Correspondence.

Correspondence .

VVe do not hold ourselves responsible { or the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but wc wish , in a spirit ol fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

THE GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have read with much interest your leader on the above subject , and , while at one with you as to the desirability of immediate union amongst the contending interests in New Zealand , would ask to be permitted to point out an important view of the case , as regards recognition by the Grand Lodge ot overlooked by the advisers

England , that appears to have been entirely , especially of the M . W . the Grand Master . In other words , we are asked to enter on a new departure from an old-established practice , a practice that has frequently been enunciated and pressed home in Grand Lodge by the movers and seconders ot recognition to Grand Lodges in the British Colonies . I need scarcely say that had such a doctrine been promulgated a year or less since , it would have been considered rank heresy on the part of the proposer . To be plain , hitherto it has been the rule and custom to withhold recognition until the movement for a Grand

Lodge is unanimous or practically so . Now , here are the facts . Beginning at the beginning , Canada was recognised under these Constitutions . Then , coming nearer to the present time , recognition was twice refused to Grand Lodges in New South Wales and Victoria , in the former case , the second time , be it carefully noted , when , numerically speaking . New South Wales was as nearly as possible in the same position as New Zealand influential the

is at the present day , and when , also , some of the most men M Colony were connected with it . Subsequently , however , South Australia , New South Wales , Victoria , and Tasmania were severally and periodically recognised by the Grand Lodge of England , in comformity with the precedent and sine qua non as to unanimity , there being one or two dissentient lodges in New South Wales , one in South Australia ( an Irish lodge ) , and two in Victoria , while

Tasmania was quite unanimous . It is , therefore , but fair to inquire why this sudden change of procedure ? and why was New Zealand not told , as in effect were New South Wales and Victoria , to wait until they were unanimous ? If the time for recognition had not arrived in the cases of New South Wales and Victoria , neither has the time

arrived when New Zealand should be recognised . By the way , referring to your remarks on Article 219 , affirming the desirability of Grand Lodge amending said article , it is seven or eight years since , when a trouble arose in Victoria over the warrant of an English lodge , that I made a similar suggestion in the columns of the Freemason . —Fraternally yours , W . F . LAMONBY . August Sth .

Reviews.

Reviews .

IN THE POWER OF Two ( THE SPIDER AND THE FLY ) . —By Rayne Butler , author of "Cleo , " " The Mystery of Ivy Bank , " " Proserpine , " " Jonquilla , " "Sweet Lucie Grey , " & c , London : Simpkin , Marshall , Hamilton , Kent , and Co ., Limited . ' 9 - — The new work by the accomplished authoress of so many well-written and deservedly popular stories fully sustains her reputation . She exhibits the same constructive ability , in this tale of " In the Power of Two , " while her descriptive powers are equally prominent . The leading characters , too , are well drawn , each of them exhibiting a marked degree of individuality , while the plot , though marvellously simple , has been Wade and her

deftl y put together . The principal personages are a Miss Euphemia step-brother , Laurence Wade , a medical practitioner , who is many years her junior and over whom she watches with almost more than a mother ' s love and solicitude for his welfare . Two other folk also play a very leading part in the story—a Captain Layton and his niece , Violet Layton , who occupy the house which adjoins Miss Wade s and is indeed her freehold property . This Captain Layton , who is a mesmerist , will benefit very materially in the event of his niece dying during her 21 st year , and Euphemia Wade , who is also capable of exercising mesmeric influence over others , discovers his ourpose , and steadfastly devotes herself , with her step-brother ' s aid , to

counteracting the evil designs of the Captain in his endeavours to bring about the death of Violet Layton . In this she proves successful . The Captain disappears from the scene of his iniquities , and violet , who is a beautiful girl , and one that it is impossible not to love , meets her fate in the . But we must not divulge the issue of Miss Rayne Butler ' s cleverly-constructed story . We repeat that it is well-written , and that those who play the leading parts in it are very ably pourtrayed . It will doubtless enhance the interest which those who read Miss Butler ' s work will experience when they learn that " In the Power of Two " is dedicated to the memory of her father , the late Bro . Butler Wilkins , P . G . Std . Br ., D . P . G . M . Northants and Hunts .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of North And East Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE .

On Wednesday , the 5 th instant , on the invitation of Bro . Thomas Morrill , W . M ., and the brethren of the Humber Lodge , No . 57 , Hull , the annual assembly of the Provincial Grand Lodge of North and East Yorkshire was held at the Town Hall , by the courtesy and kindness of the Mayor , Alderman C . Richardson . Bro . Morrill and his colleagues are to

be congratulated on having made such excellent arrangements for the comfort and convenience of the numerous visitors , who came from all parts of the province , as well as from the Provincial Grand Lodges of West Yorkshire and Lincolnshire , including the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Dr . Harling Sissons ,

J . P . The balcony and staircases were decorated with tropical plants ; refreshments were generously provided ; the Council Chamber was utilised as a robing-room , and the banquet hall was improvised for the purpose of holding the Provincial Grand Lodge , the dais being covered with crimson cloth .

The Mayor entertained a few of the brethren to Iuixheon in his parlour , including the Sheriff , Councillor H . Morrill , J . P . ; the Town Clerk , Mr . R . Hill Dawe ; Bros . Alderman Hall , J . P . ; Alderman Toozes , J . P . ; A . E . White , Borough Engineer ; J . G . Milner , Borough Treasurer ; M . C . Peck , Prov . G . Secretary ; Dr . Foster , Prov . G . D . C . ; and T . Morrill , W . M . 57 .

Considerable disappointment was felt at the unexpected absence of the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . the Marquis of Zetland , owing to illness , but in his absence Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Bolton presided over the deliberations

Provincial Grand Lodge Of North And East Yorkshire.

of the brethren in an expert manner . The lodge-room was crowded to excess , a record attendance , it was thought , being made . The Board of Benevolence was held in the Library , and grants were made to deserving applicants . The Prov . Grand Officers , Past and Present , and the Prov . Grand Officers of other provinces proceeded in procession from the robing-room , and , after , their entering Provincial Grand Lodge , were duly saluted with honours .

The minutes of the last Provincial Grand Lodge , held at Selby , were confirmed , and the Prov . Grand Treasurer , Bro . J OSEVH TODD , P . G . S . B . England , presented his balance sheet , duly audited , which was also unanimously adopted . Several minor alterations to existing by-laws were agreed to , upon the motion of Bro . Major WOODALL , Past Grand Treasurer of England .

Bro . W . F . Smithson ' s past services were eulogised , and he was unanimously re-elected to represent the province ( in conjunction with West Yorkshire ) on the Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . Bros . Major Woodall and W . Tessyman were re-elected to represent the province on the Charities Association . Bros . A . Jones , P . M . 236 , and

G . L . Spetch , P . M . 1611 , were selected as Auditors . The following five brethren were elected to serve on the Provincial Board of General Purposes Bros . Woodall , T . B . Whytehead , W . J . Watson , Rymer , and Alderman H . Toozes , J . P . Very flattering terms were expressed towards Bro . Todd in regard to his several years' gratuitous service as Treasurer for the province , and his re-election was carried unanimously and with acclamation .

Bro . TODD , in acknowledging the honour done him , said that he would undertake his onerous duties for one year longer , as the festival for the Educational Fund would take place during the year , and this would entail additional labour which it would hardly be fair to inflict upon his successor had he resigned this year . However , he hoped the brethren would relieve him on the next occasion as he had promised to serve them for another 12 months . ( Cheers . )

The 30 lodges in the province then communicated and presented their annual reports . Past Provincial Grand rank was conferred on the following brethren in consideration of their past distinguished services to the Craft , viz .: Bros . W . Tesseyman , P . P . G . S . of Works , to be P . P . S . G . W . ; Richard Watson , P . P . G . S . B ., to be P . P . S . G . W . ; T . B . Redfearn , P . A . G . and Sec , to be P . P . J . G . W .

Chanty Stewards' jewels were then presented by Bro . Lord Bolton to the following brethren who had qualified under By-law 22 : Bros . Rev . E , Fox-Thomas , P . P . G . C ; W . Lowther Carrick , P . G . Reg . ; J . Vernon Cooper , P . P . G . R . ; James Matthews , P . P . G . D . ; and Tohn T . Towler ,

P . M . 250 . On the motion of Bro . Lord BOLTON , seconded by the S . W ., the sum ol 10 guineas was voted with acclamation to Bro . Fred . J . Lambert , P . G . Tyler , on his retirement and in recognition of his 17 years' faithful services as Tyler .

The Prov . Grand Master then appointed and invested the following Prov . Grand Officers for the ensuing year , with the exception of the Prov . Grand Treasurer , who had been re-elected by the Provincial Grand Lodge :

Bro . Thomas S . Brogden , P . M . 236 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Herbert L . Swift , P . M . 2328 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . J . E . Cockburn-Hood , M . A ., 2610 „ , | D ~ , -,, „ Rev . E . Richards , M . A ., 1337 j rov - G < Cha P „ Bro . J . Todd , P . M . 236 , P . G , Std . Br . Eng ., P . P . G . W . ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ W . Lowther Carrick , P . M . 2431 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ M . C . Peck , P . M . 2 S 0 , P . G . Std . Br . England .

P . P . G . W . ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ John Wildbore , P . M . 57 ... ... tn c ~ ,-, „ A . W . Tomlinson , P . M . 200 j Prov . S . G . Ds . „ J . T . Oliver , P . M . 1248 ... ... ¦) n _ . . I H . Chapman , P . M . 312 j Prov . J . G . Ds . „ John George Wallis , P . M . 2494 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ W . S . Meek , P . M . 643- ... ... Prov . Dep . G . D . C „ G . W . Tindall , P . M . 2586 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ A . P . Maddison , P . M . 1618 ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

„ James Buckle , P . M . 660 ... ,.., ~ „ .. „ „ G . F . Clarkson , P . M . 1337 j Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ J . Carlill Savill , 1010 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ T . B . Redfearn , P . M . 1511 ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ David Young , P . M . 1991 ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ G . W . Greenwood , P . M . 2134 ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ Charles Travess , 200 ... : „ ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The newly-appointed Provincial Grand Officers were then saluted with grand honours . The Right Hon . Bro . Lord BOLTON , D . P . G . M ., who gave the annual address , said : After a lapse of seven years ' , again we meet in annual assembly in this active centre of Masonic life and work —( hear , hear ) . There are six lodges firmly established at Hull , and the principles of the Order are here carried out in their

highest sense . Long may the good work continue , and the beneficial readings of the Craft yield ample fruit in the conduct and benevolence of the brethren who dwell within its sphere— ( applause ) , In Grand Lodge the most notable event has been the retirement from the office of Deputy Grand Master—the Earl ol Mount Edgcumbe—who is succeeded by the Earl Amherst . ' In commemoration of the 21 st anniversary of the installation of H . R . H . the M . W . Grand Master , Provincial Grand Masters are empowered to confer Past Provincial Grand rank

upon a limited number of brethren within their provinces . The P . G . M . has , therefore , much pleasure in complying with this regulation , and he trusts that the worthy brethren who have this day been invested with Past rank may be blessed with health to continue their useful work for the benefit of Freemasonry —( applause ) . Since our last meeting , a new Masonic Hall at Saltburn was dedicated on the 14 th October last , and two new lodges have been added to the province—the St . Nicholas , No . 2586 , at Scarborough , and the Beresford Peirse ,

No . 2610 , at Bedale , on the 24 th April . We believe these lodges are in good hands , and do not doubt that they will prove valuable additions to our roll—( applause ) . The joint Stewardship for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , undertaken by i the P . G . Treasurer , the P . G . Secretary , and the Charity Representative in February last , was so successful that upwards of ^ 900 were raised , which will increase our voting powers by nearly 400 votes —( loud app lause ) . out

Whilst congratulating the province upon this noble effort , we must point that several of our lodges did not contribute , and we trust these are reserving their strength for next May , when it is intended to hold the fifth festival of the Province Educational Fund , which is doing so much for the fatherless children—( applause ) . The Prov . Grand Master has accepted an invitation for next year ' s meeting from the Lion Lodge , No . 312 , which will celebrate its centenary next year , from which auspicious event our meeting will be more than usually > n'