Centenaries.

the prelude of a more extensive research into the minute books , so that a very valuable brochure would be forthcoming , interesting alike to the members of the Lodge and to the Masonic world generally .

The proceedings of the evening , which were of a very harmonious and pleasing character , were greatly enhanced by music and song , kindly contributed at short notice by friends of the Brethren . — " Sussex Express . "

Napthali Lodge.

NAPTHALI LODGE .

THE one hundredth anniversary of the Napfchah Lodge , No . 266 , was celebrated afc the Freemasons' Arms Hotel , Heywood , on Thursday , the 3 rd insfc . The records of the Lodge show that it was consecrated in 1788 , the first meeting-place of the members being fche Spread Eagle Inn , Chapel Street , Salford . After being held at various places in Manchester ,

Lodge business was conducted at the Dog Inn , Deansgate , for fourteen years ( 1816-30 ) . Next the Lodge was held in Bury , its connection with this town dating from the last-named year , when the members met at the Volunteer Inn , Union Street ; the jewels , furniture , etc ., of the Lodge being in the custody of Bro . Issac

Jones P . P . G . J . W . After remaining three years at the Volunteer Inn , fresh quarters were obtained , the removal this time being to the Hope and Anchor , Bolton Street . Three years after this event the members of the Lodge attended , in procession , the laying of the foundation stone of the bridge over the Irwell , afc

Hardy ' s Gate , by Bro . John Greenhow , who was afc that time connected with the Lodge . In the year 1837 Bro . K . Openshaw filled the office of Worshipful Master , and he was succeeded by Bro . E . Whitehead , during whose term of office a procession of the members—probably in conjunction with other local

bodieswas held to celebrate fche coronation of Queen Victoria . The connection of the Lodge with Bury was broken in 1839 , when a removal was made to the Freemasons' Arms , Whitefield . Two years afterwards Bro . Eichard Pilkingfcon was the W . M . Leaving Whitefield in 1842 , the Lodge was next removed to the

Bridge Inn , Heap Bridge . Here it was held for sixteen years . In 1858 the ' properties' of the Lodge were handed over to Bro . William Wescoe , of Heywood ( to whose memory the local Freemasons subsequently erected a memorial in the Heywood Cemetery ) , the place of meeting then being the Brunswick Hotel ,

Heywood . Since that year the Lodge has been held at various places in Heywood , and in 1891 ifc was taken to the present Lodge room at the Freemasons' Arms Hotel . In 1875 , it may be mentioned , a Provincial Grand Lodge meeting was held in Sfc . Luke ' s School , William Street . In the course of its

existence the Lodge has been engaged in much philanthropic work , and during the past quarter of a century it is estimated that ifc has expended some hundreds of pounds in this manner . In 1861 the members decided to put a Masonic stained window in the north-east portion of St . Luke ' s Church , Heywood , and

this idea was carried oufc by Mr . Shaw , of Saddleworth . A large sum of money was also subscribed by the members of the Lodge in aid of the funds for the East Lancashire Systematic Benevolent Institution , in 1876 , Bro . John Partington at the time occupying the position of W . M . The present W . M . of the Lodge is Bro . F . Ferrand .

At the Centenary meeting the following were invested for the year 1897 : Bro . S . Smith W . M ., F . Ferrand I . P . M ., J . Clegg junr . S . W ., E . H . Smith J . W ., H . Emery Chaplain , J . Partington P . M . P . P . G . S . D . Charity Eepresentative , E . Bogle P . M . Treas ., E . H . Preston Secretary , J . H . Dawson S . D ., J . VV .

Heywood J . D ., W . H . Kershaw P . M . D . C , W . Watmough Organist , T . Chadwick I . G ., E . Howe , James Preston , F . Hazlitt , and W . Gleave Stewards , S . Barker Tyler . The Installing Masters were Bros . Eev . J . 0 . Jelley P . P . G . C , John Partington P . P . G . S . D ., and F . Ferrand I . P . M .

The Lodge was graced with fche presence of Bro . C E . N . Beswicke-Eoyds , and Bro . Eichardson P . M . P . P . G . S . D . During the evening the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were given . — " Heywood News . "

Bro . Thomas Briggs , CO ., has been elected to the chair of the Aldersgate Lodge , and will be installed at the next meeting , to be held at the Albion Tavern . o o o THE Directors of Spiers and Pond Limited announce that the debenture stock transfer books will be closed from the 15 th to the 31 st inst ., both inclusive , for the purpose of preparing the interest warrants for tho half-year ending 31 st December 1896 , on the five per cent , first mortgage debentures

, the " A mortgage debenture stock , the " B " mortgage debenture stock , and the "C" first mortgage debenture stock of tho Company ; also that the share transfer books will be closed from thc 15 th to the 31 st inst ., both inclusive , for thc purpose of preparing dividend warrants for the second instalment of four shillings per share , less income tax , payable on the 1 st January next , making eight shillings per share paid on account of the dividend for the vear ending 31 st March 1897 . '

Consecrations.

CONSECRATIONS .

PROSPERITY LODGE .

AS evidence of the vast strides which Freemasonry is making in South Africa , we may point to an interesting ceremony which took place at Johannesburg , S . A . E ., on the 4 th November , in the Consecration of the Prosperity Lodge , No . 2607 , E . G ., aud installation of Bro . David Moss P . M . of the Star Lodge ,

No . 1275 , E . G ., and for many years Preceptor of the Prosperity Instruction Lodge , No . 65 , and various other Lodges in London . ' Bro . Moss is a well known figure in sporting circles in Johannesburg , and his election as the firsfc Worshipful Master of the newly consecrated Prosperity Lodge shows his popularity amongst the Fraternity there .

A large number of Brethren attended the ceremony , amongst the visitors being the District Grand Master Bro . H . F . E . Pistorius and Grand Offices of the District Grand Lodge , E . C , and several Worshipful Masters of the E . C . and of tbe different Lodges of the other Constitutions , and a numerous muster of Past Masters .

Bro . J . Da Silva , District Grand Secretary of the Transvaal , P . M . of the Israel Lodge , No . 205 first Worshipful Master of the Barnato Lodge , No . 2265 and P . M . of the Gold Fields Lodge , No . 2478 , was the Consecrating and Installing Officer .

The Consecrating Officer having taken the chair , addressed the Brethren present in a few appropriate words in . connection with the ceremony ; he then called on Brother Eeverend Canon Fisher W . M . of the Transvaal Lodge , No . 1747 , E . G ., Pretoria , and District Grand Chaplain , to deliver an oration . His address

to the Brethren , on the principles of Freemasonry , was listened to with great attention by those present . The District Grand Chaplain also referred in eloquent terms to the laudable scheme that is being inaugurated by the District Grand Lodge , namely

the education of Freemasons' children , earnestly appealing to the Brethren present to support ib with heart and soul . It may be stated that Bro . J . Da Silva has been the principle mover in this educational scheme , and he is heartily supported by the Brethren of the Scotch and Netherlands ( Dutch ) Constitutions in the

movement . The Consecration of the Lodge and installation ceremony then followed , Bro . David Moss being installed into the chair of K . 8 . and subsequently investing the Officers as follow : —Bros .

J . Da Silva P . M . as I . P . M ., Geo . Horwitz S . W ., B . Lazarus J . W ., A . N . S . Goldberg Treas ., S . Lavine Sec , M . Patlansky S . D ., A . Apfel J . D ., P . Eosenthal I . G ., J . Patlansky Steward , K . Klagsburn Tyler .

During the evening the D . D . G . M . conferred on Bro . Moss a collar as Past District Grand Sword Bearer . The whole of fche proceedings were carried out in a mosfc creditable manner by Bro . Da Silva , and there is no doubt that Bro . Da Silva is second to none in the Transvaal in carrying oub

such duties . Bro . Da Silva was assisted in fche ceremonies by Bro . C . Aburrow P . D . G . S . W ., Dr . H . Exton D . G . J . W ., W . B . Boyes D . G . T ., Eev . Canon Fisher D . G . Chaplain , Jesse Dear D . G . Dir . C , W . Dodds W . M . 2481 , A . Goldberg W . M . 2478 , and S . Hershfield P . M . 2478 .

Under the careful and sympathetic guidance of Bro . Moss there is a strong probability that fche new Lodge will fully justify its happily chosen name—Prosperity . The W . M ., who is deeply interested in the work of Masonic instruction , which occupies a great deal of his time , is also practically interested in the cause of education , under the asgis of Freemasonry , and last , but not least , benevolence .

After the exhaustive and interesting ceremony fche Brethren retired from labour to refreshment , when an enjoyable time was spent at the festive board . Many mutual congratulations and social greetings were conveyed fco the W . M . Long life and success to the Prosperity Lodge , No . 2607 .

Earl Of Zetland Chapter.

EARL OF ZETLAND CHAPTER .

AT the Guildhall Tavern , London , on Friday , 4 th insfc ., a new Eoyal Arch Chapter was consecrated , to be attached to Earl of Zetland Lodge , No . 1364 . There were present on the occasion many members of the Degree . The ceremony was performed by Comp . Letchworth Grand

Scribe E ., who was assisted by Comp . Thomas Fenn Past President of the Committee of General Purposes , the Eev . J , Sfcudholme Brownrigg Grand Superintendent Bucks , Comp . C , F . Matier Past Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies , and Comp . Frank Eichardson Grand Director of Ceremonies .

In opening the proceedings Comp . Letchworth said he could only express the hope that the new Chapter would be the means of uniting still more closely those who were already