India.

J . Mackintosh , D . S . G-W . and P . AI . 229 ; J . II . De Salis , D . J . G . W . and AVAL 109 , W . B . Fan-, W . AL 486 and P . AI . 825 ; Alajor G . R . Fenwick , W . AI . 218 ; Capt . W . G . Murray , P . AI . 630 ; T . H . Girling , W . AI . 1 , 160 ; abd W . B . Alaetavish , J . AV . 109 . Bro . Amos was re-appoiuted custodian of the hall for the ensuing year , receiving the thanks of the D . G . Alaster for bis past services . There being no further business to be brought

forward , the District Grand Lodge was closed in due form at a quarter to eight o'clock . After the termination of business in Grand Lodge , His Excellency the Lord Patron honoured the D . G . Alaster and Graud Lodge with his presence at the banquet table . His Excellency sat at the right hand of the D . G . Alaster , supported to the right by the Deputy D . G . Alaster , Bro . Dr . Daly ; the seat to the left of the chair being occupied by His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal , with the P . D . D . G Alaster , Bro . Judge , on the left . After the banquet the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to .

South Australia.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA .

DISTRICT GRAND L , ODGE . A quarterly communication of the District Grand Lodge was held at the Earl of Zetland Hotel , on AYednesday , the Sth of January , 1870 . There were present : Bro . the R . AV . Arthur Hardy , J . P ., D . G . Alaster , in the chair ; W . Bros . Henry E . Downer , S . AL , Dep . D . G . Alaster ; His Honour Judge Gwynne , DGSWCharles BDartonDGJAVHoratio TWhittell

.... ; . ,.... ; . . itT . Z > ., J . P ., P . D . D . G . AL ; Frederic Wicksteed , P . D . S . G . W . ; John T . Sagar , P . D . G . J . W . ; William II . Graham , P . D . G . Treas . ; John R . Gunier , D . G ., Reg . ; Ralph E . Lucy , D . G . Sec ; Aulay Alacaulay , P . G . S . D . ; John Budall , D . G . J . D . ; AVilliam Hill , D . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Joseph S . Cope , P . D . G . Org . ; John C . Bray , D . G . Purst . ; John Hamlin , P . D . G . Purst . ; AVilliam Price , P . AI . 61-9 ; A . E . D .-ivies , M . D ., J . P ., P . AI ., 872 ; James Martin ,

AVAL , 584 . The AV . AI . and J . W . 842 ; S . W . ' s 423 , 583 , and 584 ; J . W . ' s 423 and 583 . And several visiting brethren . The District Grand Lodge , having been received by the W . AI . and brethren of the Lodge of Friendship with customary honours , was opened in due form . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The R . W . the D . G . AI . then proceeded to invest the D . G . S . W .,

D . G . J . D ,, and D . G . Dir . of Cers . with their respective jewels . The following report of the general committee for the last three months was then read and adopted : —

"REPOET OP THE GENEEAL CoirirrriEE . "To the R . AV . the D . G . Alaster and District Grand Lodge of South Australia , —A onr committee have little to report of interest since the last meeting , except that—The Lodge of Concord , No . 677 , aud that the Albert Lodge , No . 927 , have surrendered their respective warrants to the D . D . G . M ., all the members in both lodges having called off and been regularl y admitted into the Lod

ge of Friendship , No . 423 . This your committee think a step in the right direction , as it has long been the opinion of brothers taking a great interest in theCraf ' t that the number of lodges in Adelaide was too great . They are informed that the Freemasons' Hall is so near completion that the Trustees hope to ask the R . W . the D . G . Alaster to consecrate it some time in the month of February next . They particularly call attention to the return of the Board of '

your Management of the South Australian Alasonic Benevolent Fund , aud trust that the brethren will respond to the claims made therein b y mmediately paying up arrears of subscriptions . They have taken care that the proper notices have been sent to the various lodges of the proposal to increase the quarterage payable to the district , and if you are favourable to the motion you will have

to carry it this evening by the vote of two-thirds of the members present . " The report of the committee and balance sheet of the South Australian Masonic Benevolent Fund were then

read—SOUTH AUSTRALIAN AIASONIC BENEVOLENT FUND . "To the R . AV . the District Grand Alaster and the District Grand Lodge of South Australia , —The Board of Management respectfully reports : —1 st . That by an oversight the accounts ana reports for tbe past year were not presented at the meeting

South Australia.

of D . G . Lodge in October , at which time they were due . 2 nd . It will be seen by reference to the annexed statement , that tbe financial operations of your board have been brought down to date , and that they have been very limited , the receipts from all sources being £ 17 10 s . Id ., and the paymeuts ( exclusive of a loan ) £ , 5 16 s . 8 d . 3 rd . Your board has received and considered six petitions for relief , one of which ( No . IS ) was refused , one held over ( 17 ) and four obtained a prompt response . 4 th . In

, view of the small number of applications for relief , and in consideration of the numerous calls made upon lodges and brethren to aid the hall funds , no special effort has been made in the collection of revenue during the year , but your board desires respectfully to remind subscribers that two year ' s contributions will be due on the 1 st proximo , and to express the hope that the fact will not be overlooked . "

By the statement cf accounts there appears a balauce in band of £ 177 4 s . Id . The report and balance sheet were received and unanimously adopted . It was proposed and seconded— " That the quarterage , or fees paid by the different lodges within the district , be increased to ninepence per quarter on each and every subscribing member of

each lodge ; and that the fee payable to this lodge on account of joining members be increased to two shillings and sixpence for each member . " It was also proposed and carried—" That the date for the confirmation of the above resolution be tbe first Wednesday in the month of April next . " A vote of thanks was accorded to the Lodge of Friendship for the reception of District Grand Lodge on this occasion . There being no further business before the lodge it was then closed in due form .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

AIETROPOLITAN . ROIIERT BUKXS CHAPTER , ( No . 25 ) . —The regular meeting of this chapter was held at the Freemason ' s Hall , on Alonday , 28 th ult . There were present : Comps . John T . Nicholls , AI . E . Z . ; Codnor , H . ; Goodyer , J . ; J . W . Lyon , Scribe E . ; AV . Buck Scribe N . ; llurlson , 1 st Assist . ; Watson , Treas . ; Taylor , P . Z . ; Savage , P . Z . ; Robinson , I' . Z . ; Harrison , P . Z . ; Carpenter , P . Z . ;

and Webb , P . Z . The Visitors were : Comps . Winsland , 946 ; Slack , 19 ; G . States , 145 ; S . Carter , 315 ; and Boyd , 145 . Tho business of the evening consisted of the installation of the three principals . Comps . Codner , AI . E . Z . ; Goodyear , H . ; Birch , J . ; J . W . Lyon , Scribe E . ; King , Scribe N . ; Hurlstone , P . S . ; Bates , 1 st Assist . ; Denton , 2 nd Assist . ; J . J . Wilson , J . W . S . Bros . J . Baynton Hayne , P . Prov . G . Purst . of Cumberland and Westmoreland , 592 , P . AI . 812 , and of 176 , was exalted . At the close of the business about thirty Comps . sat down to banquet .

CitAPTF . it OP PRUDENT BiiETnitE > ' ( No . 145 ) . —Tho public night of this chapter was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday last , under the presidency of Comp . John Boyd , AI . E . Z ., assisted by Comp . C . J . Sharpe , H ., and Comp . AV . Carter , J . Tue programme of the proceedings which was as follows was faithfully carried out . The chapter was opened in due form , at six o ' clock precisely , and the companions below the chair w ere admitted . Comp . George S . StatesScribe E . P . Z . 534 and

, , , 742 , read the summons convening the convocation . Comp . R . Wentworth Little , P . Z ., 1 . 77 and 975 , delivered an oration upon Frecina--onry , alluding more particularly to the Order of the H . R . A . The first clause of the first section was worked by Comp . E . Gottheil , S . N ., 1 , 056 . The second clause of the first section by Comp . W . West Smith , J ., 79 . Tbe third clause of the first section by Comp . W . Green , 1 st A ., 619 . Comp . James Brett , P . Z ., 177

and 975 , gave the address and charge of the first section , and illustrated the symbolism of the Royal Arch Jewel aud platouic bodies . Comp . F . II . Gilbart , J ., 5 J 34 , delivered tbe historical lecture . Comp . Brett gave the closing address and charge to to tho third chair , also the exordium to the second chair . Comp . G , J . Sharpe , IL , 145 , delivered the symbolical lecture . Comp . Brett gave the closing address and charge to the second chair , also an illustration of the trowel , ribbon , the four principal banners and ensigns . Comp . John Boyd , AI . E . Z ., 145 , P . Z . 534 , explained the traditional ceremonies and mystical part of * this degree . Comp . Brett gave the history of Moses' rod , and'