New Zealand.

effect which can hardly be otherwise than detrimental to the interests of Freemasonry in that portion of the British empire . For how does the Craft in New Zealand stand at the present moment ? If we remember rightly , there were at the time _ that the preliminary steps were taken with a view of establishing a

United Grand Lodge of New Zealand on the lines of the United Grand Lodges in New South Wales and Victoria , and the Grand Lodge of South Australia , some 149—let us say 150—lodges in the Colony . Of these some 80 and odd lodges held under the United Grand Lodge of England , some 50 and odd under the

Grand Lodge of Scotland , and some 15 under the Grand Lodge of Ireland . There are still 150 lodges in existence , but they are now distributed among four constitutions , the recently established Grand Lodge of New Zealand—taking the returns which reached us some time ago as the basis of our division—having under its

banner some 90 lodges , while the remaining 60 are distributed , but in what proportions we cannot say , among the three original constitutions . But if—and we believe this was the chief reason advanced in favour of a United Grand Lodge of New Zealandthere were difficulties in the way of an easy and completely

harmonious working among 150 lodges working under three different constitutions , will those difficulties be reduced in number and extent by the establishment of a fourth constitution ? If we assume that the authorities of the home Grand Lodges will adopt the same course with regard to New Zealand

as they did towards New South Wales when there was a socalled Grand Lodge of New South Wales set up in opposition to their District or Provincial Grand Lodges , there is nothing to prevent the 60 lodges that have remained faithful to their old allegiance being increased in number in the course of the next

few years . The so-called Grand Lodge of New South Wales—now happily merged in the United Grand Lodge of that Colony , as recognised by us—was regarded as an intruder by the G . Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland , nor did the latter cease to issue warrants for the formation of new lodges as they were

required , until it became clear that the desire of all , or nearly all , the lodges was in favour of establishing the present United Grand Lodge . But even if there is no increase of lodges under the old constitutions , we shall have in New Zealand an exact reproduction of that condition in which our late respected Pro

G . M . found Freemasonry in New South Wales on his arrival at Sydney , which he considered so detrimental to the general interests of the Craft as a whole , and which he was mainly instrumental in remedy ing ; We wonder what the late Earl of

Canarvon , had he been still among us , would have said of this new and striking development of Masonic harmony . His last , and it may be his greatest , achieve ment in Freemasonry was to put an end to the dissensions which he found existing , in one of

our Australasian colonies ; the New Zealand Grand Lodge , by setting itself up , has done i ts best to foment them , and it will not be its fault if the' variance , which its promoters professed to be so eager to put an end to , is not enlarged and made still more intense . We shall again refer to this subject at an early date .

The Ancient And Accepted Rite.

THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE .

The very useful " Annual , " or " Red Book , of the Ancient and Accepted Rite for England and Wales and the Dependencies of the British Crown is now ready for circulation , and

has been edited , as usual , by the courteous Secretary-General , Bro . H . D . Sandeman , Past D . G . M . Bengal . It is a remarkable compilation , brought down to 30 th June , 1890 , and reflects great credit on the painstaking ancl most accurate editor .

There are one or two new features in this interesting issue , but substantially the same system has been followed of late , from year to year , no better , apparently , being possible . In the rules a new set of clauses appears respecting the concordant between the Supreme Councils of England and Scotland , for

happily , now , the " hatchet has been buried" by these two bodies , and the old conditions of peace and goodwill have been restored ; Bro . H . D . Sandeman , 33 , is the Grand Representative of the Scottish Organisation , and Bro . Lindsay Mackersy , 33 ° , the esteemed Secretary-General of Scotland , occupies a

similar position in regard to England . Twenty-three Supreme Councils exchange representatives with England , which is one more than last year , and the number of chapters under English rule is exactly 101 as in 188 9 , the new one , No . 114 , Wigan , being balanced as an accession b y the surrender of the warrant for No . 72 , London .

There are 90 now in lieu of 81 pre . iously fixed for the number of members of the 31 ° in England , those of the 32 remaining at 45 as formerly . Capt . N . G . Philips ( P . G . D . ) on Jan .

Sth , 1889 , completed his " silver wedding" in relation to his occupancy of a seat in the Supreme Council , and is the senior member of that distinguished body . The balance sheet is certified b y Messrs . Harper Bros .,

The Ancient And Accepted Rite.

chartered accountants , besides which the Treasurer ' s accounts have been audited by Bros . J . H . Matthews , W . M . Bywater , and E . H . Elliott , so that every attention is paid to all the financial details so as to ensure the greatest exactitude . The value of

the assets of the Supreme Council considerably exceeds £ 18 , 000 , and from i 860 the large sum of £ 3500 has been donated to Masonic and other charitable purposes , the votes held by the Supreme Council for the three Institutions making up a total of 582 !

The new Treasurer-General is the zealous Craftsman , Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., the genial Bro . Major-General Henry Clerk , F . R . S . ( P . G . D . ) , having retired from that position . His numerous friends will be pleased to note that his valuable services have been recognised by his election as one of four honorary members of the Supreme Council .

Lieut .-Col . H . S . S . Burney , P . G . D ., has been raised to the dignity of a Sov . G . Inspector-General , Bro . Colonel G . N . Money , C . B ., succeed to the Inspectorship of the South-Eastern District .

Four new names are enrolled as members of the 32 , and nine for the 31 . Additions also have been made to the 30 . The years of appointment to the latter Degree have been inserted

in the Annual for 1890 , so that now all the years are supplied for the Degrees from 32 to 30 inclusive , but not for the 33 ° . The latter also would be interesting , as only those of the Supreme Council are given .

Several more pages are required for the 1890 issue , owing to the increased number of particulars which are noted , and likewise the roll of names exhibits considerable additions , as usual . The prosperity of the Rite in England must be most gratifying to the members , and especially to the Supreme Council , 33 ° , whose labours have , been so constant and well directed on its behalf .

The lists of the subscribing members of chapters ( 100 in number ) , with their names , places of meeting , and dates of warrants of the 101 , are duly detailed , and an alphabetical index of all the names of the members , with their correct designations ,

whether contributing or not , completes this handy and accurate guide . Copies may be had by application to the Secretary-General at the usual nominal price . W . J . HUGHAN .

Old Warrants.

OLD WARRANTS .

'Tis a far cry from old England to Australia , and I am sure the little incident I am about to relate will deeply interest those readers of the Freemason who , like myself , have a penchant for such matters . It is only the other day that a letter of mine in the columns of the Freemason revealed to the brethren of the

Westminster and Keystone Lodge , No . 10 , the existence of an old " Book of Constitutions" belonging to them in this far distant part of Her Majesty's dominions . Now I have to record the discovery of an old warrant issued by the Grand Lodge of Ireland in the year 1759 , which , after long wanderings , no

doubt , adorns the walls of a Masonic hall in the colony of Victoria . Last week 1 had the pleasure of assisting at the installation festival of the Golden and Corinthian Lodge of Bendigo , formerly No . 641 , under the United Grand Lodge of England , but now No . 7 under the United Grand Lodge of

Victoria . The locality is the prosperous city of Sandhurst , 100 miles from Melbourne , where in the early gold days there existed two lodges , one the Golden and the other the Corinthian , which subsequently joined their forces under the name just mentioned . It is one of the strongest—about 200 members—and best worked

lodges in Australia , and has an equally strong and nourishing Royal Arch chapter attached , which is more than can be said of any other constituent body of the Supreme Order in Victoria . They have a very fine hall , on the which are two prominent

decorations , in the shape of silken and emblazoned banners , belonging respectively to the two lodges prior to their amalgamation . This by way of introduction to the old warrant . It is framed , and hung in the reading-room attached to the Masonic Flail . The following is a literal copy of the document : —

BY THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL and Right Honourable the Earl of Dro ^ heda , Grand Master ot all the Lodges of Freemasons in the Kingdom of Ireland ; the Worshipfid John Bury , Esq ., Deputy Grand Master , the VVorshi p ful Major Edwd . Wind us and the Right lionble . Chas . Gardiner , Esq ., Grand Wardens .

WHEREAS , our trusty and well-loved Brothers A McAlester , James Moore and Joseph Deane , Gents , have besought Us , that we would be pleased to erect a Lodge of Freemasons , in the Town of Ballymeux in the County of Antrim , of such Persons vvho by their Knowledge and Skill in Masonry , may contribute to the Well-being and Advancement thereof .

WE therefore duly weighing the Premisses , and having nothing more at Heart than the Prosperity and true Advancement of Masonry , and reposing special Trust and Confidence in our Trusty and Well-beloved Brothers the said A McAlester James Moore and Joseph Deane , of whose Abilities & Knowledge in Masonry , WE are satisfied : Do by these Presents , of Our certain Knowledge ,

and meer Motion , Nominate , Create , Authorise , and Constitute the said A McAlester James Moore and Joseph Deane to be Master & Wardens of a Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons , to be held by them and their successors lawfully admitted in the said lodge for ever . AND WE do hereby give and grant unto the said A