Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution.

CHESHIRE EDUCATIONAL MASONIC INSTITUTION .

The annual meeting of the General Committee of this Institution was held at the Masonic chambers , Argy le Street , Birkenhead , Bro . Donald Fraser , W . M . 477 , presiding , and there was a numerous attendance of brethren from all parts of the Province .

The accounts for the past year having been audited and found correct , thc following report for presentation lo the Court of Governors to be held at Crewe , on thc 31 st instant , was read and unanimously agreed to : — During the last twelve months , in consequence of thc resignation by the Marquis of Ripon of the Grand Mastership of the Order , Masonry has been exposed to severe

criticism , its principles called in question and much odium attempted to be cast on the fraternity ; yet Masonry flourishes , and even its greatest traducers have been compelled to admit that thc exertions of the Craft in the sacred cause of charity , and especially of education , are beyond all praise . Year by year the great Masonic Institutions in London

increase in usefulness and strength , conferring inestimable benefits on large numbers of poor and distressed Freemasons , widows , and orphans . As these great institutions in thc Metropolis administer ( 0 thc necessities of ( he Craft in general , so this institution provides for the educational requirements of this Province in particular , and it is very gratifying to find that while

the brethren exhibit an increasing interest in our local charity , their zeal on behalf of tlie general charities remains unabated . The demands on the resources of your institution during the past year have been great , twenty children having received the benefits of education and two advanced in life , at a cost of X ' 136 is . 7 d ., and there are now five candidates

for election . These facts show how important it is for all the lodges in the province , and the brethren individually and collectively , to exert themselves to the utmost to procure a large annual increase in the donations and subscriptions . Your Committee have much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of a donation of £ z ss . the proceeds of a

Masonic Ball , given by the brethren of Stockport ; they also gratefully acknowledge the benevolent zeal of the brethren of the Mersey Lodge , No . 477 , by whom thc sum of £ 84 has been presented as thc result of an amateur dramatic performance in December last , which vvas eminently successful , under the general supcrintcndance of Bro . W . M . Ashcr , of that lodge , and of a pic-nic

held iu August ; these examples of the benefits arising from combined effort will , it is hoped , have their due influence in stimulating other lodges in the province . Wc regret to find that notwithstanding the strong appeal made in our report at thc close of the year 1872 , to the W . M . ' s in the province , there are some lodges who still stand aloof from contributing to the funds . At the close of last year , the capital of thc institution

amounted to £ 1995 3 s iod ., the interest on the invested portion of which was £ 95 os . 51 I . During the current year an . additional £ 363 has been securely invested , making the present capital ^ 2216 1 is . 2 d . Your Committee cannot close their report without again expressing their thanks to thc Honorary Secretaries , Treasurer , andjothcr Officers of the Institution , for the very valuable services rendered , and their constant watchfulness over its interests .

1 he five candidates for admission to tbe benefits of the Institution were in attendance , and after a careful consideration of each case it was resolved that the whole should be recommended for election , in the hope that , during the ensuing year the brethren will , by reviewed exertions , make up the deficiency in the revenue legally applicable to the objects of the Charity .

Freemasonry In New Zealand.

FREEMASONRY IN NEW ZEALAND .

On St . John ' s Day the brethren of the Southern Star Lodge , 133 , E . G ., Nelson , New Zealand , held their annual festival in the Masonic HaU , at high noon ; the installation of officers took place , Bro . W . W ' estbrooke Squires , I'M ., acting as Installing Officer , assisted by Bro . urn- ^ ' . > l ' - M ., conducting the ceremonies . Bro . VVilham Lightfoot havinsr been installed as Worshiuful

Master of the lodge , the following office-bearers were duly invested : —J . C . Moutray , S . W . ; Leonard G . Boor , | . W . ; W . M . Stanton , Treas , ; John E . Green , Sec . ; William Holmes , S . D . ; W . T . Good , J . D . ; John Cann , I . G . ; ¦ Voolcott , 'tyler . At thc close of the ceremonies , the pleasing dut y devolved on the retiring Worshipful Master , U / .. Maclean , of presenting , in the name of the lodge , to Iiro . Past Master Sealy , a handsome silver cup , purchased uy the subscri ptions of the brethren , as a testimonial in

recognition of his valued services and zeal in support of Masonry in Nelson for many years past , and particularly or the great interest shown by him in the instruction of he brethren The cup bears the following inscription : — lo Bro . W . B . Sealy , P . M ., Southern Star Lodge , 7 , 5 , {_ " '" f * n ° wlcdgmcnt of his able services as Instruction Master , Nelson , 1874 . " Bro . Seal y acknowledged the 1 111

_ . -n . piesentauon in reeling terms , thanking tlie breinien for the cordial manner in wliich they had always cooperated with him , for the general good , and claiming no merit for thc success attending his work , which at all times le felt to be not only his pleasure , but his duty to the Craft he so devotedly loved and revered . The banquet took

place in the evening , anti after the usual loyal , Masonic , ¦ ind patriotic toasts , and a tribute of acknowledgement M creel to thc retiring Secretary , Bro . Geo . Collins ( who 'wires by reason of failing health ) the evening was I leasantl y spent in music and social harmony . On the ° » owmg Tuesday evening , the Trafalgar Royal Arch

Freemasonry In New Zealand.

Chapter of Nelson held its second convocation at thc Masonic Hall , M . E . Com ]) . Sealy , Z , and thc other Principals and officers being present . The new robes and chnpter equipments , supplietl by Conip . Geo . Kemiing , havingarrived , via Suez , were used for the first time on this occasion . Four Master Masons were exalted to the sublime degree of the Holy Royal Arch , and others were ballotted for and elected . The chapter already numbers over thirty companions , besides thc honorary members .

Obituary.

Obituary .

THE LATE BRO . E . G . WILLOUGHBY , P . M . Birkenhead has just lost one of its oldest and most respected Freemasons by the death of Bro . Edward Gardner Willoughby , who died on Tuesday , the 23 rd ult ., at his resilience , Carlton-road , Kingsland-park , Tranmere , near Birkenhead , at the ripe age of 77 . Deceased was a native of London , of which city lie was a Free Vintner , and for

some years kept the Albion Hotel at Chester . He subsequently kept thc Birkenhead Hotel , and for years rented , along with his brother , thc Birkenhead Royal Mail Ferry from the Corporation of Liverpool , and also the Tranmcre Ferry at a later period . lie was well known and very highly respected in connection with these and other schemes , au _ on his retirement from business lie carried

with him the respect of every one who had had any dealings with him . Bro . Willoughby served his fellow citizens in various ways , being a churchwarden in St . Mary ' s Church , Birkenhead ; a commissioner of the township ; a poor law guardian ; and one of the original promoters of St . Catherine ' s National Schools . By his fellow citizens he was highly esteemed and loved for his

upright , gentle , and charitable character . The deceased had been a prominent member of the Masonic Order for the long period of nearly half a century . Indeed , Bro . Willoughby and the late Bro . Clarke Rampling , architect , who died a fortnight ago , were amongst the oldest members of the fraternity in this country . The Mersey Lodge , No . 477 ( Birkenhead ) , the

first in the Hundred of Wirral , was founded 34 years ago , Bro . Rampling being the first W . M ., and Bro . Willoughby thc second . The latter hatl previously been W . M . of one of the Chester Lodges . I le was some years Treasurer of the Cheshire Masonic Educational Institution , now in existence for 12 years , having during that time educated 40 children , many of whom have received grants

of money to advance them in life . Thc funeral on Saturday last was attended by a large number of friends , and an unusually large assembly of brethren belonging to the various lodges anil chapters , The following Royal Arch Chapters were represented : — Fidelity , 477 , Birkenhead ; Zion , 537 , Birkenhead ; De Tabley , 605 , Seacombe ; Grosvenor , 721 , Chester . The

lodges represented were the Cestrian , Chester , 425 ; Mersey , Birkenhead , 477 ; Zetland , Birkenhead , 537 ; Combermere , Seacombe , 605 ; Warren , Seacombe , 1276 ; and Rock , Rock Ferry , 1289 . The Mark Master Mason lodges represented were thc Joppa , IA , Birkenhead ; and the Egerton , Rock Ferry . Amongst the brethren in attendance were the following : —Bros . J . P . Piatt , P . Prov .

G . H . Cheshire ; William Bulley , P . Prov . G . H . Cheshire ; T . Piatt , P . G . II . Cheshire ; F . K . Stevenson , P . Prov . G . D . Cheshire ; E . Harbord , P . Prov . G . S . Cheshire ; J . B . Hignett , P . M . 537 ; T . E . Hignett , P . M . ^ 37 ; J . Griffiths , P . M . 477 ; S . Jones , P . M . 477 ; R . Grade , P . M . 477 ! ' . Martin , P . JL 477 ; J . M . Hadcli / Tc , P . M . 605 , ' /' . Leighton , P . M . 705 ; J . Williams , P . M . ( Chester ) , 425 ; Donald

Fraser , W . M . 477 ; E . Haddon , W . M . 605 ; Dr . Wilson , W . M . 337 ; W . M . Asher , R . Rhodes , J . Alsop , H . O . Jones , George Mowll , C . Cook , Charles Marsh , B . Elvis , William Corrie , W . Worrall , jun ., T . Roden , Richard Hinton , Robert H . Hughes , M . M'Nerney , Richard Ackerley , T . Dixon , Gallagher , John Walker , Godfrey , Davis ,

VV . II . Hime , 11 . Green , and others . Each Freemason wore a spray of acacia as thc Masonic emblem of purity . The Rev . Canon Knox , assisted by the Rev . Mr . Rigby , officiated at the last service over the remains of his old friend . At the close of thc service the brethren placed on the coffin , in a solemn manner , the sprigs of acacia which they had worn during the procession .

BRO . FRANCIS ROBINSON HOOD . Bro . Hood died at his residence , 20 , Union-street , Deptford , on Thursday , March 23 th . He was initiated in the Royal Oak Lodge , ( No . 871 ) , on February 22 nd , 1871 , and continued a subscribing member until his death . I le never took oflice in thc lodge , as he entered the order late

in life , and was in ill health for many years before his decease . 1 le was an annual subscriber to the Boys' and Girls' Schools . He held a prominent position in the town in which he resided . No brother could possibly be more respected than he was . A sorrowing widow and family lament their heavy loss .

BRO . JOHNJWILLIAM REED . Bro . Reed died on Saturday , March , 20 th , at the early age of 29 years . He was initiated in thc Royal Oak Lodge , 871 , on January , 22 nd , 18 C 8 , and after filling several offices , was installed W . M . in February , 1872 . He did gootl suit and service to Masonry , for he was a Life Governor to the Boys' and Girls' School , serving the office

of Steward to the Boys ' , he being the only Installed Master of his lodge , who had been initiated in it , that was a Life Governor to both institutions . His good example was , in a measure , followed by one of his successors . Bro . William Myall , P . M ., became a Life Governor of the Girls '

School ; and another , Bro . G . Andrews , P . M . of the Male and Female Annuities . Some of his predecessors in thc chair , who had been joining members , were Life Governors and Vice-Presidents of thc Masonic charities . He was exalted into Royal Arch Freemasonry in the Pythagorean Chapter 79 . He was buried qn Thursday , March 25 th .

Obituary.

He has left a father , brothers , widow , and family , to lament his early death . He diet ! cf consumption , after a long and protracted illness of intense suffering , which he bore with Christian resignation .

BRO . JOHN HOLMES FUDGE . Bro . Fudge , we regret to say , died on Thursday morning , March 18 U 1 . He was initiated in the Perfect Ashlar Lodge , on November yth , 1 S 6 ; , he being ihe first person initiated after the lodge hatl been consecrated in October 186 7 . He served every office in the lodge , and was last

year Senior Warden . His wife died a short time before his election as W ' . M . last year . When his time came for election , in consequence of his loss and failing health , he declined being elected into the chair . He in a quiet and unobtrusive manner worked well in the cause of Masonry .

He was an annual subscriber to the Male Annuity of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . He has left nine children to lament the heavy lost lhey have sustained in thc irreparable death of one of the best of fathers and a thorough Mason .

Monument To The Late Prov. G. Master Of West Lancashire.

MONUMENT TO THE LATE PROV . G . MASTER OF WEST LANCASHIRE .

Last Sunday , a ceremony of a . peculiarly interesting nature took place at the handsome church of St . Mary ' s , Rufford , near Ormskirk , where a monument to the memory of tlie late Bro . the Right Hon . Sir Thomas George Fermor Hesketh , Bart .. M . P . lor West Lancashire , was unveiled in tlie presence of a numerous and influential

congregation , comprising some of the best county families , and a goodly gathering ot Freemasons . The monument has been erected by the eldest son of the deceased F . G . Fermor Hesketh , Esq ., at a cost of 1000 guineas , and is placed in the corner of the north side of thc chancel chapel . It isa recumbent figure in marble of thc deceased baronet , weighing about three tons , resting on an alabaster

tomb of , great magnificence , bearing the simple inscription " Sacred to thc memory of Sir Thomas George Fermor Hesketh . Bart ., M . P ., born January nth , 1825 ; died August 20 I . I 1 , 1872 . " The whole subject and design have been admirably conceived and carried out by Mr . Noble , the eminent sculptor , of London . Afternoon service began at three o ' clock . Prayers were read byjBro . the Rev . J .

F . Goggin , P . G . C , West Lancashire , the beloved and much respcctcil rector of the parish of Rufford—the church having a history whicn extends back Coo years . Thc lessons for thc day were read by the Rev . J . Sperling , of Eccleston , and a very eloquent sermon was preached by the Rev . Prebendary Cross , of St . Andrews , Southport , who took his text from thc 27 th chapter of St . Matthew , verse

60 , " And they rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre , and departed . " In the course of his discourse the preacher pointedly alluded to the many excellent qualities which had marked thc late baronet , and spoke of the peculiar propriety of the monument they had that day met to unveil . It may be interesting to know that the Freemasons of West Lancashire have erected a marble

font , certainly the finest in this part of thc country as a mark of respect to the memory of their deceased P . G . M . Although thc church contains a reredos , pulpit , reading desk , a real Flaxman tablet , and illuminated windows of great beauty , there is nothing at all to be compared to this really magnificent font , which is solid enough to last for centuries . The basin is formed cf the red Victoria

marble , weighing about one ton , supported by fine marble shafts of various colours , elegantly carved , and resting on two steps of Belgium or St . Ann's marble . The font has been erected by Messrs . Stubbs , of Liverpool , and will prove alike creditable to them and honourable to the Freemasons of West Lancashire . It is expected that there will be a Masonic demonstration at Raffonl when the font il completed and given over for use in thc Church .

Masonic Tidings.

Masonic Tidings .

Our Royal Grand Master is at Nice . Bro . Emra Holmes , whose recent lecture at Colchester , on " Public Speaking , " is about to be published in our contemporary , Ihe "Alasonic Magazine , " gave a reading , a la Bellew , at the Working Mens' College , Ipswich , last

week , when about 400 were present , and numbers were turned away from the doors . Thc reading comprised selections , grave and gay , from Shakespeare , Hood , Arthur Sketchley , Gerald Massey , and others . Bro . Holmes is to give another reading at Colchester , during the present month .

The Right Hon . Lord Waveney , Prov . Grand Master of Suffolk , has appointed V . W . Bro . the Rev . Chas . Martyn , P . G . Chaplain , and Bro . Lucia , Prov . G . Sec , as Stewards for the Province of Suffolk , at the installation of the Prince of Wales . No appointment could have been more popular in the province .

THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT . —On Tuesday last Bro . His Royal Highness Prince Arthur reached London , on his return from a visit to Egypt . He had left Paris on Monday evening by the mail train which starts from the Northern terminus at a quarter to eight , and had crossed the Channel from Calais to Dover , landing at four in thc morning . His Royal Highness arrived at Charing Cross

Station at ten minutes past six o'clock . There were in attendance 011 the Dnke of Connaught three or four gentlemen of his suite , who accompanied him in a royal saloon carriage from Dover . Several of the Queen ' s carriages were in waiting at the Charing cross terminus of the South-Eastern . Railway , and his Royal Highness drove at once to Buckingham Palace .