Ireland.

IRELAND .

ANTRIM . BELFAST . —Sir am Lodge ( No , 97 ) . —On Friday evening , the 13 th inst ., a very large and influential meeting of the above lodge was held in the Masonic Rooms , Donegall-place . Amongst other influential members of the fraternity present was Bro . W . Johnston of Bally kilbeg . After the transaction of the usual lod businessthe election of officers took place . Two

ge , brethren were proposed for the chair , when Bro . Jeremiah M'Konna was elected , who appointed his officers as follo-vs : — Bros . Simpson , S . W . ; W . M . Kerr , J . W . ; H . Shaw , See . ; Henderson , Treas . ; Hemptou , S . D . ; Maxwell , J . D . ; W . Murphy , jun ,, I . G . A very pleasant evening was spent , the proceedings being brought to a close by the singing of the . National Anthem . Bros . Coulter and Hayes sang several songs during the evening .

COOKSTOWN . —Green Lodge ( No- 470 ) : —The Grand Lodge , upon the recommendation of the Prov . G . M . of Tyrone and Fermanagh , has been pleased to sanction the resolution of this lodge , that its meetings—which for some time past have been held in Stewartstown—should in future , be held in Cookstown , where it had long met in the latter end of the last , and throughout the greater part of the present , century . This is a lodge of great antiquity . It originally was opened in 1769 at Coagh

, where it was held for many years ; and , though there are upwards of 1 , 000 members of other Lodges on the Irish rolls , it ranks in seniority of such of them as now exist , the 33 d in all Ireland , the 16 th in Ulster , and the 3 d in the province of Tyrone and Fermanagh , to which it belongs- It will complete the 100 th year of its uninterrupted labours on the 23 d June nextand it is intended then to celebrate its centenary in a

, manner worthy of the event , by a meeting of the brethren from surrounding parts . Another excellent lodge of very remote foundation , is in operation in Stewartstown , which for upwards of 100 years has been a centre of a great circle of this ancient Craft . The late formation of a highlyrespectable lodge in Magherafelt , and a Boyal Arch Chapter in Moneymore , and the return of the old " Greon" Lodge to

Cookstown , do not however appear sufficient to supply the ¦ wants caused by ' the increase of brethren in these parts of Tyrone and Londonderry , for the erection of a lodge in Tullyhouge is spoken of ; and it is said that another lodge and Arch Chapter will soon be opened in Cookstown ; which , as a commercial and manufacturing town , has rapidly risen by the enterprise and prudent judgment of its proprietors and inhabitants , who , ever ready to encourage improvements , would be sure to aid in any project which might be set on foot for erecting in the town a suitable Masonic Hall ; and it is hoped that such a project will soon be inaugurated .

North America.

NORTH AMERICA .

BRITISH COLUMBIA . NEW WESTJIINSTEB . — Union Lodge , ( 899 ) . —This lodge assembled on the regular day of meeting Thursday the 3 rd September inst ., present , Bro . H . W . Smith , W . M . ; Henry Holbrook , P . M . and Dep . D . G . M . ; Robert Dickenson S . W . ; A . W . S . Black , J . D . ; John S . Chute , acting S . D . ; R . Richardson , acting J . D . ; Julius FranklinI . G . ; D . B . Hickey acting Tyler

, , and several members of the lodge ; visitor , P . G . Sec , P . G . Lodge Seotland . The lodge having been opened in the usual form the minute 3 of the last meeting were read and confirmed , a communication -was also read from the acting secretary of the lodge under the Scotch rite proposed to be established here , declaring the terms asked for the use of the lodge room , and furniture as being

more than they were able to pay . Bro . Holbrook the Dep . D . G . M ., reported the formation of the District Grand Lodge who had held their first meeting in Victoria , V . I and the D . G . M . proposed to hold the next at New Westminster in December , three appointments had been made from Union Lodge 899 , namely himself as Dep . D . G . M ., Bro . Smith , D . G . J . W ., Bro . A . W . S , Black , D . G . Steward . It was proposed to tax every subscribing member of the various lodges 2 dols . per year for the D . G . lodere , and a further Idol , to establish a local fund of benevolence , this had been opposed , and it was finally agreed to levy a tax , besides the fees of office of

North America.

D . G . officers and their subscriptions , of Idol , per head on every subscribing member to a lodge , and for the subscriptions to a Fund of Benevolence to stand until next year . These proposalswill have to be conferred next December , when they will become law , after being approved of by the Grand Lodge of England . Further business was adjourned until the week was concluded . Bro . George Black was examined as to his proficieny in

Masonry which being satisfactory he was entrusted with the test of merit and retired from the lodge . The lodge was opened to the second degree and the Dep . D . G . M . requested to takethe chair , Bro . G . Black was then admitted , and received the second degree in Freemasony , with the charges and lectures ,. Bro . H . W . Smith having resumed the chair , it was closed tothe first degree and the general business resumed .

Bro . Holbrook said he rose to discharge a very painful duty ,, the members would perceive the lodge was dressed in mourning ,, this was for one who had been one of the brightest ornaments in Masonry , and one of the most active members of Grand Lodge , he alluded to the death of Bro . W , Gray Clarke who he had been informed by his friend Bro . Spencer , had expired on the-15 th July , after only two days illness . It might indeed be said

in the midst of life we are in death , and it also showed how we ought to endeavour to be prepared whenever the Great Architect of the Universe seemed fit to take us from this sublunary abode .. At present we mourned for the death of one who had been suddenly taken from us , it was only those who had worked wifchthat brother , and had had the honour of his acquaintance , knew his worth , he thought he could not pay a higher compliment than to say he had . worthly filled the chair that had been occupied so many years by Bro . H . W . White , and during his term

of office had rendered great services , and he now begged to propose the following resolution , which was seconded by Bro . Dr . Black , D . G . Steward , and J . W . of the lodge . Resolved— " That the condolence of the members of this lodge be respectfully presented to Grand Lodge for the loss they have sustained in the death of the Grand Secretary Bro . W : Gray Clarke , that the lodge be placed in mourning for one month , and ' that the members wear crape for the same period as a token of

regard to the memory of Bro . W . Gray Clarke , and respect to the Grand Lodge of England . This on being put to the lodge was unanimously passed and ordered to be transmitted to the-Grand Lodge of England . " Tho W . M . informed the lodge that he was anxious to have some lodges of instruction during the month and he hoped members would endeavour to attend . A discussion arose as to members in arrears for dueswhen it was proposed that two

, months notice should be given for arrears to be paid , and if not received before that time , as the lodge had to pay their dues tothe D . G . Lodge , they would be liable to have their names struck off from the subscribing members , and be reported to the D . G .. Lodge Bro . Chute the Treasurer to the fund being raised for theerection of a monumental tomb stone of granite , which it

isproposed ' to erect in the Cemetery at New Westminster in memory of the brethren belonging to this lodge , who have died and been ? buried there and elsewhere , reported the amount he had received to the present time , and requested further subscriptions not only for the monument but also for a suitable railing round thesame , and that after the close of the lodge he would take thenames of those inclined to contribute . No further work appearing for the good of Masonry in this , lodge it was closed in due form .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

METROPOLITAN . CHAPTER OF HOPE , ( NO . 206 ) . —This old chapter was held on Thursday , November 12 th inst ., at the Globe Tavern , Royal Hill , Greenwich . Comp . J . W . Halsey , P . Z . as M . E . Z ., S .. Noble , P . Z . as H ., and F . Walters , P . Z . as X , opened the chapter . The companions were admitted . The minutes were read and unanimously confirmed . The ballots were unanimous

in favour of the admission of Bros . R . Boncey , J . Nash ,. W . Smith , and J . Griflen as candidates for exaltation . Bros . Nash , W . Smith and J . Griffen being in attendance were duly exalted into Royal Arch Masonry . The ceremony was impressively done by every officer . Ballots for officers for 1869 wera