A Proposed South African Grand Lodge.

A PROPOSED SOUTH AFRICAN GRAND LODGE .

We gather from sundry remarks in some of our South African contemporaries that it is in contemplation to hold a Masonic conference during the exhibition at Kimberley , and it is suggested that it would be an excellent opportunity to ascertain the opinions of the Craft generally on the subject of a proposed United Grand Lodge for South Africa . The idea is by no means inew one . As far back as 1861 , the Dutch Masons in Cape Colony were

desirous of severing their allegiance with theGrand Lodge of the Netherlands , their ultimate design being to establish a Grand Lodge of their own . The project , however , was abandoned out of respect for Bro . Sir C . BRAND . In 1 S 76 a meeting of brethren was held in the Athen .-eum Hall , Cape Town , at which some 200 were present , and Bro . C . A . FAIRBRIDGE , D . D . G . M ., who

occupied the chair , stated at the outset of the proceedings that the purpose for which they had assembled was to consider " whether the Masonic fraternity in the Colony had not attained that stability , and

were not sufficiently numerous and powerful , to be entitled to claim for themselves a supervision of the affairs of the Craft here , independently of the control of the Grand Lodges . Many leading members had come to the conclusion that that time had arrived , and , for his own

part , he thought we were well able to take care of our Masonic interests . Ultimately it was resolved , " That a Committee should be appointed to collect the statistics required for that purpose , and for communicating with the country lodges and eliciting their opinion on this great question . " But nothing further was done in the matter . Now , the idea appears to have been

again mooted , and it is by no means improbable that ere long we shall hear of steps being taken with a view to establishing a local Grand Lodge , which shall exercise the powers now belonging to the Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , Scotland , and the Netherlands . There is ample material , undoubtedly , for the establishment of such a Grand Lodge . As regards the

English section of the Craft in South Africa , a glance at our Grand Lodge Calendar will show that in thc Eastern Division of South Africa , which has Bro . C . J . EGAN , M . D ., for its District Grand Master , there are some 28 lodges , and in thc Western Division , under Bro . the Very Rev . C . W . BARNETT CLARKE , Dist . G . M ., 10 lodges . In Natal , over which Bro . R . I .

FI . VNF . MORE has presided with such conspicuous ability since 1882 , there are about 15 lodges , while in other districts there are scattered about some 15 other lodges , the total of English lodges alone being not far short ° f 70 . The Dutch lodges , according to the " Cosmo , " are some 13 or 14 in number , and to these must be added the Irish and Scotch lodges , which will

raise the total for all four jurisdictions in South Africa to over 100 , which is ample enough to enable a Grand Lodge , once constituted , to make a fair start , with every prospect of maintaining and improving its position . Whether , however , the movement , which it is proposed to renew during the Kimberley Inhibition , will advance beyond the stage at which we left it in 1861 and 1 S / 6 remains to be seen . If thc brethren who take the lead in the scheme

•actuated by the same or similar tact and judgment as were the brethren of the several Constitutions in South Australia , when they started their project for establishing a Grand Lodge for that Colony , then there is no reason * ¦ ¦ % thc proposed Grand Lodge should not bc established ; but , on the ol'ier hand , if they take the Masons of New Zealand for their guides , we

lear that Freemasonry will suffer very considerably , and that it will be many Jears before the Craft will recover thc prosperity it undoubtedly enjoys at ll - present time . We can offer no opinion as to the feeling which exists on the subject among our South African brethren . They may or m * i >* not be enthusiastic in their desire for Masonic Home Rule . They

* - * i ns wc have shown already ^ a sufficiently numerous body , and from what e read of their proceedings in the South African Freemason we judge , * lo be wealthy . But what is needed at such a time is prudence rather an mere nurn ( j ers anj weaith , [ f t | ley see their way to settingup a ¦ " ¦ and Lod ge of their own and are practically unanimous in their

determia ion to do so , we shall heartily wish them all success in their new state . m * ' on inquiry among the different lodges , it turns out that opinion is 1 ' y ec iually divided as to the desirability of giving effect to their project ; 1 there turns out to be a strong minority for retaining their present . . ..-, V . IK IU UK , . X JIIUIIL IIIIIIUIIIJ ,,,. . * ., >* , >>>•>£ ........ ,... W .. V ...,.

fiance , in either of these cases we earnestly exhort them to postpone the in j era tion of the scheme till a more opportune time . Let them take warnfoll ** le ' , aste exhibited in New Zealand and the consequences which have for h l ° rcemasonry generally throughout that Colony . There is no need lei , y < ai"id if they will only he guided by the well known motto—Festina liav ' fee ' surc t ' 1 at w ' latcvcr fortune may be in store for them , they will 10 reason to regret their deliberation .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Surrey.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SURREY .

'Ihe annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Assembly Rooms , Surbiton , on Thursday , the 14 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . Col . G . Noel Money , C . B ., Prov . Grand Master , supported by Bros . F . West , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . ; C . Belton , P . A . G . D . C ; C . H . Driver , P . G . S . of W . ; H . J . P . Dumas , J . E . Le FeuvreD . P . G . M .

, of Hants and Isle of Wight ; Dr . Strong , J . D . Langton , P . P . G . W . ; S . Abrahams , P . G . P . ; Rev . E . L . G . Houndle , P . P . G . Chap . ; Rev . J . Cater , P . P . G . Chap . ; George Price , Prov . G . Treas . ; C . Greenwood , Prov . G . Sec . ; Hugh M . Hobbs , P . P . G . W . ; J . Rhodes , P . P . G . Org . ; and a large number of Provincial Grand Officers and members of the

province . The Provincial Grand Lodge was formally opened , and the minutes confirmed . The roll of lodges was called , and all were found to be represented .

The report of the Finance and Audit Committee was read , showing a balance of ^ 210 iSs . 5 d ., and was unanimously adopted . The Committee recommended that 10 guineas should be granted to each of the Royal Masonic Charitable Institutions , and five guineas to the College Hospital , Surbiton , which was unanimously agreed to .

Bro . CHAS . BELTON , P . G . S . B ., moved the appointment of Bro . Dr Strong as Prov . G . Treasurer , which was seconded by Bro . C H . DRIVER . Bro . Dr . Gibbs , P . P . G . W ., was also proposed by a BROTHER , and seconded by Bro . DREWETT , and on the ballot being taken , was declared duly elected . The Prov . Grand Master then invested the following Prov . Grand Officers :

Bro . J . T . Pirbeck , 1616 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ H . C Houndle , 1826 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . E . L . G . Houndle , 1826 ... ,., *) ., „ „ , „ Dr . C A . W . Reade , 1020 ... __ J Prov . G . Chaps .

„ S . J . Attenborough , 1149 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Dr . Gibbs ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Chas . Greenwood , 410 ... ... ,., Prov . G . Sec . „ W . G . Fenn , 1 556 ... ... ... *) s p n , .. T . H . R . Reekar-ifi ... ... _ f Prov . * S . O . U . s .

, „ Dr . T . G . A . Burns , 370 ... ... ** -, , „ „ *| . H . Crofts , 1872 ... ... < I rov . J . G . D . s . „ E . H . Minns , 1982 ... ... ... ' Prov . G . S . of W . „ J . H . Hawkins , 410 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C .

„ J . rt . mee , 2090 ... ... ... Prov . D . U . U . ot ( J . „ XV . H . Gardener , 2120 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ W . D . Blyth , 1714 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ VV . R . Sowman , 1 395 ... ... ... 1 ~ „ . „ ,. LB . S . Lancaster , 2 . 117 ... fc Prov . Lr . btd . Brs .

„ \ V . H . Brereton , 1920 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, A . E . Lear , 15 6 4 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ H . J . Shelley , 1981 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ J . Hodgkins , 1872

,, v . L . Morrison , 410 ,, W . Hay Brodie , 1046 ... ... ... a „ , ^ C . A . Hardwick , 2347 f Prov * G' Stwds * ,, T . Montague , 1638 „ W . J . Mason , 2246 „ J . Potter ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

Bro . BELTON proposed that an account should be opened at a Joint Stock Bank for the Provincial Grand Lodge Funds . Bro . DREWETT proposed as an amendment that the matter should be referred to the Finance Committee , and the amendment was carried . The PROV . GRAND MASTER then said he had to propose a vote of thanks to Bro . George Price , P . P . G . Treas . Bro . Price had been a Provincial Grand Officer for 48 years , having bcen appointed Prov . S . G . D . in 1844 ,

Prov . S . G . W . in 1852 , and Prov . Grand Treasurer in 1856 . They were all , therefore , extremely sorry that Bro . Price felt it incumbent upon him to lay down the keys he had so long and honourably held . Thinking it would bc the wish of the province to render him some tangible memorial of his services and their gratitude for them , he ( the Prov . G . A'l . J had anticipated those wishes , and had had an address beautifully illuminated . He therefore proposed that the address should be presented to Bro . George Price . Thc following is the text of the address :

Provincial Grand Lodge , Surrey . W . Bro . George Price , Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden , not desiring , in consequence of advancing age , to seek re-election for the position of Provincial Grand Treasurer , at a Provincial Grand Lodge held this day at Surbiton , R . W . Provincial Grand Master , Colonel G . Noel Money , C . B ., in the chair , it was unanimously resolved that the best thanks of this Grand Lodge be ( and they are ) hereby given to W . Brother George Price , Past Provincial Grand Senior Warden

Surrey , for the great and valuable services he has rendered to the province as its Grand Treasurer for a period of over 36 years , during which time he has materially assisted the Masonic Charities and has endeared himself to every brother of the province by his very high personal character , his great zeal for the welfare of the Craft generally , but especially in the Province of Surrey . Dated this the Fourteenth day of July , 1892 . ( Signed ) G . NOEL MONEY , P . G . M .