Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Robert Grey , P . G . D ., President of the Board , presided , and Bros . James Brett , P . G . P ., Senior Vice-President , and C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President , occupied their respective chairs . There

were also present Bros . Colonel Shadwell H . Gierke , G . S ., A . A . Pendlebury , Asst . G . S ., W . Dodd , and W . Lee , representing the Grand Secretary ' s office ; David D . Mercer , Charles Dairy , Henry Garrod , G . B . Chapman , W . B . Brown , J . H . Matthews , S . Vallentine , George Read , A . C . Woodward , R . J . Taylor , W . M .

Bywater , J . Bunker , J . R . Grieve , George R . Langley , W . G . Lemon , Sir Henry A . Isaacs , Frank Richardson , E . Shedd , Samuel Brooks , W . J . Newell , George B . Lewis , C . J . R . Tijou , A . C . A . Higerty , Henry J . Moxon , E . Adamson , H . Massey , R . K . Bull , Edwin j . Davey , Robert Main , Henry Cox , T . Brady , J . W .

Robinson , S . Stretch , jun ., W . Groome , J . J . Thomas , John Webb , H . Hooper , W . J . Stratton , C . N . Mclntyre North , F . T . Reade , M . I . Emanuel , Pelham C . Maitland , Wm . Allingham , Richard Jennings , Thos . West , Henry T . Gordon , T . Kipp , T . Weeks , C . H . Cox , S . H . Goldschmidt , W . Martin , F . Burgess , J . A . Hughes ,

J . M . Margason , J . Prentice , Herbert Wright , John Beddoes , Thos . Hutton , George Mudon , G . M . E . Hamilton , C . Jolly , H . J . Wicks , F . T . W . Oldfield , Richard Cossham , Albert Govier , S . M . Reddall , J . S . Cumberland , James Gaywood , H . B . Gray , J . R . Orme , J . H . Price , William S . Howey , W . Maple , Robert

Webber , H . Dehane , W . P . Dickes , N . Goodchild , and Henry Sadler , G . Tyler . The Board of Masters was first held , and the agenda paper for next Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge vvas read to them , and the Scrutineers for the porch were selected . At the Board of Benevolence the brethren first

confirmed recommendations made to the Grand Master at the October meeting to the amount of £ 3 60 . There were 37 new cases on the list , qualified through lodges in the London district , and at Whitehaven , Chester , Gloucester , Oswestry , Great Yarmouth , Towcester , Hyde , Gravesend , Newbury ,

Sunderland , Meerut , Dover , Sheffield , Southampton , Liverpool , Woodbridge , Hull , and Budlei gh Salterton . Three of the cases were deferred , being incomplete . The remainder were relieved with a total of £ g 2 $ This was made up of the following sums : One recommendation to Grand Lodge for ^ 100 , six

recommendations to the Grand Master for £ 40 each , and 11 of £ 30 each , eight grants of £ 20 each , three of £ 15 each , and five of ; £ io each . Before the Board was closed , Bro . J AMES BRETT , Senior Vice-President , said that as that was the last time during the existing

appointment of the President that the Board met , it would be a great omission if the brethren separated without recording its sense of the courtesy and geniality with which Bro . Robert Grey had presided over them during the year , and the close attention he had paid to every case which had been brought before them . Thebrethren

must all feel that they had had a most excellent President , a brother eminently qualified for the post by his tact , good temper , discretion and patience , whose place it would be of the utmost difficulty to supply . On behalf of the brethren he returned his hearty thanks to Bro . Grey , and moved " That the best thanks of this Board

be returned to Bro . Robert Grey , President , for the courtesy and geniality with which he had presided over the Board during the past year . " Bro . C . A . COTTEBRUNE , J . V . P ., most cordially seconded the motion , and hoped that Bro . Brett would add to his motion " that the vote be recorded on the

minutes . " This had never been done before . It was done at the Board of General Purposes , and he did not see why it should not be done at the Board of Benevolence . Bro . BRETT adopted the suggestion , and the motion

was carried unanimously . For the vacancy among the 12 Past Masters to serve on the Board of Benevolence , the name of Bro . Goldschmidt , P . M . 1329 , was the only name given in . There will , therefore , be no election for this Board at the next Quarterly Communication .

United Grand Lodge Of Victoria.

UNITED GRAND LODGE OF VICTORIA .

A Special Communication of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Collins-street , Melbourne , on Monday , August 4 th . The M . W . Grand Master , Bro . Sir W . J . Clarke , Bart ., presided . Immediately after the Grand Lodge had been opened the M . W . G . M . made the official

announcement of the death of Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , on account of which the Grand Lodge was draped in mourning . This being a Special Communication for the further consideration of the Book of Constitution the debate on that question was resumed . After the roll of lodges had been called and answered by a number of lodges ,

Articles 253 to 261 were carried without any alteration , except that the newly-created Grand Trumpeters appeared again on the tapis , and were provided with a jewel of crossed trumpets and with a rank after the Assistant Pursuivant . Clauses 262 to 276 were then carried with a few slight alterations . Then the postponed clauses , referring to the election or appointment of officers of Grand Lodge and of private lodges ,

United Grand Lodge Of Victoria.

raised a storm . First the Grand Registrar , Bro . C . Finlayson , objected to the discussion of these clauses on the ground that the question had been already decided by a vote of the lodges . The M . W . G . M . ruled that it would be discussed , as he had given his promise to that effect . Bro . J . Copeland , P . S . G . W ., then

objected , because there had been a definite understanding that the question would not be brought before a meeting unless all the members of the Grand Lodge had received due notice of such intention . The M . W . G . M . thought that the notice on the circular , referring to the consideration of the Book of Constitution , covered

the question . A lengthy debate ensued , Bros , the Rev . D . Meadowcroft , Grand Sec . Foreign Correspondence ; J . Dowding , P . J . G . W . ; Hobson , P . M . ; Vahland , P . J . G . W ., and others taking part . A ballot was taken , and vvas announced as follows : For election 45 , for appointment 79 , which means 124 votes out of over

800 members of the Grand Lodge . It was resolved , on the motion of Bro . G . S . COPPIN , P . G . M ., that— " 1 . Every application for a patent to establish a Provincial Grand Lodge must be by petition to the Grand Master , signed by at least seven Masters of lodges representing a majority of private lodges

regularly registered under the Constitution of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria , within the proposed province . The petition must accurately describe the extent and boundary of the proposed province , the number and names of all lodges registered and working within its limi's , and give a list of Provincial Grand Lodge officers nominated for the first year . "

" 2 . Every Provincial Grand Lodge shall be solemnly constituted by the Grand Master with his Wardens , or , in the absence of the Grand Master , by a Past Grand Master , or in the absence of a P . G . M ., by the Deputy Grand Master . " " 3 . Four Provincial Grand Lodges shall be holden for Quarterly Communication in each year , viz . on

It was further decided , on the motion of Bro . W . F . LAMONBY , P . S . G . W . —" 173 . Honorary membership confers no positive rights . An honorary member , therefore , cannot hold any office in the lodge which so honours him , nor can he vote on any subject which may be under discussion in such lodge . That the clauses

in the Book of Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of England , referring to centennial lodges and centennial jewels , be adopted in the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Victoria , except for the words ' centennial , ' ' centenary , ' and ' one hundred years , ' ' jubilee or fifty years , ' be substituted . "

Clauses 76 to 100 , relating to the formation of Provincial Grand Lodges , were adopted , and 227 , 232 , m , n 8 , 122 , 161 , 162 , 166 , 200 , 202 , were carried . The title page as prepared was adopted , and the ancient charges ordered to be inserted . The M . W . G . M . having retired , the Grand Lodge was closed in ample form . —Melbourne Argus .

Masonic Lecture At Chatham.

MASONIC LECTURE AT CHATHAM .

The Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity , No . 20 , the first on the roll of all Provincial Craft lodges , held an emergency meeting on Wednesday , the 5 th inst ., in the spacious and well-appointed lodge room at the Sun Hotel , Chatham , for the purpose of hearing Bro . James Stevens deliver a lecture on " The Ritual and

Ceremonial of the Symbolic Degrees in Freemasonrv . " Nearly 100 brethren were present , representing the immediately local lodges and others at Gravesend , Maidstone , Ramsgate , Deptford , and other towns in the Province of Kent . Amongst the large gathering were Bro . George R .

Cobham , W . M ., who presided , and the following officers and brethren of Lodge No . 20 , viz : Bros . Thomas Clibbon , I . P . M . ; T . S . Warne , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; J . T . Funnell , P . M . ; W . T . Wiggins , S . W . ; J . H . Collins , J . W . ; Rev . T . Arthur , Chap . ; C . R . Cockburn , P . M ., Sec ; C . E . Skinner , S . D . ; George

Church , J . D . ; E . Bacon , I . G . ; C . D . Levy , Stwd . ; T . Williams , Org . ; J . Orun , Prov . G . T ., Tyler ; W . Payne , A . Cooper , R . D . Batchelor , W . J . R . Robins , H . Tomlin , W . Hewit , J . M . Mathison , W . Burgess , G . A . Bond , J . Cabburn , and T . Stafford . Bro . Charles T . Smith , T . C , of Rochester , and W . M . 1426 , London ,

who had been mainly instrumental in making the arrangements for the meeting , vvas unfortunately prevented by temporary indisposition from attending , and his absence was greatly regretted by the members of his lodge and their visitors .-The lodges represented were the Lodge of Freedom ,

No . 77 , Gravesend , by Bros . Frank Hitchens , W . M ., R . Beamish , I . P . M ., and J . Solomon , S . W . ; the United Chatham Lodge of Benevolence , No . 184 , New Brompton , by Bros . J . Ranger , P . M ., Prov . A . G . P ., J . Gray , C . G . Butler , G . Taylor , C . O . Stephenson , A . T . Griggs , H . G . Gaskin , and A . J . Trueman ; the Adams

Lodge , No . 158 , Sheerness , by Bro . R . J . E . Brown , P . M . ; the Royal Navy Lodge , No . 429 , Ramsgate , by Bro . J . Garratt ; the Belvidere Lodge , No . 503 , Maidstone , by Bro . Edwin Weller , J . D . ; the Gundulph Lodge , No . 1050 , Rochester , b y Bros . James Gilbert , W . M ., T . Watson , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., W . Watson , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W ., F . Nicholls , P . M ., H . S . Bagshaw ,

I . G ., R . Termouth , W . Hocking , H . Littlewood , S . A . Dunn , A . J . Brown , J . W . Reed , W . Mason , ] . Morris , and E . J . Mantell ; the Mailing Abbey Lodge , No . 106 3 , Mailing , by Bros . D . T . J . Lyle , W . M ., and Silas Wagon , P . M . ; the Pentangle Lodge , No . 1174 , Chatham , by Bro . Griffiths , P . M . ; the Brownrigg Lodge of Unity , No . 1424 , Brompton , by Bros . S . E . Morgan , P . M ., Prov . G . Std . Br ., and G . A . Burrell ; the Beacon-

Masonic Lecture At Chatham.

court Lodge , No . 196 7 , New Brompton , by Bros . S . Varren , P . M ., P . A . G . P ., W . M ., T . J . Nye , P . M ., J . J . Coles , P . M ., W . G . Beasley , J . W ., C . Woodyer , S . Hall , T . Vincent , T . J . Guest , and W . J . Meller ; and other lodges by Bros . W . S . Baldwin , W . M . 134 , London ; H . J . Bagshaw , 548 , Deptford ; H . J . Jolly ,

433 ) Brightlingsea ; W . J . Rix , P . M . 2203 , Farnborough ; S . Fuller , J . N . Bryan , J . Maynard , H . Flood , H . Spurrier , L . Gait , W . J . Puterfer , F . A . Chandler , A . Lyon , J . E . Patchell , G . Munro , and others . The lodge having been duly opened , the Worshipful Master introduced the lecturer , who was very cordially

received , and he at once commenced his address . We have had to refer to Bro . Stevens' lectures on former occasions , and to express our appreciation of his efforts to explain the allegories -a ' rici symbols by means of which the art of Freemasonry is veiled from those who have not entered the

Order . He minutely expounds their nature and the connection , through them , of the whole system , and contends that unless their meaning is fully understood by practitioners in the art , they cannot fulfil the purposes for which the science was instituted . We are , as our readers will plainly understand ,

precluded from making generally public the matter of Bro . Stevens' lectures ; they must be heard in open lodge only , and no opportunity of hearing them should be neglected . The manner of delivery is- always satisfactory , and for two hours the lecturer keeps his audience interested and regardless of the lapse of

time . At the termination of his address , many portions of which had been received with applause , the W . M ., Bro . COBHAM , in proposing , and Bro . T . S . WARNE , P . P . S . G . W ., in seconding " That a vote of thanks to Bro . Stevens should be entered on the minutes of the lodge , "

respectively gave expression to the pleasure which had been afforded them by the clear , lucid , and comprehensive instruction which had been afforded to the lodge and its visitors , and hoped that the lecturer might have still more to say to them on the same subject at

no very distant date . Bro . STEVENS having offered his acknowledgments , the lodge vvas closed . A large number of the brethren remained to partake of supper , and a brief hour or two of social enjoyment followed before the inevitable parting . «

Red Cross Of Rome And Constantine.

Red Cross of Rome and Constantine .

Premier Conclave . —This distinguished conclave met at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queen-street , on the 3 rd inst . Among those present were Sir Knights Heard , M . P . S . ; N . Prower , M . A ., V . E . ; Keyser , S . G . ; Purrott , I . G . ; John Mason , P . G . J . G ., P . M . P . S ., Recorder ; Robinson , Prelate ; Pakes , Prefect ; W . Lake , I . P . M . P . S . ; Marsh , P . G . J . G ., P . M . P . S . ; Capt . T . C Walls , G . J . G .,

P . M . P . S . ; Scurrah , and J . N . Frye . The minutes of the previous conclave were read and confirmed . Bro . Cooper vvas down on the agenda of business for installation , but he was prevented from attending . The resignation of Sir Knight E . Storr was received with regret . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Sir Knights H . H . Shirley , M . A ., P . M . P . S ., George Graveley , and

others . The conclave was then closed , and the sir knights adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern , where an excellent banquet was provided . The customary loyal toasts having been honoured , Sir Knight Capt . Walls responded on behalf of " The Grand Council , " and Sir Knight W . Lake for "The Grand

In proposing " The Health of the M . P . S ., " Sir Knight Lake dwelt at length upon the long and distinguished services rendered to all grades of Masonry by Sir Knight Heard , and it was greatly to be regretted that the candidate had not presented himself for induction into the Red Cross Order , as he , the speaker , vvas confident that the work

would have been well and worthily performed by the M . P . S . Sir Knight Heard , in reply , briefly said that he certainly would have liked to have inducted into the Degree Bro . Cooper , who was an old friend of his . He felt highly gratified at holding so prominent a position in the Premier

Conclave , and he hoped to bring in several members before he left its chair . In conclusion , he said that he missed that evening several well known faces , notably Sir Knights T . Cubitt , H . H . Shirley , and H . J . Lardner , who had done so much for the conclave . " The Health of Sir Knight J . N . Frye " followed . In introducing this toast the M . P . S . said that Sir Knight Frye

was their youngest member , but had been prevented from attending their banquets , and consequently his health had never been honoured . He proposed it now , and he trusted that the sir knights would receive it with extra warmth . Sir Knight Frye having replied , " The Past Sovereigns , " coupled with the name of Sir Knight Lake , came next in

order . This toast having been acknowledged , Sir Knight John Mason replied at length on behalf of " The Treasurer and Recorder . " "The Healths of the V . R . E . " and "The Officers , " terminated the proceedings .

Bro . Lord Halsbury ( Lord Chancellor ) and Lady Halsbury , the Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury , and Count Herbert Bismarck arrived at Sandringham , on Saturday last , on a visit to the Prince and Princess of Wales . The Duke of Clarence and Avondale left London oft Saturday evening last for Berlin to attend the marriage of

the Princess Victoria of Prussia , sister oi the Emperor William . His Royal Highness was met i > n his arrival in the Prussian capital the following evening by Prince Leopold of Prussia , representing the Emperor , the Duke of Sparta , the Duke of Connaught , Bro . Sir E . B . Malet , and the staff of the British embassy .