South Australia.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA .

MOUNT GAMBIER LODGE ( NO . . 1 , 207 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of the members of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 21 st December , 1 S 6 ' 9 , and was well attended . The lodge was opened by the AA ' . M ., Bro . Edward French , and the minutes of the last lodge were read and confirmed . Tho ballot "Was then taken lor Bro . S . H . Deverell , of Golden Lodge of Bendigo , No . 641 , and proved unanimous in his favour . Mr . Johu Paris and

Mr . James Umphcrston ( who had been balloted for and accepted at the previous meeting ) , being in attendance , wove duly initiated into Masonry , the ceremony being most impressively rendered by the W . M . Bro . A . F . Barrett , P . M . and Sec , having been elected to the chair of K . S . for the ensuing year , was called to the pedestal , when the the W . M . read the " ancient charges and regulations , " to which the AV . M . elect having assented and promised to submit to , the retiring AA . M . invested him with the

collar and jewel of office . On his assuming the gavel , the following officers were appointed and invested : —Bros . A . W . M'Gvcgor , S . W . ; J . L . Stapleton , J . AV . ; C . Clark , S . D . ; AV . "Wehl , J . D . ; AV . Evans , I . G . ; H . Bristowe , Tyler ; J . D . M . Olfe , Dir . of Cers . ; and AV . AV . Watson , Sec . Bro . T . C . Lyon , Treasurer , who had held the same office since the formation of the lodge , tendered his resignation , wliich was accepted with regret . Bro . R . Clay , of St . George ' s Lodge , No . 885 , was

proposed as a joining member . The lodge was then closed iu harmony . At the close of the lodge , the newly-installed W . M . invited the brethren to the social table , which was responded to by all the members and visitors present , with the exception of two , who were unavoidably prevented remaining . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and heartily responded to , the brethren separating after having spent a very pleasant evening-.

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND . LEICESTER . —Chapter of Fortitude ( No . 279 ) . —A quarterly convocation of this chapter was held on Monday , the 2 Sth ult ., at the Freemason's Hall , when from various causes , the attendance was unusually limited . Iu the unavoidable absence of Comps . tbe Rev . John Spittal , M . E . Z ., and Leonard A . Clarke , H ., the chairs of the chapter were occupied bv Comp . KellyP . G .

, Supt . as M . E . Z . ; Pettifor , P . Z , as H ., and AVeare , P . Z . as J . The other officers present were : Comps . Stretton , E . ; Partridge , N . ; Toller , P . S . ; Mace , A . S . ; Bembridge , Janitor . Comp . the Rev . Clins . J . E . Smith , ( Rugby ) was alsoipi-eseut . The chapter having been opened a board of Installed Principals was formed , and Comp . George H . Hodges , J . elect , who was abroad at the usual period of installation , was duly installed into the third

chair . The other companions having been admitted , a ballot took place for Bi-o . Charles AVilliam Shaw , M . D ., of No . 557 , Queeiistown , Ireland , as a candidate , who was unanimously elected , aud was exalted iu due form , after which Comp . Kelly

delivered the historical , symbolical and mystical lectures . Another candidate for the degree was not in attendance . The treasurer ' s accounts having been passed , a ballot place for the election of officers for tbe ensuing year , and which resulted as follows : Comps . L . A . Clarke , M . E . Z . ; Geo . H . Hodges , H . ,-Geo . Toller , juu ., J . ; Kelly , P . Z . Troas . ; E . Stretton , E . ; Rev . Charles J . E . Smith , N . ; Partridge , P . S . ; Bembridge , Janitor . The appointment of the Assistant Sojourners and the Stewards

stood over to the next meeting . A notice made at the last convocation by Comp . Toller for an alteration of the by-law as regards the times of meeting , was considered and it was unanimously resolved that meetings of the chapter be hold in the months of February , April , June , October and December ( being the alternate months with the Mark ' Lodge ) in lieu of quarterly as at present . The Prov . G . Supt . announced his intention of holding a meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter

shortly . Four candidates having been proposed for exaltation the chapter was closed in form and with solemn prayer , aud the companions adjourned to refreshment . LANCASHIRE ( AVEST ) . LANCASTER . —Rowley Chapter ( No . 1051 ) . —The regular meeting of this chapter was held at the Masonic Rooms , Athemxmm , on Monday evening , the 21 st ult . There were present the three

Royal Arch.

Principals . Comps . Dr . Moore , M . E . Z . ; Bagnall , IL ; Mason , J . ; Heald , as E . ; Simpson , as N . ; Dr . Mercer , Prin . Soj . ; Whimpray , Barrow , Taylor , mid Watson . The chanter being opened , and the usual formal business transacted , the M . E . Z . called upon the companions to oleet the officers for the ensuing year , which resulted as follows ; Comps . Bagnall , M . E . Z . ; Masou , H . ; Hall , J . ; Dr . Mercer , E . ; AVhimpi-ay , N . ; AA . Barker , Treas . ; Fenton , Prin . Soj . ; and Taylor , Janitor . A code of bye-laws which had

been drawn up hy the M . E . Z . was submitted , and adopted by the companions , subject to the approval of the Prov . Grand . Supt . A joining member was proposed , and other business having been transacted , the chapter was closed in due form .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

CORNWALL . HAVLE . —Comubian Lodge of Mark Master Masons ( So . 87 ) . —Tho fifth annual meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday tbe loth inst ., at the Masonic Rooms , White Hart Hotel , for the purpose of transacting annual and general business , and for installing Bro . Bui-all , Prov . S . G . D ., AV . M ., for the ensuing year . The lodge was opened in due form by Bro . Dr . Mudge , P . G . J . O ., A \ . M . at two o ' clock p . m . After the general business had been

, disposed of , Bro . Bin-all , P . G . S-D . the AV . M . elect , was presented to tho Installing Master , Bro . Frank Harvey , P . G . S . VV . P . M ., who conducted the ceremony in a very impressive and able manner . The W . M . then appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . Dr . Mudge , P . G . J . O . Immediate P . M . ; F . H . Pool , P . G . S ., S . W . ; James Pool , J . W . ; A . J . West , P . G . S . B ., M . O . ; AV . Hollow , S . O . ; M . Dunn , J . O . ; Rev . A . J .

Easterbrook , Chap . ; F . H . Pool , P . G . 3 ., Treas . ; John Coombe , P . G . Steuard , P . P . G . S- of AA " ., Secretary ; T . AV . Robinson , Reg . of Marks ; AV . AV . Mildren , S . D . ; R . Cobbledich , J . D . ; Wm . Cock , I . G . ; AV . K . Baker and G . Richards , Stewards ; C . Srathan , Ty ler . This concluded the business of the day . The brethren then adjourned to tbe banquet , and , after tbe cloth was removed , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and received . After a delightful evening , the brethren separated at an early hour .

DURHAM . AVEST HAHTIEPOOL . —Eclectic Lodge ( No . 39 ) . —On Tuesday , the 22 nd ult ., the annual meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , when the installation of the AV . M . elect , Bro . S . Gourley , took place . Previous to the ceremony , tho lodge having been opened in due form and with solemn prayer by the V . AV Bro . ? £ < F . Binckes , 30 ° , G . Sec , the ballot was taken for Bro .

AV . Sincon , J . D . No . 1 , 274 , and Bro . H . Warwick , I . G . No . 124 , who were duly elected . These brethren being in attendance were , with Bro . Davidson , who had been previously elected , advanced to the honourable degree of Mark Masters by the G . Sec . At the conclusion of the ceremony , Bro . Binckes proceeded to instal the AV . M . elect according to the accustomed rites and ceremonies of this degree . The AV . M . then appointed and invested the officers for the ensuing year as follows : —Bros . R . B .

Harpley , I . P . M , ; J . AV . Cameron , S . AV . ; >|< AV . Brignall , jun ., 30 ° , J . W . ; E . Hudson , M . O . ; J . B . AVatts , S . O . ; T . AVhitwell , J . O . ; Rev . ifr H . Ii . Tristram , 18 ° , LL . D ., FS . S ., Chap . ; M . Rukinson , Treas . ; E . Alexander , Sec . ; R . M . Gallon , Reg . ; J . Hunter , S . D . ; R . H . Stafford , J . D . ; J . Miller , Steward and I . G . ; and J . Mowbray , Tyler . The brethren afterwards adjourned to a most excellent banquet at Bro . Gallon's , Royal Hotel . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given with true fraternal feeling , aud the brethren separated , after having spent a most enjoyable evening .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE .

NORTHUMBERLAND . NE \ VCASTDE-UTON-TYNE . — Royal Kent Rose Croix Chapter , JI . R . DJL—On Friday afternoon , the 26 th ult ., the members of this chapter held their aunivei-say meeting at the Freemason's Hall , Bells-court , 9 , Mewgate-sti-eet , Bro . A Clapham , M . W . Sov ., in the chair . The chapter having been opened iu ancient and solemn form , the minutes of tho last convocation were read and confirmed . The M . AV . Sov . Bro . > J < AV . Brignall , jun ., 30 ° , was presented by the Grand Marshal for the benefit of installation , which interesting ceremony was conducted by Bro . AY