New South Wales.

The Independent Order of Good Templars was introduced into New South Wales in 1872, and the Grand Lodge formed on May 25th, 1874. The membership continued each year to steadily increase, but the progress of the Order was materially retarded by the disruption that took place at a Special Session held on October 18th, 1876. when by a majority of six votes the then Grand Lodge of New South Wales decided to transfer its allegiance from the parent body and join that section who separated from the Order and are known as the Seceders. At that Special Session, which was prematurely and unnecessarily called several months before the regular time, the vote was carried owing to an idea then prevalent that the colored races in America were not admitted as members, but upon that representation subsequently proving inaccurate, a large number, including a majority of the older lodges, resumed former connections. There are now (August, 1878), twenty nine lodges in different parts of New South Wales with a membership of, from according to latest returns, 1600 to 1700, and which is rapidly increasing.

The Grand Lodge Executive for the Current Year are:—G.WC.T., E.A.Jones; G.W. Counsellor, J. H. Brown; G.W.V.T., H. H. Greene; G.W.S., A. Allen; G.S.J.T., Simeon Brown; G.W.T., J. Bernasconi; G.W.M., A. White; G.W. Chap., Rev. W. Bradley; P.G.W.C.T., P. Gibson.

The largest lodges are the "Lifeboat," "Dayspring," and "St. John's," Sydney; "Pioneer," Bathurst; "Good Intent," Paddington; and "Bethel," Newcastle; all of which have from 100 to 250 members.