Proposed Hall For Blyth.

PROPOSED HALL FOR BLYTH .

FOB a considerable period—indeed , for many yearsa movement has been on foot for the erection of a new Masonic Hall at Blyth , but it is onlr recently , says the " Newcastle Daily Leader , " that the scheme has assumed a definite shape . The Right Worshipful Sir

Matthew White Ridley , Bart ., M . P ., has generously granted an eligible site for the erection of the proposed building , in Beaconsfield Street , adjoining the Higher Grade School . The proposal received the approval of

the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Alderman E . H . Holmes , J . P ., and the Building Committee of the Blagdon Lodge at Blyth , No . 659 , of which P . M . John Tweedy is Secretary , and W . M . Launce Carr Chairman , at once exerted themselves to further the movement .

A gratuity was offered ior plans , and six architects competed , the successful gentleman , whose designs were accepted by the committee , being Mr , A . A . Windle , Waterloo , Blyth . The plan shows a building eighty-six feet by forty feet , and comprises , on the basement ,

reading room , club room , and conveniences adapted for the holding of social gatherings ; on the first floor is a large lecture hall , with ante rooms , and on the second

floor are the caretaker ' s rooms . The building will be of red brick , with ornamental stone facings , and the estimated cost is about £ 1 , 000 . Tenders are being invited for the immediate commencement of the structure . Lodge meetings and convocations have hitherto been held in the Mechanics' Institute .

New Hall At Johannesburg.

NEW HALL AT JOHANNESBURG .

THE Brethren of the Gold Fields Lodge , No . 2478 , are erecting a Hall for their future meetings , and laid the foundation stone with full honours on the 20 th June . Considerable progress , says the " Star , " a local

paper , had been made with fche building , the foundation stone of which was laid in the " traditional north-east corner , " and bore the following inscription : Foundation stone of Freemasons' Hall , laid by Won . BBO . S . HEKSHFIELD ,

Worshipful Master of the Gold Fields Lodge , No . 2478 , E . C . Wednesday , 20 th June 1894 , A . M . 5894 . The Brethren of the Gold Fields Lodge and of the various sister Lodges of the three Constitutions working at Johannesburg , assembled at the Public Schoolroom ,

and on the arrival of the Worshipful Master of the Gold

Fields Lodge , his Officers , and the Building Committee , the Director of Ceremonies , Bro . I . Bloom , marshalled the procession . . On arrival at the site of the Temple , the " Volkslied " was sung by the choir , followed by the anthem " God

bless the Prince of Wales . " The Chaplain then offered up the following prayer : — Supreme Great Architect of the Universe , bounteous source of every good to the children of men . Thou who didst inspire thine ancient servant Solomon to build unto Thee a house , and didst of Thine own infinite grace accept the workmanship of his hands , and didst condescend by Thy Spirit to dwell therein , grant to us

that grace to-day that we may make an auspicious commencement of our labours , and lay this corner stono upon the several principles of justice , piety , reliance upon God , and sacred truth . Bless our Mother Earth to bear firmly upon its bosom the edifice which to-day we begin to erect . Bless the hands of the bearers of burdens who may bring hither materials for the walls to rise . Bless the wisdom

that shall continue , the strength that shall execute , and the beauty that shall adorn this building , that in the eyes of all beholders it may present a monument of the prosperity of those who follow on to know the Lord . May words of peace ever resound within its walls . May the praise of God bo its harmony . May its dwellers

dwell together in unity , and enjoy the delight of pleasantness and peace . Keep this edifice from the hands of evil designing men . Preserve it equally from the lightenings of heaven , from hurricanes , from earthquakes , from conflagrations , from the sword of the invader , and from all manner of evil .

thou didst conduct thine ancient people . And when the work of human life is ended , when we are called up to Thy celestial Lodge , to receive the wages for which we have faithfully laboured , may we be found prepared as living stones for the sniritual building , that house not built with hands , but one eternal in the heavens . The trowel ( a very beautiful specimen of the

gold-Supreme Grand Master , omnipotent and omniscient God , who hast kept from age to age the sacred fire of memory glowing upon its altars , kindle a brighter flame in thc hearts of Freemasons worshipping before Thee to-day , and be our guide and protector through the wilderness of life . ' ns with the nillivrnffirf ! a . Tirl p . lnnrl

New Hall At Johannesburg.

smith ' s art , and bearing an appropriate inscription ) was presented to the W . M . by Bro . J . Da Silva , on behalf of the Building Committee , and he , having thanked the Committee for its presentation to him of so handsome a memento of the occasion , read the inscription on the

foundation stone . He then deposited in the cavity the usual parchment scrolls reciting for a future era the

event of the day , together with copies of the local newspapers , the Treasurer placing in the cavity the various Transvaal coins . The cement having been spread upon the lower stone , the upper stone was lowered . The W . M . proved the stone , and declared it well and truly laid .

The Worshipful Master of the Johannesburg Lodge ( Bro . A . H . Beid ) strewed corn upon the stone . Bro . J . E . Green P . M . poured wine upon it , and the Worshipful Master of the Jeppestown Lodge ( Bro . T . W . Goodwin ) poured the oil . An oration was delivered by the Chaplain , in which

the aims and objects of Freemasonry , to which the building was to be dedicated , were lucidly and eloquently set forth . A collection in aid of the building fund followed .

The Worshipful Master having briefly addressed the assembled Brethren and Visitors , the Chaplain delivered

the closing prayer . " God save the Queen" and the " Volkslied" having been sung , the procession re-formed , and the Brethren returned to the Lodge-room . The whole proceedings were most efficiently

conducted , the arrangements generally being under the direction of Brother J . A . da Silva P . M ., the enegetic Secretary of the Gold Fields Lodge . A banquet , in commemoration of the event , was held at the North-Western Hotel in the evening .

The weekly meetings of the Bagshaw Lodge of Instruction , No . 1457 , stand adjourned to Friday , 7 th September , at 7 . 30 p . m ., when the usual meetings will be resumed at the Public Hall , Loughton .

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CRITERION RESTAURANT . EAST EOOM FOR -R / _ E O xi _ H 3 _ tx > O -E 3 . JE DINNERS & SUPPEES A LA CARTE . THE WEST EOOM , 5 / - Parisian Dinner ; Supper , 4 / - Instrume ? ital Music 11 . 0 to 12 . 30 . GBAND HALL 3 / 6 DINNER , I AT SEPARATE TABLES , 6 TO 9 , Accompanied by the Celebrated " SPIERPON " ORCHESTRA .