Masonic Notes.

Those who intend being present at the Quarterly General Court of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , which will be held to-day ( Friday ) , at Freemasons' Tavern , will do well to be in their places early . There is a full programme of most important business

to be got through , and there is every reason to anticipate that the attendance will be on afar more numerous scale than usual , even when the contest for the election of candidates to fill the declared vacancies has been exceptionally keen .

* * * There will probably be some discussion about the election of a new medical officer , and , unless the questions addressed to the Chairman of the General

Committee on the 5 th instant were purposeless , there is little doubt there will be a debate as to the amount of pension to be awarded to Bro . Binckes on his retirement from the office of Secretary .

* ¦ * * As to the election of Boys , we remind our readers that the number of vacancies to be filled is 16 , while the number ot approved candidates is 70 , of whom ten

have only this one opportunity allowed them of securing admission into the School . If their friends fail in carrying them in to-day , their names will be struck off the list .

At the Quarterly General Court of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , which will be held at the Freemasons' Tavern , to-morrow ( Saturday ) , there is scarcel y

any other business to be transacted than the election of nine g irls from an approved list of 49 candidates , of whom five , if they fail on this occasion , will have their names struck off the register for future elections .

We learn from the South Australian Freemason that Bro . the Earl of Kintore , the newly-installed Governor of South Australia , has expressed himself as being not unwilling to accept the post of Grand Master , if elected , and that the report has been everywhere received with

the liveliest satisfaction among our South Australian brethren . By this time , indeed , the election , which was fixed for Wednesday , the 16 th inst , has taken place , while the installation was arranged for the end of the present

month . Therefore , in the course of a short time we shall know what took place at the induction into oflice of the second M . W . G . M . of this new , but promising , Grand Lodge .

* * * That the scene on the occasion will be an imposing one , and that the solemn ceremony will have been carried out with all possible splendour , may be anticipated with tolerable certainty . We hear that Bro .

Lord Carrington , M . W . Grand Master of New South Wales , has consented to perform the ceremony , and that his brother Grand Master of Victoria , Sir W . J . Clarke ,

Bart ., will be present . The Grand Ollicers of both Grand Lodges are also expected to be in great force , and the general belief appears to be that the scene will be a very brilliant one .

* * * Our South Australian contemporary understands that Bro . Chief Justice Way , who has just resigned the office of Grand Master , after a tenure of five years ,

is averse from receiving anything in the nature of a testimonial in appreciation of his services . It is of opinion , however , the brethren of the colony will not permit him to retire without in some way recognising the work he has done in behalf of Freemasonry .

We learn further , from the same authority , that there is a scheme on foot in Melbourne to start a lodge of a

literary character , the members to be chiefly of the various learned , literary , and scientific professions , while a similar project has been under consideration among the South Australian brethren .

* * * At the July communication of the Grand Lodge of South Australia , a letter was read by the Grand Secretary from our Empire Lodge , No . 2108 , explaining its " distinctive colonial functions , " its custom of

entertaining distinguished colonial brethren when visiting London , and their desire to receive such members of the Grand Lodge as guests during their stay in the Old Country . The letter was ordered to be acknowledged with thanks .

In the course of his address on the occasion of his installation for the second time as Grand Master of New South Wales , Lord Carrington referred to the

Newcastle colliery accident , and expressed himself with every confidence that the widows and orphans of the deceased miners would receive substantial aid from the brethren in the colony .

Masonic Notes.

The "Temple Maconnique" at the Cafe Royal , Regent-street , was the scene , on Monday evening last , of a very remarkable Masonic ceremony . A large gathering , of " les tres Excellents Compagnons , " assembled for the purpose of assisting at the consecration of a

new R . A . chapter , which , like the Iodge from which it springs , is open to French members only , although chartered by the Supreme Grand Chapter of England . The whole of the ceremonies were performed in French . Comp . T . Fenn , who has rendered such important

services to " Loge La France , " was the Consecrating Officer , and was assisted by Comps . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , F . A . Philbrick , Sir John Monckton , Rev . E . C . D'Auqieur , and Frank Richardson , while Dr . E . M . Lott conducted the musical part of the ceremonies .

Comps . Eugene Monteuuis , Henri Bue , and Ernest St . Clair were afterwards installed in the respective chairs of ist , 2 nd , and 3 rd Principals , also by Comp . Fenn .

The proceedings concluded with a banquet , which , like the proceedings in the chapter , was of a decidedly French character , as were the toasts and speeches . We shall publish a full report in our next issue .

At the regular communication of the District Grand Mark Lodgeof Natal , held at Maritzburg , on the 19 th inst ., the term of office of District Grand Mark Master , usually

held for three years , being about to expire , it became necessary to make a fresh nomination to H . R . H . the Grand Master , and the choice again fell upon Bro . R . I . Finnemore , who has held the office since 1883 .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

MASONIC ETIQUETTE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I shall feel obliged if any of your readers who may be well versed in Masonic etiquette will kindly inform me , through your columns , whether any action ,

and if so , what , is incumbent upon me under the following circumstances : A P . M . of the lodge was charged with withholding and appropriating to his own use part of a sum of money collected by him , on behalf of the lodge , for the benefit of the widow and daughter of a deceased

brother . The money was collected chiefly from other lodges . A special meeting was held to investigate the charge , and , after practically pleading guilty to this dastardly conduct , the brother was allowed to resign . Although nearly two years ago , this brother is still

visiting other lodges , and even Provincial Grand Lodge , and describing himself as a P . M . of his old lodge . As he has not joined any other lodge meanwhile , this is clearly a breach of Constitution No . 152 , but is there any duty incumbent upon me as a private member of the Craft tn rail the attention of the authorities to the

matter ? It is a public scandal that this man is still allowed to go about Masonically after such conduct . I may state that I have since left both the lodge and the province though still residing in the same neighbourhood . — Yours fraternally , PRIVATE MEMBER . October 23 rd .

A CONUNDRUM . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In reference to the last paragraph of " Lex Scripta ' s" letter in your issue of the 12 th inst ., perhaps you will allow me to throw some light on the difficulty which has puzzled that well-known contributor to your columns .

Some years ago , as near as I can tell , speaking from memory , about the year ' 72 , a communication from the Grand Lodge of England was received by the D . G . M . of Westland , N . Z ., instructing him to confer the Degree ( if it be a Degree ) of Installed Master on any R . W . M . or P . M . of the S . C . who was desirous of obtaining the

same . Accordingly , the late highly-respected Bro . Lazar , who then and for many years held the oflice of D . G . M . of that province , called a special Board of Installed Masters at Hokitika , and invited to it all the Past Masters of the three Scotch lodges on the West Coast . I , with several others , attended the Board , and

duly received the secrets of an Installed Master , and at subsequent installations of lodges holding under the English Constitution in the province we were received at the Boards of Installed Masters on an equality with English Past Masters . I was informed at the time that the action taken by the D . G . M . of Westland resulted from an arrangement

come to between the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland , and that under it a number of English Past Masters had been deputed to visit Scotland , and confer the Degree on certain Scotch Past Masters , who could then confer it on their brethren , and instructions had been sent to D . G . M . ' s in the Colonies to pursue a similar policy . —Yours fraternally , W . M . COOPER , P . M . 528 ( S . C ) .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDasonrp . / Ifoetxopolitan / Meetings .

New CrOSS Lodge ( No . 1559 ) . —The regular meeting- of this popular lodge took place at the Portland Hotel , Greenwich , on the nth inst ., when there were present Bros . J . D . Graham , W . M . ; F . W . Cash , I . P . M . ; J . H . Meyer , S . VV . ; C . N . North , J . W . ; W . Cowley , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Grummant , P . M ., Sec ; Jas . Rowe ,

acting S . D . ; J . Faulkner , J . D . ; W . Borrett , I . G . ; Li Calsie , Org . ; E . H . Thiellay , P . M . ; C . Grassi , P . M ., Stwd . ; J . Rowe , Tyler ; S . B . Bell , W . Avenell , H . P . Makeham , L . Azario , G . Barbaglie , T . Meetham , J . S . Targett , C . Howard , P . Frenguellucci , C . Guffanti , T . Waters , and E . Rou & rd . The lodge was opened , ancl the minutes of the last regular

lodge meeting and emergency meeting were read and confirmed . Bros . L . Azari and C Barbaglie were passed to the Second Degree , and Bro . S . B . Bell was raised to the Degree of M . M . After "Hearty good wishes" from the visitors , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a banquet , served by Bro . G . M . Boncey in his usual good style .

The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given by the VV . M . in a heart } ' manner . The I . P . M . proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " who made a suitable reply . The W . M . proposed the toast of " The Visitors . " Bro . E . Brooks , J . W . 766 , and Bro . C . H . Kitson , P . M . 54 S , responded , saying they were well repaid by visiting the New Cross Lodge , not only by being present at the

banqueting table but in the lodge , where the work had been done in a very creditable manner by the W . M ., and expressed a hope that they might come amongst them on some future occasion and receive as great a treat . The remaining toasts were given , and replied to in a hearty manner , the Tyler ' s toast concluding the proceedings , which had been enlivened by piano solos and songs , the brethren having spent a most enjoyable evening .

Rose Lodge ( No . 1622 ) . —At the installation meeting of this lodge , held at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell , on Saturday , the 5 th inst ., Bro . Isaac Dunn was installed by his predecessor in office , Bro . VV . C . Page . The meeting was remarkably successful , and Bro . Dunn may well be proud of his position . The Board of Installed Masters numbered upwards of 30 , and 96 brethren

afterwards ad ] ourned to the banquet table . Among those present were Bros . Isaac Dunn , W . M . ; W . C . Page , I . P . M . ; VV . Jeffery , S . W . ; H . G . Martin , J . W . ; J . A . Kirby , Treas . ; J . T . Loader , P . M ., Sec ; D . Rose , P . M ., D . C ; J . H . Pullen , S . D . ; S . J . Derham , J . D . ; T . Pickett , I . G . ; T . A . Pethebridge and A . Bishop , Stwds . ; F . C Choveneaux , Org . ; T . Bowler ,

Tyler ; Vickery , P . M . ; Morgan , Salmon , Parr , Dr . Webb , Nicholson , Batchelor , Spurrett , Oldfield , Outhwaite , Cross , Livsey , Temple , P . M . ; F . Smith , Bridges , P . M . ; R . J . Voisey , P . M ., P . Z ., S . E . 1329 ; V . T . Murche , P . M ., Sec . 1 ( 541 ; Butt , P . M . ; Williams , Price , C . H . Stone , 1 ( 3 41 , Chapter 1275 ; Robotham , Reynolds , Brand , Chapman , Capt . R . J . Vincent , P . M ., t \ Z ., H . i " , 2 a ;

Sugden , Dr . Cock , Warner , Wilson , J . Addington , P . M . 217 , M . E . Z . 1275 ; Vickery , P . M . ; T . Grummant , P . M ., P . Z . 1275 ; Garner , Clapp , Towers , P . M . 15 ; Carl T . Fleck , P . M ., P . S . 1275 ; Whitehead , Taylor , Cowley , P . M ., P . Z . 1275 ; H . Roberts , Hamlyn , Davis , Hinton , C . Meierhoff , and others . The work included the initiation of Messrs . J . Hay , VV .

E . Jeffery , S . VV . Ballard , and W . Dawson , and it is needless to say that the W . M . did credit to the lodge by the manner in which he illustrated the ritual . The usual toasts were duly honoured , and the pleasure of the evening was greatly enhanced by a capital vocal entertainment , provided under the direction of Bro . Choveneaux , Organist .

Aldersgate Lodge ( No . 1657 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 21 st instant , at thc Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , when there were present Bros . Alderman Renals , W . M . j E . Anderton , I . P . M . J A . B . Hudson , S . VV . ; M . R . Webb , J . W . j A . Brookman , P . M ., Treas . ; E . Y . Jolliffe , P . M ., Sec . ; I . Larkin , S . D . ; E . B . Fuller , J . D . j G . RawlinsonI . C ; J-

, Shotter , Stwd . ; H . Thomas , Tyler ; W . H . Froom , P . M . ; Septimus Croft , J . S . Jarvis , and Thos . Benskin . Visitors : Bros . Ex-Sheriff Newton , 1 S 27 ; H . Garle , P . M . 162 ; G . Sims , 101 ; G . Marshal ) , 1298 ; and F . H . Wells , W . M . 1402 . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the last

meeting were read and confirmed . The W . M . proposed a friend for initiation at the next meeting . There being no other business , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , ably presided over by the W . M ., at which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured .

Argonauts Lodge ( No . 2243 ) . —A regular meeting of this Iodge was held at the Cromwell Hall , Putn ey , on the 14 th inst ., when there were present Bros . ] . C . Radford , W . M . j J . F . Savory , S . W . ; G . D . Lester , J . W . J G Smith , Sec . j J . W . Willis . S . D . j E . T . Smith , J . D . J J . P . Houghton , I . C ; C W . Mapleton , Stwd . ; P . G . MitchellTyler ; Eugene MonteuuisG . S . B . I . P . M . ; 1 * -

, , , Sturge on , H . J . Hill , F . E . Williams , C . W . Hughes , J . C . Drake Smith , and , as a visitor , Bro . J . W . Baldwin , P . M . 1326 and 1423 , P . P . G . D . Middx , The lodge was opened and the minutes read and confirmed . The Secretary announced that since the last meeting Bro . H .

J . Reynolds , P . M ., P . G . S ., one of the founders , had passed away , and that a letter of condolence had been sent to his family . Bros . Lieut .-Col . H . B . Adcock , late of S 4 , L . R-V *' and A . Thorn , late of 49 and 91 , L . R . C , were elected joining members . The names of three new joining members having been proposed , and , after some formal business , the lodge was closeel , and was followed by the usual repast .