Mark Grand Lodge.

wind it up , give the balance of its funds to the Charities , and make application to Grand Lodge for regular constitution and recognition as a subordinate Lodge , with precedence in accordance with the long existence it had enjoyed . The prime mover in this work of reconciliation was Bro .

Dr . Thomas D . Foreman P . P . G . W . Lanes ., and , as will be seen later on , his services have been fully recognised by Grand Lodge , while locally he has won respect and esteem

among a very large circle of Brethren , one and all of whom regretted what at one time promised to cause serious trouble , and a deplorable split in the camp of Masonry in the three counties more intimately concerned .

Upwards of a hundred Brethren were present at the Grand Lodge meeting at Dukinfield , the preliminary proceedings at which were commenced by the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., Provincial Grand Mark Master of Cheshire , who formally re-obligation fifty-three old members

of the Ashton Lodge . A large number of members of Grand Lodge were then announced , and they entered in procession , chief among the number being the Pro G . M . M . ¦ of England the Earl of Euston , who , on assuming the chair at once opened Grand Lodge in ample form . After the usual

salutes and preliminary business had been despatched , he requested the Grand D . C . to bring forward Bro . Dr . Foreman , on whom was conferred the past rank of a Grand Overseer of England , for the services rendered by him in bringing

about the happy events of that day . The Grand Secretary having stated the special objects on account of which Grand Lodge was being held in Dukinfield , and there being no further business , Grand Lodge was closed .

The Pro Grand Master then proceeded to consecrate and dedicate the Ashton District Lodge , proving he was a perfect master of the ritual in every detail . The oration on the nature and principles of the Institution by the Grand Chaplain Rev . C . Chetwynd Atkinson , D . D ., was of the highest order ,

and the musical arrangements under the Grand Organist Bro . Westlake Morgan were simply perfect . The Grand Secretary Bro . C . F . Matier assumed the chair after the consecration ,

for the purpose of installing Bro . Dr . T . D . Foreman as W . M . Needless to say his rendering of the beautiful ritual was a masterpiece , and worthy of the ? cknowledged greatest exponent of Mark Masonry in the kingdom .

On investing Bro . Hulme as acting I . P . M ., the W . M . reminded him that he ( Bro . Hulme ) was the last of a long line of Masters of the old Lodge , who for at least a century had maintained the high reputation of that Lodge as he ( Dr .

Foreman ) was the first Master under the new order of things , and he felt little doubt he would have as many successors in the coming years as Bro . Hulme had had predecessors under the older regime .

Bro . Foreman , in the name of the Brethren of the reconstituted Lodge , tendered sincere thanks to the Earl of Euston and all the Grand Officers for their services on the happy event of the re-union with Grand Ledge . It was a red letter day in the history of Masonry in the thriving

Province of Cheshire , and would be remembered for many years by those whose good fortune it was to be connected with the inauguration of an epoch in their history . The new W . M . concluded by thanking Bro . Matier Grand Secretary for the impressive manner in which he had installed him in the chair of A .

Bros . Lord Euston , Egerton , Matier , Col . Dean , A . H . Jefferis , R . Newhouse , Wm . Goodacre , and Chas . Belton were elected hon . members , an honour the Pro Grand Master acknowledged on behalf of himself and the others .

The Pro Grand Master and his Officers then retired , and the Lodge was closed by the W . M . The banquet was of the most recherche character , and was partaken of by a large number of Grand and Prov . Grand Officers .

The loyal toasts were received with enthusiasm , after which the W . M . proposed the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston M . W . Pro Grand Master . His Lordship , in responding , mentioned the recent difficulty , now happily arranged , between Grand Lodge and that Lodge , which was all owing

to the latter calling itself a Grand Lodge ; and as there could only be one Grand Lodge of Mark Masons in England , that over which H . R . H . the Prince of Wales presided , they were bound to take strong measures . They could and did

not interfere on any other ground , and he was delighted that any soreness was a thing of the past and that their differences had that day been finally settled in a way honourable to all alike .

The W . M . proposed the Prov . G . M . M . the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., and referred to the long and intimate connection of the Egerton family , not only with Cheshire , but more particularly with Masonry in the Province .

Mark Grand Lodge.

In responding , the Prov . G . Master spoke at some length on the connection between his brother and himself and Cheshire Masonry . He said they both fully recognised that ,

placed as they were in a somewhat onerous position , they owed a duty in many public capacities to the county , but in none did they derive greater pleasure than when engaged in discharge of those connected with the Masonic Fraternity .

Bro . C . F . Matier P . G . W . G . Sec . briefly responded for the Grand . Officers , and Bro . Col . C . S . Dean D . P . G . M . M . Cheshire responded for the Prov . Grand Officers . The Earl of Euston Pro Grand Master , in a felicitous

speech proposed the toast of the W . M ., and paid a high tribute to Dr . Foreman ' s effort , which had materially resulted in bridging over the difficulties which had hitherto existed .

Bro . Dr . Foreman most ably replied , thanking Earl Euston for the kind and eulogistic expressions he had used , and the Brethren for the enthusiastic manner in which they had received the sentiment . It had been his earnest endeavour all though the correspondence and negotiations of

the past , to display a true Masonic spirit in adjusting the existing difficulties , with the view of effecting union , honourable alike to all ; and whilst not attempting to conceal errors of commission on . his part , or that of his Lodge , he now felt that by their kind and considerate action , and candid

explanations , a perfect unity of sentiment existed between them , and that the Earl ' s words , in conjunction with those of the Provincial Grand Master , had smoothed every asperity

of feeling , and that complete harmony and unity now existed , which it would be his endeavour to foster for the good of the Order and the prosperity of the Lodge in its new dispensation under the Grand Lodge of England .

Other Mark toasts followed , and this most memorable day was brought to a happy close . It will long continue to be associated in the minds of the Brethren with pleasant recollections of the past . The meeting was large and

representative , comprising the most prominent and influential Mark Masons of Cheshire , Lancashire , and neighbouring Provinces , there being twenty Grand Lodge Officers and upwards of forty Provincial Grand Officers present , besides many Masters , Past Masters , and Brethren of Private Lodges .

Southend Masonic Hall.

SOUTHEND MASONIC HALL .

BRO . W . Y . HOBBISS , the Architect , announces that the tender of Mr . Ernest West , of Chelmsford , has been accepted by the Directors of the Masonic Hall Co ., Ltd ., for the addition of a Hall to the present building , this

forming the second contract of the full scheme . It is expected that the Hall will be ready by June . The tenders were as follow : Shelborne and Co ., £ 1 , 115 8 s ; T . Whur , £ 1 , 095 ; Davis and Leaney , £ 1 , 077 ; F- Dupont , £ 1 , 065 ; A . J . Golding , £ 1 , 034 ; E . West , £ 077 .

The war correspondent of the " Daily Mail" mentions that a Masonic Lodge was held under very exceptional circumstances at Kimberley , during the siege of that town . It is not stated under which banner the Lodge was held , but it is to be hoped further particulars may be forthcoming , as they would be highly interesting , as the occasion is possibly unique .

''A Sprig Of Acacia.''

''A SPRIG OF ACACIA . ''

WE notice with regret that Bro . C . W . Garthorne , brother of Mr . Kendal , whose illness we referred to in our issue of 24 th ult ., on page 9 6 , terminated with painful suddenness a fortnight since . npHE death is announced of Bro . Saville Williams , a

well-JL known Rochdale Brother , who for many years has taken an active interest in sport , particularly cricket and football . He was a member of the Committee of the Rochdale Cricket Club , and a Past Master of the local Masonic Lodge . When the Yeomanry left recently for South Africa he presented each member with a sovereign .

ON Friday , 9 th inst ., at Ipswich , died Bro . John Hunt , a member of the electrical engineering department of the G . E . R . Company . Bro . Hunt , who was sixty years of age , entered the Company ' s service when the Government took

over the telegraphs , prior to which he had been assisting under private companies at the laying of submarine telegraph cables from Lowestoft to the Continent on board the steamships Monarch and Lady Carmichael . Pie was an ardent Freemason , and his decease will be sincerely regretted .