Consecration Of The Highbury Mark Lodge, No. 485.

youngest lodge on the roll , because No . 482 was not yet consecrated , and 4 8 ^ had yet to receive the date of its birth . He trusted this would be an augury of great success . He could only congratulate himself most heartily on having been ab ' e to be ol some small service to the Prov . Grand Master . It had been a great pleasure to him to put his old and valued colleague of vrars gone by— -Bro . McDowall—into the chair . The W . M . had consented to

act as Steward for the next Mark Benevolent Fund Festival on July 10 , when Lord Skelmersdale would take the chair , supported by a numerous body of brethren . He had no doubt the W . M . would receive one of the heartiest responses lo his appeal for support . He ( Bro . Alatier ) cauld not inform them on that occasion what the benefits of that Fund were , but if the brethren would join them they would know more than he could possibly tell them . He wished the lodge every success and prosperity in the future .

The W . M . next gave " The Prov . Grand Master , Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and Prov . Grand Officers , " and also included with it the next toast — " The Consecrating Officer . " The admirable way in which the ceremony was performed and appreciated , the more especiall / as they were informed it was the first time the Provincial Grand Master had performed the ceremony , and this being the first lodge consecrated since Middlesex became a separate province , the lodge would endeavour to uphold the dignity of the county and the province .

Bro . Col . A . B . COOK , Prov . G . M ., in responding , said that after anxiety came relief , for he could honestly tell them that he attended with a great deal of anxiety . If the ceremony had turned out a success , as he believed it had , he was delighted . He would repeat and say how pleased he was to attend the first lodge consecrated in the new province , and for the first time undertake the serious and solemn duty . He had to tender the

apologies of Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and forthe rest of the Provincial Grand Officers , he could say they appreciated the honour done in bringing this new lodge on the roll . As regarded Provincial Grand Lodge , it was proposed it should be held at the Shi p and Turtle on the 25 th of June , when he hoped as many as possible would attend . As regards the provincehe had

, notlrng but prosperity to report . Before he sat down , another duty devolved upon him—to propose " The Health of their Worshi pful Master . " It was an exceedingly pleasant duty to peform , to propose the health of the first W . M . of a new lodge . They all knew how worth y Bro . McDowall was to occupy this position , and it was not for him to tell them of his merits . Suffice it to

say that he was so satisfied on this point that he proposed to ask the W . M . to accept the office of Prov . G . Warden for the year . He hoped the W . M . would accept it as a recognition of his merits , and as a compliment to the lodge . He should also ask the Secretary , Bro . Frye , to accept a junior post which would probably lead to something higher . He asked the brethren to drink to the health of the W . M ., and wish success to the lodge .

Bro . A . MCDOWALL , P . A . G . D . C , W . M ., said that after the remarks of the Prov . G . Alaster , h * could scarcely find words to reply . He looked upon th ? honour conferred as intended for the lodge , and congratulated the brethren upon receiving the appointment . He was sure thatone and all would endeavour to make this new lodge one of the best and most

thriving in the province . With regard to the working , he knew he was supported by so many good brethren who were Past Masters of other lodges , that he felt sure it would go on in a satisfactory way , and he hoped with their assistance to perform the ceremonies to their satisfaction . As the Prov . Grand Master had taken the wind entirely out of his sails , he would only thank them once again .

Bro . Capt . T . C WALLS , P . G . S . B ., on behalf of " The Visitors , " said it had often struck him why thc brethren in North London had not founded a Mark Iodge , and he now congratulated the Highbury Lodge on having some of the most distinguished Mark Masons in their midst , notably Bros . McDowall , Gregory , and Bromhead . The visitors had enjoyed their visit exceedingly , and were delighted at the hospitality showered upon them , and they only hoped that in the future this lodge would be prosperous and flourishing .

Bro . T . LYON , W . M . 476 , also responded , after which " The Officers " was given and acknowledged before the pleasant proceedings terminated . Bro . J . Bayne directed the musical arrangements , and was assisted by Bros . Egbert Roberts , P . M . ; Trefelyn David , H . S . Trego , and Cecil Barnard .

Constitution Of A District Grand Lodge For The Transvaal.

CONSTITUTION OF A DISTRICT GRAND LODGE FOR THE TRANSVAAL .

The handsome hail of the new AIasonic Temple in Jeppe-street , Johannesburg , was on the 30 th April list , the scene of the most imposing Masonic function that has been witnesssed in the Transvaal , the occasion being the institution of a District G . Lod ge for the Transvaal under the English Constitution , the installation of Bro . George Richardi as its first R . W . District Grand Master , and the investiture of 'he officers who will assist him during the first year of its existence . There was a large attendance of brethren but as officers and members of sister Constitutions

were rigidly excluded , unless they were affiliated to English lodges , there was not the crowded gathering which would otherwise have been present . It was , nevertheless , a muster of English Alasons which probably no other town in South Africa could furnish . The beautiful Temple was for the first time seen in its finished condition by many present , and their admiration for its mural decorations , its noble proportions ,

exquisite design , and perfection of acoustic properties was unbounded . Visitors from distant parts were especially struck as well with its n-ngni licence , and the many adjuncts which are provided for the carrying on of Alasonic business in its many phases and degrees , as with the consideration which has been given to the comfort and convenience of brethren , and the handsome furnishings with which it has been provided .

The need for the establishment pf a District Grand Lodge in the Transvaal , so far removed as it is from the Grand Lodge at home , under whicii English 'odges have been conducted , has long b ; en recognised by the leaders in the Craft , a" > d the efforts to obtain a patent fur the establishment of a District have extended over several years . They took more definite shape , however , in 1893 , during the visit to England of Bro . George Richards , P . AL , and after considerable delay , and j he overcoming of many difficulties , the Al . VV . the Grand Alaster of England , his Koyal Highness the Prince of Wales , was induced to depart from the resolution

pr Grand Lodge not to grant patents for Districts in countries beyond British lurisdiction , chiefly in consideration of the fact that the Transvaal is still in reality under the suzerainty of England . Even after the Grand Lodge decision had been " nade known , there were some lodges in thc State which persisted , from the best of motives , in withholding consent to a District being established , and it was only * 'ter the appointment of Bro . Richards to the high and important position of first 'strict Grand Master that the remaining difficulties were overcome , and the od ges which had not given in their adherence did so .

Constitution Of A District Grand Lodge For The Transvaal.

The Transvaal Lodge , No . 1747 , of Pretoria , being the oldest lodge in the Transvaal , the inaugural proceedings were under its banner , the I . P . M . of the lodge , Bro . T . W . Coles , in the unavoidable absence of the W . M . himself , opening the proceedings , assisted by Broi . F . Strange , P . AL , as l . P . AI . ; H . Strange , as S . W . ; and the J . W . of the lodge . The lodge having been raised to the Superior Degree , the Deputy District Grand Alaster of the District of Natal , Bro . WESLEV FRANCIS , who has been

acting as Grand Alaster of that District since the resignation of the office of District Grand Master by Bro . Finnemore , was received with due honour , and took the chair . Having explained the object of the meeting , he called upon the Acting District Grand Sec , Bro . J . da Silva , to read the patent from the Grand Lodge of England constituting the District , and appointing Bro . G . Richards as its first Grand Alaster . After a very eloquent address upon the advantages which would accrue to Freemasonry from the establishment of a District Grand Lodge , in the

course of which he commended it to the loyal suppart of the brethren , and expressed astonishment at the growth of Freemasonry in the Transvaal , as evidenced by the necessity for the erection of so glorious and magnificent a Temple as that in which they were met , he vacated the chair , and the acting W . M . of the Transvaal Lodge closed down the lodge . The Deputy Dist . Grand Master then again assumed the chair , and formally obligated Bro . G . Richards as District G . Master , and installed him in the chair .

Grand Lodge having been constituted by the appointment of Bros . C . Aburrow , P . M . ; F . Strange , P . M . ¦ the Rev . M . Harris , P . M . ; and C H . Webster , P . M ., respectively as acting District S . G . W ., J . G . W ., Chaplain , and Pursuivant , the District Grand Master proceeded to invest his officers for the ensuing year as follows :

Bro . H . E . F . Pistorius ... ... ... ... Dist . D . G . M . „ C . Aburrow ... ... ... ... Dist . D . S . G . W .

„ F . Strange ... ... ... ... Dist . J . G . W . „ the Rev . M . Harris ... ... ... Dist . G . Chap . „ Dr . H . Exton ... ... ... ... * Dist . G . Reg . „ J . da Silva ... ... ... ... Dist . G . Sec . „ W . B . Boyes ... ... ... ... Dist . G . Treas . „ T . W . Goodwin ... ... ... ... Dist . S . G . D .

„ J . W . Peirson ... ... ... ... Dist . J . G . D . „ B . Danziger ... ... ... ... Dist . G . S . of Wks . „ S . Hershfield ... ... ... ... Dist . G . D . of C . „ D . Chester ... ... ... ... Dist . A . G . D . of C . „ T . Sheffield ... ... ... ... Dist . G . S . B . „ T . W . Coles ... ... ... ... Dist . G . Std . Br . „ Dr . E . J . Nixon ... ... ... ... Dist . A . G . Std . Br . „ C . H . Webster ... ... ... ... Dist . G . Purst .

„ B . J . Dear ... ... ... ... - \ „ A . N . S . Goldberg ... ... . „ .,.. ., . ; , A . Dowling ^ Dist . G . Stewards .

„ Dieperink ... ... ... ... J The ballot for Dist . G . Treas ., which was taken previous to the investiture , resulted in the election of Bro . W . B . Boyes , W . AI . of Johannesburg Lodge , No . 2313 , and the announcement of his election was made during the investiture . As each officer was invested , he was addressed in appropriate terms by the District Grand Master , and urged to assiduity in the discharge of his duties .

The election of the Board of General Purposes followed , after which the DISTRICT GRAND AIASTER delivered the following address , which was listened to with the deepest attention .-Brethren , —It has doubtless been the privilege of many hero this evening at certain periods of their Alasonic career , to halt , at what may be not inaptly termed , the " Alasonic milestones" which have marked their journey , and served to chronicle events of [ interest and importance to the Craft , in which they have

borne a part , and which still linger in their memories like melodies of by-gone days , or silvery echo of village chimes at summer eventide . I carry with me , I am proud to say , many such bright recollections of events which have marked the white stones of my Masonic journey , but the occasion of this evening ' s gathering is , to my mind , the happiest and most eventful that has fallen to my lot to participate in . I feel to-night as though words must fail me to do justice to the occasion which has brought us together ; the inauguration of the first District

Grand Lodge of the Transvaal , the first step towards the consolidation of our separate lodges , and thc cementing of our individual members into what I earnestly trust will prove , one harmonious whole . May 1 trespass on your patience for a few moments while I briefly recount the steps which led up to this realisation of our desire for the formation of a District Grand Lodge , for at this our first meeting I think it not amiss to record the circumstances . As far back as the close of 1892 the subject was discussed amongst several of the older Past

Masters in this State , their opinion being that the rapid growth of Freemasonry in the Transvaal amply warranted an application to the Grand Alaster of England for the establishment of a District . The matter was then referred to the lodges , and petitions for and against were sent to the Grand Secretary . In 18 93 I happened to be in England , being thus able to interview the Grand Secretary , and to afford him such information as he desired . It was there arranged that on my return to South Africa , a meeting of Delegates from the

lodges in the Transvaal should be convened for the purpose of again discussing the question ; the suggestion , as you know , being carried into effect , and a full record sent to Freemasons'Hall , with the final result that in January last I received advice from the Grand Secretary that the AI-W . the Grand Master had been pleased to constitute the lodges under his jurisdiction in the Transvaal into a Masonic District , and had also conferred on me the lionour of bsing the first District Grand Master . The patent of my office , read to you this evening , is dated

ist January , 1895 , an auspicious date for the commencement of a new Alasonic year for the English Craftsmen in this State . These facts , brethren , bring us up to the present date , and as our District Grand Lodge is no longer a shadowy anticipation , but a happy reality , I need not weary you with any further details of the discussions which took place , the views enumerated , or opinions held by the several lodge Delegates , for all these were faithfully and accurately transmitted to the Grand Secretary , and the M . W . Grand Master having decided that the time

was ripe for the establishment of a District Grand Lodge , our pleasing task this evening has been to carry out its inauguration . Alay I say a few words specially bearing on the high position I occupy to-night . I accepted the honour conferred on me by the Al . VV . Grand Alaster , with a full sense of the grave and important responsibilities attaching to the office , and because I believed , and do still believe , that every brother in this State , who has the true welfare of the Craft at heart , will readily accord me his hearty sympathy and loyal support in carrying out thc

work which lies before us , and that any differences of opinion which naturally existed in the primary stages of discussion , will , now that our Grand Master has decided the question , be merged into that fraternal feeling which , by a ready recognition of the advantages to accrue , and by hearty cooperation in the work , will render our duties both light and pleasant . I cannot fully express to you how cheered and sustained 1 have been in all tho preliminary

work which has had to be undertaken , and which has been no light task , by the ready fraternal help which has been so generously given to me by the several local lodges , and by the cheerful acquiescense with which the brethren whom I asked to take office have , with but few exceptions , accepted the positions offered , with but one thought , that of helping to make the District Grand Lodge a success , and believe mc , brethren , I speak no idle form of words when 1 say that I am as