The Family Of Grand Lodges.

Particular attention should be directed to the circumstance that the womsn ' s lodge occupies its rrgulir place , according to the number , among the rest of the lodges . Among tie o'her Mexican lodge ; whose names have been g iven above will be found the Marlht Washington , No . 156 , and the Ir . sefa Canton , No . 158 . The address in either case is to a lady , the Secretary , who in the former instance was the daughter-in-law of Past Grand Master Parvin , of Iowa , as will duly appear in the stquel . ( To be continued ) ,

Masonic Ceremony At Dunedin (N.Z.).

MASONIC CEREMONY AT DUNEDIN ( N . Z . ) .

The foundation-stone o 5 the Otago Agricultural Hall was laid with Masonic ceremonial on Wednesday , the ioth June . The weather was fortunately of that delig htful character which has made the present winter , so far as it has gone , so memorable on account of its mildness , and the conditions were in every regard favourable and auspicious . The fact that the function was held on the weekly half-holiday conduced to a large gathering of spectators , not only of those who were more directly interested in the scheme , but also of numbers of people who

were attracted to the scene by a desire to witness a ceremony in the performance of which the mystric rites of Freemasonry were employed . Long before the time fixed for the ceremony crowds of people gathered in the vicinity of the site , and those who had not received invitations to places within the hoarding wall that surrounds the foundations of the building took up their positions along the stone wall in Vogel-street , overlooking the section and in the neighbourhood of the overbridge , while a few venturesome youths climbed to the roofs of buildings in Oawford-street , and thence secured an excellent view of the proceedings .

Above and around the stone itself were seated or stood a large number ot ladies and gentlemen , among the latter being the Hon . T . Fergus , Messrs . T . Brydone , ij . Smith , jun ., W . Patrick , Robert Campbell , James Hazlett , G . H . Gilroy , and J . H . Morrison ( directors of the Otago Agricultural Hall Company ) , the Hon . VV . D . Stewart , M . L . C ., the Hon . YV . H . Reynolds , M . L . C ., Professor Gibbons , Professor Gilray , Dr . A . J . Fergusson , J . Allen , W . Fraser , T . Mackenzie , T . Green , R . Glendining , K . Ramsay , J . T . Mackerras , J . Shiel , J . R . Thornton , ] .

Hislop ( architect of the building ) , T . Moodie , D . E . Theomin , W . Angus , j . Stephenson , C . R . Chapman , G . L . Denniston , G . Fenwick , J . Sinclair Thomson , R . A . Chaffey , W . Henderson , R . W . Glendining , W . P . Watson , L . A . Macpherson , P . R . Sargood , J . W . Brindley , E . Herbert , B . Sievwright , C . B . Grierson , R . Wilson , D . Baxter , W . Snow , ] . M'Rae Gallaway , J . B . Thomson , A . Lees ,

A . Matheson , W . Gow , A . JI'Kerrow , D . Borne , J . Carroll , J . White , J . Lethbridge , A . Todd , F . Townsend , J . Arkle , I . Selby , B . Hart , F . R . Chapman , A . S . Paterson , H . Clark , W . Crombie , M . Sinclair , W . Dawson , W . Carlton , P . Barr , J . Mitchell , H . Harraway , C . E . Bird , A . Solomon , J . R . Scott , W . Blackie , W . R . Perston , H . E . Hart , A . M'Farlane , A . Moritzson , T . Callender , A . Burt . J . Stone , C . YV . Adams , and G . Esther .

Apologies for non-attendan -e were received from the Hons . J . M'Kenzie ( Minister for Agriculture ) , W . M . Bolt , M . L . C ., and W . ] . M . Larnach j Messrs . j . Roberts , C . M . G ., D . Pinkerton , W . Earnshaw , N . Y . A . Wales ( Mayor ) , Jos . Allan , and T . Brown . The District Grand Lodge ( E . C . ) was opened at the Masonic Hall at 1 . 30 p . m ., and after the D . D . G . Ms . and officers of the S . C . and I . C . had been received ,

the brethren formed in procession , headed by the Dunedin Garrison Band . The members of the respective Masonic Constitutions of England , Ireland , and Scotland walked in twos . Then came the officers , followed by the Masters and Past Masters of the lodges . These were succeeded by the Grand Standard Bearers , with two Grand Tylers , followed by the respective Grand Officers , marching in twos , with the Right Worshipful District Grand Master , Bro . T . S . Graham , preceded by his Standard Bearer , bringing up the rear .

The platform erected for the occasion was situated at the north-east corner of the section on which the hall is to be erected , and there was a plentiful display of bunting . On arriving at a proper distance from the stand , the procession halted and opened out right and left so as to allow the District Grand Master to pass up the centre , the District Grand Officers following in the rear in order .

Upon being disposed on the platform , the Masonic ceremony began . The D . G . D . C . ( Bro . J . H . Moir ) presented to the R . W . the D . G . M . ( Bro . Thomas Sherlock Graham ) the directors cf the Agricultural Hall Company , the Hon . T . Fergus ( Chairman ) , Messrs . T . Brydone , James Smith , jun ., W . Patrick , Robert Campbell , J . Hazlett , G . H . Gilroy , and J . H . Morrison .

The Hon . T . FEKQUS then called upon the R . W . the D . G . M . to perform the ceremony . The Masonic choir , under the direction of the D . G . Organist , having sung an ode , The D . G . Chap ., Bro . the Rev . F . C . PLATTS , offered up a prayer , and the D . G . Supt . of Works , Bro . D . C . Sharp , presented a plan of the buildings . The D . G . Secretary , Bro . S . J AMES , read the scroll , of which the following is a copy :

The foundation-stone of this building , to be used as an agricultural hall , was laid with Masonic honours , at the especial request of the directors of the Otago Agricultural Hall Company ( Limited ) by Thomas Sherlock Graham , Ri ght Worshipful District Grand Master of Freemasons of Otago and Southland under the English Constitution , assisted by James Gore , Right YVorshipful ¦ Uiitrict Grand Master New Zealand South , Scottish Constitution , and David A . M'Nicoll , Right Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master for New Zealand

, hish Constitution , with the officers of their respective District Grand Lodges , fji d in the presence of the brethren under their respective constitutions ; the Hen . Thomas Fergus , chairman , and directors of the Otago Agricultural Hall t-empany 5 and the general public , on Wednesday , the ioth day of June , A . D . ' ° < A A . L . 5896—Nathaniel Young Armstrong Wales being Mayor of the City of Uunedin , —in the fifth-ninth year of the reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria .

" ( Signed ) "T . SHERLOCK GRAHAM , D . G . M . Otago and Southland , E . C . "J AMES GORE , D . G . M . New Zealand South , S . C . "DAVID A . M'NICOLL , D . P . G . M . New Zealand , I . C . " SYDNEY J AMES , D . G . Secretary Otago and Southland , E . C . "

I he scroll having been placed in the cavity of the stone , the D . G . Treasurer , ro - J- H . Har . cock , deposited with it a bottle containing a sovereign , a halfsoverei gn , a crown , a half-crown , a florin , a shilling , a sixpence , a penny , a half-Penny , and a farthing , and also copies of the Otago Daily Times and Otago itness of June ioth and the Evening Star oi June 9 th .

„ 'he stone , upon which the words '' Otago Agricultural Hall Foundation ° "e , laid ioth June , 1 S 9 6 , " were inscribed , was then lowered with three pauses pact-the clarge of D . G . D . C , Bro . Moir ) , the band played "God bless the j .. ' . ' ° ' Wales , " and the brethren gave the public grand honours . The D . G . M . ¦ ' lv _ g addressed his officers as to the duties of their respective offices , and the 1 a 'e , the level , and the plumb having been applied , the consecrating elements

Masonic Ceremony At Dunedin (N.Z.).

were applied by the several brethren as follows : The vessel of corn was presented by Bro . C . D . L . Graham , P . D . L . B . G . P . ( E . G . ) . to Bro . T . S . GRAHAM , D . G . M . ( E . G . ) , who used the following words : " I scatter this corn as an emblem of plenty . May the blessings of bounteous heaven be showered upon us and upon all li ! e patriotic and benevolent undertaking ? , and inspire the' hearts of the people with virtue , wisdom , and gratitude . "

The cup of wine was presented by Bro . David Cherrie , D . J . G . W . ( S . C ) , to the D . G . M ., Bro . J . GORE ( S . C ) , who used the following words : " I pour this wine as an emblem of joy and gladness , and may the Great Architect of the Universe bless this undertaking . May His divine mercy protect the workmen engaged in this structure , and , as it is begun in peace , may it end in harmony . " The vessel of oil was presented by Bro . D . C . Sharp , P . M ., D . G . Supt . of

Works , ( S . C ) , to Bro . D . A . M'NICOLL , D . P . G . M . ( I . C ) , who used the following words : " I pour this oil as an emblem of peace . May its blessing abide with us continually . May the Grand Master of Heaven and Earth shelter the widow and orphan , shield and protect them from trials and vicissitudes of the world , and so bestow His mercy upon the bereaved , the afflicted , and the sorrowing , that they may know sorrow and trouble no more . "

The vessel of salt was presented by Bro . E . R . Green , P . M . ( E . G . ) , to Bro . W . NEES , D . D . G . M . ( S . C ) , who used tbe following words : " 1 sprinkle this salt as an emblem of hospitality and friendship , and may the Great Architect of the Universe incline our hearts to carry out the grand precept . " An ode was then sung by the choir , after which the W . G . M ., Bro . T . S .

GRAHAM , delivered the following invocation : " And may the Lord , the Giver of every good and perfect gift , bless the brethren here assembled in all their lawful undertakings , and grant to each one of them in needuil supply the corn of nourishment , the wine of refreshment , the oil of joy , and the salt of peace . So mote it be . "

Bro . T . S . GRAHAM said : We are here to-day under the banner of England , Ireland , and Scotland , as members of an ancient , free , and accepted fraternity , to lay the foundation-stone of the Otago Agricultural Hall , and I need scarcely as-sure you , Mr . Chairman , that we have come here , and at your request , with exceeding great pleasure to assist you , however humbly be the effort , in your proceedings . Many here may naturally inquire what connection a Masonic body has with the laying of this foundation-stone . The answer is a very simple one . We are here

as the representatives of those brethren and architects and worth y builders who ages ago , on the continent of Europe and elsewhere , raised those magnificent structures—cathedrals and other public buildings—by their secret arts , and retained the possession of certain secrets and signals among their guilds and brethren . These guilds used the compass , the square , the mallet , the chisel , and many other instruments ; but we as theoretical Masons simply use these as symbols from which we deduce certain moral lessons , andjwe trust that when these are thoroughly

understood and followed by the brethren of our society , they may be rendered better men when they pass away from the society than when they enter it . Permit me , Mr . Chairman , to express the pleasure we have in coming here to-day , and allow me to express the earnest hope that when completed this building may in every respect prove a credit to yourself , your brother directors , and those gentlemen who , by their foresight and energy , have entered upon a scheme which I trust you will be able to bring to completion , ( Applause , ) I also trust the

building when finished will be a credit to the architect who prepared the plans , and last , though not least , a credit and ornament to the city of Dunedin . ( Appl iuse . ) Bro . Hon . THOMAS FERGUS said : Right Worshipful Sir and Brother , Brethren , Ladies , and Gentlemen , —I assure you thit the directors of the Otago Agricultural Hall Company feel very grateful indeed to my brethren of the Masonic tie for having conferred an honour upon them this afternoon in consenting to lay the stone of their new hall . I take it that the magnificent day which

we have at present is but the emblem of the days of prosperity we will have inside this hall when the walls are fully erected and the roof is on it . ( Aophuss . ) It is with exceeding pleasure , too , that I see around me some very old Masonsmen who have been connected with agricultural matters for many years . Bro . James , on my immediate right , was the first Secretary of the first agricultural society in Otago , and I am pleased to see him so hale and hearty as he is now . ( Applause . ) I have , Right Worshipful Sir , to congratulate my brethren , your

colleagues or companions , upon the magnificent manner in which they have conducted this ceremony . It might not be out of place for me just to say a word or two with respect to the building of which this is the foundation stone . Some time ago the Agricultural Society of Otago took it into their heads that it would be wise and well to hold an annual winter competition , especially for dairy produce and root crops . They entered upon this project , intending to make it a success j but they found that the success far exceeded their highest anticipations . Last

year when the show came off they found that if it was to continue to flourish they would require a much larger building than any in Dunedin at the present day in which to contain not only the exhibits , but also the people who came from far and near to see them . ( Applause . ) In order to obtain a larger building a few gentlemen met together , and they decided that they would ask the people of Otago to subscribe a sufficient amount of money for the erection of a building . The money was to be on debentuies terminable at the option of the society , and

when the society were in possession of funds to enable them to pay off those debentures , the hall was to revert to the Otago Agricultural Society for the benefit of the farmers of the whole provincial district . I need not say that the directors have met with unequalled success . We had very few rebuffs ; one and all on whom we called were only too eager to aid us to the best of their ability ; and I am proud to sav that we have at the present time enough money and promises to enable us to complete the erection of the building . ( Applause . ) Hiving erected

the building , we look confidently to the farmers and stockowners of Otago to aid us , and we have no doubt we will be able to give them good value for their money , and advance the cause of agriculture with leaps and bounus to the credit of this part of New Zealand . ( Applause . ) We have especially to thank tha Otago Harbour Board , who have given us a lease , on what is merely a peppercorn rent , of this magnificent site ; but I think their generosity will not be wasted , because they will have an additional value added to the surrounding sections by the erection of this building . ( Applause . )

Bro . FERGUS , on behalf of the architect , Mr . J . Hislop , then presented Bro . Graham with a mallet , as a symbol of one which was being made for him to keep as a memento of the occasion .

On the return march of the procession , the Masonic bodies were , at the invitation of the Agricultural Hall Company , invited into the City Hall , where the brethren were entertained with a li ght refection .

The Kaiser And The Freemasons.

THE KAISER AND THE FREEMASONS .

Considerable interest has been aroused by the publication of correspondence between the Kaiser and Prince Frederick Leopold . The latter wrote on behalf of the Freemasons lodges in Prussia complaining to the Emperor of the way in which their organisation was continually attacked by the Catholic presj , and also by the " Adelsblatt" newspaper . The Emperor replied through his secretary lhat he had communicated with Duke Ernest Gunther , proprietor of the "Adelsblatt , " with the object ot stopping the atticks in that piper , but V . e abstained from making any reference to the attitude o : the Catholic press in tha matter .