MASONIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 951, 23 May 1890, Page 7

MASONIC.

Having re-opened the Masonic column in he Mail, under the supervision of a Master in the Graft, we shall be glad to receive from Secretaries of Lodges, and brethren generally, short reports of Lodge meetings and Masonic vents of all kinds likely to be of interest to nembers of the craft. All correspondence for this column to be addressed to the Masonic Editor, New Zealand Mail. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. J.C. (Havelock). —Yes, the apron is part of the regalia. P.S.T. (Auckland). —"We have asked for a copy but cannot get one. Jewel. —The jewel consists of a two-headed eagle surmounted by a crown. FAVOURS RECEIVED. London Freemason, Sydney Freemason, Australian Keystone, South Australian Free* mason, and Freemasons’ Repository. FROM NEW SOUTH WALES. In publishing the circular issued on the 21st of March last by the Central Executive Committee of the New Zealand Masonic Union containing the telegrams which

passed between Bro. the Earl of Onslow and the Chairman, with reference to the Grand Mastership, the May number of the Freemason, Sydney, says:—‘We tender our hearty congratulations to the Masonic Union which has worked so ably and unselfishly for Masonic unity. It has done good work and true, and may God prosper its efforts to unite the brethren and so uplift Masonry. Earl Onslow's conditions of acceptance of the Grand Mastership were absurd, and such as were properly rejected by the Convention. He is a poor diplomat, and has failed to truly interpret the ‘ signs of the time3.’ And again:—‘Wo confess that Earl Onslow has woefully disappointed us, and his being “ left ont in the cold ” was a proper thing to do. He has missed his opportunity.’

GRAND LODGE OF TASMANIA. The Launceston Examiner says :—lt will be remembered that a convention of delegates from the Masonic lodges of Tasmania, held on the 6th inst., decided to establish a • Grand Lodge of Tasmania at Hobart in June next, and that his Excellency Lord Carrington, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New South Walea, should be invited to perform the ceremony of installing the first Grand Master, the Rev. R. D. Poulett-Harris. An invitation was accordingly forwarded to Lord Carrington, and yesterday Bro. A. Kirkland, secretary to the convention, received a very kind reply, stating that Lord Carrington would have much pleasure in visiting Tasmania and performing the installation ceremony on any date during the week commencing Monday, June 23. This news has given great satisfaction to the Masonic fraternity, and invitations will now be issued to Lord Kintore, Grand Master of South Australia, Chief Justice Way, Past Grand Master of South Australia, Sir W. J. Clarke, and tbe officers of the Grand Lodges in the sister colonies. The preparations for the inauguration of the Grand Lodge of Tasmania are in the hands of a committee of Hobart brethren, and steps will at once be taken to ascertain what day of the week indicated will prove most convenient' for Lord Carrington. To the large majority of the Fraternity who will proceed from all parts of the North to Hobart on this eventful occasion. Friday would probably be the most convenient date, but it would appear that if Lord Carrington desires to make his visit from Sydney as short as’possible, the Wednesday wouid best suit his convenience, as he could reach Hobart via Melbourne on Tuesday, and leave again on Thursday, if necessary, to catch the steamer leaving Launceston on that date. The chairman of the convention will, however, lose uo time in ascertaining these particulars, and due notice of the date fixed upon for opening the Grand Lodge will be given. We believe that thi3 will be the first occa. sion upon which a Governor of an Australian colony has visited Tasmania to perform any public ceremony, and the courtesy and prompt, ness shown by Lord Carrington will deepen the hearty welcome which, under any circumstances, would have been accorded to the Grand Master of New South Wales,

WHY RECOGNITION WAS WITHDRAWN. In 1877 the Grand Orient of France wiped out from its Constitution and Ritual the question about the belief in God. The Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, and Scotland the same year prohibited French Masons visiting lodges under their respective jurisdictions.

DISTRICT GRAND INSPECTORS OF WORKINGS. As the Grand Lodge of New Zealand has decided to appoint Superintendents of Districts in accordance with the basis of Union, approved by the convention held in September, 1889, it may not be uninteresting to members of the Craft in New Zealand to hear what the opinions of some Australian Masonic Journals are on the decision of tbe United. Grand Lodge of New South Waleß to appoint Superintendents, or Inspectors of Working, as they are calied by our enterprising brethren on the other side. The South Australian Freemason says in reference to the subject : —‘ In New South Wales it is proposed to appoint District Grand Inspectors, with authority to visit, inspect, and instruct lodges in the requirements of the Grand Lodge, and to report their observations to the Grand Lodge. In most of the American jurisdictions this system of inspection has long been in use, and has proved most salutary to the Craft. We shall welcome its transplnntation to Australasian soil, aud trust that other jurisdictions thereon will quickly follow the example set by New South Wales. A system of inspection will -be much less expensive and far more effectual than that of Provincial Grand Lodges, with their strings of ornamental officers, and will do far more to bring the lodges distant from the capitals into close relations with the Grand Lodge than any mode of proxy voting at Quarterly Communications that can be devised. The Inspectors should be chosen from the ablest Masons in the districts which they are to supervise, and should be required to furnish periodical detailed reports of the work they perform and of the condition of the lodges to the Grand Inspector for summarization and presentation to Grand Lodge. We are confident that such a system would be productive of much good in instilling a healthy spirit of emulation in the lodges, by keeping them well acquainted with the regulations of the Grand Lodge, and by the prompt checking of irregularities. The office of District Inspector, however, if good work is to be done, must only be conferred on fully qualified brethren, and never be bestowed from mere consideration of a brother’s social position.’ • The Keystone (Melbourne) says:—‘A new office has been created under the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales, that of ‘ Inspector of Workings.’ The present occupant, V.W. Bro. H. S. Thompson, seems to be performing the duties with zeal and ability, and making the office one of real practical utility. He praises where praise is due, and censures where censure is deserved. He makes his reports to Grand Lodge in a plain, ttraightforward manner, without fear or favour. The effect of Mb visits and reports to Grand Lodge have borne such good fruits that a recommendation has been made by the Board of General Purposes that there shall he appointed Distriot Grand Inspectors of Workings, who shall have allotted to them districts defined by tbe Board. They shall visit at least once a year every lodge in tbeir respective districts. This is a practice which should commend itself to every Grand Lodge in Australia. By this means a number of Inspectors, acting under the Grand Inspector, could, without casting undue work on any one, or entailing on the Grand Lodge a heavy outlay, enforce a perfect and uniform mode of working. The necessity of having a competent brother to supervise the working of lodges in this Colony has long been apparent, and the progressive step made in this direction by the Grand Lodge of New Zealand will, we are confident, bear good fruit, and deserves commendation. To Bro. R. C. Hamerton, P.M. of the Leinster Lodge, 469, 1.C., is due the credit of bringing forward the proposal to appoint Grand Superintendents of Districts in this Colony, and our only regret ia that, being so eminently fitted for such an important position, he cannot see his way to accept the office of Superintendent for the Wellington District. We sincerely trust that Br 6. Hamerton will reconsider his decision in the interests of the fraternity in which he is so deservedly popular.

THE MASON’S KEY. Locked in a brother’s faithful heart, And carefully concealed, Are mysteries and secrets rare To cowans unrevealed ; Fraternal fellowship alone The key, by right, commands— The wondrous key which, when applied, Responds to just demands. Here’s to the key, the wondrous key, We Masons dearly prize, It locks the secrets of the Craft From prying curious eyes. Ready at hand it ever hangs, A Mason to defend, Careful to guard ’gainst slander vile A brother and a friend ; The index of the noble mind, Truth its unerring aim, Far as Masonry extends, It holds impartial claim. Here's to the key, &e. No metal forms a Mason’s key, To none but brethren known, Tbe fragile thread by which it hangs, And vital force will own ; E’en in its weakness is its strength, It * good report ’ unfolds, Or else, with charity refrains, And golden silence holds. Here’s to the key, &c. Then let us to the noble Craft Our generous Masses fill, And drink * the key ’ which guards it well With brotherly good will ;

Together linked by friendship’s chain, May one and all be found, And peace and happiness diffused Encircle us around ! Then here’s to the key, &o.