Lodge Meetings.

In reporting the meetings of the various lodges, etc., we intend to follow the lines laid down by the Freemason and Freemasons' Chronicle, therefore our readers need not be surprised when they read the names of the initiates into our order, and the brethren who are advanced. It appears to us that whilst in an ordinary journal it would be certainly inadvisable to publish either the names of candidates or brethren seeking preferment, in a Masonic Journal, which is presumably not read by outsiders, the case is entirely different. Brethren in all parts of the colony have every right to know what manner of men are being introduced into the order, and there is no doubt that a number take the deepest interest in the proceedings of either their mother lodges or lodges to which they may have belonged. In a community like ours, where a large proportion of the population are continually shifting their residence, it does not require much argument to prove the desirability of our following the procedure of the English papers. Whilst on the subject of reporting meetings it may not be out of place to remark that whilst we will at all times devote as much space as possible to giving fair reports of lodge and chapter meetings, the brethren may rest assured that nothing detrimental to the interests of the craft will ever appear in our columns.

Masonic Service.—The annual Masonic Service in connection with the Port Chalmers Marine Lodge, 942, E.C., was held at Holy Trinity Church, Port Chalmers, on the afternoon of Sunday, the 9th ultimo. A number of the Dunedin brethren were present, and the District Grand Lodge was represented by W. Bro. C. de Longueville Graham, and several of the officers. The brethren having marched into the church, "Hail eternal by whose aid," was sung as a processional. Bro. the page 11 Rev. W. Ronaldson (W.M. of 844 E.C.) officiated and he chose as special Psalms, Nos. 121 and 133. The first lesson was taken from Isaiah lx., and the second from I Corinthians xiii. The Rev. Bro. preached an eloquent and impressive sermon upon "Charity," taking for his text the well-known words—"Now abideth Faith, Hope, and Charity, and the greatest of these is Charity." "Lead kindly light," O Lord how joyful it is to see," and "Holy, holy, holy," were the other hymns. During the service a "Lewis" in the person of Peter George Schumacher, infant son of the Z. of the Joyce Chapter, was christened, the W. President of the Board of General Purposes acting as one of the sponsors.

Lodge Otago Kilwinning, 417, S.C.—The ordinary monthly meeting of this Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall, Dunedin, on January 13. There was a good attendance of visitors, including a number of eminent brethren. The business of the evening was the "raising" of Bro. Newton, and R.W.M. Bro. Raffils performed the ceremony, (including the lecture on the tracing board), in a very satisfactory manner, more especially when the fact that it was his first night in the chair was taken into consideration. S.W. Bro. Price presented the working tools of the degree. At a small social meeting held after the business had been concluded, P.M. Bro. Malcolm, of Lodge Crown 675, S.C., and several of the local W.M.s and P.M.s stated that they had never seen the degree better worked, and gave unqualified praise to Bro. Raffils and his officers.

S. Andrew, 472, S.C.—The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Hall, Dunedin, on the evening of January 11th. The lodge having been opened, Messrs John Duthie, Edward Duthie, and George Brown were proposed as candidates. The ballot having resulted in their favour, R.W.M. Bro. D. Cherrie, intitiated them into the mysteries of the cratt. P.M. Bro. S. Peden gave the lecture on the tracing board, Bro. J. Ogg, J.W ., the working tools, and Bro. P. Wilson, S.W., the final charge. The working was all that could be desired, and reflected great credit upon Bro. Cherrie and his officers. An application for relief from a North Island Lodge was, upon the motion of P.M. Bro. Jeffrey, referred to the District Grand Lodge, as it was considered that all applications for relief from outside lodges should come through the D.G.S. instead of direct to private lodges. The lodge was closed in peace and harmony at 10.30 p.m.

Port Chalmers Marine Lodge, No. 942, E.C.—The regular monthly meeting was held on Thursday, January, 13, at 7.30 p.m., the W. Bro. D. Leech, I.P.M., in the chair. There was a good attendance of the members, and several visitors were present. The minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed, and several accounts passed for payment. The W. Bro. C. de Longueville Graham, P.M., mentioned that a new Masonic journal was about to be established, and urged the brethren to aid in its success. It was, he said, "a felt want," and added that the greatest care would be taken by the Editor in its compilation, no personalities would be permitted, and all correspondence must appear with the signature of the writer. This he considered was a step in the right direction, for nothing could be more opposed to the principles of the craft than an anonymous system of correspondence. The lodge was afterwards passed and raised, and Bros. F. G. Downes and J. Allardice admitted to the sublime degree of M.M., the traditional history and working tools being effectively rendered by the W. Bro. Graham.

Lodge Dunedin, 931, E.C.—The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Freemason's Hall, Dunedin, on Tuesday, Jan. 18th. The lodge was opened at 7 45 p.m., by W.M. Bro. Hodge, there being a large number of visitors present, presumably out of compliment to the members of Lodge Dunedin, on the occasion of their having altered their night of meeting to a more suitable one. Bro. Bernat Rotter was "passed," the ceremony being excellently performed by W.M. Bro. Hodge and his officers, P.M. Bros. D. Cameron, and T. A. Peterkin (Lodge Otago), and S.W. Bro. Solomon, and J.W. Bro. S. W. Gibbs taking various portions of the work. Fraternal greetings having been conveyed the lodge was closed in customary form, at 8 45 p.m. A small supper was afterwards held, when the usual toasts were honoured, and several of brethren contributed songs and recitations.

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Lodge Celtic, 477, S.C.—The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall, Moray Place, Dunedin, on the evening of the 20th ultimo. The lodge having opened, a number of visitors were received, including the R.W.M. officers, and some of the brethren of Lodge Otago Kilwinning, 417, S.C. The ballot was then taken for mems John Greenwood, and Cornelius A. Reeves, and it having been declared clear, these two gentlemen were initiated into the mysteries of the E. A. degree. The ceremony was creditably performed by the R.W.M., Bro. Colin Macandrew; P.M. Bro. J. Baxter giving the lecture, and J.W. Bro. R. Sinclair the final charge. It was agreed to support the N.Z. Masonic Journal, and a case of relief was referred to the committee. After the usual greetings had been conveyed to the R.W.M., the lodge was closed. The customary re-union was afterwards held, and after "The Tyler's Toast" had been given, the brethren left, a dirge being played by the lodge piper.

Hiram Lodge Of Instruction, E.C.—The regular meeting of this Lodge of Instruction was held in the Freemason's Hall, on the 17th inst., when there were present: Bros. H. A. Reynolds, W.M., 2008; W. M., W. Hatton; S.W., S. W. Gibbs, J.W.; M. Walker, S.D.; C. J. Ronaldson, J.D.; W. McAdam, J.G.; J. M. Hunt, Secretary; also Bros. H. Eldridge, P.M., 844; Rev. W. Ronaldson, W.M., 844; and Bro. Niven. In the absence of Bro. T. A. Peterkin, P.M., Bro. J. M. Hunt acted as preceptor. The lodge was opened in due form, and the minutes of the last regular meeting read and confirmed. The ceremony of intiation rehearsed by the W.M., Bro. Niven, acting as the candidate. Bro. Rev. W. Ronaldson, W.M., 844, assumed the chair. Bro. Niven offered himself as a candidate to be passed to the second degree, and answered the usual questions. The lodge was opened in the second degree, and the ceremony of passing rehearsed by the W.M., Bro. S. W. Gibbs presenting the working tools. The lodge was closed in the 2nd degree. The W.M. rose for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd time, and nothing further offering for the good of Freemasonry in general, the lodge was closed.

The Allied Degrees.—A Council of the Allied Degrees will shortly be opened in this district. The W. Bro. Charles de Longueville Graham has received intelligence from the Grand Secretary that the Supreme Grand Council will issue the rescript for the formation of a Council for New Zealand South. In all, seven degrees are conferred under this rite.

Waterloo Royal Arch Chapter.—A communication of this Chapter was held on Monday, 10th Jan., to receive an official visit from the M.E. Grand Superintendent of R.A. Masonry in N.Z., Companion Court. A good number of Companions were present, and the distinguished visitor, who was accompanied by Companion Neill, Scribe E. in the Provincial Grand Chapter, was received in due form. E. Companion Elliott's propositions "That the Standing Committee revise the by-laws," and "that the sum of £5 be voted to the Wellington Hospital fund," were seconded and carried. M.E.Z. Williams addressed the Companions present in a few well chosen remarks, and expressed the very great pleasure he felt in welcoming the Grand Superintendent. M.E. Comp. Court returned thanks for the kind manner in which his name had been mentioned, and stated that his visit, besides being one of inspection, was also in order to appoint a deputy in the North Island. He therefore asked the members of the Chapter to nominate a Companion for the honourable position of H. in the Provincial Grand Chapter. M.E. Companion Powles, P.Z., was unanimously selected to fill the post, but as he was unavoidably absent, a special meeting of the Chapter was held on Thursday, 13th inst., at which he was duly installed by M.E. Companion Court. We tender M.E. Companion Powles our best wishes.—N.Z. Mail.

Otago Kilwinning Chapter, 116, S.C.—The regular communication! of this Chapter was held at the Masonic Hall (Dunedin), on the evening of the 24th ult. The business of the evening was the "exaltation" of a brother belonging to Lodge 662, S.C. M.E.Z. Comp. W. Caldwell presided, and assisted by E. Comp. S. Peden, P.Z., performed the ceremony in his usual capable and impressive style. The minor offices were all well filled, and the officers are to be congratulated upon having reached such a state of proficiency. A candidate for the Chapter having been nominated, the proceedings terminated in the customary and ancient manner.

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New Zealand Pacific Lodge, 517, E.C. (Wellington.)-—The regular monthly meeting of this lodge took place on Monday, Jan. 10. There was a good attendance of members and visitors, and three brethren were passed to the Second Degree. Bro. Young, the W.M., performed his share of the work in a very efficient manner, the lecture and charge being given by the S.W. and J.W. respectively.

District Grand Lodge, E.C. (Wellington.)—The regular quarterly communication was held on Thursday, Jan. 13. R.W. Bro. C.J. Toxward, D.G.M., presided, and there was a fair number of brethren present. The usual amount of business was transacted, and the balance-sheet of the D.G. Lodge was read and approved. Bro. Robertson, D.G. Organist, moved "That an address be presented to Her Gracious Majesty the Queen on the occasion of the Jubilee, such address to be signed by the D.G. Master and his officers, also by the W.M., S.W., and J.W. of every Lodge under the E.C. in the Wellington District." The motion was carried, and an influential committee was appointed to further the matter. Hearty good wishes were tendered by the R.W.D.G. Master, Auckland, E.C., and by Bro. Robertson on behalf of the Grand Orient of Italy.

Waterloo Lodge, 463, S.C. (Wellington.)—The regular monthly meeting took place on Jan. 11. There was a good attendance of brethren, it being the R.W.M. Bro. Harton's first meeting since his installation. Bro. M'Morran was raised to the sublime degree of a M.M., the I.P.M., Bro. Greg ably assisting the R.W.M. in carrying out the duties. After transacting some further business the lodge adjourned for refreshments at 10.30 p.m.