Laying Of Foundation Stones At Oldham

sure that Bro . Eoyds and all the Brethren would join them , and wish them success in their undertaking . He could assure him that the Brethren there , and indeed he might say of the Province generally , had the greatest affection towards him , both personally

and as a ruler in the Craft ; and in the hope that he might live many years bo look upon the trowel with pleasing remembrances of the time when he , in conjunction with his Officers , assisted in the inauguration of this good work he asked him , on behalf of the subscribers , to accept the trowel , with all their best wishes .

Bro . Beswicke-Eoyds accepted the gift , and the stone was lowered to its bed , the " Gloria in Excelsis " being sung by the choir . A plumb rule , level , and square were next presented to the acting Provincial Grand Master , with which he proved the stone . Bro . Joe Collins 467 then presented a mallet , and the stone having been tested , the response " Glory be to God on

High" was given . Bro . G . Braddock W . M . 277 then presented com ; Bro . E . L . Whittaker W . M . 1868 offered oil ; the wine being presented by Bro . A . Collinge W . M . 467 , with which the stone was blessed . The plans of the building was presented to the Acting Provincial Grand Master , who returned them to the architect . Then followed a" flourish of trumpets , and the Provincial Grand Chaplain pronounced the benediction .

Bro . George Wood P . M . 1868 proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Beswicke-Eoyds , and in doing so said it must be very gratifying to the people of St . Peter ' s to have him among them , and to notice his interestin the proceedings of that day .

Bro . H . L . Hollingworth P . P . G . Treas . seconded the vote , which was cordially passed , and the proceedings terminated with the singing of the Masonic version of the National Anthem . The procession was reformed , the Masonic Brethren

proceeding to the Freemasons' Hall , while the members of the congregation returned to the School . Provincial Grand Lodge was closed by Bro . Beswicke-Eoyds , and the proceedings terminated .

Besides those already mentioned , the following took part in the function , via ., Bros . C . D . Gheetham P . M . 993 P . P . G . W ., A . Clegg P . P . G . W ., Rev . W . H . Healey 344 Prov . Gr . Chaplain , Fred W . Broadbent P . M . 37 DeputyProv . G . Registrar , Simon Mamelok P . M . 1798 Prov . JuniorG . D ., John Whitaker 298 Prov . D . D . C , W . W . SiddeH 1993 Prov . G . A . D . C , W . B . Akerman

2554 Prov . G . A . D . C , James Robinson 1219 Prov . D . G . S . B ., Walter Potts 467 Prov . G . A . Sec , John P , Green 344 Prov . G . P ., Thos . Potter P . P . G . A . D . C ., Dr . Thos . D . Foreman 210 P . P . S . G . D ., C . E . Hindley 148 P . P . S . G . D . ( W . L . ) , Jas Bromley W . M . 268 P . P . G . S . B ., and other representatives from the following Lodges : 78 , 163 , 266 , 277 , 29 S , 337 , 437 , 467 , 854 , 1055 , 1218 , 1459 , 1868 , 2279 , 2341 .

Preying On Freemasons.

PREYING ON FREEMASONS .

AT the Huddersfleld Borough Police Court on the 12 th inst ., a man who had given the name of William Rennie , and said that he was sixtythree years of age , and a ship's steward , was charged with having fraudulently collected alms . The Chief Constable ( Mr . John Morton ) said that on Saturday last the prisoner called upon him , » s Almoner of one of the Freemasons' Benevolent Funds , and applied for assistance . He said that his name was William

Rennie , that he was a member of the Lodge of Freemasons at Colchester , and a ship's steward , but that he was compelled to relinquish his situation last January on account of a severe attack , of influenza . He talked of getting work somewhere , and of going to the United States to join his wife and two daughters . He ( the Chief Constable ) asked to look at his certificate , but he said that he had been obliged to leave it with the Secretary of the Lodge

at Colchester , who was making an application to the Secretary of the Grand Lodge of England for a grant in his behalf for services rendered lo the Colchester Lodge . Mr . Morton doubted the prisoner ' s statement , and told him so , saying that he , had been swindled before in a similar way , and would not submit to the process quietly again . The prisoner persisted in his application , and he gave hicn half-a-orown . He afterwards ascertained that the story told him by the prisoner was a complete fabrication .

The prisoner declined to say what his name was , but admitted that it was not William Rennie , nor had he been a member of the ancient Lodge at Colchester . He also admitted that he bad swindled members of that Lodge , that ho had been going about the country with a letter bearing the forged signature of the Secretary of the Lodge , and had obtained alms for . twelve

years . He added that this was such an easy way of getting a living'that he had abandoned all other efforts ( laughter ) . On account of the numerous applications made by him for relief , the back of his certificate had become fully endorsed with names , so that it was of no further use to him , and he threw it into the fire . Then he changed his name , and resorted to other methods to induce confidence .

The Chief Constable asked the Bench to deal with the prisoner in such a manner as would check would-be imitators of the prisoner ' s conduct . Tbe prisoner addressed the Bench glibly , admitted practically the truth of the Chief Constable ' s statement , and said : " Necessity compelled me soma years ago to ask for Masonic relief . I have come to the end of my tether . I have had a pretty long innings , and am bowled out at last " ( laughter ) .

The Chairman of the Bench ( Mr . B . Armilage ) : You are committed to Wakefield for three months . —The Prisoner : Thank you , Sir . — " Bradford Observer . "

The successful play "A Court Scandal , " transferred from the Court Theatre , celebrated its 100 th performance last Saturday evening , at the Garrick Theatre .

Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative , to report Lodge or other proceedings . — : o : — GRAFT : METROPOLITAN .

— : o : — ALFRED NEWTON LODGE , No . 2686 . A MOST successful meeting—the first since the Installation of Bro . ' v Alphonsus J . Naughton as W . M . of the Lodge—took place on Saturday ,. . 13 th inst ., at the Royal Palace Hotel , Kensington , and we take : this .. early opportunity of congratulating the Worshipful Master on the altogether - ,. admirable manner in which he conducted the affairs of the Lodge . He was well supported by the Officers , who contributed to the general effect by the ¦

perfect way in which they performed their part of the work . These included , D . F . Norrington S . W ., H . K . Newton J . W ., James Bailey , M . P ., P . M . Treas , : William B . Abbott P . M . Sec , Ernest J . Rix S . D ., H . Redgrave acting J . D ., T . G . Heighington I . G ., A . E . Catchpole Steward , W . Wilson Org ., J . W . Jupe Mus . Dir ., S . Ellis P . M . Tyler ; while among others pres-mt were Bros . ,

B . Robinson P . M . P . P . G . P . Worcestershire , John Brock P . M . P . P . G . S . D ., E . Vernon , F . Pegrum , J . Le Sueur , H . Johnson , W . Eardly , W . McNeil , W . Freeman , P . Carmichael , J . Richmond , R . T . Pearce , A . Swan , C . Bland , & c . Amongst the visitors we had the pleasure of seeing Bros . R . H . Williams P . M . P . P . G . D . Middlesex , N . F . Bhumgara I . G . 2581 , P . Brooks 208 , J . A . Calfe 891 , J . Wynman , and others .

The Lodge being formed the minutes were read by the Secretary and unanimously confirmed . Bro . Albert Charles Bonham P . M . St . Marylebone Lodge , No . 1305 , was . unanimously elected a Joining Member . After the Lodge was closed the Brethren adjourned to the banquetting room , where an excellent dinner was provided , Mr . C . J . Bogovits , the Superintendent , looking after the comfort of the guests in a very . satisfactory

manner . At the conclusion of the repast the W . M . proceeded with the customary toasts , which were . attended to with Masonic honours . Bro . John Brock P . M . P . P . G . S . D . said he was entrusted with the gavel , , and the Brethren knew it was for an important purpose , to propose the toast of the Worshipful Master . He was sure all would join him in honouring it .

Bro . Naughton occupied the chair as W . M . that nig ht for the first time at , an ordinary meeting , and the working he had done was not alone , a great credit to himself , but to the Lodge likewise . He hoped the W . M . might live for many years , and particularly enjoy a happy and prosperous year as Master of their Lodge . The toast was enthusiastically received , as was Bro . Naughton when he rose to respond .

The W . M . thanked Bro . Brock for his good wishes , and the Brethren for reoeiving the toast in so cordial a manner . He was proud to occupy the position of Worshipful Master of the Alfred Newton Lodge . The Brethren had given him encouragement in the early part of his year of office , and he looked to them for continued support , so as to be able to make the Lodge as

groat a success as it was when Bro . Alderman Newton occupied the chair . , The I . P . M . would have been there on his left that night , had not important , engagements prevented it ; but he looked to him to . give as much support . as possible . He , as the W . M ., would do his level best , and do everything in hia power for the welfare of the Lodge .

The W . M . next gave the toast of the Visitors , according them a . most hearty welcome in the name of the Lodge . He called on Bro . Williams .... ; Preceptor of the Instruction Lodge , also on Bros . Brooks and Bhumgara ,. of the Empress Lodge , to reply . Bro . Williams said it was a great pleasure to respond . He thanked the W . M . for his very hearty reception . As Preceptor of the Instruction Lodge he was proud and pleased to see the working done in such a perfect manner ; it had been a great credit to the W . M . and the Officers of the Lodge . .

Bro . Brooks said he was pleased to have accepted the invitation . of the . W . M . to be present that evening . He had spent a most pleasant time . The - working he had witnessed had been a real Masonic treat , and if the W . M . and the Brethren would accept him he would be very pleased indeed , to become a member of the Alfred Nsiwton Lodge . Bro . Bhumgara also , in a few appreciative words , acknowledged the oompliment paid him , and ' the reception he had received from the W . M . and Brethren .

The Officers of the Lodge were next toasted , the W . M . = pointing out tha important duties they had to perform . With such excellent Officers he was sure the Lodge would prosper . Bro . Abbott Secretary was a hard working member , and ho felt he would be ono of his greatest supporters . He was ' always at his post , the duties of which he fulfilled with real Masonic spirit ..., Bro . Bailey their Treasurer could not attend as regularly as he wished to do , ¦ as his duties as a Member of Parliament , as well as other important , business , prevented it ; but when he was absent he felt sure hi 8 heart . was with , the Lodge .

Bro . Bailey P . M . Treasurer said he was sorry he could not attend the Lodge as regularly as he should like to do , but as the Master had said , hia Parliamentary duties had to be attended to . He came that night on purpose to apologise for his irregular attendance . He was in hopes of seeing his old friend Bro . Alderman Newton there that evening , but of course he was prevented from attending , otherwise he was sure he would have bean there .

He was the Treasurer of tho Lodge , but he had never seen the chest . He " had got the key there , and if they opened it he trusted they would find a good amount inside . He was pleased to see the Lodge getting on so wellespecially as theirs was only a young Lodge , in a way which several old Lodges would be proud of . The working of the Worshipful Master and that of the Officers was excellent , and he promised thorn he would come as often as possible . The proceedings of the Lodge wore really perfect .

Bro . Abbott P . M . Secretary thanked the W . M . for his kind rernarkg . Any assistance he could render he would be pleased to give . Ho hoped he would be able to attend to his duties as Secretary in such a way . as to win the approval of the W . M ., and for the benefit and welfare of tho Lodge . Each of the other Officers made suitable response in rotation . The W . M . reported the result of his Stewardship for the Royal Masonic nstitution for Girls , viz ., £ 110 , and warmly thanked the Brethren who had so handsomely contributed to his list . He said he had received a telegram