District Grand Lodge Of South Africa.

W . Bro . BERRY , D . J . G . W ., wished to know whether any statistics could be given to show whether Masonry had increased in the district . The R . W . D . G . M ., in reply , stated that it was impossible to prepare such a return owing to the laxity of some lodges in rendering their returns , and begged that these returns be rendered more regularly . The D . G . SECRETARY also explained that on account of

the irregularity of the returns of some lodges he was unable to prepare such a return . The D . G . TREASURER further explained that he was preparing a register of members of the Craft in the district , and hoped soon to be able to furnish the information , r Bros . XV . R . ELLIS moved , and XV . B . CATHERINE

seconded , tfie adoption of the report of thc Board of General Purposes . Passed unanimously in the affirmative . The R . VV . D , G . M . said the next business , according to tlie agenda paper , was the election of D . G . Treasurer , When W . Bro . BERRY proposed , and W . Bro . ROBERTSON seconded , that Bro . R . j . Dick be re-elected as D . G . Treasurer . Carried .

The R . W . D . G . M . then made the following nomination of Grand Officers for the ensuing year : — W . Bro . Bain D . D . G . M . „ W . S . Leigh D . G . S . W . „ W . Berry , P . M . 91 S D . G . J . W . The R . W . D . G . MASTER stated that he regretted the absence of the Rev . Bro . Wirgman , 711 , whom he nominated as D . G . Chaplain .

Bro . R . J . Dick , W . M . elect S 53 ... D . G . T . W . Bro . Geo . P . Perks , P . M . S 53 ... D . G . S . „ A . Ziervogel , P . M . 14 G 9 ... D . G . S . D . „ VV . Wedderburn , P . M . 3 S 9 ... D . G . J . D . „ G . Madge , P . M . SG D . G . D . C . Bro . A . Barfield , 91 S D . G . O . W . Bro . C . Palmer , P . M . 91 S D . G . Purs . „ I . W . Mackay , P . M . SG , ... D . G . S .

„ IL Tiffin , P . M . 91 S D . G . S . „ Smith , P . M . 3 S 9 D . G . S . „ A . Arenhold , W . M . SS 2 ... D . G . S . „ W . F . Sissing , W . M . S 53 ... D . G . S . Bro . W . R . Ellis , S . VV . 1 S 24 D . G . S . The question of framing a rule for imposing penalties on lodges not rendering returns was briefly introduced by the

R . W . D . G . M . Bro . DICK , D . G . Treasurer , observed he did not consider it necessary to make such a law now , because nearly all the lodges had paid up tlie District Grand Lodge fees , and submitted that question No . 9 on the agenda paper be struck out . W . Bro . LEIGH , D . G . S . Warden , said that he coincided with Bro . Dick , and read Clause 12 of D . G . bye-laws

bearing on the question . He considered that if D . G . byelaws were read once a year in every lodge , they would be better acquainted with these laws , and adverted to the fact that the mentioning of the omission on the agenda paper had already produced a good effect . He urged that lodges should send their returns as soon as practicable to enable the D . G . Secretary to prepare thc roll of officers entitled to sit in D . G . Lodge , and therefore proposed that question

No . 9 on the agenda paper , for imposing penalties , be cancelled ; which , being seconded by the D . G . SECRETARY , was passed unanimously . Bro . D . G . SECRETARY rose and read a letter received from the Albany Lodge , No . 3 S 9 , Graham's Town , relative to the question of rendering returns to D . G . Lodge , submitting that these returns in future should be rendered after the installation of W . M . on the 24 th June , similar to

the course adopted in rendering returns to Grand Lodge , instead of the manner as now done , quoting a clause from the Bool ; of Constitutions bearing on the question , on whicli a discussion arose in the course of which the dissimilarity of the quarterly meetings of Grand Lodge and lhat of the annual meeting of District Grand Lodge were pointed out , as well as the necessity for rendering the returns in accordance with District Grand Lodge bye-laws

when W . Uro . LEIGH , D . G . S . Warden , proposed , seconded by W . Uro . D . G . SECRETARY , that lodges shall be directed to read the District Grand Lodge bye-laws once a year , which was carried unanimously . The report of the Board of Education was then read by W . Bro . W . F . SISSING , theSecretary tothe Board ; also a letter from Mr . I'd Tudhope , Secretary to tlie Committee of the Girls' Collegiate School , in connection with the

terms for educating children under the Charity . W . Bro . J . MCI . NTYRE , Treasurer to the Board of Education , then read a statement of account in connection with the Charity . This report referred to several subjects , amongst them to a proposed alteration of Clause 4 of the educational scheme . The R . W . D . G . MASTER explained the necessity for such alteration , When Bro . GEO . HAY , S . W . Lodge No . 853 , proposed ,

and Bro . W . R . ELLIS . S . VV . Lodge 1824 , seconded , that Clause 4 of the scheme be amended as follows : " No candidate shall he eligible for election unless the father has been a subscribing member to a lodge for three consecutive years , except in the case of death , lire , or shipwreck , or his having become afflicted with blindness , paralysis , or other infirmity during such membership , permanently incapacitating him from earning a livelihood . "

On which a long discussion arose , in which VV . Bro . AUSTEN explained his reasons for sending a protest against the action of the School Hoard in the case of the candidate Peter Frazer . He assured tliem that it was not en account of ill-feeling , but simply on the merits of the laws guiding the educational charity , and heartily supported the alteration . VV . Bro . LEIGH , D . G . S . Warden , considered that the

question should be decided according to the literal expression of the rule as laid down , because if Clause 4 is read in a liberal sense it may give rise lo jealousy , and would propose that the School Hoard should adhere to the laws of the scheme . The R . W . D . G . MASTER , in reply , explained that the words "literal meaning , " referred to on the agenda paper , did not allude to the whole law , but only to Clause 4 of the

scheme ; and on a question from Bro . VV . LEIGH , D . G . S . W ., ruled that the Hoard is bound to carry out the clauses of the scheme as it stood . To which VV . Bro . AUSTEN observed that it appeared to him the School Hoard did carry out the laws of the Charity , as laid down from the very fact that when they found Clause 4 not to be working well , they referred it to D . G . Lodge for alteration .

District Grand Lodge Of South Africa.

VV . Bro . BERRY said he could not see theobjectof a reservation of three or five years as laid down in Clause 4 of the scheme , and pointed out that a brother Mason dying at the end of one year after membership , his child may require help , and therefore considered that the board ought to have discretionary power to act in such a case ; they should not be bound down under restrictive laws as the charities in England , there being , in his opinion , a vast difference

between the situation of lodges 111 England and those in this colony . The R . W . D . G . MASTER pointed out the necessity for some such reservation , and in his remarks adverted to the case of a candidate alluded to in the report , whose father did not during a period of fourteen years subscribe to the funds of a lodge . XV . Bro . LEIGH said he considered the reservation of

three years in Clause 4 of vital importance , as , without such an exclusion , it might have the effect of hereafter admitting cases undeserving the benefits of the Charity , and suggested , with theobjectof meeting W . Bro . Berry ' s views , as well as giving the Board greater scope , that the words " or any other misfortune or infirm'ty" be inserted after the word "death" in Bro . Hay's proposition instead of the words " fire , shipwreck , or his having become afflicted with

blindness , paralysis , & c , which was agreed to and amended accordingly . VV . Bro . BERRY contended that there ought to be no reservation , and objected tothe resolution as it stood . He , therefore , moved as an amendment that the words " three years " be struck out of the proposition , which was seconded by VV . Bro . WEBB , of Lodge No . 918 . On the amendment being put by the R . W . D . G . M .

there were twelve in favour of it , and fourteen for thc original motion . The next item on the agenda paper referred to the interpretation ofthe words " Public Schools . " VV . Bro . BERRY moved— " That for the purposes of thc Educational Scheme , Public Schools shall mean such educational institutions as are under the Superintendent General of Education and thc Deputy Inspectors in the Colony . "

VV . Bro . LEIGH , in seconding the motion , said he hoped that the proposition would not exclude Diocesan Schools , wliich was agreed to , and carried unanimously . The minimum number of votes under which candidates should be elected was next adverted to , when VV . Bro . W . WEDDERBURN , of Lodge NO . 3 89 , moved , seconded by XV . Bro . LEIGH— "That an applicant , to be elected , must poli one fifth of the total number of votes . "

Bro . A . J . 1-UU . ER , P . G . O ., proposed as an amendment , that candidates should be admitted by the majority of votes , and that Clause G of thc scheme remain as it stands : which proposition was seconded by VV . Bro . T . VV . ROBERTSON , D . G . S . B . On being put to the vote , sixteen voted for thc amendment , and ten for the original motion . In considering Clause 7 of the Scherne , XV . Bro . AUSTEN proposed , and W . D . G . SECRETARY seconded , "That a

subscriber of one guinea have a vote for each vacancy , such vote to be accumulative in proportion to amount subscribed , " which was carried unanimously . On discussing the question as to whether lodges under other Constitutions than English can be represented on the Board of Education , VV . Bro . LEIGH moved , "That the District Grand Lodge cannot appoint any brother to be a member of the

Educational Hoard who is not directly responsible to the District Grand Lodge , " which was seconded by VV . Bro . AUSTEN . The question being put , it passed unanimously in the affirmative . It was resolved unanimously , on the motion of Bro . LEIGH , to request the Educational Hoard to give subscribers , along with the voting papers , as full information as possible respecting the circumstances of the parents

of the candidates prior to their decease or to their falling into misfortune . Bro . DICK , D . G . T ., proposed , and Bro . FULLER , P . D . CO ., seconded , the adoption of the report from the Board of Education , which was put and carried unanimously . VV . Bro . AUSTEN , VV . M . 1 G 49 , intimated that the ' Meridian Lodge , which hc represented , was desirous ( with the sanction of the R . W . D . G . M . ) that District Grand Lodgo

should meet at Cradock next year ; to which the R . VV . D . G . MASTER observed that the place of meeting for District Grand Lodge next year will hereafter be named . It was unanimously resolved , on the motion of VV . Bro . S . LKIGII , " That the thanks of the District Grand Lodge be tendered to XV . Bro . G . P . Perks , D . G . S ., for the pains he has taken with thc Educational Scheme until handing it

over to the present Secretary . " It was further unanimously resolved , on the motion of W . Bro . T . VV . ROBERTSON , D . G . S . B ., " That a vote of thanks be recorded to the VV . M ., officers , and brethren of the Star in the East Lodge , for the genial and courteous reception accorded to District Grand Lodge . " All business being concluded , the District Grand I-odge was closed in due form .

The Knights Templars' Grand Pageant At Chicago.

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS' GRAND PAGEANT AT CHICAGO .

As the date draws near for tlie holding of the triennial conclave—an event to be emblazoned on the pages of Chicago ' s history—a fresh enthusiasm seems to permeate not only the Templars in charge of its preliminary arrangements , but the general public as well . Our citizens have

become awake to a full realisation of the fact that these triennial knightly gatherings are not available opportunities for a few egotistical fellows of the Order to advance personal interests , and parade" under glittering auspices , " but , on the contrary , are marked occurrences in the nation ' s history—in brief triennial conference of the nation ' s chivalry . That Chicago will show immeasurable hospitality

to these representative citizens from every Stale and district of the Union , by the magnificence of her display anti the warmth of her greeting , is already evidenced , and that , too , to an unprecedented degree , in the elaborate arrangements already perfected and generous amounts donated . The week" now almost closed has becn a busy one with our

citizens in the work of preparation , and it only remains for the hand of the artistic decorator to make ready a holiday attire for ( lie metropolis of the VVest , in which to greet the thousands upon thousands of strangers who will commence one week from to-day to inspect hcr wonders and realise the warmth of her hospitality . At this writing a pleasant report can be made of the progress of work in thc various

The Knights Templars' Grand Pageant At Chicago.

departments . The Triennial Committee has all but completed the great task assigned it . The more important features of the work of preparation have been disposed of , notably , the alloting of the several commands to their respective positions in thc grand parade ; the arrangement of the encampment on the lake front ; the assignment of the many thousand of visiting Sir Knights and their accompanying friends to hotel quarters : the erection of the

triumphal arches ; the decorating of the Exposition building for the grand reception ; and the perfecting of general preliminary details—all this has been disposed of , and yet the Committee is not idle , nor is it likely to be until the twentyfirst triennial conclave has been numbered " among the things that were . " A number of the sub-Committees will now be called upon to step to the front and assume certain portions of the laboursuchfor instanceas the Reception

, , , Committees . The Grand Reception Floor Committee will hold its first meeting on Tuesday evening next at the Sherman House . As the success of the grand reception largely depends upon the perfect organisation of this Committee , the necessity can be seen for all the members attending . Some advance work has been accomplished in naming the gentlemen who are to receive the visitors on Monday night on behalf of the Master Masons of Illinois . The

Hon . James A . Hawley , of Dixon , Past Grand Master of Masons of Illinois , will deliver the address of welcome at McCormick Hall , and the Hon . Joseph Robbins , of Ouincy , also Past Grand Master of the Craft in this State , will deliver a similar address at Farwell Hall , while a like duty will be performed at New Central Music Hall b y De Witt C . Gregier , whose eloquence and Masonic record are too

well known in Illinois and surrounding States to need extended reference in this connection . The Committee report that additional names arc constantly swelling the original list of visiting Templars , so much so that the Executive Committee can base no definite calculation on the immense numbers of knights and visitors who will be here during triennial week . —Chicago Times , 7 th inst .

The Masonic Controversy.

THE MASONIC CONTROVERSY .

We have received the following communications on the much-vexed question of the Masonic procession at Natal a few weeks ago : — To the Editor of the Natal Witness . Sir , —It is very seldom indeed that the conduct of the Masonic Order is canvassed in public papers . I do not

mean that Masons as individuals arc any better than any other class , but I repeat that the order of its very constitutional principles avoids courting public remark of any kind . Vet with all its retiring principles it seems that among its members in this colony is to be found one at least who takes exception to the profession of the brethren to the building used pro tem . by the Rev , Bro . Ritchie , to hear a sermon

from that reverend gentleman , as Masons , under the presidency of the VV . M ., Major Terry , on Sunday , 27 th June , in the person who sends you a copy of a letter to thc organ of the Masonic body in London , with a note to yourself intimating that he does not care one rush whether you insert his communication or not . Your correspondent declares himself to be a Freemason

, of what grade or colour he says not . I imagine he must be a very young one , and very inattentive , or more probably one disappointed in his expectations as to occupying the post of honour and Masonic dignity held by the military VV . M ! on that day . Young or caieles * he must be , or he would have known that it has been the custom since the institution of the Craft for the brethren to attend public

worship in a body , and as a lodge . And without the badges of their Order , and in proper garb , there could have been no lodge , and , therefore , although the brethren of certain lodges might been present in their private capacities , the lodge would not have been . So far for the regalia . It is to go no further back than the days of Charles I . and II ., to state a fact that yearly lhey on the feast of their

patron saint did proceed , as the quaint old writer tells us , " from their ordinary place of meeting in procession by two and two to church and hear sermons from a reverend minister . " Also , on the occasion of the laying of the foundation of the cathedral of Saint Paul ' s , London , that the architect , Sir Christopher Wren , with the builders and their brethren , properly clad with their symbols and banners ,

marched 111 solemn procession to the church of St . Mary ( situated where the centre of King William-street now is ) and hearing service so to Jay stone . As a boy , I remember seeing a procession of Freemasons on its way to church , some of the members of said procession bearing worldwide known names in arms , art , science , and literature , and some of the noblest and highest born in Great Britain .

There were 400 , it was said , and the scene struck me as most solemn . They marched as usual , two and two , all wore Masonic insignia , dress coats , with knee breeches and white gloves . About the musical part of thc proceedings I think little is to be said . The garrison marches to church to music every Sunday , and no one objects to that , or feels his soul

imperilled thereby , or his ears polluted by the march played . Thc 2 'st R . S . F . did more than the Freemasons ; they sent bagpipes all the way from the camp to the Scotch Church , and any one but a Scotchman would hardly think these said pipes particularly solemnising or edifying . Yet no one , not even tlie most Pharisaical , said a word . I think 1 sec the smile on the face of the editor of the

freemason when he reads the communication alluded to . There i . s no doubt of its destiny . That tomb of all idiotic literature , the waste basket , will be its doom . Hut let not my brother be disconsolate , he has appeared in print at least in your columns ; and in this part of the world , i . s not that " Fame ?" That I know what I am writing about you may give me

credit for , and so will your correspondents , a I am a P . W . M . of twenty-five years' standing , and although I disapprove of too much exhibition of its ritual or symbols in public , still ' . know of no reason why any one should be ashamed of tliem . 1 feel it , and have instructed many others , that it i . s an honour to be permitted to wear the insignia . ' I am , ANOTHER FREEMASON .

Jo the Editor of Ihe Nalal Witness . Pietermaritzburg , July 8 th , 1 SS 0 . Sir , —My attention has been called to your issue of thc fith inst ., containing an extraordinary effusion , purporting to be written by "A Freemason , " commenting , in spiteful and malevolent terms , upon the recent Masonic procession to Divine service . As the writer complains that " it is not