Metropolitan.

The next toast was that of the Initiate . The W . M . said they did not require quantity , but quality , in Freemasonry , and by the strict attention the newly made Brother had paid to the ceremony he was sure he would make an excellent member of the Craft . He hoped to see him in a very short time working round to the position he then occupied , with which object he advised him to attend the Instruction branch attached to their Lodge , as without attending Instruction Lodges he would find it very difficult to gain the necessary knowledge and experience .

Bro . Joseph Simmons , in reply , thanked the W . M . for having initiated him . He had been very much impressed with the ceremony , and pledged himself never to forget the obligation . He also thanked Bro . Rosenberg and Bro . Torlowsky for having introduced him , and promised that in time to come he would prove himself to be worthy of the confidence they had reposed in him .

The W . M . was afterwards reminded that Bro . C . T . Hann was not toasted on the last occasion as an initiate , the time being short , and there being no banquet . He thanked the W . M .-elect for mentioning this and explained how pleased he was to have initiated their Bro : Hann at the last meeting . He had known Bro . Hann for some years , and he was sure he would become an acquisition to the Lodge . By the admirable manner in which he had answered the questions leading to the degree of Fellow Craft he had shown he would make an excellent worker .

Bro . Hann thanked the W . M . for his kind remarks . On the last occasion , when he had the pleasure of being initiated , he had a very long speech all ready for them , and now he had quite forgotten all he had meant to say . He was delighted with the ceremonies , and the impressive way in which the W . M . had initiated and passed him , and really felt proud in being a member of the Lodge .

The Visitors toast was now submitted by the W . M ., who especially thanked his friend Bro . Briscoe for being present , and snowing his well known ability as a P . Prov . G . Organist . It was really very kind of him to have acted as Organist in the Lodge , as the ceremonies were thereby rendered so much more impressive for the candidate . He hoped he would honour them again on several other occasions .

Bro . Briscoe thanked the W . M . for his kind remarks , and congratulated him on his excellent working . He also congratulated the S . W . on his election to the chair of the Lodge . Other visitors also responded . The toast of the Officers was next given , and was responded to by the W . M .-elect , who said he was pleased to hear the Officers had carried out their duties satisfactorily to the W . M . during that Brother's term of office . He also sincerely thanked the Brethren for having elected him Worshipful Master . He was indeed proud of the position , and trusted he would be able to carry out the duties to their satisfaction .

During the evening some excellent songs were given by Bros . Remington , Carman , Lapsley , and several others , whilst Bro . Martin , the Tyler of the Lodge , gave the initiate's song in good style . Bro . Briscoe contributed gome excellent selections , which were much appreciated . The Charity box was not forgotten during the proceedings , which passed off most satisfactorily throughout .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . AT the regular meeting , on Wednesday , 16 th inst ., at the Bunch of Grapes , Lime Street , E . G ., Bro . J . W . Simeons W . M . 193 acted as presiding Officer ( in the absence of Bro . Carr , who had been elected W . M ., but was unavoidably absent ) , and was supported by Bros . Jackson S . W ., Goodchild J . W ., Cook S . D ., Latham J . D ., Rowland I . G ., Spice I . P . M . 193 Prec , J . K . Pitt P . P . Q . D . Sec , Goovearts Treas .

After preliminaries had been observed the ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . Latham acting as the candidate , and proving himself proficient in his duties . The Lodge was resumed to the second degree , when Bro Bailey , personating the candidate , gave the answers in splendid form , being ably assisted by the S . D .

Bro . Sharp 1381 was elected a member , and Bro . Jackson chosen to preside at the next meeting , after which Lodge was closed and the Brethren repaired to the grill , to partake of the supper provided by the host , Brother Goovearts .

o o o DALHOUSIE LODGE , No . 865 . BEING Officers' night the Brethren showed respect for the W . M . of the Mother Lodge , Bro . E . Green , by attending in strong force on the 14 th inst ., and particularly in proper time , at Bro . J . Davis ' s , the Greyhound , Kensington Square , W .

The W . M . received the support of his regular Officers , as follow : T . 0 . Dyer S . W ., K . Von Donat J . W ., Arthur Williams P . M . Prec , M . Spring Dep . Sec , T . E . P . Bell S . D ., P . Howard J . D ., T . Lewis I . G ., J . Harris Stewd ., with M . Davis P . M ., F . Cousens P . M ., H . G . Cox , J . Kench , E . Johnson , J Honnibal , H . J . Seal W . M . 933 , A . Sergeant , J . Wynman .

The W . M . having strictly observed the formalities , the Lodge was opened in the second degree , when the W . M . announced his intention of rehearsing the third ceremony . Bro . Honnibal offered himself as candidate , and being accepted was examined and entrusted . The Lod ge was advanced , and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed . This being ended the Lodge was closed down .

The W . M . asked the S . W . Bro . T . C . Dyer if he would like to rehearse the investment of Officers , which was delightfully accepted , therefore the W . M . kindly vacated the chair in favour of Bro . D yer W . M .-elect of the Mother Lodge , who appointed the Lodge Officers in a perfect manner .

The W . M . proposed that a vote of thanks be passed to Bro . Joel Davis the proprietor , for his kindness in having provided some beautiful curtains ; Bro . Williams Preceptor added that he was sure that anything that could be done for the welfare of the Lodge the host would willingl y undertake . Bro . Howard was unanimously elected W . M . for the nest meeting .

SJ \ J V WOODROW LODGE , No . 170 S . ON Monday , 14 th inst ., at Bro . Rudderforth ' s ( Stone ' s ) Restaurant , Panton Street , Haymarket , Bros . W . E . Davis W . M ., Walter Hann S . W ., J E . Culverhouse J . W ., T . F . Strutt W . M . 2664 actiug Prec , J . W . Simeons W . M . 193 Sec , J . Wynman S . D ., G . Baker J . D ., G . E . Genet I . G . . - The W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , 'for which Bro , Simeons kindly acted as candidate , the work being rendered to the satisfaction of the

Instruction.

Brethren . The W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Culverhouse , who opened the Lodge in the second degree , and expressed his intention of rehearsing the third ceremony , for which Bro . G . Baker was accepted as the candidate . He was examined , entrusted , and duly raised , by Bro . Culverhouse , whose work on this occasion was well up to his high standard . Bro . Davis resumed his position in the Lodge .

The acting Preceptor Bro . T . F . Strutt proposed that a hearty . vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes for tho excellent manner in which Bro . Davis had fulfilled the duties of the chair for the first time . Bro . Davis said the vote was more due to Bro . Strutt , who had rendered him such perfect assistance , but as the Brethren were so very indulging he sincerely thanked

them for their kindness . Bro . Hann was elected W . M . for the next meeting . Bro . Simeons had very much pleasure in informing the W . M . and Brethren that there were sufficient funds in hand to have another ballot of five guineas for the Charities , which fell to the Deputy Preceptor .

South African Shares.

SOUTH AFRICAN SHARES .

DURING- the past week interest in the South African market has centred almost entirely in Rhodesian shares , and there has been a rise in the price of nearly everything Rhodesian . Things are ripe for a boom in Rhodesian shares , and those in Dewar ' s Matabele Reefs , Limited , should be well worth the attention of the speculative investor who can afford to buy , pay for , and bold them . The total capital of the Company is only £ 60 , 000 in

shares of £ 1 each , of which 43 , 000 are issued and fully paid , the remaining 17 , 000 being working capital reserved for future issue , if required . Dewar ' s Matabele Reefs , Limited , own fourteen miles of . gold reefs , containing five hundred and ten duly registered claims , equal to an area of about 1 , 200 acres . A number of the claims contain ancient workings , and the whole of the reefs are fortunately situated within fifteen miles of Bulawayo , in the best-known and most important gold-mining districts of Rhodesia . Careful

surveys have been made of each of the reefs , and every claim has been registered and marked out in accordance with the British South Africa Company ' s regulations . Questions of title cannot , therefore , arise , and as the claims themselves have in a great many instances been proved to be of a very high grade indeed , many elements of risk have been eliminated . The sale of one set of twenty claims will give enough to pay a sum , in the way of

dividends , equivalent to the entire capital of the company . Probably in a few months , when the extent and richness of the property owned by Dewar's Matabele Reefs , Limited , are realised , and its value reckoned at a standard of price governing similar great land and exploring companies , this company's shares should be quoted at a far higher price than that , of about £ 1 each , at which they are now dealt in on the London Stock Exchange .

Holiday Arrangments.

HOLIDAY ARRANGMENTS .

GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY . FOR the Whitsuntide Holidays the Great Central Railway Company announce a series of excursions from London ( Marylebone , near Baker Street and Edgware Road ) . On Thursday , 31 st inst ., an excursion for 16 days will be run to Ireland , via Liverpool . On Friday . 1 st June , to Northallerton , Darlington . Newcastle , Berwick , Edinburgh , Glasgow , Oban , Fort William , for 5 , 8 , and 16 days ; and to Douglas ( Isle of Man ) , for 3 , 8 ,

10 , 15 , or 17 days . On Friday midnight , 1 st June , and Saturday midnight , 2 nd June , to Rugby , Lutterworth , Leicester , Loughboro ' , Nottingham , Sheffield , Manchester , Liverpool , & c , for 2 and 3 days . On Saturday , 2 nd June , to Bridlington , Filey , Middlesboro ' , Newcastle , Scarboro' , York , Knutsford , Nortbwich . St . Helens , Southport , Wigan , Oleethorpes , Doncaster , Hull , Retford , Rugby ( Central ) , Loughboro ' , Leicester , Nottingham , Sheffield ,

Stockport , Warrington , Liverpool , Guide Bridge , Manchester , Bulwell Common , Chesterfield , Pilsley , Staveley , Brockley , Culworth , Finmere , Helmdon , Woodford and Hinton , Penistone , & c , for 3 , 6 , or 8 days . Every Saturday during June to Bridlington , Filey , Scarboro ' , Saltburn , Redcar , Douglas , Liverpool , Southport , Blackpool , St . Anns , Lytham , Fleetwood , Oleethorpes , New Clee , Grimsby , Chester , for 3 , 8 , 10 , 15 or 17 day 8 .

On Monday , 4 th June , to Finmere , Brackley , Rugby , Lutterworth , Leicester , Loughboro ' , and Nottingham , for half-day , and 1 , 2 , or 3 days . For full particulars see our advertisement column .

o o o MIDLAND RAILWAY . FTIHE Midland Railway Co . will run cheap excursion trains from London I to Dublin , Cork , Killarney , & c , for 16 dny ^ , via Liverpool , on Thursday , 31 st May , and via Morecambe , on Friday , 1 st June ; also to Belfast , Londonderry , and Portrush for Giant ' s Causeway , via Barrow and via Liverpool , on Thursday , 31 st May ; to Londonderry , via Liverpool , or via Morecambe , on

Saturday , 2 nd June , to return within 16 days as per bill of sailing ; on Friday night , 1 st June , to Carlisle , Castle Douglas , Dumfries , Helensburgh , Edinburgh , Greenuck , Glasgow , Stirling , Perth , Dundee , Aberdeen , Inverness , Ballater , & c , returning the following Tuesday or Friday , by which third class return tickets at about a single ordinary fare for the double journey will also be issued , available for returning on any day within 16 days ; on

Friday midnight , 1 st June , for 8 days , and Saturday midnight , 2 nd June , for 2 days , to Leicester , Nottingham , Derby , Manchester , Liverpool , Sheffield , Leeds , Bradford , & c ; on Saturday , 2 nd June , to Leicester , Nottingham , Newark , Lincoln , Birmingham , Walsall , Wolverhampton , Burton , Derby , Manchester , Liverpool , Preston , Wigan , Blackpool , Blackburn , Bolton , Oldham , Sheffield , Leeds , Bradford , Scarboro ' . Newcastle , the Furness and

Lake Districts , Carlisle , & c , & c , returning the following Monday , Thursday , or Saturday . On Whit Monday , 4 th June , to St . Albans , Harpsnden , Luton , Bedford , and Kettering for 1 day ; to Leicester , Loughboro ' , and Nottingham , for 1 , 2 , or 3 days , and to Birmingham , for 1 , 2 , 4 , or 6 days . To Manchester ( for the Races ) , and to Stockport , Nottingham and Sheffield on Thursday

( midnight ) , 7 th June , returning Saturday , 9 th June . Tickets for these trains for starting from St . Pancras Station can be obtained on the two days previous to the running of the trains at the Company ' s City and West End Booking Offices . Cheap daily and week-end excursions to Southend-on-Sea , as announced in time tables and bills . The season excursions from London ( St . Pancras ) to Matlock , Buxton , Liverpool , Southport , Blackpool , Lytlam , St . Annes » on > Sea , the leie of Man ,