Chattel Islands.

his officers as follows , offering to each one appropriate remarks on his duties . Bros . Oatiev , S . W . ; Sureuv . J . W . ; C . Le Sueur , Treas . ; Newington , See . ! AA ' atson , Sd )!; ' A int , J . D . ; Hoi ! , Dir . of Cers .: Le Cappelain , I . G . ; Hopkins , the Installing Master , concluded the ceremony with the usual solemn addresses to tlie W . M ., to tlie AVardens , and to the brethren generally . Bro . Dr . Hopkins brought before the lodge the conduct of

Bro . E . C . Malet de Carteret , the AV . M , who had just retired , after two years' tenure of office , of which he spoke iu high terms of commendation , and expressed his regret that the funds of the lodge were not in such a condition of prosperity as would permit the customary compliment of a presentation of a P . M . 's jewel , which , nevertheless , he hoped would be possible at some future period . He concluded by proposing the following resolutionwhich was seconded bBro . Dr . Smithand carried

, y , unanimously : — " That the members of St . Auhin's Lodge ( No . 958 ) desire to express their sense of the kindness , courtesy , and efficiency which have characterised the Presidency of tlie Worshipful Bro . E . C . Malet de Carteret during the last two years , and that the most cordial thanks of the lodge are due , and are hereby given , to him for the same , together with the expression of a hope thatas a Past Masterhe will for

, , many years render valuable assistance b y . his active co-operation in tlie proceedings of the lodge , and by bis counsel to those who may succeed him in the chair . " It was also resolved that a copy of the above resolution should be inscribed on vellum and presented to the retiring

W . M . Bro . E . C . Malet de Carteret replied , stating his satisfaction at finding that such services as he had been able to render had obtained the approbation of the brethren , his regret that- the prosperity of the lodge had been limited by tbe small number of additions to its members by initiation , his acknowledgment of the kindness aud indulgence which be bad experienced from those over whom he had presidedand his thanks to-the brethren

, and the proposer of the resolution for the good intentions in reference to a Masonic decoration , which , however , he should value less than the document which had been awarded to him . It having been reported that just before the lodge meeting an accident had occurred , by a carriage in which some of the brethren were being conveyed , to two children of very poor people , who had been knocked down and had received a slight

injury , on the proposition of Bro . Mannan , seconded by the AV . M , it was resolved that the sum of 10 s . from the benevolent fund be placed in the hands of Bro . Dr . Smith for the use of the parents , ancl that lie be requested to attend to the case of the children . An additional sum of £ 1 6 s . was raised at the subsequent banquet for the same purpose , making a total of £ 116 S . ° Bro . Dr . Hopkins , P . M , having left tbe lodge-room , the following letter was handed to tbe W . M ,, read to the members , and ordered to be entered- on the minutes : —

"To the AAorsinp ! ul Master , Officers and Members of St . Aubin ' s Lodge ( No . 95 S ) . " Worshipful Sir and Brethren , —Having been appointed this day to perforin one of the most important and solemn ceremonies in Craft Masonry—namely , the installation of the brother chosen to rule over the lodge for the next year—with sincere and unfeigned regret—with the feeling I should have in parting with a dear and valued friend—I have now to

announce that with that act , if permitted to perform it , * my connection with the province of Jersey must cease . I hereby tender my resignation of membership of St . Aubin ' s lodge—a step which , under circumstance , I consider to be imperative upon me . You know me well enough , I trust , to believe that , as the founder of the lodge , as having made your interests my constant study and your success a source of pleasure , I am

deeply grieved to be deprived of tbe privilege of connection -with you . Never cau I forget the kindness I have received at your hands ; and be assured that in every possible manner I shall still be ready to assist you when called upon ,- but it must be by special invitation . I cannot now explain the partial cause of this apparently sudden step , and for other powerful reasons it would not be prudent to trust myself to enter upon . I may , however , state that thoy are such as prevent manv

persons from joining the Order in this province , and other who are members of it from attending the lodges aud takingpart in the proceedings . Should one circumstance occur , * ' for which I dare not hope , I may be induced to seek re-admission among you , and , if so , it will not be by any unrecognised means , f but by formal proposition and ballot . " I shall feel obliged if you will furnish me with the necessary documentto enable me to show that I leave the lodge

honour-, ably , my subscription having been paid for two years in advance , ancl thus to join another in a province where principles of ' Masonry are better understood than with some bright exceptions they appear to me generally to be in Jersey . " Accept my assurance of strong personal regard and attachment to the Craft , to your lodge , and to each individual member , and believe me ,

" Yours most faithfully and fraternally , " HESKY HOPKIXS , P . M . " Richmond Place , St . Lawrence , Jersey . " Tuesday morning , May 15 , 1866 . " The reading of this letter was listened to with close attention ancl much consternation . A discussion took place , in which the W . M ., Bros . Malet de Carteret , Durell , Oatley , aud others took part . Bro . Durell stated that he was prepared for this

step , which had taken others so much by surprise , and that under all the circumstances , any attempt to induce a reconsideration of the matter by Bro . Dr . Hopkins would be useless , as he had fully made up his mind to separate himself from a province which is governed as this is . The brethren might , however , be certain of his continued assistance when solicited , and of his again joining the lodge should a change in tbe administration of the province be effected . Ultimately

a deputation , consisting of the I . P . M ., two P . Ms , and the S . AA . was sent out to confer with Bro . Dr . Hopkins , and to endeavour to induce him to delay for a time the execution of his intention . On the return of the deputation to the lodge room , it was announced that as was expected they had failed in their mission . On tbe proposition ofthe AV . M , seconded by Bro . Mannan , 'it was resolved that a vote of thanks somewhat similar to that awarded to the I . P . M . for his past services to

the lodge should be prepared for presentation to Bro . Dr . Hopkins , P . M . on his retirement from membership , together with au expression of deep regret on the part of the brethren at the step whieh he had thought it necessary to take . Bro . Dr . Hopkins having re-entered the lodge room , the W . M . addressed him , expressing the surprise at the blow which had been inflicted upon the lodge , and bis assurance that every

means would be taken by special invitations to secure his attendance at the meetings and his assistance in carrying on the proceedings as heretofore . Bro . Dr . Hopkins briefly replied , stating that the course he had pursued was in accordance with , what after mature consideration , he felt to be his duty under the circumstances iu which the province is placed , that he would not regard it as

a separation , and that he should have great pleasure iu responding to any calls which might be made upon him in regard to the lodge , in whose prosperity he should feel as great an interest as ever . Indeed be had recommended a brother as Secretary who lived near him , ir ; order that he might be able instruct him , a young Mason , in his duties . The lodge was closed at 6 o'clock in perfect harmony and with solemn prayer . In accordance with the usual custom the brethren adjourned