Our Weekly Budget.

whom Englishmen , of all shades of politics , delight to honour .

The General Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution met on Wednesday the 8 th inst . at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , and was numerously attended . Bro . Colonel Creaton , V . P ., took the chair . Tho Secretary , Bro . Jas . Terry , read the

minutes of the former meeting , which were confirmed . A letter was read from Lord Skelmersdale , M . W . Deputy Grand Master , stating that in all probability H . R . H . Prince Leopold , P . G . M . Oxford , would take the chair at the annual Festival in February next . The widow of a former

annuitant was granted half her late husband's annuity for three years . Eight candidates were placed on the list . The following notices of motion were given by Col . Creaton ( V . Patron ) , P . G . D .:

—" That in consideration of the largo snms collected ( mainly by the gieat exertions of the Secretary ) , and consequent additional amount ol work in the office , his Salary be increased £ 100 per annum , commencing on the 1 st January 1876 . "

Notice of Motion pursuant to recommendation of Finance Committee : — " That the Clerk ' s Salary be increased £ 20 per annum , to commence on the 1 st December next . " These were carried unanimously .

A vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman . There were present—Bros . S . Rawson , R . H . Giraud , T . Fenn , J . Hogg , A . J . Filer , Hyde Pnllen , James Brett , C . A . Cottebrune , A . H . Tattershall , J . G . Stevens , W . Hall

J . A . Farnfield , J . Newton , J . Constable , W . Hilton , J . White , J . Hurst jun . J . P ., F . Adlard , R . W . Little , C . Lacey , L . Stean , W . Stephens , J . M . Stedwell , G . Bolton , and J . R . Gallant .

In Memoriam.

In Memoriam .

WE are sorry to announce the death , on Sunday last , of a most excellent Mason , one who , during his connection with the Craft , had always shown himself to be a most zealous , painstaking , and efficient member , and who to these invaluable qualifications added , in a very conspicuous degree , the still more important recommendation

ot being a hteautu & t supporter of our Charitable lustitutiobs . We allude , of course , to our late brother , Samuel Mny , who , in private life , was as esteemed and loved , as in public lite he was adniirtd and respected . So long as his health permuted , lie was a regular attendant at Grand

Lodge , and he bore on his breast a brilliant array oi evHienee to his Masonic worth . It is , doubtless , within the know ledge of many of our readers that the course oi tl . e Jute Bro . Waj ' s busmtss hie did not run as smoothly as his friends could have wished . V \ hen , some nine years

since , Her Aiajisty ' s 'Iheatre was burnt down , Bro . Ma \ sustained a loss amounting to many thousands of pounds . The whole ol the costumes , the result of years aud yearsof labour , and lepresenting , as we have stated , a larg « capital , were destroyed likewise . Bro . May , however ,

whose efforts iu three different Stewardshi ps had TOiUcuud lor cur beveial Charities a sum amounting ii , the aggregate to eight l . uudred pounds , more or less , had the sympathy of his Masonic friends and admirers , not in words only , but J . kewise in deeds . A Committee wat

formed , of which Bro . Ledger , of the Era , was honorary Treasurer , and Bro . Thomas Beard , of 10 Basinghall-street , the honorary fcectetary , Bro . John Udall , P . G . D ., being , usually , the presiding genius . A subscription list wai ^ opened , to which the theatrical friends of Bro . May

contributed very handsomely . The Christy Minstrels gavt an entertainment , the proceeds of which , amounting ti £ 05 , were handed over to the May Testimonial Fund Bro . Chattertun placed Lrury Lane at the disposal of th « Committee for one night , the proceeds of the

entertainment being eminently satisfactory , Bro . Chatterton himsei contiibuting the hnndsouie sum of £ ; V ) . Bro . Sam . Adams the then lessee ot the Philharmonic , Islington , likevvisi placed his establishment at the disposal of the Fund , witl a beneficial result . 'J he end of all these praise worth \

efforts was , that a festive gathering was held at the Frei masons' 'lavern , on the 11 th M ; iy 1868 . and , alter ; i excellent supper , provided by Bro . Charles Gosden , and tb

usual loyal toasts , Bro . Binckes , who had been previoush appointed b y the Committee , rose aud presented t " . Bro . Samuel May a testimonial , consisting of an eJegan Bilver salver , weighing sixty ounces , manulactnred by Bro

In Memoriam.

Lamb , masonic jeweller , of St . John ' s Square , Clerkenwell , and a purse of £ 700 . Bro . Binckes ' s speech was , as might have been expected , a very felicitous one , and Bro . May ' s acknowledgment brief but appropriate . The salver bore the following inscription : —

" Presented , with a purse- of £ 700 , to Samuel May , by hi 3 Masonic and theatrical friends , in evidence of their sincere sympathy towards him , on the severe loss ho has sustained by the calamitous fire at Her Majesty ' s Theatre , and as a slight mark of their esteem . May 11 th 18 B 8 . "

We need add little to this brief record of our lato brother ' s career . They who knew him loved him ; they who knew him not , or by reputation only , respected him . The memory of his virtues alone remains , and these doubtless will incite our younger brethren to follow in his footsteps .

New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND .

'PHE nsual monthly meeting of the Mount Ida Lodge , E . C , J- No . 1262 , was held in the Masonio Hall , Naseby , on Wednesday , the 6 th September . During the evening , a handsome jewel was presented to W . Bro . Past Master Henry Wirgman Robinson , who held the office of W . M . lor a poriod of two years . This jewel was a hearty offering from the brethren of the Lodge , in recognition of tho valuable services rendered by Bro . Robinson in connection therewith .

The jewel was a ohaste and elegant piece of workmanship . The presentation was made by P . P . G . D . Senior P . M . Bro . Grumitt , in highly complimentary terms , expressing a hope that Bro . Robinson ' s services might be long continued to the Lodge , and that he might be long spared to wear the jewel which , was about to be presented to him . Bro . Grumitt then called upon the Secretary , Bro . Rowlatt , to read the following address : —

Naseby , 6 th September 1876 . To P . M . Bro . Henry Wirgman Robinson , Mount Ida Lodge , E . C , 1262 . Dear Sir and Brother , —The brethren of the Lodge , as mentioned below , desiring to show their heartfelt appreciation of your Masonic abilities as Master of this Lodge for the past two years , have much

pleasure in asking you to accept the P . M . jewel which will this evening be presented to you . It was our intention to have presented this to yon on the termination of your last year's Mastership , but , as the jewel had to be obtained from London , about fire months delay has necessarily occurred .

We , together with the visiting brethren who have assembled this evening , hope that you may long continue to cement onr l . od ^ e , aud that your labours in ihe cause ot the Graft may meet that ai-ceptauoe at the bauds ot uur Great Master to which every member of our Urder hao tho right to aspire . We are , Dear Sir and Brother ,

Yours fraternally . ( Here follow the signatures . ) The Secretary , having read the address , Bro . Grumitt theu pre . . seuteu it , together with the jewel , to Bro . Rotuusou , who , in accept , ng them , expressed the pleasure wh . ch he felt at the receipt of so substantial a mark of esteem irom the bretureu , aud aiso tor the hind aeuiiiueuis conveyed in the address .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Glasgow.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF GLASGOW .

' 31 HE quarterly communication of this Lodge was held on 2 nd -1 . . November , in St . Mark ' s Hall , by Bros . F . A . Barrow D . P . G . M ., J . Burn . w & . P . G . M ., 1 > . M . Keiisou R . W . M . 3 bis as S . W ., ( J . . McDonald R . >\ , M . 73 as J . W ., J . Morgan R . W . M . 219 , iuteiim Secre . tary , J . Ball uur D . C ., A . Bain B . B ., A . Aihaun J ., G . Sinclair Treas . of Benevolent Fund , D . Reid P . G . I . G ., J . B . Hardie P . G . U . G ., and a

large uttendauce ot ttie Masters aud Wardens of the Province . The acting Past Grand Master said he was extremely sorry that the health of their P . G . M . was stiil such as to prevent him being present , but be sent him commissions m lavonr ot Bro . Eustou of jt . John 3 i as P . G . S . W ., aud Bro . Dr . A . Morton I . P . M . of Com . aiorcial Loiigo 3 b ' 0 as P . li . J . W . Bro . Easton was not present , but

< is Dr . Morton wa-, ho hud great pleasure iu installing him as their Junior Warden . ( Cheers . ) The bye-iawsot' 466 , 510 , aud 571 were . hen passed , aud the committee on tno bye-laws and other disputed ( joints in reference to Lodge St . Vincent , No . 553 , weie directed to call a meeting ol the Lodge , aud hear both parties in open Lodge before giving their decision in the matters referred to theui . Tno meeting

. o be called at the eari . est date possible . The consideration of the jiilet ot business to be brought before the Grand Lodge on Mouday vvas then taken up , and the motious to come before it discussed . Jonsideiable dissatisfaction was expressed at the state of financial . nailers , and also at tho want ot punctuality in some ot ihe Grand oodge officials , also at the ignoring of the claims of Glasgow , and

uhe West ot Scotland iu general , iu the distribution of Graud Lodge lououis . Ultimately a committee , consisting ot tho R . W . M . ' s of .. ixlgea 3 ^ , 3 b 0 , 404 , and 413 , along with tlio I . P . M . of 102 , was . iiiuniuiously appointed to draw up a memorial , to bo presented to jiand Lodge ou Monday , first showing their alleged grievances , / md ulnug attention to the lact that although oue-tiftu of the toial income

i Grand LodgecnuiCs from this provmc-, and oue-jeveulh from Ayrhire , jet both provinces have been for some time past sysU-uiaUca " y n no red by what shouiU be termed the biunu Lougu oi EuiUuui ' gh u her than me brand Lodge ot Scotland . Arrangements having been made lor the consecration of Plantation ooufee , ho . 553 , on Monuay , the 13 th , tho Lod ^ e was Ciosed in due form .