Masonic Notes.

having been consecrated at Learmouth by the Deputy Grand Master in the presence of Bro . Sir W . J . Clarke , Bart ., M . W . G . M . of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria , on the 7 th December last , while the United Wimmera Chapter , No . ioq , Canadian Constitution ,

was consecrated at Murtoa about six weeks previously by the Grand Superintendent , Comp . F . B . L . Gaffney . We notice also that there was a very full attendance at the Quarterly Communication at Freemasons' Hall ,

Melbourne , on the 17 th December last , of the United Grand Lodge , the Grand Master , Bro . Sir W . J . Clarke being in the chair , supported by his Deputy and his principal Grand Officers . Several matters of great interest were considered .

# # # We inr ' ge from a short article in our worthy contemporary , the Australasian Keystone , that there is a tendency on the part of our Victorian brethren to introduce innovations inlo the working of the

ceremonies . The Keystone cites the case of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , which it describes as " a great stickler for the ancient Landmarks and Established Customs of our Order" —as having strenuously opposed the introduction of novelties , and it suggests that

Victoria should follow the example set by Pennsylvania , and start " Grand Lodges of Instruction to explain the errors and correct them . " It further suggests that there should be an " inspector of workings , who would visit lodges and insist that all presiding officers and all

taking part in Masonic Ceremonies kept within the ancient landmarks of the Order . " These suggestions are well worthy of consideration , and we trust the Craft in the colony will see to their adoption , or , at all events , to the adoption of other methods which will be as effectual in the required direction .

We referred last week in one ot our leading Articles to a scheme attributed to a " Cambridgeshire lady " for establishing lodges of lady Masons in this country , and expressed our curiosity to know whether it might not result in the organisation of an "Eastern Star "

body , such as exists in the United States . The Australasian Keystone for last month remarks that " it is a matter worthy of serious consideration whether such a step would not make the wives and daughters of Masons more interested in Masonic matters . In the

present condition of affairs in Australia , where women take such an active part in all business spheres , and where women ' s organisations are inevitable , would it not be wise to direct their thoughts to an organisation founded on the principles of Freemasonry ? " The idea is elicited by a communication which the Keystone

publishes in the same issue from a lady , who advocates a kind of " Eastern Star organisation " for the female relatives of Masons . We are ungallant enough to say that we do not agree with our contemporary . We are in love with the old world maxim , " Ne sulor ultra crepidam . "

We publish elsewhere a letter from "Justice , " in reply to the animadversions of Bro . Williams—which appeared last week—on certain letters from Bro , Whytehead , "Justice " himself , and another correspondent—for which we found space in our correspondence

columns last autumn on the apparentl y interminable New Zealand controversy . We do not for one moment call in question the right of " Justice , " or any other brother to entertain any opinions he pleases , as to the conduct of English Masons in foreign parts ; they may or they

may not look upon themselves as " the salt of the earth , " and " far above every other race or ( Masonically ) jurisdiction . " Nor shall we quarrel with him for preferring "the American rule of jurisdiction , i . e ., that once a Grand Lodge is established , no other Grand

Lodge can retain any subordinates in its territory . " The American Grand Lodges have the right to frame any laws they please on this or any other subject , and " Justice" is equally entitled to think them superior to the English rules on jurisdiction or other subjects . It is , however , to be regretted that he has not taken the

trouble to ascertain what the Grand Lod ge of England can and cannot do in such cases as that which is now presented by the New Zealand embroglio , and what course it has adopted towards lod ges established in British territory by other Grand Lod ges before the territory or territories in point became British .

# # * To speak more precisely , "Justice ' is manifestl y ignorant of the important fact that our Grand Lodge does not possess the power , even if it has the will to

bring any pressure whatever to bear on those of its lodges which it has warranted in past times in British Colonies now , Masonically , independent , and which d esire to remain under its jurisdiction , So long as

Masonic Notes.

these lodges go on observing the terms and conditions as set forth in their respective warrants , on which they were constituted , o long they have the right to remain under our banner ; nor can our Grand Lodge , or any other power on earth , compel them to secede from us .

It is , therefore , absurd for " Justice , " and those who are of his way of thinking , to suppose that the Grand Lodge of England should request or compel any of its lodges to sever a connection which they are lawfully justified in maintaining .

* * * Again , as to his question— " Would England allow a little Colony of French or Germans on her shores to live under French or German laws r " Substitute for the words- " a little Colony of French or Germans " -lodges warranted by the Grand Orient of France and the

Netherlands—and we answer emphatically—Yes , it has done so in certain cases , respecting which " Justice , " if he had taken the trouble , might have ascertained the necessary particulars . The Island of Mauritius was French territory before it became British , and there are still , or there were till quite recently , lodges

holding under the Grand Orient of France . Cape Colony was originally a Dutch possession , and is now British . Yet there are lodges in it which hold under the Grand Orient of the Netherlands . They are presided over by a " Deputy Grand Master for the South of Africa and adjoining country , " and what is

still more to the point—and it may be still more objectionable in the eyes of " Justice "—these very respectable Dutch lodges work very harmoniously side by side with our English lodges . It follows that though , according to our correspondent , English Misons in our Colonies may consider themselves

" the salt of the earth , " and superior to Mason * of other jurisdictions , they have sufficient courtesy and kindly Masonic feeling to leave these French and Dutch Masons in the undisturbed possession of the rights and privileges they enjoy , and always have enjoyed , under the banners of their respective Grand Orients .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

GOOD WORKING . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I believe that a certain P . M . of a West-end ( London ) Craft lodge claims to hold the record for the letter-perfect working of our Craft ritual . I have heard him in the chair , and hitherto felt willing to accord him the well-deserved honour , which I fancy is his by right ; but now I feel that I ought to say a word

or so in continuation . Those brethren who know me will agree that I have seen a good deal of Masonic work in many lands , and , therefore , will probably allow me to express an opinion . By invitation , I attended the last meeting of the De Vere Lodge , No . 1794 , at Nottingham , and had the

pleasure of hearing the ceremony of initiation performed by Bro . Gowthorpe , the W . M ., in a most inimitable manner . True , it was not exactly as taught by the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , but the variation was only slight , and would be covered by 200 wordsthe entire ceremony only being lengthened by a couple of minutes beyond the time Emulation workers usually

occupy . Honestly , I never'heard better . Not a hitch , stoppage , prompting , or anything else arose during the whole of the delivery , which was such a masterpiece of elocution and feeling , that it deserves to be placed on record—especially as several of the Past Masters and brethren of the De Vere assured me that Bro .

Gowthorpe works the other ceremonies , and all charges and explanations of the tracing boards , & c , equally as well and perfectly . The working I saw delighted me , and is a credit alike to the W . M . and his lodge . Only one slight matter

called for a mild adverse criticism , and that was the N . E . position occupied by the candidate during the ceremony ; but this , I am assured , was to be immediately altered to the correct way . It gives me pleasure to thus render unto Cesar , & c , as I am sure it will you . —Yours fraternally , P . H . DAVIS , P . M . 2417 , & c .

THE GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND . To the Editor of the " Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , — From the general tone of his remarks on the above subject in your issue of the 9 th inst ., your correspondent , Bro . J . J . Williams , of Westland , N . Z ., while proclaiming that he is " loyal and true , and not of the 'jelly fish' type , " proclaims also his manifest disloyalty

to the lirst principles of Freemasonry . He appears to be . 1 fair representative of the class of " loyal " brethren who are largely responsible for the continued unsettled state of Masonic affairs in New Zealand . In order to impugn | my judgment , Bro . Williams mikes certain sneering references to " soft goods , " " hard ware , " and other useful trading professors anually visiting the Colony , not to mention "globe

Correspondence.

trotters , " but these remarks do not in any sense appl y to me , as I have never belonged to either of the classes mentioned . I have visited New Zealand , and moreover during a long residence not only made good use of my eyes and ears , but was a keen observer of everything affecting our beloved Craft . The princi pal

brethren of the four Constitutions in the Colony are well known to me , but " Bro . J . J . Williams" is altogether " unknown to fame . " Hokitika is not New Zealand , any more than the Grand Lodge of England may justly be considered the sole repository of the genuine principles and tenets of Freemasonry . —Yours fraternally ,

PAST MASTER ( E . C ) . London , February nth .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I believe , as an attacked party , I have the right of reply to Bro . J . J . Williams' letter in the current issue of the Freemason .

1 have never been in New Zealand , and have no connection with " soft goods , " " hardware , " or " trading professors" of any sort , but I may claim to be a student of " Masonry Universal , " and I have discussed the question with brethren on both sides who have been there , and also read the opinions of the English , American , and New Zealand Masonic papers on the

matter , and , having no personal interest of any kind at stake , I still hold to my opinion , that the Grand Lodge of New Zealand should be recognised , and all other lodges in that country requested to join it . I am sorry to say we Englishmen are always rather too prone to think ourselves " the salt of the earth , " and far above every other race or ( Masonically )

jurisdiction , and I knoiv that wherever an English lodge abroad retains its charter and works under it when a local Grand Lodge is formed , its members give themselves airs , and look down on the members of the other lodges , and hence , as in Canada , Australia , and New Zealand , there is constant friction , and Masonry is brought into contempt .

I strongly believe in the America rule of jurisdiction , i . e ., that once a Grand Lodge is established , no other Grand Lodge can retain any subordinates in its territory , and if Masonic equality is a reality , and not a farce , this should be enforced everywhere . Would England allow a little colony of French or Germans on her shores to live under French or Ge . rran laws ?

When Cyprus was ceded to us , suppose the inhabitants had said , " For sentimental reasons we prefer to continue subject to the laws of Turkey , under which we have been brought up . " Would such have been allowed ? I think not . And what is national law , should be Masonic law . When the Mark Grand Lodge was formed , those lodges in England working the

Mark under the Grand Lodge of Scotland might just as well have insisted on remaining subject to the latter Body . The Grand Lodge of New Zealand was formed by a respectable number of lodges , and I would remind Bro . Williams and others that the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and most of the " higher " Degree Grand Bodies of both England and Scotland were formed by a minority of the then-existing private

bodies ot each , but yet in time they all saw the wisdom of falling into line , and did so . Bro . Williams' scarcely polite letter , with its talk of " flapdoodle , " " hardware , " and " highly - coloured ideas , " is a fair sample of the way in which brethren under the English Constitution in New Zealand talk of and treat those who differ from them . —Fraternally yours , JUSTICE .

" HEARTY GOOD WISHES . "

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , " M . O . ' s area of experience " may not be so large as P . P . G . W . ' s , but he was initiated in 1861 , is P . M . of four lodges , is a P . P . G . M ., and I ' .

Grand Officer , has visited many lodges , and attended the consecration of several , and ] during all that tint ' , never heard a Grand Officer give " Hearty good wishes from Grand Lodge . " 4 th February , 18 95 . M . O .

MASONIC HALLS AND CLUBS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I should feel deeply indebted to the Secretaries of any Masonic Hall Companies or of lodges meeting in their own private premises ( with or without

a club combined ) , for any information they would kindly give me in relation to such premises , particularly as to total cost of erection and furnishing and the manner in which the necessary funds were raised , and if not involving too much trouble , a general idea of the buildings and management ; also a print of the

prospectus issued ( if any ) of the last report and statement of accounts as published . I would add that a movement is on foot in this district to provide proper Masonic premises , the necessity for which has been widely admitted for many years past . —Yours fraternally , J . PURKESS . Minstead , Kingston Hill , S . W ., February 13 th .

w Tun NEW ZUALAND GOVHKNMENT has issued an otif prohibiting the exportation of arms and ammunition 1 ° Samoa .