Australia.

skill in tbe loyal art , it now remains with me to finish the . work , and knocked the stone three times with a mallet . AV . M . Parsons having done the same , and declared it to be duly laid , the band playing in the meantime , The oil , wine , ancl corn , were then poured on the stone by Past Masters Moore , A ennell , and McKenzie , after which WM , Dransfield uttered the following prayer : —

"May the all bounteous Author of nature bless the inhabitants of this province with all the necessaries ancl comforts of life assist in the erection of this building and long preserve it from decay , and grant to us in needed supply the corn of nourishment , the wine of refreshment , and the oil of joy , and may the blessing of the Grand Architect of tho Universe be upon this undertaking . "

Bro . Toxward , the architect , presented AV . M . Dransfield with thejilansof the building , which were approved of ; the AA . M . then handed the tools to tbe architect , saying -. —Bro . Toxward . you are now intrusted with the superintendence of the workmen employed in the construction of this edifice , ancl having according to the best of my ability accomplished the task appointed to meI now return to you tbe implements committed

, to my care [ here the speaker handed the tools to the architect ] with full confidence , that as a skilful and faithful workman you will use them in such a manner that the building may rise in order , harmony , aud beauty , and being perfected in strength , will redound to your credit , and the honour of our ancient fraternity . The brethren then sang the Masonic version of the National

Anthem , accompanied by the band ; after which three cheers were given for her Majesty the Queen , and a like number for his Excellency Sir George Grey . AV . M . Dransfield , addressing the assemblage , said : —Ladies and gentlemen , —On occasions like the present it is customary to offer a few explanatory remarks upon the forms ancl ceremonies made use of by us , and to explain the uses and benefits of our

institution , throwing aside for the moment the reserve and silence with which we are wont to veil the subject . Our institution is founded upon tbe sacred law , giving us a guide to our ¦ feet , and setting before us the hope of eternal life , teaching us to act justly , to love mercy , and to walk humbly in our allotted path . Of the symbols brought prominently beforo you to-day , the principal ones beside tbe corn , wine , and oil , are the square , leveland plumb rule . The square is to us a symbol of morality

, , pointing out the volume of tlie sacred law , as the true guide to life and conduct , inculcating faith in God , hope in eternal life , and charity towards all mankind ; the level as a symbol of equality , teaching that all men are equal before Him , who causeth tbe sun to shine as well on the rich as the poor ; and tbe plumb rule as an emblem of rectitude—reminding us to act justly in all our dealings . I will not now detain you further . Having

tested this foundation stone and poured upon it the symbols of peace , plenty , ancl good will—may tho Great Architect of tbe Universe bless this undertaking . After the brethren had placed their contributions for the workmen on the stone , the procession was reformed , and marched back again to the Empire Hotel . Thus ended a very interesting ceremony .

A grand banquet was given at Osgood ' s Empire Hotel in tho evening to celebrate the occasion . At seven o ' clock about sixty of the brethren sat down to a most sumptuous dinner , served up in Host Osgood's best style . AA . M . Dransfield , of tho Now Zealand Pacific Lodge , occupied the chair , and AV . M . Parsons , of Lodge AA aterloo , the vice-chair . The usual loyal , patriotic , and fraternal toasts were given and responded to in the most

hearty manner . By the permission of Mr . Osgood the theatre band was in attendance and played a choice selection of music . Some songs were sung by the brethren , whicli added greatly to the enjoyment of the entertainment . The company separated at twelve o'clock , after having enjoyed themselves to their hearts' content .

Knights Templar.

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

LONDONDERRY . LONDONDEEEY . —St . Colomb ' s Encampment ( No . 610 ) . —An emergency meeting of this encampment was held at the Masonic Rooms , Strand-road , on Monday , the 2 nd inst ., at seven o'clock . The following members were present : —Sir Knts . AV . Bio , vne , E . C . ; Rogan , Coppin , Blackall , Ilanna , Renczynski , Malmene ,

and others . Sir Kut . A . AV . Smyth , AVilliam Stuart Encampment , Aldershott , was present as a visitor , and was installed Knight of the Sword , Knight of the East , and Knight of the East ancl AA est . There were three companions to have been installed , but they did not attend ; two sent apologies . The encampment was closed about half-past eight . The next regular meeting will be held on the second Thursday in October .

CANADA . OTTAWA . Annual Meeting of the Provincial Grand Conclave . The annual assembly of the Provincial Grand Conclave of Masonic Knights Templar , for the appointment of officers and transaction of other business , took place on the 14 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , in Elgin-street . An unusually large number of the Fratres were present on the occasion . In the course of the proceedings the following address was read by theY . E . Commander , Col . AV . J . B . McLeod Moore : —

Address of tlie Provincial Grand Commander of Knights Templar and Knights of St . John of Jerusalem for Canada , under jurisdiction of the Supreme Grand Conclave of England and AVales , etc . Fratres of the Christian Order of tlie Temple for Canada , — It is with no ordinary feelings of gratification that I greet you ou our assembling for the first time since the formation of this Prov . Grand Conclavenow twelve years agoin the capital of

, , the New Dominion . This is the beginning of a new era in tbe history of Canada , ancl Canadians may well be proud of the position she is about to assume . AVitli hearts devoted to their country , the blessings of religious ancl civil liberty , and , above all , the principles of the Great Captain of their salvation engrafted in their minds , they may surely and fondlhope that the New Dominion will long

y proudly flourish amongst the older nations of the earth . A change will naturally arise in consequence of such new era in the position of our Order in the Dominion , and I would now recommend to the consideration of this Grand Conclave the necessity of applying to the supreme body to appoint a Colonial Deputy Grand Master , with power to appoint Prov . Grand Conclaves under him for the different provinces of the Dominion ,

whicli God speed . It affords me great gratification to state that the Order under our Supreme Grand Master , Frater William Stuart , in England and Wales , has considerably increased in numbers , extending itself to all parts of tho British possessions , and is now in a highly flourishing condition . Admittance into our ranks has been eagerly sought after , and some of the noblest names in England are enrolled under our banners . Negotiations for a convention with the Grand Bodies in England and Ireland are

now pending , and the most friendly and cordial relations are entertained with the Templars of tlie United States . It is to be hoped that ere long the whole Templar Order will , as of old , be united and bound together by the same ritual , the same landmarks , and Christian principles , because the ceremonies adopted in the United States Commanderies has for a number of years exhibited so many departures from the original ritual , as extant in Europethat their only safety is in returning to

, that fountain head where those ceremonies have so long continued uncorruptod and undefiled . To this desirable end Frater Alfred Creigh , L . L . D ., Grand Recorder and Historic " grapher of tho Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania , ancl an Honorary Past Deputy Grand Commander of this Provincial Grand Conclave , has been with his pen ably advocating the adoption of tho English Ritual in all the Encampments of tbe

United States ; clearly pointing out in his History of the Order , lately published , that the ritual in use with them is not the original one brought from England , and that the innovations , in fact total change , of the ceremony of reception was made by Frater Thomas Smith AA ebb , styled the father of American Freemasonry , and other innovators , at the commencement of the present century . He agrees with mo that the degree

known as tho " Red Cross " in the United States , and so much insisted upon as thc preliminary one to the Templar , is another innovation of AVebb ' s , taken from degrees in the Ancient and Accepted , or Scottish rite , ancl has no connection whatever with the Christian Orders of Knighthood . As such it is unknown and ignored in the Encampments of England , although a knowledge of its peculiar ceremonies is admitted in Canada , to prevent any difficulty in visiting the encampments of the United States .