A Coming Consecration.

A COMING CONSECRATION

AS briefly announced in a previous issue , the Consecration of the Manchester Lodge , No . 2554 , will take place at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Friday , 14 th inst . The remony , which is confidently expected to be conducted by the Provincial Grand Master Col . Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie , will commence about 2 * 30 , concluding in time for a banquet at

5-30 p . m . We have received an advance copy of the day ' s programme , from which we learn that the founders are Bros . William Baker Akerman P . M . 317 , Charles Henry Arnold P . M . 645 , William Alderley Boyer 317 , William Charlton 317 , Thomas Plumpton

317 , Arthur Clowes Knight Smith 317 , Edward Adolph Eason 64 o ! Francis Laurence Lane 1009 , Alfred Blades Smith 645 , and ¦ yViliiam Edward Davies 1403 , the principal Officers designate

bein" Bros . Akerman W . M ., Plumpton S . W ., Charlton J . W . The installation of the W . M . designate will be performed by Bro . J . H . Sillitoe Past G . Std . Bearer England P . P . Gr . Warden East Lancashire .

We hope to furnish our readers with an early report of the proceedings .

Centenary: Alfred Lodge.

CENTENARY : ALFRED LODGE

THE celebration of the centenary of the Alfred Lodge , No . 306 , took place on the 27 th ult ., at Leeds , and was attended by a large number of Brethren from the Lodges in the city , as well as by those belonging to most of the Lodges in the Province of West Yorkshire .

The Alfred Lodge was an offshoot of the Fidelity Lodge , which held its centenary about two years ago , and the Charter for its formation was granted on the 27 th of April 1795 , His Eoyal Highness George Augustus , Prince of Wales , afterwards George IV ., being then Grand Master , and Bro . R . Slater Milnes

the Provincial Grand Master of the county of York . Although other Lodges have celebrated the hundred years of their existence , we believe this is claimed to be the oldest Charter granted to a Lodge in the city , the other Lodges having held their meetings by dispensation , or derived their authority from

Charters of Lodges which had died out . The Alfred Lodge held its first meeting on the 27 th May 1795 , at the academy of Mr . Wm . Hodgson , Upperhead Row . Mr . Hodgson was trie W . M . and Treasurer , and the other Officers were Brothers John

Simpson S . W ., George Ireland J . W ., Matthew Vickers Secretary , John Kemplay S . D ., William Cowling J . D . and Jos . Bray I . G . Like most societies in those days , the Alfred Lodge had its ups and downs , and now and again changed its place of meeting .

On account of the important functions which were to be carried out this year , most of the principal Officers of the Lodge were appointed from Brethren who had already passed the chair , and they consist of the following : —Bros . W . Blackburn W . M .,

J . C . Malcolm P . M . P . P . G . R . S . W ., J . Dolby P . M . J . W ., J Dyson P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Treasurer , D . Wedderspoon P . M Secretary , W . C . Ellisdon P . M . S . D ., W . M . Tate P . M P . G . Std . B . J . D ., S . E . Seanor P . M . I . G .

The Lodge ' was opened about two o ' clock in the Masonic Hall , Great George Street . At the commencement of the proceedings , two initiations took place . In respect to one of these an interesting coincidence occurred . Mr . R . H .

Blackbum , second son of Bro . W . Blackburn the Worshipful Master , came of age on the day the Lodge was celebrating the completion of its century , and was initiated into the mysteries of the Order by his father . At the completion of these ceremonies the Centenary Lodge was opened .

At the close of the ceremonies an adjournment was made to the Albert Hall , where a banquet was provided for about 200 guests . Brother W . Blackburn the W . M . of the Lodge , presided . A concert party , under the direction of Brother D . J . Miller supplied the music .

The usual Loyal toasts having been proposed , Brother Eve P . G . Treasurer , in responding for the Grand Officers , claimed that Masonry was the most cosmopolitan society in the world . Masons did not quarrel upon the vital points of religion or politics . They acknowledged the right of every man to think as

Vi u t 0 worsm P as ne P hased , and it mattered not whether he were a Christian , a Mahommedan , a Parsee , or a lo"Ower of Confucius , as long as he believed in the great Architect of the Universe . With respect to Masonic Charities , the Province of West Yorkshire held a high position , and the Altred Lodge was second to none in the Province .

Brother Blackburn proposed the health of Brother W . L . Jackson , M . P ., Prov . G . M . West Yorkshire , and that Brother onefl y responded , and later proposed the Alfred Lodge and its Worshipful Master , Brother Blackburn replying . Brother W . F . Smithson P . G . D . of England P . P . G . W . 'Vest Yorkshire proposed the Masonic Charities . He alluded to

Centenary: Alfred Lodge.

the loss the Charities had sustained by the death of Brother Bateman Fox , who had been connected with the Charities of the Province for ten years . The Charities had made rapid strides since the Prince of Wales was installed as Grand Master . At that time there were 1 , 500 Lodges , now there were 2 , 550 . In 1874 it

was considered an important Festival when something like £ 5 , 000 or £ 6 , 000 was raised ; now , those Festivals averaged £ 20 , 000 . During the last thirteen years upwards of three-quarters of a million sterling had been subscribed for their three Charities ,

and West Yorkshire during that period had subscribed some £ 37 , 000 . That was exceedingly creditable , considering the hard times through which the manufacturers of this part of the country had passed .

The toast was responded to by Brother F . R . W . Hedges Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls ; Brother J . M . McLeod Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and Brother J . Terry Secretary Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Other toasts followed . — " Leeds Mercury . "

We regret to hear a serious accident happened to Lord Barnard on the 22 nd inst . Our distinguished Brother was out alone on horseback when he was thrown from his horse and kicked on the leg . He suffered severe injury , and had to make the best of his way to his seat , Raby Castle , a few miles from

where the mishap occurred . His physician was summoned and the injury was found to be such as to confine the patient to his bed for some time . The accident is exceptionally unfortunate as the Duke and Duchess of York are to be guests at Raby during the Royal Show week which opens at Darlington on 22 nd June .

o o o The Citadel Lodge of Instruction , No . 1897 , of which Bro . F . Dunstan P . M . 1326 is Preceptor , Bro . T . I . Bird P . M . 1567 1897 , & c , Treasurer , and Bro . Harry Willsmer Secretary , meets

every Friday evening , at eight o ' clock , at the Farleigh Hotel , Amhurst Road , N ., which is now in the occupation of Bro . D . G . Witte 1327 . There is excellent accommodation for ceremonial and sectional working , and we feel sure any Masonic friends will be cordially received .

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GAIETY RESTAURANT , STRAND . LUNCHEONS ( HOT and COLD)—At Popular Prices , in BUFFET and RESTAURANT ( on 1 st floor ) . Also Chops , Steaks , Joints , Entrees , & c , in the GRILL ROOM . AFTERNOON TEAConsisting of Tea or Coffee , Cut Bread and Butter , Jam , Cake , Pastry , ad lib , at 1 / - per head ; served from 4 till 6 in RESTAURANT ( 1 st floor ) . DINNERS IN RESTAURANTFrom 5-30 till 9 at Fixed Prices ( 3 / 6 and 5 / - ) aud a la Carte . In this room the VIENNESE BAND performs from 6 till 8 . Smoking , after 7-45 . AMERICAN BAR . THE GRILL ROOM is open till Midnight . PETVATE DIMHG BOOMS P 0 K LAME AND SMALL PAETTES .