The Grand Treasurership.

Stiles and Hudson , with 1768 between them—virtually the solid vote of the Blues . The rank and file of the Order won the fight , but were outwitted by superior

tactics on the part of the opposition , and the same will occur year after year so long as the Blue section cannot agree as to one candidate being put forward for the solid support of its party .

Considered in this light we must view with some amount of alarm the prospects of the immediate future , when we may expect not two candidates only to divide between them the glories of the poll and secure

defeat of the principle they should work for , but probably half a dozen candidates each working individually against each other , but uniting in securing for the nominee of the upper section the prize that by right belongs to those below it .

While the matter of the election of Grand Treasurer for 1895 is so much a question of the future as it is now the whole subject may be discussed in all its bearings without introducing personalities or reflecting on the electioneering tactics of either of the candidates ;

but it is none too early to point out the absurdity , even rashness , of the Blue section attempting to run more than one candidate in opposition to the solid front that may be looked for in connection with the

nomiuee of the Grand Officers . Unless some arrangement can be arrived at between those who have been mentioned , or who may come forward to seek

the sufferages of the Craft in connection with next year ' s Grand Treasurership , it is very certain the Office will not be secured by a Brother who is

put forward as the champion of the rank and tile of Grand Lodge . In a recent report we recorded the remarks of Brother W . Hudson , one of the candidates for this year ' s Grand Treasurership , in which he protested

against the system under which the election is conducted , and which calls for personal attendance on the part of all who desire to record their vote . Our views on this subject are known to our

readers—we are of opinion that proxy voting should be allowable , or , at least , that some arrangement should be come to , for ascertaining the opinion of the Craft without calling for personal attendance ,

often at great trouble and no little expense to the voter . As touching on this point we may quote Bro . Hudson , who said that every vote recorded on his behalf at the last election for the Office

entailed an expenditure on the part of the voters averaging upwards of a sovereign each , while in the case of a Mason drawing the whole or the bulk of his

support from London Brethren the expenses need not average much , if anything , beyond a few pence per head .

Taking the matter in its entirety we must recognise that this annual election of a . Grand Treasurer is not merely the selection of a Brother to fill a certain post , but also the exemplification

of a principle of great moment to the Craft , or at least that section of it usually designed as " below the dais , " and as such should be jealously guarded and preserved against violatiou . In conclusion

we may again urge the absolute need for unanimity of action among the class we have referred to , if they have any desire to maintain the privilege they

now enjoy in this direction , but as we surmised at the outset there are other matters springing from this question of electing a Treasurer , which call for consideration and attention from members

The Grand Treasurership.

of Blue Masonry , who , if not actually radical in their demands , must at least see they are not crushed under the superabundant weight of vested rights and interests .

Consecration: Noel Money, No. 2521.

CONSECRATION : NOEL MONEY , No . 2521 .

THIS Lodge was consecrated at the Oatlands Park Hotel , Weybridge , on Tuesday , 2 nd inst ., the ceremony of consecration being performed by Brother Colonel G . Noel Money . C . B ., Provincial Grand Master

of Surrey , assisted by Bros . Frederick West D . P . G . M ., Flood P . G . S . W ., Leaver P . G . J . W ., Eev . J . Studholme Brownrigg P . G . Chap ., H . J . Bidwell P . P . G . D . C ., Chas . Greenwood Provincial Grand Secretary and C . T . Tyler P . P . G . S . D .

Bro . Noel Money was subsequently installed in the chair by Brother West , and the following Brethren were invested as first Officers of the Lodge ; H . J . Bidwell acting I . P . M ., F . Harper S . W ., Richard J . Hunt J . W .,

Thos . Dix Treasurer , E . A . Brown Secretary , Frederick Thomas S . D ., J . K . Hill J . D ., J . Coleman D . C ., A . H . Gale I . G ., T . Disney Fisher Organist , H . Budd Steward , J . G . Mason Tyler .

After the business had been transacted the Brethren sat down to a dinner which did the greatest credit to Bro . Grace ' s catering abilities , in fact it was just such a banquet that might be expected from the management of the Oatlands Park Hotel . The usual toasts were given and responded to .

The musical arrangements were under the direction of Brother T . Disney Fisher , and amongst those who assisted were Brothers F . Harper , E . Squire , J . H . V .

Littleboy , J . K . Hill , F . Thomas , A . Grace , E . A . Brown aud C . Welch ; a recitation also being given by Brother Bidwell . — " Surrey Herald . "

The St . Peter ' s Lodge , No . 476 , Carmarthen , has arranged to give a concert in aid of the Carmarthenshire Infirmary , the date fixed being on or about 27 th November .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

" A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

THE death is announced of Bro . Henry Hamilton , of Falkland Lodge , Finchley , who was one of the Founders of the Plucknett Lodge , No . 1708 , in 1877 ,

and acted as its Treasurer from its foundation until February 1892 , when he resigned the post , owing to failing health . He was presented on that occasion with an illuminated address in recognition of his services , and as

mark of the estimation in which he was held by the members of the Lodge , the testimonial stating he had filled the office with credit to himself and to the great benefit of the Lodge . Bro . Hamilton leaves a widow , with three sons and four daughters .

LOCAL Freemasons , says the " Clapham Observer , " will greatly mis 3 the fine presence of Mr . Henry Murray , Mysore Road , Lavender Hill , whose untimely death took place on the 25 th ult ., from pleurisy . His disposition was generous , cheerful , and kind ; and being in the very prime of life , forty-five , his decease came as a surprise to all who knew him .

WHILE performing his duties as Tyler at the Tralee Lodge , No . 62 , Bro . Thomas Scannell became suddenly ill and died before he could be removed from the place of meeting . He had held the post of Tyler for a number of years .

THE Province of Northants and Hunts has sustained a great loss by the death of their Deputy Grand Master Bro . T . Butler-Wilkins , from pneumonia , at the age of sixty . Bro . Butler-Wilkins , who was a dentist by profession , was initiated in the Globe Lodge , No . 23 , while studying in London , and on settling in Northampton devoted himself with enthusiasm to the service of the Craft . He also held high rank in Mark Masonry , being appointed Prov . Grand Master Overseer of Leicestershire , Northamptonshire , Derbyshire , and Rutland in 1887 , and Grand Overseer of Mark Lodge in 1889 .