New South Wales.

brethren , as most of yon are aware of the fact , that eleven months ago , when it pleased the G . A . 0 . T . U . to permit me , through the brethren , to have the great honour of laying the foundation stone of this magnificent building , and without egotism I may call it so , as' it stands unequalled in the colonies ( for the purposes it is intended ) , that the directors in the beginning were beset by no mean or ordinary difficulties , surrounded by conflicting interests

and gloomy forebodings of failure , and harassed by tbe technicalities of law , yet by the blessing of Divine Providence we have surmounted all obstacles and impediments , and here we now offer to the brethren who entrusted us with the heavy responsibility of carrying out their wishes and intentions a building suitable for all the requirements of the Craft in this city , and worthy of the Order to which we belong . One great object to be attained , and which has ever been kept in view bthe directorsis the necessity of

cony , centrating and centralising the Masonic body in this city irrespective of Constitutions , with a view of all the brethren in the colony partaking of its benefits in a greater or lesser degree , with one common interest moving the whole ; and while we have provided for the necessary accommodation of the Craft through the means of the Craft , we have not forgotten to provided also for the requirements of other public assemblies , so that pleasure and profit he the nratnai result . It is with no small degree of pride I

may point out to you the largest shareholder in this institution . Younaturally wish to know who that may be . Well , brethren , you see the symbols that present life and truth , in the serpent and the square , and largest shareholders stand much in the same position , as he is only present by his reprentatives—they are the trustees of the Masonic Orphan Fund . And now , brethren , on you rests and depends the futnre welfare and prosperity of this institution , by

unity of purpose , and that peculiar characteristic we most professbrotherly love . Let no petty jealousy of distinctive positions in the Craft be the means of setting aside that fraternal amity which should ever exist amongst Freemasons . Bach brother in his turn , he he every so lowly , can add his mite to the general stock , for the welfare and good of the Order . What matters it to what constitution he may belong , or whether he be Grand Master or Tyler , so long as he can assist in the good work for the benefit of the Craft .

Thus I will exhort you , brethren , be true to yourselves by tbe truthful representation of those grand principles to which , in the name of the G . A . 0 . T . U ., this hall has been dedicated . Brotherly love , relief , and truth—thus you will stand unshaken as a living monument of what Freemasonry can do when unaetuated hy selfish or mercenary motives— -guided and governed by this singleness of purpose , from you in Australia will spring an imitation of the mother Grand Lodges , those noble , I might say , holy , institutions ,

to whose care is consigned the aged and decayed Freemasons , the widow and the orphan . Yes , brethren , on you shortly will devolve the care and education of the orphan children of the good and true Mason , who , by his careful attention to his duties as such , will "bequeath to his brethren , when it pleases the G . M . to call him hence , the sacred trust and nurture of those that are most dear to him . How soothing it must be to think—how tranquillising in the last moments of a departing brother to know that while the spirit

is passing into the hands of our Great Father , under his blessing , his beloved ones are entrusted to his brethren . By keeping our thoughts directed to these good and humane objects , we will lose much of individual self , and be truly what we are intended to be by the aid and blessing of the G . A . 0 . T . U ., the most noble and fraternal of human institutions .

The D . PEOV . G . M . having concluded his address , the anthem of "To Heaven ' s High Architect" was chanted by the choir , and grand honours were given by the brethren . The national anthem was then sung—the brethren joining in the chorus . The benediction having been pronounced by the Prov . G . Chaplain , the members of the Provincial Grand Lodges of New South Wales marched round the hall and quitted it , in the same manner they had entered . The ceremony being thus concluded , the brethren took their

departure . Aball , in celebration of the opening of the New Freemasons' Hall , was held in the evening . The company began to assemble at halfpast eight o ' clock ; and in an hour ' s time , there being about 500 present , dancing commenced , and was kept up with great spirit during the whole night . At twelve o ' clock supper was served in the three lodge-rooms ; consequently everybody was able to enjoy

the good things provided without the confusion usually attending balls of a similar character . After supper dancing was resumed , and kept up till an early hour , when the party broke up , well satisfied with their evening ' s amusement . The hall was decorated with flags , and was well lighted up by the temporary chandelier and brackets in the recess . The German band was in attendance , and played in their usual skilful manner . [ There are in New South Wales , twenty lodges under the English Constitution ; eight under Scotch , and three Irish . ]

New South Wales.

DEPUTATION TO GOVERNOR YOUNG . A deputation from the Masonic body , consisting of the following gentlemen : —Mr . Alderman Williams , D . Prov . G . M . ; Arthur T . Holroyd , Esq ., M . L . A ., Prov . G . S . W . ; Watson Wilson , Esq ., Prov . G . J . W . ; John A . Mathews , Esq ., Prov . G . Sec . of the English Constitution ; Joshua Lovecroit , Esq ., D . Prov . G . M . ; Robert Stewart , Esq . M . L . A ., Prov . G . S . W . ; Samuel W . Gray , Esq .,

M . L . A ., Prov . G . J . W . ; William Cubitt , Esq . Prov . G . Sec . of the Irish Constitution , waited upon his Excellency the Governor , Sir John Young , with the following address , which was read by D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . John Williams : — To his Excellency tbe Right Hon . Sir John Young , Bart ., Knight Commander of the most honourable Order of the Bath , Knight Grand Cross of the distinguished Order of St . Michael and St . George , Administrator of the Government

of New South Wales , and its Dependencies , & c . May it please your Excellency , — We , the representatives of the Masonic body in New South Wales , holding under the Grand Lodge of England , and the Grand Lodge of Ireland , deputed to wait upon your Excellency in the name of that body , and most sincerely offer you our congratulations on your safe arrival here , as the Administrator of her Majesty's Government of this colony .

As a section of the community over which you are appointed to preside , and as a body having no political bias , ever bound to be true and loyal subjects of her Majesty the Queen , we truly hope your Government in all honour , may be peaceful , bringing as its attendants plenty and prosperity to this land . In conclusion , we also beg to congratulate Lady Young , and hail her advent amongst us , as the dawn of another day , that will long be treasured with pleasure in the remembrance of the mothers , wives , and daughters of New South Wales .

GEAND LODGE OP ENGLAND . JOHN AVILLIAMS , Deputy Provincial Grand Master . AITTHT / E TOD HOLEOYD , Provincial Grand Senior Warden WATSON WILSON , Provincial Grand Junior Warden . JOHN . W . MATHEWS , Provincial Grand Secretary . GEAND LODGE OF IEELANE . JOSHUA LOVECEOET , Deputy Provincial Grand Master . ROBEET STEWABT , Provincial Grand Senior Wardeu .

SAMUEL W . GEAY , Provincial Grand Junior Warden . WILLIAM CUBITT , Provincial Grand Secretary . To which his excellency made the following reply : , To the Representatives of the Masonic Body in New South Wales . Gentlemen , —I am happy to receive yon , as the representatives of a large society formed in New South Wales , affiliated to , and identified in all respects with , those great and widely respected bodies , the Grand Lod of England and Ireland .

ges I beg you to accept my best thanks for the congratulations you are pleased to offer on my safe arrival in this important and interesting part of her Majesty ' s dominions . Lady Young feel ' s grateful for the compliment . ' and welcome extended to her . No one can be more anxious than she is to deserve well of those amongst whom she is placed ; and both she and I respond most heartily to the patriotic wishes you have expressed ,

that the goodness of Providence may cause the colony to yield its increase plentifully , and bless it with a long continuance of peace , based on the firm foundation of honour . ( Signed ) JOHN YOUNG .

South Australia.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA .

ADELAIDE . On March the 30 th , 1861 , a grand full Masonic Ball took place at White ' s Assembly Rooms , Adelaid , which was the most magnificent affair that had ever taken place in that province . The room was splendidly decorated with flags , evergreens , and statuary , with fountains of rose water playing , and the wdiole of beautiful insignia of the Craft was exhibited on the occasion . There were upwards of 250 ladies and gentlemen presentamongst whom

, were His Excellency Bro . Sir R . Gr . Macdonnell , tbe Governor of the Province , and Lady ; Bros , the Hon . J . T . Bagot , Prov . G . M . ( I . C . ) ; ¦ W . Fiveash , D . Prov . G . M . ( I . C . ) ; W . N . Crowder , Prov . G . S . W . ( I . C . ); J . P . Boucant , Prov . G . Sec . ( I . C . ) ; with other Prov . G . Officers ( I . C ); J . Lazer , P . D . Prov . G . M . ( E . C . ); R . W . Moore , M . D ., P . Prov . G . Sec . ( E . C . ); W . Gosse , M . D ., D . Prov . G . M . ( E . C . ) F . Beyer , M . D ., Prov . G . S . D . ( E . G . ) ; Col . Blythe , Capt .

Binckley , and many of the elite of the Province . The ball was under the immediate patronage of , and got up hy the brethren of the I . C . The splendid regalia of the brethren , and the handsome dresses of the ladies , now and then blending together in the most beautiful harmony of colour , and occasionally as if by the sudden shifting of the kaleidescope approximating to a glorious discord , caused the scene altogether to be most imposing and brillant , and