Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Cornwall

The brethren dined together in the evening at the White Hart Hotel where W . Bro . Lukes catered very satisfactorily for their entertainment . R . W . Bro . Sir C . B . Graves-Sawle presided and a very pleasant evening was passed . Great credit was given to the new St . Austell lodge for the admirable manner in which they had , in unison with their active secretary , Bro . J . de Cressy Treffry , of Fowey , carried out the necessary arrangements for the reception of the Prov . Grand Lodge .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Monmouthshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF MONMOUTHSHIRE .

On the 26 th ult ., the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Monmouthshire was held at the Masonic Hall Tredegar , under the banner of the Ashlar Lodge , Bro . Shepherd , W . M . The lodge was opened at two p . m ., the Right Worshipful Bro . L . A . Homfray presiding . There was a large attendance of brethren . The term of the Provincial Grand Master having expired ,

he was unanimously re-elected , and the recommendation was ordered to be forwarded to the Most Worshipful Grand Master of England for his approval . The Provincial Grand Master acknowledged the compliment which had been paid him , and invested his officers as follows : Bro . S . George Homfray Prov . D . G . M . „ Crawshay Bailey Prov . G . S . W .

„ Nicholl Bradley Prov . G . J . W . „ E . V . O . Haldanc Prov . G . M . O . „ J . A . Shcpard Prov . G . S . G . „ Henry Harris Prov . G . J . O . „ Rev . E . Lewis , B . A . ... . „) r- fL , „ " Rev . David Bowen , B . A . ... \ l rov ' G > Cha P - . . H . VVatkins Prov . G . Sec .

„ Samuel Davis Prov . G . Treas . „ Walter Taylor Prov . G . Reg . „ Walter James Dix Prov . G . A . Sec . „ J . P . Fowler Prov . G . S . D . „ Captain Wilson Prov . G . J . D . . . D . D . Thomas Prov . P . G . I . ofW .

„ E . H . Davies Prov . G . D . C . „ Hartley Feather Prov . G . A . D . C . „ E . G . Balding Prov . G . S . B . „ George Hazell Prov . G . Std . B . ;; HniSS ::: ::: r .: !^^ ^ „ George Beavis ... Prov . G . I . G .

,, Samuel Dean J „ Benjamin Phillips [ - Prov . G . Stwds . „ J . G . Thomas J ,, Henry Fletcher Prov . G . Tyler . The Provincial Grand Master gave his report as charity steward for the past year , which was very satisfactory . He

nominated Bro . C . Bailey as his successor in the office of charity steward , who immediately headed the list with 25 guineas , which was increased to about £ . 50 . A vote of thanks was given to the visitors and to the VV . M . and brethren of the Ashlar Lodge for their kind reception . A grand banquet at the Castle followed , and a first-rate dinner was served . The Provincial Grand Master presided .

The toast list was as follows : — "The Oueen and the Craft "; "The Most Worshipful the Grand Master of England ( Craft ) , Bro . H . R . H . Albert Edward Prince of Wales "; "The M . W . G . M . M . M . of England and Wales , Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Henniker "; "The R . W . D . G . M . M . M . the Right Hon . the Earl of Kintore and Officers of Grand Mark Lodge ( present and past ) " ; "The Mark Benevolent Fund and other Masonic Charities "; "The

R . W . the Prov . G . M . M . M . of Monmouth , Bro . L . Aug . Homfray "; " The W . D . P . G . M . M . M . Bro . Captain S . George Homfray and Officers of P . G . M . Lodge ( present and past ) " ; " The Grand Supt . of Royal Arch Masons of Monmouth , and his Officers ( present and past ) " ; "The W . M . of the Ashlar Lodge , No . 1 S 5 , Bro . 1 . A . Shepard "; " The Principals of the Prince of Wales Chapter of Royal Arch Masons , No . 109 S" ; "The Visitors "; and "The Provincial Grand Mark Tyler ' s Toast . "

Consecration Of The Saye And Sele Mark Lodge, No. 309, At Belvedere.

CONSECRATION OF THE SAYE AND SELE MARK LODGE , No . 309 , AT BELVEDERE .

The ceremony of consecrating the Sayc and Sele Mark Lodge , No . 309 , was performed on Tuesday , the 31 st ult ., by R . W . Bro . the Rev . T . Robinson , M . A ., Prov . G . M . M . of Kent , at Essenden House , Belvedere , the private

residence of Dr . Spurrell . The brethren met in the lodgeroom . The R . W . Prov . Grand Mark Master was supported by Bro . D . M . Dewar , G . Asst . Sec . ; W . Bro . J . G . Podevin , Dep . Prov . G . M . M . Kent ; Bros . VV . H . Hodgkin , Prov . G . S . W . ; Dr . Spurrell , Prov . G . Reg . ; I . G . Ker , Prov . G . S . D . ; Capt . J . J . Donnelly , Prov . G . D . C . ; W . Moulds , Prov . G . I . G . ; Kennedy , Lloyd , Rev .

W . Cummings , and other brethren . The Prov . Grand Mark Master opened the lodge , and Bros . A . H . Bateman and VV . Perry were advanced to the Degree of Mark Master . The brethren of the new lodge were then arranged in order before the Presiding Officer , and the Acting Secretary proceeded to read the petition and warrant . When this had been done , the Presiding

Officer enquired whether the brethren approved of the officers who were named in the warrant ; and receiving an answer in the affirmative , he proceeded to constitute the lodge . The Prov . Grand Master then delivered an oration , after which the lodge board was uncovered , and the first consecration prayer was given . The Prov . Grand Master , assisted by the Wardens , then performed the imposing

ceremony of consecration , and the formation ot the lodge was then complete . The chair was then taken by Bro . ] . G . Podevin , Dep . Prov . Grand Mark Master , who performed the ceremony of installation for Bro . J . Giesman Chillingworth , the W . M . designated in the warrant , who in his turn invested Bro . F . Wood as the S . W ., and Bro . A . II . Bateman as

the J . W . named in the warrant . Bro . E . B . Bright was appointed M . O ., Bro . Cuinming , S . O ., Bro . Dr . Spurrell I . G ., and Bro . Perry , Tyler . A vote of thanks was proposed and carried unanimously to the Consecrating officers for having performed the ceremony . The Consecrating Officers were also unanimously elected honorary members of the Sayc and Sele Mark Lodge .

Consecration Of The Saye And Sele Mark Lodge, No. 309, At Belvedere.

The R . W . PROV . G RAND MARK MASTER , in referring to the Consecrating Officers , thanked the brethren for making them honorary members of the lodge , and wished it many years of happiness and prosperity . A vote of thanks was also passed to Dr . Spurrell for Dlacinsr his maenificent room at the lodge ' s disposal .

There were several names proposed as members , either for joining or advancement , after which the lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to Bostol Hill , the residence of Bro . F . Wood , where his large room had been kindly p laced at their disposal for the purposes of the banquet .

Freemasonry In Australia.

FREEMASONRY IN AUSTRALIA .

BY BRO . VV . F . LAMONBV , P . M ., P . Z . Prior to resuming my jottings on affairs Masonic in the Antipodes , I may , perhaps , be allowed a digression , in order to refer to a sad event taking place in the early part of July last , in the far-off old country . I refer to the lamented and somewhat sudden death of Bro . Henry Dodgson , P . M . of the Skiddaw Lodge , No . 1002 ,

Cockermouth , and P . P . G . S . D . Associated as he and 1 were for so many years , not only Masonically , but in various public capacities , it is but natural that I should desire to offer some tribute to his memory , the more so that no notice of him has appeared under the obituary heading of the Freemason . In the year 1 SG 4 , when Skiddaw Lodge was constituted , Bro . Dodgson became one of its first initiates ; was J . W . the following year , when I first " saw light , " and

the second W . M ., succeeding Bro . Crowther Morton , P . P . G . S . W ., in the Oriental chair , after the latter veteran had served . two consecutive years . Our deceased brother's zeal for Masonry was evinced in a most regular attendance , when his arduous professional duties would allow ; and as an exponent of our beautiful ritual he had few , if any compeers in his province ; indeed , he dedicated the most of his Masonic time to Craft Masonry , the only other Degrees he

took up being the Royal Arch , in which , at the time of his death , he was Scribe E . of Nicholson Chapter , No . 371 , although I ought to explain his exaltation took place some two years previously in my old chapter , Sun , _ Square , and Compasses , No . 119 , when I occupied the chair of H . He was also one of the Past Sovereigns [ of Dykes Conclave , No . 3 6 , Red Cross of Constantine . The calls of charity he always liberally responded to , as I can bear witness to on

the many occasions on which I have solicited his aid in urgent cases . Socially , Bro . Dodgson was a prominent man of the county in which he was born , springing from one of the many " statesmen " or small landowners , who have for some centuries formed the backbone of Cumbrian agricultural stability . He chose the medical profession , and ultimately succeeded to one of the most extensive practices in

the neighbourhood , besides being widely known as a most skilful and attentive surgeon and p hysician . Some of his cases have periodically found their way into the medical j ' ournals ; and as a member of the British Medical Association , he frequently contributed valuable papers . Of a highly-cultured mind , to science and literature he was devoted , and it lias often occurred to many of his townsmen how he ever found time to attend to everything ( Masonry

included ) without neglecting the duties of his profession . In fact , he was a " nunquam dormio , " as I will endeavour further to show . Close on twenty-three years ago , he and and I were two of the forty or fifty sworn in as members of theCockermouth Volunteers . Firstly , he was surgeon , then ensign , lieutenant , and captain , and since I came out here I was pleased to find his long and able services honoured with the rank of major of the Cumberland Battalion . He

was for many years Chairman of the Cockermouth School Board , and died as such ; whilst , his spirited advocacy of the " Public Health Act , " contributed to the establishment of a Local Board of Health , " on which he was long an active member . In a sentence , the late Bro . Dodgson was one of the hardest-working men of his county , and a public servant whose loss is irreparable . I find the cause of his sudden death wasDneumonia . resultine from achillcaught whilst performing

his military duties on a wet evening , so that he may literally be said to have died in harness , and cut off at the age of forty-eight , with an apparently long life of usefulness and energy before him . " Sic vita ! " He leaves a sorrowing and devoted wife and ten children . _ I was truly glad to notice , from the local papers , that his remains were consigned to the earth with Masonic and military honours . " Alasmy brother ! "

, Turning now to Masonry in Australia , I have recently spent a fortnight in New South Wales , this being my first sight of Sydney and its lovely marine scenery . In Bro . Edward Masters , the District Grand Secretary under the English Constitution , I found a most obliging and courteous chaperon . The building , situated in York-street , in which the English , Scotch , and Irish Masonic bodies meet , is a large and commodious structure , the main hall being set

apart for public entertainments . When I was there , Bro . bred . Maccabe was delighting crowded audiences with his world-wide " Begone , dull care . " One of the lodges 1 visited was thatof the United Service , No . 937 . The W . M . is Bro . Masters , just referred to . The work of the eveningcomprised four initiations and one passing , and at the close four new candidates were proposed . The ceremonies were rendered more than ordinarily

enjoyable from the fact of the work being divided among Past Masters , Bro . Sebastian Hodge , D . G . S . B ., conferring the First Degree , and Bro . A . A . P . Tighe delivering the li . A . charge with an eloquence and impressiveness never heard anywhere else ; whilst the VV . M . passed a brother to the Second Degree . I take it there is nothing like this division of labour for relieving the monotony of along evening , and I am pleased to hear it is a regular custom in Sydney lodges .

The advantages of the system are these : I he variety p leases the brethren on the floor of the lodge , and the Past Masters have no excuse for becoming " rusty ; " in fact , they can be depended on at any time on an emergency . Besides , the VV . M . loses none of his prestige . Now , in Melbourne , a W . M . deems it the correct thing to perform the whole of the work , from the day of his installation

until his successor has been installed . I ought to mention another pleasing reminiscence of my visit to the United Service Lodgc , asin Victoria the rule is not to go to the expense of presenting a copy of the " Bookof Constitutions" to every new initiate . Bro . Masters , however , has inserted the thin end of the wedge towards abolishing this relic of eighteenth century Masonry , when

Freemasonry In Australia.

the "Book of Constitutions , " undsr the " Moderns , " was supplied from the Grand Secretary's office , in sheets , at half-a-guinea . The 321110 . edition only costs is . ( 3 d ., and Bro . Masters , during his year of office , presents each newly-initiated brother with a copy . I have always contended that a candidate is entitled to a copy of the " Book of Constitutions , " and it is that breach of observance of the ritual that fosters so much ignorance of Masonic

jurisprudence amongst the younger end of our Masters and Secretaries of lodges . Another gratifying instance of the United Service Lodge being under excellent guidance , is the fact of its balance in hand being over £ 100 , whereas , five years ago , there was an incubus of about £ 300 . As its name implies , it is a naval and military lodge , the members being almost confined to the permanent sea and land forces of the colony , and the officers of war vessels on

the Australian station . The various lodges under the three British Constitutions are flourishing throughout New South Wales , if I except some of the Scotch lodges , who still stick to the antiquated and merely nominal sum for annual dues . I was shown the provincial balance-sheet , and will it be credited that the dues of one lodge are fixed at sevenpence halfpenny per

month , or seven and sixpence per annum ? This is making Masonry too cheap . There are two or three strong Royal Arch chapters in Sydney and neighbourhood . A new lodge was opened under the English Constitution at Newtown , a Sydney suburb , the last week I was there . It is called the Orient , and commences with a membershi p of forty-live . The first VV . M . is the District Grand

Treasurer . The bone of contention in Sydney Masonic circles is , the so called Grand Lodge of New South Wales , which at present musters twenty-nine subordinate lodges , ten of which are in Sydney . They have a hall in Clarence-street , but a company has been formed to build a new structure on a larger scale in Castlereagh-street . They have also a newspaper . During my visit to Sydney I had several

invitations , officially and otherwise , to visit lodges , but of course , declined the honour . From one of the lodge circulars I note no fewer than five candidates for initiation , and all seemingly , in a good position , so far as professional status is concerned . In Victoria , the most noteworthy event , since I last wrote , is the death of Bro . H . G . dela Grouchy , the R . W . Depute Provincial Grand Master , under the Scotch Constitution .

Bro . de Grouchy was one of the oldest colonists of Victoria , and for some time past the virtual head of the Scotch Craft , Bro . A . K . Smith , the last appointed R . W . P . G . M ., having died a few years back . Our Caledonian brethren out here now are , consequently , without an official leader . A very useful institution , connected with the Victorian Craft , has just held its second annual meeting . This is the Masonic Mutual Association . The membership is but

14 S , belonging to the three Constitutions , Bro . Geo . Baker , Deputy Prov . Grand Master , ( l . C ) , being chairman ; and an effort is being made to make the objects of the society more widely known , viz ., the relief of the widows and orphans of deceased members . The balance sheet showed a surplus of over £ 50 . Comp . Charles Shaw , W . M ., of the Combermerc Lodge , No . 752 , and H . of the chapter attached thereto , was installed M . E . Z . last Fridav , with Comps . Brain and

Dr . Wilmot as H . and J . Combermere is the youngest chapter in the colony , although springing from one of the oldest lodges ; but , judging from the work of the past year , and the present number of its members , a bright future awaits it . Thirteen were exalted during the year , and the chapter is clear of debt . Admirers of the Mark Degree will be interested to know that the South Melbourne Lodge ( under dispensation ) ,

though only a month old , had a busy night at an emergency meeting last Thursday . " Several candidates were advanced , and as there are others in waiting , another month will see the lodge up to thirty or forty members . THfe W . M ., Bro . T . Main , performed the duties of the chair in a very able manner , considering it was his first appearance , and the whole of the officers , with one exception , were at their posts . 1 was in hopes that the ritual , as worked under the authority of the Grand Lodge , would have been

adopted , but the old , disjointed , and mixed formula , so long in vogue in connection with the Victoria Lodge , No . 47 , is adhered to . " As it was in the beginning , " & c . The erection of the new Masonic Hall in Melbourne is postponed " sine die , " on account of the present high price of labour and material . Perhaps building will be dearer still in another twelve months . Melbourne , September iSth .

The City Of London School.

THE CITY OF LONDON SCHOOL .

The M . VV . the Grand Master and the Princess of Wales have signified their intention to visit the City on the 14 th inst ., and open the new City of London School on the Thames Embankment , adjoining Bro . Alderman De Keysets Royal Hotel . It was only this week that the matter has been settled . We have before hinted that Royalty would probably honour the proceedings , but it was hardly

expected that it would be on such a grand scale ; but the Princess has expressed her wish to accompany the Prince , and ive are sure the presence of this lady will add even more to the occasion than was anticipated . The Royal party will be shown over the buildings and declare them open . The chief civic officers will be Bro . the Lord Alayor ( Alderman Knight ) , the sheriffs , and Bro . ' Pearce Morrison , C . C ., chairman of the school committee ,

all of whom will be severally introduced to the Prince and Princess . Some music will probably be a part of the programme we hope given by the Guildhall School of Music . The honourable Artillery Company , of which the Prince is Hon . Colonel and Capt . General , and the First London Artillery will form a guard of honour . There will be no dejeuner nor banquet . It is a singular and happy coincidence that the Lord Mayor elect is an old city school boy . During his year of office , he will also

attend the City of London College ( for evening classes for young men ) , at which is hoped Royalty will again grace the proceedings with their presence . Bro . Pearce Morrison is to be congratulated that just as he is going out of office , the City Schools will be opened , for whose benefit he has worked assiduously during the last twelve months , and now sees those labours about being crowned with success . We may add that Bro . Sir John Monckton , the town clerk , had a son educated there , and is now at Cambridge as an undergraduate .