An Extinct Chapter.

Apologies were received from Comps . C . Fendelow , P . G . S . E , ; W . J . Hug han , P . A . G . Soj . ; J . McAllister , J . M . MeLfod , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; R . G . Venables , P . G . S . B . ; T . W . Tew , G . Supt . West Y « rks ; James Terry , Sec . R . M . B . I . ; Boughton-Smilh , Prov . G . Treas . Hants and Isle of Wight ; Rev . C . Henton Wood . M . A ., Prov . G . Scribe E . ( prevented bv ill-health ); B . A . Smith , Prov . G . J . ; W . J . Freer , P . P . G . S . N . -. W .

Vial , P . Z- 1007 ; R . L . Gibson , P . Z . 1007 , P . A . G . Soj . ; H . Blood , P . Z . 7791 J * " Hassall , P . Z . 779 ; R . Porter Keates , Scribe N . 779 ; and others . The circular convening the convocation was read by Comp . J . B . W ARING , acting Scribe E ., and Comp . W , W . B . BEACH addressed the companions on the object of the meeting . The Grand Superintendent

designate was announced and the acting Grand Superintendent desired the patent of appointment to be sent in , and having examined the same deputed the following ** Principals and Past Principals , with the D . of C , to introduce the Grand Superintendent designate , Comps . Waring , Knight , Tuckfield , Musson , Coltman , Wilkinson , and Wilmer .

The patent was then read and the INSTALLING COMPANION addressed the Grand Superintendent designate on the duties and responsibilities of the ollice , and enquired if he could con cientiously undertake the duties of the office . The acting PROV . GRAND CHAI ' LAIN offered prayer , and the Grand Superintendent designate took the O . B . The Installing Companion then invested him with the apron , sash , collar , and jewel of his office , and the Grand Superintendent was duly proclaimed and saluted in due form .

The roll of chapters was then called over , and afterwards Comp . Earl F ERRERS addressee ! the companions . In his opening remarks he expressed his deep regret for the cause that had that day placed him in his present position . The death of Comp . Kelly was much to be deplored , as he had held such a position of authority in the Royal Arch and in all other Degrees of Masonry that it made it very difficult to fill the vacancy left by his

lamented death . He desired to express his thanks to the eminent and excellent companion who had installed him for his services , and he hoped that the words of counsel offered to himself by Comp . Beach would ever be present to his mind , and he assured the companions that he would endeavour lo fulfil the duties of the high office that day conferred on him efficiently , and follow the high example of his predecessor so far as lay in his power .

He tendered his thanks to the companions for their presence that day , he knew the difficulty many had experienced to be present , and that those who were absent were so from necessities which were insuperable . He hoped that he would fulfil the duties of Grand Superintendent to the satisfaction of the companions of the province , and that Royal Arch Masonry would be largely increased and lhat the working would be of an efficiency

commensurate with the enlargement of the members , which he hoped lo see in the Degree . Provincial Grand Chapter was then closed . Subsequently many of the companions partook of dinner , under the presidency of Comp . Earl Ferrers , and the proceedings were of an enjoyable and harmonious character .

The Obligations Of A Lodge To Its Members.

THE OBLIGATIONS OF A LODGE TO ITS MEMBERS .

The monthly meeting of the Masters and Wardens Association was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Melbourne , on January 21 st . Bro . H . Tompsitt , P . M . 162 , presided , and there was a good attendance of members . The proceedings opened with a discussion upon a paper read by Bro . Barrow at the last meeling , on "What are the obligations of a lodge to its irembers ?"

Bro . W . H . SINCLAIR generally agreed with the opening portions of the paper . He thought that the purport of the paper was to throw strong light upon the necessity for careful selection of members , and he did not think that any one who had experience in lodges could dissent from this dictum . After dwelling upon the importance of this point , and also that of punctuality in tie officers and members , Bro . Sinclair in reference lo the remarks of the

author of the paper upon the question of fitness for office , contended that ¦ when a brother was made Inner Guard or Steward , he had a right—a prescriptive right—to the Master ' s chair , step by step , and should have a right to promotion if he proved worthy of the various offices . He did not agree with the author on the question of amalgamation of lodges , and held that amalgamations , except under special circumstances , were inadvisable . If a

lodge had perhaps 12 to 20 members who were not prepared to throw the requisite energy into their work , they would be actuated by such a spirit as would be no advantage to any lodge with whom they might amalgamate , tut rather a source of weakness than of strength . As far as he was concerned , he would much rather that they would stop out than join , and any little funds which for the lime being they might bring as an assistance ,

would cost the lodge who received them far more than pounds , so long as there was a want of the true Masonic spirit . Bro . J . W . FOOKES complimented Bro . Barrow on his paper , which he " ¦ greed with in the main . But there were two or three points he would like •o touch upon . Bro . Barrow had spoken in a most disrespectful way of the "'ire and spirit merchant , which was not right . With reference to the

question of officers , he suggested that a Board of Examiners should be t-t ** blished , and that a fund should be founded to provide for s holarships , •enable for one or two , or three years , for candidates for the higher offices , ** 'hat the brethren might be satisfied that their Masters were proficients in 'Masonic knowledge , and a thorough acquaintance with the work they had to

d p . It seemed to him to be chimerical to expect a Worshipful Master to give lectures in a lodge , because in a large lodge especially , a Master had Plenty of work to do without them . With regard to amalgamation he thought tbat when a lodge could not manage to retain 20 active members , it was time for it to shut up .

liro . PmI . I . Ii'S did not agree with the view that amalgamation did not , Cn d to make lodges run more smoothly in certain cases , and that the Grand l . ori ge should s'ep in and compel a lodge to hand in its warrant . Uro . W . H . CREED generally endorsed the views put forth in the Paper .

Uro . PIIILI . II' COHEN here suggested that the further discu ** s on of the Paper might be adjourned till the following month , as he thought that there " ad not been sufficient time to master its contents , but the CHAIRMAN Pointed out that the rule was for a paper to be read at one meeting , printed p distribution , and then discussed at the next meeting . He ( Bro . Morris -phen ) had always looked upon a Board of Examiners as a forthcoming " ? i and would , if the matter were brought up in Grand Lodge , give his We in support of such 3 body .

The Obligations Of A Lodge To Its Members.

Bro . CLAYTON thought it was absurd to expect a Master when filling the office of Inner . Guard to be able to say whether the brother he appointed would be able to fill the Master's chair . Bro . W . P . BICE inclined to the view that if a brother filled the position of Inner Guard well , he was entitled to promotion to the Junior Deaconship , and so through the successive chairs . If he made a mess of Junior Deacon and that

— was a place where a brother not up to his work was found out more than anywhere else—he should not be promoted to the office of Senior Deacon . Another most important point in the whole paper was with reference to allowing sufficient time to elapse between the Degrees . He thought that there should be something in their Constitution touching on this . Except in cases of great emergency , such as leaving the colony , he thought that it would be

a good thing to give the Second Degree six months after the First , and the Third not sooner than a year after initiation . Bro . the Rev . E RODDA ( a visitor ) , did not agree that remarks were to be made only upon a paper itself , as very often the criticisms of a paper were the best part of it , and brought out points that an author had not touched upon . Sometimes it was a good thing for two lodges to amalgamate so as to consolidate their resources . There was too much spent in

suppers , and the present meeting augured well for the future of Masonry when so many brethren could attend a meeting of this description and discuss these questions without a supper following . He did not agree with the sentiment lhat everyone who held office must necessarily aspire to the Master ' s chair , all could not be Masters , and there were many not fit for tho position , nor did he agree that a Master should undertake to lecture his lodge .

After remarks by this speaker , Bro . BARROW replied briefly , and Bro . ALEXANDER PHILLIPS read a paper entitled "First Impressions , I . odge Funds , and how to conserve them , " in which the subjects were dealt with in an interesting manner . A notice of motion to alter the standing orders to allow discussions to be adjourned , was given bv Bro . MORRIS COHEN , P . M ., and the proceedings closed . —Australasian Keystone .

Grand Council Of Royal Select And Super-Excellent Masters Of England And Wales, &C.

GRAND COUNCIL OF ROYAL SELECT AND SUPER-EXCELLENT MASTERS OF ENGLAND AND WALES , & c .

A Grand Council was held at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queen-street , on Thursday , the 14 th inst ., under the presidency of 111 . Comp . Viscount Dungarvan , Deputy Grand Master , supported by III . Comps . C . H . Driver , P . D . G . M . ; R . Clowes , as P . C . of Wks . - R . Berridge , G . Treas . ; C . F ™ ? ,, ' ^•*P- V -A " RecorfJ «* ; B . R . Bryant , G . Lecturer ; Gordon £ ** i £ ; . of Guards * w * J- Ebbetts , G . Marshal : W . Vincent , ?•£ •£ •£ - * % -S ; J . Z' * £ - - C . W . Carrell , Major Clifford Probyn , J . Hill , W . B . Williamson , Dr . J . Balfour Cockburn , E . Lukey . A . Manby Howell , A . Pilcher , 14 , W . Briant , H . Thomson Lyon , A . Bsvan , Rev C . E . Wright , and W . W . Lee .

The Grand Council was opened and the minutes confirmed . The repoVt of the Grand Recorder—showing that 56 certificates had been issued in tHe past year , making a total of 724—was received and adopted . On the proposition of 111 . Comp . C . W . CARRELL , 111 . Comp . R . Berridge was unanimousl y re-elected Grand Treasurer . III . Comp . Viscount DUNGARVAN announced that he had been reappointed Deputy Grand Master , and was proclaimed and saluted accordingly .

The following Grand Officers were appointed . * III . Comp . Lord Yarborough G . Prin . Con . of Work . „ Rev . R . Peek ... G . Chaplain . £ Y ; C . E . Wright Asst . G . Chaplain . £ •Berridge G . Treasurer . " G . F . Matier G . Recorder . B . R . Bryant ... ... G . Lecturer . „ J . Balfour Cockburn ... ... G . D . C . „ A . Stewart Brown ... ... A . G . D . C . T . J . Armstrong G . Con . of Council . „ Gordon Miller G . Capt . of Guards . P-Sevan .. G . Organist . II J- Hill ... ... ... „ ,- ) W . Briant £ G . Marshals . „ H . Howell ... ... ) A . H . Pilcher " . )_ „ A . Billington j G . Stewards . - E . Mills G . Sentinel .

The Degree of Royal Master was exemplified by 111 . Comps . Bryant G Lecturer ; W . Vincent , and R . J . Voisey , to whom a cordial vote of thanks was accorded . Grand Council was closed , and a banquet was afterwards held at Freemasons Tavern .

Turning The Page.

TURNING THE PAGE .

We beg to tender hearty good wishes and fraternal greetings to the readers of this journal . The " Review " is entering upon the seventh year of its existence , and we are justified in thinking it is now appreciated . The number of subscribers is increasing , which is a matter of joy for the publish . rs , and if the number of contributors would increase , the editor ' s cup of joy would also overflow .

It is usual , when turning over a fresh page , to take a retrospect . The year , we are glad to say , has been a prosperous one for the Craft . We do not propose 10 anticipate the utterances of the various D . G . Ms , who will meet their respective Grand Lod ges this month or next , and we are not sufficiently provided with statistical information to enter into matters with exactitude . But one or two salient points demand our attention .

Jn the first place we beg to tender our respectful sympathy to Ri ght Wor Bro . the Rev . J . Fairclough , District Grand Master of Burmah and Past Grand Chaplain of England . Bro . Fairclough is , we regret to say , suffering from a malady which has been reported incurable , and in any rase he will not return to the East . The District Grand Lodge has been well ruled in his absence , and the M . W . G . M . will find no difficulty about nominatinir a suitable successor . A new Iod- * e , Irrawaddy , was consecrated at Myinean on the i 8 ih of June last . Bro . Marks , Deputy D . G . M ., has been succeeded by Bro . J . C . Moyle , a Roman Catholic by the way , in " spite of the encyclical , ¦ ¦