Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

"The permanent income of the Institution is as follows : "MALE FUND . Annual Grant from Grand Lodge ... ... £ 800 o o „ „ „ _ „ Chapter ... 100 o o Dividends on Stock in Government Funds ... 1117 10 S

£ . 7 10 S "WIDOWS FUND . Annual Grant from Grand Lodge ... ... Soo o o „ „ „ . „ Chapter ... ... 50 o o Dividends on Stock in Government Funds ... 725 10 4 £ i 575 10 4

"SUSTENTATION OF BUILDING . Dividends on £ 1000 Stock in Government Funds ... ... ... ... £ 30 o o £ 3623 1 o " R . W . STEWART , Chairman . ••Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C ., 13 th May , 1 SS 5 . "

Bro . EDGAR BOWYER , P . G . Std . Br ., moved , and Bro . £ . F . S TORR , P . M . and Treas . No . 22 , seconded that this report be received , adopted , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . Bro . C . H . WEBB called attention to one portion of the report with regard to the candidates , and reminded the meeting that there were three cases on the list whose

respective ages exceed S 2 years . Many of the brethren would no doubt have wished to see these cases taken off the list of candidates and placed on the list of annuitants at once . They had been on the list so many times that he thought they ought to go off ; the chances were they would not be elected . IE the report could be amended in that respect he was quite sure the meeting would adopt it .

The expenditure increased by this course would be so small that the Institution would , he thought , rather benefit than be injured by it . Bro . TERRY read the rule applicable to the case , and said that taking candidates off the list and making them annuitants must be effected at the meeting of the Committee in [ une . They could not override the laws , however

much they might desire to aid these poor candidates . Bro . C . H . WEBB said he was sorry they had not put that into execution since 1 S 7 C ; he found that it was acted upon then . Bro . TERRY observed that since they filled up the vacancies which occurred in February and May the power of the Committee had never been exercised . Any

vacancies which took place by death , a report of which reached the office up to the morning of the election , were filled up at the election . The power sought by Bro . Webb to be given had not been exercised before the meeting in June . The Committee the previous Wednesday very fully went into the question , but they found they could not do what Bro . Webb desired .

Bro . C . II . WEBB asked if the Committee took into consideration the particular three cases to which he had called attention . Bro . TERRY said certainl y not . The motion was then carried . The following brethren were then elected the Committee of Management : Bros . Frederick Adlard , P . M . 7 ;

Kaynham W . Stewart , P . M . 12 ; Stephen Barton Wilson , P . M . 59 ; A . Forsyth , M . D ., W . M . 140 ; W . Hilton , P . M . 1351 ; Louis Stean , P . M . 212 ; John Bulmer , P . M . 174 ; C . H . Driver , P . M . 905 ; Charles E . Soppet , P . M . Go ; Thomas Griffiths , P . M . 907 .

The Auditors , Bros . A . H . Tattershall , J . Berry , and J , Newton , were re-elected . Bro . Bowyer was elected Treasurer of the Sustentation Fund . The poll was then opened for the election of annuitants , Ihe result of which will be seen in our advertisment columns ,

New Masonic Hall At Melbourne

NEW MASONIC HALL AT MELBOURNE

The corner-stone of the newly-projected Freemasons ' Hall , Melbourne , was laid with solemn ceremonial , on Thursday , the 26 th March last . There was a very numerous gathering of the brethren of the three Constitutions 'n honour of the auspicious event , the chief role being undertakenas a matter of courseby R . W . Bro . Sir W .

, , J . Clarke , Bart ., who is District G . Master of Victoria , under the English and Scotch Constitutions , and Prov . G . Master under those of the Grand Lodge of Ireland . The building when erected will be a very spacious one , and will oe the property of a Masonic Hall Company ( Limited ) , With a capital of £ 20 , 000 , in £ 1 shares , Bro . Sir . VV . J' Clarke being Chairman of the Board of Directors . The

brethren met at the Town Hall , the Irish and Scotch brethren meeting under their respective Deputy Grand Masters , which , as regards the English , it was the day "xed for their regular Quarterly Communication . All the c , ' y and suburban lodges , 32 in number , were strongly represented , and there was also a large attendance from jne country lodges . R . W . Bro . Sir W . J . Clarke , having

jormall y opened the D . G . Lodge of Victoria under the wand Lodge of England , and several distinguished visitors from Queensland and Tasmania having been received and saluted with the honours due to ( heir rank , "C roll of lodges was called , and the minutes of the preious communication were read and confirmed , and D . G . od ge adjourned . A procession was then formed , and uie

brethren in due order marched to the site of "j proposed Hall in Collins-street , when the ceremony Hi carried out in strict accordance with ancient asonic usages , the following being the order of tn » rv e - Bro- Sir W- J- Clarke having called upon Elm ' Grand Treasurers , Bros . S . Franklin and VV . „ , " !?' to deposit the daily newspapers , the coins , and the r \ r , *^ » * »»¦ w M- " »^ j # * w ., upi >[ j ^ , wj » a * v x * w * Bf hJJ UII U bllV

. Ccm . '" tI , e cavity prepared for their reception , bpin 1 was a'd upon the lower stone , and the trowel iS "fidcd to the R . W . District and Provincial Grand 'aster by Bro . the Hon . A . C Gregory , JD . G . Master ot sWl i > ne spread the cement . The upper stone was . "ly lowered , during which the choir sang the ode "O $ " > . of Hosts . " The P . G . Junior Warden ( I . C . ) , Bro . J . Maq \' nne * nav'ig handed the plumb rule to the D . G . P'umh' a 1 ! ed ' > saying : " I find this stone to be triKtii' ? , that 'he craftsmen have prepared it true and ustUy . » The DG > Senior Warden ( S . C ) , Bro . Major

New Masonic Hall At Melbourne

Shakespeare , next handed the level to the D . G . Master , who , applying it , said : «•I find this stone to be level , and that the craftsmen have laboured skilfully . " The Deputy District Grand Master ( E . C ) , Bro . Dr . St . John Clarke , now handed the square , and the D . G . Master , applying it further , said : " I find this stone to be plumb , level , and square , and I declare it to be duly prepared , truly laid , and that the craftsmen have worked well . The mallet being

handed to the District Grand Master , he struck the stone thrice . The cornucopia was next handed to Sir William Clarke by Bro . Donaldson , P . M ., 642 , S . C ,, and the District Grand Master said : " I strew corn upon this stone , as an emblem of abundance and plenty . " Bro . Isaacs , VV . M . 349 , I . C , then handed the ewer to the District Grand Master , who said : " I pour wine upon this stone , as an emblem of strength and

gladness . " Bro . A . Loel , W . M . 474 , E . C , finally handed the second ewer to the District Grand Master , when he said : " I sprinkle this stone with oil , the emblem of peace and harmony . " Sir Wm . Clarke then proclaimed : "May prosperity , happiness and brotherly love prevail amongst those who shall labour in this building , to the glory of the Most High , until time shall be no more . " The plans of the building were next handed to the Dist . G . M . by the

architects , Bros . Grainger and D Ebro , and having inspected and approved them , he , returning them , said : " I now place in your hands the plans of this intended building , together with the necessary working tools , tools , not doubting your skill and ability as craftsmen , and I desire that you will proceed without loss of time to the completion of the work , in conformity with the plans and designs now entrusted to you . "

Prayer having been offered at the close , as at the opening , of the ceremony , and the National Anthem having been sung by the whole assemblage , the procession was reformed to the Town Hall , and the proceedings of the District Grand Lodge ( English Constitution ) resumed . The following is the copy—a companion of which on satin was presented to Lady Clarke—of the parchment document deposited under the foundation stone :

" I . T . N . O . T . G . A . O . T . U ., Audi , Vide , Tace , H . R . H . Albert Edward Prince of Wales , K . G ., K . P ., K . T ., & c ., & c , Most Worshipful Grand Master of England ; His Grace the Duke of Abercorn , K . G ., Most Worshipful Grand Master of Ireland ; the Right Hon . the Earl of Mar and Kellie , Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason of Scotland . * " On Thursday , the 2 Gth day of March , A . D . 1 SS 5 , A . L . 5 SS 5 , and the forty-eighth year uf the reign of her Most

( jracious Alajesty Queen Victoria , the corner stone of this structure , the Freemasons' Hall , Collins-street East , in the city of Melbourne , and colony of Victoria , was laid according to antient Masonic custom by the Honourable Sir William John Clarke , baronet of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland , member of the Legislative

Council of Victoria , Right Worshipful District and Provincial Grand Master of Victoria , under the Constitutions of England Ireland , and Scotland , assisted by his District and Provincial Grand Officers , and in the presence of the Masters , Past Masters , Wardens , and brethren of many lodges under the three said Constitutions . " II . ST . John Clarke , Deputy District Grand Master , E . C

" George Baker , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , l . C . " Charles R . Martin , Deputy District Grand Master , S . C . "T . H . Lempnere , District Grand Secretary , E . C "A . Ellis , Provincial Grand Secretary , I . C . " H . W . Long , District Grand secretary , S . C . "Architects—Brothers Grainger and D'Ebro . " Builder—Brother David Mitchell .

"VV . K Lamonby , VV . M . 752 , E . C , Hon . Secretary to Executive Committee . " His Excellency , Sir Henry Brougham Loch , K . C . B ., Governor of Victoria . " The Hon . James Service , M . L . A ., Premier of Victoria . "His Worship Councillor G . D . Carter , Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Melbourne . " The oldest English lodge in Victoria is the Australia

Felix , No . 474 , in Melbourne : warrant dated and signed by H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , Grand Master , April 2 , 1 S 41 . " The oldest Scotch lodge is the Australasian Kilwinning , No . 337 , in Melbourne ; warrant dated and signed by the Earl of Fitzclarence , Grand Master Mason , Feb . 6 , 1 S 43 . " 1 he oldest Irish lodge is the Australia Felix Lodge of

Hiram , No . 349 , in Melbourne ; warrant dated and signed by the Duke of Leinster , Grand Master , April 30 , 1 S 47 . "The first Prov . Grand Master in Victoria was Bro . Jas . Hunter Ross , Scotch Constitution , who was installed in the year 1 S 47 . " The second Prov . Grand Master in Victoria was Bro . John Thomas Smith , M . L . A ., Irish Constitution , who was installed in the year 1 S 56 .

"The third Prov . Grand Master in Victoria was Bro . Capt . Andrew Clarke , Royal Engineers , M . L . A ., English Constitution , who was installed in the year 1 S 57 . " The mallett and trowel used by Bro . Sir W . Clarke were supplied by Mr . T , Dougall , Collins-street , from very elaborate designs prepared by Dr . Willmott . The blade of the latter bears on the point an open bible , surrounded by a blazing sun , below being the square and compassesin the

, centre of woich is the following inscription : " Presented to Bro . the Hon . Sir . W . J . Clarke , Bart ., M . L . C , District and Prov . G . M . of the English , Irish , and Scottish Constitutions , on the occasion of his laying the foundationstone of the Freemasons' Hall , Melbourne , 26 th March , iSSs . by Bro . D . Mitchell , J . P ., contractor . " Below the angle of the square are the words , "Brotherly Love , Relief , and

Truth , " and on each side roses and thistles , with a sprig of shamrock at the apex . On the edge of the trowel is an indented or tessellated border . The handle of the trowel is of polished tulipwood , and a terrestrial globe in silver at the end . The mallet is made of tulipwood , a silver square and compass surrounding the monogram " W . J . C , " whilst the handle is ebony , with a silver celestial globe at the tip .

At the conclusion of the ceremony , Bro . Sir VV . Clarke entertained a large party at luncheon , at the Masonic Club , which is opposite the site of the new hall , and was bravely decorated in honour of the occasion , and in the evening he presided at a grand banquet in the Town Hall , at which he was supported by his officers and upwards of 400 brethren .

New Masonic Hall At Melbourne

In connection with this event a grand concert was given in the Town Hall the previous evening , to which Bro . Sir VV . Clarke issued through thevariouslodges of the three constitutions , some 3000 cards of invitation to be present , and with the bright dresses of the ladies , and the rich insignia and clothing of the Craftsmen made the scene an especially

brilliant one . The concert , like the rest of the proceedings , of which it was the commencement , appears to have been a great success , and we must congratulate our brethren of . the three Constitutions in Victoria on what in all probability will be among the most memorable events in the history of Freemasonry in that colony .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

GRAND LODGE OF CONNECTICUT . The ninety-seventh annual meetingof this Grand Lodge was held in the Masonic Temple , New Haven , on the 21 st and 22 nd January , under the presidency of Bro . Dwight Waugh , M . W . G . M ., there being present among the Grand Officers Bros . A . C Golding , D . G . M . ; Henry II . Green , G . S . W . ; John W . Mix , G . J . W . ; John G . Root , G . Treas . ; Joseph k . Wheeler , G . Sec . ; George D . StantonG . S . D . ; John

, H . Sivartwout , G . J . D . ; A . Dickenson , G . Marshal ; and Rev - G . M . Stanley , G . Chap . ; together with several Past G . Officers , Grand Representatives for other jurisdictions , and the representatives of a considerable number of the subordinate lodges . The address of the Grand Master dealt with the most important events of the past year , which , however , possets a local interest only . The report of the Grand Treasurer appears to have been most

satisfactory , the receipts including the balance brought forward from the previous year , amounting to 5557 dollars , the expenditure to 3574 dollars , leaving a balance in band at the close of the year of 19 S 3 dollars . The Masonic Charity Foundation Fund amounted to S 14 G dollars , the whole of which , with the exception of 213 dollars retained as cash in hand , is profitably invested or on deposit in various Savings Banks . It appears from the returns appended to the report

of proceedings that there are in lodges on the roll with a membership of 14 , 921 . The report on correspondence has been carefully compiled by Brn . Wheeler , G . Sec , who appears to have found room for whatever of interest had occurred or was considered in the reports of other jurisdictions within the comparatively modest compass of about 100 pages . The following are the Grand Officers for the current year , namely -.

—Bro . D > vight Wau ^ h ... ... M . W . G . M . „ Henry H . Green ... ... D . G . M . „ John Mix ... ... ... G . S . W . „ John H . Swartwout ... ... G . J . W . ,, John G . Knot ... ... G . Treas . „ Joseph K . Wheeler ... ... G . Sec . „ L . A . Dickinson ... ... G . S . D .

„ Clark Buckingham ... ... G . J . D . „ Wm . W . Price G . Marshal . „ Rev . George M . Stanley ... G . Chap . „ Arthur H . Biewer ... ... G . S . Stwd . „ Charles Tilden ... ... G . J . Stwd . ,, Edward T . Main ... ... G . Tyler . The next annual communication will be held in Ihe city of Hartford on the third Wednesday in January , 1 SS 6 .

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF QUEENSLAND . R . W . Bro . the Hon . A . C GREGORY , D . G . M ., presided at the regular quarterly communication of the District Grand Lodge of Queensland , held at the Masonic Hall , Brisbane , on Wednesday , the 4 th of March last , among the D . G . Officers present being Bros . Barron L . Barnett , D . D . G . M . ; William Finucane , D . G . S . W . ; Ben . Burton , D . G . J . VV . ; Rev . VV . Crompton , M . A ., D . G . Chap . ; John

h ' enwick , D . G . Sec . ; John Thompson , M . D ., D . G . S . D . ; Ernest W . Smith , D . G . J . D . ; and others . In the course of the proceedings the D . G . M . delivered an address descriptive of the events of the past year , and congratulated those present , on the present state and future prospects of the Craft in his district . Bro . Gregory also mentioned that he expected to summon the brethren at an early date to attend and take part in the ceremony of

laying the foundation stone of their new Masonic Hall , the plans for which were already approved , and he further submitted for their consideration whether the time had not arrived for the appointment of a District Board of General Purposes . Bro . Finucane having been unanimously elected D . G . Treasurer , in place of Bro . Heussler , who a few days previously had left for England , the following brethren were appointed , and in several cases invested as D . G . Officers

for the year 1 SS 5-6 , namely : Bro . John Thompson , M . D . ... Dist . G . S . W . „ Ernest VV . Smith ... Dist . G . J . W . „ Rev . W . Crompton , M . A . Dist . G . ' Chap . „ Hon . C Stuart Mein , M . L . C . Dist . G . Reg . „ John Fenwick ... ... Dist . G . Sec . „ Daniel Jones ... ... Dist . G . S . D .

„ Joseph Dean ... ... Dist . G . J . D . „ J . Blanchard Mills ... Dist . G . Supt . of Wks . „ George Victor Le Vaux ... Dist . G . D . of C „ William Dawson ... Dist . G . A . D . C . ,, Pollett L . Cardew > ., . . ,-. c ,, ' „ Alfred R . Finney J - D , st- G- Std- Brs-„ jas . Graham Vidgen ... Dist . G . Org .

„ Jas . Darby Reeve ... Dist . G . P . „ George Alfred Potter ... Dist . G . Asst . P . Bros . Alfred F . Stanborough , Carl " ) H . Havtmann , Geo . Robert [ . , r c , . Gordon , Fred . Reichelmann , ( D , st G > Stwus - E . Pickering , and H . Smith J Dist . Grand Lodge was afterwards closed with the usual Formalities . — . KENT LODGE OF EAST COLLINGWOOD , No . S 45 ,

MELBOURNE . There was an unusually large gathering of brethren present at the annual meeting on Wednesday , the iSth March last , of this lodge to witness the rare occurrence of a father installing his son in the chair of K . S . On this occasion , the Installing Master was Bro . Philip Blashki , P . D . G . J . W ., and the Installed Master Bro . Aaron Blashki .

Additional interest was given to the proceedings by the fact that a Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . M'Intosh , P . M ., and a beautifully illuminated address to Bro . Major S . Tryihall , who had not long _ previously returned irom a trip round the world , and who , in acknowledging it , spoke of the hearty welcome he had met with everywhere during his travels .