Ar00902

H ^^^^ K ^^ a 23 GREAT QUEEN STREET , W . C .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Tunis And Malta.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF TUNIS AND MALTA .

THE half yearly Communication of this Provincial Grand Lodgo was held on tho 27 th March , at the Masonic Hall , Malta , under the banner of tho Keystone Lodge , No . 107 . Tho receiving Lodgo having been duly opened by its W . M . Bro . W . Watson ( P . G . M . O . ) , tho Grand Officers entered tho hall in procession . The P . G . Lodge was then opened in ample form with tho following Grand Officers present ,

viz : —R . W . Bro . Broadley P . G . M . on the throne , R . W . Bro . tho Rov . W . R . Bedford P . G . M . M . of Warwickshire and Staffordshire , V . W . Bro . R . V . WestropD . P . G . M ., Bros . Capt . Beechoy 30 ° as G . S . W ., Capt . Blake R . A . as G . J . W ., Rev . G . R . Goodwin Grand Chaplain , Chevalier Edward Rosenbusch Grand Registrar , Lieut . C . E . Coffey R . A . as Grand Secretary , W . Watson as G . M . O ., Colonel T . P .

Cavey R . A . as G . S . O ., R . Glenday as G . J . O ., R . J . King G . D . C ., Surgeon J . Walker as G . S . D ., Surgeon H . Grier as G . J . D ., R . P . Millor a ? G . S . B ., Surgeon-Major H . W . A . Mackinnon as G . S . B ., Professor Stilon as G . I . G ., Mortimer and Stanley G . S ., and Beck G . T . Thero was also a very satisfactory attendance of M . M . M . ' s of the Province . The usual grand honours were accorded to Bros . Broadley and ISedford .

Tho minntes of the last Communication were read and confirmed . Tho G . S . then read a letter of apology , for absence from R . W . Bro . W . Kingston P . M . 107 ( D . G . M . Craft ) , who was unable to be present from indisposition . Tho report of the General Board was then read and adopted . The Tcsnlts showed that tho state of Mark Masonry in tho Province , both financially and numerically , was

highly satisfactory ; that all tho Lodges had paid their dues , and that their several muster rolls of active members stood as follows : —Keystone , No . 107 , 44 members j Kingston , No . 222 , 30 members ; Broadley , No . 248 , 32 members ; and St . Louis , No . 251 , 25 members ; a total of 131 Mark Masters in the Province . The R . W . Bro . Broadley Prov . G . M ., in addressing the Lodge , thanked the Officers and members of

Lodgo No . 107 for tho hospitable reception accorded to himself and tho other Grand Officers . He was pleased to tell them that the Mark degree was making rapid progress at home and abroad ; twelve new Lodses had been chartered since November , and other applications for Warrants wore expected . As regards the Province , it had since their last meeting witnessed the consecration of the St . Louis Lodge ,

No . 254 , amongst tho ruins of Ancient Carthage . Ho then explained the interesting historical associations connected with this Lodgo , and the resnlts of his investigations as to tho origin of the builders ' marks stiU to bo found in TSorth Africa . The ceremony of the consecration of Lodge No . 254 , he informed the brethren , had now an additional interest , as it appears to have attracted the attention of the

Grand Orient of Italy to tho beauties and traditions of the degree . In the official journal of that important Masonic centre , the Rivista Massonica , No . 3 , of tho 28 th Febrnary 1880 , the oration he had delivered on that occasion was published in extenso , and the editor preceded it by the observation that Italian Masons conld no longer donbt as to the Mark being an important element in the Masonry of

the world . He trusted some day to see tho Mark flourishing on the Continent . Its teachings would havo a beneficial effect in staying the revolutionary tendencies now too current in the Lodges of Europe . He concluded his remarks by thanking his D . P . G . M ., Bro . Westrop , for his hearty co-operation , and by expressing his gratification at tho universal exertions of the P . G . Secretary . Bro . Coffev . in the

discharge of the important dnt ? e 3 of his office . Bro . Watson expressed the pleasnre felt by Lodgo No . 107 at entertaining P . G . L . R . W . Bro . Bedford briefly addressed the brethren , remarking he was truly deli ghted with all he had seen of Masonry in Malta , especially as regards his favourite degree of the Mark . Ho paid a graceful tribute to the labours of his colleague their P . G . M ., who ruled over the

Province of Tani 3 and Malta with snch skill and ability . What he had seen and heard that evening wonld certainly indnce him on his return to England to put forth fresh efforts to promote tho progress and popularity of the degree in his district , whero be hoped soon to welcome Bro . Broadley . Tho charitable collection having been made , the P . G . Lodge was closed , and the P . G . M . and his Grand Officers retired in procession . The Keystone Lodge was then closed . Tho brethren

, at the invitation of Lodgo No . 107 , adjourned to a banquet nnderthe presidency of the P . G . M . The usual toasts belonging to Mark Masonry were given and responded to , and a most enjoyable evening spent . The Ark Mariners' degree is also making rapid propress in Tunis and Malta , the two Lodges , Sanct Elmo No . 248 , and Charles V . No . 254 , having a total of 58 members . The P . G . M . M . being also ex officio P . G . Commander of the Ark . has made tfin

following appointments to Provincial rank , viz . —Bros . Lieut . C . E . ^ offeyR A . D . P . G . C , Captain C . J . Blake R . A . G . S . W . J ., J . E . L . barker G . J . W . S ., J . W . Starkey Grand Scribe , J . Segond Grand Ireasnrer , Rev . G . N . Godwin Grand Chaplain , J . R . Beechev 30 Gran d D . of C J . Walker G . S . D .. E . They G . J . D ., H . Stilon Grand ^ oardian , A . Ewmg Grand Organist , Mortimer and Cnrletto Grand stewards , and Beck Grand Warder . i

New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND .

Alexandra Lodge No . 1188 , E . C—The annual installation meeting of this Lodgo was at tho Lodge-room , Alexandra Hotel , Waikato , on Wednesday , 24 th December . An unusually largo number of brethren wore present , some having travelled from Hamilton and Cambridge to take part in tho ceremony . After tho preliminary business had been transacted tho W . M . requested Bro . W . P . Moat ,

District Grand Registrar , to act as Installing Master on the occasion , and ho having consented , proceeded in his well-known efficient manner to instal Bro . T . Finch as Worshipful Master of tho Lodge for tho ensuing year . The W . M . then invested his Officers as follows : — Bros . J . B . Webb S . W ., Georgo M . A . Ahier J . W ., Neil McLeod P . M . Treasurer , John N . Miller Secretary , T . Coulter S . D ., T . Kirk J . D .,

George Finch I . G ., R . McGruther Tyler . The Lodgo having been closed , tho brethren , on the invitation of tho W . M ., adjourned to tho banqneting-roon , where the dolicacies of tho season wore served up with the taste which characterises tho Alexandra Hotol . After amplo justice had boon done to the good things provided , and the usual loyal and Masonio toasts had been duly honoured , Bro . Aubin , tho senior

P . M . of tho Lodge , proposed the health of the W . M . Ho was ono of the oldest members of the Lodge , and had always been most attentive to his duties and regular in his attendance , and tho brothrou had provod the estimation in which thoy held him , by electing him to tho chair . Bro . Finch briefly responded , and thanked tho brethren for tho honour done him . He was the first Mason made in tho Lodgo , and his

present position showed they were satisfied with his conduct in tho past , and ho hoped to perform the duties of his prosent office in a manner which would secure their approbation . The W . M . proposed the newly-elected Officers , and paid such of them as had held offico before a well-merited compliment for the manner in which they had discharged their duties . He especially instanced theiv Treasurer ,

Bro . McLeod , who had twice been elected to tho Masters chair . Bro . McLeod and the other Officers briefly responded . Bro . P . M . Aubin proposed tho health of the Installing Master , Bro . Moat . He ( Bro . Aubin ) was an old Mason , and he never , in any part of tho world , had seen tho impressive ceremony oE installation moro efficiently rendered than it had been that night . Bro . Moat briefly

responded and proposed the P . M . 's of the Lodge . All Lodges wero indebted to their P . M . ' s as a body , bnt he thought Alexandra Lodgo must be greatly indebted to tho P . M . 's present , Bro . Aubin having filled the chair three times , and Bro . McLeod twice . When a W . M . was elected to tho chair a second time , it was a sure token that ho had performed Via duties in a moro than usually efficient manner .

Bros . Anbin , McLeod , and McGruther responded . Bro . Aubin then proposed tho health of our late Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . L . C . Brady , whoso departure from tho district , where he was universally loved and resprcted , wonld bo regarded as a calamity by tho whole community . Bro . Brady responded . He was deeply grieved to sever his connection with the district , where ho had livod so long , and with the many friends it had been his good fortune to make there . But

tho dio was cast , and he had to go . Ho was only a young Mason , but tho moro ho knew of Masonry tho moro he liked it ; and the instruction which he , in common with tho rest of them , had gained that evening through Bro . Moat ' s visit had endeared it to him moro thau ever . He thanked them for their kind wishes , and assured them that , wherever his lot might be cast , ho would never forget his old friends at Alexandra . Tho Tyler ' s toast brought a most enjoyable evening to a close .

Ara Lodge , 348 I . C . —The attendance at the monthly meeting was not so largo as nsual , but there was a goodly number of members and visitors present . Bro . P . M . Levy presidod . Bro . Lodder D . D . G . M . English Constitution and hi 3 Officers attended , and were received with the customary marks of respect . Bro . Hatsvvell , P . M . of Lodge Waitemata , and Bro . Ellison R . W . M . Lodge St . Andrew ,

were also present . Tho principal business of tho meeting was tho installation of Officers for tho ensuing year . Bro . Levy officiated aa Installing Master , and conducted tho coremonyin a highly impressivo and Masonic manner . The following are tho newly-installed Officers : —Bros . T . E . Darance W . M ., J . B . Crothers S . W ., Arthnr Wright J . W ., Roes P . M . Treasurer , Mitchell P . M . Secretary , Rev . Dr . Kidd Chaplain , C . Western S . D ., G . Rainey J . D ., J . M . Oldham l . G .

W . H . Fenton and A . Linabury Stewards . After tho Lodge was , called off , the greater number of those present sat down to a tastefully laid banqnet , which did great credit to the caterer , Mr . Vivian . The newly-installed W . M . presided . After the tables had been cleared and the wines replenished , the Chairman proposed the toast of the Queen and Craft , which was drunk loyally . He then proposed the toast of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales M . W . G . M . English Constitution , and Patron of the Irish and Scottish Constitutions . The toast was

enthusiastically drunk with Masonic honours . The next toast was that of the Three Grand Lodgea of England , Ireland and Scotland , a toast which was also drunk with honours . The Chairman then announced the toast of Provincial Grand Lodges of tho English , Irish , and Scottish Constitutions . Bro . P . M . Moat D . D . G . Registrar responded . He returned hearty thanks for tho manner in which the

toast had been proposed and responded to . The brethren of the District Grand Lodge of England were most willing to fraternise and assist the brethren of the other Constitutions , as shown by their attendance that night . Nothing wonld give them greater pleasure than to see tho Ara Lodge go on in the future as it had done in tho past . Bro . Hitchens responded on behalf of the Scottish P . G . Lodge , and Bro . P . M . Ree 3 on behalf of the P . G . L . of Ireland . Bro . Levy

proposed the health of the newly-installed W . M . During the four years he had known him he had got on well , and would no doubt make an excellent and worthy Master . Brother Durance heartily thanked the brethren for the very kind manner in which they had drunk his health , and explained the circumstances connected with the compa . ratively small attendance that evening . They had elected him to the highest office in the Lodge . It had from the first been his ambition to be P . M . of a Lodge , and he hoped he would be able to fill tho