Civic Authorities And The Craft.

CIVIC AUTHORITIES AND THE CRAFT .

IT may be asserted without fear of contradiction that at no previous period in the history of the Craft has there been so close an association between the leading authorities of the

City of London and the Order of Freemasonry as exists at the present time , while the same may also be said in regard to many of the leading Provincial municipalities and minor local authorities . But while this fraternal union between

rulers and ruled may afford us cause for congratulation , it also provides our opponents with a base on which to found attacks , and an excuse for airing some of their imaginary grievances ; with the result that we read from time to time ,

in the daily and ( Other papers of the country , of the iniquity of municipal authorities whose association as members of the Order of Freemasonry prevents the proper discharge of the duties entrusted to them by their fellow ratepayers and citizens . As Freemasons we can afford to treat such

accusations with contempt , but at the same time there are few who can argue that such charges are wholly unreasonable , when viewed at from the point of view of a bigoted enthusiast , one who cannot understand political or municipal opponents

faithfully discharging what they consider to be their duties , and at the same time fraternising with each other , and enjoying the same social amusements , at the close of their discussions or debates . Happily , however , public men in this country have

so long enjoyed the esteem and regard of their fellows that little surprise is expressed if the fiercest of opponents sit down together after the storm of argument has ceased and quietly enjoy themselves in fraternal intercourse .

The key note of the situation was ably struck by the Lord Mayor of London Sir J oseph Dimsdale P . G . Treas ., who was present as a visitor at the installation meeting of the Gallery Lodge last week , accompanied by his two Sheriffs

and many other prominent Masons well known for their official work in the City of London and its neighbourhood . As he aptly remarked , the Corporation of London and Freemasonry had always had similar objects—the bettering of the

condition of the people , and benevolence . That we take it is 'the object of all our town and other authorities , and if some of them do not appear so interested in the cause of benevolence as is the case with the City of London , and the Order

of Freemasonry , we can believe it is only because they have not the funds at their disposal , to distribute as they would like to do among the distressed and unfortunate of their own districts and the world at large . It is very certain

that the main ambition of the leaders in our municipal life is '" 'the bettering of the condition of the people , " and we have It on the high authority of a Brother who has had wide experience , and who may be regarded as capable of forming

an opinion , that in that work and in the practice of benevolence Freemasons and the City of London—and we take it he . means to include similar bodies throughout the country

—have always worked hand in hand . That the principles of Freemasonry may be even more widely spread among our municipal authorities is our earnest wish .

Cambridgeshire.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE .

Cambridge , under the auspices of the Alma Mater Lodge , No . 1492 . Bro . Colonel R . Townley Caldwell Provincial Grand Master presided , and there was a large attendance of Brethren . -

THE annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Friday evening , 29 th ult , at the Masonic Hall ,

Various sums were voted for charitable purposes , and other business was transacted . The banquet afterwards took place at the Lion Hotel .

Derbyshire.

DERBYSHIRE .

THE annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge

was held at the Masonic Hall , Derby , on Tuesday , 3 rd inst . In the absence of the Provincial Grand Master the Duke of Devonshire the chair was taken by his Deputy Bro . H . C . Okeover .

There was , as usual , an exceedingly large attendance , every Lodge in the Province responding to the roll call . The . various Masters presented their reports , which , on the whole , were eminently satisfactory . The different Committees also

reported progress , and it transpired that the three great Charities had all been admirably supported . It was mentioned , too > , that a scheme was in hand for improving and enlarging the Masonic Hall .

Officers for the ensuing year were appointed and invested , and other business transacted , the Deputy Provincial G . M . addressed the Brethren , congratulating the Craft upon its

continued solidarity . Provincial Grand Lodge was closed , the annual banquet was held in the lower hall , and the customary toasts were duly honoured .

Northumberland.

NORTHUMBERLAND .

TFIE annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Friday , 29 th ult , in the Grand Assembly Rooms ,

Barras Bridge , Newcastle , under the presidency of Viscount Ridley Provincial Grand Master . There was a large attendance of Brethren , including Bro . Alderman Richard Henry Holmes , J . P ., P . G . D . England Deputy Provincial Grand Master .

The reports received from the various Lodges were of a very satisfactory character , both financially and numerically . . A new Lodge was consecrated , to be known as the Ashington Lodge , No . 2868 . Bro . Ralph Crawford was appointed W . M ., and Bro . W . Charlton I . P . M .

The Provincial Grand Master announced that the meeting next year would be held at Berwick . After the transaction of other business Prov . Grand Lodge was closed

according to ancient form . In the evening a large number of the Brethren dined together in the Grand Hotel , the Provincial Grand Master presiding .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

DURHAM . THE annual Provincial Grand Chapter was held at the Masonic Hall , Durham , on Saturday afternoon . The Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., F . R . S ., Provincial Grand Superintendent presided , and was largely and influentially supported by the principal Officers and Companions of the Province .

The Chapter having been duly opened Comp . Chas . Cox Prov . Treasurer presented the statement of accounts , which showed a balance in hand of £ 39 Qs lid . A grant of twenty guineas was made in aid of the