Channel Islands.

trary to expectation , the Prov . G . M . did not intend to be present in London on the occasion , he thought it advisable to send a skilled brother , acquainted with the matter in all its bearings , and competent to refute the arguments of the appellants , as a deputation at the expense of the lodge . This was opposed by Bro . Schmitt , P . M ., and C . Le Sueur , S . AV ., on the ground that it did not concern this lodge more than any other under English warrantthat it was

; especially the duty of the Prov . G . M . to explain and support the course he had pursued , for which he alone was responsible ; and that the lodge had had nothing to do with the matter beyond obedience to the mandates issued by the Prov . G . M . It was further stated that the Grand Register hacl charge of the case , having been put in possession of all the facts in connexion with it . Moreover , the protest against the AV . M . of the Cesaree

Lodge had been withdrawn , was not on the list of agenda , and therefore would not be discussed . Had such not been the case , it would have been the duty of the lodge to render all possible support to its AV . M . in the manner proposed . Bro . Dr . Hopkins advocated the proposition , of the Rev . Chaplain , on the ground that in the documents connected with the appeal there appeared to be statementsto which others miht be added in the course

, g of the discussion , totally at variance with general opinion , the correctness of which was not admitted , and that none but those personally acquainted with the position of the Channel Isles in their relation to the British empire could adequately represent and meet them . He thought that even were it the duty of the Prov . G . M . personally to advocate his cause before the Grand Lodgeas he believed it wasseeing that it was stated that

, , several of the appellants would be present on behalf of themselves and the others , still , if lie neglected to adopt that course , in a matter of so much importance to the Craft generally , it was hard that the province should suffer thereby . After some further discussion , the prevailing

ieelmg being adverse to a deputation , the proposition was withdrawn . The lodge was closed in the second degree . The candidates for initiation were introduced properly prepared , to whom the ceremony was administered by the AV . M ., who also gave them the usual charge . Bro . J . K . Haire was proposed as a joining member by Bros . Ch . Benest and Ph . le Cras . On the proposition of Bro . J . T . du Jardin , seconded by Bro . Manuelit was determined to grant £ 2 for the next

, year towards a fund to enable the grandson of the Tyler to receive lessons in drawing , for which he appeared to display extraordinary aptitude . The arrangements for a farewell banquet to the Rev . Chaplain were renewed , those previously made having been frustrated by a serious accident which had delayed his departure for the Mauritius . . The Rev . Bro . spoke most feelingly in reply to the invitation formerly communicated to

him by the AV . M ., expressive of his appreciation of , and willingness to accept , this mark of regard , at the same time observing that he had been overwhelmed by the kindness and sympathy of the brethren , to an extent far beyond his previous conception , and that he was now mora than ever in a position , by personal experience , to refute the charge sometimes brought against the Craft , that there was no reality in the practice of

the principles professed by Freemasons . The lodge was closed at a quarter-past nine in the usual solemn form , and about fifty of the brethren afterwards partook of refreshment , enjoying social intercourse and paying the accustomed honours to those in authority , as well as to those just admitted to the ranks , who for the first time heard the Entered Apprentice ' s song , which was givenof coursein tiie French languagebBro . J . T .

, , , y dn Jardin . After the report of the meeting of the Cesaree Lodge was drawn up , the Prov . G . M . of Jersey determined to attend the meeting of Grand Lodge , in order to be able to watch the proceedings , to explain more fully the grounds on which he had acted , and to correct any questionable representations and impressions .

EOYAL ARCF . ROYAL SUSSEX CHATTER ( XO . < 191 ) . —A convocation was held at the Museum-street Booms , on Wednesday , Dec . 2 nd . The Chapter was opened soon after seven o ' clock , by Comp . Adams , Past Z ., assisted by Com . Binet , II ., and Comp . Durell , J ., in the presence of Past First Principals Schmitt and Dr . Hopkins . A ballot was taken for five brethren to be exalted , which was in each case unanimous ; but only one , Bro . Hardie , presented himself , to whom the ceremony was duly administered by the regular officers , assistance being rendered in a portion by

Channel Islands.

Comp . Schmitt . A ballot was taken for two joining members , Comps . Dr . Small and Geo . Rogers , which was in both cases favourable . Some conversation took place on the limited attendance at all the meetings of the Chapter , there being not more than twelve present ; when it was suggestedjthat in this respect the example set by the Grand Chapter in London is implicitly followed . The probability is that to a great extent tho neglect is caused bthe long intervals between the meetings , so

y that the Chapter is not looked to as a regular engagement . Xo other business being brought forward , the Chapter was closed soon after nine , ancl the Companions adjourned for refreshment , under the presidency of Comp . E . D . le Couteur , Z ., who had been unavoidably detained during the first part of the evening .

India.

INDIA .

{ From the Indian Freemason ' s Friend . ) BENGAL . DISTRICT GRAND LODGE . A quarterly communication of the District Grand Lodge of Bengal was held at the Freemasons' Hallon Tuesdaythe 22 nd

, , September . The Prov . G . M ., Bro . Hugh Saiideinan , presided , and about fifty brethren were present . Among the guests were Bros . AV . Ball , of Lahore , who officiated as Prov . S . G . D . ; T . B . Lane , of Lodge Xo . 76 , who officiated as a G . Steward ; Parry-Davis , of Lodge Xo . 109 ; Major H . R . Drew , of Lodge Xo 255 ; Andrew D'Cruz , of Lodge 229 ; J . E . A aughan , of Lodge Xo . 825 ; J . Ochterlony Xicolsonof the late Darjeeling Lodge

, ancl AV . Cowan , J . A . Monuier , and G . D . Rodgers , of the Scottish Lodges in Calcutta and Howrah . After apologies for absence , etc ., had been read , the Prov . G . M . addressed the District Grand Lodge . He announced that Lodge Star of Hope , at Agra , hacl fallen into abeyance , hut that , on the other hand , Lodge IChyber , at Peshawar , had been reopened by Bro . Trevelyan and others of the 7 th Hussars . At

Delhi , the brethren were supine , and it would be necessary at the close of the year to return the warrant of Lodge Star of Delhi to England . The Prov . G . M . reported an act of insubordination which hacl been committed at Cawnpore . The Master of Lodge Harmony had applied for a dispensation to initiate an Asiatic , Prince Saecd-ood-Dowlah , son of Xawab Moomtaz-ood-Dowlahof

, Lucknow , and hacl been requested in reply to comply with the provisions of tho 55 th by-law ofthe District Grand Lodge . In Iiis next letter , the Master forwarded a paper , signed by three P . M . 's , containing an expression of their opinion that the Prov . G . M . was acting obstructively , and calling upon the Muster to

disregard the order he had received , and to proceed with the ceremony of initiation , assuring him that they would see him clear in the matter . On receiving this document , the Prov . G . M . demanded that the three P . M . 's would declare , on pain of suspension from their Masonic privileges , that they had been guilty of a breach of discipline , and that the initiation of an Asiatic in the province without a dispensation was illegal . Xo reply hacl been received as yet ; but if the offending brethren

should persist in contumacy , the Prov . G . M . would suspend them . ( Applause . ) The Prov . G . M . hoped that the Scottish Masters who were present would discountenance such offences as much as the District Grand Lodge did , and would not open an Alsatia to offenders . The Prov . G . M . announced that he had received from the Master of the Scottish Lodge St . David in the East an extract

from the proceedings of the lodge , suspending Bro . John Cameron from his Masonic privileges and offices . The Prov . G . M . noticed the great irregularity committed by some of the lodges in permitting their returns and dues to fall greatly into arrears . One Calcutta lodge was four quarters in arrears , and its officers had therefore become disqualified for attending the District Grand Lodge or sitting upon any

committee until its returns had been furnished . Two of the country lodges had not yet submitted their returns for 1862 ; while the Master of a Hill . Lodge had stated , that not he , but his predecessor , was responsible for tho return for 1861 . The Prov . G . M . hoped that the Masters of lodges would give their earnest attention to this important subject , and thereby save the Prov . G . Sec . a great amount of unnecessary labour . 'The Prov . G . M . also noticed that Masters of Lodges frequently