The Craft Abroad.

The Grand Officers named were then duly invested , with the exception of V . W . Bro . R . T . Robinson , who is at present absent from the colony . After their investiture , the Grand Officers were duly proclaimed by the acting Grand Director of Ceremonies , and saluted by the brethren . The M . W . GRAND MASTER delivered an address to the brethren , after which the report of the executive committee was received , and formally adopted by the Grand Lodge , which was closed in ample form .

With the retirement of the M . W . Grand Master , visitors of distinction , and Grand Officers , the proceedings closed . At the conclusion of the ceremony , a large number of the brethren adjourned to the supper-room , where a magnificent banquet had been prepared by the caterer , Mr . W . W . Berry . The tables were brilliant with plate and glass , with flowers placed in dainty stands , and

varicoloured fairy lamps nestling among the decorations and tall candelabra , in which were set lighted wax candles . The repast placed before the brethren was an excellent one , and ample justice was done to the menu by the guests , who numbered about 300 . The chair was taken by the M . W . Grand Master , who was supported by the principal Grand Officers . At the conclusion of the banquet the usual loyal toasts were honoured ,

after which Bro . Norman Malcolm gave a spirited rendering of the favourite song , " Let me like a soldier fall , " and in response to a tumultuous encore , sang in a fine , manly style , " The Absent-minded Beggar . " Before singing the latter , Bro . Malcolm intimated his desire that should the brethren feel disposed to " Pay—pay—pay , " the proceeds of their liberality should go to Masonic Charities .

The response made to each chorus , in which most of the brethren joined , was a liberal one , ^ 20 being donated . The M . W . . Pro Grand Master , Bro . J . W . HACKETT , said that before he said the very few words he was prepared to say , he would like to suggest , with regard to the collection that had just been made , that it should be devoted to one or the other of the patriotic funds now being raised .

( App lause . ) They were met there that evening not only with a feeling of great self-gratulation , but under a sense of devout thankfulness that they had been able to bring their great enterprise of the formation of a Grand Lodge so far and so successfully . They had added a fifth star to the Australian Masonic firmament that evening , and he was sure it was the wish of everyone that this star should suffer no diminution of its radiance in the

opinion of the sister Grand Lodges as the years went by . ( Applause . ) It was they whose health it was his duty to propose . To keep his word , though he had several things to say to them upon Masonry in general , and their own Grand Lodge in particular , he would keep to the toast , and he might say he fully echoed the words of the M . W . G . M . spoken a short time ago , when he said they were under no ordinary obligation to the senior

of those Grand Lodges , the Grand Lodge of the mother colony of New South Wales . ( Applause . ) It was no special part of his business , except as a Mason and a member of their future Grand Lodge , to make himself known as a member to the Grand Lodges in the Eastern Colonies . Nevertheless , as there seemed to be some misunderstanding as to the objects and way in which it was to be formed , he thought it his duty to call upon the

leading officers of those Grand Lodges and explain exactly how matters stood . He was happy to say that , beginning with South Australia , he found not only a feeling of friendliness , but a deep fraternal , and even a paternal , feeling for this Grand Lodge . He had not the sligbtest doubt that they would meet with the hearty and unanimous recognition of all the sister G . Lodges . With regard to the G . Lodge with which he chiefly put himself in

communication—the Grand Lodge of New South Wales—it had been a pleasure to find himself amidst true and loyal Masons of that kidney such as he found in Sydney . The way in which the M . W . Bro . Remington and the President of the Board of General Purposes , Bro . Spencer , listened to the matters he had to put before them , and the time and care they devoted to looking into them , entitled those to their deepest gratitude . ( Applause . )

They first summoned a meeting of the Board . He was invited to attend . Bro . Remington told him afterwards that when the question of the recognition of the Grand Lodge of Western Australia was put to the Board , they were nearly unanimous in advising its recognition . Having read a letter from Bro . Remington referring to the decision , Bro . Hackett continuing , said that a special communication of the Grand Lodgeof New South Wales

was summoned , and then the resolution recognising the Grand Lodge of Western Australia was carried . On returning to Melbourne , the Grand Master designate there , Bro , Peacock , endeavoured to get one of the former Past Grand Masters in Victoria to come over , but circumstances prevented them coming . Tasmania had already offered her congratulations , and he had no doubt that when the Grand Secretary communicated the fact of the

installation to the sister lodges , they would , with all the speed allowed by Masonic etiquette , accord them hearty and fraternal recognition . ( Applause . ) He wished to congratulate that magnificent Masonic meeting on the work they had accomplished that night . They bad a new temple of their religion —the religion of Charity , Equality , and Brotherhood . ( Applause . ) He

believed that they had that day lighted a lamp which was not likely to go out , but would spread its light and warmth over all parts of the territory , and he believed lhat no person would rejoice more at the lighting of the lamp than the sister Grand Lodges of Australia , whose health he gave them and asked them to drink with all heartiness . ( Applause . ) The toast having been drunk ,

The M . W . GRAND M ASTER announced to the brethren that he had just received an intimation that a cablegram had been received notifying the surrender of the Boer general , Cronje . A burst of tumultuous cheering followed upon the announcement , the

The Craft Abroad.

brethren rising lo their feet and waving their handkerchiefs and napkins , and singing " God Save the Queen" and "Rule Britannia" with true patriotic fervour . This was followed by hearty cheers for Lord Roberts , after which the M . W . GRAND MASTER read the rest of the message , which had been telephoned to him from the West Australian .

The reading of the message was received with renewed cheering , after which the brethren sang the chorus of " Three Cheers for the Red , White , and Blue , "andthen cheered the Western Australian Contingent . V . W . Bro . Major SHERWOOD , P . D . G . W ., the oldest W . A . Past Master present , proposed * ' The Health of the M . W . Grand Master , Bro . His Excellency Sir Gerard Smith . " They all knew that Bro . Sir Gerard Smith

had been in the colony nearly five years , and ever since his arrival he had made himself acquainted with everything that appertained to the wellbeing of Western Australia , and with regard to Masonry had made it his duty to go round and enquire into the working of the different lodges . When , as during the course of the splendid meeting upstairs , the M . W . Grand Master reminded them , the first lodge in the colony was started

nearly 60 years ago , in old Government House , there were but few Masons in the colony . Since that time they had progressed under the English Constitutions and had now a roll of nearly 2 , 500 members .. ( Applause . ) They must all congratulate their M . W . Grand Master upon presiding over such a large body . ( Applause . ) He knew he was echoing their sentiments in

wishing him a pleasant trip in the journey he was about to take to the old country . He had worked hard for Masonry in this colony , and he need only refer to the military lodges in which he had always taken an active and prominent part . The toast was drunk with honours .

The M . W . GRAND MASTER said he rose to reply to the toast which had been received in such cordial fashion with very mingled feelings—feelings of very deep satisfaction and thankfulness that he had been able with the assistance of the brethren he saw around him , and to whom he tendered his hearty thanks , to see a Grand Lodge in Western Australia before he left the colony . ( Hear , hear . ) It had been a wish that had been very near his

heart since he came to the colony . Though there had been difficulties to be encountered , these , with the hearty co-operation of all brethren , had been successfully surmounted . There remained yet a few matters of detail , which he had no doubt they would see overcome , and . in time they would be a United Western Australian Grand Lodge . He hoped he might live to see that day and to share in their festivities on that occasion . ( Hearhear . )

, He had said that he rose to respond to the toast of his health with mingled feelings , because he had to make an announcement for which some of them might , perhaps , not be unprepared . That was probably the last , as it was also the first , occasion on which he would have the honour of presiding over the Grand Lodge ol Western Australia . The circumstances which surrounded official life were difficult to combat . He had been here now

nearly five years—five very happy years—during which he had met with a kindness and hospitality , and with a generous consideration from all classes of the people which would remain deeply engraven on his heart . The fact that all his daughters had left him—the last one was about to leave him , and he was happy to say she was going to take up her residence among them in Western Australia- —would leave a somewhat lonely old couple , and entertainment at

Government House might be devoid of some of its interest and much of its incident . There were other circumstances of a political character which made him anxious to visit the old country , but , which , perhaps , he had better not touch upon , unless it were , like the old war-horse , he was desirous to plunge again into the stormy political vortex which , with a certain amount of political foresight , he could not fail to see before him . He also , although

he was too old now to draw the sword , was like the younger men amongst them anxious for the integrity and honour of their Queen and Empire . ( Applause . ) He would have another , and perhaps a more public , opportunity of expressing his sentiments towards the people of Western Australia . Just then he only desired to express his thanks—his warm , cordial , and affectionate thanks—to the Masons of this colony for their kindness , for the cordial

support they had given him , and for their recognition of the fact that his efforts were for the futherance of their interests , and not for his own ambition . ( Applause . ) He would carry away with him to the old country a very deep feeling of regard for the Masons of Western Australia . He would ever have Masonic aspirations for the growth and prosperity of Freemasonry in Western Australia . He had done what he could to further Freemasonry in

the colony . He had endeavoured in public and private life to set before himself a high ideal of what Masonry should be , and had also endeavoured to live up to it . He was not one of those who regarded a Masonic lodge as a sort of club where they could join in harmony and enjoy refreshment . He did not lose sight of the deeper meaning underlying true Freemasonry , which should help them to lead better , more energetic , more honest , and

more useful lives . ( Applause . ) To young Masons he would strongly recommend not so much a superficial observance of rituil , not so much a constant attendance at lodges . He would urge upon them a study of true Masonic literature . He woulJ ask them to inquire into and learn the early history of Freemasonry , and to trace it from its origin through ths mnny centuries it had existed down to the present time , when they were only Free ,

Accepted , and Speculative Masons . There were times when they were active Masons . That day they were not active but Speculative . Underlying the mere ritual and harmonious meetings there was a deep and solid truth , and if they would inquire into it , and endeavour to act up toil , it would lead them through the maz-js and tortuous ways and difficulties of this human life in a way that was only second to the religion which they all

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