Masonic.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2802, 6 February 1878, Page 2

Masonic.

As an item of Masonic news of somo interest, we are informed tbat Mr Malcolm Murray Irving, 33dcg., by dispensation from the Supreme Council of Scotland, on the 28lh ult. admitted Mr Robert Patcrson to the same degree, in the Masonic Hall, Moray place. The proposed initiation of Mr Paterson to this degree had for some limo previously been the subject of much discussion among the fraternity, and a protest as to the illegality of the proceeding has been sent Homo. Copies of this protest have also been sent to the individual members of the Rose Croix Degree in New Zealand. Referring to a report of the proceedings in May last of what is termed the "spurious body" known as the Supreme Council of Scotland,;; in, which the elevation of Bro. Malcolm Murray Irving to the,33rd,degree in the Erevious February, and the elevation of tro. Robert Paterson to 31deg., 32deg., and 33deg., were chronicled, the protest we have alluded to, signed by the G.G.B;iJ.E.,has the following: "In connection with these, I beg to point out tbut this attempted action is a gross infringement upon well-known and fundamental principle on which all Supreme Councils .rest, viz.— that only one Supreme .Council can exist in one State,—outs having been already to the full know ledge of the Borne Masonic, Bodies, established here for nearly 18 months by Charter from a regular constituted and well recognised power—the Grand Orient of Egypt— you iwill see there is no excuse for the improper conduct already alluded to. Themgh managed so secretly, lam happy to inform you that the Supreme Council of England (having got wind of the affair), with a due, respect, for observing the principles above quoted, intercepted Bro. Irving, and succeeded in explaining to, and showing him the breach of faith committed; upon which, he at once strongly remonstrated^ by correspondence with the Supreme Council of Scotland upon the subject, and our Council has no doubt but what he will show that common respect for himself as a Mason to ultimately decline having anything to do with such irregular proceedings in the carrying out of which ho would be only the tool of a purely antagonistic body. It is my duty, therefore, to warn you against the Brothers Paterson and Irving named in . the Reporter paragraphs; both of whom are unknown to Masonic fame, and until- this unwarrantable showering upon them of Masonic honors, possessed of no standing in the Craft whatever. Any Chapters formed by them as delegates cannot, of course, be recognised by our Supreme Council, nor by the individual members of the Rose Oroix Degree, established under it throughout New Zealand. You will be duly advised by .me from time to time of their proceedings. I have hitherto spoken of the Masonic Power at fault as the Supreme Council of Scotland, but regret to inform you that it is * a spurious body' An its formation and not properly constituted; of this there is the clearest proof, and I merely mention the fact lest some brother might be carried away by the rememberance of the names connected with it in the Old Country ; where, therefore, the fountain bead is not pure, it is only perhaps natural to expect that the waters flowing from it prove sullied."

On this subject we received the following letter for publication ;— Sib,—With the local in the Daily Times intimating I had admitted by spccinl ditpen-. sation. from the Supreme Council of Scotland, B. Paterson, Esq., J.F., to the 33rd degree, publicity was given to a long protest by the body calling itself tbe Supremo Council of New.Zealand. Under the circumstances I need hardly apologise to you for making a few remarks 1 upon it. I am compelled te do so, as the dooument as published, to a certain extent, affeel s my character as a man of honor. I must say that, contrary to the usual courtesy extended by one gentleman to another, I hare not a copy of it. It is personal, and , contains sereral gross misrepresentations, and , was banded to the Press without the parties taking any trouble to ascertain tbe real facts of tbe caso. -I am happy to add that such conduct is unusual among our fraternity. In it the Supreme Council of Scotland is termed a spurious body, yet the Karl of Bosslyn (whom I have the pleasure of knowing personally) wm the representatire of that body at the English Supreme Council. I was as a 33rd by invitation received at the Supreme Council of England, and introduced to Lord Skelmersdaie as such. They would on no account admit any of the so culled New Zealand Council. I hare heard it condemned in America, notices were issued to that effect while I was there, and the English aud Scottish Councils branded it as a spurious body. It is patent to the most inexperienced that when I am recognised and admitted by these bodies that I can well dispense with recognition by this so-called Supreme Council, which applied to Scotland for a charter but was re* fused. The English Council, with some show of justice, claimed jurisdiction over the British .Colonies, and would only under exceptional circumstances hear of waiving that claim, and warned me to have nothing to do with this spurious body. It is false that I was secretly admitted to the 33rd, as all usual notices were given j equally so that the Supreme Council of England intercepted me. It is, ob the whole, rather abjuring that a body—illegal from beginning to e»d, with which I should be sorry to associate injiSotiically, it is so utterly at fault arid tabooed by the most powerful Council in the world and others —should, on masonic grounds of all others, bring my conduct into question before the public. I bave been taught to hold that such is utterly contrary to the fundamental spirit and principles of Freemasonry.—l am, &c, Malcolm Mobbax Ihvihg. Dunedin, 29th December, 1877.