Freemasonry In Queensland.

had extended to the lodges and brethren of the Dist . and Prov . G . Lodges . It must also be fresh in the minds of all our readers how bitter was thc feeling ' that existed among the Craftsmen in New Zealand because a local Grand Lodge was established

which did not find favour with a very considerable and influential section of the members of the recognised Constitutions . That bitterness , if it has not wholly died out , is in a fair way of being removed , and we doubt

not that in timc the old kindl y and harmonious relations will be fouijd existing among the several sections of the Masonic community . The Grand Lodge of New Zealand has been recognised by our United Grand Lodge , and time is the one thing that

is needed in order to bring about a complete restoration cf thc old friendly feelings existing among the brethren . But it is manifestly contrary to thc spirit of Freemasonry , as it is contrary to the interests of those who have enrolled themselves under

its banner , that , in order to bring about a union among thc three Consatutions alread y established in Queensland and other of ouv Colonial possessions , a spell of discord should be inaugurated , We realise that at a time more or less remote from now the

colony of Queensland will be , Masonically , autonomous ' , but , knowing as we do , that at the present moment there is a very strong feeling—at all events , among influential English Masons —ar-mnst the inauguration of any scheme for establishing a

local ( irand Lodge , we sincerely hope lhat nothing will be done with the idea of undul y hastening forward a consummation , which there can be no question will come , when thc time is ripe for such a change . We do not desire to see , nor , we

are content to believe , are our Queensland brethren desirous of seeing an outbreak in thc Colony of those unfratcrnal feelings , which existed years ago in New South Wales and Yietoria at the period of thc late Earl of CARNARVON ' S visit , and more recentl y in

New Zealand , when a part only of the Craft seceded from their ¦ allegiance to the Home Grand Lodges and set up a Grand Lodge of ( heir own . If our Queensland brethren are sincerel y anxious for the early establishment of a Grand Lodge of their own let them

follow the examp le of the brethren of South Australia , who were the first Australasian brethren to found a local Grand Lodge and who have the satisfaction of knowing that their plans were

carried out not only successfully but , at the same time , without engendering the slig htest feeling of ill-will on the part of any bod y of English , Irish , or Scottish brethren .

Consecration Of The Loyal Traveller's Lodge, No. 2733.

CONSECRATION OF THE LOYAL TRAVELLER'S LODGE , No . 2733 .

The consecration of ihe above lodge took place at the Masonic Hall , New-street , Birmingham on Saturday , the 4 th inst ., at 2 . 30 p . m . The large room was tastefully decorated and quite full , upwards of 500 brethren being present , amongst whom were Bro . Edward Letchworth , Grand

Secretary of England , who undertook the duties of Consecrating Officer , assisted by Bros . Major-General Arbuthnot , Prov . G . S . W ., as S . W . ; T . J . Walsh , Prov . J . G . W ., as J . W . ; Rev . L . H . Pearson , Prov . G . Chap ., as Chap . ; W . Luxmorc Marshall , Dep . G . D . C . Eng ., as D . C . ; T . C .

Waite , Prov . G . Purst ., as I . G . j R . A . Matthews , P . P . J . G . D ., W . M . designate ; E . S . Sumner , P . M ., S . W . designate ; and W . O . Lewis , M . M ., LW . designate .

Other Grand oliicers present were Bros . G . Beech , D . P . G . M . Warwickshire ; Baron de Ferrieres , P . G . D . ; Col . Bindley , P . G . D . ; Col . Walker , P . G . Std . Br . ; and A . E . Eridlander , P . G . S . B . Amongst trie Prov . Grand and P . Prov . Grand officers were—Bros . T . T . Walsh , J . G . W . ; L . H . Pearson , G . Chap . ; J . Harris , G . T . 1 W .

H . Hcbbert , G . R . ; F . G . Swinden , G . S . ; R . G . Stephens , Asst . Sec ; J , Kvans J . G . D . ; H . Mason , Asst . Deacon ; F . Glover , G . D . C . ; A . W . Parkes , A G 1 ) C . ; W . Young , P . G . O . ; W . G . Madeley , P . G . S . ; D'Arcy Power , P . P . G W . J . SufTield , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . F . Tolladay , P . P . D . G . D . C . ; J . C . Whateley , PPAG . S . ; T . Shaw , P . P . G . D . ; J . T . Harcourt , P . P . A . G . S . ; W . T . Belcher , J'PG . O . ; W . G . Smith , P . A . G . D . C ; J . W . Bladon , P . G . O . ; W . H . Blunt , P . P ,

AGS . ; J . A . Leary , P . P . A . G . P . ; Wright Wilson , P . G . D . C . ; T . S . Harvey , PPG D . C . ; G . H . Milward , P . G . S . B . ; F . Dnvis , P . S . G . W . ; W . Stacey , P . A . G . Purst . ; Lord E . Seymour , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . H . Wood , P . P . G . R . ; Rev . Canon T . B . Dickins , P . P . G . C . ; J . Taylor , P . P . G . S . of W . ; George Bown , P . P . G . P . ; B . H . Joseph , P . P . G . D . ; T . G . Waite , P . G . D . ; P . Fryer , P . A . G . D . C . ; and G . Shread , P . P . S . G . D .

Among Provincial Grand Oliicers belonging to other provinces were- ^ Bros . J . J . Perkins , P . P . G . P . Staffs ; C . F . Brown , P . P . G . D . C . Hants ; B . L . Griffiths , P . G . S . Worcester ; Rev , C . Black , P . P . G . C . Worcester and Hereford ; W Spraggon , P . 1 VJ . D . C . North Wales ; J . T . Windle , P . P . G . Reg . Derby and Salop ; F . Hughes , Prov . G . S . Staffs ; C . Eaton , P . P . G . D . C . Worcester ;

J . I ) . Pepper . P . P . S . G . W . Staffs ; B . Iliinn , P . P . G . S . W . Oxon ; R . A . Matthews , P . M . . ( 9 . 1 , P . P . J . G . D . Gloucester ; K . S . Sumner . P . M . ; J . Collins , P . M . ; Hans GralT P . M . ; li . R . A . Matthews , I . Guy , W . J . Woolcott , W . W . Lawrence , 48 7 ; W . Hopkins ; W . II . Welshman ; E . J . Collins ; RussellSmith , F . D . Hazeldine , and A . J . Webb .

Consecration Of The Loyal Traveller's Lodge, No. 2733.

The brethren having assembled , the Consecrating Officer and Grand Officers entered in procession , and the ancient ritual proceeded , the work being performed , as might bs expected , in the most admirable and impressive manner ; and the ceremonies relating to the petition and warrant having been concluded , the Prov . G . Chaplain delivered an oration on the

nature and principles of Freemasonry . Here came the first anthem , " Behold , how joyful , and good a thing it is , " splendidly sung by Bros . D . Harrison and E . Richardson ( both of Lichfield Cathedral ) , with Bros . W . H . Myers and W . Young , P . G . O . ; Bro . W . T . Belcher , Mus . Doc , P . P . G . O ., being at the organ .

After the dedication and invocation , and the beautiful ceremonies relating to the lodge board and the elements of consecration ( all with full choral ritual ) , the lodge was constituted , and the patriarchal benediction concluded one of the most impressive Masonic ceremonies ever witnessed in Birmingham , and one which will long linger in the memories of those who were fortunate in being present .

The next business was to instal the W . M . designate , Bro . R . A . Matthews , P . M . 4113 , P . P . J . G . D . Gloucester , which ceremony was undertaken by Bro . Letchworth , in the presence of about 250 Past Masters , and the Treasurer and Tyler having bsen elected , the officers of the new lodge were invested .

The addresses to the W . M ., the Wardens , and to the brethren were given by Bro . LETCJIWORTII . The Grand Officers and Past Grand Officers retired in procession , leaving the new W . M . to close his lodge . A large proportion of the brethren adjourned to the Grosvenor Room at

the Grand Hotel , where a dinner according to ancient custom was held , at which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , being interspersed with songs , & c , this ending one of the most striking and successful Misonic meetings that has been held in the Midland counties . The lodge was furnished by Bros . George Kenning and Son .

A Handsome Badge.

A HANDSOME BADGE .

Bro . George Kenning has sent me a very handsome silver gilt Badge for examination , and has undertaken to provide an illustration thereof , size of the original , to accompany a brief description of its chief characteristics by me .

The style is quite that of a massive Company ' s Badge , the square is in paste , and suspended by a chain from the loop at top , there is a shield of arms on either side , the one having those of the premier Grand Lodge of England prior to the union of December , 1813 , and the other the Arms of the Famil y of Archer , Bishops-Burn , Kent ( Baronetcy , 1666-1723 ) , v ' z .,

Ermine , on a chief asnrc three lions rampant argent . The Masons' Arris are not of the usual colours , being ngoldfte \ d and blue chevron . The date of the Hall Mark is 1794-5 , and Bro . W . H . Rylands , F . S . A . i tells me that the Jewel is engraved as being worn by the R . W . Bco . William Perfect , M . D ., the Provincial Grand Master , in the Portrait oy W . M . Sharpe , engraved by W . Say . and dated August 31 st , 1 S 03 . Tne

shield at foot of the Badge , with the White Horse of Kent , is representative of the Province , and doubtless it is the Jewel with which Dr , Perfect was invested on his Installation , as the fifth Prov . G . M . of Kent , at Faversha'fli March 18 th , 1795 . I could not find the Arms of the Archer Family with a Baronetcy ( extinct ) in any book in my Library , but Bro . Rylands kindly traced the particulars for me . This is a very fine souvenir of the period , aria valuable in many respects .