Knights Templar.

Beaumont , C . J . Bannister , T . Joy , G . AVorley , Brackstoue Baker , J . H . Cox , H . Hollingsworth , ancl — Alpass . Before the Grand Conclave was opened , Sir Knight Elliott , P . E . C . of the Mount Calvary Encampment , objected to the presence of Sir Knight Nicholson , First G . Herald , on the ground that although he was a Knight of the Scottish Chivalric Order , yet he was not a Masonic Knight Templar . At the request of the M . E . S . G . M . Sir Kniht Nicholson retiredancl

, g , the Grand Conclave was opened in clue form . After some formal business and the confirmation of the minutes , Sir Knights Meymott and Spratt were deputed to examine Sir Knight Nicholson , and whilst they ivere absent the following report of the Committee was read ancl adopted : — - **"

" Tour Committee have again the satisfaction of congratulating Grand Conclave upon the continued extension and flourishing condition of the Order . "Warrants have been granted since our last meeting for two new Encampments . The Union of Georgetown , Demerara , ancl the Celestial of Shanghai in the Empire of China . "The Grand Master has considered it advisable to appoint a new Provincial Grand Commander for our West Indian

Dependencies , and the well-known zeal and long services of Sir Knight P . H . Delamere , leaves no doubt that he will merit the confidence reposed in him by tbe Grand Master . " There is a growing feeling , fully shared in , in the highest quarters , that the time has arrived , without in the slightest degree weakening the fraternal bond that has for so many ages connected us with ancient Freemasonry , to restore the old traditions of our Order ; but any such movement must be approached

with the greatest caution and deliberation , as recommended by the Report presented by the Sub-Committee appointed at the May meeting . "Ifc also appears to your Committee thafc the Commanders of private encampments have omitted to forward to the nearest Clerk of the Peace the muster roll of their companions , according to the provisions of the Act of 39 th George III . Proper forms for this purpose will be issued by the Grand Vice-Chancellor . " ( Signed ) J . H . LAW , Grand Chancellor . "

"The undermentioned being the Sub-Committee appointed for the purpose of revising the Book of Statutes of 1853 , and draw up or approve of a ritual of the Knights of Malta , have to report that they have bad several meetings , and have devoted much time ancl attention thereto : — " With respect to the revision of the Book of Statutes , your Committee have made considerable progress , but fchey found ifc impossible to decide on many essential points , wifch reference to

the future government of the Order . " Your Committee have received most important and valuable suggestions from Knights of high standing in the Order founded on the best authorities , ancl evincing great knowledge and research , but as these suggestions , if adopted , would involve extensive changes in the nomenclature ancl costumes of the Order , tbey require the gravest and most mature consideration , ancl your Committee feel , that they cannot , at present , arrive afc any

safe conclusions or recommendations on the subject . " With reference to the Standard Ritual of the Knights of Malta , your Committee have had submitted to them two Eituals , one by Sir Knt . Cooke , drawn up by the late Grand Chancellor Emly , but not promulgated during his life-time ; the other orignally arranged by Sir Knt . Shuttleworth , for the adoption of his Encampment , Mount Calvary , but they have not yet hacl sufficient time to decide upon their respective meritsThey

. , therefore , recommend encampments now conferring the degree , to continue working by their present rituals ; and the Committee hope to lay before the Order , in two or three months , a Standard Ritual , similar to the present one of tbe Order of the Temple , ancl therefore recommend Grand Conclave to send the report back to the Committee with powers to act .

( Signed ) GEOEGE YEENON , Deputy Grand Master . M . H . SnuiTLEWOETir , Grand Vice-Chancellor . D . H . STONE , Grand Registrar . Sir Knight Shuttleworth explained to the G . M . the circumstances under which Sir . Knight Nicholson was recommended for office . Sir Knights Meymott and 'Spratt having returned to Grand Conclave reported that Sir Knight Nicholson was willing to take any obligation required of him , and Sir Knights Meymott and Spratt were directed to obligate him in the anteroom , after which he was admitted to Conclave . The V . H .

and E . D . G . M . expressed his opinion that great irregularities had occurred in the Mount Calvary Encampment , ancl suggested that the E . C . and the officers of that encampment should be ordered to attend the Committee of General Purposes and produce their books and papers , which proposition was , by order of the M . E . S . G . M ., confirmed and adopted . The sums of £ 10 each were voted to the widow of tbe late W . R , many years G . Equerry , ancl Sir Knight P . I . The M . E . S . G . M . proposed , and the A ' . H . and E . D . G . M . seconded , that the Grand Conclave subscribe the sum of £ 50 to the Lancashire Relief Fund , which was carried bv acclamation .

The Alms , amounting to £ 5 9 s . Gd ., were then collected . Upon tbe motion of Sir Knight Meymott , it was referred to the General Purposes Committee to ascertain what accomodation the Order could meet with elsewhere , owing to the great inconvenience and obstruction rendered by the Sir Knight AVilliam Gray Clarke , Grand Secretary , after which the conclave was closed . The Sir Knights then ' adjourned to a very handsome banquet ;

after which the M . E . and S . G . M . gave the toast of " The Queen and the Order ; " "Albert Edward , Prince of Wales , and may he soon be one of us . " The V . E . Sir Knight HINXJIAN , M . D ., Prov . G . Commander for Kent , said a pleasing duty had unexpectedly fallen to his lot , which was to propose the next toast . It was one that did nofc require any great power of language from its proposer , as it was sure to touch a chord in all their hearts , for fche name of their

M . B . S . G . M . was dear to them all . He concluded by proposing " The Health of their Grand Master , and long might he preside over them . " The M . E . S . G . M . Sir Knight AV . STUAET , apologised for having to leave very shortly ; indeed , he was afraid that he could not have attended that evening ; yet his health so far permitted that he had bad the pleasure of being at his post , and thanked them warmly for the toast , expressing his fervent wish to do his duty at all times to the best of his ability ancl strength . The M . E . ancl S . G . M . said that the V . t . and E . D . G . M . Colonel

G . A . Vernon , could nofc remain on account of the decease of his stepmother , therefore they would drink his health with the accustomed honours . The M . E . and S . G . M . then proposed "The Health of the V . E . Prov . G , Commanders , " and coupled the toast with the name of Sir Knight G . Francis , Prov . G . Commander for Herts . The V . E . Sir Knight FEANCIS begged to return thanks for the Prov . G . Commanders . Fortunatelfor himself time was

y pressing , and no long speeches would be endured . He felt warranted in saying he believed the Prov . G . Commanders were as sincere as any of the Sir Knights in wishing to see the Order extended , and maintained in its present high state of respectability . The M . E . S . G . M . found he must hasten away , but he could not leave without proposing the health of the Grand Officerswith

, whose name he would couple that of the Grand Prelate . The G . PEELATE ( fche Rev . E . Moore ) was sure all the Grand Officers felt anxious to do their duty , and he was proud to find himself continued'in the same position . The M . E . and S . G . M . then left , ancl was loudly cheered as he passed out of the room . The G . PHELATE having taken the chairproposed "The

, , Health of Sir Knight J . N . Tomkins , G . Treas ., " which was most warmly received , and the G . Treas . responded to it in the most happy style . Several other toasts were drunk , and the Sir Knights separated shortly after nine o'clock .

LANCASHIRE . MANCIIESTEE . — Jerusalem Encampment of H . R . D . M , K . D . S . H . Templar , Hospitallers of St . John of Jerusalem , Ehodes , Malta , lye . —Owing to adverse circumstances , such as members residing away from town , this encampment has nofc been able to muster during the earlpart of the and a

y year , special summons was therefore issued , calling a conclave for the 27 th inst ., and a moderately well attended meeting was the result . The encampment was visited by the following Sir Knts . : Laurence Newall , D . Prov . G . Com ., Lancashire ; W . H . AVri ght , Prov . G . Chancellor , and John Bradley , P . E . C . The encampment was opened by Sir Knt . Stephen Smith , 30 ° , P . E . Chancellor : Sir Knts . John Yarker , 18 ° , Prelate and P . 1 st C , & c .