New Hall At Blackpool.

Masonic Chambers , to which not only city but country Lodges will be invited to send representatives . At each meeting a different ceremony will be performed , and each will have the MacArthur music , and the accompaniments will be given on the large organ . The scheme will entail

considerable expense , but this the Lodge , which has taken the lead with the object of improvement and uniformity , is prepared to meet , and gladly , if , as is confidently expected , the interests of Freemasonry are served . Brother John

Graham , of Broadstone , Provincial Grand Master has unhesitatingly given his full consent , as representing the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow , to the meetings being convened , and hopes to be present at one or other of them . — "Glasgow Evening News . "

A remarkable discovery of ancient mural paintings of great antiquarian interest has been made during the process of restoring the early Norman church of Ashmansworth , a few miles south of Highclere Park , the seat of Lord Carnarvon . It seems that the workmen , in removing the

outer plaster which lines the east wall of the nave , were surprised to find underneath a series of very remarkable paintings , dating from the time of the Conqueror , and depicting scriptural scenes , of great historic value . The church has been very little used lately ; there is no residential

clergy , and Lord Carnarvon , the lord of the manor , together with Canon Blunt , the rural dean , are responsible for the latest renovations which are now taking place . Bro . C . E . Keyser P . G . D ., of Aldermaston Hall , who has been consulted in the matter , states that the pictures are undoubtedly genuine , and will form the basis of an inquiry by the Society of Antiquaries .

The opening dinner of the Southend Masonic Club took place at the new premises in Whitegate Road , on Tuesday evening , 26 th ult . The Mayor Bro . F . F . Ramuz was in the chair , and Bro . W . Elam W . M . Priory Lodge was Vice Chairman . There was a goodly company . Several toasts

were honoured . Responding to that of his health , Bro . Ramuz said be was pleased to see so many Masons present , and he would take that opportunity of placing before them a chance of showing their liberality towards one who had been

instrumental in saving life—he meant William Lilley , who saved two persons from drowning , a fortnight ago' at the pierhead . The Brethren contributed £ 10 , to be handed over to Mrs . Lilley .

An unusual ceremony has been arranged in the Harlesden Lodge , No . 2098 . One of the Brethren sails for Zanzibar on Monday , and , being anxious to be raised to the third degree before leaving , Worshipful Master S . Yardley Tilley has summoned the Brethren for five minutes past midnight

on Sunday at the National Schools , Harlesden , for the ceremony . The hour has been fixed to meet the exigencies of the Craft—the probationary period not having expired

until twelve o ' clock on Sunday night—and also to suit the convenience of the candidate . The impressiveness of the ceremony will , no doubt , be enhanced by the associations of the midnight hour .

Bro . C . J . Grove P . M . and Sec . Crystal Palace Lodge , No . 742 P . Z . 217 desires us to direct attention to the candidature of Lionel George Payne as a most deserving case for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , for which the lad is an applicant . The father , Bro . A . W . Payne , was a

member of the Prudent Brethren Lodge , No . 145 , who died 16 th April 1898 , at the age of 3 6 , leaving a widow and two children very inadequately provided for . Proxies will be thankfully received by Bro . Grove , at 44 Mortimer Street , Cavendish Square , W .

The weekly meetings of the Citadel Lodge of Instruction , No . 18 97 , were resumed' yesterday ( Friday ) evening , at the Farieigh Hotel , Amhurst Road , Stoke Ne \ vington . _ The Masonic Charities Association in connection with the Lodge meets the last Friday in each month , after the usual meeting ,

when subscriptions are due and payable , and new members may be enrolled . The Preceptor is Bro . F . Dunstan P . M . and Secretary 1326 P . A . G . D . C . Middx ., and the Secretary Bro . Harry Wilismer 1567 ( 46 Birchington Road , Kilburn , N . W . ) .

New Hall At Blackpool.

Some of the Brethren who went to Stourbridge the other day , to attend the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire , were disappointed in regard to getting to the banquet , as all the tickets had been disposed of ,

and the Committee wisely determined not to let those who had not previously made up their minds to crowd in and disturb the comfort of those who had . The sermon on the day of the meeting is being talked of as a very remarkable production , but no report of it has appeared anywhere .

The question of making further contributions to the Mark Benevolent Fund , ' as referred to in our issue of 23 rd ult ., was discussed at the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge at Exeter , on the 26 th , and it is hoped that beneficial results

may follow . We understand that Bro . Shorto was so satisfied with the results of the discussion that he withdrew the resolution of which he had given notice , but it is satisfactory to know the question has created a considerable amount of attention .

A complimentary benefit was given on Thursday of last week to Bro . Charles Morton , at the Palace Theatre , in honour of his eightieth birthday . In the course of the

proceedings an address , written by Mr . Clement Scott , was read by Mrs . Clement Scott , and a cheque for over £ 1 , 200 , representing the takings of the evening , was handed to Bro . Morton .

The first annual supper of the Eyre Lodge of Instruction , No . 2742 , will take place on Wednesday next , at the Eyre Arms Hotel , St . John ' s Wood . Tickets may be had of Bro .

Barrell , the Manager of the Hotel ; or from the Secretary of the Lodge , Bro . Percy J . W eeden , Dagmar House , Rydon Crescent , Rosebery Avenue , E . C .

Another scare is reported from Scotland , it being stated that women had been there admitted into Freemasonry . On enquiry , however , it transpired that the rumour arose from

the fact that some women were seen cleaning out the Masonic Temple of an outlying town ; and yet they say the Scotch are unable to appreciate a joke !

The Crusaders Lodge of Instruction , No . 1677 , has removed to the Camden Head , 2 Camden Street , Islington Green , N ., and was re-opened yesterday ( Friday ) evening ,

when Bro . James Speller W . M . 2750 P . M . 1677 2256 2374 P . Z ., & c , & c . P . P . G . D . Essex worked the ceremony of Installation , & c .

The first meeting in the new Masonic premises at Southend took place on Saturday , the 16 th ult ., when the Brethren of the Albert Lucking Lodge assembled . Bro . Scott Miller was elected as W . M ., and Bro . F . England as Treasurer , in succession to Bro . A . Marden resigned .

The Royal Athelstan Lodge of Instruction , No . 19 , meets at the Cambrian , Glasshouse Street , W ., each Sunday evening , at 7 . 30 p . m . Bro . C . H . Denny is the Treasurer , and Bro . J . I . Moar the Secretary , both of whom will be pleased to welcome visitors at any time .

The Elliot Lodge of Instruction , No . 1567 , opened the winter session at the Railway Hotel , Feltham , on Thursday evening , 28 th ult ., and after the usual business had been transacted the members dined together and spent a very pleasant evening .

Bro . W . Sergeant Lee was installed as Master of the Eccentric Lodge , No . 24 S 8 , in succession to Bro . Lionel W . Karris ,- on Friday , at the Cafe Royal , Regent Street , W . A full account of the proceedings will appear in our next issue .

At a time when the fortune of the " Shamrock " is being followed with intense interest , it is worthy of note that the owner was initiated into Freemasonry in a Glasgow Lodge over twenty vears arc .