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allow any feeling there may be in the colony in favour of establishing a United Grand Lodge to ripen than to attempt to force it while the scheme is immature and certain to meet with considerable opposition . We have before us the printed report of the proceedings of a meeting of Masters and Past Masters held at the Exchange Buildings , Wellington , on the ist

February last . Only 19 attended in response to the circular convening the meeting , and these 19 brethren represented two of the five English lodges in Wellington , two Scotch lodges , and an Irish lodge , and one English lodge in Auckland ; while the 13 letters of apology for non-attendance were read from brethren who , with one possible

exception , were members of the lodges already represented . The address of Bro . E . T . GILLON , P . M . ( S . C ) , who presided , was couched in temperate language , nor did he ignore the difficulties in the way of the purpose hc is endeavouring to effect . His bold exposition of the law as to establishing lodges in the colony was

entirely wrong , but , in the main , what he said was characterised by good feeling and an evident desire to promote the wellbeing of Freemasonry . Bro . G . S . GRAHAM , our District Grand Master of Auckland , the most influential brother who attended , was obliged by a previous engagement to

leave early , but before leaving he took the opportunity of saying that he was present " not in his capacity as District Grand Master of Auckland , ( E . G . ) , but as a member of the Wellington Lodge , " No . 1521 , Wellington , " and to record that he was not in favour of the formation of a United

Grand Lodge of New Zealand until some further reasons for its establishment were adduced . " Two other speakers expressed themselves as being opposed to the movement , though , when it came to voting on the resolution proposed by Bro . H . J . WILLIAMS , P . M . 517 ( E . G . ) , and seconded by Bro . G . ROBERTSON , W . M . 1521 ( E . C . ) , " That , in the opinion of this meeting ,

it is desirable , in the interests of Masonry , that a United Grand Lodge of New Zealand should be formed , " only one of these dissentients gave effect to his opinion by voting against it . Thus the scheme for the establishment of a United Grand Lodge of New Zealand is in progress , though we imagine the promoters can hardly be elated at the amount of sympathy which it has elicited up to the present moment .

* * * ,-,. . ~ , THE proceedings of the District Grand Lodge of Benscal for District Grand . Lodge of 27 th December last , just to hand , contain an interesting iiLMigni . account of the presentation of the portrait of Bro . Prosmo

Coomar Dutt , Dist . J . G . W . to the Dist . G . L . of Bengal . The presentation was made by Bro . the Maharajah of COOCH BEHAR , P . S . G . W . of England , on behalf of the members of the Anchor and Hope Lodge , No . 234 , in testimony of the eiteem and affection in which they hold Bro . DUTT as " the first Hindu Mason in India , " and the picture was accepted by Bro . the

Hon . H . T . PRINSEP , D . G . M ., in a most graceful and hearty manner . We congratulate Bro . DUTT on such a special and well-deserved compliment being paid , and trust that the Dist . G . Master ' s desire that he " may long live among the Bengal brelhren to continue his useful work on Freemasonry " will be realised .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Great George-street , Leeds , on Wednesday , the ioth inst ., under the banner of Philanthropic Lodge , No . 304 , when there were present—Bros . Thomas Win . Tew , J . P ., P . G . D . Eng-., Prov . G . M . ; Henry Smith , P . G . D ICng ., Dep . Prov . G . M . ; 1 . Booth , P . M . 61 , P . P . S . G . W ., as P . S . G . W . ; Chas . VVm .

Keighley , J . P ., P . M . 275 , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . R . Collins . S . W . 2035 , P . G . C ; Rev . J . Rosser , Chap . 2069 .. P . G . C . ; H . Oxley , P . M . 495 , P . G . Treas . ; A . Macaulay , P . M . 25 S , P . G . Reg . ; II . G . K . Green , P . M . 1019 , P . G Sec ; W . F . Smithson , P . M . 1211 , P . P . S . G . D ., as P . S . G . D . ; W . Giukrogir , P . M . 61 , P . P . S . G . D ., as P . S . G . D . M . Newsome . J . P ., P . M . 208 , P . P . J . G . D ., as P . J . G . D . ; A . A . Stott , P . M . 1102 , P . G . S . of W . ; IC . Lord , P . M . 910 , P . G . D . C ; C Howioyd , P . M . 3 S 7 , P . D . G . D . C , ; T . B . Edwards , P . M . 296 , P . G . D . C ; J . Ramsden Riley , P . M . 3 S 7 , P . G . D . C ; Alfred

Stephenson , P . M . i 6 iS , P . G . D . C . ; A . Robeits , P . M . 44 S , P . G . D . C ; T . Davis , P . M 810 , P . G . S . B . ; W . Asquith , P . M . 130 ::, P . G . Std . Br . ; R . Riley , P . M . 1736 , P . G . Std . B .. ; J . Matthewman , P . M . 1019 , as P . A . G . Sec ; M . Blume , Org . 1001 , P . G Org . ; F . Whiteley , P . M . 61 , P . G . Purst . ; W . Cockcroft , P . M . 307 , P . G . Purst . J . Dyson , P . M . 30 G , A . Williamson , P . M . 2 S 9 , W . Fitton , P . M . 2035 , J . R . Welsman " P . M . 600 , J . H . Rayner , P . M . 3 S 0 , and A . bto' . t , P . M . 1301 , P . G . Stewards ; Samuel Barrand , 30-1 , P . G . Tyler ; and T . Leighton , 139 , P . A . G . iyler .

Letters of apology were received from six Prov . Grand Officers and 52 P . P . G . Officers and brethren . Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened , the roll of lodges and Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers was called , after which the minutes of the meeting held at Keighley on ioth October , 1888 , were read and confirmed . The PROV . G . M . then delivered the following address :

Good brethren and fellows , —By this salutation do the Old Charges of 1 GS 0 , known as the lew and the Whitley Beaumont Manuscripts , now added to our knowledge through the assiduity of our Hon . Libraiian , ' ' ro . Watson , greet the members of the Craft , to whom each of these chaiters is addressed . By this salutation , officers and brethren , allow me to welcome jou to Leeds this afternoon , as well as the Mayors of several towns and many other eminent visitors . M y purpose is to consult with you at this annua ! gathering of Masons , being the 205 th quarterly mieting of brethren forming the Provincial Grand Lodge ot West Yorkshire as to the government of the Craft in this extensive province , and to take your counsel and advice on the various charitable and financial matters whicli it is the duty of the Prov . Grand Master and his Deputy and his Officers to bring to your notice and consideration ; also to declare unto you the progress t e Craft has made since our auiumnal assembly at Keighley on the ioth October , 18 SS ; and further , to remind you of " the Charges that belongeth to every true Mason to k = ep . " "For this worthy Craft of Masonry is a science that is worthy to be kept , ' for , say these old charters , it is a "virtuous science , " for it "teacheth man to speak and write truly , and to discern to know truth and fals-. hood asunder . " It is by heeding these Charges incorporated in the Book of Constitutions , and all others that do belong to Masonry affirmed by Grand Lodge , Masonry shall keep you in the true paths ot Jehovah ' s Commandments , and your duty to God and your neighbours .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

The next duty is to remind you that our thanks are due to Bro . W . Henry Hewson , W . M ., and the brethren of the Philanthropic Lodge , No . 304 , which numbers 65 members , 16 being P . M . ' s , for the arrangements to receive this Prov . Grand Lodge , and to provide for our comfort . 1 desire to congratulate this lodge on the progress and prosperity which it is making . It is a worthy lodge , and the W . M . and brethren deserve every encouragement this Prov . Grand Lodge can accord . It has made application for the widow of one of its brethren—Mrs . Sarah Horsfield—to be admitted into

the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . It gave last year 115 guineas to the 100 th Festival of the Girls' Institution , and I trust it will contribute to this year ' s Annuitants ' Fund , into which it is so anxious to elect this widow . There are , alas ! 81 candidates and but 10 vacancies , so that our Charity Committee is solicitous of an augmentation of votes if any part of the heavy list of West Yorkshire applicants are to be carried in London in May . 1 think I may also congratulate the eight lodges in Leeds , numbering 412 members , of whom 9 8 are Past Masters , on the prudence and fidelity with which

they are governed by their Worshipful Masters , and the philanthropy displayed towards our Charitable Institutions , as well as in supporting the Leeds Masonic Benevolent Institution , which I wish to see in a prosperous state of local usefulness and efficiency . This is the iSth time , in 47 years , that Provincial Grand Lodge has met in Leeds ; and I cannot but revert once again to the noble reception you gave to this Provincial Grand Lodge on the 24 th April , 18 S 5 , when you received Lord Lathom to install me as your P . G . M ., and to acknowledge the couitesy and confidence you have shown meeversince .

Six lodges meet in this hall , two remain on Carlton Hill . I and my Deputy hope that the Committee of this Masonic Hall may be able , by a judicious extension of the site , to render the site so convenient and attractive , that these two lodges may find it impossible to resist the advantages it would afford to them to come under this roof . Shortly , a new street will be opened up , which will bring the Masonic Hall into a more prominent position . The old property , to the right front , is all coming down to within a few feet of the hall , and I am informed many Masons in Leeds think it would be very opportune

to enlarge the present building , giving increased accommodation for all the eight lodges under one roof , and specially adapting it for large gatherings of Provincial Grand Lodge and " other important Masonic meetings . The Alfred Lodge , No . 306 , has recentlycome to Great George-street , and it is now likely to become , as in days gone by , a flourishing lodge , being at a less rental and more comfortable than at Kellsall-street . I should like to see all these lodges housed in one central hall , and actuated and animated by one spirit—the spirit of "harmony" and "brotherly love . " I think the continual assembly

of the lodges under one roof would be most conducive to their prosperity , as well as to Masonic harmony in Leeds . Since our autumnal meeting , the Armitage Lodge has been consecrated at Longwood and Milnsbridge , being No . 2261 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England , thus increasing our roll of lodges in West Yorkshire to 73 . Bro . G . Armitage lias endowed the chair of this lodge with £ zt , and Bro . W . Dyson , Sec , £ 21 ; both for ihe Annuitants' Fund . The Hallamshire Lodge , No . 226 S , a new lodge at Sheffield , has given by Bro . Edward Sanderson Tozer , £ \ o ios . to the same Institution ,

and the new Lodge of St . Nicholas , No . 2259 , at Thorne , a similar sum of £ 10 ios . These are substantial assurances that the recently consecrated lodges are taking their part in the charitable work of this province . Our contributions so far , for our Charities , amount to £ 1231 . Since I have been your D . P . G . M . and Prov . G . M . —since 1875—the sum reaches £ 34 , 643 . On Sunday , November 4 th , iSSS , Probity Lodge , No . 61 , Halifax , celebrated the third jubilee of its existence . The brethren marched into the Parish Church , where , by the kind permission of the then vicar , Canon Pigou , now Dean of

Chichester , Bro . the Very Rev . the Dean of York , Past Grand Chaplain of England , Dr . Puiey Cust , preached a most appropriate and eloquent sermon . This opportunity is embraced to express our acknowledgments to the Dean of York for his presence on that most interesting occasion . VVe must congratulate Phcenix Lodge , No . 904 , which , since we last met , has removed to handsome new Masonic Rooms , which cannot fail to give an impetus to Freemasonry at Rotherham . These rooms were opened with some ceremonial on the 25 th October last . During the past year there have been admitted 301 new

members ; lost by resignation or retirement , 142 ; by death , 64 ; by exclusion , 41 ; and , I am sorry to say , 238 brethren are in arrears . Goderich Lodge , No . 1211 , Leeds , has to record four deaths in a few months , one of these being the Reir . A . B . Coombe , M . A . Oxon , Provincial Grand Chaplain of West Yorkshire . Bro . the Rev . Dr . Smyth , Past Grand Chaplain of England , in a most touching address , delivered in the lodge , spoke of Bro . Coombe ' s personal worth and faithfulness in his duty as Chaplain of Armley Gaol . A number of brethren accompanied the remains

of our b . loved Chaplain to the grave on Thursday , February 21 st . I have also to record the death of Bro . Thomas Tyers , P . M . 1042 , P . P . G . Standard Bearer ; Bro . Joseph Ibberson , P . M . 1102 , P . P . G . Reg . ; Bro . Joseph Sutcliffe , W . M . 306 ; Bro . Isaac Faulkner Oates , P . M . 25 S , and several other esteemed brethren of this province . VVe have also to deplore the loss of other distinguished Masons , viz . : Bro . Gen . J . Studholme Brownrigg , C . B ., Prov . G . M . Surrey , and Bro . James Arthur Birch , P . P . G . W . Fast Lancashire , deservedly esteemed by the whole Cratt . These brethren

have passed away , but the memory of their good works will not readily fade in the minds of those who had the privilege of their friendship . Our roll call has increased by 139 members , that is , from 3301 in 1 SS 7 , to 3440 , December 31 st , 18 SS ; and our receipts from quarterages from £ 3 6 9 3 s . to £ 395 17 s . 6 d . ; the balance at our Bankers—Messis . Beckitt and Co . —as the treasurer will shortly explain , being £ 997 17 s . 5 d . The Chairman of cur Charity Committee will present his valuable report , adopted at Dewsbury on the Oth inst . It appears West Yoikshire has 70 recipients of the

three Chariiies , and these we must not neglect . The Boys and Girls look to us for maintenance and education , and the Annuitants for support in their old age . Bro . Watson will present his library report , which is progressing , books coming in from many quaiters . It is in contemplation to organise , as one result of this library , a series of lectures on Masonry . The lirst was commenced at Bradford on 28 th February , by Bro . T . B . Whytehead , who read a paper on "The Advance of Intelligent Masonry . " I trust this movement may have the support of all the lodges . I have received from

Bro . the Rev . VV . C Lukis , P . M . S 37 , a history of "Doyle ' s Lodge of Fellowship , " a record of Masonry in Guernsey from 17 C 3 , when the Grand Lodge of Antient York Masons granted a warrant for a lodge by the title of the Orange Lodge . The father of this reverend brother , the Rev . Fred Corbin Lukis , was Master of the Harmony Lodge , in Guernsey , in 1 S 06 . In the distribution ot Provincial Grand Lodge honours , where , out of the yearly-increasing number of Past Masters—there are now 931 P . M . ' s eligible for office in P . G . Lodge—the onerous task devolves upon me , from ihe few collars at

my command , of recognising long patience and deserving worth . 1 have done my best , by a selection of names widely scattered over the province . Where all are qualified , realise , if you can , how difficult is the point of precedence and selection to be determined . I thank all Masons present for their co-operation in this day ' s proceedings , for your salutation , and for the courtesy with which you have listened to these remarks , and received the various visitors . In the language of the writer of "Doyle ' s Lodge , " '

believe the object of Masonry is to " excite us to emulate the charitable successes of the past , and to encourage faith in the future . " It is the object of myself and officers to strengthen the belief of the brethren in the inherent vitality and progressive power of our benevolent and charitable Order . VVe trust in this brief exposition of the working of the Craft our efforts have not been in vain for the past year . Brethren , I thank you for your salutation and your reception of me this alternoon , and may the G . A . O . T . U . preserve you all until time shall be no more .

The D . P . G . M . thanked the brethren cordially for their salutation , and made suggestions for the more efficient and constitutional working of the lodges in several minor details . He also expressed his appreciation of the satisfactory manner in which the annual returns had been made to the Provincial Office . Bro . T . BATEMAN FOX , P . M . 208 , P . P . G . Swd . Br ., Vice-Chairman of the Charity Committee , read the 31 st annual report of the Committee .

Bro . VV . F . SMITHSON , P . M . 1211 , P . P . G . D ., moved its adoption , and proposed that the following brethren should be a Committee to consider the report of the Special Committee appointed to enquire into the management of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , viz . : Bros . R . J . Critchley , CL . Mason , A . W . Stanfield , John F . Moss , William Harrop , John D . Kay , VV . C . Upton , together with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Charity Committee . Bro . T . BATEMAN FOX seconded the motion , which was carried . Bro . W . WATSON , P . M ., W . M . 2060 . Hon . Librarian , made a statement