Correspondence.

Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit ot fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—tree discussion . ]

RE GRAND LODGE OF NEW ZEALAND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am entirely one with you in the condemnation of the promoters of the New Grand Lodge of New Zealand , when so many lodges and brethren object to its formation at present . My old friend , Bro .

T . S . Graham , Dist . G . M . Otago and S . I ., has correctly represented the feelings of a great number of the brethren on the subject , and your support of his action will g ive him a powerful aid . I am not , however , so sure of the position you take in relation to the decision of the Grand Registrar of

England , though clearly there is much to be said in favour of your view of the case , and it could not be put more fairly than you have done . It seems to me , however , that the rule concerns the minimum number that can keep together as a lodge ,

when the numbers have so diminished through the deaths of members , loss of interest , and other causes , & c . The question as to the action of the majority of the members to continue with our Grand Lodge , or sever their connection , is not referred to in the rule , so far as I understand or remember the reasons advocated

for such a regulation . When a majority decide to leave the Grand Lodge and return their warrant , after all the preliminaries have been attended to , surely decides the matter , and would justify the Master—after due confirmation and payment of all claims—to distribute the effects pro rata amongst the members . I conceive that there are no

three members of the lodge to be considered when the resolution to secede has been agreed to and confirmed under present rules , but I think it would be well for a regulation to be added to our Book of Constitutions providing for three-fourths of all the members on the

roll ot a lodge agreeing to such a secession betore it can be consummated . —Yours fraternally , W . J . HUGHAN . September ist .

LODGES OF EMERGENCY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In my letter in last Saturday ' s issue , there is a printer ' s error which may be a little misleading . Line five of the second paragraph should follow line

six , and it should read : Art . 18 4 lays down a stringent , a very stringent rule . Art . : 8 s relaxes it a little— " In cases of emergency , the following course may he pursued . Any two members ¦ may . transmit in writing" .... & c . —Yours fraternally , LEX SCRIPTA . September 2 nd .

PROPOSED LODGE FOR CHEMISTS AND DRUGGISTS .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , Seeing your allusion to a " Medical Masonic Lodge" on page lib in your issue of 30 th ult ., I beg to draw your attention to the accompanying extract

from the Chemist and Druggist ol July I 2 th . I have already the names of several gentlemen willing to co-operate , and , if you give this publicity , may obtain several more . —I am , dear Sir , yours faithfully and fraternally ,

JOHN W . T . MORRISON , Lodge 1915 . September 2 nd .

" A MASONIC LODGE EOR PHARMACISTS . " SIR , —Might I be allowed , through the medium of your columns , to invite communications from chemists who are Freemasons as to the practicability of establishing a lodge in London confined to pharmacists .

" I am , dear Sir , yours faithfully , "J W . T . MORRISON . " 2 , Osnaburgh-street , London , N . W ., "July 7 . "

Reviews

REVIEWS

DEVON MASONIC REGISTER . One of the latest , but not the least , of the Provincial Calendars for 1890 is the " Devon Masonic Register , " edited , printed , and published by Bro , W . F . Westcott , P . M . 70 , Plymouth . Bro . Westcott displays much taste as a printer , and as an editor he has now been so

long before the fraternity , that al ! his Masonic productions command a ready sale , and are eagerly sought after . The Register is sold at one shilling , and is issued by the authority and sanction of Bro . Lord Ebrington , M . P ., the Provincial Grand Master and Grand Superintendent of Devon . As there are 52 lodges , with some 3000 contributing members , the work appeals to

Reviews

a large circle of readers , and so far as we have been able to discover the only fault requiring mention is the lateness of its publication . That , however , appears to be its misfortune rather than its fault , the numerous particulars concerning these 52 lodges , 28 Royal Arch chapters , 23 Mark lodges , six Knights Templar

Preceptories , and three Rose Croix chapters not being obtainable at an earlier date , though they certainly ought to be . We consider that if the by-laws were given in another issue , it would be a most useful addition , both of the Provincial Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Chapter , for they would thus come into the hands of

many brethren not ordinarily able to procure copies , as well as conduce to the efficiency of all concerned . Twelve penny stamps sent to the publisher , 14 , Frankfort-street , Plymouth , will at once secure a copy , as we hope this notice will lead to many being sold outside

the province . Bro . Westcott has also just published an excellent " Guide to Falmouth and Helford Harbours , " by Mr . F . Cecil Lane , doubtless owing to his having a branch establishment at Truro . It is dedicated to John Macgregor , Esq ., of " Rob Roy " fame .

"ZEBEL , " a Novel . By LILLIE CRANE- Eden , Remington and Co ., London . There is a peculiar charm in the fresh style and novel treatment with which the fair authoress presents to us the old , old story of love , confidence , and truth , with their equivalents of hatred , jealousy , and falsehood . It reminds one of the rendering of a

wellknown , ancl , it may be , hackneyed operatic air , by a young and sympathetic artist , who holds her audience spell-bound . " Zebel" is essentially a book to give to a dear friend to lighten the tedium of a long journey , having the advantage of being a one-volume work , clearly printed , and otherwise well produced at a reasonable price .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDasonrp . METROPOLITAN MEETINGS .

High CrOSS Lodge ( No . 754 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Seven Sisters Hotel , Page Green , Tottenham , on Wednesday , the 27 th ult ., among those present were Bros . E . Lovell , W . M . ; L . E . Wilson , S . W ., W . M . elect ; T . Clark , J . W . ; W . Dance , P . M ., Treas . ; " * . Linzell , P . M ., Sec ; M . j . Barnes , S . D . ; F . Voller , " j . D . ; A . Reeves , I . G . ; J . Garrod ,

P . M . ; Clements , P . M . ; Holt , P . M . ; W . Bastick , H . Wilkinson , Bartrop , Coiirtman , W . Wort , G . YVigmore , W . Stevens , and others . Visitors : Bros . Salmon , 177 ; J . Desvigncs , 2060 ; Green , 27 ; Wigmore , 177 ; A . Wood , 11 S 5 ; Michison , 271 ; E . Maigne , 20 C 0 ; E . Dove , 45 ; E . H . Dove , 45 ; A . Bull , 1707 ; Davies , 134 S ; Brade , 2045 ; 'Thos . Lewis , 2045 ; W . Shepherd , 2045 ; T . F . Barlow ,

2045 ; G . Rowe , 754 ; Capt . C . J . Knightley , 2271 ; D'Ardenes , 11 S 4 ; and J . Moon , 2148 . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed , Bro . J . F . Mayo was successfully balloted for as a joining member . An application from a distressed stranger was made to the lodge through the Secretary , and it was decided to give the

contents of the Charity-box for that evening to the applicant . Through the liberality of the brethren this fund is very low , over , £ 10 having been given this year , two guineas of which went to the fund to provide free breakfasts to the poor children attending the schools in the district . The installation ceremony was then proceeded with , and Bro . L . E . Wilson , S . W ., was duly installed into the chair of K . S . by the W . M .,

Bro . E . Lovell , who performed the duties in an admirable manner . The newly-installed Worshipful Master then invested his officers as follows : Bros . E . Lovell , I . P . M . ; T . Clark , S . W . ; M . J . Barnes , J . W . ; W . Dance , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Linzell , P . M ., Sec ; F . Voller , S . D . ; A . Reeves , J . D . ; W . Wort , l . G . ; W . Bastick , D . C . ; II .

Wilkinson and G . Wigmore , Stwds . ; W . Stevens , Org . ; and J . Very , 'Tyler . The customary addresses having been delivered by the Installing Master , and , after "Hearty good wishes " from the numerous visitors , the lodge was closed . The brethren then adjourned to an excellent banquet , provided by the worthy hostess , Mrs . Egan , at the conclusion of which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were

given . The toast of "The W . M . " was very heaitily received . In responding , the W . M . said that in every office he had held in the lodge he had made it his earnest endeavour to do credit to his position , and now that the brethren had appointed him VV . M . he should more than ever strive to perform his duties in such manner as would be creditable alike to himself and the lodge .

The next toast that followed was that of "The I . P . M ., Bro . E . Lovell , " who had installed his successor in the chair , and merited the esteem of the brethren , the lodge had voted him a Past Master ' s jewel , which the W . M . now presented to him , expressing the great pleasure he had in doing so . Bro . E . Lovell , in responding , said that he thanked the

brethren very much , and should always consider and wear it as a reminder of the happy years he had spent within the lodge . 'The toast of "The Visitors" followed , and was well received , the reply being entrusted to Bros . Salmon , 177 ; J . Desvignes , 2060 ; Green , 27 ; and A . Bull , 1707 . " The Past Masters" followed , and was received with thc

usual applause . In replying , allusio . i was made to the loss amongst them by death and other causes . Where , a fewyears since , they could count a goodly array now but few remained , but they congratulated the lodge on its future prospects . "The Masonic Charities" was given and responded to very eloquently by Bio . Capt . C . J . Knightley , who is pre-

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

sident of the 5 th Charitable Association . He referred briefly to the previous Associations , and trusted the onejust started would be even more successful than any of its predecessors . He concluded with an urgent appeal on behalf of the various Charities . " The Officers" was the next toast , and was responded to

by each of them . The Secretary saying he was pleased to hear Bro . Capt . Knightley appeal for the Charities . He ( the Secretary ) had in times past taken an active part in them , ancl occupied the position of President in the first Association formed , some iG years since , when there were only about 1300 lodges compared with the present number . The Tyler ' s toast brought a very pleasant evening to a

close . An excellent programme of music was gone through , and added much to the success of the evening . The artistes were Mr . Kessell , Bro . C . Ackerman , Mr . W . G . Hazelgrove , and Bro . C . White . Mr . A . Kelly acted very efficiently as accompanist .

United Northern Counties Lodge ( No . 212 S ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Inns of Court Hotel , Holborn , on Tuesday , the 2 nd inst ., when a very cordial welcome was extended to several distinguished American visitors . The members present were Bros . W . H . Bullock , W . M . ; J . B . Bolas , J . W . ; W , Masters , P . M ., Sec ; C . R . Lee , j . D . ; W . 1 . Hughan ,

P . G . D . ; J . S . Cumberland , P . P . G . W . West Yorks ; J . Lockett , J . M . Peake , B . Murgatroyd , G . H . Addy , H . A . Hebb , W . E . Porter . Visitors : Bros . Clifford P . MacCalla , G . M . Pennsylvania ; J . T . Hornor , P . G . M . Louisiana ; ] ohn Lane , P . P . G . Reg . Devon ; I . Taylor , P . M . 1402 ; Rev . A . W . B . Lees , Chap . 910 ; W . Lake , P . P . G . Reg . Cornwall ; W . M . Fleming , 33 , New York ; J . Kift ,

1791 ; r . Laughhn ; and W . W . Lee , J . D . 1897 . The lodge was opened , and the minutes having been confirmed , a letter was read from Bro . W . F . Smithson , G . D ., thanking the brethren for their congratulations on his appointment to Grand Office , and regretting his inability to attend on the present occasion . The W . M . moved on behalf of Bro . Smithson , and Bro . Masters , P . M ., seconded

a motion "That the sum of £ 13 be paid from the lodge funds to the R . M . L for Girls for the coat of arms of the lodge to be inserted in one of the lights of a new window in the Centenary Hall . " The proposition was carried 11 cm . con ., and £ 1 is . was also voted to the Peterborough Cathedral Restoration Fund . The M . W . Grand Master of Pennsylvania , Bro . MacCalla , and the Past Grand

Master of Louisiana , Bro . Horner , were announced , and having been welcomed into the lodge were saluted in due form . Bro . Clifford P . MacCalla , G . M . Pennsylvania , said it gave him the greatest fraternal pleasure to acknowledge their welcome . He had been but two days in old England , but from the moment he landed , to the present time , he had been the recipient of repeated kindness . On the previous

evening he had the pleasure of meeting the brethren of the Balkan Lodge at York . He assured them it gave him the largest fraternal pleasure to be with them . Bro . j . T . Horner , Past Grand Master Louisiana , also tendered thanks for the welcome he had received . Bro . W . J . Hughan , Past G . D ., in acknowledging salutations from the brethren , said it gave him great pleasure to be

with them to meet his friends and brethren of the lodge . He could assure them that nothing but unforeseen and difficult circumstances had prevented his attending before , but amongst the first honorary members elected there was no brother who more rejoiced at the honour and valued the compliment than himself . He had noted the progress of the lodge , and had regularly received the summonses , and

as far as he could judge , if the progress had not been rapid , it had been sure . It was no doubt growing old gracefully by making sure of every member , and its progress was such that would confer p leasure upon the old members from time to time . As his friends were present , he did not know when a meeting had afforded him more pleasure . Bro . Cumberland and he had long been connected , and always most

pleasantly , and Bro . Whytehead , who was unfortunately absent , was a Mason from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot . He thought it was right the members had expressed their gratification that Bro . Smithson had been raised to the dais , and he did not know why he should not express the hope that another brother , also a Past Master of the lodge , would reap a similar reward . Bro . G . H . Addy

was then passed to the Second Degree , the lecture on the tracing board being given by Bro . Cumberland , P . M . Notice of motion was given by Bro . Bolas , J . W ., that two prizes of £ 1 is . should be given by the lodge to the two boys of the R . M . I , for Boys who were the smartest in their personal appearance . A record of the death of the late

Pro G . M . was , on the motion of Bro . Cumberland , ordered to be recorded on the minutes . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Bro . John Lane , P . P . G . Reg . Devon , for his kindness in undertaking tbe duties of the S . W . A son of the W . M . was proposed for initiation , and the lodge was then closed .

After a substantial repast , the customary toasts were honoured . "The Health of the Worshipful Master" was proposed by Bro . W . Masters , P . M ., Secretary , who said that their W . M . had that evening - laboured under some great disadvantages , as two or three of the most important officers were absent on their holidays . He regretted it had

happened , because when they had distinguished visitors present they liked it to be seen that they were able and willing to do their work properl }' , so that brethren could take a good report to the other end of the earth . Suffering , as they did that evening , the visitors should be able to judge from the quality of the work what it might have been had all the regular officers been present .

Bro . W . H . Bullock , W . M ., in reply , offered his hearty thanks to the brethren for drinking his health . Bro . Cumberland , P . M ., had filled the office of W . M ., and knew the difficulties attending it . He had been unfortunate inasmuch that so many distinguished visitors had been present , and so many officers absent , but it was a holiday month and he could not say a word against them . He had done his best and worked the ceremony as well as he could .

His year ot office terminated in March next , and he hoped to work the ceremonies several times before that date . He would next ask the members to drink to " The Health of the Visiting Brethren , " which was a toast they always received with supreme satisfaction . He hoped the visitors would be able to take a good report with them , but previous to proposing the toast he would ask Bro . Cumberland to say a word or two . Bro . j . S . Cumberland , P . P . G . W . West Yorks , said that when he heard some time ago that these brethren from