Dedication Of The New Masonic Hall At Southampton.

moro . At tho timo to which ho had alluded ho ( tho Prov . Grand Master ) expressed a wish that they should raise a superstructure creditable to tho Craft and suitable to their requirements . In that they hoped they had succeeded , and he had the pleasure of expressing tho entire satisfaction of tho shareholders with the manner in which both tho architect and tho builder had performed their respective duties .

They had not attempted to raise a gorgeous palace , but contented themselves with building a solemn temple in which the great principles of their Order might bo acquired and practised . Tho Prov . Grand Master briefly expressed his ploasuro at tho success of the undertaking , and tho coremony was concluded . Tho brethren afterwards sat down to a r & cherchd banqnot , supplied

by Bro . Dartnall , in tho Victoria Rooms . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master presided , supported by his Officers . Tho banquet being concluded , Tho Prov . Grand Master proposed " The Queen and Craft , " referring to tho active interest taken in Freemasonry by H . R . H . tho Prince of Wales Grand Master . Ho was present when tho Prince was

installed , and tho interest he had then professed nevor languished . He coupled with it tho name 3 of tho Prov . Grand Master and the Deputy Grand Master . Bro . Hickman Deputy Prov . Grand Master replied , in conclusion asking them to respond as heartily as thoy had dono to tho last toast , to one who was most dear to the hearts of nil present . They

all know how ready tho Prov . Grand Master was to fulfil hi 3 dnties in Freomasonry , and he had much pleasure in proposing his health , wishing him every health and happiness . The Prov . Grand Master , in acknowledgment , thanked tho brethren for their enthusiasm , and expressed the pleasure it gave him to be present on that occasion . It waa very creditablo to tho Masons

of Southampton that they had raised a building aclequato to the carrying on of their various ceremonies . In other countries they | see tho noblest and largest buildings used for the purpose of carrying on Freemasonry , and it was gratifying to see in England that they were following tho example in carrying out the beautiful ceremonies of Freemasonry in buildings well fitted for the purpose . From his

knowledge of the Freemasons of Southampton , he knew that Masonry would be carried out in their new hall in a pure and efficient manner . Were it not so he was sure no ono present would regard with the samo satisfaction as he now did the opening of tho building ho had been proud to dedicate that day . In Lodge he alluded to tho events of former Freemasons , and he would now rathor say a few

words with regard to the futnro . With regard to what had already rakon place , he asked thom to let it be an encouragement to them in timo to como , and to be animated by the example of their forefathers which had been so set , so that fnturo Masons might be ablo to look back and follow tho example of what was taking place at the

present day , in the same way as they wero enabled to do now . To all those who had been engaged in the work of that day he wished health and prosperity , and expressed a desire that Freemasonry might flourish in tho town , in the county , and in the country , pure and unsullied .

Tho Prov . Grand Treasurer ( Bro . Frost ) proposed " The health of tho Deputy Provincial Grand Master , " who was known , ho believed , to every person in the room . He was most courteous in his manner to every ono with whom ho was brought into contact , and was at all times willing to give any information Masons were ready to receive . Tho Depnty Provincial Grand Master suitably responded , saying

he felt great pleasure in fulfilling the dnties of his office . Ho had a chief whom it was an honour to serve , and who was ever ready to listen to anything he had to refer to him . He felt sure every brother who first saw the light of Masonry in the old Hall would regret it could no longer bo used for Masouio purposes . It was inadequate , and could not be suitably enlarged , and now they had a

new Hall ho hoped they would all rally round those who had expended their money , and endeavour to secure a fair return . Ho concluded by proposing "The health of the Prov . Grand Officers , " to which the Junior Prov . Grand Warden ( Bro . Parsons , Basingstoke ) replied , congratulating tho Masons of Southampton upon acquiring adequate premises in which to hold their meetings .

The Prov . Grand Secretary ( Bro . Le Fenvre ) proposed "The W . M . ' s of the Lodges in tho Provinces , " expressing the great pleasure it afforded him , as in the discharge of his duties ho was brought in contact with them perhaps more than other Mason iu tho Province . The prosperous state of Freemasonry in this Provinco was in a great measure due to tho Grand Master . The Lodges were increasing

very rapidly ; during tho last five or six years thoy had increased from 27 to 34 . He regretted very much the absence that evening of Bro . P . M . Booth , one of the Masonic brothers in Southampton , through ill health , and ho trusted he would soon bo well enough to be amongst them again . Bros . Nash ( Winchester ) and Jellicoo W . M . ( Gloucester ) suitably responded .

Tho Prov . Grand Master proposed " Tho Directors of tho Southampton Masonic Hall Company . " He congratulated them upon tho success of their undertaking , and trusted that tho financial return would also bo as satisfactory . Tho Deputy Prov . Grand Master ( Chairman of tho Directors ) , in reply to the toast , observed that tho principal spirit which actuated

tho Directors in their undertaking was to provide proper accommodation for tho observances of their Order . They might congratulate themselves upon the success they had attained . Ho took very little credit to himself , as he had been so ably supported by his brother Directors . Some of thorn had devoted a large portion of their time to

the superintendence of the work , and assisting the architect and builder in every way that lay iu their power . They did not wish for large profits , only a fair return for their money , and ho belived in that they would l ; e successful . Bro . Weston P . M . P . P . G . R . also responded . Other Masonic and complimentary toasts wcic given , after which the brethren separated . —1 'orlsmouth Times .

Dr. Barnardo's Annual Festival.

DR . BARNARDO'S ANNUAL FESTIVAL .

ON Wednesday ovoning , between thirteen and fourteen hundred houseless children wero invited by tho woll known friond of tho poor—Dr . Barnardo , to a substantial tea at the Mission Room adjoining tho Edinburgh Castle , Rhodeswelbroad , Burdett-road . Similar efforts , in the shape of sappers or free teas are made from time to timo to carry out tho main object of Dr . Barnardo ' s institutions , which is stated to ho to rescno and train street children for useful lives . Tho

various establishments comprised in this undertaking are : —Homo for Working and Destitute Lads , Stepney-cansoway ; Village Homes for Girls , Ilford ; Temporary Receiving House for Neglected Girls ; Temporary Receiving Houses for Streot Boys ; Training Houso for Little Boys , Jorsey . Thero aro also Industrial Brigades in connection with tho institutions as follows : —The City Messenger Brigade , the Wood

Chopping Brigade , the Union Jack Shoo Black Brigade . In all theso establishments there are now botwoen 800 and 900 homeless , destitute , or neglocted children being fed , educated and trained for useful lives . A homo is contemplated in whioh lads from 17 to 20 years of ago , taken from the lodging houses , may bo tested by moans of some industrial pursuit for a few months , and then draftod on to situations

or places of employment which the director of tho homos shall obtain for them . No boy or girl , however deformed or di 30 asod , is rofused admission , provided only they be roally destitute . With a view to testing such extreme cases , and also dealing successfully with diseases which may arise in tho institutions , a special infirmary for siok children , containing 30 beds , has been erected in Stepney-causeway .

After tea , Dr . Barnardo put some questions to tho boys with the view of selecting some for admission into tho homes , it being intended also to assist in removing all the girls from their present objectionablo snrronndings . Before asking tho questions , however , he explained that his object was to help them if he conld , as ho had found out that there were a large number of boys and girls who had not had a really

good chance of leading an honest life , ne could take somo boys into tho homos , recommend others to various institutions , send somo on board ships , and obtain employment for others . He then askod how many lads had fathers or mothers living in lodging houses , and a comparatively small nnmbor of hands were held np ; but to the query as to how many boys wero selling things in tho streets , tho responso

showed that the mnjority of thoso prosent were thus engaged . Tho question , " How many lads have not got a ' doss' ( bed ) for the night ?" caused an almost general show of hands . Those boys who wanted help were then asked to stand up , < ind between SO and 100 avnilod themselves of this offer , and wero then passed into an adjoining room , in ordor that inquirios might bo mado with a view to their admission

into a home . Dr . Barnardo also invited any lads who had not liked t > stand up—ono of tho boys having informed him that two of his " pals , " although wishing to go into a home , had not had the courago to como forward—to see him at the institution at Stepney . Ho advised them all to get work away from the streets . The proceedings were brought to a conclusion by singing and prayor , and each child

was presented with two oranges and a new sixpenny-piece , the coma being the gift of a donorwho preferred to remain anonymon 3 . Amongst the friends of the movement present wero the Rev . W . Tyler , Mr . J . G . Sheppard , Mr . R . C . Morgan , Dr . Heywood Smith , and soveral membors of the committee . The band from tho homo at Stopney per . formod Boveral selections during tho evening .

The Lifeboat Service In 1879.

THE LIFEBOAT SERVICE IN 1879 .

YE AR by year the work of tho National Lifeboat Institution becomes more and more extensive , and testifies to its great importance . The list of services rendered on tho coasts of the United Kingdom by its Lifeboats to shipwrecked crews details succinctly tho success aud unabated bravery and perseverance of the Lifeboat men . A total of G 37 lives have been rescued , by the Society ' s Lifeboats

during the year , in addition to 21 vessels saved from destruction . In the same period the Lifoboat Institution granted rewards for saving 218 lives by fishing and other boats , making a total of 855 lives saved last year , mainly throngh its instrumentality . Altogether , since its formation tho Society has contributed to tho saving of

26 , 906 shipwrecked persons . It should also bo mentioned that dnring tho past two years the Institution has not lost a singlo lifo from its 269 Lifeboats . Tho Committeo of tho Lifeboat Institution , in view of tho foregoing facts , . appeal with rcnowod confidence to tho British public for support and sympathy .

Tho first Ball of tho Lodgo of Industry , No . 186 , was hold on Thursday , the 8 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street . Any surplus that may arise is to be given to the Masonic Charities , to bo placed on the list of tho W . M ., who is a Steward for tho Royal Masoni-j Benevolent Institution . Thero were nearly 200 guests present , and every ono thoroughly enjoyed the meeting , thanks to tho W . M .,

the Past Masters , and an efficient body of Stewards . An early supoer was provided by Bro . A . Best , under tho superintendence of Bro . Dawkins , which gavo every satisfaction . Tho health of the W . M . was proposed by Bro . W . Mann P . M . and Treasurer , in an excellonfc speech . The toast was enthusiastically received . The W . M ., in responding , said this was tho first Ball in conjunction with their Lodge ;

ho was pleased to seo so many present , and hoped that tho gathering wonld bo an annual one . Bro . Cuntle proposed tho health of tho Stewards , who by their exertions had contributed to tho success of tho evening . Bro . Johnson J . W . replied . Bro . H . M . Levy responded for the Visitors ; while Bro . Dyer did a liko service for tho Ladies . Bro . Dan Godfrey's Band discoursed sweet music till an early hour .