Northumberland And Durham.

The Prov . G . M . M . briefly addressed the Lodge . He expressed the pleasure he felt at being present at the close of another Masonic year . Personally , he was thankful to find himself once more amongst them , and . Masonically , he had to declare that ifc would be difficult to find a more satisfactory report than the one sent in that day . The increase in new members was steady and

satisfactory , and he was well pleased to see that they were again giving liberally to the three Masonic charities—the Mark Benevolent Fund , the Mark Educational Fund , and fche Durham Masonic Education Fund . Further , he was delighted to see thafc the Hudson Fund had readied over £ 1 , 000 , and that it had been

so well taken up by the Northumberland and Durham Lodges . He next referred to the retirement of Bro . R . B . Eeed from the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and spoke in high terms of the great work accomplished by Bro . Eeed in that ' capacity . In conclusion , the Provincial Grand Mark Master appointed Bio . Thomas Purvis to fill the important position .

Bro . G . W . Bain was re-elected Provincial Grand Treasurer , and , with the other Provincial Officers , was invested for the year , as follow :

Bros . R . R . Robson ... - Senior Warden J . Robinson ... - Junior Warden 3 . Heppell ----- Secretary A . Dodds ----- Master Overseer F . F . Schnitzer ... - Senior Overseer J . Redhead ... . Junior Overseer

Rev . J . H . Heywood ... Chaplain W . Stafford .... Registrar of Marks J . Mark ----- Senior Deacon G . Blair - - - - - Junior Deacon T . Black ----- Director of Ceremonies

J . Wilson - - - - - Inspector of Works H . Paige - - --- Organist Alfred Simppon ... - Inner Guard E . Lauterbach - - - Sword Bearer J . H . Hart - - - - - Standard Bearer J . Appleyard ... - Tyler .

A special vote of thanks of the Lodge was passed to the Past Deputy Prov . G . M . M . Bro . E . B . Eeed , for his eminent services , and it was ordered thafc it should be entered on the minutes of the proceedings .

Bro . John Strachan next , on behalf of the Lodge , proposed a vote of hearty congratulation to the Prov . Grand Mark Master Canon Tristram , on his recovery from his recent illness . Bro . T . Purvis seconded the motion , which , like the preceding one , was carried with acclamation .

The Eev . Brother and Bvo . Reed replied in appropriate terms . The Prov . G . M . announced that fche meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge would next year be held at Alnwick , under fche banner of the Hotspur Lodge .

In the evening the annual festival was held afc the Central Masonie Hall , when the Eev . Canon Tristram again presided , and there was a large attendance . During fche course of fche evening the P . G . M . M . intimated

that Bros . Hugh Jackson and W . J . Jobson were nominated Stewards of Provincial Lodge , bufc the nominations were not received in time for those Brethren to be invested at fche proper point ; he now declared them to be invested , and to receive such Grand Provincial honour . — " Newcastle Chronicle . "

Masonic Work At Buluwayo.

MASONIC WORK AT BULUWAYO .

WEDNESDAY , 14 th July , marked another point in the rapid civilisation of this parfc of Africa , when the foundation stone of the new Wesleyan Church , in Main Street , was laid by the Eight Hon . C . J . Rhodes , assisted by fche Freemasons of Buluwayo .

The Freemasons , having met at the Stock Exchange , headed by the B . S . A . P . Band marched to the ground . The route was lined with hundreds of curious spectators , gazing on the mysfcic emblems with wondering eyes . Upwards of eighty members of

the Order were present in full regalia , marshalled by Brother Loewenstark . The procession was headed by the Bible , with two of the Brethren with drawn swords beside ifc , followed by fche Brethren according to their rank , and the procession was brought up by the Grand Master and his two Wardens .

The service commenced by the singing of " All people thafc on earth do dwell , " followed by prayer by fche Rev . C . H . Temple . Bro . J . W . Howard Grand Master then addressed the assembly . The Grand Chaplain offered up prayer . Mr . Ehodes in a workmanlike manner spread the mortar , the stone was placed in

position , and tried by the Grand Wardens and Grand Master with the jewels of their respective offices . Corn , wine , and oil were poured upon the stone with appropriate remarks , and a box containing coins , the local newspapers , and other documents was placed in the cavity of the stone , which was finally declared well and truly laid , according to Masonic rule and line . After a collection , which realised the handsome sum of £ 47 18 s bd ,

Masonic Work At Buluwayo.

The Rev . I . Shimmin thanked , on behalf of fche Committee , all who had contributed in any way to the success of the function . He wished especially to thank Mr . Rhodes for having conferred so great ; a favour upon them by laying the foundation stone . They could not do much to show their gratitude beyond asking him to accept the silver and ivory trowel with which he had laid

the foundation stone . " Ever since 1891 , when I first came to this country , " continued Mr . Shimmin , " Mr . Ehodes has consistently and liberally supported our Church , and all the Churches in fche country , irrespective of their denominational character . This is fche first occasion on which he has laid a foundation stone in the great country called after his name . Mr .

Ehodes will long be honoured amongst men as the maker of history , as the founder and extender of empire , as the man who transformed chaos into civilisation , and rescued from barbarism a habitable country . As a Church and people we thank Mr . Ehodes to-day , and we pray God that his life may long be spared to reign worthily amongst us as our uncrowned king . "

Mr . Ehodes having thanked Mr . Shimmin , said thafc there in a new country bhey had learned to be regardless of denomination . Mr . Ehodes then referred to the absence of bigotry shown by the members of the Masonic Order . Lately he had noticed fchem afc two functions , one a Jewish and fche other a Wesleyanmost opposite religions it might be said as regarded ideas , but

with a similar object in view—the betterment of humanity . The object of all religions in the future would be the betterment of humanity . Leu them think of the spot on which they were standing . For many years it was a desert ; during the last two generations ifc was the abode of natives tending sheep and cattle , and probably the scene of the happy despatch by the witch-doctor .

That had disappeared , and there would be in the future the building which they were erecting that day , which would have its doors open fco all , and those who entered would hear that which would make them leave tho hall better and more hopeful human beings . Therefore , following the example of the Order which was

present that day , in the interests of a better humanity , he was pleased , and heartily pleased , to be present afc the- erection of another building where those who assembled therein would be taught that which would lead towards a better humanity . — " Methodist Eecorder . "

Devon Educational Fund.

DEVON EDUCATIONAL FUND .

A MEETING of the Educational and General Purposes Committee of the Devon Masonic Educational Fund , of which Sir H . Stafford Norfcheote , C . B ., M . P ., Provincial Grand Master of Devon is president , was held on fche 27 th ult ., afc the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , to decide whether there should be

an election in October , and if so what number of candidates should be elected . Bro . 0 . S . Stebbing , a vice-patrcn of the Institution , presided , and others present were Bros . J . R . Lord Honorary Treasurer , J . B . Gover Honorary Secretary , W . Powell , W . Allsford , C . Mutten , T . Reynolds , C . Piper ( Exeter ) , H . J .

Barter , J . J . E . Elliott , and W . T . Hocking . Ifc was reported that they had now twenfcy-fcwo children on the fund—fche highest number yet reached—and it was decided that two additional candidates should be elected afc a meeting to be held at Plymouth in October , on a date to be fixed afc the discretion of the Secretary

and Treasurer . Ifc was also unanimously decided to hold fche annual concerb on behalf of the funds of the Institution , and to invite Bro . W . Willoughby to again take charge of the musical arrangements . The concert will probably be held on Wednesday , 17 th November . Last year ' s concerb resulted in a profit of over £ 100 , says the " Western Morning News . "

Consecration.

CONSECRATION .

YEATMAN-BIGGS LODGE .

THIS Lodge , No . 2672 , Calcutta , one of fche ten for which the Grand Master granted Warrants last quarter , is named after Brigadier-General A . G . Yeafcman-Biggs , C . B ., who has frequently been mentioned recently in connection wibh the suppression of fche Indian Frontier risings . He was lasb year

appointed by the Prince of Wales as District Grand Master of Bengal , and District Grand Superintendent of the Eoyal Arch Degree , in succession to Sir Henry Thoby Prinsep , who received fche same offices in 1878 and 1879 . The Yeafcman-Biggs Lodge takes its title as an honour to the

new District Grand Master . The Lodge has now been consecrated , and its first Master is Bro . E . H . M . Eustomjee , whose father received at the hands of the Prince of Wales at the Jubilee meeting at the Albert Hall , on 14 th June , fche rank in Grand Lodge of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies ,