Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Some Notes On Freemasonry In Australia.
heterogeneous composition of the community of which he was the vice-regal head . However , it was in 1803 that we first hear of Freemasonry in Australasia , and the locality was the then infant city of Sydney . The record referred to is brief and bald , but significant enough for cur purpose , though the climax was not by any means encouraging to the ardent
spirits who desired to found a Afasonic lodge . The originators of the movement were stated to be " several officers of his Majesty ' s ships , together with some respectable inhabitants of Sydney . " Governor King , however , to whom
CM'TAlN COOK VHOCI . AlMlNCi NKSV SOCHI WALES A 11 VUTISH POSSESSION AT BOTANY HAY . 177 » .
the petition had been addressed , promptly refused his sanction ; but , in spite of the prohibition , a lodge was held , jirobably of a formal character , and with serious results to the prime mover , one H . Brown Hayes , who was sent to Van Dieman ' s Land , which island in that very year was proclaimed
a British settlement . In the same month , though , as this occurrence is the following entry in the diary of a long deceased colonist : — " May 22 nd , 1803 .- —A number of Masons meeting at the house of Sergeant Whittell , in Sydney , New South
Wales , were arrested , and after serious report were discharged as having no wilful intention to disturb the peace . " From this it would appear that Governor King had somewhat relaxed his harsh measures , or possibly the judicial deliverance just quoted was the work of a magistrate . Some
time afterwards , however , it is stated that Capt . King had explained that but for his action " every soldier and other person would have been made a Freemason , had not the most decided means been taken to prevent it . " These precautions , in consideration of the times and of his surroundingsmay have been perfectly justified on the part
, of the governor , for it must be borne in mind that the " Secret Societies Act " had been made law in the old country only four years previously , and although the Freemasons ' lodges in the Three Kingdoms had meanwhile been exempted
from the provisions of the statute on the fulfilment of certain conditions , through the powerful advocacy of the Duke of Athol , Grand Master of the "Antients , " it is in every waxlikely that the King ' s representative in that far-off and comparatively unknown and inaccessible part of his dominions
was quite ignorant of the exemption . Suffice it to say that the Act of Parliament in question is still in force , and that the conditions of exemption render it obligatory on every secretary to forward once a year to the clerk of the peace of his county the names , addresses , and callings of the members
of his lodge . It is interesting to note that the centenary of the introduction of Freemasonry into Australia was fittingly commemorated by the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales in July , 1903 , amongst those present being his Excellency Sir Harry Raw-son , P . G . W . of England , and Governor of the State of New South Wales .
Ad01502
NEWflAN & SON , TAILORS - - - AND COLONIAL OUTFITTERS , 15 , BROWNLOW STREET , HOLBORN , W . C . ( IIV . sV Side of First Avenue Hotel ) . DRESS SUITS A SPECIALITY Having received our New Stock comprising ; i large selection of ( lie highest class of Worsted and Cheviot Coatings , Scotch Suitings , and Cashmere Trouserings , we beg to solicit an early inspection , feeling sure we can give every satisfaction . ¦
Ad01503
Estate Hgents , Surveyors , Xtccnscb Dalners , ., Co & HOWARD . J . A . Messrs Brewery agents , ant > 2 LiccnseJ > propertfi Ejperts , 25 , KENNINGTON PARK ROAD , S . E . £ Q Qnn CASH —For disposal , Free Lease , very desirable Tavern in c * ' uu good main road , and surrounded by choice neighbourhood , gross profits £ 2 , ( 100 per annum . Excellent Billiard Saloon ( 2 Tables ) and specially built Masonic Hall ground floor . Howling Green . Splendid Home . Gentleman ' s property . Parties wishing to dispose of or purchase Public Houses , Hotels , Taverns , lieer Houses , and Off Licences , and all kinds of Licensed properties will liud this an excellent medium . NO CHARGE FOR ENTERING PROPERTIES ON OUR REGISTER . Cash Advanced to enable Purchasers to Complete , and on all kinds of Security , £ 25 upwards .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Some Notes On Freemasonry In Australia.
heterogeneous composition of the community of which he was the vice-regal head . However , it was in 1803 that we first hear of Freemasonry in Australasia , and the locality was the then infant city of Sydney . The record referred to is brief and bald , but significant enough for cur purpose , though the climax was not by any means encouraging to the ardent
spirits who desired to found a Afasonic lodge . The originators of the movement were stated to be " several officers of his Majesty ' s ships , together with some respectable inhabitants of Sydney . " Governor King , however , to whom
CM'TAlN COOK VHOCI . AlMlNCi NKSV SOCHI WALES A 11 VUTISH POSSESSION AT BOTANY HAY . 177 » .
the petition had been addressed , promptly refused his sanction ; but , in spite of the prohibition , a lodge was held , jirobably of a formal character , and with serious results to the prime mover , one H . Brown Hayes , who was sent to Van Dieman ' s Land , which island in that very year was proclaimed
a British settlement . In the same month , though , as this occurrence is the following entry in the diary of a long deceased colonist : — " May 22 nd , 1803 .- —A number of Masons meeting at the house of Sergeant Whittell , in Sydney , New South
Wales , were arrested , and after serious report were discharged as having no wilful intention to disturb the peace . " From this it would appear that Governor King had somewhat relaxed his harsh measures , or possibly the judicial deliverance just quoted was the work of a magistrate . Some
time afterwards , however , it is stated that Capt . King had explained that but for his action " every soldier and other person would have been made a Freemason , had not the most decided means been taken to prevent it . " These precautions , in consideration of the times and of his surroundingsmay have been perfectly justified on the part
, of the governor , for it must be borne in mind that the " Secret Societies Act " had been made law in the old country only four years previously , and although the Freemasons ' lodges in the Three Kingdoms had meanwhile been exempted
from the provisions of the statute on the fulfilment of certain conditions , through the powerful advocacy of the Duke of Athol , Grand Master of the "Antients , " it is in every waxlikely that the King ' s representative in that far-off and comparatively unknown and inaccessible part of his dominions
was quite ignorant of the exemption . Suffice it to say that the Act of Parliament in question is still in force , and that the conditions of exemption render it obligatory on every secretary to forward once a year to the clerk of the peace of his county the names , addresses , and callings of the members
of his lodge . It is interesting to note that the centenary of the introduction of Freemasonry into Australia was fittingly commemorated by the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales in July , 1903 , amongst those present being his Excellency Sir Harry Raw-son , P . G . W . of England , and Governor of the State of New South Wales .
Ad01502
NEWflAN & SON , TAILORS - - - AND COLONIAL OUTFITTERS , 15 , BROWNLOW STREET , HOLBORN , W . C . ( IIV . sV Side of First Avenue Hotel ) . DRESS SUITS A SPECIALITY Having received our New Stock comprising ; i large selection of ( lie highest class of Worsted and Cheviot Coatings , Scotch Suitings , and Cashmere Trouserings , we beg to solicit an early inspection , feeling sure we can give every satisfaction . ¦
Ad01503
Estate Hgents , Surveyors , Xtccnscb Dalners , ., Co & HOWARD . J . A . Messrs Brewery agents , ant > 2 LiccnseJ > propertfi Ejperts , 25 , KENNINGTON PARK ROAD , S . E . £ Q Qnn CASH —For disposal , Free Lease , very desirable Tavern in c * ' uu good main road , and surrounded by choice neighbourhood , gross profits £ 2 , ( 100 per annum . Excellent Billiard Saloon ( 2 Tables ) and specially built Masonic Hall ground floor . Howling Green . Splendid Home . Gentleman ' s property . Parties wishing to dispose of or purchase Public Houses , Hotels , Taverns , lieer Houses , and Off Licences , and all kinds of Licensed properties will liud this an excellent medium . NO CHARGE FOR ENTERING PROPERTIES ON OUR REGISTER . Cash Advanced to enable Purchasers to Complete , and on all kinds of Security , £ 25 upwards .