The Masonic Mirror.

thren hacl had au opportunity of reading them , and from them it appeared to be the desire of the brethren to found three great Masonic Charities in Victoria , similar to those in this country , and that a grant of land had been made to tbem of sufficient extent to enable buildings to be erected for their three great Charities . They had raised amongst themselves a considerable sum of money , but they were desirous of receiving

pecuniary aid from tho tliree Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland . He believed that such institutions ivould be productive of great good , and as far as the Grand Lodge of England ivas concerned they wished them God-speed , but with the great works they bad in hand their funds were mortgaged , and tbey could not afc present render them pecuniary aid , but he

trusted at some future time the Grand Loclge of England ivould contribute to them , and with no niggardly hand . He moved a resolution sympathising with tho ] objecfc , bufc from the demands upon them they wore at present unable to render pecuniary aid .

Bro . UDALL , P . G . D ., seconded the motion . The motion was put and agreed to . THE DISTRICT GEAND LODGES OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA . The G . SECRETARY read a memorial froin the District Grand Lodge of South Australia , setting forth certain alleged inconveniences , and

praying—1 st . That District Grand Lodges be assimilated in their functions to the Grand Lodgo . 2 nd . That they shall not cease to exist on the death or resignation of the Provincial Grand Master . 3 rd . That they shall have the power of investigating , regulating , and deciding all matters relative to the Craffc or

the particular lodges , or to individual brothers within their respective districts ; which they may exercise either of themselves or by such delegated authority as in their wisdom or discretion they may appoint—their decisions in all cases to be regulated by the " Book of Constitutions , " and subject to appeal to Grand Lodge . A letter was also read from the Provincial Grand Master of South Australia , stating that be ivas opposed to the prayer of the memorialists .

Bro . M'INTYIIE , after a few observations , moved that the memorials be referred to the Board of General Purposes , who had already entered into the consideration of tho question by tbe direction of the Grand Master , that the President and Vice-President of the Colonial Board should attend to render assistance , ancl that the Board should be directed to report ivith the least possible delay .

Bro . SAVAGE , P . G . D ., seconded tho motion . Bro . LLEWELLYN EA * ANS supported the resolution , which ivas put and carried unanimously .

COALS FOR THE ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . Bro . JOHN UDALL , P . G . D ., moved : — " That the sum of £ 50 be given from the Fund of General Purposes , and placed in the hands of the Secretary , to supply the inmates of the Asylum of the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their Widows , with coals . "

Bro . J . SMITH , P . G . Purst ., seconded the motion . Bro . STEBBING supported the motion , and hoped that this would be made a permanent charge rather than an annual grant . The motion Avas put and agreed to . There being no further business , Grand Lodge was closed in due form and ivith solemn prayer , and adjourned shortly before ten o ' clock .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

CRYSTAL PALACE LODGE ( NO . 742 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 1 st inst ., ivhen Bro , John Bertrand ivas installed as successor to Bro . John Smith , who vacated the chair after a most successful year of office . Numerous visitors , including Bro . John Ernmens , the G . Purst ., favoured the lodge with their company , and enjoyed one of . the most happy meetings ever held in this popular lodge .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DEVONSHIRE . SIDMOUTH . —Lodge Perseverance ( So . 164 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this loclge was bold on AVednesday , tlie 31 sfc ulfc . The lodge having been opened by the W . M ., Bro . Hodge , Prov . S . G . D ., assisted by Bros . Pile , S . W ., and E . H . Crate , J . W ., ivith the rest of the officers , the minutes of last lodwere read and confirmedafter which the brethren

proge , ceeded to ballot for two candidates who bad previously been proposed for initiation . The ballot proving satisfactory , they ivere separately admitted and impressively initiated into tho mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry , which ceremony ivas performed by Bro . Hodge , in his usual admirable style ; the working tools being presented and lecture on the first tracing board delivered by Bro . E . H . Crate , J . W . There being no

further business before the lodge , ifc ivas closed in harmony and peace . The brethren adjourned for a short time to refreshment , at ivhich the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed . In proposing the toast of " Our M . W . G . M ., the Earl of Zetland , " tlie W . M . took occasion to allude fco the recent severe bereavement he bad sustained through tbe lamented decease of the Countess of Zetland . In giving the toast , "The Officers of this Lod" the W . M . limented tbem upon the efficient

ge , comp manner in which they had that evening performed their duties , and saicl that ifc afforded him great satisfaction . Bro . Crate , J . W ., iu returning thanks on behalf of the officers , thanked the W . M . most sincerely for the very flattering manner in Avhicli they had been alluded to , and observed that Avhere tbe W . M . was so correct in the performance of his duties , the officers ought , being influenced by his example , to strive by every means in

their power , to render themselves in their various stations as efficient as their Master . Although the loclge was small in number , Bro . Crate trusted that would be no hindrance to its becoming as well worked as any lodge in the province . In conclusion , he gave them the health of their W . M ., Bro . Hodge , which was received with immense applause . The W . M . suitably replied , and as it was found to be getting rather late , the brethren shortly after separated .

GLOUCESTERSHIRE . TEAVKESBURY . —St . George's Lodge ( No . 900 ) . —A lodge of emergency was holden in the loclge room , at the Swan Hotel , on Friday , the I 9 th of May , when a large number of the members attended , amongst whom were Bros . Nathaniel Treasure , W . M . ; Rev . C . W . Gove , Chap . ; E . G . Stone , P . M . and P . Prov . S . G . W . Worcestershire ; J . 11 . l ' orke , M . P . ; Dr . Devereux , T . AV . SwinburneCorndeal HallP . M . ; Captain ThwaitsS . W . ;

, , . F . Harven , J . W . ; W . H . James , S . D . ; J . Garrison , J . D . ; W . Brydges , Treas . ; E . Gilhnan , Sec , & c . Bros . Fawler and Andrews were raised fco tlie sublime degree of M . M ., tho ceremony being most impressively and ably performed . That being the Avhole of the business , the brethren retired to refreshment , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts ivere given and responded to ivith truly Masonic loyalty . The toast of the newly-raised

brethren was acknowledged by both in brief but appropriate terms . Bro . STONE begged leave to propose the next toast ; which being complied with , he said that he offered the toast with much pleasure—it Avas " The Health of their Worshipful Muster . " It ivas a proud position for any one to be raised to , more particularly as Master of so distinguished a lodge as the St . George's . It ivas the highest honour the Craffc could bestow , and when a brother came to that hih postthe duties he was called upon to

underg , take Avere by no means light . Bro . Treasure had a still more difficult task to enter upon , because he bad to folloiv one AVIIO was duly recognised in Masonry as perfect in his duties ; but from Bro . Treasure ' s work already performed , you and I can bufc very imperfectly estimate its value ; and all he could say was