Knights Templar.

Ihe E . C . of the Baldwyn Encampment said his frators felt strongly on the subject , and because the Rose Croix were taken from Master Masons they could not discern that was any reason Knt . Templars should be so , and , should it be carried , it would be a matter for his encampment to consider if they should not keep a by-law to declare none but Royal Arch Masons admissible as Knts . Templar . Sir Knt . Griffiths said in

four months it was impossible anyone could become qualified to take the degree , and he often lamented how deficient brethren were who came up to take the third degree . Sir Knt . Spratt said if they considered that the Master Mason was only completed when he took the P . oyal Arch , the sooner Master Masons were perfected the better , and as they lived in an age

of progress—the Supreme Grand Council having shown the road—so let them keep up with tlie spirit of the day . The amendment was then put , and there were 23 in favour , and 37 against it . Sir Knt . Spiers then proposed that one month should be the time between the degrees of Master Mason and Knt . Templar . This was seconded by the Rev . the G . Prelate ,

Sir Knt . Moore , who thought it not only desirable for the universities but also for garrison towns . The Rev . Sir Knt . Huyshe was at a loss to know why the whole Order was to change for the benefit of some Oxford boys . He was onee an Oxford boy himself , but he had been forty-two years a Mason , fortyone a Royal Arch Mason , and thirty-seven a Knt . Templar , and

he never heard such a proposition before . Sir Knt . Dr . Hareonrt advocated the new view , but ou coming to the vote , 10 only voted for it , and an overwhelming majority against it . Another vote was then taken , which resulted in tho success of

the advocates of the older system , there appearing for the retention of the Royal Arch qualification 36 , and for its abolition 17 . The V . H . and E . Dep . G . M ., Colonel Vernon , did not object to a change in the statute on costume , but said he advocated a regulation and not a permissive law , which meant anything or nothing . Sir Knt . Barker thought Masonic

millinery totally beneath the dignity of Knights Templar , and hoped the dress would remain as it was . Sir Knt . Matthew Cooke had counted twenty-seven different costumes , not one of which were of regulation pattern . He was opposed to certain Sir Knts . raakiuga costume a sham—only beneficial to costumiers —adopting it and then coining there to legalise it by a

permissive clause . He had no objection that old encampments should adhere to what they had hitherto worn , but he strenuously opposed the new faugled articles as prepared by the modiste , for , instead of being either graceful or useful , they were hollow shams in material , made the Sir Knts . wearing it present a very scaly appearance , and threw over the whole assembly a very

nondescript appearance of being neither fi . h , flesh , fowl , or good red herring . Sir Knt . Binckes was sorry to hear it called a " scaly" matter . It was a question of importance to many , they had gone to the expense of providing dresses in the hope of a permissive statute being carried . However , a . he found the opinion of Grand Conclave opposed to it being fully discussed

then , he moved that the subject of costume be referred back to the committee to report upon it to next Grand Conclave . A course that was unanimously approved of . The subject of the Prelate being eligible for the chair of E . C . resulted in its being declared that it should be lawful in tlie colonies only . The memorial of Sir Knt . Cameron was referred back to the

Prov . G . Com . of Bengal in accordance with the report . The following memorial and petition was then presented : — Sig . Sodal . Antiq . Equitorui-. Tempi . Latamor . Redemp . Eboraci . ? J . To William Stuart , Esquire , Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master of Knights Templar in England and Wales .

MOST EMIKEITT AND SOMEHE GEAKD MASTEB , —We , the Knights of the Ancient York Conclave of Redemption , held time immemorial in the City of York , and now holden iu the borough of Kingston-upon-Hull , most respectfully beg to express the great satisfaction which we feci on being ( after an interval of 60 years ) again united under the Grand Conclave , over which

your Eminence presides . We desire especially to present our warmest thanks for the courtesy which you , Eminent Sir , and your Vice-Chancellor have extended towards us , and we congratulate ourselves ou being permitted this opportunity of expressing our loyal allegiance and fealty to yourself , our distinguished head . Descended ,

as we are from tho knights of olden time , we shall endeavour to imitate those virtues of order and discipline by which tliey were characterised . The authority of Grand Conclave being now re-established in the district which first received this high degree of Masonry , we trust it may not be deemed improper for us to humbly petition that your Eminence will be pleased to create a

Provincial Grand Conclave in the East Riding of Yorkshire . Oar ancient records show that tho first Provincial Grand Commander , who was appointed by a Grand Master of Masonic Templars , was chosen from this encampment , being Capt . Thos . Dixon , who in 1791 was appointed Provincial Grand Commander for the north district of England , comprising five counties .

Under these circumstances , most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master , wo humbly plead tho immemorial constitution and antiquity of this original conclave of England , in asking for a like privilege to be again bestowed upon us . In the event of our request being favourably received , we would beg most respectfully to recommend our distinguished

Companion , the Right Honourable Lord Londesborougb ( a Past Grand Officer and a member of our conclave ) to fill the high position of Provincial Grand Commander . We are confident the establishment of a Provincial Grand Conclave , under such command , would very greatly extend the Order in this province , iu which it has hitherto been little

known . And your petitioners will ever pray . The Ancient York Conclave of " I Redemption , by the hand of its ( t w ,, „„„ r ,-.......-., ( , - _ . . L . rt . _ .. ¦ j _ t - . r I WALTER ltEl _ . OL __ . '_ , iii . L .. Eminent Commander . this third L * day of May , A . B . 1864 . ) The M . E . and S . G . M . then appointed and invested the Prov G . Corns , and Grand Officers as follows : —Colonel George Ver non , V . H . and E . Deputy Grand Master .

PBOVISCIAL Gl-AND COMMjlNDEES . llev . J . Huyshe , Devonshire ; Colonel G . Vernon , Staffordshire and Warwick ; W . C . Cruttenden , Cheshire ; Col . Moore , Canada ; Lieut .-Col . MacDonald , Madras ; C . J . Vigue , Dorset ; H . J . Vernon , Worcester ; J . Randolph , Somerset ; Dr . Hinxman , Kent ; The Earl of Lincoln , Nottingham ; Col . Boseyer ,

Oxfordshire ; W . W . B . Beach , Hants ; Major Burney , Essex ; H . D . Sandeman , Bengal ; Samuel Bryant , Bristol City and Co .. Rev . J . C . Ogle , Northumberland ; Col . Gordon , Berkshire ; the Hon . A . Keith , Nova Scotia ; the Right Hon . Lord Londesborougb , Yorkshire , N . E . ; Q . S . Judge , Bombay ; F . T . Gell , Australia ; A . H . Royds , Lancashire ; G . Francis , Herts ; B . B . Cabbell , Norfolk ; P . H . Delamerc , West Indies ; Dr . Hareourt , Surrey .

GEAND OFPICEES . Lord Londesborougb , Grand Seneschal ; W . K . Harvey , Grand Prior ; Capt . Philips , Grand Sub-Prior ; Rev . E . Moore , Grand Prelate ; Colonel Goddard , 1 st Grand Captain ; Captain Lay ton . 2 nd Grand Captain ; J . H . Law , Grand Chancellor ; M . H