Royal Arch.

Green , P . Z ., P . P . G . O . ; Major Fairtlough , R . A ., of St . " John's and St . Paul ' s , Malta ; and Lieut . Hugh Elwes , R . A ., Prov . G . H . The ceremonies having been completed , the chapter was closed . The companions then adjourned to banquet , supplied by the hostess , Mrs . Green , in her usual excellent style , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were ably given by the newly-installed Z ., the companions then separated , after spending a very enjoyable evening .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

STAR CHAPTER ( No . 1275 ) . —The usual weekly meeting of this chapter was held on Friday , the 5 th inst ., at the Stirling Castle , Church-street , Camberwell . There were present Comps . Wicks , M . E . Z . ; Grummant , P . Z . 1275 , H . j Wingham , 2 $ , J . j "I . S . Latham , S . E . ; Btnedetti , S . N . elect 1275 , S . N . ; Eedte , P . S . 141 , P . S . j C . Woods , A . S . elect 127 S , A . S . ; J . Hill , P . S . 1329 ; Addington , M . E . Z . elect 127 S ; G . Powell , P . Z ., M . E . Z . 1185 j J . Stevens , P . Z . 720 , 721 ; and Acocks , 135 * 0 .

The chapter was opened , and the minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Addington personating candidate . The M . E . Z . rose for the first time , and Comps . J . Stevens , P . Z ., Acocks , and Ecdle were unanimously elected joining members . The dues were collected . The M . E . Z . rose for ihe second time , and Comp . Wicks was elected to re-occupy the chair of M . E . Z . at the next meeting .

The M . E . Z . rose for the third time , when a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Comp . Wicks for the very able way in which he had filled the chair of M . E . Z . for the first time in this chapter . A motion by Comp . Grummant to purchase collars for the use of the three Principals , S . E ., S . N ., aid P . S ., was unanimously carried . The Preceptor very kindly answered queries from members present , after which the chapter was closed .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

PRIORY OF WEST YORKSHIRE . At a meeting of the Priory of West Yorkshire of the United Orders of the Temple and Malta in England and Wales , held at the Freemasons' Hall , St . John ' s-place , Halifax , on Saturday , the 3 rd ult ., under the banner of the Salamanca Preceptory , No . 21 . The following knights were present and represented the various preceptories to

which they respectively belong ; Sir Knights John Spencer , P . P . Aide-de-Camp ; F . W . Turner , P . P . C of G . ; Wm . Darling , Prov . Std . Br . ; Thos . Heaton , and Wm . Harrison , of 3 ; R . Williamson , P . P . Marshal ; Thos . Ruddock , P . P . Constable ; Alfred Gill , P . P . Reg . ; J . Hy . Gration , P . P . Vice-Chancellor ; Squire Denton , Prov . Chamberlain ; C . W . Fincken , Prov . Org . ; and Wm . Watson , of 4 ;

T . W . Tew , J . P ., V . E . Prior ; Thomas Hill , P . P . Sub-Prior ; Henry Smith , P . P . Chancellor ; J . G . Hutchinson , P . P . Reg . ; J . L . Atherton , P . P . Marshal ; J . W . Monckman , Prov . Chancellor ; Chas . Crabtree , Prov . Treas . ; J . R- Welsman , Prov . Vice-Chancellor ; VV . C . Lupton , P . P . Swd . Br . ; J . Paget Priestly , Thos . Norfolk , Geo . Beanland , Piov . Equerry ; and John Hill , of 13 ;

W . Shackleton , Prov . Marshal , and Joseph Longbottom , of 18 ; I . Booth , P . P . Chancellor ; VVm . Stott , P . P . Treas . ; B . W . Jackson , P . P . Constable ; R . D . Kendall , G . Buckley , jun ., P . P . Marshal ; F . Whiteley , P . P . Treas . * , G . Scarborough , P . P . Herald ; W . Gaukroger , Prov . Constable ; H . S . Holdsworth , P . P . C of G . ; F . Fleming , P . P . Org . ; J . W . Balme , | P . P . Chamberlain

A . Roberts , P . P . C of G . ; T . Gaukroger , Prov . C . of G . ; M . G . Dobson , C . Greenwood , A . Stott , W . Hanson , W . Emmott , R . Hodgson , and VV . Smithies , of 21 ; Thomas Pickles , P . P . Reg ., and C . Woollons , P . P . C . of G ., of 39 ; John Shaw , Prov . Constable , Septimus Short , P . Prov . Standard Bearer , G . B . Owen , and R . Roper , of 66 ; Rev . T . CSmyth , D . D ., LL . D ., Prov . Prelate , and Prelate Great Priory of Eng . ; W . F . Smithson , P . Prov .

Constable ; John Barker , P . Prov . Marshal ; J . VV . Fourness , Prov . Sub-Marshal ; H . G . E . Green , P . Prov . Vice-Chancellor ; J . Quarterman , Prov . Prior ' s Banner Br . ; H . C . Pickersgill , Prov . Swd . Br . ; and Thomas Drake , of 114 . Visitors * . Sir Knights T . B . Whytehead , Prov . Sub-Prior N . and E . Yorks , Hon . Prov . Prior Canada , and P . Grand Capt . of Guards Eng . ; and Donald Grant , of Belfast .

'lhe knights having been arranged under their respective banners , the V . E . Prior , the acting E . Sub-Prior , the Great Officers , and Officers , and Past Great Officers entered the hall , and were received under the arch of steel . The V . E . Prior having taken his seat upon the throne , opened the Provincial Priory in ample form , supported by

the following Great Officers and Officers : Sir Knights Henry Smith , as E . Sub-Prior ; Rev . Thomas Cart-Wright Sm > th , D . D . and LL . D ., Prov . Prelate j J . W Monckman , Prov . Chancellor ; William Gaukroger , Prov Constable ; William Shackleton , Prov . Marshal ; C , Crabtree , Prov . Treas . ; W- F . Smithson , as Prov . Reg . ; J . R . Welsman , Prov . Vice-Chancellor ; J . W . Fourness

Prov . Sub-Marshal j John Barker , as Prov . Almoner and Chap . ; Geo . Buckley , jun ., as Prov . Warden of Regalia j Squire Denton , as Prov . Herald j Thos . Pickles , as Prov . 1 st Std . Br . ; Wm . Darling , Prov . 2 nd Std . Br . ; J . Quarterman , Prov . Prior ' s Banner Bearer ; A . Gill , as Prov . ist Aide-de-Camp ; Fred Whiteley , as Prov . 2 nd Aide-de-Camp ; Thomas Drake , Prov . Chamberlain ;

Thos . Gaukroger , Prov . ist C . of G . ; H . G . E . Green , as Prov . zndC . of G . ; H . C Pickersgill , Prov . S . B . ; C . W . Fincken , Prov . Org . ; and George Beanland , Prov . Equerry . The muster roll of ' the preceptories of the province was called by the REGISTRAR ; all preceptories being represented .

The V . E . Prior , Sir Knight T . W . Tew , J . P ., and the acting Sub-Prior , Sir Knight Henry Smith , were saluted in proper form . The distinguished visitors were saluted . The V . E . PRIOR responded to the salutation , and delivered an address as follows : "Sir Knights , —It is my ptivilege this afternoon to open the Priory of West Yorkshire again under the banner of the Salamanca Preceptory , No . 21 , meeting in the Masonic

Temple , at Halifax . By the kindness of the Eminent Preceptor and sir knights of this valued preceptory , the knights of West Yorkshire ace invited to assemble themselves together for the transaction of the annual business of the Priory of West Yorkshire to-day . The Salamanca Preceptory has entertained the Priory of this province on eight previous occasions—1 S 63 , 1871 , 1875 , 1 S 7 S , 1879 , 1881 , 1883 , and 1886 j for the ninth time our acknowledgments are due to this preceptory for taking such special

Knights Templar.

interest in the welfare of Knight Templary under my imme diate jurisdiction in West Yoikshire . At the time of the last-named Priory meeting , Salamanca had 26 knights upon the roll , one of whom has now retired . This preceptory has to record the death of two knights—Colonel Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., and Sir Knight James Gooding Lee . Since we last met tinner Salamanca banner it has

installed eight new knights , leaving the number in Halifax of 31 knights on the books of this preceptory . Since the last annual meeting of the VVest Yorkshire Priory in Halifax , in 18 S 6 , Templars have increased in numbers The returns received from the various preceptories in January , 1 S 86 , showed the number of subscribing knights in the province to he 125 ,- in January , 1 SS 7 , 152 knights ;

and in January , iSSS , to be . 159 knights on the Registrar ' s muster roll . Since then ten knights have been installed . This sure increase in our numbers , and the stability of this priory , is due to the pains which the Sub-Prior and Chancellor and officers take in promoting the prosperity and welfare of the eight preceptories in VVest Yorkshire . As the province contains 73 lodges , perhaps it is not

unreasonable to look forward to a more continued and rapid addition of knights to our ranks , and an addition to the number of preceptories . There is one sir knight whose career I should like to mention ; he has recently been taken away from the Faith Preceptory , of which he was a knight . That preceptory laments the death of Sir Knight Fred . Smart . He was admitted into the Knights Templar Order

April 21 st , 1 SS 4 ; he was made a Knight of Malta 12 th March , 1 SS 5 . He had already discharged the duties ^ of Captain of the Guards and Sub-Marshal respectively , and at the time of his death was the Marshal of the Faith Preceptory . ! t is a somewhat remarkable coincidence that in 1 SS 6 the Faith Preceptory was deprived of its Marshal by the death of Sir Knight J . Buckley Sharp . This

preceptory has also lost seven knights from its ranks vvith a very few years ; this is serious . You are aware that a demonstration of the Craft takes place in the pirish church of Halifax , on Sunday , to record the 150 th year of Masonry in this town . On 30 th July , 1 S 3 S , brethren and members of the Craft attended Divine Service at the parish church to celebrate the Centenary . We are invited by the Dean

of York and the new Dean of Chichester to attend again , and to offer up our prayers and praises to the Most High God , in this venerable and restored edifice , for the blessings He has vouchsafed to our Orders , and to our Queen and country . I earnestly desire a large attendance . Sir Knight Isaac Booth will explain arrangements , if necessary . Since we assembled at Bradford , on the 5 th May , Sir

l \ . night J . W . Woodall vvas installed at York on the 20 th July , 1888 , Sir Knight Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , and others of National Great Priory , as the Very Eminent Prior for North and East Yorkshire . We congratulate Sir Knight Woodall on his installation , and wish him many years of happiness in his exalted office . Sir Knights , I thank you for assisting North and East Yorkshire by your presence

in such large numbers as you did on that memorable occasion . At this ceremony the Cope for the Provincial Prelate of West Yorkshire was worn for the first time , by the Rev . T . C . Smyth , LL . D ., Prov . Prelate and Prelate of Great Priory ; it was a pleasure for that assembly indeed to be graced by so learned a Prelate wearing so appropriate and suitable a vestment . We are favoured to-day by the

presence of Sir Knight T . B . Whitehead , Sub-Prior of North and East Yorkshire , and also Sir Knight Donald Grant , from Ireland . ' We welcome these knights right well ; North and East Yorkshire is a Province vvith which West Yorkshire is always desirous to be in the most fraternal harmony and knightly fellowship , therefore , we are proud to have the representatives of that province in

our Priory . Our sympathies are due to Sir Knight VV . S . Smithson , the chairman of the Charity Committee , in his recent domestic bereavement ; like a brave night he was present at the recent Masonic election in London , when 24 boys were elected out of a list of 75 candidates . The three boys from that province were all successfully elected , viz ., Geo . Rushforth , 2250 votes ; Kenneth Kendall , 2204 votes ;

and William Herbert Pinder , 2175 votes . We thank him and Sir Knight Henry Smith and Bro . William Harrop for their valuable services rendered to this province on that occasion . The sum of £ 10 ios . voted at the last meeting , has been paid to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls for the Centenary Festival , held in the Albert Hall , on the 7 th June , 188 S , to which this province generously

contributed the sum of £ 2615 . The guinea given to the Provincial Library has gone toward the purchase of rare books . ' * Pilot ' s Natural History of Staffordshire in the Reign of James the Second" has been acquired ; it vvas printed in 16 S 6 . In chapter viii , on the customs relating to the county , is an account of the charges and manners of the Society of Freemasons in Staffordshire , and of the

Masters and Fellowes of this ( as it is called ) right worshipful Craft . I believe , in the history of any county , this is one of the very earliest printed accounts of the " Congregations and Confederacies , Chapters , and Assemblies " of the Craft in England . We have to thank Sir Knight VVm . Watson , our Librarian , for securing this most beautiful and rare work to West Yorkshire and to Tem .

plary . The distribution , as is our knightly custom , the collars of our Order for the next year upon worthy knights , is the best recognition in our power to give of the chivalry of modern Templary . We can never too much imitate the qualities of the Kni g hts of Malta and of the East of old . The tales of the old Crusaders are all so glorious because we feel all through them the charm of their knightly

respect and veneration for all beautiful and worthy things . How gentle they were to the fair sex ! how intolerant of meanness and cowardice ! how jealous of their honour and careful of their knightly word ! I commend the charm oi their courtesy and reverence , tenderness , and generosity to your attention and imitation . I ask you , like them , to respect one another , and see good in one another , and

hold sacred the mind and will and life of another even as your own . Templary justifies its perpetuation , as its members succeed in cultivating these chivalric qualities of the heart and mind ; and thus helps the world to better understand the duties , and more greatly enjoy the privileges of companionship in related life—even as Tennyson puts it in his own wise way : —

Howe er it be , it seems to me ' Tis only noble to be good ; Kind hearts are more than coronets , And simple faith than Norman blood . " The ACTING SUB-PRIOR returned thanks for salutation . Sir Knights T . B . WHYTEHEAD and DONALD GRANT returned thanks .

Knights Templar.

The roll of Great Officers and Officers vvas called by th ^ E . SUB-PRIOR . ' 1 he minutes of the meeting held at Bradford on Saturday , May 5 II 1 , iSSS , were presented for confirmation . It was proposed by Sir Knight Dr . SMYTH , and seconded by Sir Knight W . GAUKRUGER , "That the minutes be taken as read . " —Carried . Proposed by Sir Knight T . RUDDOCK , and seconded by

Sir Knight J \ G . HUTCHINSON , "That the minutes be confirmed . "—Carried . The V . E . Prior , Pir Knight T . VV . TEW , J . P ., presented to the Priory of West Yorkshire a rich velvet and gold embroidered cope for the Prov . Prelate . Sir Knight Dr . SMYTH , Prov . Prelate , and the Prelate of Great Priory of England , proposed " A vote of thanks to the Very Eminent Prior of West Yorkshire for his

generous gift of so handsome a cope . " This vvas seconded by Sir Knight WM . GAUKROGER . and unanimously carried . The Prov . Sub-Marshal Sir Knight J . W . FOURNESS , presented to the Priory of West Yorkshire a beautifull y embroidered alms-bag . The Prov . Chancellor , Sir Knight J . W . MONCKMAN , presented to the Piiory of VVest Yorkshire eight scarlet

banners , one for each of the eight Preceptories ; each banner having the name and number of the Preceptory . Proposed by Sir Knight AUSTIN ROBERTS , and seconded by Sir Knight HENRY SMITH , and unanimously carried " That a hearty vote of thanks be presented to the Prov . Chancellor , and to the Prov . Sub-Marshal for these gifts . " The Prov . Treasurer , Sir Knight CHAS . CRABTREE , in presenting the balance sheet , which shows cash in the bankers' hands £ 14 13 s . gd . on general account , and

£ 3 iSs . gd . alms account , proposed "That it should be passed , " which was seconded by Sir Knight J . R . WELS - MAN , and carried . Proposed by Sir Knight CHAS . CRABTREE , and seconded by Sir Knight J . G . HUTCHINSON , "That Sir Knight J . W . FOURNESS be elected Treasurer for the ensuing year . "—Carried . The V . E . Prior appointed and invested the following knights as Great Officers and Officers for the ensuing year :

Sir Knight J . D . Kay The Eminent Sub-Prior . „ Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., LL . D . ... Prov . Prelate . „ J . W . Monckman ... Prov . Chancellor . „ Jas . Hy . Gration ... Prov . Constable . ,, H . S . Holdsworth ... Prov . Marshal . ,, J . W . Fourness ... Prov . Treasurer . „ Septimus Short ... Prov . Registrar .

„ J . R . Welsman ... Prov . Vice-Chancellor . „ J . VV . Balme ... Prov . Sub-Marshal . „ R . D . Kendall ... Prov . Almoner & Chap . „ W . R . Massie ... Prov . Warden of Reg . „ Squire Denton ... Prov . Herald .

„ Joseph Longbottom Prov . ist Standard Br . „ A . H . J . Fletcher ... Prov . 2 nd Standard Br . „ J . Quarterman ... Prov . Prior ' s Banner Br . „ Thomas Drake ... Prov . ist Aide-de-Camp M . G . nnhsr-n ... Pmi- - * - » . nrl Airlp . -rlp . - Camn .

„ J . P . Hanson ... Prov . Chamberlain . ,, Aulay Macaulay ... Prov . ist Capt . of Gds . „ G . B . Owen Prov . 2 nd Capt . of Gds . „ Thomas Heaton ... Prov . Sword Bearer . „ J . Paget Priestly ... Prov . Organist . „ Geo . Beanland ... Prov . Equerry .

Sir Knight H . SMITH proposed " That the bsst thanks of the Priory of West Yorkshire be given to the knights of the Salamanca Preceptory , No . 21 , lor their cordial reception this day . " This was seconded by Sir Knight J . H . GRATION , supported by Sir Knight THOMAS HILL , and unanimously carried . Sir Knight AUSTIN ROBERTS , the Eminent Preceptor of the Salamanca Preceptory , responded and acknowledged

the vote . The Almoner and Chaplain collected the alms , which amounted to £ 1 iSs . 2 d . The Priory was closed in due form , and the V . E . Prior , Sub-Prior , Great Officers , and Officers , and Past Great Officers retired under the arch of steel . The knights , numbering 63 , then proceeded to the banqueting room , and partook of refreshments bountifully and kindly provided by the knights of the Salamanca Preceptory , No . 21 .

Australia.

Australia .

THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF VICTORIA . A special meeting of Masters and Past Masters under the English , Irish , and Scottish Constitutions vvas held on Wednesday evening , October 31 st , in the Freemasons Hall , Collins-street , Melbourne , for the purpose of receiving the report of the Executive Committeeelected some weeks

, previously , to prepare a basis of union for the consolidation of the Masonic bodies in the colony , under the title of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria . Bro . John James , P . D . S . G . W . ( E . G . ) , Chairman of the Executive Committee , presided , supported by many of the leading officers of the three Constitutions , and there was also a larg-e attendance of Masters and Past Masters both of town and

country lodges . •The CHAIRMAN , in detailing the progress of the movement , stated that 101 out of 120 lodges had signified their intention of joining , these embracing a total of 3306 members in favour , vvith only 7 g in opposition . The basis of union , as agreed to by the Executives of the British Constitutions , as well as of the Victorian Constitution , was put

to the meeting , and carried almost unanimously , after which a vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman in recognition of his valuable and energetic services in the furtherance of the movement . The joint Executive Committee of the four Constitutions it was agreed meet the following evening , to draw up

articles of union , and it vvas anticipated that the new United Grand Lodge of Victoria would be formally opened , and a Grand Master elected , on the second Tuesday in December . In such case the Grand Master would be installed , and he would invest his officers at a special communication on tne following day , when there was expected to be a great