The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

CONSECRATION OF THE KLIP RIVER COUNTY LODGE , No . 2401 ( E . G . ) . On the ioth ult . a new Masonic lodge was consecrated in the thriving township of Ladismith , in the county of Klip River , colony of Natal , under the name

of the Klip River County Lodge , No . 2401 ( E . G . ) , making now 15 lodges in the District of Natal , as compared with nine lodges when in the year 1882 Bro . R . I . Finnemore , F . R . A . S ., now Collector of Customs , was appointed District Grand Master . The following officers were duly installed : Bros . W . Warren , W . M . ; L . Brereton , S . W . ; W . Adams . I . W . •R . A . Rvlev

Sec ; S . B . Jones , S . D . ; J . F . Bartlett , J . D . ; " A . Coulson , D . C . ; G . O . Read , I . G . ; R . A . Ridgway , Org . ; G . W . Willis and J . R . Davis , Stwds . ; and T . G . Strong , Tyler . Bro . W . Francis , D . D . G . M ., acted as Consecrating and Installing Officer under instructions from the District Grand Master . An pfnnupnf

oration was delivered by Bro . R . D . Clark , M . A . The whole proceedings passed off most successfully , and terminated with a sumptuous banquet at the Railway Hotel , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts

were drunk with great enthusiasm . A special session of District Grand Lodge was held in Ladismith on the same day , and was well attended by brethren from different parts of the colony , some of whom had travelled long distances in order to be present on thc interesting occasion .

-v- DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND , E . C .

The annual communication of the District Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland , E . G ., was held in the Masonic Hall on the 20 th May , the D . G . M ., Bro . Thos . Sherlock Graham , in the chair . There w . -iq - Lircm

attendance of the Craft , among those present being members of the Scottish and Irish Constitutions . The District Grand Lodge was opened b y the D . G . M . After the usual routine business hacl been transacted , Bro . Sydney James took the chair and acted as D . D . G . M . The District Grand Officers nominated for the

ensuing 12 months were then invested by the D . G . M . as follows : Bro . Sydney James .... ... D . D . G . M . •>D . Leach ... Dist . S . G . W . ., J- Stone Dist . J . G . W . „ B . Lichenstein Dist . G . Chap .

„ I ' . A . Green Dist . G . Reg . „ C . de L . Graham , P . S . G . W . Pres . B . of G . P . „ R . Waite ... Dist . S . G . D . .. J- Spence Dist . J . G . D . . 1 T . Smith Dist . G . S . of W . „ John Capstick Dist . G . D . of C . „ J . Cunningham , M . D . ... Dist . G . S . B . „ J . A . X . Riedle Dist . G . Org . „ R . W . M'Villey Dist . G . Purst . ,, M . C . G . Pascoe 1

„ E . R . Green ... „ J . Kennedy ... „ A . W . Tyndale ... ... ) . Dist . G . Stwds . ,, E . Dimont ... 1 „ J . H . Hancock „ I . Evans 1

,, W . H . Meyer Dist . G . Tyler . The Board of General Purposes is composed of the tollowing brethren : Bros . Charles de Longueville Graham , President ; Rev . B . Lichenstein , R . Bamfield , U . Leach , R . Waite , J . Stone , J . Cunningham , J . Capstick , and R . M'Villey . The Board of Benevolence

comprises : Bros . C . de Longueville Graham , B . Uchenstein , J . Stone , J . Capstick , and R . Waite . the DISTRICT GRAND MASTER spoke in feeling terms ot the death at Auckland of Bro . G . P . Pierce , Provmcial Grand Master for New Zealand of the Irish Constitution , and stated that he had wired a message

" * condolence to Mrs . Pierce and the Provincial Grand wl 7 ' latter of whom had forwarded a reply , which was read . It was resolved to forward a letter ot sympath y to Mrs . Pierce , as also to the Provincial urand Lod ge , and the D . G . M . intimated that the Disnct larand Lodge would be placed in mourning for

Th ° nths as a mark of respect to the deceased . ihe DISTRICT GRAND SECRETARY read the resignation dated 22 nd April , from Bro . Sir Robert Stout , of his office as D . D . G . M .-after which , ihe DISTRICT GRAND MASTER expressed his regret res u T , of his late v * ' orth y De P utyshould have uned m his complete severance from English Freenriv ^ , ? ° * Sir Robert Stoufhaving resigned in his sunn Vi ? e as well ) ' and spoke highly of the loyal Pport he had ever received at the hands of Bro . Sir

tow ^ r 1 * .- •of the g ° feeIing that always existed towards him in the Craft . y Dond « D ' J RICT GKAND MASTER then read the correspondence that had taken place with the Grand Secrem-ttter ° ' Shadvve 11 H - Gierke , in reference to tbis right t S ?' - * Before Proceeding further I deem it l £ . .. ? c . Pl * un to you what mv nosition was when

l'errciv iu St ° Ut actcd ' * ' - *•he did' ¦•* y 011 wi " olhcr ill > •U * C rc , n ; u ' ks of the Grand Master and tair m , 0 US brethren , as reported in the extracts , circum . f as hav , " £ proceeded correctly under the a wCtvt ^ " was ^ s . thatas D . G . M . I had no Stout h 1 •e Wlth the case of Bro' Sir Rober * t accordin f f a Grand Lod S e 0 fficer * that P ° ** - Grand T * L , Book of Constitutions , resting with * -odge alone . That august body has now dealt

The Craft Abroad.

with hira , and as regards our share in the unpleasant matter I have now to rule that Bro . Sir R . Stout is no longer a member of the English Constitution . There is nothing to proceed upon or place before either my District Grand Lodge or the Board of General Purposes for adjudication in the matter . This , my

brethren , closes a subject painful indeed to me , both officially and privately , and one which , I am sure , you all , my brethren , deeply regret ever occurred . Bro . C . DE LONGUEVILLE GRAHAM , President of Board of General Purposes , said : After hearing the opinion of the D . G . M . upon the matter remitted to him

by the Grand Lodge of England regarding our late D . D . G . M ., I consider the matter is out of our hands , and incapable of being discussed in District Grand Lodge . We can , however , express regret at the cause g iven by that worthy brother which has led up to his severing his connection with English Freemasonry , and

thereby depriving us of his wise advice and friendly counsel , and I trust an expression of same may appear upon our minutes . The D . D . G . M . ol New Zealand South , S . C , Bro . W Nees , with the officers of the District Grand Lodge , were present and saluted with due honour . Bro . D . A . M'Nicholl , G . S ., I . C , with the P . M . and members

were also saluted , and District Grand Lodge resolved that a letter of condolence be sent to the widow of the late Bro . G . P . Pierce . The usual congratulations were tendered to the D . G . M ., and an adjournment was made to the lower hall , where a very pleasant hour was spent , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts being duly honoured .

^ ADDRESS TO BRO . SIR ROBERT SOUTHEY , K . C . M . G ., P . D . G . M . WESTERN DISTRICT , SOUTH AFRICA .

The following is a copy of the address of congratulation which was presented to Bro . Sir Robert Southey , K . C . M . G ., P . D . G . M . Western District of South Africa , on the occasion of his promotion from C . M . G . to K . C . M . G . The ceremony took place in the Masonic Hall , Cape Town , on the 24 th June last , at the joint

installation meeting of the British and Carnarvon Lodges : — " To the R . W . the Hon . Sir R . Southey , K . C . M . G ., P . D . G . Master of South Africa ( E . G . ) , in the Cape of Good Hope and the adjacent Colonies in South Africa .

" Cape Town , nth June , 1891 . " Right Worshipful and Honourable Sir and Brother , " By a unanimous resolution , passed last evening in the District Grand Lodge at the annual meeting , 1 was requested , as D . G . M ., to convey to you , R . W . Brother , the assurance that we , the D . G . M .,

officers , and BB . of the D . G . Lodge , W . D .. S . A ., have heard , with profound satisfaction , that her Majesty the Queen has been most graciously pleased to confer upon you a further mark of her favour by promoting you from the rank of C . M . G . to the higher dignity of K . C . M . G . We , as your Masonic BB ., most

heartily congratulate you on this well-merited , yet long-deferred , mark of hig h honour bestowed on one who for more than a generation has done the Queen and Craft , the Colony and Empire , good and faithful service . We , the D . G . M ., Officers , and B . B . of this D . G . Lodge , do sincerely trust that the Most High

may bless you abundantl y , and , if He so will , that you may yet be spared to pass many more years of your useful and estimable career , honoured by all your brother Freemasons , and also by all other good and true men . On behalf of the D . G . L . Officers , I subscribe my name to this letter of cordial congratulation .

—I have the honour to be , R . W . Sir and Brother , yours fraternally and respectfully , " C . BARNETT CLARKE , " D . G . Master Western District , S . A . " Bro . Sir R . Southey , after a few preliminary remarks , replied in the following terms :

" Right Worshipful Sir and Brother , and Most Respected Brethren of the District Grand Lodge , Western District , South Africa : " I tender you , and beg you will accept , my very grateful thanks for the honour you have done me by the presentation of this most kind address , conveying to me your congratulations upon the honour which her

Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to confer on me . It is , I assure you , most gratifying to me to receive such an address from my Masonic brethren of this District Grand Lodge . " Most heartil y do I also thank you for the good wishes with which your address concludes . —Believe me , R . W . Sir and Brethren , Fraternally and faithfull y yours , R . SOUTHEY . "

LAYING THE CORNER-STONE OF ST . ALBAN'S CHURCH , NANAIMO , BRITISH COLUMBIA . Monday , June 22 nd , 1891 , will long be remembered as a red-letter day by the citizens of Nanaimo , British Columbia . It came in cloud y and showery , but about an hour before the time set forthe ceremonial the sun

broke through clouds , thc sky cleared , light fleecy clouds took the place of the dark vapours , and the sun shone out in all its midsummer splendour , auguring well for the future of the new Episcopal church , the corner-stone of which was about to be laid . The site is a most beautiful one , overlooking the town on one side , and the placid waters of the Gulf of

The Craft Abroad.

Georgia on the other . In order to lend dignity and importance to the occasion , the congregation of the church decided to solicit the aid of Bro . M . Wolfe , G . M . of British Columbia , in making the ceremony of laying the corner-stone a success . In this they were successful , for although the G . M . had only the day before returned from the meeting of Grand Lodge at

Kamloops , he accepted the invitation , and was on hand for the occasion . Headed by the Nanaimo Silver Cornet Band , the members of Grand Lodge , of Ashlar Lodge , and a host of visiting brethren marched to the site , where they were met by the clergy and wardens of the church . A large platform had been erected , where the Masonic fraternity , the clergy , and the choir

were seated . The proceedings commenced by a hymn being sung , then followed a selection by the band and the beautiful opening prayer of the Masonic ritual , after which the entire congregation sang the

ode" Shall Masonry divine , Glory of ages shine , While time shall last . " An address by the Ven . Archdeacon Scriven then followed , after which the Rev . Mr . Tovey , the rector , advanced to Bro . Wolfe , G . M . British Columbia , and , in

the name of the Building Committee of St . Alban ' s Church , presented him with abeautifully engraved trowel , and requested him to lay the stone . The ceremony was then proceeded with , and the Grand Lodge Officers applied the implements of their offices to the stone after it had been swung into position , whereupon they

pronounced that the Craftsmen had pertormed their duty . The Grand Master then consecrated the stone with corn , wine , and oil , and pronounced it wail ar . d truly laid . Short speeches then followed by the rector , the Rev . D . McRae , H . Roberts , E . G . Miller , and lastbut not least , the M . W . G . M . Another hymn

, followed , after which the brethren , accompanied by the band , returned to the Masonic Hall , where the lodge was closed . All the members of Grand Lodge and the officers and Past Masters of the Ashlar Lodge then , at the invitation of the Ladies' Committee of St . Alban ' s

Church , adjourned to the Foresters' Hall , where a sumptuous repast had been prepared . The Ven . Archdeacon Scriven and tbe rector occup ied the heads of the tables , and Bros . Dr . Praeger and W . H . S . Perkins the vice-chairs . Appropriate congratulatory speeches were made by

Archdeacon Scriven , Revs . McRae , Flinton , and G . H . Lovey , by the churchwardens , Bros . W . H . S . Perkins and E . A . Praeger , the M . W . G . M ., and others . Three hearty cheers for the M . W . G . M . and " God save the Oueen " by the band then brought to a close

what will long be remembered by the Fraternity and Church people of Nanaimo as one of the greatest days they have ever had . The arrangements were most satisfactorily carried out by a Committee , consisting of Bros . J . Abrams , M . Bate , W . Stewart , A . Haslam , and W . H . S . Perkins .

GRAND LODGE OF CANADA . The Grand Lodge of Canada met on the 15 th ult . in the Masonic Hall , Toronto , Bro . J . Ross Robertson , Grand Master , presiding . A constitutional number of lodges being represented , the Grand Lodge was opened in ample form . Among those present were Bros .

Hon . J . M . Gibson , Deputy Grand Master , and J . J . Mason , Grand Secretary . The opening routine business was proceeded with , and the minutes of the last annual Communication were confirmed .

The M . W . the GRAND M ASTER said : Brethren of Grand Lodge , —This is the 3 6 th annual Communication of Grand Lodge duly summoned in accordance with the Constitution , which provides that the annual Communication " shall be holden on the third Wednesday in July . " This year , however , we

found it necessary to make a change in connection with our Communication , from the fact that , owing to the assemblage of one of the largesc gatherings ever held in this city—that of the National Educational Association of America—it has been found impossible to secure adequate and proper

accommodation for the representatives who attend Grand Lodge . With the comlort and convenience of the delegates in view , and knowing that under the circumstances it would be impossible to carry on our proceedings as usual , I consulted the members of the Board of General Purposes and the W . M . of each lodge in

the jurisdiction , and requested an opinion as to whether it would be advisable to call Grand Lodge for the transaction of business at the usual time or at an earlier or later date . The op inion of nearly all was in favour of the fourth week in July , and therefore I have summoned Grand Lodge formally on this the regular date , and when the opening routine business

has been transacted , I will call off until Wednesday , the 22 nd July , when we shall meet again for the dispatch of business . I thank you for your attendance , and trust that we all may be spared to meet as proposed , and discharge our duties with that zeal and earnestness which have always characterised the Craftsmen of this jurisdiction . Grand Lodge was then called oil .

* * The Duke of Rutland and Marl Cadugan visited Ooburne last week , and were invested by her Majesty with the insignia of the Order of the Garter . Bro . Sir Albci t Woods , Garter King of Arms , was in attendance , while uu Duke of Connaught and Prince Henry of Battenberg were present at the ceremony of investiture .