occasion in the history of the lodge was there such a thoroughly representative attendance of brethren of all constitutions as on that of the installation of Bro . Farquhar Macrae into the

chair of K . S . and the mastership of this lodge . The lodge was opened by the retiring R . W . M ., Bro . Hitchens , and soon afterwards Bro . Malcolm Niccol , R . W . S . P . G . M ., S . C , was received , and took the chair as installing master . The P . G . M ., I . C , Bro . G . P . Pierce , and his officers , were received as a Grand Lodge , the officers including Bros . Rees , P . M . ; Russel , P . M . ; Pooley , P . M . ; and

Hanna , P . M . The District Grand Lodge of England was also received as a body , and included Bros . Clark , Dr . Dawson , W . P . Moat , Rev . W . Tebbs , H , G . Wade , Fenton , Page , Major Pirie , Augur , La Roche , Hewson , and Rev . E . H . Gulliver . Without any

unnecessary delay , the installation of officers was commenced and conducted by Bro . Niccol . Bro . Farquhar Macrae was duly presented by Bros . W . Anderson and W . C . Walker , the two oldest Past Masters of Lodge St . Andrew present , and he was duly installed , saluted , and proclaimed . The following officers were then invested and installed : Bros . R .

The Craft Abroad.

B . Symon , D . M . ; James Anderson , S . M . ; J . P . Kim * S . W . ; Malcolm McLeod , J . W . ; Dr . H . Walker , Org . . f Ellison , Treas . ; J . F . BulfordSec ; Page , S . D . ; Urquhart ' J . D . ; Robinsonand Mason , Stwds . ; BrufordjI . G . ; and Tonge ' Tyler . When Bro . Dr . Walker was being invested , or rather re-invested , as Organist , the Installing Master took the opportunity of presenting him with an elaborate and costly jewel of the P . M . Degree , as a recognition of his

services as Master of the lodge , and hoped he would live long to wear it , and Bro . Dr . Walker expressed his appreciation of the kindly feeling thus exhibited towards him by the members of the lodge . The newl y-installed R . W . M ., in a brief but feeling speech , proposed a vote of the hearty thanks of the lodge toBro . Niccol , the Installing Master . A banquet afterwards took place , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and responded to

LODGE WAITEMATA , NO . 689 , E . C . The installation of officers for the ensuing year of this lodge took place on December 20 th , at the Masonic Hall Princes-street . The officers installed were Bro . Augur , as W . M . for the second time ; Bros . Capt . Olive , S W Grey , J . W . ; Hatswell , Treas . ; H . G . Wade , Sec ' -

Crazier , S . D . ; W . Dunn , J . D . ; White , I . G . ; and Tonge , Tyler . Several representatives of other lod ges were present at the ceremony . After the transaction of lodge business , the members adjourned to the banqueting hall to a banquet , at which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to . The proceedings were enlivened with songs , & c .

GRAND CHAPTER OF FLORIDA . The Annual Convocation of the G . R . A . Chapter was held at Jacksonville on the 19 th January , when the following were elected Grand Officers for the year , viz .: —Comps A . Paterson , G . H . P . ; M . Endel , D . G . H . P . ; Fred . S . " Goodrich , G . King ; R . A . Montsalvatge , G . Scribe ; T !

S . Wilmarth , G . Treas . ; D . C . Dawkins , G . Sec . ; Rev VV . McLean , G . Chap . ; S . B . Wright , G . C . of H .: l " A . Boag , G . P . S . ; C . H . Munger , G . R . A . C ; W . M . " Mcintosh , G . M . 3 rd V . ; J . W . Boyd , G . M . 2 nd V . ; E . A . Richards , G . M . 1 st V . ; and James F . Clark , G . Guard .

GRAND CHAPTER OF MICHIGAN . There was a very full attendance at the annual Convocation at Detroit , of the Grand Chapter of Michigan , on the 18 th January , when the following were elected Grand Officers . tor the year , viz .: Comps . Eugene P . Robertson , G . H . P . ; Benj . F . Watts , D . G . H . P . ; W . Wente , C King ; W . G . Hudson , G . Scribe ; Rev . F . A . Blades

, G . Chap ; H . Shaw Noble , G . Treas . ; VV . P . Moses , G . Secretary ; Sam . C . Randall , G . C . of H . ; John F . Barrows , G . P . S . ; Chas . R . Bagg , G . R . A . C ; Jas . H . Cummings , G . M . 3 rdV . ; Jefferson S . Conover , G . M . 2 nd V . ; C D . Blanchard , G . M . 1 st V . ; P . H . deGraff , and T . Phillips , G . Stwds ; A . McGregor , G . Sen . ; and B . Porter , G . Lecturer .

GRAND CHAPTER OF NEW YORK . The Annual Convocation of the Royal Arch Chapter of New York was held in Albany during the opening week of February . There was a large attendance , and the reports handed in by the several Committees were of a highly interesting character . It appears there are 189 chapters in the jurisdiction , of which all but four had sent in returns ,

and that the number of subscribing members is 15 , 256 . The following is a list of the Grand Officers for the current year , viz .: Comps . Wm . Sherer , G . H . P . ; R . H . Parker , D . G . H . P . ; J . L . Lambert , G . King ; Marvin L . Greenwood , G . Scribe ; Herman H . Russe , G . Treas . ; C G . Fox , G . Sec ; Rev . James B . Murray , G . Chap . ; Will J .

McDonald , G . C . of H . ; Erskine H . Dickey , G . Prin . Soj . ; Ulyses Baker , G . R . A . C . ; Willard S . Bradt , G . M . 3 rd V . ; A . Trombler , G . M . 2 nd V . ; P . Nast , jun ., G . M . 1 st V . ; George McGown , G . Lecturer ; and W . H . Gladding , G . Tyler . Comps . Darius Ogden , E . Loewenstein , and C . W . Carpenter are the Committee on Foreign Correspondence .

GRAND CHAPTER OF TEXAS . The principal officers who were elected and installed at the 37 th Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter of Texas , held at Houston , on the 14 th January last , are as follow : Comps . VV . L . Sartwell , G . H . P . ; John Adnance , D . G . H . P . ; JohnC . McCoy , G . King ; R . M . Harkness , G . Scribe ; H . Schaffins , G . Treas . ; and Robert Breaster , G . Secretary .

•^ MMMM GRAND COUNCIL R . S . M . NEW J ERSEY . There was a large attendance at the 29 th annual assembly at Trenton of the Grand Council R . and S . Masters on the 25 th January , when the following were elected G . Officers :

Bros . James B . Small , G . M . ; Gilbert D . Slack , D . G . M . ; George W . Start , G . P . Con . of Wk . ; Charles Becktel , G . Recorder ; Charles Wolverton , G . Treasurer ; L . L . Greer , G . Chap . ; Lindsey Rowe , G . C . of G . ; Lewis G . Dawson , G . M . ; Madison K . Raub , G . Stwd . ; and Sam . G . Bennett , G . Sent .

PROVINCIAL GEAND CHAPTER OF NEW ZEALAND ( S . C ) An imposing , interesting , and , as far as Royal Arch Masonry is concerned , an important ceremony was performed at the ordinary meeting of the Kilwinning Otago Chapter , 116 , on Monday evening , Decembar 20 th , when Comp . Louis Court , M . E . P . Z ., was installed as G .

Superintendent of the Provincial Grand Chapter of New Zealand . The Otago Kilwinning Chapter having been opened , Comp . W . Caldwell , M . E . Z ., explained to the companions the purpose for which they had met , and the steps which had led up to the resuscitation of the Provincial Grand Chapter . The Scribe E . having read the commission from the Scottish Grand Chanter . Comn . H . Neil ! . M . E . PA

presented M . E . Comp . L , Court to M . E . Comp . Caldwelh and the latter installed him as P . G . Superintendent of the Provincial Grand Chapter of New Zealand . Comp . Caldwell then proclaimed the Provincial Grand Chapter duly constituted . The honours having been paid to M . E . P . G . S the following Prov . Grand Officers were invested : Comps .

J . Robertson , P . Z ., Prov . G . H . ; D . A . M'Nicol , P- *;» Prov . G . J . ; H . Neill , P . Z ., Prov . G . Scribe E . ; S . W . Gibbs , Prov . G . Scribe N . ; H . Credington , P . G . ist b . ) H . Carter , P . G . 2 nd S . ; and W . Parker , P . G . 3 > Comp . Caldwell then addressed the M . E . P . G . S . and his newly-invested officers , pointing out the responsibility that lay upon them . The M . E . P . G . S ., in replying , stated that , he , with the assistance of his officers , intended doing a