India.

even in lodges , and hoped that some means might be adopted to check the irregularity . The Prov . G . M . stated that the subject had lately bad the attention of the Grand Lodge of England , and he observed had been also severely commented on by the Prov . G . M . of Bengal ; and though the irregularity was in tbe highest degree improper and unmasonic , particularly where , as was often the case , such improper books were lent by older Masons to tho younger brethren , he scarcely thought it

could be dealt with judicially , and he would probably make it a subject of private communication to the AVorshipful Masters of Lodges within his jurisdiction . The by-laws of Lodge Mount received the approval of the Prov . G . M . There being no further business to transact , and no brotherhaving anything further to propose for the good of Masonry in general , or of his Provincial Grand Lodge in particular , it was closed in due and ancient form , and with solemn invocation of God's blessing .

CALCUTTA . INITIATION OE A HINDOO . A regular meeting of Lodge St . John ( No . 715 ) was held on Friday , the 19 th of June . Present : Bros . Dr . Frank Powell , AA . M . ; John AV . Brown , P . M . ; E . AV . Pittar , S . AV . ; XV . B . Farrof 1127 J . AA . officiating ; A . D'Cruzjun .

Secofficiat-, , , , , ing ; Piffard , S . D ., officiating ; D . Hume , of SO , J . D ., officiating ; Pinto , of 126 , 1 . G ., officiating ; Daniel , Tyler , and other members and visitors . The attendance was not large , owing , 'in great part , no doubt , to our Scottish brethren having chosen that -evening to present a testimonial to our esteemed Bro . Dr . John Smith , AV . M . of 126 , at which ceremony many of the brethren wished to be present .

Bro . M . Rosamond , late of No . 1150 , was elected a joining member . The AV . M . appointed Bro . Piffard , S . D ., and Bro . Rosamond , J . D ., these offices having become vacant owing to the departure of Bros . F'raser and Morgan to England . In investing these brethren , the AA . M . addressed a few appropriate remarks to each , pointing out the duties they would be called upon to

perform in the lodge . Bro . Lonsdale , a visitor from Lodgo Astrrea ( No . 972 ) , was , after examination , admitted and obligated as a Fellow-Craft . But the business of the evening was to initiate two native gentlemen , Khettermohun Gangooly and Sharoda Proshad Gangooly , proposed at the previous meeting by Bro . Piffard , and seconded by Bro . Pittar . The AA . M . stated that he had been in communication with the proposer of these candidates , and had also written to the gentlemen themselves , inquiring their religious opinions , in order that he might judge of the

expediency of admitting them to our Order . As one of the candidates was under the prescribed age , his name was , for the present , withdrawn ; but from Khettermohun Gangooly he had received a letter , which satisfied him that his religious belief was such as to entitle him to join the fraternity . The Officiating Prov . G . M . had seen the correspondence , ancl , being satisfied with the tenor of the candidate's letter , had granted the necessaiy dispensation . The AA . M . then read the lettersand

, ¦ stated that , in his opinion , the candidates should be admitted ; and with that statement he would leave it to the members of the lodge to decide by ballot . Bvo . Pittar , S . AA ., said he trusted the time had gone by when the prejudice of country and colour could influence Masons , and that any good and true man who believed in the G . A . O . T . U . might seek and obtain admission to the Order .

The brethren then proceeded to ballot for Khettermohun Gangooly , aged 27 , A akeel of the High Court ; which proving favourable , Bro . Brown and Bro . Piffard were passed out to prepare the candidate , who was shortly after introduced properly prepared , and was initiated in due and ancient form into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry by Bro . Powell . A slight addition to the usual ceremony was introduced by the

AV . M . After the usual questions of the declaration , the W . M . asked two more of the candidate ; first , as to his belief in the G . A . O . T . U ., and second , on what instrument the O . B . should be administered . These being answered in consonance with the letter already received and laid before the brethren , the ceremony was completed in the prescribed form . A letter was read from Bro . Smith , regretting his inability to attend the lodge this evening , as , owing to his approaching

departure to England , he feared he would not again have an opportunity of visiting us . Most of the brethren knew how our brother was engaged at tbe Scotch Masonic Hall ; but this did not lessen our regret at his absence from St . John's . The XVM . expressed his regret , which was cordially concurred in by the lodge . The AA \ M , informed the brethren that the Rev . Bro . Lindstedt , honorary member of the lodge , had offered to deliver a lecture on " certain points connected with Masonry , "

occasionally , when there was not a press of business hefore the lodge . In his ( the AV . M . ' s ) opinion , such a proceeding would he highly conducive to the interests of ihe lodge and of the Craft , and it would teach the members something of the principles of Masonry , or , what would be still better , would make them reflect on the subject and learn for themselves in what those great principles consisted . Bro . Pittar supported the proposition , and the brethren cordially concurred . Some other business was disposed of , ancl the lodge closed in peace ancl harmony .

LODGE STAR IN THE EAST . —A regular meeting was held on AA ednesdav , the 10 th of June . Present : Bros . AA m . Clark , AV . M . ; John AA m . Brown , P . M . of Lodge St . John , as P . M . ; Dr . Frank Powell , AV . M . of St . Jolm ; Simson , S . AV . ; Dr . Bourne , . J . XV . ; Dove , Secretary . David M'Culloch , of Union Lodge ( No . 37 ) , was elected a joining member . Bro . Brown , who had been specially invited , conferred the second degree on Bros . Lowe and Saunders , while the AV . M ., in the inner chamber , raised Bros . Roes and Geary .

LODGE INDUSTRY AND PERSEVERANCE . —An emergency meeting was held at a little after six o ' clock in the morning , on Saturday , the 27 th June , for the purpose of raising Bro . Captain Lowen , of the steam ship Rangoon , to the M . M . degree . Present : Bros . John Smith , AA . M . ; John AVm . Brown , H . P . M ., as P . M . ; Baxter , as S . AV . ; A . D'Cruz , J . AV . ; and Madeley , as Secretary , pro tern . The circular convening the meeting having been readand the lodge transferred to the intermediate degree

, , was subsequently raised , and Bro . Captain Lowen advanced to tho M . M . degree . A regular meeting was held on Friday , the 3 rd of July . Present : Bros . John Smith , AA . AL , presiding ; John Wm . Brown , H . P . JL ; Dr . Frank Powell , as S . AA . Jeremiah King , as J . AA . ; AY . G . Baxter , Sec . Captain A . H . Earle , of the ship Shah Jehan , and Mr . A . M . M'Gregor , of the new police , Zillah Jessore , were initiated into Freemasonry .

LAHORE . A correspondent of the Indian Freemasons' Friend at Lahore writes as follows : — Bro . Clark visited our lodge , and was received with full Masonic honours , on the ISth May . Our distinguished brother expressed himself much gratified with everything he saw

very of our working , & c . At the next meeting the \ A . M . announced that Bro . Clerk desired to become a member , and proposed that , " as a mark of appreciation of tho Masonic worth of that distinguished brother , and his great services to the Craft , he be elected an honorary member . " This was carried by acclamation , and , on the same being notified to Bro . Clark , he replied as follows : —

"' Dear Sir and AA orshipftil Brother , —I have received your letter , informing me that I had , by acclamation , been elected an honorary member of Hope and Perseverance . Allow me to assure the AVorshipful Master and Lodge that I greatly prize the high compliment they have pud me , and that I accept the proud distinction with pleasure and gratitude . " A good many of our members are , as usual at this time of the yearaway at the Hills . Howeverwe manage to muster about

, , a dozen at each meeting , and always pass the time pleasantly ; a few members practice glee singing once a week , and their trolling promises livel } - banquets . I don't think I told you of the meeting of the Knights Templar here on the 27 th April . AA e mustered pretty strong on that occasion . Comps . Mercer and Weatheiiey were installed , and Sir Knight AA . A \ . Boddam was elected to be Commander

for the current year . The officers were appointed as follows : —Sir Knights II . J . Wahab , 1 st Captain ; C . M'W . Mercer , 2 nd Captain ; Q , S . Griffith , Captain of the Lines ; AV . E . Ball , P . E . C , Expert and Reg . ; R . Trotter , 1 st Herald . The proceedings closed with the vote of surplus funds to tho St . John's box of the Craft lodtre .