Correspondence.

Correspondence .

. [ We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

THE GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have searched for some years through the reports in the Freemason oi the meetings of Grand Lodge , but have not found the ruling of the Grand Registrar to which you allude in your leader of the 23 rd

August . Can you kindly supply me with the date , as I imagine I must have overlooked the report ? Speaking with great diffidence , in my ignorance of the precise terms of the ruling , I cannot but think that there must be some misunderstanding , and that , vvith all deference to the Grand Registrar and Bro . Hughan ,

your view should be the correct one . It may assist us to a correct understanding of Article 219 to refer to the Constitutions of 1873 , " Private Lodges , " Article 29 , which ran " should the majority of any lodge determine to retire from it , the power of assembling remains with the rest of the members who

adhere to their allegiance , but if all the members of a lodge withdraw , the warrant becomes extinct . " Article 219 provides that " should the majority of any lodge determine to retire from it , the power of assembling remains with the rest of the members ; but should the number of members remaining at any time be less than three the warrant becomes extinct . "

Article 221 provides that should a lodge be dissolved the warrant shall be delivered up to the Grand Master . " How is it held that a lodge can be dissolved ? I do not find any way provided . If , as I gather , the ruling is to the effect that a bare

majority can pass a resolution to dissolve , then we seem to come to a peculiar position . Given a large lodge in which a small minority are in any way able to make matters so unpleasant that the majority determine to retire , the minority as long as there are three left can carry on the lodge . Can

they be checkmated by the majority deciding to dissolve the lodge and surrender the warrant ? I can hardly think so . But if a bare majority can dissolve and surrender the warrant to join another Grand Lodge , and so commit a great injustice to a large minority , who wish to

" adhere to their allegiance , " surely they could do so in . a case like I have put of an unpleasant small minority ' r * The occurrence of such a case , though , happily improbable , is not , as I know from experience , so impossible as never to have been considered .

If two-thirdsarenecessaryunder Article 16 7 merely to remove from one house to another , surely two-thirds at least should be necessary to transfer allegiance to a new supreme governing body ? There is one other article which , though not , perhaps , strictly applicable , is useful as a guide to the

principle which should govern the question . I allude to Article 157 , apply ing to military lodges— "surrenderor exchange of warrant , " as the precis in the margin puts it . " If the military body to which a lodge is attached be disbanded or reduced , the brethren shall transmit the warrant to the Grand Secretary , but if a competent

number of the brethren remain together , they may apply for another warrant of the same number , to be holden as a civil lodge , at such place as may be convenient and approved of by the Grand Master . Such warrant to be granted without any additional expense . " The history of the last few years is instructive in these colonial matters .

In the interests of the minorities who may wish to " adhere to their allegience , " this matter should be put on a just and equitable footing . —Yours fraternally ,

LEX SCRIPTA . LADIES AT PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE

BANQUETS . To the Editor of the "Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , Your approval in your " Masonic Notes " oi a proposal to admit ladies to Provincial Grand Lodge banquets rather astonishes me . Such an innovation

could not fail in my humble opinion to be most fatal to the success of such meetings . There is the widest possible difference between our Charity Festivals and the banquets after the meetings of Provincial Grand Lodge , and I think the bulk of our brethren would seriously object , even at the former , to the ladies dining

with us , however glad we are to join them afterwards . But at those festivals the brethren have come together to spend an evening , and there is no great difference as to the times of leaving or distance to go afterwards . At a Provincial Grand Lodge it is very different as a rule . Many of the brethren—the majority , probablyhave come long distances , and have to return the same

night . The banquet is really " refreshment after labour , " ancl time is generally too short already . It is , as a rule , only once a year that thebrethren from the distant lodges meet , and the banquet is looked forward to as the opportunity—not to be found in Provincial Grand Lodge itself—of renewing old friendships and exchanging Masonic confidences , as lo the welfare of

Correspondence.

each other ' s lodge , or little knotty points on which the advice of brethren outside one ' s own lodge is acceptable . This mostly takes place after the welcome announcement that "the duty is now off tobacco " —an announcement looked for with longing generally by nine-tenths of thebrethren . This would probably have

to be a thing of the past , as well as all subjects of Masonic confidence , as the presence of cowans , howover charming , would interfere ; and I cannot but think the opinion I have heard freely expressed upon the subject is not far wrong— " If you admit ladies to Provincial Grand Lodge banquets , you may as well do away

at once with Provincial Grand Lodge meetings . " When some time back I delicately hinted in your " Masonic Notes and Queries , " that I should not be averse to making the acquaintance of " eligible young ladies , relatives of my brethren of the mystic tie , " I had not thought of Provincial Grand Lodge as the

place to do so , and , even now , though situated as I am , I do not quite fancy that idea . If it is wished to have the presence of the fair sex at meetings of Masons , by all means have a Provincial Charity Festival , or a Masonic picnic , or conversazione ,

or even that abomination , a Masonic ( ' - *) ball ; but if Masonry is to be a serious business , and not merely an excuse for convivial and social meetings , do not let us hear of admitting them to the only meeting of the province we get in the year . — -Yours fraternall y , BRO . COiLEBS IN SEARCH OF A WIFE .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

913 ] RE-NUMBERING OF LODGES . I am very glad to see that Bro . Henry Smith , the esteemed D . P . G . M . of West Yorkshire , has again objected to any new numeration , at least , for many years . I wrote some years ago to support his first letter on the

same subject , and shall not fail to aid him in that respect on all lawful occasions . My good friend , Bro . Lane , who is the first authority on such a subject , supports us in objecting to a new numeration—say this century—and I feel assured all intimately concerned in such a matter will warmly second Bro . Henry Smith ' s well-timed protest . W . J . HUGHAN .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

draft flDasonry . PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

EAST GRINSTEAD . Sackville Lodge ( No . 1619 ) . —The annual meeting of the above lodge was held at the Masonic Rooms , on Tuesday , the 2 nd instant . After the usual opening business , a Board of Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . W . H . Brown , S . W ., was dul y installed in the chair of K . S . in a very able and impressive manner by Bro . G .

Mitchell , W . M . The newly-installed W . M . afterwards invested the following brethren as his officers : Bros . G . Mitchell , LP . M . ; G . Wilson , S . W . ; J . J . Budd Budd , ] . W . ; E . A . Head , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Treas . ; A . M . Betchley , P . M ., Prov . G . S . B ., Sec ; W . Hosken , P . M ., D . C ; T . Smith , P . M ., S . D . ; A . Roberts , J . D . ; R . G . Payne , I . G . ; J . Pickard , Stwd . ; S . R . Scholefield , Org . :

and J . Chitty , Tyler . A very handsome Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . G . Mitchell for the valuable services he had rendered the lodge as VV . M . during the past year . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Crown Hotel for refreshment , and thoroughly enjoyed a good dinner after work . Bro . Brown , W . M .,

presided , supported by Bros . R . Clowes , Prov . S . G . W . ; V . P . Freeman , P . G . D ., P . G . Sec . ; E . A . Head , P . M . ; A . M . Betchley , P . M . ; C . W . Hudson , P . P . 1 . G . W . ; G . S . Godfree , P . P . G . S . of W . ; ] . G . Cahvay , P . P . A . G . P . ; W . Hosken , P . M . ; 1 . Smith , P . M . ; S . Wilson , W . M . 1303 ; W . Wright , P . M . 1303 ; S . Roberts , W . M . 14 C 6 ; Fitzmaurice , W . M . 1465 ; I . W . Broad , W . M .

311 ; Anscomb , P . M . 1821 ; Harker , W . M . 732 ; S . Tanner , P . M . 311 ; and many other distinguished visiting brethren , together with nearly thc whole of tlie ollicers and members of the lodge . The usual Masonic toasts were given and suitably responded to , interspersed by a most excellent programme of music and recitations by Bros . Hudson , R . H . Davies , Cantle , S . Roberts , Syklemore , Grimwell , and others .

FR 1 ZINGTON . Arlecdon Lodge ( No . 1660 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday , the 3 rd inst ., Bro . John Wilkinson , W . M ., presided , supported by Bros . J . Wakefield , S . W . ; G . Dalrymple , P . M ., P . S . G . W ., as | . W . ; M . Jones , Sec ; VV . Robinson , S . D . ; XV . Shaw , j . D . ; W . Barwise , D . C ;

J . Webb , Org . ; J . Armstrong , I . G . ; W . H . Jones , Stwd . ; C . Bland , Tyler ; B . Craig , P . M . ; J . Singer , W . Brown , E . Jackson , J . H . Jenkinson , and others . The lodge was opened , and the minutes were read and confirmed , and one candidate was initiated and two passed to the Second Degree . Both ceremonies were given

by the W . M . in a most perfect manner , and it is evident Bro . Wilkinson ' s year of office is going to be as prosperous as his predecessors , and another chair or two may be endowed before he parts with his collar of office . With " Hearty good wishes " from the visitors and other routine business over , the lodge was closed .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

HAMPTON COURT . Wolsey Lodge ( No . 1656 ) . —A meeting of the brethren of this lodge was held at the Greyhound Hotel , on the Sth inst ., when the following were amongst those present : Bros . E . Dare , W . M . ; R . Drummond , LP . M . ; H . Sapsworth , S . W . ; Chandler , P . M ., acting J . W .: Featherstone , Treas . ; W . T . Peat , Sec ; Bond , I . D .,

acting S . D . ; J . Hunt , I . G . ; Rice and R . W . Simpson , Stwds . ; F . Figg , Org . ; J . Miles , Pattison , Smith , and Cooper . Bro . Room , the Prov . G . Sec , favoured the lodge with his presence . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the previous meeting were read by Bro . Peat and confirmed . Bro . Alfred Darling , wasadmitted to the lodge asajoiningmember . Bros .

Pattison and C . R . Smith were passed to the Second Degree and Mr . G . Cooper was initiated , the VV . M . performing the various ceremonies in a perfect manner . On the motion of the W . M ., Bro . Howard H . Room , Prov . G . Sec , was elected an honorary member of the lodge in recognition of his zeal on behalf of Masonry in the Province of Middlesex . A notice of motion standing in the name of Bro . T . C .

Walls , who was unavoidably absent— " That the sum of £ 2 ios . be voted to the Pension Indemnity Fund , R . M . I , for Boys "—was also agreed to . Bro . Chandler moved "that a vote of condolence and sympathy be forwarded to the family of the late Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master . " This was seconded by Bro . Sapsworth , and agreed to . Bro . Peat proposed " That the lodge take into consideration the

expediency of startmga Benevolent Fund , " but , on the motion of Bro . Chandler , the question was deferred until the next installation meeting . A petition to the Board of Benevolence was presented for signature on behalf of a brother of another lodge , recommended by the Prov . Grand Secretary . A Past Master of the Wolsey Lodge mentioned

that some years ago he was in the employ of the brother named as a traveller , and vouched for it that he was in every way an excellent employer and was always ready to assist brethren or others who might be in necessity or distress . The petition was passed round and signed by all present . The business being concluded , the lodge was closed .

I he usual banquet followed , and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent in song and toast , the former being rendered by Bros . Pattison , Miles , Figg , and Peat , and Bro . Gilbert ( the Tyler ) favoured the company with " The Entered Apprentice ' s Song . "

HASTINGS . Derwent Lodge ( No . 40 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , when there were present Bros . VV . S . Allen , VV . M . ; F . C . Edwards . S . VV . ; G . Russell , J . W . ; F . Rossiter , P . P . G . D ., Treas . ; j . Pearce , P . M ., Sec . ; R . Walmsley , S . D . ; G . H . Gage , J . D . ; C . W . Duke , P . P . S . G . W ., D . C ; C . J . Ticehurst , I . G . ; L . J . Jukes , Stwd . ; VV . Leslie , Tyler ; C . E . Botley , P . M . ; F . Plowman , P . M . ; P . Robinson , P . M . ; T . W . Markwick , P . M . ;

T . N . Cole , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; W . H . Russell , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; R . Townsend , P . M ., * Heaphy , Boyce , Tyrrell , McCormick , Tindall , Reed , Foord , Beck , and Southcombe . Visitors : Bros . J . Bartle , P . M . 1642 ; G . Richards , P . M . 1707 ; and T . VV . Avis , J . D . 11 S 4 .

Bro . Southcombe was raised , and Messrs . Hickman and Bourn initiated , the work being done by the W . M . in his usual impressive and able manner . Bro . Cole , M . A ., promised to read a paper at the next meeting on the "Antecedents of Masonry . " A candidate having been proposed , the lodge was closed .

WHITEHAVEN . Sun , Square , and Compasses Lodge ( No . 119 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held in the Freemasons' Hall , College-street , on Monday , the ist instant . Bro . George Starkey , VV . M ., occupied the chair , supported by the following officers and members , viz . : Bros . Spencer Broadbent , S . W . ; Rev . lames Anderson .

P . P . G . Chap ., J . W . ; W . C . Johns , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; S . Hinde , Sec . ; J . Thompson , Asst . Sec . ; H . Meageen , S . D . ; D . H . Cook , P . P . G . Org ., Org . ; W . Gaffney , I . G . ; J . Lachlison , Stwd . ; Dr . Charles J . j . Harris , LP . M . ; Thomas Richardson , Tyler ; 1 . Barr , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; Thos . Studholme , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; Thomas Allinson , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; George Dalrymple ,

P . M ., P . S . G . W . ; R . Miller , A . Moordaff , J . Bird , E . Ihornburrow , Thomas Miller , I . G . 126 7 ; J . A . Parker , S . D . 1216 ; and others . The lodge was opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , after which Bro . Bird was raised to the Third Degree in an able and impressive manner by the W . M . Bro . Studholme , P . M ., gave a notice of motion ( to consider a scheme for local education ) , and with "Hearty good wishes" the lodge was closed .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

LEWES . Lewis Lodge ( No . 391 ) . —The annual meeting ofthe above lodge was held at thc Freemasons' Hall , on the 2 nd inst ., when there were present Bros . S . R . Len- <>* \ V M V . P . Freeman , P . M . ; T . Trollope , M . D ., Prov . ' G . M . ' ; K . Clowes , VV . M . 409 ; H . W . G . Abell , G . Std . Br . ; C . Smith , P . D . P . G . M . ; J . S . RobertsProv . G . Sec . ; Dr .

, Lewis , W . M . 3 S 6 ; Dr . Goode , C . Briscoe , Roe , Buchanan , Histed / and the following members of the lodge : Bros . J . Adames , S . VV . ; J . H . Every , J . W . ; W . " W . Turner , M . O . ; G . Holman , S . O . ; VV . Wright , Sec ; A . F . Lamette SD ; J . J . Abell , D . C ; S . R . Hunt , J . C . Corder , G . Wilson , and H . Hall , Tyler . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read ,

Bro . J . Adames , S . VV ., was presented and duly installed in the chair as W . M . for the ensuing year by Bro . S . R . Leg " , I . P . M ., assisted by Bro . H . VV . G . Abell . The VV . M . then appointed the following brethren as officers for the ensuing year , and invested those that were present : Bros . S . R . Legg , I . P . M . ; J . H . Every , S . VV . ; W . VV . Turner , J . W . ; G . Holman , M . O . ; VV . WrightS . O . ; A . F .

, Lamette , J . O . ; Rev . VV . A . Tooth , Chap . ; J . Farncomb , Ireas . ; J . C Corder , Sec ; R . Pidcock , R . of M . ; I . J . Abell , D . C ; R . Weston , S . D . ; W . Betting , J JD . ; S . R . Hunt , I . G . ; G . Wilson and S . Denman , Stewards ; and H . Hall , Tyler . A very handsome Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . S . R . Legg , the retiring VV . M ., for his valuable services in the chair during the past year .