Masonic Notes.

specially constituted Colonial Board . If the Board ' s Committee is composed of brethren who are conversant with our Colonial Masonry , and well qualified by their ability , tact , and judgment to deal with the often difficult questions which will be submitted for their consideration , there is every reason to hope that the change will be beneficial .

It must not , howover , be forgotten that the present Colonial Board was established at a time when the' relations between our lodges in Canada and Grand Lodge were in a very critical state . The majority of the former , owing to the lax manner in which they considered their representations had been treated by Grand Lodge , had thrown off their allegiance and set up a Grand Lodge of their own ,

and the new Board was constituted in order that it might give its undivided attention to the affairs of English Masonry in the Colonies . We are persuaded that from the very outset of its career this new Board has laboured diligently , and , in the main , successfully to discharge its duties . But difficult questions are constantly arising , and will continue to arise , which it will tax the ingenuity

of the authorities to arrange satisfactorily . If , however , it is the opinion of Grand Lodge that this is more likely to be done by a Committee of the Board of General Purposes than by a Colonial Board , by all means let the proposed scheme , either in its present or some other form , be adopted . The one thing needful in either case is that the men entrusted with the supervision of our lodges in the Colonies should have some knowledge of Colonial Masonry .

We regret exceedingly that sundry errors should have occurre'd last week in our list of the brethren who were appointed Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales for the ensuing year . We have very great pleasure in correcting them as requested . The new G . Organist is Bro ,

W . H . Barrow , Mus . Doc , not W . K . Barron , as printed ; the new G . Inner Guard Bro . W . C . Ferris , not W . C . Fenn ; and the G . Asst . I . G ., Bro . T . P . Dorman not Thomas T . Dawn . Among those appointed Grand Stewards " Capt . J . H Besley , R . A ., 217 , " should have read " Capt . J . H . Leslie , R . A ,, 219 . "

It must add greatly to the honour which has recently been conferred on Bro . John Lane in respect of his literary services , that the full dress and undress suits of clothing pertaining to a P . A . G . D . C . have been presented to him by Grand Lodge , together with a jewel bearing the following inscription : " Presented to Bro . John Lane , F . C . A ., Past A . G . D . C , by the United Grand Lodge of England , in recognition of his literary services to the Craft . —5 th June , 18 95 . "

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

THE COLONIAL BOARD ELECTION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Referring to my claim to be a member of the Colonial Board , under the provisions of Art . 283 , Book of Constitutions , I desire to say that immediately after the declaration of the poll on Wednesday , the 5 th inst ., it was officially

intimated to me that the question would have to be decided by Grand Lodge in December . To say the least of it , this announcement is peculiar after the deliverance of the V . W . Deputy Grand Registrar in Grand Lodge the same evening , when he remarked : " He did not think there could be much difficulty as to the meaning of that rule ; and to attempt to explain it would be an insult to common sense . How is it possible to give a ruling till after the election r "

The article reads thus : " Where practicable , three members of the Board shall be Past Masters ot colonial lodges . " As at present constituted , the President and Vice-President of the Board are respectively Past Masters of lodges in the West Indies and in India . No other member of the Board has passed the chair of a lodge in foreign parts . — Fraternally yours , W . F . LAMONBY . June loth .

THE GRAND TREASURERSHIP . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , 1 was at a meeting of Masons in one of the provinces a few days ago , when the question was discussed as to the best mode to elect the Grand

Treasurer , so that every member of Grand Lodge might participate , without the expense of a journey to Great Queen-street . Some advocated the issuing of proxy forms to every membei of Grand Lodge . This was met with the important objection that Grand Lodge had only the names and not the addresses of the brethren , arid that the expense through additional staff , stationery , & c , & c , would be altogether out of proportion to the value of the end to be gained .

Another suggested that the Grand Secretary mig ht send the requisite number cf proxies to the Secretary of every lodge ( i . e ., supposing the Grand Lodge books to show by a lodge ' s last return , six Past Masters , an additional one lor the Master and two for the Wardens would make nine the requisite number ) , and on a given day the Secretary of the lodge would return to the Grand Secretary the proxies signed by those who cared to avail themselves of their privilege to vote for a Grand Treasurer .

Another suggestion was that every lodge outside the 10 mile radius of Grand Ledge should have one proxy vote to be exercised by the W . M ., the brethren lo have the rig ht to direct their W . M . in whose favour to cast their lodge vote . Against this it was urged , that by such a course , the minority would be disfranchised ; well , they always are , whether voting for a Grand Treasurer , a member of Parliament , or a County Councillor .

A fourth urged the advisability of making an effort to restore the old compact to elect , 1 London brother one year and a Provincial brother the next , and so on alternately . But how is such an agreement to be made binding , and who is to enforce obedience in the event of a conflict of interests ? We were , however , all agreed on this point , that the present method of

canvassing and treating , the latter veiled under the flimsiest of veils , is most detrimental to the prestige of the office and of the Craft , and that the sooner it can be curbed the better . There is no doubt , if one may judge from the past , that the London brethren can secure the Grand Treasurership year after year if they are sufficiently interested to take the trouble . Beint ; wishful to learn the views of the members of the Craft in other districts I have ventured to trespass on your space , narrating what i heard , in the hope that I might be able to gain more light for myself and brethren in our district . —Yours fraternally , A MASTER OF A COUNTRY LODGE . June 12 th .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lodge of Honour and Generosity , No . 165 . The installation meeting of this old lodge was held on the 28 th ult . at the Inns of Court Hotel , Lincoln ' s-lnn-Fields , Bro . Henry Times , W . M ., presiding . The other brethren present were Bros . J . R . Drake , S . W . ; Frank Baggallay , S . D .: F . E . Rosher , ) . D . ; Alfred P . Crabb , I . G . ; W . G . Lemon , P . M ., Treas . ; Richard Eve , P . M . ; G . E . Wainwright , P . M ., Sec . ; William W . Aldridge , P . M . ; Charles Belton , P . M . ; Godfrey Sykes , John Woodhouse , W . de B . Herbert , Alfred W . Bush , F . Howard Rosher , and

H . G . Rosher . Visitors : Bros . H . Massey , 160 , P . M . 6 t 9 and 192 S ; V . P . Freeman , P . G . D ., Prov . G . Sec . Sussex ; John Edelstein , W . M . Hiram Lodge , U . S . A . ; C . W . Hudson , P . P . G . W . Sussex ; Alfred Lowe , P . M . 1791 ; J . P . S . Roberts , P . P . S . G . W . Sussex ; E . D . Oppert , P . M . 1027 ; Charles H . Rosher , 1777 ; W . H . Herbert , P . M . 173 ; A . Head , got ; Emanuel C . Goodhart , P . M . 111 S and 1692 ; J . Whitehead , I . P . M , 1544 ; and J . A . Harrison , S . D . 24 S 8 . The installation of Bro . lohn R . Drake , S . W ., W . M . elect , was graciously ceded by

Bro . Times to Bro . G . E . Wainwright , the Secretary , and twice W . M . of the lodge , Bro . Drake being an old personal friend of the Secretary . The ceremony was ably performed , alter which Bro . Times was invested as I . P . M . ; Bros . Baggallay , as S . W . ; E . J . Wilberforce , J . W . ; W . G . Lemon , P . M ., Treas . ; G . E . Wainwright , P . M ., Sec ; F . E . Rosher , S . D . ; Alfred P . Crabb , J . D . ; Howard Rosher , I . G . ; Herbert Powell , Stwd . ; W . E . Blakeley , Org . ; and R . Goddard , P . M ., Tyler . A Past Master's jewel was presented to Bro . Times , I . P . M . Before the lodge was closed , an interesting

discussion arose with respect to a visitor , Bro . Edelstein , from the United States , who , having proved himself a Mason and obtained admission to the lodge , had asked as a favour to have his certificate endorsed to the effect that he had visited the Lodge of Honour and Generosity , as he had had it similarly endorsed by a lodge at Jerusalem and in Malta . It was ultimately resolved that this should be done , and the certificate was so endorsed . Bro . Edelstein was invited both by the W . M . and Bro . Richard Eve to partake of the banquet which followed , but he declined on the ground that he was expected at his residence by his family .

The banquet was of the usual superb description which the Lodge of Honour and Generosity is celebrated for , and the usual toasts followed . Bro . V . P . Freeman , P . G . D ., Prov . G . Sec . Sussex , responded to the toast which included "The Grand Officers , " and stated that that lodge had five Grand Officers amongst its members . , ' Bro . Times , I . P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " said the toast was so popular a one that it mattered not who proposed it , for it was sure to be well received . Uro . D .-akc , like his old friend and proposer , Bro . Wainwright , was a great favourite ,

and it had been a great treat to all the brethren to see Bro . Wainwright instal him . Bro . Drake was well known to members of the lodge . He was initiated in 1870 , so that he had been a very long time working up to the chair : but now that he was there they all felt certain that he would preside over the brethren with that skill and ability with which he presided in other walks of life too numerous to mention . He started very well . ^ He knew all his duties well , and the lodge would be prosperous in his hands . He wished him , as he hoped all the brethren would wish him , a very successful and happy year ol office .

Bro . Drake , W . M ., in reply , thanked Bro , Times particularly for his kind expressions . He hoped that the brethren , whom he also thanked for their cordial reception of the toast , would believe that he recognised in the fullest manner the honour they had done him in electing him to the chair of that very ancient Lodge of Honour and Generosity . Personally he had the very greatest regard and affection for that lodge , of which he was a child , and in which hewas initiated by his father 25 years ago . He supposed he was among the first six or eight of its senior members . It was true he had

taken a long time to reach the chair , but that had not been entirely his own fault . _ Circumstances arose quite outside his own power which caused him to put off working in the lodge ; otherwise he should have made an effort to reach the chair sooner . The pleasure which he had in reaching that honourable position was to a small extent decreased by the knowledge of the great responsibilities which the office involved , and a nervous feeling that he might possibly not be able to fulfil those duties in a manner fully worthy of the lodge . In passing through the chair he hoped he should increase his

knowledge of Masonry . During the last few years the lodge had been favoured with Masters whose Masonic knowledge was most accurate , and who , furthermore , possessed the gift of eloquence , and these two qualities combined made it the more difficult for him and others to follow them . He could not help feeling that the high example which they had set was one which he and others would have the greatest difficulty in attaining ; but he could promise the brethren that he should spare no time or effort to make himself capable of carrying out his duties . He hoped to inculcate by example and precept those virtues which they symbolised by the Masonic mysteries . If he failed to come up to his

ideal he hoped the brethren would grant him their indulgence . Bro . Drake , W . M ., in proposing "The I . P . M ., " said the most enthusiastic Mason that he knew , and one who by his energy and his work had given , if not a fresh lease of life , at least a fresh departure of vigour to the lodge , was Bro . Times . Masonicknowledge , great eloquence , most pleasing manner , everything they could possibly wish for in a Master , were to be found in Bro . Times . During the past year they had sat under him and profited by his example , his teaching , his kindness , and his geniality . If all who followed in the chair of the lodge would tread in his footsteps they would do well for themselves and for the lodge .

Bro . Times , I . P . M ., in response , said after the flow of eloquence which had proceeded from Bro . Drake , which ' was as pleasant as it was undeserved , he was so covered with blushes that he could scarcely reply . It had been a very great pleasure for him to see the lodge prosper as it had in the last few years . When he came into the lodge , instead of having a nice horse-shoe table well filled , there _ was a table in the middle of the room , and an average sitting-down of six , eight , or nine . But now circumstances had altered , and the brethren had been instrumental in bringing fresh blood into the

lodge . He did not think any brother regretted it . They had not brought men in indiscreetly , but to quote the ritual— " Men of merit and ability . " He felt certain that every man he had introduced would give ultimate satisfaction . Beforehe said anything else , he would give them a message from his wife , who had told him no less than three times that day to be sure and thank the brethren of the Lodge of Honour and Generosity for the verv beautiful Dresentation thev nave her and him in celebration of

their marriage , that presentation was on their sideboard , and the salver , and the trays , and the cup , and they would always remain there as long as they had a sideboard . Ihe presentation would serve to remind his excellent wife and himself of the kindness , tne good feeling , and the sympathy he had always received since he had been a member of the lodge . She gave him some more messages for the brethren , but at that late hour he would not trust himself to say anything more than to thank the W . M . for that flow of

eloquence which was so natural to him when he entertained the Duke of York in the City ; it was all so easy and so natural to him that he ( Bro . Times ) , poor unhappy P ' son , must feel very much out of place . Bro . Dale Hart , P . M ., replied to the toast of "The Past Masters ; " Bro . E . v . Oppert , P . M . 1027 , to that of "The Visitors ; " and Bro . Baggallay , S . W ., to that of " the Officers ; " and the Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .

Lion and Lamb Lodge , No . 192 . A meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the Oth inst ., at Cannon-street Hotel , when there were present Bros . T . W . Fisher , VV . M . ; R . Sarson , S . W . } A , J " Holmes , J . W . ; Thos . Cohu , Treas . ; Hv . Legge , Sec . ; C . Garton , S . D . ; William Baker , J . D , ; F . Hughes , P . M ., D . C . ; G . Couchman , Tyler ; J . M . Mower , P . M .. George Kenning , P . M . ; Smith , I . P . M . ; A . Fergusson , R . A . Martyn , Thos . Stokes , S . Rippin , C . C . Welch , las . C . Peach , JohnT . Virgo , R . J . Dart , T . Crawshaw , A" J "

Rippin , and J . G . Robeson . Lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , Iiro . Fergusson was raised , and Bros . Peach and S . Rippin were passed . "j ballot proved unanimous in favour of Mr . Arthur John Rippin , who was then < initiated . An appeal was read by the Secretary from a necessitous brother asking ' some assistance , and the sum of two guineas was voted him by the lodge . Bro . b"J'V in a felicitous speech , expressed the great pleasure with which he . in common with a "' j other members of the lodge , had heard of the honour conferred on their esteem Treasurer , Bro . Cohu , P . M ., in granting him the rank of P . J . G . W . of Alderney a"