-
Articles/Ads
Article LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE. Page 1 of 1 Article South Africa. Page 1 of 1 Article Australia. Page 1 of 1 Article Australia. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lodge Of Benevolence.
LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .
The monthly meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B ., President ; Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., Senior Vice-President ; and Charles Atkins , Junior Vice-President , occupied their respective chairs . There were also present Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary ; H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary ; VV .
Dodd , Neville Green , J . H . Matthews , P . M . 143 ; Henry Garrod , P . M . 749 ; G . P . Britten , P . M . 1 S 3 ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; Charles Dairy , P . M . 141 ; Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . C . ; E . F . Storr , P . M . 22 ; J . M . Klench , P . M . 1339 ; Robert James Vincent , VV . M . 1716 ; J . H . Taylor , VV . M . 1767 ; F . R . Spaull , P . M . 1124 ; I . N . Thompson , VV . M . 1 G 95 ; Henry Porey , W . M . 22 ; C . H . Wilkes , VV . M . 115 S ; Donald M . Dewar , P . M .
1627 ; H . E . Dehane , VV . M . 1543 ; G . VV . Dodd , VV . M . 16 S 6 ; Edward Stutely , VV . M . 15 S ; Charles Lorkin , W . M . 1524 ; Lewis P . M . Franckel , VV . M . 7 S 0 ; George Rake , P . M . 4 S 7 ; James Perkins , W . M . 1672 ; E . L . Home , P . M . and Sec . 227 ; VV . E . Dawes , P . M . 619 ; Stephen Crane , VV . M . 922 ; IL E . Frances , P . M . 452 ; S . Smout , jun ., W . M . 1642 ; R . R . Davis , P . M . 256 ; Captain A . Nicols , VV . M . 1974 ; Henry Parsons , P . M .
410 ; Howard Ruff , VV . M . 95 ; Joseph House , VV . M . 17 : 6 : VV . Smallpeice , W . M . 9 69 ; T . Janaway , VV . M . 67 ; John Smith , VV . M . 1257 ; P . G . Taylor , W . M . 1922 ; W . H . Dean , P . M . 417 ; Arthur E . Taylor , P . M . 1201 ; Edward Ayres , VV . M . 742 ; T . W . Ockenden , P . M . 1512 ; James Pinder , VV . M . 1662 ; John Lane , VV . M . 7 S 1 ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; and H . Massey , P . M . 192 S ( Freemason ) . At the Board of Masters , which was first held , the paper
of business for Grand Lodge of 5 th September was read to the brethren . At the opening of the Lodge of Benevolence the brethren were first informed by the President that Grand Secretary had received a letter from the Rising Star Lodge , No . 1022 , Bloemfontein , South Africa , informing him that as the lodge had a balance to the credit of the Unappropriated Fund of £ S 17 s . 6 d ., the brethren desired that that should be placed to the debit of the Fund of
Benevolence . The amount would of course be received with thanks . Letters had been received since the last meeting of the lodge from brethren and widows who had been relieved , thanking the lodge for the aid rendered . The brethren then confirmed the grants recommended at last meeting , to the amount of £ 235 . They then took up
the new list , on which there were 23 cases . Three of these were deferred , being incomplete . The remaining twenty were relieved with a total of £ 650 , which was made up as follows : one of £ 150 ( £ 150 ); one of £ 50 ( £ 50 ); three of £ 40 each ( £ 120 ); seven of £ 30 each ( £ 210 ); one of £ 25 ( £ 25 ) J three of £ 20 each ( £ 60 ); one ot £ 15 ( £ 15 ); one of £ 10 ( £ 10 ); and two of £ 5 each ( £ 10 ) . Lodge of Benevolence was then closed .
South Africa.
South Africa .
We printed last week a complimentary paragraph Irom a South African contemporary , referring to the elevation to the Colonial Bench of Ero . R . J . Finnemore , R . W . Grand Master of the newly-formed District of Natal , resident magistrate at Durban . We have further pleasure in publishing another notice , this time from the Natal Mercantile Advertiser , which says : It is now undoubted that Mr . R . I . Finnemore , R . M ., i ' s to leave Durban , where
he is the most popular and much liked of men , and it may as well be pointed out what the career of His Worship , who will soon have to be addressed as Mr . Justice Finnemore , has been . The following is copied from the " Colonial Office List , " with one or two additions not entered there : "Finnemore , Robert Isaac . —Entered Civil Service , Natal , 1 S 5 S ; Second Clerk Surveyor-General ' s Department , ist March , 1850 ; passed examination and admitted as Government
Land Surveyor , iSth November , 1 S 63 ; Chief Clerk and Draughtsman and Examiner of Diagrams , Surveyor-General's Department , ist October , 1 S 64 ; transferred to the Attorney-General ' s Department , 22 nd December , 1865 ; admitted Advocate of the Supreme Court , Sth January , 1 S 6 S ; acted frequently as Clerk of the Peace , 1 S 67-73 , and as Master and Registrar , Supreme Court , 1 S 73-75 ; Postmaster-General , 2 nd February , 187 G ; Acting Resident
Magistrate and Administrator Native Law , City Division , 27 th January , 1877 , to 31 st July , 1 S 78 ; Acting Colonial Treasurer , 19 th February , 1 S 77 ; has acted as Surveyor-General and Resident Magistrate for Umgeni and other divisions ; has acted at various times as member of Commissions and boards on sundry subjects ; edited Natal Almanac and Register 1 S 7 G-7 S ; Editor Natal Law Reports from 1879 , & c . ; Master and Registrar Supreme
Court and Registrar Vice Admiralty Court , 1878 ; Resident Magistrate and Administrator of Native Law , Durban , ist April , 1 SS 1 . Is a J . P . fortheColony , F . R . G . S ., F . Z . S ., District Grand Master of Freemasons under patent from H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Sic . " Although Mr . Finnemore has onl y becn in Durban since April , 1 SS 1 , he has become identified with almost every popular institution in the town , and the list of honorary positions held by him
will show how widely the loss of him will be felt . Briefly , then , Mr . Finnemore is Deputy Chairman Natal Harbour Board ; President Durban Institute ; Chairman Durban Public Library ; Chairman Durban Lawn Tennis Club ; Chairman Durban Assemblies ; Hon . Treasurer Natal Botanic Gardens ; Vice-President Durban Young Men ' s Christian Association ; Churchwarden St . Paul ' s Church J Committeeman Durban Young Ladies'Collegiate Institute :
Committeeman for Durban Exhibition ; and Committeeman for Durban Auxiliary British and Foreign Bible Society . Few men in Durban are so much liked as he is , and few public men in Natal have so well discharged the duties of their office , and so easily become ingratiated with all ranks of society as Mr . R . I . Finnemore has done . While offering him hearty congratulations on his promotion , we cannot yelp expressing the sincerest regret that he is to be removed from our midst .
Messrs . James Gordon Bennett , John W . Mackay , John W . Garrett , and William Garrett , of New York , are said to have pledged themselves to subscribe four mil'' ° ns of dollars out of five millions required for laying two Atlantic cables . The scheme of Bro . Alderman Hadley is likel y to be adopted .
Australia.
Australia .
THE VICTORIAN CONSTITUTION . BY BRO . W . F . LAMONBY , P . M ., P . Z . The question of forming a distinct and separate Grand Lodge of Victoria is once more agitating the English , Scotch , and Irish Masons of the colony . On two former occasions was the subject ventilated and discussed , only to be discountenanced and shelved by the heads of the three British Constitutions . The death of Captain Standish , District Grand Master of the English Constitution ,
however , was thought to be a proper time to revive the movement , seeing that the Scotch members of the Craft have also for years past been without a practical head . The first hint of the movement was given at the last Communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Victoria , under the Irish Constitution , at Ballarat , shortly after the death of Captain Standish . Sir VV . J . Clarke , Bart ., the Provincial Grand Master of the Irish Masons , who was
present , was suggested as Grand Master of a United Grand Lodgeof Victoria , but lie declined the honour , deprecating , as he stated , any proposition for " cutting the painter " that binds Victorian Masons to the mother Grand Lodges of England , Scotland , and Ireland . Since then Sir VV . J . Clarke's name has dropped from the controversy , and it may be taken for granted that he has little sympathy with the movement .
On the 27 th of April a meeting of Masons favourable to the formation of a Grand Lodge of Victoria was held in the Masonic Hall , when the project took a more pronounced form . A Masonic Union of Victoria was instituted , and since then the committee and members generally have worked hard to attain their object . A pamphlet has been issued and circulated amongst the brethren of the several lodges , and three weeks ago a newspaper was started . On
the other hand , the opponents of the movement , embracing the great majority of Masons in the colony , that is to say , the whole of the English lodges ( 70 in number ) and some few of the Irish , have not been idle , the former following suit with a pamphlet , bearing the title of " Reasons for not leaving the Grand Lodge of England ; a Reply to the Selfstyled and Self-appointed Masonic Union of Victoria . " This brochure is published by the authority of the Deputy
District Grand Master of English Masons , Dr . H . St . John Clarke , who is acting as the head of the body till a successor to the late t-aptain Standish be appointed by the Prince of VVales , Grand Master of England . The opponents of the union have also published a weekly newspaper . It is 42 years since the first Masonic lodge was opened in Victoria , viz ., the Australia Felix , No . 474 , meeting in Melbourne and chartered by H . R . H . the late Duke of Sussex .
April 2 nd , 1841 , under the Grand Lodge of England . Thc lodges in Victoria owning allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England now number 70 . The first lodge under the Scotch constitutions is the Australia Kilwinning , No . 337 , Melbourne . The warrant is dated February Gth , 1 S 43 , and is signed by the late Earl of Fitzclarence . There are 10 Scotch lodges in Victoria , l'he oldest Irish lodge is the Hiram , No . 349 , Melbourne , its charter bearing date April 30 th
1847 , a , u * granted by the late Duke of Leinster . The number of lodges in Victoria under the Irish constitution is 15 . The two sister constitutions of Scotland and Ireland therefore number 25 lodges , as against 70 under the Grand Lodgeof England . [ Two new English lodges were constituted this week . ] The advocates and oponents of an independent Grand Lodge of Victoria , as a matter of course , advance different sets of arguments on the question as to the
necessity for such an institution . The principal grievance seems to be distance from the supreme authorities , and the Union urge that a " constant correspondence and reference is required to be kept up between Provincial and Grand lodges . Masonic certificates , registrations , and returns are constantly required , and continued delays and trouble occur concerning them , which ate not readil y rectified on account of the great distance . " Then it is
remarked that " large sums of money have constantly to be remitted , for which there is no return . " The opponents of the Victorian Grand Lodge reply that "certificates , registrations , Sic , are not delayed in the English Constitution , the District Grand Master or his Deputy having power to supply a certificate at once in case of emergency , or even if a brother demands it . " As to the money sent home , it is admitted that the Scotch and Irish lodges
have just grounds for complaint , for not only do they pay for certificates and registration , but an annual payment has to be made to Edinburgh and Dublin on account of each lodge or member . Lodges in the colonies under the English Constitution are more favourably situated , for since the year 1 S 19 the only demand has been 7 s . Gd . for each candidate's registration and certificate , annual dues , which are payable by home lodges , having been abolished
for the colonies 64 years ago , as stated . The English Masons consequently see no valid reason why they should sever their connection vvith the Grand Lodge of England . The procedure to be adopted in the formation of a Grand Lodge of Victoria is the next point at issue . The advocates of a grand lodge are of opinion that any three duly warranted lodges can meet and form a grand lodge . Therefore , three or more lodges meeting in Victoria can , at
any time , resolve to form a Grand Lodge ot Victoria . I his " modus operandi" is , however , strictly American , whereas the English , Scotch , and Irish Masonic authorities hold that there must be a majority of lodges to insure recognition from the parent grand lodges . The formation of a Grand Lodge of New South Wales about three years ago is a case in point . Then there were 47 lodges under the English constitution , 30 under the Scotch , and nine under the Irish—or ,
in all , 86 lodges . Of this number 13 only formed an independent grand lodge , and in course of time requested to be recognised as the Grand Lodgeof New South Wales . The Grand Lodges of Scotland , Ireland , and England successively refused to acknowledge the newly-formed , and , as they held , irregularly-constituted , body , and at the present time the members of all lodges under that body are ostracised , or , more strictly speaking-, " out of the pale , " for
they are not permitted to enter an English , Scotch , or Irish lodge ; neither isa member of the latter allowed to visit a New South Wales lodge . It ought , though , 10 be explained thatthe Grand Lodgeof New South Wales has been recognised by certain grand lodges in the United States , as also those of Canada and Quebec , the two latter of which were formed out of a majority of English , Scotch , and Irish lodges , and are acknowledged . The Grand Lodge of
Australia.
Pennsylvania , the oldest lodge in the United States ( it was established in the year 1764 , and has a membership roll of over 35 , 000 ) refuses recognition to the Grand Lodge of New South VVales as a supreme body . The Victorian " status in quo " may be gathered from the foregoing ; . To-night it is announced that the Masonic Union meet in the Masonic-hall to fix date for forming a Grand Lodge of Victoria , and to receive nominations for
thc oflice of Grand Master and other officers . We are informed that Mr . George Coppin , M . L . A ., is lo be put in nomination for the office of Grand Master . He is a Past Master of an Irish lodge , in Adelaide , we believe ; but has not taken any active interest in Masonic matters for many years past . Replying to an invitation to attend a meeting
of a hcotch lodge m Alelbourne a fortnight ago , he said he had made a vow iS years ago not to enter a Masonic lodge unless under a Grand Lodge of Victoria . The English lodges in town and country are adopting resolutions expressive of continued loyalty to the Grand Lodge of England . — Melbourne Are-us , June igth .
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE LODGE . The following report of proceedings at the constitution of the so-called Grano Lodge of Victoria , and referred to above , is taken from the Argus of June 20 th : A meeting of delegates from lodges favourable to the formation of a Grand Lodge of Victoria was held last evening at the Masonic hall . Bro . G . Coppin , M . L . A ., was voted to the chair , and there were about 70 gentlemen present .
The CHAIRMAN , in opiming the meeting , stated that had it not been for thc feeling he had in the matter he would not have left his bed , as he had done an hour before , to attend that meeting . He felt , however , that the necessity existed for a Grand Lodge of Victoria , and that the time had arrived for forming one . Bro . H . VV . HOLLOWAY , the Hon . Secretary of thc Masonic Union of Victoria , stated that the business of the meeting was to fix the date for inaugurating the Grand
Lodge of Victoria , and to receive nominations for the office of Grand Master and Grand Oilicers . In reply to a question , he stated that circulars had been sent to all the lodges , and he had received returns from iS lodges , viz ., 12 Irish , five Scotch , and one English , * and there was a body of Freemasons coming in from one one of the English lodges sufficient to form a lodge . Bro . F . A . BURTON moved "That the date of founding the Grand Lodge of Victoria be July 2 nd , 1 SS 3 . "
Bro . BROOKHOUSE seconded the motion . Bro . SHUMAN moved , as an amendment , " That the date be postponed for six months . " He said he did not wish that they should place themselves in the same position as the Grand Lodge of New South VVales , as they had been virtually excommunicated . He believed that they would be acting hastily to found a grand lodge in Victoria at once , and believed there would be no difficulty in getting from the Irish constitution a proper acknowledgment for the
severance . Bro . WARLI seconded the amendment . He would be in favour of supporting the founding of a grand lodge , but it should be done properly , by getting a majority of the lodges in the colony to agree to it . Bro . MATTHEWS supported the motion , and was surprised to hear brethren speaking against it , when the lodges they represented had decided on joining the new constitution .
Bro . I * INLAY said a delay of six months meant a delay of 600 months , and they would never be in a better position than they were at the present time , for forming a grand lodge of Victoria . Bro . J . EVANS gave a brief resume of the work done by the Executive Committee of the Masonic Union of Victoria since last April towards the formation of a grand lodge . He would like to know whether those brethren who were in favour of a postponement for six months would guarantee
at the expiration of that time to found a grand lodge ? Bro . ELLIS , Provincial Grand Secretary , Irish Constitution , supported the amendment , and argued that a short delay would do no harm . He maintained that they should obtain the opinion of the brethren throughout the colony before acting , and there had not been time for such an expression , which he believed would be favourable , to be given . He did not think it necessary lor them to be
governed by a bod y 16 , 000 miles away . To form a Grand Lodge now was only courting defeat , as unless they had a majority of the lodges with them they would not be recognised as a Grand Lodge ior the next live years . After some further discussion , in the course of which Bro . J . W . GODDARD stated that when they were formed he knew that there were iS Grand Lodges in the world prepared to recognise them at once .
On the question being put , the motion was carried by a large majority , only five voting for the amendment . At the request of the Secretary each lodge represented appointed one of the delegates to act with the Executive Committee in making the necessary preparations for the inauguration of the Grand Lodge of Victoria . The following nominations were then made for the officebearers for the first year , and it was decided that the list
should remain open at the Secretary ' s office until noon on Monday next . All further nominations to be made in writing , and to be accompanied by the written consent of the person nominated . D £ ° * G * , C ° PP , l ; t P . M ., Grand Master ; J . A . Roberts . f . f _* £ A 7 , j \ £ > D . P . G . M . ; Major Parnell , P . D . G . B . B . S . C , G . S . W . ; Dr . Maffey , P . M ., G . J . W . ; Rev . Swindells , G . Chap . ; A . Zevenboom , sen ., P . D . G . S . W ., i
c .. _ ., o . ireas . ; A . H . Padley , P . G . S . W ., I . C , G . Reg . ; F . A . Burton , P . D . G . S . W ., S . C , Representative of thc Board of Grand Purposes ; H . VV . Holloway , P . G . J . W ., _ £ . , _"'• Sec *> Musgrove , G . S . D . ; Captain Fullerton , G . S . D . ; M . M'Naught , P . D . G . S ., E . C , G . J . D . J Matthews , P . G . D . C , I . C , G . J . D . ; Brookhouse , P . D . G . S . W ., S . C , G . Superintendent of Wurks ; L . Hart , P . D . G . J . W ., E . G .. G . Lecture Master : Drew . P . D .
G . J . W ., S . C , G . D . of C ; Patterson , P . G . S . W ., I . C , G . A . D . of C . ; Raymond , W . M ., G . Swd . Br . ; Dr . Lo Fevre and Syme , G . Pursts . ; S . P . Goldstein , P . M ., G . A . Purst . ; Coverlid , Finlay , Whittaker , M'lnnery , Kitz , Mandeville , Barnard , Milton , May , Chapman , Wright . Bramwell , A . Zevenboom , jun ., Malcolm , and Pizzy , G . Stwds . A vote of thanks having been proposed to the chairman , and suitably acknowledged , the proceedings terminated .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lodge Of Benevolence.
LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .
The monthly meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B ., President ; Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., Senior Vice-President ; and Charles Atkins , Junior Vice-President , occupied their respective chairs . There were also present Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary ; H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary ; VV .
Dodd , Neville Green , J . H . Matthews , P . M . 143 ; Henry Garrod , P . M . 749 ; G . P . Britten , P . M . 1 S 3 ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; Charles Dairy , P . M . 141 ; Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . C . ; E . F . Storr , P . M . 22 ; J . M . Klench , P . M . 1339 ; Robert James Vincent , VV . M . 1716 ; J . H . Taylor , VV . M . 1767 ; F . R . Spaull , P . M . 1124 ; I . N . Thompson , VV . M . 1 G 95 ; Henry Porey , W . M . 22 ; C . H . Wilkes , VV . M . 115 S ; Donald M . Dewar , P . M .
1627 ; H . E . Dehane , VV . M . 1543 ; G . VV . Dodd , VV . M . 16 S 6 ; Edward Stutely , VV . M . 15 S ; Charles Lorkin , W . M . 1524 ; Lewis P . M . Franckel , VV . M . 7 S 0 ; George Rake , P . M . 4 S 7 ; James Perkins , W . M . 1672 ; E . L . Home , P . M . and Sec . 227 ; VV . E . Dawes , P . M . 619 ; Stephen Crane , VV . M . 922 ; IL E . Frances , P . M . 452 ; S . Smout , jun ., W . M . 1642 ; R . R . Davis , P . M . 256 ; Captain A . Nicols , VV . M . 1974 ; Henry Parsons , P . M .
410 ; Howard Ruff , VV . M . 95 ; Joseph House , VV . M . 17 : 6 : VV . Smallpeice , W . M . 9 69 ; T . Janaway , VV . M . 67 ; John Smith , VV . M . 1257 ; P . G . Taylor , W . M . 1922 ; W . H . Dean , P . M . 417 ; Arthur E . Taylor , P . M . 1201 ; Edward Ayres , VV . M . 742 ; T . W . Ockenden , P . M . 1512 ; James Pinder , VV . M . 1662 ; John Lane , VV . M . 7 S 1 ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; and H . Massey , P . M . 192 S ( Freemason ) . At the Board of Masters , which was first held , the paper
of business for Grand Lodge of 5 th September was read to the brethren . At the opening of the Lodge of Benevolence the brethren were first informed by the President that Grand Secretary had received a letter from the Rising Star Lodge , No . 1022 , Bloemfontein , South Africa , informing him that as the lodge had a balance to the credit of the Unappropriated Fund of £ S 17 s . 6 d ., the brethren desired that that should be placed to the debit of the Fund of
Benevolence . The amount would of course be received with thanks . Letters had been received since the last meeting of the lodge from brethren and widows who had been relieved , thanking the lodge for the aid rendered . The brethren then confirmed the grants recommended at last meeting , to the amount of £ 235 . They then took up
the new list , on which there were 23 cases . Three of these were deferred , being incomplete . The remaining twenty were relieved with a total of £ 650 , which was made up as follows : one of £ 150 ( £ 150 ); one of £ 50 ( £ 50 ); three of £ 40 each ( £ 120 ); seven of £ 30 each ( £ 210 ); one of £ 25 ( £ 25 ) J three of £ 20 each ( £ 60 ); one ot £ 15 ( £ 15 ); one of £ 10 ( £ 10 ); and two of £ 5 each ( £ 10 ) . Lodge of Benevolence was then closed .
South Africa.
South Africa .
We printed last week a complimentary paragraph Irom a South African contemporary , referring to the elevation to the Colonial Bench of Ero . R . J . Finnemore , R . W . Grand Master of the newly-formed District of Natal , resident magistrate at Durban . We have further pleasure in publishing another notice , this time from the Natal Mercantile Advertiser , which says : It is now undoubted that Mr . R . I . Finnemore , R . M ., i ' s to leave Durban , where
he is the most popular and much liked of men , and it may as well be pointed out what the career of His Worship , who will soon have to be addressed as Mr . Justice Finnemore , has been . The following is copied from the " Colonial Office List , " with one or two additions not entered there : "Finnemore , Robert Isaac . —Entered Civil Service , Natal , 1 S 5 S ; Second Clerk Surveyor-General ' s Department , ist March , 1850 ; passed examination and admitted as Government
Land Surveyor , iSth November , 1 S 63 ; Chief Clerk and Draughtsman and Examiner of Diagrams , Surveyor-General's Department , ist October , 1 S 64 ; transferred to the Attorney-General ' s Department , 22 nd December , 1865 ; admitted Advocate of the Supreme Court , Sth January , 1 S 6 S ; acted frequently as Clerk of the Peace , 1 S 67-73 , and as Master and Registrar , Supreme Court , 1 S 73-75 ; Postmaster-General , 2 nd February , 187 G ; Acting Resident
Magistrate and Administrator Native Law , City Division , 27 th January , 1877 , to 31 st July , 1 S 78 ; Acting Colonial Treasurer , 19 th February , 1 S 77 ; has acted as Surveyor-General and Resident Magistrate for Umgeni and other divisions ; has acted at various times as member of Commissions and boards on sundry subjects ; edited Natal Almanac and Register 1 S 7 G-7 S ; Editor Natal Law Reports from 1879 , & c . ; Master and Registrar Supreme
Court and Registrar Vice Admiralty Court , 1878 ; Resident Magistrate and Administrator of Native Law , Durban , ist April , 1 SS 1 . Is a J . P . fortheColony , F . R . G . S ., F . Z . S ., District Grand Master of Freemasons under patent from H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Sic . " Although Mr . Finnemore has onl y becn in Durban since April , 1 SS 1 , he has become identified with almost every popular institution in the town , and the list of honorary positions held by him
will show how widely the loss of him will be felt . Briefly , then , Mr . Finnemore is Deputy Chairman Natal Harbour Board ; President Durban Institute ; Chairman Durban Public Library ; Chairman Durban Lawn Tennis Club ; Chairman Durban Assemblies ; Hon . Treasurer Natal Botanic Gardens ; Vice-President Durban Young Men ' s Christian Association ; Churchwarden St . Paul ' s Church J Committeeman Durban Young Ladies'Collegiate Institute :
Committeeman for Durban Exhibition ; and Committeeman for Durban Auxiliary British and Foreign Bible Society . Few men in Durban are so much liked as he is , and few public men in Natal have so well discharged the duties of their office , and so easily become ingratiated with all ranks of society as Mr . R . I . Finnemore has done . While offering him hearty congratulations on his promotion , we cannot yelp expressing the sincerest regret that he is to be removed from our midst .
Messrs . James Gordon Bennett , John W . Mackay , John W . Garrett , and William Garrett , of New York , are said to have pledged themselves to subscribe four mil'' ° ns of dollars out of five millions required for laying two Atlantic cables . The scheme of Bro . Alderman Hadley is likel y to be adopted .
Australia.
Australia .
THE VICTORIAN CONSTITUTION . BY BRO . W . F . LAMONBY , P . M ., P . Z . The question of forming a distinct and separate Grand Lodge of Victoria is once more agitating the English , Scotch , and Irish Masons of the colony . On two former occasions was the subject ventilated and discussed , only to be discountenanced and shelved by the heads of the three British Constitutions . The death of Captain Standish , District Grand Master of the English Constitution ,
however , was thought to be a proper time to revive the movement , seeing that the Scotch members of the Craft have also for years past been without a practical head . The first hint of the movement was given at the last Communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Victoria , under the Irish Constitution , at Ballarat , shortly after the death of Captain Standish . Sir VV . J . Clarke , Bart ., the Provincial Grand Master of the Irish Masons , who was
present , was suggested as Grand Master of a United Grand Lodgeof Victoria , but lie declined the honour , deprecating , as he stated , any proposition for " cutting the painter " that binds Victorian Masons to the mother Grand Lodges of England , Scotland , and Ireland . Since then Sir VV . J . Clarke's name has dropped from the controversy , and it may be taken for granted that he has little sympathy with the movement .
On the 27 th of April a meeting of Masons favourable to the formation of a Grand Lodge of Victoria was held in the Masonic Hall , when the project took a more pronounced form . A Masonic Union of Victoria was instituted , and since then the committee and members generally have worked hard to attain their object . A pamphlet has been issued and circulated amongst the brethren of the several lodges , and three weeks ago a newspaper was started . On
the other hand , the opponents of the movement , embracing the great majority of Masons in the colony , that is to say , the whole of the English lodges ( 70 in number ) and some few of the Irish , have not been idle , the former following suit with a pamphlet , bearing the title of " Reasons for not leaving the Grand Lodge of England ; a Reply to the Selfstyled and Self-appointed Masonic Union of Victoria . " This brochure is published by the authority of the Deputy
District Grand Master of English Masons , Dr . H . St . John Clarke , who is acting as the head of the body till a successor to the late t-aptain Standish be appointed by the Prince of VVales , Grand Master of England . The opponents of the union have also published a weekly newspaper . It is 42 years since the first Masonic lodge was opened in Victoria , viz ., the Australia Felix , No . 474 , meeting in Melbourne and chartered by H . R . H . the late Duke of Sussex .
April 2 nd , 1841 , under the Grand Lodge of England . Thc lodges in Victoria owning allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England now number 70 . The first lodge under the Scotch constitutions is the Australia Kilwinning , No . 337 , Melbourne . The warrant is dated February Gth , 1 S 43 , and is signed by the late Earl of Fitzclarence . There are 10 Scotch lodges in Victoria , l'he oldest Irish lodge is the Hiram , No . 349 , Melbourne , its charter bearing date April 30 th
1847 , a , u * granted by the late Duke of Leinster . The number of lodges in Victoria under the Irish constitution is 15 . The two sister constitutions of Scotland and Ireland therefore number 25 lodges , as against 70 under the Grand Lodgeof England . [ Two new English lodges were constituted this week . ] The advocates and oponents of an independent Grand Lodge of Victoria , as a matter of course , advance different sets of arguments on the question as to the
necessity for such an institution . The principal grievance seems to be distance from the supreme authorities , and the Union urge that a " constant correspondence and reference is required to be kept up between Provincial and Grand lodges . Masonic certificates , registrations , and returns are constantly required , and continued delays and trouble occur concerning them , which ate not readil y rectified on account of the great distance . " Then it is
remarked that " large sums of money have constantly to be remitted , for which there is no return . " The opponents of the Victorian Grand Lodge reply that "certificates , registrations , Sic , are not delayed in the English Constitution , the District Grand Master or his Deputy having power to supply a certificate at once in case of emergency , or even if a brother demands it . " As to the money sent home , it is admitted that the Scotch and Irish lodges
have just grounds for complaint , for not only do they pay for certificates and registration , but an annual payment has to be made to Edinburgh and Dublin on account of each lodge or member . Lodges in the colonies under the English Constitution are more favourably situated , for since the year 1 S 19 the only demand has been 7 s . Gd . for each candidate's registration and certificate , annual dues , which are payable by home lodges , having been abolished
for the colonies 64 years ago , as stated . The English Masons consequently see no valid reason why they should sever their connection vvith the Grand Lodge of England . The procedure to be adopted in the formation of a Grand Lodge of Victoria is the next point at issue . The advocates of a grand lodge are of opinion that any three duly warranted lodges can meet and form a grand lodge . Therefore , three or more lodges meeting in Victoria can , at
any time , resolve to form a Grand Lodge ot Victoria . I his " modus operandi" is , however , strictly American , whereas the English , Scotch , and Irish Masonic authorities hold that there must be a majority of lodges to insure recognition from the parent grand lodges . The formation of a Grand Lodge of New South Wales about three years ago is a case in point . Then there were 47 lodges under the English constitution , 30 under the Scotch , and nine under the Irish—or ,
in all , 86 lodges . Of this number 13 only formed an independent grand lodge , and in course of time requested to be recognised as the Grand Lodgeof New South Wales . The Grand Lodges of Scotland , Ireland , and England successively refused to acknowledge the newly-formed , and , as they held , irregularly-constituted , body , and at the present time the members of all lodges under that body are ostracised , or , more strictly speaking-, " out of the pale , " for
they are not permitted to enter an English , Scotch , or Irish lodge ; neither isa member of the latter allowed to visit a New South Wales lodge . It ought , though , 10 be explained thatthe Grand Lodgeof New South Wales has been recognised by certain grand lodges in the United States , as also those of Canada and Quebec , the two latter of which were formed out of a majority of English , Scotch , and Irish lodges , and are acknowledged . The Grand Lodge of
Australia.
Pennsylvania , the oldest lodge in the United States ( it was established in the year 1764 , and has a membership roll of over 35 , 000 ) refuses recognition to the Grand Lodge of New South VVales as a supreme body . The Victorian " status in quo " may be gathered from the foregoing ; . To-night it is announced that the Masonic Union meet in the Masonic-hall to fix date for forming a Grand Lodge of Victoria , and to receive nominations for
thc oflice of Grand Master and other officers . We are informed that Mr . George Coppin , M . L . A ., is lo be put in nomination for the office of Grand Master . He is a Past Master of an Irish lodge , in Adelaide , we believe ; but has not taken any active interest in Masonic matters for many years past . Replying to an invitation to attend a meeting
of a hcotch lodge m Alelbourne a fortnight ago , he said he had made a vow iS years ago not to enter a Masonic lodge unless under a Grand Lodge of Victoria . The English lodges in town and country are adopting resolutions expressive of continued loyalty to the Grand Lodge of England . — Melbourne Are-us , June igth .
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE LODGE . The following report of proceedings at the constitution of the so-called Grano Lodge of Victoria , and referred to above , is taken from the Argus of June 20 th : A meeting of delegates from lodges favourable to the formation of a Grand Lodge of Victoria was held last evening at the Masonic hall . Bro . G . Coppin , M . L . A ., was voted to the chair , and there were about 70 gentlemen present .
The CHAIRMAN , in opiming the meeting , stated that had it not been for thc feeling he had in the matter he would not have left his bed , as he had done an hour before , to attend that meeting . He felt , however , that the necessity existed for a Grand Lodge of Victoria , and that the time had arrived for forming one . Bro . H . VV . HOLLOWAY , the Hon . Secretary of thc Masonic Union of Victoria , stated that the business of the meeting was to fix the date for inaugurating the Grand
Lodge of Victoria , and to receive nominations for the office of Grand Master and Grand Oilicers . In reply to a question , he stated that circulars had been sent to all the lodges , and he had received returns from iS lodges , viz ., 12 Irish , five Scotch , and one English , * and there was a body of Freemasons coming in from one one of the English lodges sufficient to form a lodge . Bro . F . A . BURTON moved "That the date of founding the Grand Lodge of Victoria be July 2 nd , 1 SS 3 . "
Bro . BROOKHOUSE seconded the motion . Bro . SHUMAN moved , as an amendment , " That the date be postponed for six months . " He said he did not wish that they should place themselves in the same position as the Grand Lodge of New South VVales , as they had been virtually excommunicated . He believed that they would be acting hastily to found a grand lodge in Victoria at once , and believed there would be no difficulty in getting from the Irish constitution a proper acknowledgment for the
severance . Bro . WARLI seconded the amendment . He would be in favour of supporting the founding of a grand lodge , but it should be done properly , by getting a majority of the lodges in the colony to agree to it . Bro . MATTHEWS supported the motion , and was surprised to hear brethren speaking against it , when the lodges they represented had decided on joining the new constitution .
Bro . I * INLAY said a delay of six months meant a delay of 600 months , and they would never be in a better position than they were at the present time , for forming a grand lodge of Victoria . Bro . J . EVANS gave a brief resume of the work done by the Executive Committee of the Masonic Union of Victoria since last April towards the formation of a grand lodge . He would like to know whether those brethren who were in favour of a postponement for six months would guarantee
at the expiration of that time to found a grand lodge ? Bro . ELLIS , Provincial Grand Secretary , Irish Constitution , supported the amendment , and argued that a short delay would do no harm . He maintained that they should obtain the opinion of the brethren throughout the colony before acting , and there had not been time for such an expression , which he believed would be favourable , to be given . He did not think it necessary lor them to be
governed by a bod y 16 , 000 miles away . To form a Grand Lodge now was only courting defeat , as unless they had a majority of the lodges with them they would not be recognised as a Grand Lodge ior the next live years . After some further discussion , in the course of which Bro . J . W . GODDARD stated that when they were formed he knew that there were iS Grand Lodges in the world prepared to recognise them at once .
On the question being put , the motion was carried by a large majority , only five voting for the amendment . At the request of the Secretary each lodge represented appointed one of the delegates to act with the Executive Committee in making the necessary preparations for the inauguration of the Grand Lodge of Victoria . The following nominations were then made for the officebearers for the first year , and it was decided that the list
should remain open at the Secretary ' s office until noon on Monday next . All further nominations to be made in writing , and to be accompanied by the written consent of the person nominated . D £ ° * G * , C ° PP , l ; t P . M ., Grand Master ; J . A . Roberts . f . f _* £ A 7 , j \ £ > D . P . G . M . ; Major Parnell , P . D . G . B . B . S . C , G . S . W . ; Dr . Maffey , P . M ., G . J . W . ; Rev . Swindells , G . Chap . ; A . Zevenboom , sen ., P . D . G . S . W ., i
c .. _ ., o . ireas . ; A . H . Padley , P . G . S . W ., I . C , G . Reg . ; F . A . Burton , P . D . G . S . W ., S . C , Representative of thc Board of Grand Purposes ; H . VV . Holloway , P . G . J . W ., _ £ . , _"'• Sec *> Musgrove , G . S . D . ; Captain Fullerton , G . S . D . ; M . M'Naught , P . D . G . S ., E . C , G . J . D . J Matthews , P . G . D . C , I . C , G . J . D . ; Brookhouse , P . D . G . S . W ., S . C , G . Superintendent of Wurks ; L . Hart , P . D . G . J . W ., E . G .. G . Lecture Master : Drew . P . D .
G . J . W ., S . C , G . D . of C ; Patterson , P . G . S . W ., I . C , G . A . D . of C . ; Raymond , W . M ., G . Swd . Br . ; Dr . Lo Fevre and Syme , G . Pursts . ; S . P . Goldstein , P . M ., G . A . Purst . ; Coverlid , Finlay , Whittaker , M'lnnery , Kitz , Mandeville , Barnard , Milton , May , Chapman , Wright . Bramwell , A . Zevenboom , jun ., Malcolm , and Pizzy , G . Stwds . A vote of thanks having been proposed to the chairman , and suitably acknowledged , the proceedings terminated .