Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

Gwent Preceptoi-y , No . 115 . The inauguration meeting of above was held at the Masonic Hall , Newport , on 2 ( 5 th April . The knights having formed the arch of steel , Sir Knight CaDtain W . H , Williams entered and took his seat . The officers present were : Sir Knights S . T , Homfray , I . P . E . P ., Prov . ist Constable ; E . L . Newby , ist Constable ; R . A . Forsyth , 2 nd Constable : E . Whitley , Chap , j S . Dean , Treas . ; T . P . Garrett , Reg . ; F . J . Roberts , Marshal ; J . H . Taylor , P . E . P ., Almoner ; and Dr . De Vere Hunt , Std . Br ., who acted as Capt . of Gds .

The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed . The ballot having- proved favourable , Comps . W . H . Le Grand Chambres , W . M . ; H . J . Pillinger , W . M . ; J . Morgan , W . M . ; A . S . Morgan , H . G . Mason , Adolfchus Fowler , and S . 0 . Williams , P . M ., accepted at a previous meeting , were ably intalled by Sir Knight S . G . Homfray , P . E . P . After which Sir Knight J . Henry Taylor inaugurated E . C . Newby , ist Constable , in his usual impressive way . The E . P . then invested his officers . Sir

Knights R . A . Forsyth , ist Constable ; E . Whitley , 2 nd Constable ; Sam . Dean , Prelate and Treas . ; T . P . Garrett , Reg . ; F . J . Roberts , Marshal ; E . W . Schofield , Almoner ; P . L . Atkinson , Herald ; Dr . De Vere Hunt , ist S . B . ; F . Martin , 2 nd S . B . ; and C . Carlson , C . of G . A cablegram was sent to the front from the members of the Gwent Preceptory to the V . E . Prov . Prior , Col . Thrale Perkins , wishing him safe return .

The preceptory closed , the knights adjourned to the Westgate Hotel , where the usual banquet was held . The usual loyal and Knight Templars toasts were duly honoured , and a very pleasant evening was spent .

Instruction.

Instruction .

HORNSEY CHAPTER OF IMPROVEMENT , No . S 90 . A meeting was held on the 25 th ult ., at the Prince of Wales Hotel , Eastbourne , terrace , Bishop's-road , Paddington , W . Present : Comps . M . Spiegel , P . Z . 834 , M . E . Z . ; A . L . Butters , S . N . Soo , H . ; J . M . Huish , J . 185 , J . ; H . Dehane , P . Z . 890 , P . P . G . P . S . Essex , S . E . ; H . Foskett , 185 , S . N . ; F . Marchant , 2 nd A . S . 890 , P . S . ; W . Hillier , P . Z . 834 ; H . Tomsitt , and E . Stephens ,

733-The chapter having been declared opened , the minutes of the last convocation w ere read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Tomsitt be ing the candidate . After the M . E . Z . had risen the usual number of times , " Hearty good wishes " were accorded , and the chapter closed .

HYDE PARK LODGE , No . 1425 . A meeting of the above lodge was held at the Prince of Wales ' s Hotel , Eastbourne , terrace , Bishop ' s-road , Paddington , W ., when there were present Bros . A . Collman , W . M . 1425 , W . M . ; W . H . Handover , W . M . 1642 , S . W . ; C . S . Mote , P . M . 1732 , J . W . ; W . I . Ferguson , P . M . 177 , Dep . Preceptor ; H . Dehane , P . M . 1543 , P . P . SG . D . Essex . Sec . ; L . I . Powell , W . M . 224 G , S . D . ; B . R . Thomas , J . D . ; I . R .

Beandon , l . G . ; F . Spink , Stwd . ; W . J . Mason , P . M ., G . S . B . Eng . ; T . M . Lamble . P . M . 511 ; J . Cuff , P . M . 511 ; C . B . Broad , I . P . M . 173 ; W . Hallett , P . M . 733 ; A . Leclair , W . M . 1003 ; J . Chubb , W . M . 1637 ; B . D . Barnett , P . M . 1 G 6 S ; A . L . Butters , P . M . 21 O 3 ; T , S . Franklin , H . C . Martin , S . Fonkensztein , F . Marchant , G . E . Harris , W . H . Smith , E . Stephens , A . Toop , andT . H . Watts . Visitors : Bros . SirG . D . Harris , P . G . D . Eng . ; Sir G . Fardell , M . P ., P . J . G . D . Oxford ; H . A . Hatben , 240 S : S . B . Goldhill , 1 C 6 S ; and T . W . Muzzell , 753 .

The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last lodge meeting were read and confirmed . The lodge opened in the Second and Third Degrees and the Grand Officers saluted . Lodge resumed to the First Degree and called off and on . The ceremonies of initiation and passing were rehearsed , Bros . Leclair and Chubb candidates respectively . The following were elected members : Bros . Sir G . Harris , Sir G . Fardell , H . A . Harben , S . li . Goldhill , and T . W . Muzzell , all of whom acknowledged the

compliment . Bro . Sir G . Harris , in the course of his reply , expressed his satisfaction to the Preceptor and brethren on the excellence of the work he had listened to and with the other brethren who had just become members promised to attend again . A vote of congratulation was passed to Bro . W . J . Mason on the honour conferred upon him by H . R . H . the Most Worshi p ful Grand Master , this compliment was also acknowledged . The W . M . having risen the usual times , " Hearty good wishes" were accorded , and the lodge closed .

ISLINGTON LODGE , No . 1471 . The usual weekly meeting was held on Tuesday , the 22 nd ult ., at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , when there were present Bros . H . J . Dunaway , W . M . ; J . E . Thomas , S . W . ; D . Taylor , J . W . ; W . Hancock , P . M ., Preceptor ; A . F . HaMyment , P . M ., Asst . Preceptor ; C . Coxon , P . M .. P . P . G . D . Herts , Treas . ; J . Duncan , P . M ., Sec ; R . E . Maskall , S . D . ; A . Williams , J . D . ; A . C . Smith , l . G . ; H . J . May , W . A- Evans , C . S . Hind , C . Nicole , E . Lucas , C . C . Renaud , D . Meredrew , A . R . Greaves , F . H . Johnson , and A . Oliver , P . M .

The lodge was opened and the minutes read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was then rehearsed , Bro . Hind being tbe candidate . The ceremony of passing was afterwards rehearsed , Bro . Greaves bsing the candidate . Bro . Thomas was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed the officers in rotation . The lodge was then closed . A meeting of seven Installed Masters was afterwards held .

A meeting was also held on Tuesday , the 29 th ult ., at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , when there were present Bros . J . E . Thomas , W . M . ; D . Taylor , S . W . ; J . Birks , P . M ., J . W . ; VV . Hancock , P . M ., Preceptor ; A . F . Hardymenr , P . M ., Asst . Preceptor ; C . M . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Herts ; J . Duncan . P . M ., Sec ; C . C . Renaud . S . D . ; C . Nicole , J . D . ; D . Meredew , l . G . ; H . J . May , li . N . Beningfield , and A . Oliver , P . M .

The lodge was opened , and the minutes read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was then rehearsed , Bro . May being the candidate . The W . VI . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Renaud . A portion of the ceremony of installation was rehearsed , and Bro . Beningfield as W . M . elect invested the officers . The lodge was then closed , and the meetings will be discontinued until the first Tuesday in September .

STAR CHAPTER , No . 1275 . The weekly convocation was held at the Stirling Castle Hotel , Church-street , Camberwell , S . E ., on Friday , the 25 th ult . Present : Comps . T . Grummant , P . Z ., M . E . Z . and Preceptor ; Stanley , IL ; Everett , J . ; C . H . Stone , P . Z ., S . E . ; J . H . Cureton , P . Z ., S . N . ; VV . F . Frampton , P . S . ; W . Dawson , P . Z . ; T . R . Cass , M . E . Z . 1 C 22 ; J . Higgs , and F . Swinford Smith .

Instruction.

The minutes of the previous convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . J . Higgs personating the candidate . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Comp . Stanley , H ., for rehearsing the ceremony for the first time in so able a manner . Expressions of deep sympathy were sent to ComD . W . H . Harper , who had undergone a serious operation , with the earnest hope for bis speedy recovery . The chapter adjourned during the months of June , July , and August , and resumes the first Friday in September , at eight p . m .

Presentation To Bro. G. W. Pierrepont Harris.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . G . W . PIERREPONT HARRIS .

On Monday last , the 28 th ult ., at the banquet held for the installation of the W . M ., Bro . Thos . Buxton , of the Powell Lodge , No . 2257 , B'Utol , advantage was taken of the occasion to present to Bro . G . W . Pierrepont Harris , Prov . G . Sec , P . P . S . G . W ., with a very handsome silver salver , beautifully engraved , and weighing about 150 ounces , as a memento of the honour conferred upon him by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., by appointing him to the office of P . A . G . D . C .

The presentation was made in felicitious terms on behalf of the members of the lodge by Bro . DAVID ROSE , P . P . S . G . W . Bro . PIERREPONT HARRIS , in accepting the presentation and returning thanks , said he was exceedingly proud of the honour conferred upon him by H . R . H . the G . Master . As one of the founders of the Powell Lodge he had always taken an especial interest in its welfare , and would continue to

do so . He expressed his gratitude to the members for such a great mark of their kindness ; the presentation came as a pleasant surprise , and it gave him great pleasure . He felt under an obligation to the lodge , and assured the members that the present would be highly valued , not only by himself , but by his wife and children , to whom such kindly reference had been made . The distinguished guests present included the District Grand Master of

the Transvaal , Bro . GEO . RICHARDS , who , in thanking the brethren for their vote of 20 guineas towards the relief of distressed Masons in South Africa , expressed the pleasure he had , as an old Bristolian , in being present on such an interesting occasion . He spoke at some length upon the Transvaal district , and hoped that , when peace was proclaimed , he might have the privilege and pleasure of entertaining some of the Bristol brethren should thev visit the Transvaal .

Bro . Col . ROGERS , P . Prov . G . D . of GIos ., in returning thanks for " The Visitors , " said that although the recipient of the honour was taken by surprise , it was no surprise to him ( the speaker ) , knowing as he did the high esteem held of Bro . Harris . Everyone knew of his excellent qualities and good character as a man and a Mason , and he complimented the members on having such a matured and experienced P . M . to guide

them in their duties . Bro . W . H . T . BOLT , P . P . J . G . W ., in responding for " The Prov . Grand Lodge , " thanked the members for having qualified Bro . J . C . Gilmore as a candidate for Provincial Grand honours . Everyone must admit that his advice , sound judgment , and excellent work would * be much valued . He congratulated the lodge on having appointed Bro . Gilmore to the office of

Treasurer , and on his acceptance , as it would make him a member of the Board of Governors , in succession to their highly-esteemed old friend , Bro . W . R . Chandler , who had filled the office of Treasurer for five years , and everyone felt grateful to him for the most careful and conscientious discharge of the duties appertaining to that office . Other toasts and congratulations concluded a most enjoyable evening .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . THOMAS ELLIS , No . 68 . The funeral of the late Bro . Thomas Ellis , who for upwards of 40 years was a well-known pilot for the ports of Bristol and Cardiff , took place on Saturday last at St . George ' s churchyard , Easton-in-Gordano , Somerset . A preliminary service was held in the Baptist Chapel , Pill , conducted by the Rev . F . E , Robinson , co-principal of the Baptist College , Bristol , who also took the service at the grave . A large congregation assembled , including many members of the Court Loyal St . George of the Ancient Order of Foresters , of which deceased

had been a member almost since its formation . He was also an old member of the Royal Clarence Lodge of Freemasons , No . 68 , and a late member of the Bristol Pilotage Board . Our deceased brother was a well-known figure amongst the shipping coming to the port , he being much associated with the captains and others representing the principal lines trading there , and was much respected . The late Bro . Ellis leaves a widow and seven sons and one daughter , all of whom are grown up , and a unique circumstance in the mournful event was that his seven sons were present at the obsequies .

» TWELVE PENSIONERS will be admitted to the benefit ! of the London General Porters' Benevolent Association at the election to be held at the Guildhall Tavjrn , on Thursday , the 14 th inst . THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY announce that the first of the weekly excursions will leave Paddington Station on Thursday , June 7 th , to Weston-Super-Mare , Bridgwater , Taunton , Lynton , Lynmouth , Birnstaple , llfracombe , Exeter ,

Torquay , Plymouth , Launceston , Wadebridge , Newquay , Falmouth , Penzance , & c . ; on I'tiday midnight and Saturday morning , June Sth and gth , to Douglas ( Isle of Man ); on Monday , June nth , to Bath Bristol , Gloucester , Cheltenham , Frome , Yeovil , Weymouth , & c ; on Wednesday , June 13 th , to Shrewsbury , Oiwestry , Aberystwyth , Barmouth , Rhyl , Llandudno , Carnarvon , & c ; on Thursday midnight , June 14 th , to Chester , Birkenhead , and Liverpool . On Saturdays , return tickets will also be issued to Guernsey and Jersey , at 24 s . Cd . by the day service from Paddington . The boat express leaves at 9 . 20 a . m .

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