Consecration Of A New Lodge Under The Irish Constitution.

take the opportunity of delivering the usual charge , with remarks as to the manner in which the various workings of the Craft should be carried out by the respective officers . Twelve candidates were nominated as members , and several brethren were proposed for affiliation .

Before the closing of the lodge , the P . G . M ., Bro . Unmack , on behalf of foundation members , presented the W . M . elect with a very handsome Past Master ' s jewel . The jewel bore the following inscription : " Presented to Bro . I . W . Ayscough , in consideration of

his zeal and self-denying services while filling the chair of the Edmund MacDonnell Lodge . May , 1889 . " The lodge was closed , when the brethren , on the invitation of the W . M . elect , adjourned to the Caxton Hotel , where , after supper ; the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured . The gathering was in every respect enjoyable . — Brisbane Observer .

Scottish Lodges In Queensland.

SCOTTISH LODGES IN QUEENSLAND .

The metropolitan lodges under the Scottish Constitution held a joint installation ceremony on Monday , June 24 th , at the Masonic Hall , Alice-street , Brisbane , when the various Masters and officers for the ensuing 12 months were installed . The ceremony was conducted by Bro . J . G . W . Barnes , P . M . 455 , D . D . G . M ., acting Dist . G . M ., assisted by Bros . C . W . Thurlby ,

P . M . 45 s , D . J . G . W ., and R . Leftwich , P . M . 504 , D . C . There was a large number of visiting brethren present , among whom were Bros . E . M'Donnell , D . P . G . M . ( I . C . ); Baldwin , P . G . R . Worcestershire ; and several Past Masters of metropolitan and other lodges . The following is the list of the Masters and officers of the four lodges :

Silver Cross , No . 504—Bros . W . Mitchell , R . W . M . ; H . Stewart , P . M . ; D . M'Gregor , D . M . ; W . Edds , S . M . ; C . Rattray , S . W . ; A . Clark , J . W . ; A . Batch , Treas . ; W . B . Kesson , Sec . ; G . Sweatman , Chap . ; J . F . Shale , S . D . ; A . Batch , jun ., J . D . ; P . Atkinson , acting Org . ; S . Rosenthal , R . Whittle , and J . Toms , Stwds . ; J . M'Kenzie , I . G . ; and C . Heike , acting

Tyler . Stanley , No . 680—Bros . W . J . Robinson , R . W . M . ; V . Larsen , P . M . ; F . W . Faithfull , P . M ., D . M . ; A . F . Luya , P . M ., S . M . ; G . T . Nicol , S . W . ; G . A . Allen , J . W . ; E . Grimley , Treas . ; W . Miller , Sec ; A . B . Bell , Chap . ; N . Watts , S . D . ; J . Edwards , J . D . ; P . Atkinson , acting Org . ; W . Jolly and Isaac Telford ,

Stewards ; W . H . Brown , I . G . ; and C . Heike , acting Tyler . St . Andrew , No . 435—Bros . J . ] . Hogg , R . W . M . ; Robert Potts , P . M . ; R . Game , D . ' M . ; R . Bell , S . M . ; ] . Lang , J . W . ; W . Hampson , Treas . ; J oseph Turner , Sec . ; R . F . Slater , S . D . ; VV . Warren Shapcott , J . D . ; S . Grimes , P . M ., Chap . ; F . Shubert , C . Innoccnti , and

Thos . Fraser , Stwds . ; Win . Walton , I . G . ; and C . Heike , acting Tyler . Athole and Melville , No . 455—Bros . Samuel Dennison , R . W . M . ; George J . Skiller , P . M . ; George Ogilvie , D . M . ; W . G . Parker , S . M . ; T . A . Maillard , S . W . ; D . Sharp , J . VV . ; D . F . Denham , Treas . ; N . J . Kessels , P . M ., Sec . ; Rev . D . Ruddock , Chap . ; R . W . Goeldner

S . D . ; J . M . Macintyre , J . D . ; P . Atkinson , acting Org . ; John Mullen and Rudolph Mirre , Stwds . ; E . L . Dickins , l . G . ; and C . Heike , acting T y ler . At the close of the installation ceremonial , the brethren adjourned to the banqueting hall , where an excellent supper had been prepared . Ample justice having been done to the viands , the

following toast list was honoured : "The Oueen , Empress , and the Craft ; " "H . R . H . the Prince " of Wales , Patron of Scottish Freemasonry ; " " The Grand Master Mason of Scotland , M . W . Bro . Colonel Sir Archibald C . Campbell , Bart . ; " "The D . G . Masters of the S . C . and E . G ., and P . G . Masters , I . C . ; " "The Newly-Installed Master , Wardens , and other Officers ; " " The R . W . thc

Installing Officer and Assisting Brethren ; " "Success to the Metropolitan Lodges and Freemasonry all over the World ; " " The Visiting Brethren ; " and "All Poor and Distressed Masons . " In the course of several of the speeches made , the brethren referred to the movement on foot for the founding of

a Grand Lodge of Queensland , and said they were certain it would be successful , notwithstanding the opposition that was being raised against it by a portion of the Craft . During the evening the proceedings were enlivened with songs , and a most pleasant meeting was brought to a close by singing "Auld Lang Syne . "

Proposed Grand Lodge Of Tasmania.

PROPOSED GRAND LODGE OF TASMANIA .

A large and representative gathering of the Masonic Fraternity in the southern portion of this colony was held May 31 st , in the Freemasons' Hall , for the purpose of reconsidering the question of the desirableness of establishing a Grand Lodge of Freemasonry for Tasmania . It will be recollected that at a meeting

held in the early part of April , in a vote taken wherein some 30 odd members of the Craft recorded their opinions , a majority of one was obtained against the proposal . The Northern brethren , who have been most active in the direction of the movement , and who are unanimous in their desire to see its successful

culmination , having preferred a request that a conference should take p lace on the matter , they feeling sure they could convince their Southern brethren that their objections to the proposals were fallacious , the meeting in question was held . Representatives from the country lodges in the North arrived by express to swell the number of members of

Proposed Grand Lodge Of Tasmania.

the Craft who had already reached Hobart on this errand , and were present during the proceedings . Bro . C . F . DAVIS , P . M ., was voted to the chair , and briefly stated the reasons given above for the reopening of the question , following which Bro . HOGG explained the position occupied by the representative of

the Northern Craftsmen . Bro . HORNE , P . M ., followed , and pointed out that the Craft at present suffered from the fact that , there being three Constitutions represented in the lodges in existence , unhealthy rivalry was occasioned . United under one responsible governing head , having its seat

of action in their midst , this would be removed , and the prestige of the Craft maintained , where it now runs the risk of being seriously affected . He pointed out that the chief objection to the movement was one of sentiment , a mistaken idea , for surel y the good of the Craft was paramount to the special advancement of any particular Constitution . The Northern brethren

were unanimous in their desire for this line of action , offering as it did an amelioration of their present position of the difficulty . If the Southern lodges would not lend their aid , so strongly did the Northern lodges feel the necessity for action that they would be forced to amalgamate and form a District Grand Lodge under the Victorian Constitution , whereby they would gain many of the advantages sought by this

movement . Bros . SUTTON , ROBINSON , D . G . M . ( I . C ) , and J . MCDONALD , P . M . ( S . C ) , also addressed the meeting , placing before it the views of the Northern members of the Craft . Bro . STEELE proposed , and Bro . IVEY

seconded" That the time has arrived for the establishment of a United Grand Lodge of Freemasons in Tasmania . " Bro . F . H . WISE , P . M ., moved an amendment— " That it is desirable that the whole of the Masonic Lodges in Tasmania unite under the English Constitution , ivith a view of ultimately establishing a Grand Lodge of

Tasmania ; details of amalgamation to be decided by a majority in conference assembled of the Worshipful Masters of the various lodges and of two members chosen therefrom . " This was seconded by Bro . LEWIS . Bros . HAMILTON , P . M . ( E . C ) , and NEWBALT also

spoke in support of the amendment , it being urged by the movers that this would afford all the relief the Northern lodges sought to obtain without proving in any sense disloyal to their Mother Constitution . Bro . J ARVIS supported the original proposal . Bro . GILL , P . M ., D . P . G . M . ( I . C ) , placed before the

meeting extracts from a communication received from the Grand Lodge of Ireland , in which it was counselled that similar steps should be taken to those adopted by Victoria and South Australia , and expressing the opinion that the movement would be approved of by the parent Constitutions .

Bro . GIBBON , P . M . ( E . G . ) , also expressed his sympathy with the request of the Northern lodges . The amendment was negatived b y 43 to 16 , and the original proposition carried by 46 to 16 . The Northern visitors refrained from votine .

A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings . The Northern visitors were subsequently entertained by the P . M . ' s of the Hobart Lodge . —Australasian Keystone . « . _

District Grand Lodge Of Queensland.

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF QUEENSLAND .

The regular Quarterly Convocation of the District Grand Lodge of Queensland was held in the Masonic Hall , Queensland , on the 5 th June last . Bro . the Hon . A . C . Gregory , D . G . M ., presided , and there were present Bros . B . L . Barnett , P . G . D . England , Dep . D . G . M . ; Jas . D . Reeve , D . S . G . W . ; Wm . Gartside , D . J . G . W . ;

the Hon . W . F . Taylor , M . D ., Past D . S . G . W ., as D . G . Chaplain ; W . Finucane , D . G . Treasurer ; J . H . Gill , as D . G . Reg . ; A . J . Stephenson , Pres . D . Bd . of Gen . Purps . ; Jas . S . Michael , Dist . A . G . Sec , as D . G . Sec . ; J . H . Reeves , D . S . G . D . ; F . D . Granville , as D . J . G . D . ; W . Alexander , D . G . D . C ; Daniel Jones , as D . Dep .

G . D . C . ; H . Wyman , D . G . S . B . ; Paul C . Atkinson , the Hon . Chas . H . A'Court , as D . G . Purst . ; A . W . Michael and Pollet L . Cardew , as D . G . Stwds . ; and J . Haslen , as D . G . Ty ler , the representatives of several lodges and sundry visitors , among the latter being Bros . Stanley Baldwin , P . P . G . Reg . Worcestershire ; and

Rob . Dixon , P . P . G . Purst . Durham . District Grand Lodge having been opened , the roll called , and a number of apologies for non-attendance read , the minutes of the preceding communication were read and confirmed , and the report of the District G . Treasurer , showing receipts during the past quarter

amounting to ^ 87 4 s . 6 d ., was read . The DIST . ASST . GRAND SECRETARY read a number of communications , and a list of the dispensations granted by the D . G . Master . Sundry reports of proceedings were laid on the table , and a circular-letter from the Dist . Grand Lodges of Auckland , Wellington ,

and Westland , New Zealand , against the movement now on foot for the establishment of a United Grand Lodge of New Zealand . The D . G . Asst . Sec , Bro . MICHAEL , drew the attention of the D . G . Master to a misunderstanding that

existed in the minds of many brethren with regard to the duties of the Senior Warden in the absence of the Master from the lodge . He said that during his visit North , he observed that many brethren were undecided as to whether the Senior Warden had the power to open a lodge and occupy the chair of the Master . A

District Grand Lodge Of Queensland.

case of this kind had alread y come under notice durin the past quarter . He , therefore , thought it would b well for the D . G . Master to make some remark on th ° question for the guidance of those who were in doubt ^ The D . G . MASTER said : The question has on previou ¦ occasions arisen , and as it is possible that brethren n _ J

present may not have heard what was said on fornie occasions , I may again point out that the lod ge c \ l only be opened by an Installed Master . The position of the Warden is this : —He can call the brethren to gether to meet and discuss any questions pertaining to the good management of the lodge , but he cannot rL

the lodge or proceed with any business , such as con firming minutes or work in the lodge . He cannot sit in the Master ' s chair . His proper course at a meeting would be to take his own chair , and the other officers their chairs , and then he can bring the subjects before the brethren which require their urgent attention . i „

the event of the Master and Past Master , who are en . titled b y rotation to take the chair , being absent , it ij then the duty of the Warden to select and ask ' some other Installed Master to preside . Then the lod ge can be opened and can proceed , but the Warden has n 0 power to open the lodge , or to work the lod ge in anv

way . Matters of secular business , in the unavoidable absence of the W . M ., will thus come into the hands of the Warden , because it is his duty , in the absence of the Master , to instruct the Secretary to issue summonses for holding lodge , when , if he can obtain the assistance of an Installed Master , then he may ask that Installed Master to take the chair , and the business

may proceed with all due form and regularity . Bro . D . J ONES , P . D . S . G . W ., said he had within his own experience a case similar to what had been described , with this exception—the P . M . of the Scottish Constitution opened the lodge and worked it , and he ( Bro . Jones ) had been wondering ever since whether that was legal , and whether a P . M . of another Constitution could work .

The DIST . G . M . skid , although the doubt was raised and mentioned , no action was taken to disturb the action of the lodge while the Master of another Constitution was in the chair . The matter was referred to the Grand Secretary , who stated that the Master of the lodge , who afterwards came in and took the chair

during the working of the lodge , would have been justified in requiring the minutes to be re-read , but this was just a casual remark on the subject . The minutes were read while the Master of another Constitution was in the chair , and confirmed when the proper Master of the Iodge took the chair afterwards , and stated that doubts

had elsewhere arisen as to the working of a lodge under a foreign P . M ., but he in no wise questioned the validity of the proceedings that had taken place . The Master was an Installed Master of another Constitution , and , therefore , there was no reason to disturb what had been done . In some of the sister Constitutions they had a

Degree termed the Past Master ' s Degree , but that Degree was not the same as their Installed Master , and was not for the purpose of placinghim in the chair ; therefore , he was not qualified to take the chair in an English Iodge , or to attend a Board of Installed Masters . No Past Master outside the Past Masters of the lodge could

take the chair of a lodge as a right ; he could only take it at the request of the Senior Warden . Bro . the Hon . W . F . TAYLOR , M . D ., P . D . S . G . W , said some little time ago he received a circular signed by Bro . John Fenwick , D . G . Sec , and this circular related , as they were doubtless aware , to the formation

of a Queensland Grand Lodge . It is stated that the circular is issued by the authority of the Dist . G . M . He ( Bro . Taylor ) wished to inquire whether it vvas simply the act of the Dist . G . M ., irrespective of that of the District Grand Lodge . He was not aware that

it had been passed by the District Grand Lodge . The DISTRICT GRAND MASTER explained that it had not been issued by the District Grand Lodge , but by the D . G . Secretary with his ( the D . G . M . ' s ) assent and approval . Bro . the Hon . W . F . TAYLOR asked if the circular

admitted of discussion the present time ? The DISTRICT GRAND MASTER said if Bro . Taylor wished to make any remark he was perfectly open to do so . The circular had been sent round , and any brother was at liberty to discuss it . Bro . W . F . TAYLOR said , as the circular appeared to emanate from the D . G . M . and the D . G . Secretary , a "" was not the action of the District Grand Lodge , ne thought it might be as well for the District Gran " Lodge to discuss the matter and pass some reso l u - tion on the subject . He mi g ht say , so far . ' ^ he was personally concerned , he had no " '' ^ to discuss this circular , because he had already that lodee riven his reason for suoDOrtinsr the mot

ment for the formation of a Grand Lodge of Q jj land , and he reall y did not see that any arguments been adduced in the circular that combated the r e ; lS t | . he had brought forward , and he mig ht say that ^ ^ writer rather stultified himself , because , when g "' " ^ number of reasons why the movement should not ¦ . ^ place , he says that— " There are 31 Eng lish lod ? Queensland aeainst 28 of Scotch and Irish toge'i ,

quite too great a majority in opposition to act ^ any possibility of the recognition of a Q " | ' no Grand Lodge for some years to come . « ^ ' \ s doubt , come in due time , but not until the co ) ripe for it . " And , after adducing a number on & . „ ments against it , he comes to the conclusion tha it

come in time when the colony was ripe for > ' ' ; nj 0 n . seemed to him ( Bro . Taylor ) to depend on the . I _ . „ t of the brethren whether the colony was ripe tor ^ Qve . The circular admits in this sentence that th ' ^ j „ y is ment will come in due time , but not until the