Australia.

Australia .

RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE . MELBOURNE . —Melbourne Conclave ( No . 143 ) . —The annual assembly of this conclave—the first in the Australian Colonies—was held in the new Freemasons ' Hall on the 22 nd of June last . Em . Sir Knight F . H . Lempriere , M . P . S ., occupied the throne , supported by Em . Sir Knight Dr . J . J . E . Willmott , V . E ., and other officers . On the roll being called , an apology was read from Em . Sir

Knight Col . H . S . Brownrigg , P . S ., 33 , who was absent on military service . The minutes were read of emergency and regular assemblies and confirmed . Bros . R . A . Virgoe and T . Telford , both of the Combermere Lodge , No . 752 , who have just returned from a visit to the Old Country , were balloted for , and , being accepted as candidates , they were admitted , and duly installed as knights of the Order by Em . Sir Knight W . F . Lamonby , P . S . A college and

senate were subsequently opened , when Sir Knight F . Henderson and Em . Sir Knight Dr . Willmott were respectively consecrated and enthroned Viceroy and Sovereign of the conclave for the year . The following officers were appointed and invested;—Sit Kniehts Dr . I . T . Brett , S . G-. ; W . Davis , I . G . ; W .

Gledhill , H . P . ; VV . F . Dixon , Treas . ; VV . F . Lamonby , P . S ., Rec . ; Dr . G . T . Woolley , Pref . ; A . S . Manders , Asst . Pref . ; C . Brown , St . B . ; J . VV . Wright , H . ; and J . Paul , S . The conclave was then closed in form , and the sir knights adjourned to the Masonic Club , where a sumptuous refection awaited them .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . EDWIN PROUT , I . P . M . No . 1 S 9 . The funeral of Bro . Edwin Prout took place at the Plymouth Cemetery on the 22 nd inst . Deceased , who was formerly connected with the navy , took an active part in the lodge and was a member of the Mark and Ark Mariners Lodges and Royal Arch Chapter , all connected with No . iSg . The cortege left the residence of the deceased at

Morice Town at 2 p . m ., and proceeded to the Plymouth Cemetery . Bro . the Rev . T . VV . Lemon , M . A ., P . M ., and Chap . 1 S 9 , P . P . G . C , officiated in the church and at the graveside . The Masonic brethren who wore white gloves and threw sprigs of acacia on the coffin included Bros . Col . Healy , P . M . 1 S 9 , P . D . G . S . W . Malta ; R . H . Rae , P . M .. Sec . 1 S 9 , P . P . G . S . D . ; E . Aitken Davies , P . M . 1099 ,

P . P . G . S . of VV . j VV . Foxhall , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D . ; R , Dickson , P . M . 1205 ; C . Croydon , P . M . 1 S 9 J E . J , Knight , P . M . 202 , P . P . G . Purst . ; A . VV . White , P . M . ; R . Pike , P . M . 202 , Org . 1 S 9 ; J . S . Sloggett , W . M . 2025 j VV . H . VV . Macey , W . M . 1 S 47 j J- Gidley , P . M . 139 , 2025 j and Frank Thomas , S . D . iSg .

BRO . ALBERT BROWN . On the 27 th ult ., at Malvern , died Bro . Albert Brown , in bis 53 rd year . His funeral , which took place on the 30 th ult ., was attended by nearly all the members of his lodge , and most of the leading townspeople , fer both as a Mason and a citizen Bro . Brown was widely known and esteemed . He had been for 25 years manager of the Malvern Branch of the Worcester Old Bank . He was initiated in Semper

Fidelis Lodge , No . 529 , and had passed the chair not only in that lodge , but in the Royal Arch , Mark , Temple , and Rose Croix . He had filled all provincial offices np to Prov . G . S . W ., and had been for some years Prov . G . Treasurer . In 1867 he took the lead in founding the Royds Lodge , No . 1204 , of which he was for the first two years W . M . and Treasurer till his death . The following letter has been sent by the brethren to his widow : — " Dear Madam ,

" The brethren of the Royds Lodge , with which your late husband was so long and intimately connected , desire to convey to you and your family their deep and heartlelt sympathy in your sad bereavement . Bro . Brown's long connection with Freemasonry , to which he rendered many and valuable services , and in which he filled many important offices , where he not only did everything

possible to advance the interests of the Craft , but set a pattern in his conduct in the outer world of a steadfast conformity to those exalted precepts which our Institution teaches , rendered him widely known and respected among the brethren . But it is more especially among the members of the Royds Lodge , of which he was the founder , and

where his sound judgment and warm interest were of the greatest service , that his name will ever be cherished as that of a gentleman of spotless honour , a diligent and successful man of business , and a faithful brother . —We are , dear Madam , yours faithfully and sincerely , " STANLEY HAYNES , M . D ., W . M . " HENRY WILSON , M . A ., P . M ., P . P . G . R ., Sec . "

BRO . IHE REV . J . J . MANLEY . The death of Bro . the Rev . J . | . Manley , last week , at his residence , Upper Kennington-lane , was awfully sudden . He told Bro . P . Soman , of Norwich ( who was with him at the time ) that he believed it was an attack of " angina pectoris , " but the medical man called in gave it as apoplexy

at the inquest . The funeral service was performed at Norwood Cemetery by Bro . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C . We regret to learn that Bro . Manley ( who devoted himself of late years almost wholly to literary pursuits ) has left his widow and family in very straitened ciicumstances . He had long complained of overwork and need of rest .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

PROV . G . LODGE NORTH ISLA . VU , NEW ZEALAND . The Quarterly Communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge of North Island , New Zealand ( S . C ) , was held in the Masonic Hall , on April 30 th last , Bro . Sir F . Whitaker , R . W . P . G . M ., in the chair , supported by his officers .

Probably owing to the somewhat inclement weather , coupled with the Masonic attractions at the North Shore , there was a small attendance . Nevertheless a great deal of routine business was got through with considerable dispatch . The principal business was the election of officers for the ensuing year . 'The following brethren were unanimously elected to their respective offices ; Bros . Kave . P . M ..

The Craft Abroad.

P . G . Treas . ; Lindsay , P . M ., P . G . S . D . ; Wilkinson , P . G . J . D . ; Hitchens , R . W . M ., P . G . D . of C . j McLaren , P . G . Architect ; Jarvis , P . G . Jeweller ; Symonds , P . G . Bible Br . ; Briggs , P . G . Swd . Br .,- Cleave , P . G . Pres . Board of Stwds . ; James Walker , P . G . V .-Pres . Board of Stwds . ; Dr . Walker , P . G . Org . ; Forgie and Robson , P . G . Marshals ; I . P . King , P . G . Std . Br . ; Bulford ,

P . G . I . G . ; and Tonge , P . G . Tyler . 'Ihe question of additional remuneration to the Grand Secretary , Bro . Slator , was next considered , and on the motion of Bro . McCulloch , P . M ., a vote commensurate with his greatly increased duties was granted . Bro . Sir F . Whitaker strongly supported the resolution , and spoke in eulogistic terms of the great efficiency which characterised the discharge of the onerous duties of the Secretary .

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF VICTORIA ( E . C ) . The quarterly communication of the above District Grand Lodge was held in the Freemasons' Hall , Collins-street , Melbourne , on Monday , the 21 st June . Bro . Dr . H . St . Jno . Clarke , Deputy Dist . G . M ., presided , in the absence in England of the R . W . District Grand Master , Bro . Sir VV . J . Clarke , Bart . Bro . Barron L . Barnett , Deputy District

Grand Master of Queensland , was present as a visitor . The minutes of the previous quarterly communication were read and confirmed , and the roll of the 77 lodges composing the district called . The Benevolent Fund Accounts , Report of the Board of General Purposes , Sic , were then agreed to . On the motion of Bro . Dr . Wilmott , D . G . S . W ., seconded by Bro . VV . T . C . Kelly , District President Board

of General Purposes , it was agreed to celebrate the District Grand Festival next month . The District Grand Master in the chair also announced that he had received a letter from the District Grand Master in England , stating his desire that the new Freemasons' Hall should be opened by a ball during the Melbourne Cup week , and that another ball should be held the same week in honour of the visit of Bro .

Lord Carnngton , Past Grand Warden of England . Bro . VV . F . Lamonby , W . M . Gcrdon Lodge , No . 2112 , said it would be within the knowledge of most of the brethren then present that a movement was on foot in the colonies having for its object an invitation to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales to visit Australia . It had occurred to him that it would not only be appropriate and opportune , but a

singularly graceful act , were the District Grand Lodge of Victoria to throw its influence into the scale ; and there were three good and substantial reasons why they should take action in the matter . In the first place , Victoria , with but a single exception , was the strongest of the many provinces and districts under the sway of the Grand Master of England . Secondly , they now possessed a

Masonic temple in which they could fittingly receive , entertain , and do all honour to their Royal Grand Master ; and last , but not least , their R . W . District Grand Master was now in England . He , therefore , moved as follows : — "That the District Grand Lodge of Victoria , in Quarterly Communication assembled , hereby joins in the universal desire that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W .

G . M . of England , should visit the Australian colonies ; that a committee , consisting of the W . Dep . Dist . G . M ., the District Grand Wardens of the year , the District Grand President of the Board of General Purposes , and the District Grand Secretary , be appointed to prepare a suitable address to H . R . H ., and that said address be forwarded without delay to England to the R . W . District G . M ., Sir

VV . J . Clarke , Bart ., for personal presentation to the M . W . the Grand Master . " Bro . Dr . Willmott , in seconding the motion , said that no doubt the other District Grand Lodges in Australia would follow the lead of Victoria .

The motion having been cordially concurred in by the District Grand Master in the chair , it was put and carried unanimously . The District Grand Lodge was then closed . The half-yearly convocation of the District Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons was subsequently held .

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA . We take the following from our contemporary , the Philadelphia Keystone . The following is the preamble and resolution ( offered by Bro . Charles E . Meyer ) , adopted by Grand Lodge at the Quarterly Communication in June last , for the celebration of the tooth anniversary of the

independence of the Grand Lodge of Tree and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania : Whereas , Freemasonry was introduced into the Province of Pennsylvania by Daniel Coxe , of New Jersey , in the year 1730 J and whereas the records of St . John ' s Lodge , located at Philadelphia in 1732 are still in existence , and contained in Liber B , and from that time the existence of Freemasonry in Pennsylvania

can be traced under the two Grand Lodges , Ancient and Modern , by evidences of their workings ; and whereas the Prov . Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was organised in 1764 , under authority of a warrant from the Grand Lodge of England according to the old Constitutions , under which it continued subordinate until September 25 , 17 S 6 , when at a meeting of the Grand Lodge it was unanimously resolved

that this Grand Lodge is , and ought to be , a Grand Lodge independent of Great Britain , or any other authority whatever , and that its members are not under any ties to any other Grand Lodge except those of brotherly love and affection , which they will always be happy to cultivate and preserve with all lodges throughout the globe . After which , this lodge , acting by virtue of a

warrant from the Grand Lodge of England , was closed for ever ; and whereas immediately thereafter , at a Grand Convention of 13 different lodges , working by virtue of warrants from the late Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , with full power from their constituents to decide upon the question whether the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania should establish itself as a Grand Lodge independent ot Great

Britain or any other authority , and with the concurrence of other lodges , signified by letter , it was unanimously resolved that the lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , lately held under the authority of the Grand Lodge of England , will , and do now , form themselves into a Grand Lodge , to be called the Grand Lodge

of Pennsylvania , and Masonic jurisdiction thereunto belonging , to be held in Philadelphia , and that the Grand Officers continue to be the Grand Officers of Pennsylvania , invested with all the powers , jurisdiction , pre - eminence , and authority thereto belonging , till the usual time of the next election , and that the Grand Lodge and the particular lodges

The Craft Abroad.

govern themselves by the rules and regulations heretofore established , till other rules and regulations shall be adopted ; and whereas , this Grand Lodge has continued to exist in peace , brotherly love and affection for nearly one hundred years ; and whereas it is eminently proper that this Grand Lodge should take cognizance of the approaching one hundredth anniversary of its sovereignty

and independehce ; therefore be it resolved , that the R . W . Grand Master be requested to take such steps as he may deem proper and right for the celebration , in an appropriate manner , of the one hundredth anniversary of the sovereignty and independence of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania , on Sep . 26 , 1 SS 6 , next . The celebration , we learn , will include a Centennial

Communication of the Grand Lodge , on September 25 th 1 SS 6 , at High Twelve , in the Masonic Temple , Philadelphia , and a meeting in the American Academy of Music on the eve of the day of celebration , Friday , September 24 th , when two addresses , an historical address and a general address , will be delivered by able brethren , yet to be selected . The

meeting at the Academy will be open to Master Masons and members of their families , to be admitted by ticket . We haveno doubt the celebration will be a memorable one . The Grand Officers of all of the Grand Lodges in the Masonic world with which Pennsylvania is in fraternal correspondence , will be invited by the Grand Master , Bro . E . Coppee Mitchell , to be present .

A NEW LODGE AT BOISSEVAIN , MANITOBA . We take the following from Ihe pages of the Voice of Masonry for the current month : June 30 th , 1 SS 6 , Doric Lodge , under dispensation , was organised at Boissevain , Manitoba , by Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master Ovas , who discharged the duties of his office in a very pleasing and satisfactory manner . The lodge is

strong and healthy , and seems to have a bright future before it . The Grand Master refused to name the lodge Forrest . At a meeting of the Board of General Purposes , held after the petition for the dispensation was in the hands of the Master of the nearest lodge , the following resolution was passed : "That no lodge be named after a living person . " Our correspondent writes about

this as follows : " They say that a man who may be worthy of such an honour , to - day , may , before he dies , fall into disgrace and bring dishonour on the Order . This would tell with equal force against the election to any office in the Grand Lodge . At the last meeting of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba an address , gotten up in grand style , was presented to a worthy and

illustrious Past Grand Master . The Grand Lodge car never take this visible mark of its favour from our brother , but it could at any time change the name of a lodge . " With all due deference to the brother , we must say it is our decided opinion that the Board ruled correctly . No lodge should be named for a living person . The case cited b y the brother is not a parallel one . The address , as a " visible

mark , " only recorded the good the brother had already accomplished , and did not vouch for his future worthiness . To name a lodge for a brother is to vouch for the worthiness of his whole Masonic life , or to guarantee the maintenance of his Masonic integrity and fidelity until his decease . That is an unsafe undertaking for any lodge , and no lodge should assume it .

GRAND ENCAMPMENT OF KNIGHTS TEMPLARS . The Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment of Kni g hts Templars of the United States will be held in St . Louis in September next , and , according to the Voice of Masonry , a Masonic Manual and St . Louis Guide Book is being prepared for the occasion . Our contemporary goes on to say : "We have examined some of the advance pages , and , judging from these , the Manual will be a very

valuable hand-book for every Mason and visitor to St . Louis , replete with such information as every stranger in a large city requires , and with which anyone can find his way about without assistance . Among other things , it will contain a brief and interesting history of Masonry ; a guide to all the Masonic Bodies of St . Louis , with names and addresses of all officers j a complete guide to every place of interest j

hotels , railroads , parks , churches , societies , clubs , public buildings , business houses , street railways , & c . Also the official programme of the conclave , giving particulars of the grand banquet and ball , competitive exhibition drill , line of march of grand procession , charity day , headquarters of the different committees , & c . The book is being handsomely gotten up , and will no doubt be prized as

a souvenir long after the triennial has passed . We would advise all who contemplate visiting St . Louis , either as delegates or in any other capacity , to procure a copy soon and study up the city to which they are going before leaving their homes , and thereby save much time and annoyance . Sent post-paid on receipt of price , 35 cents . Address C . H . Cushing , 904 , Olive-street , St . Louis , Missouri . "

1 he memorial stone of the new church at Port Bannatyne was laid with Masonic ceremonial on Saturday , the 24 th ult ., by Bro . Charles Dalrymple , M . P ., Prov . G . Master of Arygleshire and the Isles . Great interest was exhibited on the occasion , and the proceedings passed off most satisfactorily , the day ' s celebration appropriately concluding with a banquet at the Bute Arms Hotel , Rothesay .

The opportunity was taken of the usual prize day dinner of the City of London School Committee at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , on Friday , the 30 th ult ., to present Bro . A . J . Altman , past Chairman of the Committee , with a handsome testimonial in recognition of the important services he had rendered during his year of office , and the general interest he took in all that was

calculated to promote the well being of the School . The presentation was made by the present Chairman , who presided on the occasion , and bore hearty testimony to the energy which had characterised Bro . Altman in the fulfilment of his duties ; and Bro . Altman , in acknowledging the gift , expressed the pleasure it afforded him to have received it in the presence of the Alderman of his Ward , Bro . Lord

Mayor Staples , who ' was the principal guest of the evening . The testimonial consisted of two very handsome silver flower bowls , bearing the inscription : " Presented to Albert Joseph Altman , Esq ., by the City of London School Committee of the Corporation of the City of London , in testimony of . heir high regard and esteem for the invariable courtesy , assiduity , and ability displayed by him as Chairman of the Committee for the year 1885 . "