Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

THE monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening , at the Freemasons' Hall , when there was a very large attendance of Brethren . Bro . James Henry Matthews President of the Board presided , and Bros . D . D . Mercer and C . A . Cottebrune Senior and Junior Vice-Presidents

occupied their respective chairs . Bros . Edward Letchworth Grand Secretary , W . Lake Assistant Grand Secretary , W . Dodd , and G . S . Eecknell , and several Past Grand Officers were present .

At the Board of Masters , which was first held , a long paper of business for the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge of 3 rd March was submitted to the Brethren . When the Board- of Benevolence was opened and the recommendations made to the Grand Master had been confirmed ,

thirty-nine new petitions were examined . Twenty-two out of these were from Lodges in fche London area . During fche evening three were dismissed and three deferred , but £ 1 , 000 was voted in the other cases ; £ 60 fco one , £ 50 fco two , £ 40 to nine , £ 30 to ten , £ 20 fco seven , and £ 10 to four .

Devonshire.

DEVONSHIRE .

THE special Provincial Grand Lodge already referred to in our pages is to assemble at the Freemasons' Hall , Princess Square , Plymouth , on Wednesday , 24 th inst ., at 4 p . m ., for the purpose of constituting the Sir Francis Drake Lodge , No . 2649 , which is to be held in that building . This will be the second to be consecrated since the appointment of the Hon . Sir Stafford

Northcote , Bart ., M . P ., C . B ., as Provincial Grand Master , and with the now Lodge already sanctioned for Dartmouth will give fifty-five Lodges on the roll of Devonshire ; but it is not likely even with that large number that the petitions for new Lodges will end , says the " Western Morning News , " as several of the

old Lodges are very large as respects membership , and ifc is generally felt there should be increased facilities for the junior Brethren taking office and arriving at the distinction of being Masters in due time . Under present circumstances , in not a few Lodges any hopes of reaching the chair can be entertained but by very few members within a reasonable period .

On fche same afternoon , at three o ' clock , the annual meeting of the Aged Widows' Annuity Fund for Devonshire will be held in the Freemasons' Hall , when two candidates will be elected , for the first time , to the privileges of the Institution . Ifc is

rather awkward , remarks our contemporary , that the polling will take place just when fche ceremony of constitution will be onward , but doubtless a little management will remove or prevent any cause for friction or difficulty , and enable the Brethren generally to take part in both meetings .

THE Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire has initiated a movement ; which should have the support of the county , says the " Western Mercury . " He hopes to obtain from all the Devon Masonic Lodges contributions towards the Indian Famine Fund , to be conveyed through the Grand Master H . E . H . the Prince of Wales . The circular issued by the Provincial Grand Master runs as follows : ¦ . — *

DEAR SIR AND WORSHIPFUL BROTHER , —YOU will have seen in the public prints that H . R . H . the Most Worshipful Grand Master intends moving that a substantial sum be voted from the funds of Grand Lodge towards the relief of our famine aud plague-stricken fellow subjects in India . It is unnecessary for me to enlarge upon the terrible condition and circumstances which so strongly appeal to our hearts and sympathies , and which have created the desire amongst all sorts and conditions of men to assist in alleviating .

I would nofc have the Freemasons of Devonshire to be backward in this good movement , and shall be glad if you will lay the matter before the members of your Lodge , that a sum may be voted from its funds , and contributions received from the Brethren .

Tbese I will ask you to pay as early as possible to the Prov . G . Treasurer , Bro . E . Koseveare , Great Western Docks , Plymouth , or to the Prov . G . Sec . Bro . John Stocker , G 6 Sfc . Thomas , Exeter , eiclier of whom will acknowledge the receipt . I propose to close the list on the 11 th day of March , and to pay the whole in the name of "The Freemasons of Devonshire , " to the National Fund being raised by the Lord Mayor of London . '

I rely on your cordial support to assist in making this Fund worthy of the great needs of the case , and the honour and dignity of our noble Order . Yours fraternally , H . STAFFORD NORTHCOTE Provincial Grand Master

A very pleasing and interesting function took place recently at the King ' s Hall of the Holborn Eestaurant , in connection with the Lewis Lodge , No . 1185 , aud the Cator Lodge , No . 2266 , when upwards of 285 Masons , their wives and friends , partook of a banquet , followed by a ball . This number compares more than favourably with any previous gathering of a like nature , and reflects creditably upon the popularity of Bro .

Devonshire.

Alfred Wood and his colleague , Bro . E . C . Klyne , the Masters of the respective Lodges . A novel feature in the proceedings was the presentation to Mrs . Alfred Wood of a handsome silver flower basket filled with choice exotics and lilies of the valley . This ceremony was performed by Bro . Goldsmith I . P . M ., amid

much enthusiasm . The latter said that the Brethren desired ' to record their appreciation of the work accomplished by Bro . Wood , and thought no better fitting acknowledgment could be made than to present that Brother ' s wife with some souvenir of their esteem and regard . He trusted that Bro . Wood would

have long life and prosperity , and wished his ruling star might still continue to mount in the ascendancy in the horizon of the world of Freemasonry . His career up to the present had been a very successful one , and he echoed the sentiments of them all when he hoped that increased prosperity might attend his efforts .

Bro . Wood suitably acknowledged the compliment that had been paid his wife and himself , saying that the Brethren could hardly conceive the inestimable value that would accrue from such a presentation . Among others was the fact that they had , by their kindness , put it out of the power of his wife to find fault with

him should he be detained late on some future occasion over Masonic business . The souvenir would be always a gentle reminder of fche present occasion and its happy moments , and one that must always conjure up pleasant recollections and

scatter to the winds all ideas of wrath and anger . In conclusion he trusted he should always merit that trust and confidence they had reposed in him , and thanked them heartily for the handsome present .

On Wednesday , 10 th inst ., a large and distinguished company responded to the invitations of the W . M . and members of the Border Lodge , No . 2475 , to an "At Home" and ball at the White Hart Hotel , Blackwater . At the conclusion of the concert supper was served in recherche style in the billiard-room , after

which dancing was commenced , and kept up with much spirit ; until four a . m . Bros . S . F . Baker and W . Craig ably officiated as M . C s , and the arrangements generally were carried out in the most perfect and satisfactory manner , a thoroughly enjoyable evening being spent .

It being more than twenty years since the last Masonic Ball at Goole , the Aire and Calder Lodge decided on the experiment of holding a dance on behalf of the Masonic Charities . The event took place in the Drill Hall , Goole , and was attended by

about seventy Brethren and their wives ,- including a good contingent from the Masonic Lodges at Hull and district . The Worshipful Master Bro . H . J . Peacock brought a fairly large party from Hull . The dance was a brilliant success .

A ball in connection wifch the Falcon Lodge took place in the Assembly Eooms , Thirsk , on the 12 fch insfc . There was a large attendance , the arrangements being well carried out , under the superintendence of tbe Hon . Secretary Bro . J . E . French and the Committee .

The fourth annual supper and concert of the Upton Lodge of Instruction , No . 1227 , will be held at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool Street , on Monday , 1 st March , at 6 . 30 for 7 p . m . The chair will be taken by Bro . G . A . Peters W . M . of the Mother Lodge , who will be supported by the Officers of his

Lodge , and most of its members . Ladies are specially invited and a very pleasant evening is anticipated . Bro . H . j ' Eowberry I . G . 1227 ( 1 Buecleuch Terrace , Cottenham Eoad , Walthamstow ) is acting as Secretary , and he will be pleased to supply tickets , the price of which is , 5 s each .

The date on which Bro . James Terry P . G . -Sword Bearer o England Secretary of the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution will rehearse the ceremonies of Consecration and Installation at the Citadel Lodge of Instruction , No . 1897 , has now been fixed

for Friday , 19 th March , the meeting to take place at the Farleigh Hotel , Amhurst Eoad , Stoke Newington . Bro . Harry Willsmer Secretary of the Lodge will supply any further information that may be desired .

The man , says " The Masonic Journal , " who sits down in the Lodge and waits to be appreciated will find himself among tke " lost freight , " and uncalled for . If he desires to make a success in the Order he must show his " goods , " and then his

worth will soon be rated and associated . The opposite of this one is the man who wants to run the Lod ge according to his own ideas ; he will find himself " side-tracked" at some flag station never to be heard of again .