Colonial.

" 5 . —Constitution of the Grand Chapter of Canada . " I sent you a printed copy of the proceedings , which , I hope , reached you . They would make you quite an fait , on the subject of our Union , but one of the articles of that Union is so emphatic that I am induced to subscribe it at full length . It declares ( after the preamble)—"' It is resolved ;—That an impartial review of all the

eventful circumstances attending its organization—its priority—its subsequent important proceedings , —and its recognition by a portion of the British Empire , and by a very large proportion of the Grand Lodges of the United States of America , —demonstrates that the Grand Lodge of Canada , organized on the 10 th October , 1855 , and known and recognized as

aforesaid , by the style and title of The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada , should be acknowledged by the entire Canadian Craft , and should be , and is hereby declared to be , the Grand Lodge of the Fraternity , in and THROUGHOUT CANADA . ' " As a Rider to the foregoing , the last resolution provides for the future enrolment of all Provincial Grand and Private Lodges not then in alliance with us . If you will refer to the

list of officers ( page 69 ) , you will perceive that they are taken from all parts of Canada . " I think what I have sent will be of use to you . It is a matter of sincere regret that the Grand Master appointed any successor to Bro . Harington , at Quebec , for the Grand Lodge of Canada was even then too solidly established to be ignored . "In conclusion , I cannot too seriously assure you , that

the Grand Lodge of Canada is very anxious to be in full communion with the Grand Lodge of England . We have lost none of our Masonic and true Brotherly affection and regard ; but we must be consistent , and an implied acceptance , even of the present proffer of recognition , would be , in effect , stultifying ourselves . We may continue to recognize such few Lodges as are now existing in Canada , and desirous

of preserving their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England , but the powers of Provincial Grand Masters must cease , for no new Lodges can or will be tolerated , other than such as may be established by the Grand Lodge of Canada . The latter Body can communicate on equal terms with the Grand Lodge of England alone . The Provincial Grand Masters ( and through them the Provincial Grand Lodges ) , are not supreme , but subject to extinction at the pleasure of the M . W . Grand Master . "

TASMANIA . The Freemasons' Magazine gives the following narrative of the proceedings which have taken place subsequent to the decision of Grand Lodge to uphold Bro . Ewing in his authority , and to reject the appeal of the Hobart Town brethren to be taken from under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Grand Master of Tasmania . It appears that upon this decision reaching Hobart Town , Bro . Charles Toby , the Worshiful Master of No . 781 called a meeting of the Lodgeto

p , , consider what course should be taken . This meeting was held on the 3 rd of June , and the following resolutions carried by a majority of twenty-eight to five : — ' ¦ That this Lodge , in obedience to the decision of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , conveyed in the letter of the Grand Secretary , dated 11 th March last , recognises the appointment of the Rev . E . K . Ewing , as Provincial Grand Master , and begs to be reinstated in its Masonic functions . " On the following day Bro . Toby addressed a letter to Bro . Ewing , communicating the result of the and that he would immediatel

meeting , expressing a hope " y restore the Lodge to its Masonic functions , and also legalize the proceedings while working , pending the decision of Grand Lodge . " This letter remained unanswered for eight days , when the Uight Worshipful Provincial Grand Master apologised for the delay , on the ground of " excess of occupation , " and proceeded to say" The submission of the Brethren to the command of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master , has given me , as liis representative in the province , much satisfaction , and I may accept it as a well

intended pledge of a harmony that you , and the Brethren of No . 781 , will endeavour to maintain among the Craft in Tasmania . " I am glad that so many of the Brethren present were agreed as to the course adopted ; and in taking the requisite steps for restoring matters to a proper footing , I will thank you to furnish me with a list of the names of the brethren who voted for the minute you have sent me , and the names of the five who voted against . I shall then lose no time in having the necessary documents made out . " I beg to statehoweverthat I have not the to legalise the

, , power proceedings of the Lodge which took place during the period of suspension . To give them effect , they must be done over again , if required , so soon as the Lodge is at work . Such meeting or meetings of the Brethren , as were held at the request of the Grand Lodge , or my own , with a view to the settlement of differences , are , upon that request legal , and form part of the records of No . 781 ; but beyond this , all business transactions , from the time of suspension sustained by Grand Lodge , is in itself wrong . You will , I am sure , therefore

perceive that I cannot make right what both the Constitution and the Grand Lodge pronounce wrong . When the necessary documents are completed , I shall be happy to visit Hobart Town . " To this Bro . Toby replied on the following day , stating that he had no record of the brethren voting against the resolution—four of them having immediately retired from the room on being placed in a minority ; and praying that as the Lodge had been suspended en masseso miht it be restored to its functions en masseAlthough

, g . this communication was dated on the 12 th of June , no reply was received until the 5 th of August , a period of nearly two months , and then only on the receipt of a " refresher" —as our legal brethren would say—from Bro . Toby , calling his attention to the length of time which had intervened since he wrote to him ; and here it would seem that Bro . Ewing , looking at the importance of the question under consideration , had placed himself in the wrong , did we not bear in mind that he was in a measure forced to be cautiousowing

, to the position in which he was placed , and the eagerness with which every word and act was seized upon by some of the brethren to his prejudice . In the letter of August 5 th , Bro . Ewing stated that he had come to the conclusion , " that it would be unwarrantable and uninasonic , " to restore the Lodge en masse , and " that each member must himself renew his allegiance ere he can hope for the benefit of release . " Here there can be no doubt that the Provincial Grand

Master was right , as Bro . Wilkinson , with one or two others , had placed themselves in distinct opposition to his authority , and declared that , rather than place themselves under the control of the Provincial Grand Lodge , they would retire altogether from Freemasonry . With the letter of the 5 th of August was also sent a form of petition , for the Brethren who wished to be restored to their Masonic functions to sign . This Bro . Toby immediately did , and proceeded to obtain the signatures of other brothers , determining , however , not to present it until he received information of the Grand Lodge of England

having confirmed the decision come to in March . This information appears to have reached the colony on the 19 th of October ; and on the same day the petition was forwarded to Bro . Ewing—Bro . Toby remarking that many of the brethren had had no opportunity of signing it , owing to their absence from the colony . On the 26 th , Bro . Ewing acknowledged the receipt of the petition , and an accompanying letter , putting however ( as he says , with the advice of his Board of General Purposes ) what we must be allowed to desi the absurd

gnate following questions : — " 1 st . Has any communication , memorial , or letter , bearing directly or indirectly on the subject-matter in dispute between the E . W . the Prov . G . M ., and No . 781 , or on the K . VV . the Prov . G . M . personally , been sent to the Grand Secretary , or to any member of Grand Lodge , by No . 781 , either by or through its W . M ., board of P . Ms ., Secretary , or any other officer or any member signing the petition ? " 2 nd . In the Hobart Town Daily Mercury , of 26 th August , an article from Masonic at the

a journal * was reprinted request of a large number of the Craft . Has any member signing the petition , acted , or been interested , directly or indirectly , in seeking or causing tho publication in the Mercury of the said article ? " 3 rd . In the Ilobart Town Daily Mercury , of 7 th September , Bro . Wilkinson caused to be printed a letter sent officially from the Secretary of Hope , No . 901 , to the Secretary of No . 781 , containing a part of the ceremonial of Lodge working ; and which letter , of course , was the records of Lod 781 will inform

preserved among ge No . : you me by whose authority , and by what means , that letter became available to Bro . Wilkinson , and whether any member signing the petition was concerned , either directly or indirectly , by act or knowledge , in the publication by Bro . Wilkinson , of the letter of Bro . A . Learmouth , Secretary of Hope , No . 901 ?" This communication was considered at a meeting of the Brethren * The Freemasons' Magazine .