Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Northumberland And Durham.

In the evening the annual festival was held at the Central Masonic Hnll , when the Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., P . G . M ., presided , and there was a large a'tendancp . During the rou-se of the evening , the P . G . M . int ' tmted that Bros . Hugh Jackson and W . J J ibson wpre nominated Prov . Grind Stewards . The nominations were not received in time for these brethren to be invested at the proper time , but he now declared them to be invested , and to receive such Piov . Grand honour .

Bradford Royal Infirmary.

BRADFORD ROYAL INFIRMARY .

MASONIC CEREMONIAL BY THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE . The north-east corner-stone of the Nurses' Home , which is being erected on the Westgate side of the Bradford Infirmary grounds , was laid by Bro . the Duke of Devonshire , Prov . G . M . Derbyshire , at noon on Monday , the 30 th ult ., with

Masoni c ceremonial . The W . Yorkshire brethren assembled at the Masonic Hall , Rawson-square , where the Prov Grand Lodge was opened at 11 a . m . by the Dep . Prov . Grand Master , Bro . J . C . Malcolm , P . G . D ., Bro . W . F . Smithson acting as Prov . Senior Grand Warden , and Bro . G . H . Smith ( Mayor of Halifax ) as Prov . Junior Grand Warden .

The brethren afterwards marched in procession to the Home , while the other invited guests assembled in the board room of the Infirmary , and it had been arranged that they should make their appearance on the site at the same time . The duties of Stewards were pertormed by members of the Building Committee .

The arrival of the Ducal party , with the Mayor and Mayoress ( Mr . and Mrs . T . Speight ) , from the Town Hall was the signal for a cheer , his Grace being accompanied by Bro . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., Prov . Grand Master West Yorkshire . Scats opposite the corner-stone were occupied by the Duchess of Devonshire , Mrs . W . L . Jackson , and the Mayoress of Bradford .

The MAYOR , in opening the proceedings , said that they were honoured with the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire . They were especially gratified that the Duchess had accepted their invitation , and , although that was the first time that she had visited Bradford , they hoped that it would not be the last . When inviting the Duke to perform the ceremony , the Board of Management of the Infirmary had felt that they were not approaching a stranger , but an old friend , a visitor whom they were always pleased to see , and an honoured and a

good neighbour . The Board felt that much was expected from the nurses engaged in the institution , since the duties necessitated very close attention and confinement . The Board , therefore , felt that the nurses had a right co expect that adequate provision should be made for their comfort . It was hoped that the new Home , when completed , would fulfil that requirement , and he invited the Duke of Devonshire to perform the ceremony of laying the corner-stone . ( Applause . )

The ceremony of laying the stone was then carried out according to the prescribed form . The upper stone having been raised and the lower one adjusted , the PROV . G . CHAPLAIN offered prayer . The PROV . G . SKCRETARY then read aloud the inscription on the stone , which was as follows : " This stone was laid with Masonic honours by the Duke of Devonshire , K . G ., August 30 th , 1897 . "

The Prov . Grand Treasurer deposited a phial containing coins in the place prepared for its reception , and cement was then spread on the upper face of the lower stone , his Grace adjusting it with a trowel presented by the architects ( Messrs . Milnes and France ) , after which the upper stone was slowly lowered , with three distinct stops . His Grace ' s next duty was to prove the just position and form of the stone by the plumb rule , level , and square , which were successively

delivered to him by the Prov . J . G . Warden , the Prov . S . G . Warden , and the Prov . Deputy Grand Master . At the conclusion of these operations he gave the stone three knocks with the mallet . Then followed what was perhaps the most curious part of the ceremony . His lordship took a golden cornucopia , from which he poured corn on to the stone , then ewers of the same metal , from which he emptied

wine and oil , pronouncing on each occasion a prescribed form of words . This set forth in the case of the corn that it was scattered as a symbol of abundance and prosperity , and that it was also a symbol of the Resurrection . Similar explanations were offered in the other cases . The golden vessels used were richly ornamented , and are a gift to the Provincial Grand Lodge from the late Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . H . Smith .

Mr . France afterwards delivered the plans of the intended building to his GRACE , who , after inspection , returned them to the architect , with the tools that had been used in proving the position of the stone , and desired him to proceed to the completion of the work in conformity with the plans . The ceremony was then brought to a close by the Piiov . GRAND CHAPLAIN pronouncing the blessing .

In proposing a vote of thanks to the Duke of Devonshire for performing the ceremony , the MAYOR said that Bradford was equipped as well as , if not better than , any other city in the kingdom except London with institutions of a charitable or an educational character . The inhabitants were proud of the Infirmary at present , but that feeling would be intensified when the new Nurses' Home was completed .

Bro . W . C . LUPTON seconded the motion , which was adopted with great cordiality , and Bro . the Duke of DEVONSHIRE , in acknowledging the vote of thinks , said it had given him great pleasure to have the opportunity of meeting his brother Masons of the Province of West Yorkshire , and to be associated with them in a work which he was sure was for the credit , and he hoped would be for the future

benefit , of the city of Bradford . He did not think there was anything upon which we could more legitimately congratulate ourselves at the present time than on the admirable spirit which had been shown in every part of the country in recent years in the provision which had been made for the sick and for those who were suff . ring from accidents . This was a department of public duty with which it had never as yet been found necessary either for the State or for municipal bodies

to associate themselves . Apart from the care of the indigent sick and injdred which was carried on in the workhouses , the whole provision for thegreat mass of the people in respect of hospital accommodation and hospital attendance was , he believed , at the present moment provided by voluntary contributions- ( hear , hear)—and the completeness with which this work had been , and was being , performed showed that in this respect a wise course had been taken in relying , solely upon

voluntary subscriptions and private benevolence . ( Hear , hear . ) There was no doubt that this circumstance occasionally entailed a great strain and labour upon those who were responsible for the management of these institutions , and that showed how valuable had been the great effort at the head of which the Prince of Wales had placed himself for the purpose of redeeming the London hospitals from debt . Under these circumstances be had to tender his cordial thanks for having been allowed to associate himself in the particular work in which they had been

Bradford Royal Infirmary.

engaged that day , and which was chiefly connected with the much-needed improvement in the status a id position of the nurses . For the efficiency of infirmaries and similar institutions they owed their thanks in the first place to the extraordinary exertions that the medical profession , both in its medical and surgical branches , had made , but it was now admitted more fully than at any previous time that a share of that recognition second only to that rendered by the medical profession , was due to the nurses . This provision for the better

accommodation of nurses was but one of a series of steps which had of recent years been taken for improving the position of the nurses , and in acknowledgment of the fact that nursing was now a profession which could not be undertaken by the first ignorant old woman , or enthusiastic young girl who might think herself fit to exercise that duty , but , like all other professions , was one which required careful training , intelligence , and assiduity . They all knew the great interest which her Majesty had taken in the success of hospitals and in the

position of nurses . He ascertained from the Chairman of the Board ot Management that it would be gratifying to them and to the city of Bradford if her Majesty ' s permission could be obtained to her name being associated in some manner with this Infirmary and with this Nurses' Home . He had received the following letter from the Home Office : "In reference to your gracious letter of the 18 th inst ., asking permission to make use of the word ' Royal' in connection

with the title of the Bradford Infirmary and of the word ' Victoria' in connection with the title of the new Nurses' Home , I have the honour , by direction of the Secretary of State , to acquaint you that he has laid your Grace's application before the Queen , who graciously approves of the desired permission being granted . " ( Applause . ) His Grace said that , in view of the state of the weather , he would defer th ; remainder of his remarks to a later stage in the day ' s

programme . During the latter part of the proceedings a heavy shower fell , and considerably interfered with the comfort of the gathering . His Grace was afterwards driven back to the Town Hall , and the brethren returned to the Masonic Hall , where the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed . The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and a large company were afterwards entertained to luncheon at the Town Hall by the Mayor of Bradford , the tables being laid in the Council Chamber , which had been very handsomely decorated for the occasion .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Industry Lodge , No . 48 . The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Monday evening , the 23 rd inst ., when there was a good attendance , taking into consideration the present holiday s-ason . The W . M ., Bro . A . Simpson , presided , and was supported and assisted by the following brethren : Bros . H . Jackson , I . P . M . ; W . Stafford , P . M . j T . R . Jobson , P . M . ; W . J . Jobson , P . M ., Treas . ; Wm . Brown , P . M ., D . C ; Robert Whitfield , P . M . ; W . C . A . Holzappel , S . W . ; John Armstrong , J . W . ; Rev . Wm . Bowker , Chan . ; T . T . Praenell , Sec . ; G . T . Bootes , as S . D . ; H . H . Pitt , J . D . ; R . Ferry ,

Org . ; W . E . Peacock , I . G . ; R . Hewett , Stwd . ; Joshua Curry , Tyler ; J . Lawson , T . W . Stokoe , A . W . Blacklock , W . Blythe , H . Coulson , T . Chegwidden , E . Elliott , R . Dobson , J . Charlton , F . Winter , E . Histon , C . H . T . Pelmears , J . Wardle , W . Nichols , P . Cash , J . E . John , F . A . Thirlaway , G . Reid , John Carr , W . L . Young , and G . C . Potts . Amongst the visitors were Bros . F . S . Cowper , P . M . 2039 ; Isaac Taylor , 1342 ; H . Bartlett , J . D . 40 G ; J . Howe , Sec . 424 ; N . Brown , 424 ; J . D . Cullen , I . G . 25 6 S ; H . Forster , W . M . 1676 ; J . O . Hogg , 424 ; J . B . Clark , S . W . 24 ; James Durrant , 1712 ; J . G . Scott , 2029 ; W . Sansom , 424 ; and others . The W . M . raised Bros . F . Winter and F . A . Thirlaway to the Third Degree , and also explained the tracing board to the candidates .

The work of the evening being ended , the brethren adjourned at S . 30 p . m . tothe refreshment room , when an agreeable and pleasant time was spent for two hours .

Empire Lodge , No . 2108 . An emergency meeting of this well-known and distinguished Iodge was held on Thursday , the 26 th ult ., at the Criterion , Piccadilly-circus , when there were present Bros . A . Davidson Kemp , W . M . ; E . A . Barnett , LP . M . ; F . G . Mellows , S . W . ; Lionel Cooke , J . W . ; E . E . Harding , P . A . G . D . C , Sec . ; Herbert Bunning , S . D . ; J . Sefton Mayors , J . D . ; E . Warden Dennis , P . M , D . C . ; A . Bassett Hopkins , I . G . ; Horace Field , Stwd . ; his Highness the Raja Ajit Singh of Ketri , his Highness Raj

Kumar Umaid Singh of Shahpura , Walter Clifford , P . M . ; Albert Cohu , G . Deutsch , A . Harvey , O . Goldstein , 0 . W . F . Hill , A . M . Fowler , F . Miller , and H . Evenden , P . M ., Tyler . Visitors : Bros . K . C . S . Varma , D . Naoroji , Sir Mancherjee Merwanjee Bhownaggree , K . C . I . E ., M . P ., and R . T . West . Thelodge having been opened , the W . M ., Bro . A . Davidson Kemp , raised Bros , his Highness the Raja Ajit Singh and his Highness Raj Kumar Umaid Singh to the Third Degree . The working of the W . M . was excellent . The W . M . stated that the

brethren would be entertained that evening by Bro . his Highness Raj Kumar Umaid Singh , who he had had the great honour . to raise , and on his motion , a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to that distinguished brother for his kind invitation . The Iodge was then closed , and thc breihren adjourned to a superb banquet , which gave every satisfaction , and it was admirably served under the personal superintendence of the manager , Bro . L . E . Lefevre . The W . M . presided , having 01 : his right and left the two Princes , and Bros . K . C S . Varma , Sir Mancherjee Bhownaggree , and D . Naoroji .

At the conclusion of the repast the Worshipful Master stated that at the request of their host no toasts would be given , with the exception of one , that was never missed at any Masonic gathering , and he gave "The Queen" and—exclaimed Bro . Varnu" Empress . " Some excellent speeches were made by Bros . K . C . S . Varma , D . Naoroji , and Sir M . M . Bhownaggree , M . P .

In eloquent terms the Worshipful Master , on behalf of the member . ; of the lodge , wished the two Princes God-Fpeed , which was acknowledged by Bro . his Highness the Raja Ajit Singh , who stated that hj was very glad to have been initiated in such a good lodge as the Empire , and when he retu-ned to India it would be a great pleasure to him to do his utmost to form a new lodge in the Province of Raipu ' ana , as he was convinced that Freemasonry was a grand Institution .

Bro . his Highness Raj Kumar Umaid Singh also acknowledged the kind words of the Worshipful Master , and said it was a great pleasure to him to meet the brethren that evening . Bro Herbert Bunning gave with marked effect " Oh , that I were a wind and free to blow , " his own composition .

Inaugural Festival Of The Transvaal Masonic Educational Institution.

INAUGURAL FESTIVAL OF THE TRANSVAAL MASONIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION .

The inaugural banquet of . the Transvaal Misonic Educational Institution took p lace on the . 28 th April last at the Freemasons' Hall , Johanntsburg , which had been tastefully decorated for the cccasion with the banners of the various local lodges and other MasDnic emblems . In the unavoidable absence of the District Grand Master—Bro . George Richards—the Deputy District Grand Mister , Brj . H . P . E . Pistorius , occupied the chair , supported by his District Grand Lodge Offices , the