Centenary At Brighton.

CENTENARY AT BRIGHTON .

THE members of the Eoyal York Lodge , No . 315 celebrated their Centenary at the Eoyal Pavilion , Brighton . -ron the 28 th ult ., with a ball , which . proved in the highest degree enjoyable . The Grand Corridor looked exceedingly pretty , the decorations , by Mr . Stead and Messrs . Balchin and Sons , " being

on lavish and most tasteful scale . As a prelude to the ball the brethren of the Lodge held an emergency meeting in the Masonic Eoom . The Lodge was opened by the W . M . Bro . George Bungard , who was well supported .

Some very interesting old records of tbe Lodge were submitted by the Secretary , Bro . A , Stanley Cooke , who read the minutes of the last Lodge held > at Seaford , the minutes of > the first two Lodges held at Brighton , andxthe minutes of the Jubilee meeting of the Lodge .

Bro . H . Kent S . W ., referring to the Jubilee of the ; Lodge , which was celebrated at the Castle Inn , Castle Street , '__ ighton , in 1847 , said Bro . H . Welsfor'd Smithers had * kindly presented the Lodge with six large glasses which were-used on that occasion , and on the proposition of Bro . H . Kent , seconded by Bro . J .

Terry , a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Bro . H . Welsford Smithers . Bro . J . T . Whatford , Eoyal Clarence Lodge , who was , a visitor at the Jubilee celebration , referred briefly to that function , and heartily wished the Eoyal York Lodge continued success and

prosperity . The Secretary read the Centenary Warrant , which Bro . H . Kent had that day obtained from the office of the Grand Lodge , and on the motion of the latter Brother , seconded by Bro . L . E . Styer , the Warrant was received aud ordered to be entered on the minutes .

An epitome of the history of the Lodge was next read by the Secretary , which proved highly interesting . The Lodge was formerly held at Seaford , and was called the Royal Cinque Ports Lodge , No . 566 , the Warrant bearing the date of 28 th September 1797 . In 1814 the number of the Lodge was changed to 581 , and

the last meeting at Seaford was held in December 1822 . In January 1823 the Lodge was located at the Eoyal York Hotel , Brighton , and its name was altered to that of the BoyalYork Lodge , in honour of H . E . H . the Duke of York . For a few months the Lodge was then suspended by the P . G . Master the Duke of

Eichmond , on account of alleged irregularities . The suspension was removed , and though a new Warrant was issued under date of 28 th September 1797 . the original Warrant was subsequently found , and is now in possession of the Lodge . In 1832 the number of the Lodge was changed to 394 , and in 1863 to 315 . At various stages of its history the Lodge was held in Brighton

at the Masonio Hall , St . James s Street , the Turner Arms , ; the New Ship , the Artichoke , the Golden Cross , the Castle Inn , and the White Horse , and , finally , in 1853 , found a permanent resting place in the Royal Pavilion . Bro . A . Stanley Cooke also read several interesting and amusing extracts from the old minutes , and was warmly thanked -by the W . M . for his 'ably prepared history .

On the closing of the Lodge , the brethren and their friends were formally received in the Grand Corridor by the W . M . and Mrs . Bungard . Dancing was commenced in the Music Eoom and Saloon : at nine o ' clock , to the excellent music . of the .-band of the'Eoyal Sussex Eegiment , conducted by Mr . Leeson , the North and South

Drawing Eooms being set apart for light refreshment . At eleven o ' clock the company adjourned to the Banqueting Eoom , where they sat down to an elegant champagne supper , supplied by Messrs . Booth and Sons , of East Street , whose catering gave the highest satisfaction . The table decorations were of the most tasteful and elaborate character .

Bro . George Bungard W . M . presided , and submitted the 'Queen and the Craft , which was duly honoured . Bro . H . Kent proposed the Worshipful Master . The Brethren of the Lodge had desired , he said , to elect the best W . M . they could secure for the Centenary celebration , and none

had been preferred to Bro . Bungard . Their W . M . was not an old Mason , but in every office he had occupied he had worked zealously , and to the credit of the Lodge . So far his year ' s work had been highly successful , and he warmly congratulated him upon the manner in which he had conducted the Centenary celebration .

Bro . Bungard , on rising to respond , was greeted with prolonged applause . He said some of the most pleasant and most intellectual enjoyments of his life had been derived from Freemasonry , and he highly esteemed the complimest paid him in electing him W . M . for the Centenary year . He trusted that under his rule the Lodge would lose none of its prestige , and that the Eoyal York Lodge would long continue to prosper .

Bro . E . Clowes P . G . S . B . submitted " Prosperity to the Eoyal York Lodge . " He referred briefly to the history of the Lodge as given at the emergency meeting by Bro . A . Stanley Cooke , and

Centenary At Brighton.

spoke in high terms of the work of the Lodge on behalf of the Masonic Charities . Bro . C . W . Hudson , in responding , regretted the unavoidable absence of Bro . S . T . Foat , who was his only senior among the subscribing members of the Lodge . Alluding to the ladies who

graced the gathering by their presence , he said the Sussex ladies had set a good example to other Provinces in furthering the , success of their Masonic Benevolent Institutions , and he hoped many would again come'forward and become Stewardesses at the next Festival of the Boys School , when H . E . H . the Prince of "Wales would preside .

The W . M . concluded the short toast list by proposing the Ladies , for whom Mr . ' Sydney Foat responded . Dancing was resumed and maintained till after two o ' clock , the duties of Steward being admirably carried out by Bros . T . H . Challis , A . W . Payne , _ ndH . Jones . — " Sussex Daily News . "

Irish Visit To Newcastle.

IRISH VISIT TO NEWCASTLE .

r ?| " 1 HE second day of the visit of members of the Lodge of Israel , IL No . 126 , Ireland , to the Newcastle Lodge , No . 24 , was commenced by the Brethren -witnessing a turnout of the Newcastle Fire Brigade .

Brother Batey , Worshipful Master of the Dublin Lodge having rung the alarm , the brigade turned out in their usual smart style , under the command of Chief-Fireman Bro . Swanton . ' Examples of various methods of saving life from

burning buildings were given and were much admired , after which the hose was got to work . On the conclusion of the parade the Brethren re-assembled in the brigade room , and the Mayor ^ expressed his-pleasure atseeing so many distinguished Brethren from Dublin .

Bro . Batey W . M . replied on behalf of the Visitors , returning thanks in the name of the whole of the Irish Constitution of Freemasons . He also complimented the brigade very highly upon'the-smartness of their turnout .

Bro . Councillor Hepburn , Chairman of the Newcastle Watch Committee , and Bro . Alderman Pile , Dublin , having addressed a few words , the proceedings ended with cheers for the Mayor and ; for the brigade . —" Irish'Times . "

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