India.

No . 351 , Bombay ; Rising Star , No . 352 , Bombay ; St . Andrews in the East , No . 343 , Poona ; Felix , No . 353 , Aden ; and Victoria , No . 363 , Belgaum ; holding of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , of which lodges he is also an honorary member , as a token of their esteem and regard , for his valuable services in the cause of Masonry in Western India , during a long period of office , and for the benevolent feelings he always evinced towards the poor and distressed of the Craft . Bombay , 1861 . After the presentation of the testimonial the brethren retired to a sumptuous banquet , the proceedings of the evening terminating shortly after eleven o ' clock , amidst much harmony and hilarity .

New South Wales.

NEW SOUTH WALES .

SYDNEY . DEDICATION or THE NEW FEEEMASONS' HALL . The ceremony of dedicating the New Freemasons' Hall took place on Tuesday , 23 rd April . The members of the several lodges under the English , Scottish , and Irish constitutions mustered very strongly , and most of the principal Masons in Sydney were present

to witness this interesting and imposing ceremony . There were about 300 members in all , and amongst them we noticed Bros . J . "Williams , D . Prov . G . M . ; Thornton , D . Prov . G . M ., andHobbs , D . Prov . G . M ., being the three Prov . Grand Masters under the English , Irish , and Scottish constitutions , and the R ev . G . Macarthur , the Chaplain of tbe Grand Lodge . The Legislative Assembly , also , was represented by the following brethren : —Dick , Gray , Dalgleish , and Hoskins .

The new building has been erected upon ground belonging to the Freemasons , extending from York-street back to Clarence-street . The Freemasons' Hotel has not been interfered with , but at the north side of the hotel a passage has been made , so as to afford communication to the Hall from both streets . The principal entrance will of course be in Clarence-street . The facade of the structure is bold and striking , the ornamentation being appropriate and tasteful , but somewhat deficient iu projection . The basement

is Doric , and above the Ionic style is followed , a row of pilasters supporting a massive pediment , which it is intended at some future period to fill with sculptured emblems of Faith , Hope , and Charity . Above each of the five arched windows are panels , intended for tho Teception of Masonic emblems . The principal entrance is between square Doric pilasters , which are surmounted with a pediment . The grand vestibule , which is twenty-five feet by nineteen , and paved with squares of black and white marble , opens upon the lodge rooms and other offices . There are two lodge rooms and a supper room , which being each thirty-five feet by twenty two , will afford ample accommodation for the meetings of the several lodges .

The approach to the rooms opposite the entrance is through an archway between two Ionic columns of enamelled slate , ordered from London for the purpose ; the dark marble-like appearance of these , in contrast with the white plaster , has a very pleasing effect . To the left , on entering the vestibule , a handsome spiral cedar staircase six feet in width conducts to the great hall . The interior of the hall has an elegant appearance so far as size , loftiness , and the due observance of architectural rules are concerned ; but the

almost entire absence of ornament upon the walls is very conspicuous and displeasing . It is right to explain the reason for this . The whole of the amount required for the completion of the building , according to the architect's designs not being raised , it was decided to proceed with the necessary parts of the building , and to postpone for the present all superfluous ornament . Consequently , tbe pilasters which relieve the walls on either side of the hall are without caps , and the cornices are destitute of enrichment .

The arched recesses between the pilasters are also plain , but all the arrangements have , we understand , been made for their decoration with Masonic emblems . The hall is lit by five lofty arched windows at either end ; and gas lamps are to be lit at night . upon neat brackets in the recesses , and upon a pendent from the centre of the ceiling ; the latter is , however a temporary arrangement , an elegant glass chandelier having been ordered from England . The dimensions of the hall are seventy-five feet by fifty , and the

height of the ceiling thirty feet clear . The present condition of the ceiling also bears marks of the economy that has been studied in caarrying out the work . Within each of the divisions of the ceiling are rows of perforated zinc , through which at present the ceiling joists are visible , but which will , in course of time , be covered with tasteful scroll work . Above the staircase is a handsome gallery extending across the hall . Altogether , about thirteen hundred persons can be seated in the hall , inclusive of two hundred in the gallery . Thorough provision is made for ventilation by the skirting being perforated , through which a constant draft of air

admitted by the grating outside is introduced , to replace the foul air which passes off through the perforations in the ceiling . A similiar apparatus is provided in each of the lodge and supper rooms , none of which have any fire-places . The hall is entered at the east side by a movable stage thrown across the lane from the passage leading the Freemasons' Hotel . The entrance in Yorkstreet , at which there are ornamental iron gates , is Doric ,- a carved

head , intended to represent Solomon , forms the key of the arch , and in the centre of tbe arch , in a circular panel , is the escutcheon of the English Constitution—a very clever piece of carving . The pediment above the arch appears disproportionately heavy . The cost of the building , so far as at present finished , has been £ 6500 , which sum has been raised by shares taken up by the members of the several Freemasons' lodges in Sydney . The completion of tbe Freemasons' Hall supplies to a large extent

the want long felt in Sydney of a spacious and commodious assembly room , adapted for public purposes , and more particularly for musical performances . Without underrating the accommodation afforded by other buildings , it may fairly be stated that in respect to size , capacity , and general arrangements , the Freemasons' Hall is a great improvement on them . This may at all events , be inferred from the fact of the two leading musical associations in Sdney—the

y Philharnioniac Society and the Vocal Harmonic Society—having entered into an engagement with the Freemasons for the use of the hall for their concerts , and also for their rehearsals . For these occasions a platform will be erected at the eastern end of the haU , and upon this will be placed the large organ belonging to the Vocal Harmonic Society , hitherto in the Casfclereagh-street school-room . The Grand Hall , in which the ceremony of consecration took

place , was decorated with the flags of all nations—the banners of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New South Wales , the Zetland Lodge , the St . Andrew's Lodge , and other Masonic emblems . In tbe centre of the hall was a table , on which were placed a salver of silver containing corn , and two silver goblets , one on either side , containing wine and oil . As in all Masonic ceremonies only the initiated are admittedit is impossible for us to ive a detailed

, g account of what actually took place , but we may fairly state that the greater portion of the ceremony was really grand , interesting , and impressive . Tbe brethren of the several lodges having assembled , were ranged round the hall in the following manner , under the direction of the Grand Master of the Ceremonies , Bro . Israel , and several assistants : — -On the west , the brethren of the Eno-lish

lodges ; on the south , the brethren of the Scottish lodges ; and on the north , the brethren of tbe Irish lodges . The east side of the hall was reserved for the Provincial Grand lodges , under the English , Irish , and Scottish Constitutions . At a quarter past twelve o'clock the ceremony was commenced by the members of tbe three Grand Provincial Lodges , entering and marching in procession round the hall . They were led by the D . Prov . G . M " . Bro . Williams ; D . Prov . G . M . BroThornton

, , . ; D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Hobbs ; accompanied by the Prov . G . Chaplain , Rev . G . Macarthur , Bros . Murphy , and Malim , and most of the Senior P . M . 's , and Masters of the several lodges . Havino- taken the places appropriated to them at the north end of the building , the Prov . G . Chaplain opened the proceedings with a prayer , all the brethren standing , and in full Masonic costume . The grand honours , usual amongst Masons , were then given by the brethren , and sacred music the b

was played on organ y Bro . Packer , who also conducted the choir . The cxxxiii . Psalm was then chanted by the choir and the grand honours were again given by the Masons . The Prov . G . Chaplain then delivered an oration to the brethren , in which he enlarged on the principles of Masonry , arid refuted the charges that had been made against the Masons as a body . An anthem was then sung by the organist and brethren . At its conclusion the Prov . G . Chaplain read the consecration and

prayer , the brethren formed for perambulating round the hall . The salvers and goblets containing the corn , wine , and oil were then borne by the three Grand Masters , ; . who led the procession , the or" -an playing sacred music . The first perambulation , with corn , was borne by tbe D . Prov . G . M . of the English Constitution ; the second perambulation , with wine , by the D . Prov . G . M . of the Irish Constitution ; and the third perambulation with oil , by the '

D . Prov . G . M . of the Scottish Constitution . At the end of each perambulation an appropriate sentence was enunciated by each D . Prov . G . M . After the perambulations bad been concluded , the brethren having again taken their places , a prayer and a blessing upon the undertaking was pronounced by the Prov . G . Chaplain , The response , Glory be to God on High , being given by the brethren , as well as the of "As it was in the beginningis and

response , now , ever shall be , world without end . So mote it be . " The following address was then delivered by the D . Prov . G . M .: Brethren , the active duties that have devolved on me as Chairman , in connection with my brother directors , in the building and completion of this edifice , must be my apology for offering a few remarks on this auspicious occasion . I need scarcely inform my