Colonial, District And Foreign Items.

the Report of the Board of General Purposes Avas read condemning the Grand Lodge of Freemasons , New Zealand , as unnecessary and inopportune , and it Avas unanimously adopted . The meeting Avas very largely attended . At a meeting of thc Pacific Lodge , No . . 1221 ) , held the previous evening , it was unanimously resolved not to sever the connection with the Grand Lodge of England , whether a Grand Lodge of New Zealand Avas established or not .

TAS MANIA .- —The Southern Tasmanian Masons , after discussing the proposals for the establishment of a United District Lodge for Tasmania , decided by 27 to 25 votes that the time Avas not ripe for the formation of the lodge .

RAVENSBOURNE LODGE OF INSTRUCTION—No . 1601 . —May 15 th , at the George Tavern , LeAvisham . —Bro . Thomas , AV . M . —Bros . Alf . N orris , S . AV . ; Dr , Visger , J . AV . ; H . ShaAv , preceptor ; Walter Smith , treas . ; C . Atkins , sec . ; Joyce . S . D . ; Shelton , J . D . ; Peters , I . G . ; J . Stevens , P . M . ; J . T . Axford , G . Pickering , Scott , Robin , & c . Ceremony of initiation rehearsed , Bro . Scott as candidate , and the charge was admirably delivered by the preceptor . Bro . Alfred

Norris was elected AV . M . for ensuing meeting , Avhen work Avill be in the first degree . The secretary announced that AV . Bro . J . A . P . Ingleby , the W . M . of the Mother Lodge , had consented to preside at the festival dinner on Thursday , the 30 th inst . It Avas resolved that such members of the Charitable Association of this lodge as are in arrear with their payments , should be reminded that the rules in such case provided Avill be put in force at the meeting on the 2 'Jth inst .

STAR CHAPTER OF INSTRUCTION—No . 1275 . —On Friday , the 17 th inst ., at Camberwell . Present : Comps . Lyon . P . Z . 132 . 1 , M . E . Z . ; G . L . Moore . M . E . Z . 1 C <) . H . ; Neeld . P . Z . mi ) , J . ; C . H . Stone . S . E . ; Stone . S . N . ; T . Grummant . P . Z .. P . S . ; F . Hilton . P . Z .. preceptor ; C . AVoods , A . S . 1275 ; and V . T . Murche , A . S . 132 !) . ' The ceremony of exaltation Avas rehearsed , Comp . AVoods candidate .

Comp . Moore Avas elected M . E . Z . for the next meeting . It was resolved that the chapter should adjourn at the end of the present month until the first Friday in September . On the motion of the S . E ., seconded by Comp . Moore , a vote of thanks Avas accorded Comp . AVoods for having had the first volume of the MASONIC STAR bound in order to preserve it for the chapter .

DEATH . —On the 13 th inst ., at Blakelow House , near Nantwich Bro . Edward Hornison Griffiths , aged 7 !) years . For 4 !) years Pro vincial Grand Secretary for Cheshire . A correspondent of the Voice of Freemasonry ( Chicago ) referring to the use of the capital letters " OB " facetiously writes" AVe do not clearly understand Avhat is meant by the capital letters

"OB . " We can only illustrate our understanding of it by reciting an occurrence during the "late unpleasantness . " AVe Avere sent by the Confederate Government to the distant South on business . Our passport had endorsed on it "OB . " We had successfully accomplished our mission , and Avere homeAvard bound on Avings of anxiety , when Ave Avere stopped by a Provost Marshal , after

accomplishing about one-half our journey , with the information , " You can't go , sir , orders have been given to that effect , " etc . No plea of ours did any good . Finally , the astute Marshal discovered those mystical letters , and enquired , " I say , mister , what Avas they put thar for . " AVe promptly answered , "AVhy , ordered back ; didn't you know that / " He replied , "I was only joking , " and

outpassport Avas promptly vise and Ave hied homeward . Whenever Ave see those letters AVO look upon their frequent use Avith some apprehension , and on tAvo or three occasions when asked by profanes what they meant , we have answered , " Ordered back " and sloped from their enquiring minds as quickly as courtesy would alloAV . Let the letters ' elope . "

Grand Master Lawrence , of NCAV York , is a Avonder as a debt reducer . A Masonic Ladies' Fair Avas recently held under the presidency of Mrs . LaAvrence in aid of an asylum for aged Masons and their widoAvs , Avhen £ 15 , 000 Avas netted . AVhat a thrilling example for us . '

There are in our Fraternity some short-sighted and penny-wise members , Avho think printers' ink superfluous and the Masonic press of no value . Such ideas come only from those Avho are narrowminded , selfish or SIOAV going enough to Avish the world Avould turn back half a century to the days Avhen railroads , telegraphs , and steam printing presses Avere unknown .

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ESTABLISHED 1851 . . Southampton Buildings , Chancery Lane . K , BAN GK BIBKBE THREE per CENT . INTEREST allowed on DEPOSITS repayable on demand . TAVO per CENT , on CURRENT ACCOUNTS , calculated on tho minimum monthly balances , when not drawn below £ 100 . The liTKKIiECK ALMANACK , with full particulars , can bo obtained post free , on application to FRANCIS llAVENSCltOFT Manager .

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The Birkbeck Building Society ' s Annual Keceipts exceed Five Millions . UOW TO PURCHASE A HOUSE FOR TWO •" ¦ GUINEAS PER MONTH , OR A PLOT OF LAND POR piyj 5 SHILLINGS VKK MONTH . Apply at the O'llCQ of the BlHKMKCK FllEKHOIiD LAND SOCIKTY . The BIIIKBECK ALMANACK , with full particulars , ° a application . FRANCIS RAVENSCROFT Manager . Southampton Buildings , Chancery Lano .

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Recommended to the Subscribers to the " Masonic Star . " HOTELS

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Q TAR AND GARTER HOTEL , KEW BRIDGE , k _ 5 Bro . Jonx ] 5 IUL . _ , Proprietor . Seven Lodges and Chapters held in the Hotel , which possesses . Special Facilities for Concerts , Eveniuy Parties and l . ani | iiets . Scale of Charges on Application .

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MAYO'S CASTLE HOTEL , EAST MOLESEY , Hampton Court Station ( adjoining tho Railway and facing the River and Palace ) . Bro . JOHN MAYO has ample accommodation in the new wing for Banquets for any number up to 100 . . Spacious landing to River . Specimens of Menus , with prices , sent on application . Three Lodges meet at thc Castle Hotel , and reference may he made to tl > e _ respective Masters as to the catering , & c .

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BRIDGE HOUSE HOTEL , LONDON BRIDGE , S . E ., PE . UICK & Sox , Proprietors . Dinners , AVedding Breakfasts , Balls , SoirOcs , Concerts , Masonic , Public , or Private Meetings , & c . The Suite of Rooms for Balls ATOI Concerts includes the Ball Room , Ante-Room , Refreshment and Supper Rooms and Ladies' Retiring Rooms . The Masonic Temple will seat 40 . Terms on Application .

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BOURNEMOUTH . Board and Residence , south aspect , close to the Sea , Pleasure Gardens ; centre of Town ; Home comforts Terms , 30 / -. Apply M . A . Hood . Cavcrsham , Poole Hill .

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THE BEDFORD " FAMILY AND COMMERCIAL HOTEL , PORTSMOUTH . Proprictor ^ Jl . P . BinAXT . _ ST . ELMO ( BOARDING HOUSE ) , No . 13 , LOCH PROMENADE , DOUGLAS , ISLE OP MAN . Incomparably the Queen of Northern Watering Places . Bro . P . T . SCREECH begs respectfully to offer to intending visitors to this charming health and pleasure resort the comfortable advantages of a Home from Home . This establishment , with an old connection ( 17 years ) , is conveniently situated on the margin of tho beautiful Bay , and within two minutes' walk of the landing Pier—the arrangements being personally superintended by Miss SHIMJIIN and Mrs . SCREECH . Pirst-class Cuisine—Terms moderate . Particulars on ap ]_ lication .

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CEA HOUSE HOTEL , MIDDLE ST ., BRIGHTON . . O —THOMAS fiinns ( late Supt . Brighton Police Fire Brigade ) . Choicest AVincs and Spirits , Pine Foreign Cigars , Billiards , Private Apartments .

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These spaces are reserved for Hotels offering inducements to Masonic visitors .

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W ' -A . ZCsT'X'IEJID . SECOND-HAND Lodge Furniture , Oak or Mahogany preferred ; also Clothing . Reply , Avith inventory , price and order to view , to X ., Office of this paper .

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: _ E _ M : _ F _ r _ . OY _] VC _ E .: _[_> rT "W _ A . _ lNrT _ E 33 D . BROTHER . 21 , Good Shorthand Writer , desires engagement as Cashier , Correspondent , Book-keeper , or other position of Trust . Eight years' references . M . M ., c / o TOLKR , 7 , HarroAV ltd ., AV .

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TO IBIE LET . ' A FURNISHED House in a main position in a Town in the South-West Suburbs . Forty minutes from tOAvn on District and South Western Railways . . 1 Reception , 4 Bedrooms , and good Gardens . LOAV Rent to careful Tenant . Apply—Manager , MASONIC STAR .

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TO THE TEA TRADE . Anyone requiring a Fine First Floor , situated close to Leadenhall Street , and Avithin . ' 1 minutes of Mark and Mincing Lanes . Rent . CoO . Apply—BLAND & CAMPION , 15 , Fenchurch Street , E . C .

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TO FOUNDERS OF LODGES , CHAPTERS , PRECEPTORIES , & c . The Windsor Castle Masonic Temple to be let . Replete Avith every convenience ( including Organ ) for Craft Lodges , R . A . I Chapters , Encampments , Preceptories , & c . Resident T yler . Apply to E . GRISUROOIC , AVindsor .

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RheumatismandGoutThe SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT of and the Recipe , by II . T . LAIT , Fressingfield , Harleston , Norfolk . I Free to all on receipt of stamp for postage . "Mr . bait ' s aim is to eradicate the disease from the system by removing the cause , and this is most successfully done by his treatment . "—The Court Journal . "Mr . Luffs remedy lias proved most successful , and that ills treatment is tho true one seems beyond all doubt . "—The Ipswich Journal .

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WANTED TO PURCHASE , a complete set of Craft and Arch Working Tools . Appl y by letter , " Manager , " MASONIC STAB Newspaper , 59 , Moor Lane , E . C .

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ALFRED W , MURRAY , 27 , Merchant and Military Tailor , , KING- STREET , LONDON , E . C . First-class Materials and Perfect Fit Guaranteed . Prices f ; rccriVnii ) liimot'lrratr . Inspection ' eiirikd .

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JAMES STEVENSON , G . E ., The People ' s Patent Agent , GRAY'S INN CHAMBERS , 20 , HIGH HOLBORN , W . C . « S" Lowest Possible Charges . - £ >