Canada.

The approaching visit to Canada of the heir apparent to the throne of the British Empire , is an event of such absorbing interest , that I need make no apology for alluding to ifc on this occasion . Indeed , I should be surprised if tbe matter were not introduced formally before you for discussion , assured as I am that this most worshipful body will desire to testify their affection to the Royal Family of England , by every proper and constitutional means . It will probably be asked in tin ' s Grand Lodge , whether the

precedents aud customs of Masonry will justify the presentation of an address to His Royal Highness . The presence of so many worshipful Brethren skilled in the royal art , and well versed in Masonic lore , as I am proud to recognize around me to-day , convinces me that should the question ho raised , it will receive a full and satisfactory reply . I will only say at present with reference to it , that , in times of extraordinary interest , Masons , in their collective character , have addressed august personages—nofc Masons—in order to

set forth the fact that , the tbe institution enforces upon its adherents the quiet performance and firm maintenance of all the duties of good citizens and loyal subjects . Apart from his exalted position , ancl his important relations to the members of this Grancl Loclge as members of the body politic , his Royal Highness the Princo of AA ales has especial claims upon our sympathetic affection ancl regard , on account of his Masonic connections . His illustrious grandfather , the late Duke of Kent , was a Grand Master in our ancientand venerable Order , anil one of the most interesting episodes in the history of Masonry in England is that which recounts the

solemn reconciliation of the two branches or the Masonic family , under the auspices of II . It . H . the Duke of Kent and K . B . II . the Duke of Sussex . Having now briefly referred to the various subjects which I considered it my duty to bring under your notice , I ivill not trespass further upon your time , but will conclude by again expressing the pleasure I feel iu meeting you all , in the interesting ancl beautiful City of Ottawa .

The other business was then proceeded with , and the following Officers elected for tho ensuing year : —M . AV . Bro . Harrington . Grand Master ; JR . W . Bro . AV . B . Simpson D . G . M . ; R . AV . Bro , D . Gale , S . G . AV . ; R . AV . Bro . T . R . AVurren , J . G . AV . ; R . AA . Bro . Rev . James Preston , G . Chaplain ; It . AV . Bro . Heathfield , G . Registrar ; R . AV . Bro . Henry Groff , G . Treasurer ; 11 . AA . Bro . T . B . Harris , G . Secretary ; R . AV . Bro . Charles Maghill , I ) . Dist . G . M ., Hamilton District ; R . AV . Pro . F . AV . Thomas , D . Dist .

G . M ., London District ; 11 . AV . Bro . G . AV . AVhitchcad , D . Dist ., G . M ., AVilson District ; B . W . Bro . . Emilias Irvine-, D . Dist . G . M ., Huron District ; E . AY . Bro . J . IS . Hall , I ) . DisfcT G . M ., Ontario District ; B . AV . Bro . A . A . Campbell , D . Dist . G . M ., Prince Edward District ; R . AV . Bro . George F LitScrrc , D . Dist . G . M ., Central District ; R . AV . Bro . S . 13 . Harman , D . Dist . G . M ., Toronto District ; JR . AV . Bro . A . A . Stevenson , D . Dist . G . M ., Montreal District ; B . AV . Bro . Richard Pope , D . List . G . M ., Quebec District . It was unanimously resolved that the next Annual Communication of the Grancl loclge should be held at London , C . W .

India.

INDIA .

BENGAL DISTRICT GRAND LODGE . A quarterly communication of the District Grand Lodge of Bengal was held at the Freemason ' s Hall on Friday , tho 30 th March , 1860 , when there were present the If . VV . Bro . John . 1 . L . Hoff D . Prov . a . M ., as P . G . M . ; Bros . Vi'illi .-ini dark , P . Prov . S . G . AV ., asD . Prov . G . M . ; John B . Roberts , Prov . S . G . W . ; Frederick Jennings , Prov . J . G . W . ; AVilliam J . Judge , P . Prov , J . G . AV . ; Reverend Felix F . MazucIieUi , DJJ ., Prov . G . Chaplain ; Thomas

Jones , Prov . G . Registrar ; Frederick C . Iloflj Ass . Prov . G . Secy ., as Prov . G . Secretary ; John Brown , S . Prov . G . D . ; Thomas E . Carter , J . Prov . G . D . and Prov . G . I ) . of C .. ; Henry Fraser , P . Prov . G . S . of AV . ; John W . Brown , Prov . G . S . B . ; Peter Anderson , P . Prov . G . S . B . ; John E . dinger , Prov . G . 0 . ; Albert M . Dowleans , Prov . G . P . ; Louis A . Emanuel , Prov . G . Standard Bearer ; David J . Daniel , Prov . G . Tyler ; with representatives from Lodges filar in the Fast ( No . SO ) , Industry and Perseverance ( No . 126 ) , True

Friendship ( No . 265 ) , Humility with Fortitude ( No . 279 ) , Courage with Humanity No . 551 ) , and Saint John ' s ( No . 715 ) . The District Grand Lodge was opened in form . The minutes of the Quarterly Communication held on the 27 th December last , were read and confirmed . After fche confirmation of the minutes , Bro . Jones observed , that it was known to him that some Brethren had attributed to him motives of disrespect towards tlie District Grand Lodin the use

ge of the expression which was addressed by him ( at a former Communication ) towards Bro . Ii'obeiro . Ifc was his belief ; lie stated , that he had , at the last- Quarterly Communication , offered an expression of his regret for the unguarded words adverted to , but no record of the circumstance appeared in tbe minutes .

Referring to the letter of the Provincial Grand Master , as published in the minutes , Bro . Jones quoted the statement of the Provincial Grand Master , that , "if ever there was an occasion on which such " ( an expression ) " could be justified , it was then , as it threw the man on his back at once and brought matters to a point . " To himself , this opinion of the R . AV . tbe Provincial Grancl Master , was a source of satisfaction ; but he also freely concurred in the declaration of the Provincial Grand Master as to the " unmasonic" character of

the expression , and he had only to plead tbe nnguardedness of the moment in which it had been made ; and , in re-assuring the Brethren that no one regretted the matter more than himself ' , he hoped that they would receive his apology in the same cordial spirit in ivhich ifc was tendered by him . The officiating Provincial Grand Master said that he felt truly gratified that Bro . Jones had come forward and apologised for the expression alluded to ; particularly as ifc was one which , under the circumstances , was excusable . He was sure , therefore , that every member of the District Grand Lodge would accept the apology submitted with as much pleasure as he did himself .

Acter some business ol purciy local interest , the report of the Freemason ' s Hall Committee , tho consideration of which had been deferred at the last Quarterly Communication of the District Grancl Lodge , was submitted , the following are extracts : — The Committee appointed by the E . AA ' . Provincial Grand Master of Bengal fco report on the practicability of erecting a- Masonic Temple in this metropolis , for the use of the Craft in general , have now the honour to submit the following Report : —

After giving this important subject full ancl due consideration , the Committee have come to tho following conclusions : That the proposed building should be located in one of the great thoroughfares of the town , in a central position , ancl that , whilst affording all the accommodation required by the Craft , it should at the same time form an ornament fco the metropolis . That in order to erect a building of the description , and ivorthy of its name , tbe expense to be incurred will be much larger than the ordinary

means of ihe several Lodircs could afford . By erecting an edifice on a grand scale , which , in ' addition to all the accommodation required by the Craft , would alio contain a large hall for theatres , concerts , re-unions , lectures , and public dinners , as well as shops , & c , an income might be derived sufficient to provide for paying the interest , and for the eventual liquidation of the whole amount borrowed . That the money rewired for the above purposes might

be raised among the Craft throughout Bengal , at a reasonable rate of interest . Having come to fche foregoing conclusions , the Committee proceeded to ascertain the localities that might be available for the aforesaid purpose , the style and nature of the edifice to be erected , and tbe probable outlay ivhich it would entail , together with the means that might be ' procured for eventually discharging the principal and interest . Three localities were inspected , two of

which from different causes were not considered eligible . A third proposal consists in a large spot of ground between AVood-strcet aud Hungevlbrd-street , at present covered with a cluster of native , huts , all of which can be rouioved within a short time . The ground belongs to an estate of a deceased French gentleman , and remaining unclaimed for upwards of twenty-five years , is in the hands of the Administrator General , and may be ' had for Rs . 20 , 000 . The locality is in a good positionand the only one that is likely to be

, procured afc so reasonable- a sum . Upon this spot of ground tho Committee would suggest the building of a stately edifice , whicli would combine accommodation for the Craft , and for all the requirements of the Society of this metropolis . The edifice would be a two-storied one , with wings three stories high , containing the following accommodation and arrangements : —

Ground-Floor . —The central part underneath the great hall is to form a repository 100 feet long by 40 , for the sale of carriages , and the wings will contain -1 shops , two of ivhich will be 65 by 22 Jfeet . Second Floor . —A double flight of steps will lead to the principa hall , which , exclusive of the stage , orchestra , and front gallery , willbe 84 feet by 40 , and in height 00 feet . Separate staircases willlead to the stage and the side-rooms connected with it . Each of the

wings adjoining the hall will contain a dining-room 05 by 22 ft . Gin .,, with an ante or assembly-room , as well as a room which may bo used as a pantry , and in ivhich the table servants could assemble .. Separate staircases will lead to the pantries , by which the viands can be brought up into the dining-room . The wings will extend to tho north and south of the main building , and the rooms in the southern wing will be exclusively appropriated to the use of the Craft , whilst those in the northern '"ing may be let separately or in connection with the great hall . By this arrangement , public entertainments given in the large hall or side-rooms would in no way interfere with the meetings or banquets of Lodges .