Australasia.

Australasia .

NEW SOUTH WALES . SYDNEY . —Australia Lodge ( No . 390 ) . —Regular monthly meeting was held on 7 th Alarch ; Bro . Richard Doyle , W . AL , in the chair . The attendance , as usual , was large . Five gentlemen were accepted and initiated . One of them is a Lewis , for whom a dispensation had to be

obtained , as he is only nineteen years of age , his father being a P . AI . and a distinguished ALP . and C . AI . G . The sum of ten pounds was granted to the widow of a deceased brother . After the labour of the evening the brethren obeyed the command of the J . VV ., and a pleasant hour was spent .

SYDNEY—Zetland Lodge ( No . 655 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held on the Sth of March , Bro . A . Haifcock , W . AL , presiding . An absent officer sent an apology , which was accepted . Considering the boisterous state of the weather the attendance was large , over fifty members and visitors having signed the attendance book . Three gentlemen for initiation were in

attendance , and having been accepted ivere duly proposed and initiated in a very pleasing and correct manner by the W . AL , Bro . Hancock , Bro . W . Smyth , LP . AL , delivering the exhortation and charge in his usual impressive style . The Secretary read the correspondence and replies , and also brought up the report of the Soiree Committee appointed at the last meeting , which was unanimously

received . The brethren for the different branches were then appointed . Two fresh candidates for initiation were proposed and also a rejoining member . The Secretary having received fees and dues to upwards of £ 42 , the lodge was closed , the VV . AI . inviting the brethren to the social board , where a couple of hours were fraternally spent . The usual loyal toasts were given . In reply to " Our Visiting Brethren " some really fraternal feelings were expressed .

ST . LEONARD'S—Samaritan Lodge ( No . I *> 54 ) - —The regular monthly meeting was held on the 2 nd March , Bro . William Henry Tulloh , W . AL , in the chair . There was a goodly muster of members and visiting brethren . Bro . John Deane , formerly of Balmain Lodge , No . SGS , was affiliated , and at the same time appointed Organist to the lodge , and formally invested with the

insignia of office . One candidate for the ballot successfully passed . Bro . William Henry Thompson was raised . The charge and third lecture were given to the newly R . W . M . in appropriate and painstaking terms . A very important but painful duty had to be undertaken . Three brothers , after most patient consideration , were solemnly excluded from the lodge for non-payment of dues after many

repeated warnings , extending considerably over twelve months . It was resolved that these brethren should be reported to the D . G . L . Three candidates for initiation were proposed . A very gratifying evidence of the stability and growth of the Order is to be found in the increasing desire displayed by brethren throughout the colony to

obtain their own lodge rooms . To this praiseworthy object the attention of the brethren of 1654 had for a long time been directed , and signs arc not wanting that before long something will be done . The numerical strength of the lodge has , since the commencement of this year , been much augmented .

WOOLLAHRA . — Empress of India Lodge ( No . 17 G 1 ) . —The regular monthly meeting was held on the 17 th Alarch , when Bro . Tillidge , W . AL , took the chair and worked the lodge in his usual happy manner . Two gentlemen were initiated , and two brethren accepted as joining

members , A large number of visitors were jiresent , including many Past Alasters . The muster-roll of the lodge is increasing ; the high standard is being maintained , and a fraternal spirit binds the members together . The musical ceremony , as rendered by Bro . Bryant , was very effective .

LITHGOW . —Lithgow Kilwinning Lodge ( No . 638 , S . C . )—The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held on the 28 th February , the principal ousiness being the election of office-bearers . Bro . J . Nimmo , R . W . M ., called tipon Bro . J . Lawson , P . AL 305 , S . C , to present R . J . Inch , R . W . M . elect . This being done , VV . Bro . Nimmo then proceeded with the ceremony of

installation . The Board of Installed Alasters was composed of Bros . J . Nimmo , P . AI . 599 , S . C , and D . P . AI . CSS , S . C . ; Thomas Cooke , P . M . G 13 , S . C . ; John Brown , VV . AI . G 21 , E . C . ; James Lawson , P . AL 305 , S . C . Bro . P . AL Nimmo then conferred on Bro . R . J . Inch the secrets and placed him in the oriental chair of K . S . The Board of LAI . was then closed , and the usual salutations were given . The

R . W . M . installed and invested his office-bearers for the ensuing twelve months : Bros . John Patterson , S . VV . ; William T . Chandler , J . VV . ; David Aladdell , S . D . ; VV . Perry , J . D . ; John Faucett , Treasurer ; Thomas Watts , Secretary ; A . Schroder , I . G . ; Richard Blackford , Tyler . W . Bro . Nimmo then resumed his duties of LAI ., and delivered in a masterly manner several lectures and charges .

T he ceremony of installation was then brought to a close and the R . W . M ., Bro . Inch , having thanked the presiding brother and those who assisted him , then intimated that it was his pleasing duty , on behalf of the brethren , to present the P . W . AL , Bro . Nimmo , with a P . AI . ' s jewel as a slight mark of their respect for him and as an earnest of thanks given to him for his valuable services rendered on their

behalt . 1 he intrinsic value was but a trilling indication of the regard felt for him , and he trusted that the recipient would not relax his kindly offices to those who were to follow him . Bro . P . AL Nimmo in a manly and brief speech said he valued the handsome gift just presented him as a token that he had earned the confidence of his brethren in the lodge . He had worked his best to bring the lodge

through its various troubles , and although he would make no rash promises , his efforts in the past would prove a guarantee that he would not relax his energies in the future to secure its welfare and that of its members . Four joining members were then proposed . The general business of the lodge having come to a close , at the invitation of the J . W . the brethren adjourned to the S ., where a banquet prcjiared by Host Watts awaited them , to whicii above thirty of the Craft sat down .

Tasmania. Installation Of The District Grand Master Of Tasmania.

TASMANIA . INSTALLATION OF THE DISTRICT GRAND MASTER OF TASMANIA .

Bro . the Rev . R . D . Poulett-Harris , the newly-appointed District Grand AIaster , under the Grand Lodge of England , was formally installed in office with the impressive ceremony proper to the occasion at the Alasonic Hall , Hobart Town , Tasmania , on Thursday , Alay 3 th . The brethren present

numbered over a hundred , between twenty and thirty of whom had travelled specially all the way from Launceston and the North . Amongst the Alasters ot lodges present were VV . Bros . J . Hamilton , 536 , Hobart ; E . A . Alarsden , 345 , I . C , Hobart ; J . Clark , 801 , Hobart ; Smith , Launceston ; IT . Conway , Campbell Town ; and Curzon , Allport , Mark Lodge . The dais was crowded with Past

Alasters , and the portion of the lodge reserved for Alaster Alasons was well filled . The District Grand Lodge having been formally opened , and it having been reported to the Deputy District Grand Alaster that the District Grand Alaster desired admission , the patent of appointment was received and read , and a deputation , consisting of Past Alasters Bros . Huston , Jamieson , Alurray , and Barnard ,

withdrew for the purpose of introducing the District Grand Master . The District Grand Alaster having been introduced by the Past Alasters , was conducted to a seat on the left of the Presiding Alaster , and presented for installation . The Installing Officer having addressed him in prescribed form , he was then obligated , after which he was invested with the insignia of his office , and conducted to

the chair . The installation was then proclaimed , and the brethren saluted the District Grand Master according to ancient form . The District Grand Alaster then appointed as his Deputy Bro . G . Smith , whereupon it was moved by Bro . Toby , District Grand Secretary , seconded by Bro . AIcGrath , District Grand Treasurer , and carried , " That a vote of thanks be recorded to Bro . Smith for his

conduct to the Grand Lodge since the lamented death of the late District Grand Master , Bro . VV . S . Hammond . The following officers of the Grand Lodge were then appointed : Bros . L . Susman , G . S . W . ; J . Clark , G . J . W . ; the Rev . J . H . Wills , G . Chap . ; AIcGrath , G . Treas . ; C . Toby , G . Sec ; Hobkirk , G . S . D . ; Davey , G . J . D . ; Home , G . D . C ; Sadler , G . Swd . Br . ; J . G . Davies , G .

Purst . ; Beaumont , G . Tyler ; Hamilton , Atkinson , and Currie , G . Stewards ; Hamilton and T . AL Evans , G . Auditors . The Committee for General Purposes was then formed , and , after some formal business , the District Grand Lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren retired . Great credit is due to Bro . C . Allport and Bro . Home , who had charge of the ceremonies . Immediately afterwards the brethren , at the invitation of the Disrict Grand

AIaster , descended to the banqueting hall , where the tables had been profusely spread by the hall-keeper , Bro . Curtis . The District Grand Master occupied the chair , and was supported on his right and left by members of the Grand Lodge . After luncheon the customary toasts were proposed and responded to . Singing was interspersed between the toasts and speeches , and an exceedingly pleasant evening was spent .

MORUYA . —Cceur de Lion ( No . 649 , S . C . ) — Thc regular monthl y meeting of this lodge was held on the gth Alarch , Dr . IT . K . King , R . W . AI ., presiding . There was a fair attendance of members , notwithstanding thc inclemency of the weather . The routine business having been disposed of the R . W . AI . read an interesting and instructive lecture on " Aloral and Alasonic Virtues" by the

Rev . Bro . Dr . Oli / er , after whicii the lodge was resumed , and the election of a S . VV ., vice VV . Woolley , who has left the district , was jiroceeded with . Two candidates , H . Barter and N . L . Williams , were initiated by the R . W . M . The business of the evening was concluded by the appointment of the R . W . AI ., and Bros . Harvison and Coxon as a Subcommittee to arrange details for the projected Alasonic

NEW CALEDONIA . NOUMEA . —Western Polynesia Lodge ( No . 1 SG 4 ) . —The 16 th of Alarch was the first anniversary of the foundation of the lodge , and accordingly the brethren met to instal their VV . AI . The choice of the members liaving fallen on Bro . E . L . Layard , he was re-elected for another year , and installed in the chair of K . S . Alost of the old officers retain their offices , viz .: Bros . D . Carter , S . VV . ; T . Alartin . I . W .: Lomont . S . D .: Desmezures . LD . :

A . Alartin , LG . ; Hagea , Treas . ; L . Layard , Sec ; and Segues , Tyler . A new member was balloted for and accepted , two new members proposed , and Bro . Ilanekar passed . We are glad to be able to rejiort that this young lodge is steadily progressing and settling itself on its foundations . The lodge has now funds in hand , and has sent

to Sydney for certain necessary furniture and tools for its own use ; in the selection of whicii they have been most kindly aided by Bro . Gustavus Gabriel , D . G . R ., who lately sent down a handsome set of working tools , which were presented to the lodge by the VV . AI . on his re-election to the cahir .

Alleged Discovery Of The Morgan Mystery.

ALLEGED DISCOVERY OF THE MORGAN MYSTERY .

The New York correspondent of thc Standard sends the following , dated Wednesday evening : A full account is published to-day of the discovery of thc remains of William Alorgan , author of " Alorgan's Illustrations of Alasonry , " which were supposed to reveal thc

secrets of Freemasonry . The place where the remains of Alorgan , who was murdered presumably for making these revelations , were found is the little town of Pembroke , eleven miles from Batavia , in the State of New York . Workmen were engaged yesterday in opening a stone quarry , when they found a skeleton under thick layers of rock . They also discovered a ring bearing Alorgan's initials , and a tobacco box containing a paper which , under a

microscope , was seen to bear the words" Alasons , " "liar , " " prison , " " kill , " and the full name of Henry Brown . Brown was a lawyer , and fanatical regarding Alasonry , and in 1 S 29 , two years after the traged y , he published a so-called " Narrative of the anti-AIasonick Excitement . " Thc belief is now that Brown was one of Morgan's murderers . The men who abducted him—whose names were Chesebro , Sawyer , Sheldon , and Lawsons—did so on Alor-

Alleged Discovery Of The Morgan Mystery.

gan s discharge from prison , where they had confined him on a petty charge . They forced him into a carriage , and passed from place to place . Eventually they took him across the Canadian border to Fort Niagara , where he was seen blindfolded and manacled . From that time he disajjpeared for ever . His abductors were tried , convicted , and sentenced to short terms of imprisonment .

. De Witt Clinton , the then Governor of New York , and a prominent Alason , offered a thousand dollars reward to clear up the mystery , but without any result , as Freemasons generally repudiated the transaction of October , 1 S 27 . A body subsequently found at Ontario was thought to be that of Morgan ; but the clothes upon it were identified by a Airs . Monroe as those of her husband .

There has been this year a movement to erect a memorial at Batavia to Alorgan . The discovery yesterday has created the greatest excitement , the mystery having years ago entered into politics , and divided politicians into two parties—Masonic and anti-Alasonic .

ITALY . —AS the "Handbuch " truly says , Freemasonry has had in Italy a very changeful lot . At first warmly received , and firmly grounded , it was afterwards maligned , persecuted , and suppressed . The earliest traces of speculative Freemasonry—for earlier operative bodies are said to have existed—appear about 1729 , at Florence , where Charles Sackville , Duke of Dorset , is said to have founded a lodge . A medal is said to have been struck about this

time , though some put it later ; and lodges are asserted to have existed in various parts of Tuscany , and in Upper Italy , as A'lilan , Verona , Padua , Vicenza , and Venice . At Rome , from 1735 to 1737 , a lodge in the English language was working , or rather a lodge under the Scottish Constitution . In 1737 , Clement XII . issued an Allocution , together with the Cardinals Ottobone , Spinola , and Zadeduric , authorising the mission of an inquistor to Leghorn , where

( unheard of wickedness !) the lodge was said to receive Roman Catholics , Prostestants , and Jews . Gaton de Medici , the last Grand Duke of his family , towards the end of 1737 , issued an order against the Freemasons , and some were arrested . But on his death the new Grand Duke , and afterwards Emperor Francis ( himself a Freemason , afterwards husband of Maria Theresa ) , took the Freemasons of Florence under his protection . In 173 S , April

27 , the famous Bull "In eminent ! " appeared , and soon after a French writer on Freemasonry was burned at Rome b y the hangman , and a Dr . Crudeli , of Florence , escaped with difficulty from the pursuit of the Inquisition—which , however , thanks to some English brethren , he did . In 1751 , Benedict XIV . ' s Bull ' " Providus" appeared in Alarch ; but Benedict is said to have been a Freemason , and no persecutions followed in Rome . Charles III ., King

of Naples , issued also an order against the Freemasons this year , but is said to have appointed a Freemason as tutor to the Crown Prince . At Naples a lodge seems to have existed from 1754 , an offshoot from a Marseilles Lodge , whicii was followed by a lodge in 17 G 0 , constituted under a Dutch warrant of some kind ; and in 1762 an English lodge appears to have existed , while at the same time , or thereabouts , a Grand National Lodge seems to have

been created , and which professed to have eight daughter lodges . In 1775 , the minister Tanucci is declared to have persuaded the young King , Ferdinand IV ., to renew the edict of 1751 . The Queen Caroline , sister of poor Marie Antoinette , and daughter of Maria Theresa , herself the daughter of a Alason , persuaded the King to recall the order , February 7 , 1777 . So for many years the Freemasons had peace in Naples , though in 17 S 1 the prohibition

was renewed , again to be withdrawn in 17 S 3 . In Upper Italy , Freemasonry , despite the Papal Bulls , had existed and flourished more or less . About 17 G 2 , a Prov . Grand Alaster was appointed from England , by name Alanucci ; and in 1772 an English Lodge "Union " was set up at Venice . As Alasonic students know , there are several Alasonic works published at Venice , about 17 S 0 . The Strict Observance in 1775 established also a Grand Chapter of

Lombardy at Turin , under Von VVeiler , over eight provinces , at whose head was Count Bernez , major domo to the King . It is said that this body had subordinate chapters at Alodcna , Verona , Ferrara , Carmaguola , Borgoforte , Padua , Vicenza , Mondovi , Tortona , Cherasco , Aosta , Vogliera , Alagno , Savona , Trino , Alortara , Alba , Alessala , Bondeno , Trevero , Milan . There is some evidence of a Prov . Grand Lodge of Lombardy at Milan , about the

end of the eighteenth century , as well as a Grand Directory of the Scottish Rite . The Neapolitan Freemasons had during the latter part _ of the eighteenth century , after many struggles and various episodes impossible to detail here , practically become more or less dormant . With the French successes in Ital y , Freemasonry again comes to the fore . In 1 S 01 , the Lodge "L'Heureuse Rencontre " appeared at Alilan , and another at Alantua in 1 S 03 . " Les

Amis de la Gloire ct des Arts" followed ; and in 1 S 05 , June 10 , a Supreme Council for Italy , under the A . and A . S . Rite , was founded . The constitution was celebrated by Grasse , Tilly , Pyron , Renier , and Vidal , and Prince Eugene Beauharnais was nominc . ed Grand Master , with Calepio as D . G . AI . or " Adjoint . " Alurat , when King of Naples , formed a Grand Orient and lodges at Naples and Capua , and other places , for the kingdom of Naples . In

1 S 14 and 1 S 21 several edicts came out from Pius VII . against the Carbonari and the Freemasons ; and though in 1 S 20 three French lodges are said to have still existed in Alessina , yet for thirty years and over , Freemasonry was suppressed in Italy . In 1 S 4 S , a movement began at Palermo , to be again put down . In 1 S 56 , a lodge "Trionfo Ligure " was founded at Genoa , under the Grand Orient of France , and in 1 SG 0 a lodge " Amici Veri Virtuosi" was

set up at Leghorn . In iSsp , a sort of Grand Lodge , called Arm-irica , was formed at T urin . On the ist of January , 1 S 62 , Count Nigra was elected Grand Alaster of tne Grand Lodge of Italy , at Turin , and on the ist of Alarch , 1 SG 3 , the Alinister Cordova was eledtcd Grand Alaster by a small majority , his opponent being Garibaldi . This Grand Lodge suffered from internal dissensions , and was removed to Florence , where at a meeting August 1 , 1 SG . * t , a change of

officers and regulations took place . In the meantime a Grand Lodge of the A . and A . S . Rite had been formed , which nominated Garibaldi as Grand Alaster , and a Supreme Council was called into activity at Naples . At the present moment , the Grand Lodge of Italy is seated at Rome , in pursuance of the resolutions of a constituent assembly holden there April 2 S , 1 S 73 , and we wish it all possible success . —Kenning ' s Cyclopedia of Freemasonry .