know that however much they may be at variance HEARTY GOOD WISHES. with recognised ideas of what is right they seldom FROM whence do Visiting Brethren derive the fail to leave traces behind , we might not have thought custom, which is so universal and so generally this particular fad worthy of notice, but it would be practised, of tendering hearty good wishes to the a misfortune for Freemasonry to forfeit any of the Worshipful Master of the Lodge they are visiting, charm which now surrounds its feature of visiting ; previous to its being closed ? and, on that basis, if on no other, there should be an We are led to put this question because, although immediate and determined opposition to those who we believe the custom is almost as old and almost as preach reform in this direction , unless they can give universal as Freemasonry itself , its propriety is again some very good grounds for their proposal to do questioned and its practice discredited , by some who away with the heartiness of the recognised Masonic profess to have an intimate knowledge of the Craft, greeting. We cannot say that haste to get over the and are desirous of maintaining it in its integrity. closing ceremonies of our meetings, which this cur- We have been accustomed, - and we presume every tailment of conventionalities seems at first blush to Brother has also, to hear the Visitors tender the imply, is at the bottom of the present movement, " Hearty good wishes " of their Lodge to the Chair, although we have heard Masters in their desire for previous to the conclusion of the business of our extreme punctuality request that these greetings, the meetings, but the right to do this is challenged , singing of the Masonic " closing hymn," and other the question being asked, by what authority an little technicalities should be dispensed with, in individual member pledges his Lodge in this way ? order that the proceedings might be brought to an When we were called to order on this point a few end at the appointed time. Energy in such a direction weeks back we were certainly unable to give any good is misplaced, and goes far to imply a lack of answer to the question of the objector , who stopped knowledge of the fitness of things. Better by far our greeting with the interrogation—what authority or that the closing should be delayed five or ten sanction have you from the Lodge to use its name, now minutes than an impression created that any part that you are a visitor here ? We pleaded it was the of the ' work of Freemasonry is slurred over in the custom of the Craft, and were answered that the desire to sit at the festive board . Refreshment custom was bad , unwarrantable, and ought to be after labour is a splendid institution, but labour discontinued. We cannot agree on this point, but we must be attended to first , and should be carried know, that those who , for some reason or other, have through to a decent finish, else the reward of suddenly discovered an objection to this wide-spread refreshment is less deserved and less appreciated by custom, are attempting to force their views upon the the true Brother. Craft, and that being so the subject becomes deserving of consideration. Rightly or wrongly the Craft has permitted this fprm of fraternal greeting from time immemorial, INTERNAL DISSENTION. indeed, if we go back to the records of long ago we BEARING in mind our remarks of last week to shall find it was regarded as of greater moment than the effect that Freemasonry has more to fear it is now, for we frequently find old Minutes recording from within, than from outside its ranks, we may ask' the fact that the Visitors tendered " hearty good how much longer will the Grand Lodge of England wishes " previous to the closing of the Lodge ; but refuse to recognise the Grand Lodge of New Zealand ? even . apart from this the custom is so universal at the The parent body will have to give in sooner or later, present day that it seems almost laughable for any and such being the case why delay the gracious act ? individual to commence a crusade against it—but so Here is a. Masonic body most intimately associated it is; the error has been pointed out, and the question with the Mother country, that has recently warranted will now have to be answered—Which is correct ? its ninety-eighth subordinate Lodge, considered as being our Grand Lod ges, our Provincial or District Grand undeserving of official recognition, and, as a conse- Lodges and Private Lodges throughout the world, or quence, its members are regarded as outside the pale the little band of reformers who have made the of Brotherhood—seceders, in fact, who are guilty of '.' Hearty good wishes " of the Visitors a point of grave offence against the laws of the Craft. Can such attack in their desire for change , and would rob us of proceedings be regarded in any other light than a farce, this particular form of greeting ? and is it consistent with the professed principles of ., . Were we not accustomed to these little outbursts Freemasonry to keep up this " family jar " as the. of enthusiasm in the way of reform , and did we not Grand Lodge of England is doing ? If the position of independence was being main- tained by a mere handful of New Zealand Brethren FREEMASONRY IN PONTEFRACT. against overwhelming numbers who desired to continue SPECIAL Lodge of the Pontefract Brethren was under the rule of the old authorities the case would A held on Wednesday , iOth ult., in the New Masonic Hall, Ropergate, in order to transfer the be very different , but in face of the fact that the new W arrant , Banner, and other insignia of the Order from order of things is supported by close on one hundred the old Lodge premises in the upper floor of Mr. Arun- different organisations in the colony there is no excuse del's house, to ttie New Rooms which the Lodge has for further unfriendliness. We do not desire that either built during the past summer. section of the Craft in New Zealand shall be compelled There was a large number of Brethren present, and they assembled at five o'clock in the large Dining Room to submit to the other, but we certainly consider the on the ground floor iu order to receive the Past Prov. time has arrived for a termination of the unseemly Grand Master of West Yorkshire Past Grand Deacon of strife and disruption in regard to Freemasonry in the England Provincial Grand Superintendent Bro. T. W. colony, and we regard it as the duty of the parent Tew , J.P., who, having been conducted by selected ' Grand Lodge to take the matter in hand, and heal Officers of St. Oswald Lodge to the Candidate s Preparation Room, robed and signed the attendance the breach in the best way possible. This, we think, book. can most readily be done by an early recognition of He was then met by a procession of the Brethren the local Grand Lodge, for, as we have already said , present , at the head of whom was the W. Master Bro. that will have to come some day or other, and delay Ellis Foulds, who preseuted him with a silver key, and , y at variance with the requested him to unlock the door of the new Lodge. is not only dangerous but wholl The Past Provincial G rand Master, having accepted teachings and professed practices of the Order. the invitation and opened the door,, the procession We have previously expressed our views on this followed him into the room, singing " Hail , Masonry subject, and then suggested that the New Zealand Divine." authorities might invest some of their leading members Brother Tew then took his seat as W.M., the other official chairs, and the seats on the dais, being filled by with powers as a deputation to the home authorities members of the Lodge who are also Provincial Officers , —they would not have much difficult y in finding the Warrant and furniture being all in order in their Brethren about to visit this country full y qualified for appropriate places as in the old Lodge. such an office , and we can hardly believe that with The Lodge having been thus constituted, and the the case properly brought forward by such a deputation various formalities observed, the P.P.G.M. addressed the Brethren as follows : official recognition would be long deferred. ' Probably the Grand Lodge of New Zealand regard s Brother Thomas Ellis Foulds W.M., Officers and Brethren of Lodge St. Oswald,—It is not my intention the matter much in the same light as we should—if the to take up your time with many words this evening, but Grand Lodge of England declines recognition then as this may be the last occasion upon which I shall have they can go on without it, but in the interests of the the pleasure and privilege of meeting my Brethren of Masonic brotherly spirit that should at least be Saint Oswald in open Lodge, I should like, with your permission Worshipful Master, found at the head of our affairs , we hope the two , to make a few observa- tions in relation to the history and progress of this sides to the disagreement will each be willing to Society of Freemasons in Pontefract, in the founding concede something—the one so far submitting itself and promoting of which I have taken a not inconsiderable as to ask for fraternal recognition , the other giving part.