New Zealand.

Ireland , " who , he believed , occupied the position of being the only Trish Duke extant , and of having been Grand Master of Ireland for nearly half a century—a circumstance unparalleled in the annals of Masonry . " The Grand Master of Scotland" came next , Bro . Harris saying that the Scottish Constitution had recently suffered a severe loss by the death of the Duke of Athol , a nobleman whose private virtues had endeared him to alland whose

, attachment to Masonry was more than ordinarily great . As it was not yet known who had been elected as his successor , he could not name him , but they might drink the toast with confidence , for no doubt their Scottish brethren would be careful to fill the grand chair with a worthy and efficient brother . The PROV . G . MASTER then called upon the brethren to drink " The Health of His Excellency Brother Sir George Greyr "

Without trenching upon political questions—for the discussion of ivhich a Masonic meeting was especially unsuitable—he might yet venture to say that Sir George Grey had greatly the interests of Otago at heart . During his ( Bro . Harris's ) recent visit to Auckland , Sir George Grey had repeatedly expressed this feeling , and had told him how disappointed he was at not having been able to spare time , from the pressing duties attendant on the Maori AVarto visit this Province . Howeverhe

, , , Sir George Grey , had promised to come to Dunedin shortly , probably about December , making such arrangements as would enable him to make a tour of the gold fields , and to be here on the first of January to open the Exhibition of 1865 . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . LAZAR , D . Prov . G . M ., then requested all present to pledge " The Provincial Grand Master of Otago . " He said

that it was quite unnecessary for him to enlarge upon the various qualifications which had won for Bro . Harris the respect of the entire community amongst whom he had so long lived and moved . A better choice of a Provincial Grand Master could not have been made , and he felt assured that he would not only adorn that high office , but would also adequately discharge the very important duties appertaining thereto . He especially referred to the formation of a . fund of benevolence , of which notice had that evening been given—a fund which would enable them practically to carry into effect the principles of their

profession as Masons . He ( the speaker ) had been instrumental in originating such a fund in South Australia , which had been the means of rendering timely assistance to many poor and distressed brethren . Ho concluded by calling upon them to drink to the health of Bro . Harris in full bumpers . The Pitov . G . MASTER responded in a speech full of truly Masonic feeling , in which he pledged himself to perform the duties he had that night undertakento the best of his skill

, and ability . The PJIOV . G . MASTER then proposed " The Health of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Otago , Bro . Lazar . " In selecting his officers he had , to the very best of his ability , exercised the discretion vested in him . Probably some brethren might consider that better choice could have been made in some instances . Buthowever that miht behe was sure one and

, g , all would agree that , whether as regarded ability or high standing in the Craft , no better officer than Bro . Lazar could have been found for the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master . No doubt if Bro . Lazar had not been in Otago he ( Bro . Harris ) would have been able to have found an equally skilful brother capable of that office amongst the numerous experienced brethren in Otago . But since he was here , his

former position as Deputy Provincial Grand Master for South Australia , no less than his private character , which was held iu highest esteem in the colony he had quitted , and which , so far as he was able to judge , was perfectly irreproachable , together with the many proofs which he had given of his ability as a Mason , eminently qualified him for the office . Bro . LAZAR replied that he scarcely knew how to thank them

adequately for the high honour conferred upon him , and the kindly manner in ivhich they had received and responded to the toast . He was pleased to see Masonry so flourishing in Otago , where there were , he believed , upwards of 500 Masons enrolled as Members of the various lodges . Now they had a Provincial Grand Lodge , no doubt they would flourish yet more , as many of the difficulties which had previously beset Masonic progress

would be removed . "The Provincial Grand Master of New Zealand , under the Irish Constitution , " was proposed by the Prov . G . M ., and responded to by Bro . O'RAEEERTY . Pro . VINCENT PYKE , R . W . M . of the Kilwinning Lodge , S . C ,

rose to propose the "Provincial Grand Officers . " Amongst such a galaxy of talent , he knew not where to begin . The Provincial Senior Grand Warden was a tall and erect column of Masonry , and the Provincial Junior Grand AVarden was a very pillar of strength , whilst the Provincial Grand Register was a host in himself . The Director of Ceremonies showed such an aptitude for his office that he seemed to have beeu born a

Director of Ceremonies . And so of all . The Stewards alone constituted a Masonic phalanx , and one of them at least proved that Masonry was a figure in Otago , since it had gathered Moss . The Scottish Constitution , to which he belonged , would , he hoped , soon have a Provincial Grand Lodge of their own , and he rather envied the start which their English brethren had obtained . But envy should be changed into emulation

, and the two constitutions would , lie was assured , work together shoulder to shoulder for the common good of Masonry , as they had ever done in Otago hitherto . He would request them to follow up the toast with a good old Scottish fire , for which purpose Bro . Mills , P . M ., would , if permitted , act for the nonce as Director of Ceremonies .

This request having been acceded to , Bro . Mills , P . M ., led off the Scottish firing , ivhich was given with considerable enthusiasm and no little joviality . Bro . AVEBB , P . M ., replied for the Provincial Grand Officers . The following toasts then followed , in rapid succession : — * ' The Lodge of Otago" —proposed by Bro . Strelitz , P . M ., who spoke in terms of high eulogy of the excellent manner in which the lodge was worked . Replied to by Bro . JAMES , W . M .

" The Lodge of Dunedin "—proposed by Bro . CABBICE :, Prov . G . Sec , who said , that having been the AV . M . of the Lodge of Otago at the time the Lodge of Dunedin was formed , he wasr sure the members regarded it not in the light of a secession : from the older lodge , but rather as an extension of Masonry . Replied to by Bro . NATHAN , AV . M ., iu a brief but very forcible speech . " The Port Chalmers Marine Lodge , " was proposed by Bro .

FOBMAN , P . M ., who drew attention to the fact that whilst the Masons of Dunedin , under the English Constitution , although such a numerous body , were still without a hall , the lodge of Port Chalmers had erected a large and commodious building in which to hold their meetings . He hoped soon to see in Dunedin a Masonic hall worthy of tile Craft and of the position which its members occupied . Bro . JOYCE , AV . M ., responded in an exceedingly neat speech . He hoped that brotherly love , relief , and truth would ever continue to prevail amongst them .

The PROV . G . MASTER observed that an omission had quite unintentionally been made in the programme . AVhen he was at Queenstown , he found that although the brotherhood there had not beeu able to obtain a charter in consequence of the absence of a Provincial Grand Lodge , they had nevertheless purchased a freehold site , aud erected thereon a stone hall , and were now nearly out of debt . He called on the brethren to toast the youngest lodge in the province" Tho Lake Lodge of Ophir . "

, Bro . AAILLIAMSON , P . M ., replied on behalf of the Queenstown brethren . Bro . Moss , P . M ., proposed the "Otago Kilwinning Lodge , " passing a high encomium on Bro . James Mills , P . M ., who threw his accustomed fervour into his Masonic dntie 3 . He ivas glad to find that the government of the lodge was still in able hands —those of Bro . Vincent Pyke .

Bro . PYKE , R . AA ' . M ., responded . Tho circumstance of an Englishman presiding over a Scotch lodge was accounted for by the fact that Masonry knew neither clime nor country , creed nor colour , but was as universal and as beneficent as the blessed light of day . "The Past Masters of the various Lodges" was proposed by the D . Prov . G . M ., and replied toby Bro . GEORGE SMITH , P . M .,

who said he was sorry to see so many chairs at present filled by Past Masters . Young Masons should profit by the opportunities offered to them by the Lodge of Instruction , and qualify for the Master ' s chair .

" The Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies and Stewards " was given by Bro . MILLS , P . M ., and Bro . HYMAN , Prov . G . Dir of Cers ., responded . "The Provincial Grand Superintendent of AVorks" was proposed by Bro . FORMAN , P . M . Bro . MILLER , who appeared to be labouring under severe indisposition , replied in a speech combining humour with good sense . " The Visiting Brethren , " given by Bro . DANIELS , P . M ., was responded to by Bro . WILLIAMSON , P . M .