Provincial Grand Lodge Of Down.

which Bro . Finnigan , the P . G « Secretary , conducted the work of his office . An address of condolence to the Marchioness of Downshire , beautifully illuminated with Masonic emblems on vellum , and in a richly gilt cover , was shown to the brethren previous to

being handed over to the marchioness . This address , costing upwards of £ ' t $ , has been paid for by voluntary subscription , Lodge Caledonian Railway ( No 354 ) of Glasgow , through Bro . Schmidt , being the only outside contributor , Further business , of a private nature , and

election of office-bearers , then took place , Lord Arthur Hill , brother to the late Marquis of Downshire , being elected in his brother ' s place as P . G . Steward . The brethren were then , by order of the R . W . P . G . M , railed to refreshment , which , in

the shape of a handsome dinner , was served up in the Market House Saloon , Bro . the Rev . M . Brown occupying the chair , and Bro . Boyd , of Ballydongan , acting as croupier . After a first-class dinner had been discussed , and the cloth drawn , the Chairman proposed the

following toasts : — " The Queen and Rest of Royal Family , " " The Grand Masters of England , Scotland , and Ireland , " The Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Connty Down , " " The Visiting Brethren , " and "The Poorer Brethren , " all of

which were duly honoured . With the second toast , the Chairman remarked that they were at present in an unprecedented position , all the kingdoms having , practically , no Grand Master at present , though , de jure , there always was one .

To the next toast , Bros . Boyd and Finnigan responded . To the next toast , Bro . the Rev . Dr . Porter , of Belfast , responded , in one of his noble , heartfelt little speeches , which , coming from the heart , seem to go straight to the hearts of the hearers ,

carrying them with him . To the next toast Bro . Schmidt ( Cal . Rail . 3 J 4 ) responded , giving some good insight into the ways poorer brethren may be helped without taking their independent feeling away ; and he

also referred to the brethren who are now in Spain and France undergoing hardships . After grace being said , the brethren , all still in their insignia , went to the large school-room , where a large and distinguished audience had already assembled .

Bro . the Rev . Professor Porte then gave a lecture on his " Recent Wanderings in Moab and Ammon , "—a lecture full of interest , remarkably well delivered , and proving , without flaw , not alone the prophecies of the Holy Bible , as being true , but also that Freemasonry must have

existed at a time long before Christ . The proceeds of this lecture , amounting to some £ 20 , go towards the Masonic Orphan Schools . We never spent a more pleasant , agreeable day than we did in the old city of Downpatrick . The lodge-room , almost new , is splendidly fitted

up in every respect ; the clothing new , and as good as possible ; in fact , the brethren of Downpatrick Lodge , No . 86 , can be justly proud of their noble work ; and they and their brethren of Lodge 367 deserve all credit and thanks for every and all arrangements made , which left nothing to be desired .

May God give them his hel p in their new un dertakingof love—the formation of a Widows Fund .

Freemasonry In New Zealand

FREEMASONRY IN NEW ZEALAND

An event , very interesting to the Craft in that portion of New Zealand , took place at Greymouth , W . C , on July nth , viz ., the constitution and consecrating of a Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners , a Conclave of the Red Cross Rome and Constantine , and a Sanctuary of K . H . S . b y G . Bulmer , Esq ., M-D ., acting in the matter of

the first-mentioned , as Prov- G-M- for N . Z ., under the Grand Mark Masters' Lodge of England and Wales , and in re the other degrees as Grand Intendant General for N . Z ., under the Grand Council of Red Cross R . and C . O . ir west coast brethren should be well provided for io " high grade" Masonry .

Freemasonry In New Zealand

A meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Otago , E . G ., took place on Monday , Aug . 31 st , the Most "Worshipful Prov . G . Master , Bro . Hyde Harris , Esq . presiding , the principal business of the evening being the investment of officers , and report ofthe Treasurer . After some

routine business the lodge was closed in due and ancient form . A large number of the Craft assembled at the Masonic Hall , Dunedin , on Wednesday , Sept . 2 nd , to do honour to the installation of Bro . John Hislop , Esq ., as Prov . G . M . for N . Z .,

E . G ., it being estimated that upwards or 300 brethren were present . Shortly after the lodge was opened , the Prov . Grand Lodge was announced and received with the usual honors , the installation ceremony was performed by the P . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Vincent Pyke , the several

officers being invested by the P . D . G . M ., and the Masters of various Dunedin Lodges . Bro . Launseigne , R . W . M ., Otago Kilwinning , acting as Grand Director of Ceremonies . During the evening the anthem " Behold how good and joyful , " was beautifully rendered by a most efficient choir , as also a very excellent musical

programme . After the usual salutation , & c , Bro . Hyde Harris , Esq . Prov . G . M ., Otago , E . G ., made some very earnest congratulatory remarks , and together with his officers withdrew . On the Provincial Grand Lodge being closed , the brethren repaired to banquet in the Lower Hall when the usual Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

Dedication Of The Hobart Town Freemasons' Hall.

DEDICATION OF THE HOBART TOWN FREEMASONS' HALL .

This splendid hall , erected by the Freemasons ' Hall Company , consisting of Masons only , was , in the presence of h is Excellency the Governor , Bro . Charles Du Cane , Esq ., formally opened and dedicated on Wednesday , the 26 th Sept . The building was commenced in 1873 ; and

on March 20 th , 1873 , his Excellency laid the foundation-stone , the architect' being Henry Hunter , Esq ., and the builder Mr . J . Gregory . To these gentlemen great credit is due for the perfect manner in which the edifice is completed .

The lodge room is a fine apartment ; its dimensions are 43 ft . long , 24 ft . wide , and 20 ft . high . At the east end of the room is a dais 6 ft . wide , extending the width of the room , and some 3 ft . above the level of the floor . In the centre of the dais is a niche formed by two Ionic pillars supporting an entablature , under which

is placed the Worshipful Master ' s chair . At the west end of the room is the niche formed by Doric pillars , under which is placed the Senior Warden ' s chair , and another niche in the south of the room , bearing the Corinthian column under which is placed the Junior Warden ' s chair .

At six o ' clock the brethren were seen arriving in great numbers , and at 6 . 30 his Excellency the Governor was announced , and was met by the Marshal of the procession , Bro . C . Toby , and the Worshipful Masters of the respective lodges . In the lodge-room there were about 80 ladies

present , admitted by tickets . There were about 135 brethren , consisting of members of the Hobart Town lodges , and many visiting officers and brothers from various parts of the colony . The whole affair was a decided success , owing no doubt to the admirable management of the

committee , and great praise is due to Bro . Charles Toby for the perfect arrangements made by him in marshalling the procession ; also to Bro . J . Clark for his able assistance . The choir was under the leadership of Bro . W . H . Chapman , assisted by Bros . W . A . Guesdon and Scholes , the various pieces of sacred music during the

ceremony being well performed . A lodge was opened in form , at 7 o ' cleck sharp , the W . M . of Lodge 801 , the Rev . R . D . Poulett-Harris as W . M . ; the W . M . of 536 , Bro . W . H . Burgess , as Senior Warden ; the W . M . of 347 , Bro . S . Smith , as Junior Warden ; and then called off to perform the ceremony of dedication . On ' entering the lodge-room the Masonic Anthem was sung by the choir ;

Dedication Of The Hobart Town Freemasons' Hall.

To Heaven ' s high Architect , all praise , All praise , all gratitude be given , & c .

Chorus—Sound aloud the great Jehovah s praise , To Him the dome , the temple raise . The W . Masters ordered the procession to move three times round the hall . Solemn music played . After the First Circuit , the brethren sang ,

" Let there be light ! " the Almighty spoke , Refulgent streams from chaos broke , & c . After the Second Circuit , the brethren sang , Parent of light , accept our praise ; Who shedd ' st on us Thy brightest rays , & c .

After Third Circuit , the brethren sang , The widow ' s tear—the orphan ' s cry—All wants—our ready hands supply , & c . The cushion with the three great lights was then placed on the pedestal .

The lodge was then placed in front of the pedestal and the ewers , with the corn , wine , and oil deposited thereon , with the Warrant and Book of Constitutions , and covered with white satin , and the three lesser lights placed round .

The W . Masters , P . Masters , officers and visitors of distinction then repaired to places prepared for their reception : the brethren still standing . The Builder then said : May it please your Excellency , Worshipful Masters , and Brothers :

Having been entrusted with the construction of this noble edifice , and having completed the work assigned to me to the best of my ability , I beg now to return thanks for the honour conferred on me by the appointment , and to

surrender up the implements and plants that were committed to rny care when the chief cornerstone was laid , and venture to hope that my

exertions may be crowned with your approbation , and that of the Craft generally . To which his excellency then replied : — The Director of Ceremonies informs the W .

Masters that it is the desire of the directors and shareholders of the hall , and thd fraternity generally , to have the hall solemnly dedicated in ancient form . The W . Masters then requested the officers

and brethren to assist in the ceremony . The ladies then retired , the lodge was tyled , and the business of Masonry resumed . Consecration Prayer—By a Chaplain . After prayer the brethren answered :

Glory be to God on high , on earth peace , goodwill towards men . The honours were then given . The procession was then formed , headed by the W . Masters , and made one circuit round the lodge , the brethren

singing—Hail ! Masonry divine ! Glory of ages , shine , & c . When the W . Masters arrived at the east music ceased , and one of the W . Masters said : In the name of the Supreme and Eternal God

the Great Architect of heaven and earth , to whom be all honour aud glory , I dedicate this hall to Freemasonry . A Chaplain then strewed corn over the lodge . Response . —Glory be to God on high , on earth

peace , good will towards men . The honours were then given . The second circuit was made , and the

procession moved round the lodge , and the brethren sang— Great fabrics still arise , And grace the azure skies ! & c .

When the W . Masters arrived in the east the music ceased , and one of the W . Masters said ; In the name of tlie Supreme and EternalGod , the Great Architect of Heaven and Earth , to whom be all glory , I dedicate this hall to Virtue and

Science . A Chaplain then poured wine on the lodge . Response . —Glory be to God on high , on earth

peace , goodwill towards men . The honours were then given . The third circuit was made , the brethren singing- Hiram , the Architect , Did all the Craft direct , ko .