New Zealand.

The Rev . Prelate taking the censor and proceeding slowly round the preceptory gave this invocation : Alay He who died on the cross protect this preceptory and all faithful knights and may they ever militate in His holy name . The sepulchere was then lighted up and the Prov . Prior declared the preceptory consecrated and the Prelate gave the Invocation . The Sir Knights then formed in columns , and presenting

arms , the banners were lowered and crossed , the Prior consecrating them in the ancient manner the Prelate g iving this Invocation : Alay thc God of victory ever attend a Knight Templar militating under these sacred banners in the holy name of their blessed Saviour . The standards being raised and tbe knights standing to order the first herald proclaimed the consecration in the S . VV .

The second herald then proclaimed in the N . W ., the Sir Knights saluting in the ancient manner . The Rev . Prelate then gave a very impressive prayer . The Prior calling on the knights to aid , honour , and in every respect promote the svelfare and prosperity of the Plantagenet Preceptory . An adjournment was then made for dinner , and on reassembling seven companions were created Knights

Templar the ceremony being performed by the Prov . Prior in a very impressive manner , the neophytes listening svith marked attention as the sublime beauties weredisclosed to them , and the installation of the Eminent Preceptor was proceeed svith . Sir Knight Alfred J . Parsons being installed Eminent Preceptor , his appointment was received svith marked approval , the Knights retiring , the Installing Officers duly installed him with eclat . After being

presented svith baton of command the Sir Knights were admitted . The heralds proclaimed , the column formed , and Sir Knight Parsons saluted as Eminent Preceptor . The following officers were then appointed : Sir Knights W . Liesler , Constable ; C . Palliser , Alarshall ; H . VV Hammond , Prelate ; W . M . Sims , Sub Alarshall ; VV . Fry , Captain of Guards ; F . W . Cook , Registrar ; W . Darby , Aide-de-Camp ; T . Turnbull , First Herald ; G ,

Filmer , Second Herald ; the Equerry being left over , and the preceptory svas closed . The anthems svhich svere composed ! by Sir Knight VV . Liesler svere splendidly rendered , the svhole of the musical portion of the ceremony being conducted by him with his well-known ability . Nothing could exceed the superb style in svhich the svhole proceedings svere carried out , the magnificence combined svith the solemnity of the display

will ever be remembered by those svhose good fortune enabled them to be present . The whole of the regalia and furniture svas imported by Messrs . Coates and Co ., from Sir Knight George Kenning , London , and was very much admired . The Sir Knights then adjourned to the banqueting room , the Eminent Preceptor , Sir Knight Parsons occupied the chair , supported bv the Prov . Prior Sir Knight W . Dearner

and Sir Knight H . Thomson on his right , and Sir Knight C . P . Hulbert and Sir Knight J . Jones on his left , the vice-chair being filled by Sir Knight IT . VV . Hammond . The tables svere very tastefully laid out . After justice had been done to the eatables the Eminent Preceptor said the first toast he had the honour to propose svas one that was so near and dear to the hearts of them all , that it required no svords of his to introduce it to their notice or

recommend it to their favour , it being that of our beloved "Queen victoria , " the daughter of and mother of a KnTght Templar . ( Cheers . ) The toast svas received svith acclamation . The EMINENT PRECEPTOR next rose to propose the toast of " H . R . H . the Prince of VVales , the Alost Eminent and Supreme Grand Alaster . " ( Cheers . ) The toast svas drunk with grand honours .

The EMINENT PRECEPTOR in proposing the next toast said he had much pleasure in asking them to drink "The Health of the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , Great Prior of England . " ( Loud Cheers . ) Sir Knight LIESLER , then rose to propose the " Prov . Prior of New Zealand , " he said : Eminent Preceptor and Sir Knights , the pleasing duty has been assigned me of proposing one of the most important toasts of the evening ,

it being that of our illustrious friend Sir Knight Dearner , the Prov . Prior of Nesv Zealand . ( Great Cheering . ) 1 am sure sve all feel very grateful to him for coming a couple of hundred miles to assist in the consecration of their preceptory . He had been very much struck svith the solemnity of the ceremony and the beautiful manner in svhich he had conducted it . ( Loudcheers . ) He hoped they should often have the pleasure and the honour of his presence among

them . T he toast svas drunk svith great enthusiasm . The PROS * . PRIOR having returned thanks for the honour done him , said he should always look back with great pleasure to this day , and svith agreeable remembrance of the great kindness with svhich the Sir Knights received him . Nothing could possibly have given him more pleasure than to have had the consecration of this preceptory , because it had been the means of him obtaining some very high

honours—that of Prov . Prior of New Zealand . ( Loud cheers . ) He again thanked them for the enthusiastic manner in svhich his health had been received . ( Cheers . ) The PROV . PRIOR then proposed " The Health of the Very Eminent Preceptor , Sir Knight Alfred J . Parsons , and Success to the Plantagenet Preceptory . " ( Cheers . ) He said the fact of the preceptory being established svas due to their Eminent Preceptor , svho had spared neither trouble

nor expense in obtaining it . He congratulated the Sir Knights on their commander , and the Eminent Preceptor on the proud and distinguished position he had obtained ; and from his knowledge of his ( the E . P . ' s ) abilities he felt sure the preceptory svould be conducted in a svorthy manner . He exhorted them to be very careful svho they admitted to this Princely Degree , and never to confer the distinguished honour on any but thoroughly deserving companions . Hc

asked them to drink the toast svith bumpers . ( Cheers . ) The EMINENT PRECEPTOR on rising to respond said he had been rather overcome by the very flattering manner in which his health had been proposed and responded to . For himself , he trusted he mig ht be enabled to conduct thc ceremonies svith credit to himself and svith honour to the

preceptory . He should bear in mind the advice of their III . Companion , Sir Knight Dearner , and endeavour to keep the preceptory free from anyone svho might disgrace it . ( Cheers . ) He begged to thank them for the honour they had bestowed upon him in electing him their first Eminent Preceptor . He not only admired , but loved these De Tees , because they inculcate a belief in , and an adoration rf the Almighty God , and because they teach us morclity ard

New Zealand.

truth as guiding principles , and tend to elevate us in every respect , both socially and morally , and hold out to us the certainty of a glorious future . ( Loud cheers . ) " The Officers , " "The Visitors , " "The Newly-Installed Sir Knights , " and " The Royal Canterbury Preceptory " concluded the toast list , and the Sir Knights soon after separated .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

The Court Theatre svas closed on Monday for a full dress rehearsal of "The Danicheffs , " svhich is arrayed on a very complete scale , and played by a most powerful and talented cast . We shall give it a full notice next sveek . "All for Her" svas withdrawn on Saturday . H . R . H . the Prince and the Princess of VVales svent the previous evening to see it .

The Opera Comique closed its doors temporaril y on Saturday last , Aliss Hilda Hilton having taken off " Frou Frou . " Due notice svill be given of its re-opening , the date is not yet fixed , but a new piece is in active rehearsal .

* Bro . Sims and Mr . Fred . Clay , the author and composer of " The Alerry Duchess" at the Royalty , have presented the stage manager , Air . VV . Barker , svith a silver claret jug . It bears the inscription "I've got a Alug . "—It is given in remembrance of the efficient

manner in svhich Mr . Barker mounted the opera svhich has met svith such a hearty reception since its production . The quotation on the testimonial is from one of the lines in the first act . Air . Barker has doubtless put the opera on the stage in a most admirable and efficient svay . Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and the Princess of VVales svitnessed the performance last sveek .

* * Mr . Augustus Moore , svho for some time managed the front of the house at Drury Lane for Bro . Augustus Harris , has gone to the Princess ' s to assist Air . Wilson Barrett .

* « Strauss ' s nesv comic opera , " Methusalem , " is now promised for about 12 th Alay at the Folies Dramatiques . We are not in the secret of the delay but has-e understood that it has been svell rehearsed . We hope the

doors of the theatre svill not be again opened svithout a good piece , a good cast , and every prospect of success . We also hear that the draught in the stalls will be seen to before the opening date . Othersvise the house is almost perfection .

* * * We very much regret to announce the death of Air . Walters , the business manager of Bro . and Airs . Bancroft , which occurred somesvhat suddenly , of bronchitis , last sveek . Air . Walters leaves a svidow and five children unprovided for . He svas only 55 . Ot the various managers in London sve know of none svho exceeded Air . Walters in Isis courtesy and geniality to every one , often under the

most trying circumstances . Bro . Edward Ledger is receiving subscriptions at the office of the Era for the svidow and family , to svhich Bro . Bancroft has contributed jCtoo . Bros . Henry Irving and J . L . Toole are also donors . Bro . Capt . Bash ford , recently the efficient manager of the Olmypic Theatre , and brother-in-lasv of Bro . Bancroft , has been appointed svith Air . Russell to thc office vacated by Mr . Walters . They are nosv called Secretary and Treasurer respectively .

* « At Sadler ' s Wells "Proved True" is taking the place of " Fun on the Bristol . " It is an entirely new drama , and from the pen of Air . Alortimer Murdock . VVe hope on its termination it svill have proved true to the manager .

* * * Bro . J . L . Toole is still rejoicing his admirers pending the completion of Air . Arthur Law's new comedy with " Artful Cards , " one of Air . Burnand's happiest writings . It goes perhaps at " Toole's " es * en better than it did at the Gaiety some years ago . It is seldom one hears a heartier ring of laughter than svhen Air . Romford goes

about svith his nephew to see life . The hen-pecked husband ' s efforts to "do" his ivife , and how he meets svith curious adventures in endeavouring to accomplish this are sights svorth seeing . Bro . 'Toole svorks all this up svith that drollery for svhich he is renowned . Of course , one goes to see Toole only ; at the same time , Bro . Toole has a very

efficient company round him in the persons of Alessrs . Billington , Ward , and Garden , and Alisses Linden and Johnstone , and Aliss Emily Thorne in the last piece , " Guffin ' s Elopement . " Bro . and Miss Toole , Bro . Henry Irving , and Bro . and Airs . Kendal svere amongst the company at the Baroness Burdett Coutts's first reception of the season at Stratton House last Friday . * # #

Owing to circumstances over svhich sve have no control sve have been unable to notice the nesv opera at the Avenue earlier , as we announced . We can scarcely say that the late Al . Offenbach ' s last comic opera is one of his best . There are many sve like better . " Lurette" is adapted by Alessrs . Desprez and Murray , and the lyrics svritten by Mr . S . Leigh . Lurette ( Miss ITorenceSt . John )

is a svasherwoman . In the opening scene we see her , with a number of other girls , at the establishment of Mdme . Alarceline ( Aliss Lottie Venn ) , on the banks of the Seine , engaged in svashing . Those of our readers svho have been onthecontinentwill remember , as they must have been struck at the first sight of the svomen washing clothes at the side of a river or stream . Forming part of the establishment there is a man , Cornichen ( Mr . T . P . Haynes ) , a half idiot , who

is in love with Lurette . The damsels , hosvever , all dote on the military , and during the passing of a company of soldiers , and in the absence of their employer , they make merry by entertaining the bluecoats sumptuously . Marceline disturbs the party by making her appearance . Of course , svhen svarned of her coming , they cover up the soldiers svith the linen , and at once are hard at work . Alarceline commends them for being so busy ; but pre-

The Theatres.

sently she smells cooking and hears a sneeze , and remarks she never heard a damp petticoat sneeze before . She sniffs again , and then suspects . By pulling off the clothes she discovers the soldiers . She threatens dismissal , but Lurette comes forward , and in a very pretty song begs for mercy . She secures the pardon of both soldiers and maids . The laundrysvomanherself now joinsin . Whilstthisisgoing on ayoung gentleman the Due de Marly , comes on the scene ,

he is just arriving at his majority and is | still unmarried . His aunt ( Aliss Fanny Coleman ) threatens him svith disinheritance unless he marries before he comes of age . How to do this baffles him . He tells his valet Malicorne ( M . Marius ) the latter undertakes to find a wife , and in a note book takes down the headings of the qualities the Duke must have in a svife . The faithful valet asks Cornichen svho that pretty damsel is—meaning

La Belle Lurette—but the latter gets jealous , and is not inclined to reply . He calls her himself and tells her his commission . She is not startled at hearing she is suddenly to be converted into a Duchess , for the cards told her so . In the second act we will see the marriage takes place . The Duke has carried out the marriage conditions he made with his aunt to be married before he is of age . But he had made conditions svith himself also that when the

ceremony svas over he would start off alone for a tour round the svorld providing svell for his duchess , but practically deserting her . As he explains to her , in your circle the honeymoon commences directly after the wedding , but in aristocratic spheres it commences at an indefinite period . Hc gives it to his valet to tell her of his intentions , and this becomes a touching incident of the opera , of course the Duchess makes a scene and calls in her friendssvho

, seeing the trick that has been played and that Alalicorne is in it seizes him , binds him and . takes him to a cottage facing the Duke's mansion svhere the Duchess sets up as washerwoman , svith the sign " La Duchesse de Alarly , blanchissease . " The Duke comes out and sees this of course is much annoyed at having his name used in this svay and charges his valet to take the sign board down at once or he svill beat him within an inch of his life . The valet

replies that he cannot for he is tied dosvn . His master releases him . He gets upon the ladder to take the board dosvn when Alarceline comes along and leaves him hanging there until he promises after her asking for thirty-five times if he svill marry her , she having discovered that he is the man svho jilted her a long time ago . He is obliged to consent , but svoman like , she is not content svith his verbal anssver to her and calls her assistants to hear him say it before she restores the

ladder to let him come down . As usual , all ends happily ; the duke discovers that Lurette is the girl svho once saved his life , and svhat can he do less than take her to be his wife ? Of the company it is hardly necessary to say much , not but that much cannot be said of the company , but they are all so well known that sve need not say they are all seen at great advantage . Al . Alarius still has his hoarseness ; but one is becoming so used to it that

one nosv almost likes it when taken svith his clever style of acting . Bro . Henry Bracey is always a treat . In this opera , however , he hardly can do himself justice . Not only is he possessed of a lovely tenor voice , but one always hears his svords distinctl y . We svish operatic performers did this more often . To our mind , Bro . Bracey was best in the "Alascotte" in his song , " Love is blind . " We have heard many tenors sing this song , but none came near Bro .

Bracey in sweetness and clearness . Aliss Florence St . John is perhaps best in Lurette in the " pardon" song , though everywhere she is good . Aliss Lottie Venn sings some charming songs , and with her pretty ways adds a great deal to the success of the piece . A 1 r . Hayner . undoubtedly has often shone better . He does his part svellbut

, there is not enough scope for him . The scenery is pretty ; there is no fault from beginning to end ; the theatre is delightfully cool and roomy . Bra . Charles Alorton is the manager ; the chorus is thoroughly efficient , and it is enough for us to say that " Lurette " should be seen during the season .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

SUPREME COUNCIL . The Supreme Council , 33 ° , held their quarterly meeting at No . 33 , Golden-square , on Tuesday , the Sth inst ., when the following brethren svere advanced : To the 32 —III . Bros . Thomas Best and Dr . John Huybull Paul ; To the 3 i ° —Bros . Col . Richard George SmithAdolphus Baron de

, Ferrieres , Dr . George Bernard Brodie , Alfred Richards , and Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie ; To the 30 ° —Bros . John Eustace Anderson , Webster Glynes , Edwin C . Patchitt , Lord Arthur William Hill , Charles W . Drake , Major Fredk . S . Terry , and C William Thompson . The brethren dined together at the Cafe Royal in the evening . The usual loyal and other toasts were given .

Births, Marriages, And Deaths.

Births , Marriages , and Deaths .

[ The charge is 2 s . 6 d . for announcements not exceeding Four Lines under this heading . ] BIRTHS . KYRF .. —On tbe 7 U 1 inst ., at Upper Berkeley-street , W ., the Lady Alice Eyre , of a daughter . GARDNER . —On the 5 th inst ., at Pencaerau , Neath , Airs . A . S . Gardner of a son .

MARRIAGES . BAI . DSVIN— CASLEY . —On the Sth inst . at St . Luke ' s , West Holloway , Ambrose Baldwin , of Tottenham-courtroad , to Louisa Cayley , late of Lasvn House , Florenceroad , Stroud-green . PAKKES—AIURRAY . —On March 21 st , at Forbesville , Liverpool , New South Wales , Varney , son of the Hon . Sir H . Parkes , K . C . M . G ., to Alary Cameron , daughter of G . Murray , Esq ., J . P .

DEATHS . BRUCE . —At Old-street , London , Bro . Robert Bruce , P . AL Gresham Lodge , aged 60 . DUFF-FILER . —On the 5 th inst ., Bro . A . J . Duff-Filer , P . G . S . B . of England , Vice-Patron of the " Boys' School , and Vice-President of the Girls' School and Benevolent Institution , & c , aged 77 .