New Temple At Ilfracombe.

carving of the front is the work of Bro . J . P . Huxtable I . G ., and the richly-ornamented capitals are evidence of his delicate and expert workmanship . ' The Temple cost about £ r > 500 . After the dedication a banquet took place at the

Ilfracombe Hotel , where Bro . H . R . Grover P . P . G . D . catered . The foundation-stone of the Temple bears the inscription that it was laid by Bro . G . C . Davie P . M . P . A . G . D . C . England , on ioth May 1899 , during the office of Bro . A . H . Fisher W . M .

Colour-Sergeant Hill , of the East Lancashire Regiment , who has been recruiting officer in Accrington many years , having been ordered to join his regiment at Curragh , Ireland , was the principal guest at a gathering of Masons held at Richmond Hotel , Accrington , on Monday evening , 22 nd ult .,

which was organised to give him a formal farewell before departure for the war . The chair was occupied by I . P . M . Clough . It was peculiarly fitting that advantage should be taken of the occasion to present the gallant sergeant with some tangible token of the esteem and regard in which he is

held by many friends , and accordingly he was the recipient of a silver mounted pipe and a pound of tobacco , which were handed to him by Bro . Slinger , a lieutenant in the local Volunteers . A short address was made by Councillor Dewhurst , who stated that they were expecting him to do

good service in South Africa ; indeed , there was little doubt that if the opportunity was afforded him he would do . In the Lodge he had rendered valuable service , and every member thoroughly respected him . If he rendered similar service out in South Africa he would come back with honour

and glory enshrined around him . His object in desiring to say a few words was to add another small present to those already given him , and he had therefore great pleasure in asking him to accept a box of cigars . On the top of the box were the words "Honest Tom , " and although Bro . Hill's

name was John , it made little difference to the meaning conveyed . They said "Honest Tom" in Lancashire , and they all knew what it meant . Bro . Jack Duckworth also presented a box of cigars to Bro . Hill and remarked that it was a singular thing that a councillor and a guardian should

both have the same kind of boxes to present quite unknown to each other . He had given to several Reservists who had gone out similar presents , but to no more worthy a man than Bro . Hill had he had the gratification of ever making a similar gift .

A Masonic gathering of considerable interest took place at the Royal Sportsman Hotel , Carnarvon , on Tuesday evening , 13 th inst ., when , under the auspices of the Segontium Lodge , No . 606 , a complimentary banquet was given to Bro . Edward Roberts P . M . P . P . S . G . W . Prov . G . Sec , on the

occasion of his elevation to the office of D . G . Sword Bearer of England . The Lodges represented were St . David and Royal Oak ( Bangor ) , St . Tudno , St . Eleth , Anglesey , Madoc , St . Trillo , St . Cybi , and Rhyl . The chair was occupied by Bro . J . E . Greaves ( lord-lieutenant ) P . P . G . S . W North

Wales , and the vice-chair by Bro . E . Evans W . M . of the Segontium Lodge , and the company included , among others , Colonel H . Piatt D . P . G . M North Wales , and Bro . J . G . Tuxford Prov . G . Treasurer . Bro . R . J . Davids P . P . G . T .

Warden delivered a speech eulogising the services rendered by the guest of the evening during a long and distinguished Masonic career , this being followed by the presentation by the Chairman of a handsome illuminated address to Bro . Edward Roberts . Bro . Caradoc Rowland was Master of the

Ceremonies . 000 A very good idea in the direction of increasing the A . M . B . Fund was originated on the spur of the moment at the Portsmouth Freemasons Club the other evening , says the " Southampton Times . " A ginger-beer bottle had

become filled with coins in the shape of small fines for the absent-minded language even the most self-contained member of any Club will occasionally drop into when the white flag trick of the Boers is on the tapis . This bottle , instead of being handed over to the " Southern Daily Mail" Fund with

its contents , was put up at auction , and some brisk bidding took place . It was ultimately knocked down to a small syndicate for the sum of 17 s . When opened , the bottle was found to contain 14 s 7 d , so that the , syndicate had the pleasure of making up the small deficiency , and would have been glad if there had been a heavier margin against them .

New Temple At Ilfracombe.

On Saturday afternoon , 17 th inst , an informal gathering of members of the Albert Victor Lodge , No . 2328 , took place at York , for the purpose of making presentations to Officers of the Lodge who were en route for South Africa . The

Worshipful Master Bro . W . D . Rudgard was present with several of his Officers and Brethren . The presentations were made by Bro . the Dean of York , the oldest Past Master of the Lodge , who , in a few well-chosen words , handed over to

Bro . Captain Cecil E . Wood Junior Warden , who is going out in command of the detachment to serve with the 2 nd West Yorkshire Regiment , a silver cigar case , and to Bro . T . B . Whytehead ( on behalf of his son Bro . W . W . D .

Whytehead , already on his way to the front ) a silver flask . Each article was prettily engraved with the name of the recipient , and a record of the occasion of the gift , and was subscribed : " Hearty good wishes . "

The ancestors of Bro . W . J . N . Burden , who was this week installed Worshipful Master of Benevolent Lodge , Teignmouth , did much to bring the Lodge up to its present position . In 1794 Bro . Burden's great grandfather was

installed the first Master of the Lodge , and in 1817 his grandfather was honoured with the same position . Bro . Burden ' s father ( who performed the installation ceremony this week ) was elected Master for 1870-1 and at the beginning of the

second century of the Lodge , in 18 94 , he was again installed W . M .. and was honoured with the collar of Provincial Grand Warden . During that year he initiated the present W . M . into the mysteries of Freemasonry .

On Thursday , 15 th inst ., a meeting of members of the Edward Terry Lodge was held at the Bull ' s Head , Barnes , ( Host , Bro . Garrett ) , to form a Lodge of Instruction for the district . Bro . Edward Terry presided , and it was decided to

hold the Lodge at the Bull ' s Head Hotel on Monday nights at eight o ' clock , every week from October to May . Bro . Barton was elected Treasurer , Bro . Hughes Secretary , and

it was expected that Bro . Peat , who was unable to be present , would act as Preceptor . The hope was expressed that local Freemasons would take advantage of the institution of the Lodge and support it .

Bro . W . S . Penley has arranged to give performances at Caterham , Farnham , Surbiton , Godalming , Guildford , and other Surrey towns in support of any of the War Funds which the local Committees may select , while he himself

undertakes to defray all expenses . In these circumstances "A Little Ray of Sunshine " was performed at Farnham on Wednesday evening last week ; the Corn Exchange was

crowded to its utmost capacity , and the satisfactory sum of £ 16 4 13 s was handed over to the local Committee of the Soldiers and Sailors Families Association as the result .

The annual widgeon supper of the St . Peter ' s Lodge was held at the King's Head Hotel , Maldon , on Wednesday , 4 th inst . Bro . the Rev . D . Gotto W . M . P . P . G . Chap , presided .

A capital respast , including a good supply of birds , was served by Bro . J . H . Taylor . The usual toasts were proposed , interspersed with harmony ; and a very pleasant time was spent .

The Brethren of the Southampton Lodge , No . 394 , celebrated the Festival of St . John on Thursday evening , 15 th inst ., when Bro . James Lemon , who filled the chair of

the Lodge exactly thirty years ago , and has now come forward to fill a temporary gap in the order of succession of Officers , was installed as Master for the ensuing year in the presence of a numerous gathering .

000 The annual Masonic ball was held on the 4 th , in the Masonic Hall , Crook . Upwards of sixty couples were present .

''A Sprig Of Acacia.''

''A SPRIG OF ACACIA . ''

IT is with great regret we announce the death of Mr . George Menninger , father of Bro . W . Menninger I . P . M . New Cross Lodge , No . 1559 , at the age of 7 8 years . We tender our sympathy and sincere condolence to the aged widow , to Immediate Past Master Menninger , and the other members of the family .