A MASONIC JUBILEE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2251, 22 April 1897, Page 10

A M ASONIC JUBILEE.

Advantage was taken at the meeting on the 14th of the Lodge of Otago, No. 844, E.C., to commemorate the Masonic jubilee of the W. Bro. Sidney James, P.M., who founded the lodge 38 years ago. There was a very large attendance of brethren owing allegiance to the Hnglisb, Irish, and Scotch constitutions, among those present being the first I.G of Lodge Otago, and a number of Masons who took a prominent part in the working of lodges many 3 r ears ago, but are now little known in connection with the craft; The W.M. Bro. G. Barclay congratulated Bro. James ou the attainment of hi 3 Ma&ouic jubilee, and proposed a motion directing the very high appreciation of the eminent services rendered by Bro. Jam.es to Fre^maeonry in general and to Lodge Olago in part cular during the past 38 years, and the congratulations of thft brethren upon his attaining his jubilee as a Mason be recorded on the minutes. The W.M. then called upon the RW. Bro. T. S. Graham, D G.M., E.C., who pre-a-nted Bro. James in the name of the fraternity with a silver tea. and coffee service, a handsome silver-mounted walking-stick, and a brooch for each of the recipient's daughters. The following inscription was borne by the principal article in the service — "Presented to W. Bro. Sydney Jamep, P D D.G.M., E.C , by brethren of the English, Irish, and Scottish Constitutions, for bis Masonic jubilee. — Dun•edin, 15th April, 1897." The W Bro. James Gorr, D.G M., S.C, also made some felicitous remarks before Bro. James replied. A letter of apology was read for the absence of the W. Bco. D. A. M'Nicoll, P.D.P G.M., I.C. After the lodge was closed the brethren adjourned to the lower bnll for refreshments. During the proceedings Bro. Sydney J.iraeß disclosed the vr&\ nr\me ot the late Julian ThomaF, "The Vagabond," concerning which there has been a good deal of speculation in the Australian Dress i-»" Perh&D3 many of roa may have heard

of and ivad the newspaper writings of Julian Thorns*, known as ' The VagabomJ,' who died in Melbf urne in September la«t#" At tho time of bin death much curiosity waa excited as to his identity. Thio, however, was well known to three of hin relatives and to other private intimate friends in these colonies, and it was thought best at the time that as he had lived lor a quarter of a century in Victoria, and was highly honoured undrr his norn de plume, not to disturb that name publicly, but that there was no reason why his true name should not be disclosed by his relation*. As one of these relations I have disclosed his identity to my friends, and even to editorß of newspapers privately, but us I have lately been several times asked if it was true I now on this semi- public occasion, being the first time since his decease that I have spoken publicly, take the ooportunity of statieg that his true name was Stanley James ; that he was born at Walpall; his father's name was Joseph Green James (my brother, a solicitor), and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Stanley, of Leamington. My wife and myself have numerous letter* from him in our 'possession, *nd his likeness bears a honoured place on my walls. A New Sonth Wales paper stated that ho went by the name of Sydney Jamas on his arrival in that colony. This is evidently intended for Stanley Jamea."