Our Weekly Budget.

As regards the Eastern Question , AVO have but little to say . England holds firmly by the position delineated in Lord Salisbury's despatch , and she Avill not deviate from it . The world for the most part applauds her for the decision she has arrived at . Russia , however , seems equally

determined to insist on the treaty of San Stcfano , and has shown as yet no intention of modifying her tone , and until she does so , until she is Avilling to place the Avholo of the treaty before a Congress of the Powers , it seems clear that no Congress will be held , and the difference as between Russia

and this country Avill have to be settled by an appeal to arms . Wo trust this may not happen , but it is idle to ignore the possibility of its happening . As to the position at Constantinople , tho rival diplomatists aro striving to influence the Sultan and his Government , tho Russians to

make alliance Avith the Czar , and Mr . Layard to incline them toward England . So far the Sultan has managed to keep neutral , to the great chagrin of the Grand Dnke Nicholas ancl M . Nelidoff ; but his case is a hard one , and ho needs all tho nerve he possesses , ancl if report be true , a great

deal more than he possesses , to keep himself disentangled . As to the Roumanian question , Prince Charles and his gallant army decline to bo disarmed , ancl Avill make a fight of it . They will also refuse to restore their portion of Bessarabia , ancl arc appealing to the Powers to support

them in their refusal . Austria-Hungary has succeeded in raising a loan of fifty-five million florins , but her mind does not yet seem made up as to the course she shall pursue . The revolt in Thessaly continues , and fresh troops are being despatched to the scene of action by the Porte . Servia is

about disarming , and Greece is looking on , anxiously aAvaiting her opportunity . In short , the position is one of expectancy , ancl AVO rejoice to say that so long as this remains , so long is there a hope that a second and more terrible wai may not succeed the one just concluded .

Wo beg to remind our readers of the announcement Avhich appeared in our columns last Aveek that the Grand Festival Avill be held on Wednesday next , at Freemasons ' Hall . Tickets may bo had of any of the Grand Stewards , but none ¦ will be issued after four o ' clock on the day

preceding the Festival . Dinner will he served precisely at 6 . 30 p . m ., and the chair Avill he occupied hy the Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon . Tho musical arrangements Avill be under the direction of Bro . C . E . Willing , Grand Organist . Brethren must appear in full Craft clothing .

Bro . John Constable , our excellent friend and "Man of Energy , " is about to visit Cape ToAvn , ancl will bo absent from this country for some five months . Under these circumstances , and as he is in the habit of receiving a great many letters from his Masonic acquaintances , he has

requested us to make this announcement m our columns , so that , in the event of brethren Avriting to him , and , as Avould necessarily happen , receiving no reply , they may knoAv the reason of Avhat otherwise might be deemed a neglect on his

part . We take this opportunity of Avishing our Avorthy brother a prosperous voyage out and home , ancl we trust he may be successful in achieving the purpose of his journey .

Royal Ark Mariners.

ROYAL ARK MARINERS .

The Hull Lodge , JNO . 182— Tins Lodge of Ark Mariners Avas formally consecrated by 11 . W . C . F . Matier P . G . W . on Tuesday , Oth inst . Previous to the ceremony of consecration , a Lodgo ivas opened under dispensation of tho M . W . G . M . M ., and seventeen worthy Mark Masters were elevated to this honourable device by Bro . Matier , assisted by Bro . Boggett Prov . G . S . O . Lincoln ; Preston , Kemp , & e . The Lodge was then consecrated and dedicated , and

Bro . Bcggett was installed as lirsfc W . O . N . The brethren t lien conferred the rank of honorary member on Bro . Matier , and passed a hearty and cordial vote of thanks to him for his services . The banquet of the Humber Mark Lodge followed . Besides the before mentioned brethren , AVO perceived Bros . Marshall , Roberts and Barker , Prov . Grand Officers of Lincoln ; Bros . Dr . Hay , Iiaberland , & e ., & o .

Clapton Lodge of Instruction , No . 1365 . —On Friday , 12 th April . Present—Bros . Finch W . M ., McMillan S . W ., Bell J . W . Slaiter S . D ., Turner J . D ., Buck I . G ., also Bros . Cnsworth , Clennell , C ' oghain , Vcates , Glover , J . L ' adkiu , M'Dotvcll , and several olhei brethren . The Lodge was opened in due form , the preliminary

business transacted , the ceremony of tho first degree was ably performed , Bro . Soper being the candidate . Bro . Finch then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . P . M . Cnsworth , Avho opened np to the third , and performed tho ceremony of that degree iti a most impressive manner . The Lodge Avas then closed iu perfect harmony , Bio , McMillan will occupy the chair at tho nest meeting ,

District Grand Lodge, Malta.

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE , MALTA .

1 1 HE Half-yearly Communication ivas held at tho Masonic Hall , - Valletta , on Saturday , the 30 tli March 1878 . R . W . Bro . Kingston on tho throne . Present—many District Grand Ollicers , Masters , Fast Masters , Ollicers , and members of various Lodges in tho district , ns recorded iu the attendance book . Tho Distict Grand Lodgo Avas opened in dno form at 8 . 30 p . m ., and tho minutes of tho last meeting of tho 1 st October 1877 , together with those of tho

proceedings of tho Board of General Purposes at its meeting of tho 10 th March 1878 , wero read and confirmed . Tho E . W . D . G . M . then proceeded to install the following ollicers for the ensuing year ( 1878-70 ) : —V . W . Bro . the Chevalier Edward Rosenbusch ( reappointed ) as D . D . G . M ., W . Bro . A . M . Broadley W . M . 1717 D . G . S . W ., W . Bro . Watson W . M . 319 D . G . J . W ., Bro . Rev . E . B .

Frankel S . W . 1717 D . G . Chaplain , W . Bro . Westrup W . M . 515 D . G . Registrar , Bros . Fenoch D . G . Sec , Palmer D . G . S . D ., Bissctt D . G . J . D ., ShillinglawD . G . Sunt , of Works , Dyer D . G . Director of Ceremonies , Crabtree D . G . Organist , Lient . Lord A . Kennedy D . G . S . B ., Lient . Scott Stevenson Pursuivant . At the proposition of the R . W . D . G . M ., seconded by W . Bro . Read , Bro . Segond waa

unanimonsly re-elected D . G . Treasurer , and Bro . Beck D . G . Tyler for tho ensuing year . These brethren , being present , Avere duly installed iu their respective offices . Tho following brethren wero appointed aa Stewards of District Grand Lodge , and dulv invested by tho R . W . D . G . M .: — Bros . G . Pentecost 1717 , P . M . Paleologo 1717 , L . Schaofor 319 ,

Levy 515 , Newton -107 , Blancho 407 . In accordance with bye law No . 12 the following brethren wero elected members of tho Committee of General Purposes , viz ., W Bros . Read P . M . 407 , Godwin , Schaofer and Gee . Tho D . G . S . proceeded to read in oxtouso tho report aud resolutions of Grand Lodge of the Gth March 1878 rcsnocting onr relations with

foreign Lodges . A communication was also read from the G . O . of Naples , asking leave to appoint V . W . Bro . tho Chevalier Edward Rosenbusch , C . E ., as their representative in Malta , and suggesting tho nomination of a similar Officer on behalf of the D . G . L . of Malta at Naples . On tho proposition of the R . W . the District Grand Master ,

seconded by W . Bro . Broadley D . G . S . W ., V . W . Bro . Rosenbusch Avas nnanimously authorised to accept tho appointment , and Bro . Professor Giovanni Battista Possina Avas appointed representative of tho D . G . L . of Malta at Naples . Tho R . W . D . G . M . read a letter from tho G . S . announcing that the Lodge "Ancient Carthage , " No . 1717 at Tunis in North Africa , had

been added to the number of Lodges working under the jurisdiction of tho D . G . L . of Malta , and expressed his satisfaction at the success and increasing prosperity of the Lodge under the energetic mastership of W . Bro . Broadley the D . G . S . W . W . Bro . Broadley D . G . S . W . proposed , and W . Bro . Doherty P . D . G . S . W . seconded a resolution to tho effect that £ 100 of the

balance iu tho hands of the D . G . Lodgo Treasurer be invested in Consols in tho names of three trustees , viz ., the R . W . D . G . M ., tho V . W . D . D . G . M . and Bro . Segond . The above resolution Avas carried nnanimously , subject to confirmation at the next Communication . Tho meeting of D . G . L . Avas then closed iu duo form at 9 . 45 p . m ., and the present minutes were directed to bo printed and circulated amongst tho Lodges of the District of Malta .

By authority of the D . G . Master , EDAVAKD IlosEXiiCScir , D . D . G . M . Malta , 2 nd April 1878 .

New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND .

Corinthian Lodge , ~ No . 1655 . —The monthly meeting of tho Corinthian Lodge , E . C , was hold at tho Masonic Hall , Queen-street , Grahamstown , on the 7 th February , and the proceedings were rendered the more interesting by tho presence of the following Grand Officers , who Avere met by Bro . R . M . Mitchell P . M .: —Bros . G . S .

Graham District Grand Master , W . Lodder D . G . S . Warden , H . G . Wade D . G . S ., J . W . Moat D . G . J . Deacon , and T . Colo D . G . Sword Bearer . After tho ordinary business of the Lodge had been disposed of , Bro . C . F . Quint presented a tracing board for tho second degree , for Avhich tho thanks of the Lodgo wero teudered by the W . M .

Cyrus Chapter , Wo . 614 , Rangoon . —At a Convocation of this Chapter , on Wednesday , tho Gth iMareh 1878 , E . Companion W . 11 . Porter Principal ][ . was installed as Principal 'A . of tho Olmptor , the iiihtnlling Principals being M . I' ! . Comp . J . C . Krauss D . G . Supt ., M . E . Comp . J . Dawson D . G . H ., M . I'I . Comp . Pi . Samuel Principal Z .

Royal burniah Chapter No . 832 , Rangoon , and M . E . Comp . G . E . L . Dawson YA' . Yu Cyrus Chapter No . (>! ,. ( , Ex . Comp . W . Ford J ., and W . Bro . Col . E . . ] . L . Twynnni , II . and J . elect respectively , could not be present for installation in consequence of absjuce from tho Station on public duty .

According to the Masonic Jeivel the following are the principal Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana for the ensuing year , namely , Bros . Samuel J . Powell , G . Master , Edwin Marks Deputy G . Master , Henry G .

louug Senior G . Warden , Geo . IT . Broughau Junior G . Warden , Arthur W . Hyatt G . Treasurer , and J . G . Batchelor G . Secretary . The Communication of G . Lodge extended over five days .