China.

In the course of the ceremony several marches were played ; by Bro . Fentum , and hymns were sung by the brethren . Bro . MSCLER then addressed the brethren , saying—Rig ht Worshipful Sir , Worshipful Masters , Worshi p ful Past Masters , and brethren , in addressing you for the first time as District Grand Master , 1 should be wanting in respect to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . of

England , if 1 did not express my deep sense of the honour he has done me in appointing me to this high office . At the same time I would express my heartfelt gratitude to the brethren , who , while availing themselves of the permission of his Royal Highness to nominate a brother for this office , placed their confidence in me—a confidence , brethren , that it will be my earnest endeavour to merit ; and I trust that health and strength will be vouchsafed to me to hand this

gavel to my successor unstained and unsullied , as I received it from my predecessor . R . W . Past District Grand Master , the part which you have taken in this evening ' s proceedings adds tut one more to the many invaluable services that you have rendered to us in our ceremonies in this District—not alone to the English Craft , but to Masons of every other Constitution . 1 cannot but think , however , that this evening's proceedings are not the least interesting to you . In

assuming this chair I am well aware that I am taking the place of one whom it will be hard to equal and almost impossible to excel . ( Loud cheers . ) This , I am sure , will be so patent to every brother amongst us that I need not further dilate upon it . For your services this evening , R . W . Sir , I return you my heartfelt thanks . Worshipful brothers , officers of the District Grand Lodge , in assuming charge of this district I look with confidence to your assistance and

support in carrying out the duties of my office . The good government , the success and prosperity of the Craft in this district mainly lie in your hands . The high positions that you occupy should stimulate your zeal and make you anxious to set an example to your brethren , so that the dignity of our Order , its prosperity and usefulness , may not be impaired during our terms of office . Worshipful Masters and Wardens of the lodges under this Constitution , in

assuming charge of this district 1 have been too long amongst you , and too long associated with you , to have any doubt of your zeal and ability in discharging the functions of the offices with which you have been entrusted . The brethren of your lodges have placed you in high positions , and it behoves you therefore to exercise your skill and abilities in instructing the brethren placed under your charge in the various Degrees of Freemasonry , so that they may

be a credit to your lodges and to the Craft in general . I have every confidence that during your term of office , and in the future your exertions will be such as to raise the standard of Masonry in this district , and to encourage every good work which should characterise a Freemason . Brethren , let us never forget and always practise the three great principles of Masonry—Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . Being placed as we are in one of the most distant

quarters of the globe , separated from those friends who are nearest and dearest to us , far removed from the place of our birth , for which we have an inborn longing , it behoves us to draw closer the bonds of brotherhood , and with united heart and hand to help one another , not grudgingly , but freely and openly . _ Let us exercise out of the lodge those great principles which we are taught within it , so that one in the outside world may know when

he meets a Mason that he meets a just and upright man . He who acts up to these principles is a true Mason in act as well as in word . The second great principle , Relief , has been so freely and generously exercised in this community that I need not here dilate on its excellencies . We all are ready to the best of our means to give to a brother in distress that relief which we can afford ; and let us ever continue to act in this way . Truth may be said to include both the

others , for without truth the bonds of true Brotherhood cannot exist . It is a source of regret to me this evening to miss one or two familiar faces from this lodge . I may mention one in particular—one of the oldest members of thc Royal Sussex Lodge , and a P . G . W . of this District Grand Lodge—Bro . Henry Evans . I saw him personally to-day , and he expressed his extreme regret that he was unable through indisposition to attend . He has been a most active

brother amongst us , and as he is now about to leave here to return to his native land , I cannot deny myself the pleasure of wishing him "God speed , " and of hoping that when he returns to his native land he may have renewed health , and may be spared for many years of enjoyment . Another brother is about to leave us—a brother who has been an active officer of this District Grand Lodge from its foundation—I refer to Bro . Fentum , to whose invaluable services

as D . G . Organist wc have been indebted at nearly all our meetings—at every meeting when it has been possible for him to be present . He leaves us to the great regret not only of Freemaspns biy }; of every member of the community . ( Cheers . ) I think it would not be fitting that he should leave us without some distinct expression ofthe services that he has rendered to the District Grand Lodge . I therefore beg to propose the following resolution— "This District

Urand Lodge desires to record its appreciation of the services of Bro . G . B . Fentum as District Grand Organist since its foundation , and to express its regret at his approaching departure from this port , and to wish him health and prosperity in his new sphere . " Bro . THORNE : R . W . Sir , I have very much pleasure in seconding that resolution , for 1 can bear strong testimony to the great services rendered not only to the District

Grand Lodge , but to all the lodges in Shanghai by Bro . Fentum . —( Cheers . ) The resolution was carried unanimously , and the D . G . Secretary was instructed to embody it in a letter to Bro . Fentum . Bro . THORNE acknowledged the manner in which his

services had been referred to by the District Grand Master , < ; ** pressed the pleasure it had given him to instal Bro . Miller , and expressed the hope that the new District Grand Master would receive the same kind assistance from the brethren of his district that had hitherto been accorded to himself .

Congratulations were then offered to the Dist . G . M . by Bro . Dallas on behalf ofithe' Craft in Japan ; by Bro . C M . Donaldson on behalf of the Scottish Craft generally ; by Bro . Martin as a Past Grand Officer and P . M . of the senior lodge under the English Constitution ; by Bro . Skinner on behalf of the Ancient Landmark Lodge and the American Craft ; hy Bro . Southey on behalf of the Cosmopolitan Lodge ( S . C ); by Bro . Macgregor on behalf of the Northern Lodge of China ; by Bro . Evans on behalf of the Koyal Sussex Lodge , the pioneer lodge in China ; by Bro .

China.

Short on behalf of the Tuscan Lodge ; by Bro . Kingsmill on behalf of the Doric Lodge at Chinkiang ; and by Bros . Chaloner Alabaster and VV . G . Gordon on behalf of the Lodge Star of Central China ( S . C > , Hankow . The Dist . G . M . having expressed his acknowledgment of these congratulations , the lodge was closed , and the D . G . Officers left the lodge in procession , to the strains of "God Bless the Prince of Wales , " sung by the brethren .

New Eraland.

New Eraland .

NORTH SHORE . —Lodge Albion ( No . 2003 , E . C . )—The annual installation of the officers of this lodge , which took place on April 16 th , was made the occasion of one of the most interesting Masonic gatherings which has been held in Auckland or its vicinity for a long time . It was thoroughly representative , all constitutions and most of the provincial districts of New Zealand being represented , including Christchurch , Otago , & c , besides which there

were representatives hailing from lodges in the home country , including Glasgow , and the country districts surrounding Auckland were well represented . Amongst those present in representative capacity were Bros . Lodder , D . D . P . G . M . ; Craig , W . M . United Service ; Hanna , W . M . Ara ; Augur , VV . M . Waitemata ; Hitchens , R . W . M . Lodge St . Andrew ; Dr . Erson , R . W . M . Lodge Wairoa ; Esam , VV . M . Remuera ; and A . Curtis , W . M .

St . John s , Ashburton . The following Past Masters were also present : Bros . Clarke , Gardner , King , Durance , Wright , Dr . Walker , McCullough , Dr . Dawson , Powley , A . G . Russell , Cooper , LaRoche , and C . R . Johnson . The Masters and officers of the St . Andrew ( S . C ) , the Remuera ( E . C ) , and the Ara ( I . C ) , attended as lodges , and were received with appropriate honours . The hall was crowded to its utmost capacity , no people being

seated . Bro . M . Niccol , D . P . G . M . of the S . C , and W . M . of Lodge Albion , officiated as Installing Master with his customary impressiveness and ease ; Bro . Clarke , P . M . of the Prince of VVales Lodge , officiating as Master of the Ceremonies ; Bro . Gardner assisting in the ceremonies and representations . Bro . Rowland Bramwell presided at thc organ during the musical portion of the ceremonials . Bro . S . Vosper , who has passed through all the chairs of the

lodge up to the throne of King Solomon , and who had been unanimously asked to preside as Masterof the lodge forthe ensuing year , was then presented to Bro . Niccol , the Installing Officer , by Bros . Clarke and Gardner , P . M . 's , and installed in the chair by the Board of Installed Masters . He then proceeded to invest his oliicers as follows : Bros . Jas . Knox , S . W . ; W . Mayo , J . VV . ; W . H . Brown , Treas . ; Arthur Burgess , Sec . ; James Hogan , S . D . ; F . H . VV .

Wells , J . D . ; T . E . Durance , P . M ., D . C ; R . Bramwell , Org . ; C . W . Cave , LG . ; R . Duder and J . Simms , Stwds . ; and F . Varcoe , Tyler . The Master , Wardens , and brethren having been addressed by Bro . Niccol , and the Master duly saluted in each Degree , the W . M . and lodge received the hearty and warm congratulations of the D . D . G . M . and the representatives of the various lodges , after which the lodge was closed .

Prior to the closing , the VV . AL invited those present to remain for a few minutes while refreshments were being laid . An elegant spread then appeared as if by magic in the hall . This was provided exclusively by the ladiesof the North Shore , not by the lodge , and it was not only liberal in the extreme , but provided in the most exquisite taste , and it was thoroughly enjoyed by the visitors , whose appetites were doubtless improved by the trip across the harbour .

The W . M . informed the meeting that the installation would be celebrated in the usual manner by an "At Home , " to take place in the Public Hall , Devonport , on Friday , the 30 th inst ., at which he hoped to see as many as possible of those who were now present in attendance . Arrangements had beenmade with the Ferry Company to lay on a boat to convey visitors to Auckland at two a . m ., and the prices of

tickets , which could be obtained from the Secretary or members of the Committee , were the same as last year , viz ., ios . ( 3 d . for a double ticket , 7 s . Gd . for a single ticket , and ss . fcr a ticket : for an extra lady . A large number of the Auckland visitors then left to catch the 10 o'clock ferryboat ; but the proceedings were continued , and the usual Masonic toasts were proposed , received , and responded to .

Complimentary Banquet To Bro. Froom, I.P.M. 1657, And Mrs. Froom.

COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET TO BRO . FROOM , I . P . M . 1657 , AND MRS . FROOM .

For some years past the members of the Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 , have adopted the very praiseworth y custom of entertaining their lady and other friends at a summer banquet in thc country , and likewise in making it subservient to the further and equally commendable

purpose of marking their sense of the valued services rendered by their LP . M . during his period of office as VV . M . Bentley Priory , formerly the seat of the first Marquis of Abercorn , and one of the handsomest and most picturesquely-situated mansions within easy driving distance from London , was selected for the occasion ; and here on Thursday , the ioth inst ., the lodge and its friends assembled , with the twofold

object of paying a well-merited compliment to Bro . and Mrs . Froom and at the same time enjoying themselves most thoroughly . As to the happiness of the thought which prompted those in charge of the day ' s arrangements to select this particular hostelry there cannot be the slightest question . Not only is the Priory itself admirably adapted for this kind of entertainmentbut the grounds in which it

, is situated , as well as the immediate neighbourhood , will bear favourable comparison with the best of the many beautiful spots with which thecountry bordering on suburban London so fortunately abounds . The party travelled by rail , in saloon carriages , from Euston to Harrow , where carriages were in waiting to convey them the remaining three or four miles to their

destination . As the day was fine , the latter part of the journey was most enjoyable . As to the dinner , which was served very soon after the arrival of the visitors , it is only a bare act of justice to the proprietors to state that they had evidently spared neither pains nor expense to make it

acceptable , while the encomiums they received from all sides testified to the success of their efforts . ' 1 he chair was taken by Bro . E . Y . Jolliffe , VV . M ., the following being a complete list of the ladies , gentlemen , and brethren present , viz . -. — Bro . E . Y . Jolliffe , VV . M ., and Miss Jolliffe ; Bro . W . H . Froom , I . P . M ., and Mrs . Froom ; Bro . Edward

Complimentary Banquet To Bro. Froom, I.P.M. 1657, And Mrs. Froom.

Anderton , S . VV ., and Mrs . Anderton ; Bro . Alfred Brookman , P . M ., Treasurer , and Mrs . Brookman ; Bro . Joseph Renals , S . D ., and Mrs . Renals ; Bro . A . B . Hudson , j . D . ; Bro . Fredk . Crackford , LG ., and Mrs . Crockford ; Bro . John Larkin , M . C . ; Bro . C . W . Lovett , Organist ; Bro . George Rawlinson , W . S ., and Mrs . Ra . vlinson ; Bro J . D . Allcroft , P . M ., P . G . Treasurer , and Miss Allcroft ; Bro . George Kenning , P . M . ; Bro . Samuel BentonP . M .,

, and Mrs . Benton ; Bro . Saml . VVhite , P . M ., and Mrs . VVhite ; Bro . P . F . R . Saillard and Mrs . Saillard ; Bro . VV . S . Chapman and Miss Chapman ; Bro . Henry Matthews and Mrs . Matthews ; Bro . James Shotter and Mrs . Shotter ; Bro . Rev . H . K . Wakefield and Mrs . Wakefield ; Bro . Cubitt ; Bro . George Edward Baker ; Bro . Thomas and Mrs . Thomas ; Mr . and Mrs . Spreat ;

Mrs . Dickinson and Miss Dickenson ; Dr . Thelwall ; Mrs . Meredith ; Miss A . Vines ; Dr . May and Mrs . May ; Miss Anderton , Miss Moulton , Mrs . J . Matthews , Mr . Lea , Air . Hillyar , Mr . A . T . W « st , The Misses Brookman , Mr . and Mrs . Lindsey , Mr . and Airs . Reid , Mr . Daley , Mrs . Rowland , Mr . and Mrs . Burch , Mr . A . H . and Miss Crockford , Miss Jones , Mr . P . Saillard , jun ., and Miss Smith .

When full justice to the viands had been done , a few toasts , appropriate to the meeting were proposed , and received with due honour , the WORSHIPFUL MASTER proposing that of " Bro . and Mrs . Froom , " and in doing so , expatiating at some length on the services

which the former had rendered to the lodge , and the geniality of his government , and expressing the very great pleasure which both he and the members generally felt at having had so excellent an opportunity of paying him and Mrs . Froom a compliment they so fully deserved .

Bro . FROOM having tendered his acknowledgments to the W . M . and brethren for their kindness , Bro . J . D . AI . LCROI T , P . M ., P . G . Treas ., in a brief but appropriate speech , proposed " The Health of the VV . M ., Bro . Jolliffe , " and expressed his belief that his ( Bro . Joiliffe ' s ) Mastership would prove as successful as that of any among his predecessors . Bro . J OLLIFFE responded ; and some further time having been spent in wandering about the house and grounds , a

start was made homewards , and the guests returned , as they had come , by carriage to Harrow , and thence by train to Euston , the expressions of pleasure at the manner in which the day had passed being as unanimous as they were hearty . Letters were received from the following , regretting their inability to be present : — Bros . Rev . ( Jr . P . H . Ernest Brettc , P . M ., Hon . Sec . j John Stephen Jarvis , Matthew R . Webb , E . F . B . Fuller , and VV , VV . Thompson .

Installation Of The Provincial Grand Master Of Derry And Donegal.

INSTALLATION OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF DERRY AND DONEGAL .

On the ioth inst ., the ceremony of installing Bro . Wm , E . Scott , D . L ., as Prov , Grand Master of Derry and Donegal was performed by the Al . W . G . M . of Ireland , his Grace the Duke of Abercorn , in thc Freemasons' Hall ,

Derry . There was a large assemblage of the members of the Provincial Grand Lod ge and many visiting brethren from a distance . At a later hour in the evening the members of the lodge entertained the M . W . G . M . ata banquet in the Corporation Hall . The viands were supplied by Bro . James Johnston , Ferryquay-street . Alajor Scott , the newly-installed

Provincial G . iVL , occupied the chair , having on his right the guest of the evening , his Grace the Duke of Abercorn , and on his left Deputy Grand Master Shackleton . About 100 brethren were present . After the usual loyal toasts , the following were given " The Grand Masters of England and Scotland ; " " The

M . W . G . M . of Ireland , " which was proposed by the Chairman , and replied to by the Duke of Abercorn ; " Tbe Oflicers of the Grand Lodge of Ireland ; " "The Provincial Grand Officers ; " " The Visiting Brethren , " which was responded to by Bro . Valentine , Dep . Prov . G . M . of Antrim ; and "The Poor and Distressed Brethren . "

New Masonic Hall In Coleraine

NEW MASONIC HALL IN COLERAINE

On Friday , the nth inst ., the Duke of Abercorn , Grand Master of Freemasonry in Ireland , presided at the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of a new Masonic Hall in connection with Lodge 754 , Coleraine , the want of a proper hall in which to conduct the business of this important lodge , and for local Masonic purposes in general ,

having been long since recognised . In August last a grand Masonic bazaar was held in the Town Hall with the object of realising the nucleus of a fund to defray the cost of a suitable building . The bazaar was eminently successful , and produced upwards of £ 1000 , so that , with the private subscriptions contributed and promised , the members of thc lodge felt themselves justified in commencing the erection

of the hall . A Committee was appointed for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements , and a site was selected on the Ballymoney Road . Mr . VV . J . Fennell , Belfast , was appointed architect , and the building operations have been since entrusted to Mr . j . D . Prenter , also of Belfast . The ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the

new building was attended by a very numerous representation of the Masonic Order , more than 600 brethren from the Counties of Antrim , Derry , Donegal , and Tyrone being present . The visit of the Grand Master of Ireland and the imposing ceremonial which accompanied it were the subject also of a large amount of local public inteiest . The brethren assembled at the Town Hall at one o ' clock to meet his

Grace , the Grand Master , who was received with the usual Alasonic honours by the worthy Master and officers of Lodge 754 , and the rest of the oflicers and brethren of the Order present , all wearing their regalia . A procession was then formed in the usual manner in order to proceed to the

site of the new building , which is distant about a quarter of a mile from the Town Hall , in one of the pleasantest and most easily accessible districts of the town . The ceremony derives additional interest from the fact that it is the first time in Ireland that it has been performed by a Grand Master for a subordinate lodge . The following represented thc Grand Lodge o £ Ireland :