Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex And Surrey.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF MIDDLESEX AND SURREY .

AN important gathering of the Mark Masons of this Province was held at the Masonic Hall , Air . street , Regent-street , on Wednesday , the 21 st inst ., and the attendance and proceedings were of the most gratifying nature . Prior to the meeting of the Prov . G . L . the Grosvenor Mark Lodge 141 was opened by tho W . M . Bro . W . G . Brighten , the G . Sec . of the Province , and as soon as the ordinary business of the Lodge was disposed of , four brethren were in regular

order duly advanced , viz ., Bros . Chas . Conpland 106 , F . W . Goddard 19 , A . D . Everingham 569 , and J . H . Evans 1017 . Bro . F . H . Cozens officiated as Organist , and with Bros . Theodora Distin and H . D . Martin conducted the musical and choral part of the ceremony , which was thereby rendered the moro impressive . By the time the advancements were completed , theLodge . room was full

in every part , on account of the Prov . G . Officers and many visitors arriving to witness the working of the Grosvenor Mark Lodge . The W . M . then called upon the brethren to salute the Prov . G . M . Col . F . Burdett , who replied in most suitable terms . The ceremony of installation was then proceeded with , and Bro . W . Wiggington presented Bro . G . A . Rooks the W . M . elect to Bro .

Brighten to receive , at his hand , the benefit of installation ; the usual questions were put and answered satisfactorily by Bro . Rooks . Bro . Brighten then formed and declared a duly constituted Board of Installed Masters ; ( probably one of the largest in the Mark Degree ) . After the installation of Bro . Rooks indue form , the brethren were re-admitted , and listened to the various addresses delivered by the Prov . G . Seo . in an able manner . The new W . M . Bro . Rooks then

presented the retiring Master with an elegant and valuable P . M . ' s jewel , voted to him by the brethren of the Grosvenor Mark Lodge , and that Lodge was closed soon after six . A procession of the officers of Prov . G . Lodge was then formed , and they were received by the brethren present in Masonic form . The Prov . G . officers present were , the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Col . Burdett , the V . W .

Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . F . Davison , Col . Stallard G . S . W ; , J . Baxter Langley , LL . D ., G . J . W ., Rev . D . Shaboe P . G . Chaplain , E . S . Baikie G . M . O ., Wm . Wigginton G . S . O ., Chas . Pulman G . J . O ., C . Hammerton G . Treasurer , J . M . Klonck G . Reg ., W . G . Brighten G . Secretary , G . A . Rooks S . D ., J . T . Ritchie J . D ., E . B . Bright Superintendent of Works , J . B . Shackleton D . C , J . K .

Pitt Asst . D . C , H . Court Sword Bearer , W . Taylor Standard Bearer . F . H . Cogens Grand Organist , and C H . Rogers Harrison and R . P . Spice Stewards , and among the numerous brethren present were , R . G . Glover P . G . S . W ., Thos . Parker P . S . D ., E . J . Moore P . M . O ., H . C Levandor G . R ., Geo . Yaxley 198 , A . Wolton 104 , John Close , E . Hopwood 181 , A . W . Hall Chaplain 7 , H . A . Pocook 198 , E .

Passover 5 , A . W . Hnxne 5 , H . R . Cooper Smith 7 , Theo . Distin lOi , H . D'Almanie 1 , Geo . Huddock , Major Harding 7 , Bernard Meyer 176 , Chas . Legs 198 , W . J . Nicholls 198 , Saml . Griffiths , R . W . Brown 198 , Dr . Ramsey , Louis Beck , E . H . Thiellay 1 , and several other brethren of the Grosvenor Lodge . The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in due form , and

the minutes of the previous meeting , held at Richmond m July last , confirmed , the Roll of Lodges was called over by tho Prov . G . Sec , whose report thereon was received with much satisfaction , the great increase in the number of members during the past year being observable , and anew Lodge , the Croydon , having been consecrated . The Provincial Grand Master then said that the special business of

this meeting was the nomination of a Prov . G . M . for the ensuing three years . He had been already re-elected for a second period of three years , which latter term had passed by so pleasantly and quickly that it seemed scarcely a year since that election ; as he thought it his duty to leave the brethren free and unfettered in the full discussion of the matter , he wonld leave tho Lodge while that business was

being settled . The Rev . Bro . Shaboe at once stated that snch a course was not required or wished for by the brethren present ( universal applause ) , and in a few words proposed the re-election of Bro . Col . F . Burdett . Bro . Col . Wigginton seconded tho nomination . The motion being put by Bro . Col . Stallard , it was carried unanimously and with

acclamation . Col . Burdett then thanked the brethren and congratulated them upon the great and increasing prosperity of the Order in general and of their Province in particular . The list of Prov . G . Stewards not having been filled up last July , owing to the apathy of some of the Lodges who had failed to recommend any brother for such honours , the Prov . G . Secretary stated

how those vacancies arose , and read over certain recommendations now to hand , when the Prov . G . M . appointed Bro . Sanderson , the W . M . of the Mallet and Chisel Lodgo , Bros . Legg and Pocock , of the Croydon Lodge , and a brother to be named by the Macdonald Lodge as Prov . G . Stewards . The Prov . G . M . then adverted to the groat family bereavement

lately sustained by the head of tho Order , the Grand Mark Master of England and Wales , & c ., & c , the Earl of Limerick , and proposed tint a letter of condolence on the d"Uh of Lady Limerick be written by the Prov . G . Sec , and sent from the Province to the Grand Master . The motion having been seconded by Bro . Dr . Ramsey , it was duly put from the chair and carried unanimously .

No further business being before tbe Lodge , the same was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an elegant banquet , at which the R . W . Prov . G . M . presided , assisted by the Prov . G . Wardens . On the right was the V . W . the Dep . Prov . G . M ., and on his left Bro . W . G . Brighten , acting for the W . M . of the Grosvenor Lodge , the banquet for which was provided at the same table . Accordingly , Bro .

Brighten was assisted by the Wardens of the Grosvenor Lodge in such duties as were required of him and that Lodge . The toast of the Queen , the Prince of Wales , Prince Leopold , and the members of the Royal Family , were duly honoured , as was also that of the Grand Master—the Earl of Limerick . Each of the above toasts , as well as the subsequent ones , was followed according to programme by suit-

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex And Surrey.

able music , wherein tho services of Bro . F . H . Cozens , the Prov . G . Org ., and Bros . Theo . Distin and H . D . Martin were rendered in a most agreeable and pleasant manner . Bro . Levander responded for the Grand Mark Officers . The toast of Col . Burdett as proposed by the Dep . G . M . was received with much enthusiasm . The G . M . replied in terms of unmixed satisfaction ; not only with the progress

of the Province and Mark Masonry , but with the gathering round that table . He expressed his pleasure at being again nominated , although he felt they might have nominated a better . ( No , no . ) He would not conceal the fact that he was pleased to be further associated with the Province as Presiding Master now they had reached their present height of prosperity , which promised yet to increase .

Bro . Brighten then proposed the health of the D . G . M . F . Davison , and the rest of the Prov . G . Officers , and bore testimony to the ¦ tanner in which they performed their duties , and all took their part in the work ; to Bro . Davison and the officers was due much of the success they were met to celebrate . Bro . Davison , at the close of hia reply , said ho should turn the tables upon Bro . Brighten , for he was

sure that all the brethren would agree with him ( Bro . Davison ) that Bro . Brighten had been proposing his own health in reality ; for the Province now owed much to him . The brethren had that evening been able to see him work , as Master of a Lodge , the ceremony of advancement , and also that of installation . The gathering this evening bore testimony to his ability as Provincial Grand Mark Secretary

After Bro . Brighten s reply , in which he referred with regret to Bro . Rooks having been compelled to leave , he proposed the Past Masters of the Grosvenor Lodge , viz .: Bro . C . Hammerton , the first Master of that Lodge , the first Grand Secretary of tho Province , and the present Grand Treasurer , and Bro . Barker , Past Grand Deacon . Those brethren having replied , the nest toast waa that of the

newlyadvanced brethren , to each of whom Bro . Brighten briefly referred . Bro . Goddard returned thanks in an able and entertaining manner . The toast of the Visitors , Bros . Dr . Ramsey and Major Harding , was replied to by the former , and soon after concluded an evening which was frequently spoken of as one of the most pleasant and successful ever remembered .

Inauguration Of The Corinthian Lodge, New Zealand.

INAUGURATION OF THE CORINTHIAN LODGE , NEW ZEALAND .

THE inauguration of the new Lodge , formed at the Thames , under the English Constitution of Freemasonry , which has been named the Corinthian Lodge , took place on Thursday , 16 th November , and was conducted with all the display of Masonic solemnities peculiar to such occasions . That great interest was felt in tho inauguration of this Lodge was manifested by the large attendance , not only of the older Lodges—the Lodge of Light I . C ., and the Lodge Sir

Walter Scott B . C . —at the Thames , but by the large number of visitors who attended from Auckland and Ohinemuir . The Corinthian Lodge being the first under the English Constitution started at the Thames , and the first in the North Island province since the Appoint , ment of Bro . Sir Donald McLean as P . G . M . under this Constitution , a greater amount of interest was manifested than is customary . It

had been intended that the P . G . M . himself should have inaugurated the Lodge and installed its W . M ., but Sir Donald McLean finding himself unable to attend , appointed Bro . M . S . Leers , P . M . of the Prince of Wales Lodge E . G ., Auckland , acting D . P . G . M . for tho occasion . He was accompanied from Auckland by that veteran Mason , Bro . T . Jenkins , who officiated as Master of Ceremonies and

Grand Marshal . Amongst tho other visitors from Auckland were Bros . C . M . Nelson Chaplain Prince of Wales Lodge E . G ., Reece P . M . Ara Lodge I . G . and Prince of Wales Lodgo E . G . Visitors from Maokaytown and the Ohinemuir district also attended , and amongst these were Bros . A . J . Allom , D . H . Bayldon , and J . Hayman of the Ara Lodge , W . Climo of Lodge of Light I . C ., Keddell P . M .. & c .

Sir Walter Scott Lodge was first to assemble , before 11 o clock , at the Freemasons' Hall . Tho Lodge was opened in form by Rev . James Hill , who was supported by all his Lodge officers , and Past Masters Brodie and Black , and 40 brethren , who were joined by about 10 others shortly after . The Lodge of Light I . C , met at the Masonio Hall , Qneen-street , about half . past 11 o ' clock , when the Lodge was

opened in form by Bro . J . L . Bagnell W . M . with his officers and about 25 members . The Lodge was at once called off , and at noon exactly the members of the two sister Lodges joined their brethren of the new Lodge in the Masonic Hall . Bro . Leers as D . P . G . M . presided , and the following officers of tho Grand Lodge officiated : —Bro . Jenkins Director of Ceremonies , C . M . Nelson G . Chaplain , G . S .

Graham G . S . W ., W . R . Robinson G . J . W ., W . Davies G . S . D ., J . Reece G . J . D ., A . Brodie G . I . G . The whole of the officers wero Past Masters . The Grand Officers having been received with the customary rite , the Grand Lodge was opened by the D . P . G . M . The Secretary of tho new Lodge , Bro . Woodward , intimated to the D . P . G . M . that on behalf of the new Lodge he desired that thry might

be inaugurated as the Corinthian LodirO ) nnder the English Constitution . Ho had , as required , a copy of the petition , with the names of the new members appended ; also the wa- rant , under the hands of the P . G . M ., Sir Donald McLean , and the minute * of the lest meeting of the proposed members of the Lodge . He read the documents and minutes , and the latter , after being put to the brethren of the new Lodge , were

signed as correct by the D . P . G . M ., who then read his own warrant , under tho hands of Sir Donald McLean P . G . M ., to officiate . The brethren then intimated their satisfaction with the officers named in the dispensation . Tho Grand Lodgo being then fully constituted , was sainted by the brethren with grand honours , and the ch ( ir sung

an anthem , Bro . Bell presiding at the harmonium . Bro . Rev . C . M . Nelson then read the first seven verso :- of the 95 th Ps' ioi , and pronounced an invocation to the Groat Architect of the Un -orse to bless the object of the present assembly . The Grand Offktrs and Past Masters then marched round tho hall ( tho choir in the menntimo