The Recent Festival Of The R.M.I. For Boys.

THE RECENT FESTIVAL OF THE R . M . I . FOR BOYS .

•I' ) e following additional sums have been received on mt of the recent Festival of the Royal Masonic Institua . ° f „ ,- Rovs since our last issue was published : tlon . ^ ) LONDON . £ s . d . " ( fBro . M . A . Morris 10 10 o * f G . T . Barham 22 1 0 ^ " W . Smith , additional 220 ' •' ¦ ' " ( raising his list to £ 55 2 s . 6 d . ) C . F . Hogard , additional 26 5 0 - " ( raising his list to £ 90 8 s . ) 11 A . C . Higerty , additional 210 l 0- "" " ( raisinghis list to £ 7 6 12 s . ) . ( 5 A . A . Pendlebury , additional ... 1 1 0 ' ^ " ( raising his list to £ 114 14 s . 6 d . ) foS > T . H . Johnson , additional 220 ' ' ' ( raising his list to £ 92 17 s . Gd . ) S 20 , F . Abram , additional 1 1 o '' " ( raising his list to £ 27 6 s . ) pnattached—Bro . A . Williams 5 5 ° PROVINCES .

r , j 0 . OXFORDSHIRE . 34 o ° Bro . J . W . . Messenger ] &> „ Captain Airey ) o i , ? ° STAFFORDSHIRE . 11 S Bro . W . Tunnicliffe , additional 52 70 0 ( raising his list to £ 105 . )

SUSSEX . « i 5 Bro . H . Beaumont , additional 0 10 6 J ( raising his list to £ 45 2 s . 6 d . ) The following must be deducted : 1 G 4 5 6 MIDDLESEX .

2 , 83 Bro . H . W . Seager £ 220 ( reducing bis list to £ 30 9 s . ) SHROPSHIRE . Province—Bro . J . Bodenham ... 5 5 0 ( reducing his list to £ 36 15 s . ) 7 7 0 Net addition £ 156 iS 6 Additions brought forward £ 194 2 o Total addition to amount announced £ 351 0 6

The Proposed Grand Lodge Of Queensland.

THE PROPOSED GRAND LODGE OF QUEENSLAND .

The District Grand Secretary , Bro . Fenwick , has addressed the following- letter to the members of lodges iii Queensland , under the Grand Lodge of England : Worshipful Brethren and Brethren , — You are earnestly invited to take into your serious consideration the following : A meeting of Freemasons was held in Brisbane on the 7 th

March , as stated : "'lo discuss a subject of the greatest importance concerning the progress of Freemasonry in Queensland . " The advertisement calling the meeting was signed by three Past Masters of the E . C , viz ., Bros . I . R .

Dickson , John Thomson , and VV . F . Taylor ; three of the S . C , viz ., Right Worshipful Bro . J . G . VV . Barnes , acting District Grand Master ; Bros . Peter Brown and George Sweatman ; and three of the I . C , viz ., Right Worshipful Bro . Th . Unmack , Provincial Grand Master ; Very Worshipful Bra . E . Macdonnell . Demitv P . G . M .: and Rm . G .

S . Button , Prov . Grand Sec . All these brethren , however , signed themselves as Past Masters only . I he following resolutions were carried by a majority of those present . ( It is , however , to be remarked that the ' •ngiish Masons as a body Durnoselv absented themselves

tram the meeting , on principle . ) The few present did not , therefore , by any means represent English Masonry . , Ist . — " That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of yueensland be formed , and that immediate steps be taken to that end . "

I 2 ? tt ~ " ' ^ ^ bretni ' present undertake to use their I ' e'forts to carry out the ist resolution , and form themselves into a Masonic union for that purpose . " 1 3 ti " " ' an Executive Committee , consisting of six nretnren from each Constitution , be appointed , & c " n the several speeches delivered at the meetino - there was

a single reason worthy of the name adduced for so onientous a change , there were no complaints made of any Msting grievances , nor was it shown to the meeting what vantages , if any , were to be gained by the proposed change . \' P . c f aker dwelt on the ' fact that as South Australia , o { V "" Wales , and Victoria , had each a Grand Lodge us own , therefore Queensland should follow suit . AnnH ir "" - " •««« = v / uccnaidiiu suumu lonuw suit .

, „ - Onni T i rmed ' on the authority of a member of the " rl , t 1 » e of Ireland , that for the Irish lodges here to he f ,., ,, painter " was the best thing they could do , and hom ,. v L tatecl tnat , ar S e sums of money were remitted out ti \ ¦ could be expended here , while another pointed heimrf - tead of our Districtand Provincial Grand Masters •I'l ¦ * . PP 0 inted at llnni (>_ wp tlinnH innnlnl them Uara

Mdin , r ° fi e , v , dent ' y overlooked the fact that the brethren breihrS 1 e s h positions were , de facto , elected by the hy tl , c r , \ tl , at the election was simply confirmed A > rrp ' •Masters ot the several Constitutions at home , ' ^ lackav 1 h - seemed to be made of a ruling by Dr . MasonrvV « !* ' ' 10 wever , only an American authority on t « i < r-e' > v thatany three Craft Lodges can form a Grand a GranrI 1 1 w accoi ' ding to this ruling we might have a G ^ nd 1 nrf ° dge r ° ^ B ^ sbane ' a Grand Lod £ ' P swich , a Thr . .... i- ' o . Mackav , and sooaad infinitum ., fc . ftr .

titles wh , r refore > carries its absurdity on the face of it ; Mason ,-,, T 11 •^! acka y is not an authority on British Wou 'd how 1 mg is ' therefore , no guide for us . It ' V'ise \ v | , , „ ; l ' ' CJ r lte-correct and perfectly applicable in G ' i < l Lodw territory was not already occupied by any three Cnfti , i 'r " instance , New Guinea . The first the mselve ; ° . £ es for med there may , if they please , form '" •S- Unient 1 ° , f ? rlnd Lof , g : e of New Guinea . Another an > ' other r ? ' . yueensiand having no Grand Lodge , ' •nan y , & c H " K- could form lod = . say Italy , Ger'f there wer * A arg , ument > however , carries no weight , for Vent a nv othL 1 > , V > £ e to-morrow , we could not pre' ' "y le S-al sten = I ^ h - S established ; we could not take actllal i ydonPfn M uP ' ' P roof of this , it has been y "one m Melbourne , where Canadian Masonry was

The Proposed Grand Lodge Of Queensland.

established in spite of there being a Grand Lodge of Victoria , an institution which had been in existence for some eight years , and was recognised by several of the American Grand Lodges , and possibly even by the Canadian Grand Lodge itself . We have also examples here in Queensland to show the absurdity of the application of Dr . Mackay's argument . It is , of course , well known that the District

Grand Lodge under the Grand Lodge of England was established early in iSfi 2 , and yet the Scottish and Irish Constitutions both ignored Dr . Mackay , and subsequently established themselves notwithstanding . The argument , therefore , that the existence of a Grand Lodge of Queensland will prevent the introduction of lodges under other Constitutions can have no weight , and may be dismissed .

The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales lately formed was only recognised as a matter of necessity , and not from any desire on the part of the British Grand Lodges to do so . When circumstances caused it to be so recognised it was , of course , heartily welcomed , notwithstanding that previously the Grand Lodges of England , Scotland , and Ireland had persistently refused their

sanction , lhe newly opened Grand Lodge of Victoria will , there is no doubt , be welcomed and acknowledged in the same way and for the same reasons , viz ., thatof expediency , as was that of South Australia previously . The circumstances and position Masonically of all these other colonies being quite different from ours , the arguments as to the recognition of their Grand Lodges do not at present apply

to us . The state of Masonry in New South Wales and Victoria , owing to their having established Grand Lodges by minorities , was a scandal to the Craft , and hence the expediency of their recognition . So South Australia was unanimous for a change , but this was only after considerable difficulty had arisen between it and the Grand Lodges at home , the causes of which need not be gone into . But

Queensland is very far from being unanimous ; possibly most of the Irish lodges , and some ( but not all ) of the Scotch , will favour the movement ; but so far as can be ascertained there is not a single English lodge in Queensland will do so , and very few English Masons , will throw off their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England , and the same may be said of many Scotch Masons , who will remain

true to the Grand Lodge of Scotland . It was also said at the meeting - that large sums of money are annually sent to the Old Country , and that if we had a Grand Lodge this money would be retained in the Colony , and we should be able to have Charitable and Benevolent Institutions almost rivalling those of England . Now , as to these large sums sent home , and speaking for the English

Constitution alone—here they are ! For a warrant or charter for a new lodge , £ 5 5 s . ; for each initiate , 7 S . _ 6 d . — for this small sum of 7 s . 6 d . he ( the initiate ) is registered in the Grand Lodge of England , and receives a parchment Grand Lodge certificate ; this certificate , be it known , is acknowledged and received by every Grand Lodge in the world , in Europe , Asia , Africa , or America—2 S . Gd . for

registering a joining member . 1 hese are all ! and it must not be overlooked that these are one single payment in each case . There are no annual dues or payments whatever . The 7 s . Gd . charged for the initiate serves for his whole lifetime . It may , perhaps , not be generally known by the parties who held the meeting that every Mason subscribing to any English lodge , in the Colonies or

elsewhere , is eligible , and is as much entitled to claim the benefits of any of our noble English Institutions as if he were actually a member of a lodge in London , whether it be the Aged Masons and Widows' Institution , the Masonic Boys' School , the Masonic Girls' School , or the Benevolent Fund ; and there is hardly a month in which grants are not made to such outside Masons . The income of these

Institutions for last year ( iSSS ) amounted to something over £ 80 , 000 ! Do these would-be secessionists believe , or think they can induce others to believe , that the mere fact of having a Grand Lodge of Queensland would at once produce

charitable organisations anything like that ? And yet their arguments go to show that they do ! Why , these Institutions are not supported by lodge dues alone , but by the large and generous gifts of many wealthy brethren , and by contributions from lodges which vie with each other in making the most munificent donations to the Charities .

The expenses of a local Grand Lodge would be much greater , and involve the brethren in heavier charges than our present payments , and therefore reduce the amounts now available for Masonic purposes , and defer for many years the establishment of any effective Charitable Institutions . Has it ever been shown that worthy Masons or their

widows have been unable to obtain substantial help when required ? There is no record of any such case , and as for the schools , the magnificent educational system of the Oueensland Government renders the establishment of schools , as at home , quite unnecessary . Still , one of our great principles , Charity , is not lost sight of , and some institution of a benevolent character will be formulated as

soon as funds have sufficiently accumulated to make a beginning . The influence and prestige attached to an English Mason , no matter whether Past Master or only Master Mason , in any part of the world , is well known to those who have travelled and experienced it , but it is , of course , not so well

known , if known at all , to members of other Constitutions , and certainly not to those brethren who have not , as Masons , been out of the Colonies , and who thus have no idea of the distinguished position held by an English Mason . This is an advantage of too palpable a nature to be sacrificed for the very shadowy one of being able to hail from either of Oueensland or any other Grand Lodge , colonial or otherwise .

Nor must it be overlooked that at present all Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens are actually members of the Grand Lodge of England , a privilege and an honour which they would lose by any such change as proposed . There are 31 English lodges in Queensland , against 2 S of Scotch and Irish together—quite ~ too great a majority in opposition to admit of any possibility of the recog'nition of

a Queensland Grand Lodge for some years to come . It wilT , no doubt , come in due time , but not until the Colony is ripe for it . Any discussion in open lodge as to secession , as urged by the Committee , would be highly irregular , as would also

be the solicitation of the votes of the brethren upon any question , more especially one subversive of the continuance of the English Constitution . Whatever number , however , may retire from the lodge , the warrant will continue with those who may remain . It is earnestly hoped that brethren of the Craft , no matter

The Proposed Grand Lodge Of Queensland.

to which Constitution they belong , will earnestly consider before in any way pledging themselves to this new movement—a movement which will tend to create discord in every lodge in Queensland , break up the friendship of many brethren , and for what ? There has been no reason given worthy of the name in favour of the movement , and there are many urgent reasons against it . The alleged ill feeling

between the different Constitutions , said to have existed for years , is untrue , or , if true , exists only in the minds of those who make the assertion . There has always been friendly rivalry , of course—but no ill feeling ! This circular is issued by the authority of the R . W . the D . G . M . of Queensland for general information , and as a partial refutation of the plausible arguments of the

comparative few Masons who want a change for no reason but to follow the lead of New South Wales , Victoria , and South Australia . Brethren , Oueensland does not follow ; she takes her own course , and will exercise her independent action in Masonry , as in other matters , in her own way and at her own time .

The attempts to break up the Craft , under the name of "Uniting" it , have not succeeded in New Zealand nor Tasmania , nor will there be any Grand Lodge in Queensland , under this present agitation , be it United or disunited . I am , brethren , yours fraternally , J FENWICK , D . G , Sec .

Great Northern Railway Holiday Arrangements.

GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS .

The Great Northern Railway Company announce that in addition to the ordinary service of express trains from London ( King's Cross ) to Scotland , arrangements have been made for the 10 . 40 p . m . express from King ' s Cross to be run through to Edinburgh , on the nights of 3 rd and 10 th

August . On Saturday , the 10 th August , the 7 . 45 p . m . and the S . o p . m . express trains from King ' s Cross , will be run to Edinburgh , Glasgow , and the North of Scotland . On Saturday , 3 rd August , cheap six days' excursion trains will be run from London ( King ' s-cross ) to Doncaster , Wakefield , Leeds , Bradford , Keighley , Halifax , York , Scarborough , Darlington , Durham , Newcastle ,

Nottingham , Derby , Yarmouth , Norwich , Lynn , St . Ives , Huntingdon , Lincoln , Spalding , Wisbech , Sheffield , Manchester , & c , & c On Saturday , 3 rd , Monday , 5 th , and Tuesday , 6 th August , cheap day excursions will be run from Moorgate-street , Aldersgate-street , Farring don-street , King ' s-cross , Holloway , & c , to Skegness . On Saturday , 3 rd , and Monday , 5 th August , cheap day

excursions will also be run from Moorgate-street , Aldersgatestreet , Farringdon-street , King ' s Cross , Holloway , & c , to Sutton-ori-Sea and Mablethorpe . Three or four days ' tickets will be issued by the excursion to Skegness , Suttonon-Sea , and Mablethorpe , on Saturday available for return on Monday or Tuesday . On Monday , 5 th August , cheap day excursions will be run from Victoria ( L . C and D . R . ) ,

Moorgate-street , King ' s Cross , Finsbtiry Park , & c , to St . Albans , Harpenden , Luton , Dunstable , and Cambridge . Cheap return tickets will also be issued from London to Biggleswade on Monday , August 5 th . Alexandra Palace . A frequent service of special and ordinary trains will run between Moorgate-street , Broadstreet , King's Cross , and the Alexandra Palace ( High Level

Station ) , and Wood Green Station . To prevent inconvenience from overcrowding at the Company ' s principal terminal station , King ' s Cross , arrangements have been made for the issue of passenger tickets , dated in advance , at the following offices : Royal Oak Office , 6 , Porchesterroad , Westbournc Grove ; Albert Gate Office , William-street , Lowndes-square ; 285 , Oxford-street ; 262 , High Holborn ;

go , Tottenham Court-road ; 111 , Strand ; 3 , King-Edward-street , Newgate-street ; 43 and 44 , Crutched Friars ; 16 , Fish-street Hill ; 80 , Bishopsgate-street Without ; 44 , Bread-street , Cannon-street ; 1 , Whittingtonavenue , Leadenhall-street ; Charles-street ,

Farringdonstreet ; Bee Hive , Whitecross-street ; Moorgate-street Station ; 95 , High-street , Boro' ; 190 A , Westminster Bridge-road ; Star Office , 13 S , Victoria-street , Pimlico ; Victoria Station ( L . C . and D . ); and at the offices of Messrs . Swan and Leach , 3 , Charing Croes , and 32 , Piccadilly Circus .

BANK HOLIDAY RAILWAY FACILITIES . In accordance with their usual custom , the Great Western Railway Company have made arrangements for the issue of Tickets during the week preceding the Augaist Bank Holiday , at their City and West End Offic s , viz .: 193 and 407 , Oxford-street ; 23 , New Oxford-street ; 269 , Strand ; Holborn Circus ; 29 , Charing Cross ; 26 , Regent-street ; 5 ,

Arthur-street East , London Bridge ; 82 , Queen Victoria-st . ; 43 & 33 > Crutched-friars ; 67 , Gresham-st . ; and 4 , Cheapside . The Booking Offices at the Paddington Station will be open all day on Wednesday , Thursday , Friday , and Saturday , and passengers can obtain tickets at any hour for use on either day . To meet the expected additional traffic by the ordinary Trains on Saturday , August 3 rd , the

Company will run in duplicate , the 11 . 45 a . m ., 3 . 0 , 5 . 0 , and 9 . 0 p . m . trains from London to the West of England ; and the 12 . 0 noon and 5 . 45 p . m . trains to Weymouth , Hereford , and South Wales . The first portion of the 5 . 0 p . m . train will leave Paddington at 4 . 55 p . m ., but the first parts of the other trains will leave at the advertised times , and the second a few minutes afterwards ,

the long distance passengers being as far as possible taken in the first portion , but with a few exceptions both trains will stop at the advertised stations to take up and set down passengers . On Thursday , August ist , an excursion train will leave Paddington at S . 5 a . m . for Gloucester , Cardiff , Newport , Swansea , New Milford , & c . ; passengers will also be booked at excursion fares to certain stations in the South

of Ireland . Fast excursion trains for the West of England will leave Paddington at S . 5 a . m . and 3 . 5 p . m . on Saturday , August 3 rd , reaching Exeter in 5 ^ hours and Plymouth in j ^ hours ; and excursions will also be run on the same day to Bath , Bristol , Dorchester , Weymouth ( for the Channel Islands ) , Cheltenham , Worcester , Malvern , Hereford , Birmingham , Wovcrhampton , Shrewsbury , Chester ,

Liverpool , Manchester , and other stations on the Great Western System . Cheap tickets are issued daily from Paddington , and from most of the stations on the Metropolitan , District , and North London Railways , to Windsor , Taplow , Bourne End , Cookham , Henley , and other riverside resorts . A service of omnibuses has recently been established between Slough and Burnham Beeches and cheap through tickets are issued daily by certain trains from Paddington .