Australia.

Australia .

[ FROM OUR MELBOURNE CORRESPONDENT . ] In the city of Melbourne there is a Masonic Hall , owned by a limited liability company , and rented by the different lodges , chapters , and other bodies holding under tbe three British Constitutions . In addition to its being used for Masonic purposes , one of the two lodge rooms , when not Masonically engaged , is let for meetings , balls , & c . In

July last there was a strange incongruity . The Freethinkers of Melbourne , headed by a notorious lecturer on infidelity , were allowed to use this very lodge-room for tlie purpose of forming a so-called " Freethinkers' and Secularists' Society . " VVe sincerely trust this was an inadvertence on the part of the hall ollicials . At all events , the proceeding savoured somewhat of the sacrilegious , and as a report of

the aforesaid meeting appeared in the Melbourne papers , it looks extremely like a scandal and an insult on the landmarks of our dear old Craft . A letter from "An Old Mason " appeared in the Melbourne Argus ol July 19 th , drawing attention to the unsavoury subject , and as no reply was made to it , we may presume that the brethren concerned are conscience-stricken .

Bro . Archibald Forbes , the famous war correspondent , who , for some months past , has been engaged in a highly successful lecturing tour in the Antipodes , was in the city of Melbourne , when the newsarrived by cable , announcing the death of his comrade in arms , General Skobeleff . The following day Bro . Forbes contributed a long and graphically interestinu biography of the great Russian soldier to

the Melbourne Argus . Writing about the first assault on Plevna , he mentioned , with some reservation , that General Skobeieff was actually in the Turkish fortress for the space of ten minutes , adding , however , that a medical gentleman , now in Melbourne , would be able to set him right on the subject . The following day the medical gentleman in question , ( Bro . Dr . Charles B . Ryan ) , addressed a letter to

the Argns , in which he stated , that , being at the time doing surgical duty with the gallant Osman Pasha ' s besieged army , in the beleaguered' fortress , he , of his own know-ledge knew the Russians never succeeded in getting within less than from 400 to 500 yards of Plevna . Bro . Ryan , we may add , is Junior Warden of the Meridian Lodge of St . John , No . 729 , English Constitution , meeting in Melbourne .

C R A F T . MELBOURNE . — Collingwood Lodge ( No . 727 ) . — The usual monthly meeting of this flourishing English lodge was held on Monday evening , July 31 st , in the Masonic Half , Lonsdale-street , the W . AI ., Bro . C . H . Bayley , presiding . Over fifty members and visitors from other lodges were present . The agenda was a very heavy

one , comprising three initiations , two passings , and two raisings , the whole of the work in connection with which was performed by the W . M . most ably , although it was but two months since his installation . Two joining members were elected , and the lodge was closed shortly after ten

o ' clock . The brethren then adjourned to supper . Bro . VV . F . Lamonby , in responding for " The Visitors , " warmly complimented the W . M . on the excellence of his work , jocularly adding that he must be a glutton , when he was surrounded by so many able Past Masters of the Collingwood Lodge .

MELBOURNE—Neptune Lodge ( No 1 S 81 , E . C . ) . —An emergency meeting of this young lodge was held on Saturday evening , July 15 th , in the Masonic Hall . Bro . F . S . Parker , VV . M ., was in the chair , and the business was the initiation of Capt . Johnson and Mr . Butler , both of the s . s- Barrabool .

MARK MASONRY MELBOURNE . — Washington Lodge ( No . - . 68 ) I . C . —The installation festival of this flourishing Irish Mark Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , on Thursday , July 13 th . Bro . Burton , W . M . presided , and there was a good attendance of the members , as also visiting brethren from the Victoria Lodge , No . 47 , Melbourne , E . C , and Faithfull Lodge , No . 229 , Cockermouth , Kngland . E . C . The installation ceremony was performed by Bro . Angell Ellis . P . M .. in the bresence of eieht Installed Masters .

after which Bro . A . H . Padley , VV . M ., invested the officers , who , like himself , had been elected on the previous lodge night , according to the Irish regulation . A very satisfacfactory balance-sheet was read and adoped , and seven members were struck of the roll for non-payment of subscriptions , leaving a total of thirty-six in good standing . A candidate was proposed for advancement , and the lodge was then closed , when the brethren went to refreshment .

MELBOURNE . —Victoria Lodge ( No . 47 ) . — An emergency meeting of this old lodge of Mark Master Masons was held on VVednesday evening , July 19 th ; Bro . J . Drew , VV . M ., P . G . S . O ., in thc chair . A ballot was taken for five candidates , and those present were duly admitted , after which the lodge was closed .

The regular meeting of the lodge was held on Friday , July 28 th , when the VV . M . for the ensuing year , Bro . F . L . Maillard , S . W ., was installed and the officers invested . Bro . VV . F . Lamonby , P . M . 229 , P . P . G . Sec . Cumberland and Westmorland , was balloted for , and elected a joining member . The banquet was subsequently held .

This new lodge of Mark Masters was consecrated on Thursday evening , the ioth ult ., in the Academy of Music , Emerald-hill , a thriving suburb of the Victorian metropolis . Previously there were two Craft lodges in full work , one under the Enfi-Iish and the other under the Scottish

Consti-CONSECRATION OF THE SOUTH MELBOURNE LODGE OF MARK MASONS .

tution . A few Mark Masons belonging to those lodges , in deference to the wishes of brethren not belonging to the Order , conceived the time opportune to open a new Mark lodge , under the English Constitution ; and receiving every encouragement from the members of the Victoria Lodge ,

No . 47 , in Melbourne , thev applied to the R . W . Provincial Grand Master , Bro . H . ' W . Lowry , for a dispensation , which was at once granted . Accordingly , on the evening named , the petitioners for 'he new lodge , and a large number of visiting brethren , assembled , the latter being from Victoria Lodge , 47 ; Key-

Australia.

stone Lodge , 19 ( Scottish Constitution ) , Richmond ; and Washington Lodge , 3 CS ( Irish Constitution ) , Melbourne . In the absence of the R . W . Provincial Grand Master , through illness , and his deputy , the presiding officer ' s position was occupied by Bro . J . Drew , P . M . 47 , P . G . S . W . ; and he was supported by Bros . J . Cahill , P . M . 47 , P . G . M . O . ; G . F . Martin , P . M . 47 , P . G . Sec . ; VV . Marshall , P . M . 47 ; W . Davis , W . M . Keystone Lodge ( S . C ); A .

H . Padley , W . M . Washington Lodge ( I . C ); A . Ellis , P . M . Washington Lodge ; W . Burton , P . M . Washington Lodge ; and W . F . Lamonby , P . M . 47 and 229 . The customary formalities having been gone through , the South Melbourne Lodge was consecrated to Mark Masonry by Bro . Drew , assisted by Bro . Lamonby . Bro . J . Main , VV . M . designate , was then presented to Bro . Drew , and regularly installed in the chair of A ., after

which the officers were invested , the principals bein » - Bros . F . Findlay , S . W . ; VV . Ferguson , J . W . ; VV . Marshall , Treas . ; and J . Cahill , Sec . On the proclamations being put , no fewer than sixteen candidates were proposed for advancement on the next regular lodge night . Finally the lodge was closed , and supper was partaken of . The usual toast list followed , and a very enjoyable evening was spent .

Bro . Lamonby , in replying to the toast of " Past Masters of Other Lodges , " remarked that the opening of this new lodge afforded a capital opportunity for getting up the work as now practised and authorised by the Grand Lodge Officials in England . In the case of the Victoria Lodge , there was a difficulty of moving out of the old groove , and he should be pleased to attend the meetings of the South Melbourne , with the view of affording the officers an

opportunity of acquiring the recognised mode of work . Bro . Martin , P . G . Sec , observed that the R . W . Prov . G . Master was the sole authority in the matter of the ritual , and until he saw fit to authorise any alteration , it would not be correct to introduce any other form . He { Bro . Martin ) was unaware of the ritual being any different to that which they had worked for many years past . [ Bro . Binckes and Bro . Dewar will doubtless note the above ] .

New Ireland.

New Ireland .

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF NORTH ISLAND . The Quarterl y Communication of this District Grand Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Wellington , on June 15 th . Present : R . W . Bro . C . J . Toxward , D . G . M . ; W . Bros . R . Hammerton , P . D . G . Treas .. as D . D . G . M . ; T . M'Kenzie , President of Board of General Purposes , as

D . G . S . W . ; L . Boor , D . G . J . W . ; Rev . C Nicholls , D . G . Chap . ; Sir E . O . Gibbes , Bart ., D . G . Treas . ; A . de B . Brandon , jun ., D . G . Reg .,- C Powles , D . G . Sec . ; K . Wilson , D . G . S . D . ; H . Williams , as D . G . J . D . ; H . Lyon , Dir . of Cer . ; N . Werry , D . G . Swd . Br . ; D . Maunsell , D . G . Purst . ; and E . Buck , D . G . Tyler . The District Grand Lodge was opened in due form by the D . G . M ., with solemn prayer by the P . D . Chaplain .

Apologies for non-attendance were received from several brethren . The minutes of the Quarterly Communication of lOth March having been printed and circulated , were taken as read and confirmed . The roll of lodges was called and responded to as follows : N . I . Pacific , Mount Egmont , Tongariro , Wellington , Victoria , Greytown , Abereorn , St . John ' s , and Victory . The following Report of the Board of General Purposes

was read : " 'lb the District Grand Lodge of Ancient , Free , and Accepted Masons for the North Island of New Zealand , Wellington . " Wellington , June 13 th , 1 SS 2 . " The Board of General Purposes have to report that the R . W . D . G . M . has appointed Bro . C . P . Powles to the office of D . G . Secretary , the duties of which office have ,

since the resignation of Bro . E . D . Butts , been temporarily performed by Bro . the Rev . C . H . S . Nicholls , and Bro . Powles' office is to be the office of thc District Grand Lodge . In addition to securing the seivices of an able professional gentleman for this important position , the fatter arrangement will be of great advantage to the lodge . "The Board have resolved to keep on hand a stock of

Books of Constitutions for the convenience of the lodges in the district , and an order for a supply was sent home by the last mail . " Since the last meeting of the District Grand Lodge , the news has reached New Zealand of an attempt on the life of Her Majesty the Queen . The Board submit to District Grand Lodge that this the earliest opportunity

should be taken to record their sense of the outrage , and they recommend that the following address be adopted and transmitted to Her Majesty through the M . W . the Grand Master . "THOMAS MCKENZIE , President . '" To Her Most Gracious Majesty , Victoria , Queen of Great Britain and Ireland , Empress of India , tkcZScc . " ' May it please Your Majesty , —

The District Grand Lodge of Ancient , Free , and Accepted Masons of the North Island of New Zealand , VVellington , holding under the United Grand Lodge of England , humbly beg to express the profound sorrow with which they have heard of the attempt made upon Your Majesty ' s life , _ and to offer their heartfelt congratulations upon Your Majesty ' s happy preservation from harm . They beg to

assure Your Majesty of the deep attachment of the members of the Fraternity in this portion of Your Majesty ' s dominions to Your Majesty ' s person and throne , and they pray that the Great Architect of the Universe may long continue to execute His purposes for the welfare of our nation by means of Your Majesty ' s benign personal influence and beneficent rule . ' "

On the motion of Bro . T . MCKENZIE , seconded by Bro . A . de B . BRANDO ; -, the Report of the Board of General Purposes was received and adopted . On the motion of Bro . T . MCKE . VZIE , seconded by Bro . Sir E . OSBORNE GIHBES , it was resolved : "That the

Address to Her Majesty the Queen be adopted and forwarded to the Grand Secretary for transmission to Her Majesty . " * I he dispensations and certificates issued since thc last Quarterly Communication were reported . The D . G . TREASURI-R read his stotement of accounts for the past quarter , which showed a balance in bank of £ 41 12 s . iod .

New Ireland.

On the motir . i of Bro . the Rev . C . H . S . NICIIOU , , seconded by Bro . R . C HA . MERTON , Bro . Kenneth Wilson was elected Treasurer of District Grand Lodge for the ensuing year . The investiture of the following officers for the year then took

place : VV . Bro . T . McKenzie D . G . S . W . „ Sir E . O . Gibbes , Bart . .. . D . G . J . W . ' „ A . de B . Brandon ... D . G . Rec „ Rev . C . Nicholls D . G . Chip . K . Wilson D . G . Treas .

C . Powles D . G . Sec . E . Butts ... f D . G . Pres . Bd . of „ ' ( . Gen . Purposes . „ Ii . Hardcastle D . G S D E . Ancher D . G . J . D . o' , ' ssr lesden D . G . D . of C . u \ Y ? t ers 'LG . Swd . Br . H . West D . G . Ore

. „>' „ D Maunsell D . G . Purst . VV . Bros . B . Manley , C . Maclean , J . " ) Pw ; , ^ ' wmiams > G- Robinson , and ^ D . G . Stewards . VV . Watt \ XV . Bro . E . Buck ... " .. ' . ' . ' . ' . ' D . G . Tyler . In the absence , from illness , of Bro . C . M . Igglesden , the motion of which he had given notice lapsed . All business being ended , the District Grand Lodge was closed in due form .

Canada.

Canada .

THE NEW GRAND LODGE OFFICERS . The following is a complete list of the newly-elected and appointed officers of the above Grand Lodge -. — ELECTED . M . W . Bro . Daniel Spry , Barrie , G . M . R . W . Bro . Hugh Murray , Hamilton , D . G . M .

„ J . Ross Robertson , Toronto , G . S . W . W . T . Bray , Wingham , G . J . W . „ Rev . Evan Davies , London , G . Chap . „ 1 ' .. Mitchell , Hamilton , G . Treas . » J- J- Mason , Hamilton , G . Sec . „ VV . C . Wilkinson , Toronto , G . Reg .

APPOINTED . V . W . Bro . Thomas Beattie , London , G . S . D J . N . Carter , Picton , G . J . D . ! w , X ^ - St ' Catherines , G . Supt . of Works . " ) . £ , , * reet ' M D ' London , G . Dir . of Cer . „ H . Bickford , Dundas , G . Asst . Sec . Alex . Patterson , Toronto , C . Asst . Dir . of Cer . ,, James Lockie , Berlin , G . Sword B .

„ E . T . Malone , Toronto , G . Org . „ Charles Brown , Yorkville , G . Asst . Org . „ Charles L . Sanders , Barrie , G . Purs . „ R . McKnight , Owen Sound \ „ Samuel White , Peterboro „ VV . H . Sparling , Chatham * „ C . Benedict , Zurich „ J . B . Bishop , Hamilton

T . L . M . Tipton , Dunvillc Grand " w 2 rd r 1 *" , ' ' ? , ttawa ( Stewards . „ VV . Colcleugh , Mt . Forest „ L . Becker , Waterford „ M . Day , Thamesford „ Jas . Holmes , Chesterville „ John Hull , Lakefield J BOARD OK GENERAL PURPOSES .

EI . ECTKD . R . W . Bro . Otto Klotz , Preston . „ „ Henry Robertson , Collingwood . „ „ lhos . Sargant , Toronto . „ „ Allan Maclean , Kingston . „ „ J . B . Trayes , Port Hope . „ „ David McLellan , Hamilton .

APPOINTED . R . W . Bro . R . B . Hungerford , London . » » J . McLaren , Orangcville . „ „ R . Hendry , jun ., Kingston . j , , > J . E Harding , St . Mary's . „ „ W . G . Reid , Hamilton . » » ]• IL Nixon , Toronto .

D « , » Dl , ? £ , DEPUTV GRAND MASTERS . R . W . Bro . John Fisher , Eglington , the Toronto District . „ „ John Creasor , Owen Sound , the Georgian District . „ „ F .. D . Hall , Peterboro ' , the Ontario District . „ „ J . H . Kenning , Prescott , the St . Laurence District . " " ) V ' . J" k '" . say > Watford , the St . Clair District .

„ „ L . Jarvis , London , the London District . " = . \ " £ ;¦ " ""¦• Welland , the Niagara District . „ „ lhos . Uark , Dundas , the Hamilton District . " " ¦!? h " , ' , oon Gue'Ph , 'he Wellington District . „ „ L . B . Butterworth , Ottawa , the Ottawa District . „ W . L . Hamilton , Pclleville , the Prince Edward District . " " , «' dcli , Te . Goderich , the Huren District . „ „ Dr . Kennedy , Victoria , the Wilson District .

The tradesmen and inhabitants of Albany-street and the neighbourhood have formed a Committee , under the immediate patronage of Bro . Col . Fred . Uurnaby ( of Khiva lame ) and "he officers of the regiment , for the purpose of organising a complimentary banqu . t to the noncommissioned officers and troopers of the Royal Horse Guards ( Blue ) , on their return from Egypt . Col . Burnaby has kindly and cheerfully given his sanction for the spacious ndmg school to be used for the occasion , and the co-onPr .-i .

tion ot all thorough Englishmen is solicited on behalf of what should be a deservedl y popular movement . It is confidentl y anticipated that within a few days the patronage of Royalty will be secured , and no pains or expense will be spared to render the undertaking a thorough and unoualified success . Bro . Hiram Hentun , of S 3 . Albany-strc-et , f V r ?; . " u eSt S c n , th ' ' 'V- l 55 ' > of 34 . Cathenne-street , . V . U , the Hon . Sec . to the I'undtogether with Bro

, . J . Burley the Hon . 1 reas ., i 95 , Albany-street , will be happy to receive and acknowledge subscriptions , and vve are asked to state that a donation of one guinea will entitle the subscriber to a dinner ticket . Uuriues should be crossed fhe National and Provincial Bank of England 212 , Piccadilly . " t » ¦ "• ** - "•