Australia.

Australia .

PROPOSED MASONIC TEMPLE FOR MELBOURNE . A meeting of Masters and Past Masters of lodges under the three Masonic Constitutions was held in the Masonic Hall , Lonsdale-strect , on the 23 rd April , to take into consideration the formation of a company for the erection of

a Masonic temple . Bro . Dr . W ILLMOTT , W . M . 752 E . C , was called to the chair , and in opening the proceedings stated the object of the meeting . He pointed out at length the great need of a hall , not only in which to hold their meetings , but a building of which the Masons of Melbourne might be proud . They could effect such an object , and it only

rested with them to say how the matter was to be accomplished . He had received a letter from Sir VV . J . Clarke , Bart ., Provincial Grand Master of Victoria under Hie Irish Constitution , promising his assistance in the project . He ( the Chairman ) was quite sure that if they formed a company that evening they would find support not only from Sir VV . J . Clarke , but from all the influential brethren of

Victoria . He then invited suggestions . Bro . CAPHA , VV . M . 474 E . G ., said it had entered his mind long ago that the place in which they were assembled was no credit to the Masonic fraternity . He contrasted it with the halls of Sandhurst , Ballarat , Wagga Wagga , and other places , and had come to the conclusion that Melbourne was much behind other towns in Australia ,

considering its population and its wealth . He also objected to the uses to which the present hail was put by the Directors in allowing the freethinkers and secularists to assemble therein . He was of opinion that the time had arrived for the Freemasons to look out for other premises . The CHAIRMAN , in answer to inquiries , produced particulars of Masonic hall and club companies in England .

One at Weston-super-Mare had cost £ 2500 , and comprised reading , billiard , and smoke rooms on the ground floor . It was now paying 5 per cent ., and 3 per cent , had been carried forward for the last year in addition . That was a town where there was only one lodge . Another at Taunton paid

j \ per cent . He was perlectly certain a company ot tne kind would pay as well in Melbourne on a larger scale , say not less than a capital of £ 10 , 000 . The principal difficulty would be a suitable site ; but that would be easily met , on the formation of the influential directory . He was prepared to make a proposition that they form a Masonic Hall

Company . A long discussion then took place with regard to the position of the present company . It was stated that 12 months ago arrangements had been made for the erection of a new building on the present site ; but the scheme had fallen through . It had been ascertained that the proprietors of the existing hall would offer no opposition to the formation of a new company . „ - _ 1 K r , x .-nrtr , DM ,-,, 17 C tUon nrnnncnA / t ~ v ^ , . .

137 U . I . ry . ^ . IV . MU ^ , . . . . . . ^ -..,., ..... ut . « ow « "That it is essential that steps be taken to provide better accommodation for lodges and chapters than is now available at the present hall . " Bro . C . SHAW , P . M . 752 E . C , seconded the proposition , which was carried unanimously . The following committee was then appointed to make

inquiries as to a suitable site , and report to a meeting at as early a date as possible : Bros . Dr . Willmott , J . A . Cantor , M . Capua , F . L . Flint , F . A . Burton , C . Shaw , J . Parnell , and Major Trythall . Bro . W . F . Lamonby was appointed Hon . Sec The proceedings then closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman .

MELBOURNE . — Combermere Lodge ( No . 752 ) . —At the regular meeting of this , with one exception , the strongest lodge in Victoria under the English Constitution , held on May 17 th ; in the Masonic Hall , Bro . Dr . J . J E . Willmott , VV . M ., moved : " That the Combermere Lodge desires to express sympathy with the Grand Lodge of England at the losses sustained by the recent fire , and

fraternally offers assistance , should any fund be raised to replace them . " On the motion of Bro . Chas . Shaw , P . M ., D . G . S . W ., the following addition , was made to the resolution : " That Combermere Lodge further takes this opportunity of expressing its loyalty to the Grand Master of England . " The VV . M . accepted the addition and the motion was then carried unanimously . The addition had reference

to the agitation now in progress for the institution of an independent Grand Lodge in Victoria . The initiation fee was raised from five to seven guineas , an amendment by Bro . VV . F . Lamonby , P . M ., that it be ten guineas , being negatived . The annual subscription was increased from two to three guineas . During the evening two brethren were raised to the Third Degree , and four candidates initiated , several others also being subsequently proposed .

MELBOURNE . —Neptune Lodge ( No . i 88 r ) . —The installation festival in connection with this young lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , on Tuesday , May Sth . There was a large attendance of visitors belonging to the three Constitutions , inclusive of Bros . W . F . Lamonby , P . M . 747 , 752 , 1002 , and T . C . Robinson , P . M . 1002 , who had only arrived in the colony three days previously . The

W . M . elect , Bro . Thomas Aikett , is a townsman of the two brethren named , and therefore their attendance had an interesting significance . Bro . T . Astley , P . M ., one of the oldest Masons in Australia , performed the installation ceremony , and delivered the addresses to the VV . M . and Wardens , that to the brethren of the lodge being given by Bro . Lamonby , on the invitation of the VV . M .

During the proceedings Bro . T . Astley was presented with a valuable Past Master ' s jewel , in recognition of his services as acting Master , the late VV . M , only being once present since his installation . Although so young , a lodge , it has passed through vicissitudes that would have proved the downfall of many a lodge . 'The first year the Treasurer

cleared out with the whole of the funds and books , leaving the lodge with liabilities of more than £ 100 , and with no means of ascertaining the pecuniary standing of members . Through theactiveand resolute endeavours of Bros . Astley , Aikett , and other brethren , all the debts have been cleared off , and the lodge is now on the high road to success and usefulness .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

On Friday evening last , the St . James's Theatre was closed , and will remain so until September ^ 17 th , when " Impulse " will be revived , it having proved a gigantic success . Bro . and Mrs . Kendal and Bro . Hare will now enjoy a short holiday . They then go to Liverpool , Manchester , and other provincial theatres to fulfil a round of engagements . We , in common with other lovers of the play , will welcome them back to London in September , and in the meanwhile wish them a happy time of recreation , well and hard earned . "Emerald" is the title of a new comedy ready when " Impulse " begins to flag .

= s = s ^ The Daily News says the Communal Council of Brussels have issued some new regulations for _ the management of theatres in that city which are specially directed against "sensational" scenes of the kind which introduce fire and explosives . No such scenes are henceforth to be permitted without the permission of the authorities , and then only under prescribed conditions . The manufacture or storing of explosive substances in theatres

is prohibited . Such substances , when permitted , are to be kept in a building apart , in the charge of the firemen ^ of the establishment , and can only be introduced by them immediately , before the time at which they are required for scenic effects . When firearms are used the scene must be so arranged that the firing shall not be in the direction of the spectators , and when a mimic representation of a fire is to be given , the commandant of the sapeurs-pompiers ( or firemen ) must receive notice of the fact , in order that the precautions required by the regulations may be taken .

* * * On May 17 th a new comedy was produced at a matinee at the Vaudeville written by Mr . Joseph Derrick . So well was it received on that occasion that it has been a subject of some regret with playgoers that it has not taken its place at some theatre in the evening programme . It has been anxiously looked for , and as the Arabian proverb says " everything comes to him who only waits , " so we

are glad to chronicle its appearance now as the principal piece at the same house where it was first introduced to the public . "The Rivals , " after a most unprecedented run , has at last been withdrawn , and the Vaudeville company have for the most part gone for a holiday . Bro . Thorne , we understand , when the proper theatrical season recommences will bring out Oliver Goldsmith ' s ever fresh comedy , " She Stoops to Conquer , " and later Bro . Byron's comedy "At

Home , " which has not yet seen the light of day . For a space Mr . Derrick ' s eccentric comedy has taken possession of the theatre and a few days ago was received with unmistakeable signs of approval without so much as one dissentient . Not only were the different actors heartily applauded a . u » l called for again at the close of each act , but the author was summoned after the second act and again at the final close to receive the heartiest congratulations of an

appreciative audience . The people had come to be amused and they went away more than satisfied . "Confusion " may be termed a laughter-producing play . At this time of year , when theatres are not the best places—almospherically speaking—tobein . one wantssomething bright and interesting , and one gets a large portion of it just now at Bro . Thome ' s favourite house . The actsare crisp , and the dialogue though not polished is witty and to the point . Some may

say the plot is nearly suggestive , but so well played is the piece and so thoroughly genuine the fun that it would require a very fertile brain to turn it to anything which we English pride ourselves has not yet taken possession of our stage . The whole thing hangs on the utter confusion that several parties are brought into by a little pug dog and a baby . All three acts take place in Mr . Mortimer Mumpleford ' s house . He and his wife have some guests staying

with them , amongst them being Christopher Blizzard , bachelor , uncle to Mrs . Mumpleford , and an elderly spinster aunt , Miss Lucretia Trickleby , one of those ladies of a certain—or rather uncertain—age , who have designs upon bachelors . Mrs . Mumpleford wants to have a pug dog , to which her husband strongly objects . Blizzard takes the part of his niece , and not seeing any harm in having such an animal arranges that he will give it to his niece and bring it home slyly , then her husband surely cannot turn it

away . On receipt of a telegram he arranges to start for London for it . He and Miss Trickleby , it is needless to say , have been making love with all the ardour and sentimentality if not the same amount of reserve as young people . Miss Lucretia is delighted when Blizzard calls her by her Christian name and kisses her , but she cannot understand what the private business can be which takes him to London . He says it is a secret , not wishing anyone to know he is going to bring the dog . In Mortimer ' s household are a housemaid and butler who are married

unknown to their master . They answered an advertisement for a butler and housemaid and got the situations . They moreover have a baby , in London . Maria gets a telegram "Come at once , your bab y is worse . " On this hangs the fun of the confusion which ensues . She asks her mistress to be allowed to go to town for the afternoon on the excuse that a near and dear relation is ill . She says to James this is perfectly true . Maria drops the telegram

from which she had torn the address and name . Miss Trickleby happens to pick ic up , and knowing Blizzard received a telegram at breakfast which has taken him to town very mysteriously , she concludes she has found him out , and goes off into hysterics , and instantly denounces the innocent and kind-hearted Blizzard as a heartless profligate . Blizzard returns wiih the pug , and puts it in a cabinet in haste on the approach of

footsteps . Maria also returns with her baby , and while showing it to its anxious father hears footsteps also , and puts it in another cupboard . In the meanwhile , Mr * . Mumpleford has written to her husband telling him her little darling has arrived , and she is sure he will like it , and tells him to look in the cupboard . He opens the wrong cupboard , when , of

course , his horror and anger know no bounds . Poor Blizzard , who gets bullied both by Mumpleford and Miss Trickleby , is at sea to know what it all means . Of course a lot of fun can be made of this . In the last act still more confusion arises , for Mumpleford calls his manservant James to go for a detective to come and watch the premises , for

The Theatres.

murder is about to be done . He ha < l overheard his wife regretting having been made so unhappy by her conductof course in persisting in having the dog . She consents to have it drowned , and Blizzard , seeing the mischief it has made , promises to take it up the river in the morning and " make away with it . " James , before going to the police office , communicates this to his wife , and at a favourable opportunity she gets her baby safely away .

Sunberry , a friend of Mumplelord , thinking the latter is ill , asks his friend , Dr . Bartholomew Jones , to come and see him . The doctor arrives , but Mumpleford takes it for granted he is the detective he has sent for , and converses with him to that effect . The doctor at once puts his patient down as a lunatic , and a most amusing and splendidly-acted scene occurs when the doctor endeavours to master him " with the power of his eye . " The detective also arrives ,

who is mistaken by Mumpleford for the medical man . When the butler and housemaid explain matters all is put right , and several couples are united . Mr . Chas . Groves , as Blizzard , acts the old bachelor uncle to perfection , as does Mr . Chas . Glenny , Mortimer Mumpleford . It is by the crisp way the piece is played that the laughter is kept up from beginning to end . _ Mr . Frederick Thome's James is so good that one wishes

there was more of it . We are glad to see back on this stage Bro . Lestocq , who played Dr . Jones . Although not on till the last act , he has good opportunity of displaying his capacity as an actor , which he makes the best use of , and which produces perhaps as much laughter as any other part . His dialogue is somewhat short , but it is his gestures and actions which are so heartily applauded . Bro . Lestocq is no stranger at the Vaudeville , but a favourite of

some standing . Miss Sophie Larkin , as Miss Trickleby , is delightful , and on her much of the success depends . Miss Winifred Emery , as Mrs . Mumpleford , and Miss Kate Phillips , as the housemaid , are seen also to great advantage ; the latter pert as usual . We are sorry Miss Alma Murray has not a part , but having played so long , is

resting ; sitting in a stall in the front of the house she joined as enthusiastically in the fun as the rest of the large audience . The performance commences with "An Old Master , " in which Bro . Thos . Thorne appears . _ Mr . Sydney Alport still presides as manager , indeed without him audiences would feel not so comfortable as they do at this popular little theatre .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . E . T . INSKIP , P . PROV . G . SEC . BRISTOL . Bro . Edward Thomas Inskip , who at one time was amongst the best known inhabitants of Bristol , died last week , at a very advanced age , at his residence , Hucclecote Court , near Gloucester . Our deceased brother was usher of the Bristol Court of Bankruptcy from its formation to its dissolution , in 1 S 69 , when , in common , with the other

officials , heretired upon a pension . He served under Mr . Serjeant Stephen and Mr . Matthew Davenport Hill , and , owing to his intelligence and close acquaintance with the routine of the court practice , he was useful to and popular with both commissioners . Bro . Inskip was associated through the greater portion of his life with the Masonic body , and filled many high offices in connection therewith . He was a P . Prov . G . Sec . Bristol and P . Prov .

G . W . Somerset . He took a very active part in all movement on behalf of the Masonic Charities , having served no less than six Stewardships for the Girls' School , the same number for the Boys' , and three for the Benevolent Institution , being , in addition , Vice-President of all three Institutions . Bro . Inskip had been for a considerable time past an active member of the Gloucester Board of Guardians , and was a frequent speaker at the County Chamber of Agriculture .

BRO . CAPT . WEBB , NEPTUNE LODGE , No . 22 . It is with very great regret we announce the death of Bro . Capt . Webb , who came so prominently before the public eight years since in connection with his successful swim across the Channel , but who on Tuesday was unfortunately tempted , against the advice of all the most experienced persons in the vicinity , to essay a swim through the

whirlpool and rapids ot Niagara , and , as everyone anticipated , paid the penalty of his rashness by losing his life . Bro . Webb was only 35 years of age , of short stature , but massive build . Years before he became known as the Channel hero he had distinguished himself by leaping into the sea in mid-Atlantic from the deck of a Cunard steamer in order to save the life of a sailor who had fallen overboard , and

for his gallant deed on this occasion was awarded the gold medal of the Royal Humane Society , which he bad the honour of receiving from the hands of the Duke oi Edinburgh . In August , 1875 , after one failure , he swam the channel , the time occupied in the journey being about 15 minutes short of 22 hours . Since then he has devoted himself to giving exhibitions of his powers and endurance

as a swimmer . Of his last regrettable appearance in this capacity we have already spoken . Bro . Webb leaves behind him to mourn his untimely end a wife in delicate health and two children , who , we trust , will receive a portion of the money , for which he risked his life . Bro . Webb was initiated into Freemasonry in the Neptune Lodge , No . 22 .

Births, Marriages, And Deaths.

Births , Marriages , and Deaths .

[ The charge is 2 s . 6 d . for announcements not exceeding Four Lines under this heading . J B T RTH . MILL . —On the 23 rd inst ., at South-hill-road , Toxteth-park , Liverpool , the wife of J . Mill , of a daughter .

MARRIAGE . RUTTY—Rous . —On the 23 rd inst ., at St . Peter ' s , Hammersmith , Herbert Waring , son of W . Rutty , to Florence Victorine , daughter of G . H . Rous .

DEATHS . BURRELL . —On the 22 nd inst ., from accident , Wyndhanj , second son of Sir W . W . Burrell , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . M ' Sussex , aged 2 G . INSKIP . —Recently , at Huccleote Court , Gloucester , J- { 1 j i i icfrtl

. TL-t .. i .: ~ D D r * c— u- . anu Edward Thomas Inskip , P . P . G . Sec . Bristol , anu P . P . G . W . Somerset . WEBB . —On the 24 th inst ., drowned in the Niagara ? 0 s 0 ' Capt . Webb , aged 35 .