Malta.

Serjeant of the Eegiment . Bro . Swettenham , P . M ., acted as AVM . ; Bros . F . Y . Cassidy , P . M . ; F . Fisher , S . W . ; II . Waldron , J . AV . ; Limber , Treas . ; ' Deverell , Sec ; Phillips , S . D . ; Hill , J . D . ; Allen , I . G . Visitors : —Bros . Gorham , P . M . 349 , P . D . J . G . D . Andalusia ; J . Stewart , AV . M . 387 , I . C . ; and J . Chamberlain , from 153 , Gibraltar . The lodge haying been opened in the first degree , ancl the , minutes read and confirmed , the ballot was taken , which proved satisfactory . Tlie AV . M .

then ordered the candidates to be prepared , ancl proceeded to initiate them in due and ancient form . The latter part of tbe degree and the charge were most efficiently given by Bro . Fisher , S . XV ., whose distinct , deliberate manner of giving the charge , & c , was highly admired . The J . W . explained the working tools , and a very complete explanation of tho tracing board was given b y Bro . Allen , I . G . Indeed every office-bearer in this lodge seems ready at a moment's notice to perform any

duty that may be required—from AV . M . to I . G . Such a state of things is hi ghly creditable , ancl augurs well for the future of the loclge . This lodge is called "Meridian ; " may their sun never set . The W . M . then asked Bro . Gorham , a visiting P . M ., to address the candidates , which he accordingly did , pointing out the universality of Freemasonry , and telling the candidates that it was only by regular attendance and careful study , that they could expect to attain a competent knowledge of what bad that evening boon partly explained . The loclge was then closed with solemn prayer , ancl after a little fraternal chat . and light refreshment , the brethren separated in high good humour .

India.

INDIA .

BENGAL . DISTRICT GRAND LODGE . A quarterly communication of the District Grand Lodge of Bengal was held at the Freemasons Hall , Calcutta , on Thursday , the 24 th June , 1869 The R . W . Hugh D . Sandcman the D . G . M " . presiding . There were present AA ' . M . Bros . AV . J . Judge , Dep . D . G . M . ;

Dr . F . Powell , D . S . G . AV ; J . Mackintosh , D . J . G . W . ; J . II . Linton , D . G . Treas . ; J . Pitt Kennedy , D . G . Reg . ; II . H . Locke , D . G . Sec . ; W . B : Farr , D . S . G . D . ; XV . G . Amos , ' as D .. T . G . D . ; J . Conway . D . G . D of C . ; Goddard , as D . Cr . S . B . ; Major Macdonald , D . G . Purst . ; Bros . XV . B . Mactavish , J . Lin . lley , XV . Nicholls , T . McKelvey , Dr . XV . K . AValler , H . L . Lepage , acting D . G . Stewards ; D . J . Daniel , D . G . Tyler . The following lodges were represented : —

Star in the East , No . 67 ; Industry and "erscverance , No . 109 ; True Friendship , No . 218 ; Humility with Fortitude , No . 229 ; Marine , No . 232 ; Courage with Humanity , No . 392 ; St . John , No , 586 ; Temperance and Benevolence . No . 1 , 169 . Visitors : AV . Bros . AV . F . Kruger , W . M . of Loclge No . 371 of Scotland ; C . F . Jacobson , AV . M . of Lodire No . 404 of Scotland ; Capt . AV . G . . Murray , P . M . of Loclge ' ¦ Dalhonsie , " No . 630 . The District Grand Lodge having been opened iu clue form at 6 ' 40 p . m . apologies from the following brethren were recorded : —

Bros . II . B . Lewis , D . G . Steward ; H . J . Frew , J . W . of "Lodge Excelsior . " The minutes of the quarterly communication of the 20 th March , 1869 , having been printed and circulated , were taken as read , put to the vote , and confirmed . The lt . AV . the D . G . M . addressed the District Grand Lodge as follows : — "AVorshipful Brethren—Tlie only important event which has

taken place during the past quarter has been the first general meeting of the supporters of the Bentral Masonic Association , for educating the children of indigent Freemasons . This association may now be said to he fairl y launched ancl I am glad to bo able to report favourabl y upon it . " Of the promised donations and subscriptions , aggregating Rs . 12 , 000 , a sum of over Rs . 8 , 000 has already been paid ill ; and I am triad to say that it lias been resolved to invest all

donations in Government securities in the joint names of the trustees of the fund , while the interest only of such investment , together with the amounts of annual subscription , will be permitted to he expended . This is a very important feature in the rules of the association , as by it the stability of the fund is permanently ensured , and there can be no fear of our capital decreasing ; while , on the other hand , every donation however small , will contribute to increase our means of doing good . The association is to

be registered under tlie Registration Act of India , and every precaution has been taken to place it on a firm and permanent basis , and thus , it is hoped , ensure general sympathy ancl active support . Our means , however , are as yet exceedingly small when the object of the association is considered ; and I would ask for your co-operation , not only by ourselves subscribing to this excellent charity , but by your endeavouring to obtain the assistance and support of your friends and brethren to the scheme . I

earnestly commend it to your favourable consideration . "A paragraph in the report of the Finance Committee warns us that we must submit to temporary inconvenience for tho purpose of having the Masonic Hall thoroughly repaired . It is now five and a half years since the bouse was touched , and some portions of it are , it is feared , insecure , so that you will readily admit the necessity of at once thoroughly repairing tbe whole building . AVe have been asked to vacate the premises at the

beginning of next mouth , and I have this clay issued instructions to the District Grand Secretary to notify this to Masters of Lodges with a request that they will remove their property by the close of the current month . I request the ready co-operation of masters in this matter , as any delay on their part will bave the effect of retarding repairs , and will consequently delay our re-admission to the building . Tbe repairs will probably take two months ; and due notice will be given to you when the hall is ready for re-occupation , Iu the . absence , from Calcutta , of tbe District Grand Sunt , of AVorks , our XV . Bro . Locke has kindly

intimated to mo his willingness to arrange for the appropriate decoration of the public rooms , ancl I need scarcely add that I have most ghnlly accepted his offer , knowing that for taste in decorative art he has no equal in Calcutta , and that we shall consequently benefit very greatly from his valuable assistance and superintendence . These decorations will naturally cost money and I am sanguine that every lodge using tbe hall will be glad to defray its proper portion of the expense , which like the

cost of overliauling our lighting arrangements ( which will also be necessary ) will fall fairly upon lodges generally , as tbey only pay just sufficient to cover the actual expenses of the hall without profit to G . L . Masters of Lodges will have to make their own arrangements for lodge meetings , during the time the hall is under repair , while every endeavour will be made to have the building ready for occupancy by the earliest possible date . " I am sorry to have to report the exclusion , for non-payment

of clues , of Bros . Emanuel Grant Costello , Andre Louis Briant , from loclge " St . John ' s , " No . 486 ; John Dickenson , William Pittar , from lodue '' Excelsior , " No . 825 ; J . Hnskins , J . C . P . Campbell , XV . Riwlston , J . Stewart , J . A . Wilson , ancl J . C . Eobh , from lodge " Temperance and Benevolence , " No . 1 , 160 . "I regret further to inform you of the expulsion from Freemasonry , by the District Grand Lodge of Bombay , of Bro . G . Bease , the editor of tbe Masonic Record in that town . " The following report of the Finance Committee was then read .

At a meeting of the Finance Committee of the District Grand Lodge of Bengal , held at tbe Freemasons' Hall , Calcutta , on Tuesday , ilia 8 th June , 1 SC 9 , there were present : —AV . Bros . John Mackintosh , D . J . G . W ., in the chair ; J . Conway , W . M . 825 ; AVilliam B . Farr , W . M . 486 J . II . Linton , D . G . Treas . ; H . Locke , D . G . > Sec . An apology for non-attendance was received from \\ . Rro . Lewis .

' 1 he accounts of the D . G . Treas . for tbe second financial quarter of 1869 were audited anil found correct . Tlie balance to credit of thhe District Grand Lodgo was Es . 310 2 A . SP ., and of the Fund of Benevolence Rs . 430 12 A . 2 P . The D . G . See . reported that , in consequence of certain statements which he had received from the custodian of the hall relative to the urgent need of repairs in wbi'di the premises now stood , be had , under the instructions of tbe D . G . M ., written to

the landlord ' s agent upon the subject , requesting that he would direct his builder to meet the custodian with a view to ascertaining the extent to which repairs were necessary , ancl tbe time which they would take to execute . This meeting between our custodian and the landlord ' s builder had taken place , but no further communication from the agent had been received . AV . Bro . Amos , the custodian , was , however , in attendance , to give the committee such information as he possessed . The commirtee

after consultation with tbe custodian , proceeded with that officer to inspect the promises , ancl gave instructions with a view to obtaining such information as might enable them to submit a memorandum upon the subject at the ensuing quarterly Communication , —H . H . Locke , D . G . Sec .