Australia.-Victoria.

five Lodges . An amendment by Bro . J . Harris , to pay this fund to that of Melbourne was negatived by a large majority . In accordance with previous notice , Bro . J . J . Moody then moved , and Bro . H . W . Lowry seconded , a motion and the adoption of a petition to Grand Lodge . As the petition prays for a representative in Grand Lodge of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Victoria , and embodies a principle affecting the

relations of the Grand Lodge with the whole Colonial District Grand Lodges of the British dependencies , it may he desirable briefly to recapitulate the material portions of Bro . Moody ' s speech on introducing the motion . Bro . Moody said : " Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , in submitting this motion to the District Grand Lodge , I desire to bo distinctly understood as an earnest advocate for its continued connection with the Grand Lodge of England . I will not conceal that the District Grand Lodge of Victoria is vigorous , influential , and

numerous , and might assume independence with a certainty of success ; but there are so many glorious associations connected with the Grand Lodge of England , many of its members have shed so bright a halo around Freemasonry , and have illustrated and adorned it by their distinguished talents ; " it has upheld so earnestly and extended our beneficent institutions , it has exhibited such wisdom and moderation in its government and fraternal conciliation in general towards dissentient Brethren , thus displaying the most eminent virtues by which our Order is distinguished , that I should deeply regret , and would on no account be instrumental in weakening the attachment , or severing those fraternal ties which have endeared us to that honored body , which has so consistently upheld the principles

of our Order , and supported the dignity and influence of Freemasonry . It is because I desire to prevent what we have witnessed in another British dependency '—it is because I desire to strengthen and perpetuate those fraternal ties which unite the Grand and District Grand Lodgesthat I now so warmly support this novel bnt practical motion . It is not the Colonial Board of General Purposes , useful as I deem it , that can supply our requirements . It is not the authority to appoint a member of that Board that would suffice to secure the due recognition of our wants . No : such a one would , if zealous , be deemed a

partisan ; if apathetic , uninflnential ; and , in either case , so numerically disproportionate to the whole number of the Board , as to be powerless in action , and inadequate to obtain the objects of this appointment . An independent representative will alone fulfil the duties to be imposed upon him . Ho would thus draw closer the ties that unite us ; our whole policy of goverment would be unfolded to him ; our wants and wishes , interests and requirements , freely communicated to him ; and a discretionary power vested in him , by wdiich the gathering clouds of misunderstanding would be speedily dispelled , the elements of discord

promptly suppressed , fraternal feeling cultivated and extended , differences " promptly adjusted , reciprocal action promoted , and our allegiance thus strengthened by an enlightened view of our respective duties and obligations , and of the sphere of action assigned to each in supporting , extending , promoting , and diffusing the glorious principles of Freemasonry , the pioneer or precursor of civilization throughout the world . " On being requested to name the representative he intended to proposeBro . Moody said he intended to Bro . Henry Udall

, propose , barrister-at-law . On the suggestion of the R . W . D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . F . T . Gill , and Bro . J . Lewis—for the purpose of ensuring general- unanimity , and full notice to absent Brethren—Bro . J . Moody consented to renew his motion at the next quarterly communication . . Bros . E . T . Bradshaw and Robert Levick spoke in high terms of Bro Udall . -

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTERS . The half-yearly meeting of the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters was held at the Freemasons'Tavern , on Wednesday , the 23 rd of June , Bro . William Jones , P . S . G . W ., occupied the ' place of the Grand Master who , as well as the Deputy Grand Master , was unavoidably prevented from attending . Bro . Keddell occupied the chair of S . G . W ., and Bro . Barnard that of J . G . W . There were present a goodly assemblage of Grand Officers and Past Grand Officers , and a very fair proportion of the representatives of the Lodges in the provinces .

In the absence of Bro . Collins , the G . Sec , the minutes of last Grand Lodge were read by Bro . Ridgway , the G . Reg ., and unanimously confirmed . The G . Reg . then reported the progress made by the degree during the past six months , as more particularly exemplified in the increased number of applications for warrants ; and alluded also to the highly satisfactory results arising from the exertions of the Grand Master to promote an union of all the English Mark Lodges . The Treasurer ' s report was read , showing not only a good balance

in the hands of the bankers , but a statement of further assets to an extent evidently beyond the expectations of the Brethren present . Bro . Jones , P . S . G . W ., announced that the Grand Master had , since the last Grand Lodge , been pleased to appoint the D . G . M .. Earl Carnarvon , to be Prov . G . M . of the Mark for the province of Somerset , and Bro . Wm . Kelly to be Prov . G . M . for that of Leicester ; adding that his lordship was actuated in making these appointments by the knowledge of the satisfaction with which they would be received in the several provinces .

Upon the proposition of Bro . Lazarus , G . Org , seconded by Bro . Barrel , the Right Hon . Lord Leigh was unanimously re-elected Grand Master of the Mark for the ensuing year . Bro . Barker then proposed Bro . Norton for i-e-election as Grand Treasurer . The result of his charge of the funds was so apparent that he anticipated no dissentient to his proposition . Bro . Lazarus seconded the proposition , which was carried unanimously . Bro . Jones then proceeded to announce the names of those Brethren

whom the Grand Master desired to appoint to be Grand Officers for the ensuing year : The Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon to be D G . M . ; Sir Edmund Lcchmere , Bart ., to be S . G . W . ; Bro . H ' yiidham Portal , to be J . G . W . ; the Rev . G . R . Portal , S . W . of the Carnarvon Lodge No . 7 , and the Rev . Dr . Woolley , P . M . of the Phoenix Lodge , Portsmouth , to be G . Chaplains ; Ridgway , P . M . of the Mark Lodge No . 4 , to be G . Reg . ; Wm . Louis Collins , Sec . of the Bon Accord Lodge , to he G . Sec . ; the Rev . Wentworth Bowyerof the Hiram Lodge No . 17 to be S . G . D .

, , ; Edward Burrell , of the Keystone Lodge No . 3 , to be J . G . D . ; Binford , of the Fortescue Lodge No . 9 , Southmolton , to be G . Sup . of Works ; Barker , of the Northumberland and Berwick Lodge , to be G . Dir . of Cers . ; Bagshawe , W . M . of the Royal Cumberland Lodge , Bath , to be Asst . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Bradley , W . M . of the Phcenix Lodge ,

Portsmouth , to be G . Sword Bearer ; Hadow , of the Russell Lodge No . 23 , Tavistock , to be G . Org . ; and Jessie Turner , of the Mallet and Chisel Lodge No . 5 , to be G . Purs . It was then further announced , that the six Lodges who had this year , under the 45 th article of the constitution , the right of nominating Grand Stewards , had all omitted to make the requisite return , and no nomination had been been made by the General Board ; therefore , as the appointment was thus , under the constitution , left in the hands of the Grand Master , his lordship desired to exercise his right

m favor of those six Lodges who had ( doubtless through inadvertence only ) neglected their return . He would , therefore , appoint as Grand Stewards : Bros . Hammerton , J . W . of the Carnarvon Lodge ; Captain Trower , W . M . of the Fortescue Lodge , Southmolton ; Bisgood , S . W . of the Leigh Lodge , at Erith ; Ba'bington , J . W . of the Hiram Lodge , at Richmond ; Cann , S . W . of the St . George ' s Lodge , Exeter ; and Harcourt , W . M . of the Joppa Lodge , Chertsey . The next business was the election of five members to serve on the General Board for the ensuing year . The names of the several

Brethen proposed had been duly submittted to the previous committee of Masters ; the ballot having taken place , the following Brethren were declared elected : Bros . A . Ridgway , G . B . Cole , R . Norton , J . A . L . Barnard , William Jones . It then rested with the Grand Master to appoint a president and five other members , when his representative in the chair , following his lordship ' s known rule of strict impartiality , selected the names of the following Brethren as having received the next largest number of votes : Bros , the Rev . Dr . Woolley , E . Burrell , George Lambert , G . Barker , and Mark Tomkins .

Bro . Lambert desired to make a few remarks ( which were received with great approbation by the Grand Lodge ) on the subject of the position of our colonial Brethren in the Mark Degree . Communications were constantly being made to the Colonial Board of the Grand Lodge of England , of which he was a member , respecting the difficulties existing in the colonics from the non-recognition of the Mark Degree , and the consequent irregularities forced upon them . Bro . Lambert desired to suggest that some printed statement should be drawn up by the General Board for the information of colonial Brethren as to the facilities to be afforded them in this Degree by the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters , and this statement he would take steps to forward to those parties whom he had mentioned as seeking such a guide .