Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The monthly General Committee meeting was held on Thursday , the 27 th ult . ; Bro . H . A . Hunt in the chair . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and veric rl The Chairman was authorised to sign cheques for a f w ' small amounts . A small grant , under Law 72 , was made on behalf of an ex-pupil . The C HAIKMAN then submitted a proposition , of which

ntice had been given at the previous meeting , in accordnce with a resolution of the House Committee— " That a Gratuity and an increase of salary should be given to Bro . Hedges , in consideration of his great exertions at the Centenary Festival , and of his general efficiency in [ the disrharee of his duties as Secretary . " Bro . PETER DE LANDE LONG supported the proposition ,

but before it was put to the vote , Bro . C H . WEBB said he couid bear witness to the fact that there existed a wide-spread and growing feeling among the general body of subscribers to the Institution against the practice of giving gratuities under such circumstances , and that the services of the Secretary would be more suitably acknowledged by a farther increase of salary . He

therefore proposed an amendment— " that the salary ot the Secretary should be increased to the same amount as that which had for some years past been paid to the Secretaries of the other Masonic Institutions . " Bro . ARTHUR E . G LADWELL , in seconding Bro . Webb's proposal , said that he could endorse what had been said but that be felt certain that the

. respecting gratuities , proposed increase of salary would meet with general approval . After a discussion , in which all the speakers bore testimony to the admirable manner in which Bro . Hedges had devoted himself to the duties of his office and to the interests of the Institution , the proposition for the gratuity was withdrawn , and Bro . Webb ' s amendment carried

unanimously . Bro . Hedges , who had been absent during this discussion , was then called into the Board room and informed by the Chairman of the resolution of the Committee , and acknowledged in graceful and appropriate terms the liberality with which his services were requited . The business of the meeting then terminated in the usual manner .

Inter-Masonic Rifle Match.

INTER-MASONIC RIFLE MATCH .

This long talked of match was fired at the Caterham range on Thursday , the 27 th ult ., betweem teams of bonafide members of the regimental lodges of the "South Middlesex , " 1 st Surrey , London Rifle Brigade , and Queen ' s Westminster Rifles ; conditions as in 1 st stage "Queen's" 188 S ; ten men to shoot ; eight scores to

count . Eight only fired for the South Middlesex and London Rifle Brigade , so their chance was somewhat lessened . The light failed at 600 yards , and rendered good shooting at that range impossible . The " Queen's " won the match , beating London Rifle Brigade by 10 points , 1 st Surrey by 36 points , and South Middlesex by 45 points . The competing teams afterwards dined together at the

Railway Hotel , Major George Lambert in the chair . After the keen appetites of the teams had been dulled , and one or two toasts honoured , the proposal for an annual Masonic match was discussed , a small Committee being appointed to put the matter in shape . The teams then returned to town in two saloon carriages , having thoroughly enjoyed the lovely sun and air on the Caterham Downs .

Scores : Lodge No . 2021 attached to Lodge No . 1962 attached to Queen ' s Westminster London Rifle Rifles . Brigade . Sergt . Bellings S 4 Sergt . Tayton 88 Sergt . Holton S 3 Private N . Green , P . M . S 6

Sergt . Godfrey 82 Private Gregory 79 Sergt . Treadwell 8 b Private McDougall , P . M 77 Sergt . Hollis 79 Sergt . Walker , W . M . 76 Sergt . Coop 78 Lieut . Brooks 75 Sergt .-Inst . Philip ... 77 Private Elles 73 Col .-Sergt . Currie ... 73 Col .-Sergt . Rix 72

636 626 Lodge No . 1216 attached to Lodge No . 858 attached to 1 st Surrey South Middlesex Rifles . Rifles . Corpl . Messenger , P . M . 89 Lieut . R . Bird , P . M . ... 92 Sergt . Marshall 87 Bugle-Maj . Matthews ... S 3

Lieut .-Col . Nevill , P . M . S 7 Col . Radcliffe , P . M . ... 79 ¦ Sergt . Cranch , W . M .... 87 Col .-Sgt . Hobbiss , S . W . 79 Private Turner , S . W .... 84 Qtr .-Mstr . Stevenson ... 70 Mr . Hale , P . M 61 Corpl . Graham 6 9 Mr . Fitzer , P . M 59 Major Reid Todd , P . M . 62 Sergt . Keeley 4 6 Sergt . Burn 57 600 591

Remarkable Masonic Career.

REMARKABLE MASONIC CAREER .

We extract from the Victoria Daily Colonist the following notice of the Masonic career of Bro . Canon Cooper , who will be remembered by many of our readers as the founder of the Harlesden Lodge which was consecrated at Willesden , on his last visit to England in 188

5 •—Canon W . H . Cooper , F . R . G . S ., who was recently installed W . M . of the Spallumcheen Lodge , No . 13 , Grand Registrar of British Columbia , has had Masonic experiences that few Masons can boast of . Canon Cooper's maternal l 0 dgeisNo . 40 , Belfast , Ireland , where he was initiated ,

Passed , and raised in 1856 . At that time Bro . Cooper was an ensi gn in her Majesty's service , and his regiment being ordered to Dublin , he was made an honorary member of j ™ - 6 , in which lodge he was raised to the Degree of Mark 'aster Mason . Two years later , being then quartered in "evonport , he ^ joined Lodge Sincerity , of which Lord WM ' ' " ° W the Earl ° f Mount Eci K cumbe > was tne Wo lT ' & '" ' 86 ° taken holy orders , after three years ' col - ' lome ' offered himself for mission work in the u' ? {^ » and on his arrival in Australia found that a lodge * been started in the town of Woodspoint , which was

Remarkable Masonic Career.

the centre of his district . This was the Alpine Lodge , and was situated in the middle of the Australian Alps . Bro . Cooper acted as Chaplain to this lodge for eighteen months , and on his removal to Melbourne joined No . 12 , Meridian Lodge . He also joined a lodge under the Scotch Constitution , and was appointed District Grand Chaplain ( S . C . ) .

"In 1870 , Bro . Cooper moved to New Zealand , where he affiliated to St . Augustine's Lodge , Christchurch , and in 1 S 72 was appointed District Grand Chaplain ( E . C ) , which appointment he held for five years . During his residence in New Zealand he was exalted to the R . A . Degree in the Western Pacific Chapter , Hokitika , and also was one of the founders and first W . M . of ' Akaroa' Lodge ; he was

re-elected for a second year as W . M . of this lodge . " In 1 S 77 he was obliged from ill-health to go to New South Wales , where he joined Glen Innes Lodge , of which he was installed W . M . in 1879 . " Returning to England after seventeen years' absence , he , in 1 S 85 , organised the formation of a new lodge , No . 209 S , Harlesden , London , of which he was first W . M .

Since his arrival in British Columbia , ten months' ago , Bro . Cooper has taken the greatest interest in the welfare of the Craft . He is a member of the Mountain Lodge , Donald , a member and the Chap , of Kamloops Lodge , and now first W . M . of the new lodge at Spallumcheen , of which lodge he was one of the most active promoters . When about to visit Canada and the Northwest for the

first time , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales directed the Grand Secretary of England to give Bro . Cooper a general letter of commendation to all Masons in the Dominion and the United States . " There are few Masons who have had so extensive an acquaintance with the working of the Craft in the Colonies , both under the Grand Lodge of England and under

Local Grand Lodges . " No one is better able to speak with authority as to the world-wide influence of Freemasonry than Bro . Cooper , he having visited the Masonic lodges nearest the north and south poles , and while he was 'exalted' on the western shores of the Pacific , he is now a member of the Grand Lodge which is situated on the eastern shores of the same ocean . "

Vote Of Thanks To Bro. Robert Grey, P.G.D., Pres. B.B.

VOTE OF THANKS TO BRO . ROBERT GREY , P . G . D ., PRES . B . B .

The following is a copy of the resolution of thanks passed by the House Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls at their meeting on the 21 st June , 1 S 8 S , namely : "That his colleagues on the House Committee desire to take the earliest possible opportunity of expressing to Bro .

Robert Grey , Past Grand Deacon and President of the Board of Benevolence , their deep sense of the unselfish devotion with which he undertook and carried through the weighty and important duties of Chairman of the Executive Committee during the recent celebration , at the Royal Albert Hall , of the Centenary of the Institution , a remarkable event , graced by the presence of Majesty and Royalty ,

attended by thousands of brethren with their families and friends , and resulting in the unprecedented collection of £ 50 , 617 15 s . " The above resolution was moved by Bro . Sir J B . MONCKTON , P . G . W ., in one of his happy and telling speeches , and signed by him on behalf of himself and the other members of the Committee .

Masonic Presentation To Dr. W. R. Thomas, P.Z., P.M., P.P.G.D.,

MASONIC PRESENTATION TO DR . W . R . THOMAS , P . Z ., P . M ., P . P . G . D .,

The usual monthly meeting of the Wentworth Lodge , No 1239 , on the 1 st inst ., was marked by proceedings of a speci ally interesting character . During the evening Bro . Dr . W R . Thomas , who has lately moved from Sheffield to Bourne mouth , was presented with a massive silver loving-cup , sub

scribed for by a large number of brethren whose names were inscribed on a beautifully illuminated address . The presentation was made by the W . M ., Bro . ISAAC EYRE , in eloquent terms , which were feelingly supplemented by Bros . GARNETT , P . M ., TYNDALL , P . M ., BENNETT , P . M ., HOLIDAY , and SCARGILL , P . M ., and Bros . DODWORTH and STOKUS .

Bro . Dr . THOMAS , P . Z ., P . M ., P . P . G . D ., in thanking the brethren for their expression of good-will to him , said that the cup would remind him of the many happy evenings he had spent in the society of his Masonic brethren in Sheffield during the past 16 years . He felt grateful for the kindly appreciation of his Masonic , social , and professional services . Whilst regretting the circumstances

causing his removal , he was glad to find that the true spirit of Masonry existed in Bournemouth , and he had been most fraternally received by the Bournemouth brethren , although he felt that he could not expect to find the same friendships that 25 years' residence in Sheffield had given

him . Bros . Wragg , Brooke , Barker , Barber , Foxon , Stokes , Middleton , and Drury added to the enjoyment of the brethren by an efficient rendering of a musical programme , and Bros . Holiday and Wostenhulm were equally successful in their recitations .

New Masonic Hall At Howden.

NEW MASONIC HALL AT HOWDEN .

On the 1 st inst ., the foundation-stone of a new Masonic Hall was laid at Howden by Bro . Lieut .-Colonel the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , P . G . W ., D . P . G . M . A large number of brethren were assembled on the occasion , including Bros . M . C . Peck , P . G . S . ; Tesseyman , P . P . G . T . ; Beevers , P . P . G . S . of W . ; G . H . Anderton , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Rev . W . Hutchinson , M . A ., P . P . G . C ; Rev . W .

Booth ; P . P . G . C ; Rev . G . L . M . Rees , P . G . C . ; H . Green , P . P . G . R . ; Lieut .-Col . Storry , P . P . S . G . D . ; H . B . Anderson , P . P . S . G . W . ; Rev . G . S . Dunbar , P . P . G . C . West Yorkshire ; H . T . Gardiner , P . P . A . G . D . C ; and a number of others , including the W . M . ' s of several lodges at Hull , Goole , and other towns in North and East

Yorkshire . They were met by Bro . Robert Bnggs , W . M . of St . Cuthbert ' s Lodge , and Bros . T . C . Turton , S . W ., Rev . G . L . M . Rees , J . W ., and the other officers . The lodge having been opened , a procession was formed from the Town Hall to the site of the new building , which is situated at the outskirts of the town at the corner of the Selbyroad .

New Masonic Hall At Howden.

It should be mentioned that the necessary funds have been provided through the liberality of Miss Medcalf , of Boston Spa , as a memorial of her brother , the late Bro . Henry Calvert Medcalf , a Past Master of the St . Cuthbert's Lodge , who for many years practised as a surgeon in Howden , and was very highly esteemed throughout the district .

On the arrival of the procession at the site , which was elaborately decorated for the occasion , Bro . G . H . Anderton , Chairman of the Building Committee , having requested the R . W . D . G . M . to lay the foundation-stone of the new hall , Bro . Orde-Powlett gave a short address , in which he referred to the very pleasing circumstances under which they were met , and expressed the hope that the blessing

of the Great Architect of the Universe would rest upon their work that day . The Prov . Grand Chaplain having offered a prayer and a Masonic anthem having been sung , I the Prov . G . Secretary read the inscription placed upon the stone , and the Prov . G . Treasurer deposited a phial containing the current coins of the realm . The stone was then duly and properly laid by Bro . Orde-Powlett , it having been proved with a plumb , rule , level , and square in

accordance with Masonic ritual . The D . P . G . M . having declared the Craftsmen had done their duty , corn , wine , and oil were strewn on the stone , and this part of the day's proceedings closed with a prayer by the Chaplain . The architect , Mr . Moore , was then presented to the D . P . G . M . by the Rev . W . Hutchinson , P . P . G . C , and . Bro . H . B . ANDERSON , in a few forcible and well-chosen remarks , thanked the D . P . G . M . for his presence and

assistance . The ceremony being concluded , the procession was reformed , and returned to the Town Hall . Unfortunately , the afternoon was very wet , but notwithstanding there was a large attendance of spectators , including many ladies . The building is to be two storeys in height , the outer

dimensions being 39 feet by 26 feet 4 inches . The interior arrangements have been very carefully considered by the local brethren so as to afford all the accommodation the St . Cuthbert ' s Lodge can possibly require , land being reserved so that extensions can be made if necessary . At the luncheon subsequently held at Mr . Walmsley ' s ( Bowman ' s Hotel ) , Bro . Robert Briggs , W . M ., presided ,

being supported by Bros . Lieut .-Col . the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , D . P . G . M . ; M . C Peck , P . G . S . ; Baldwin , I . P . M . ; Rev . W . Hutchinson , M . A ., P . P . G . C ; G . H . Anderton , P . P . G . S . B . ; H . B . Anderson , P . P . G . D . ; T . C Turton , W . M . elect ; H . Green , P . P . G . R . ; Rev . G . L . M . Rees , P . G . C ; and a large number of visiting brethren . The loyal and patriotic toasts having been given by the

W . M ., Bro . the Kev . W . HUTCHINSON proposed "The Health of the Earl of Zetland and the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett . " In doing so , he referred to the pleasant associations he had had with their late Bro . Medcalf , P . M ., and to the generous conduct of Miss Medcalf in providing the funds for the new lodge .

The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , in replying , said that was his second visit to Howden , and he had great pleasure in bearing testimony to the careful working of the St . Cuthbert ' s Lodge . Bro . M . C . PECK , P . G . S ., in proposing "The W . M . aed P . M . ' s of the Lodge , " said that though the lodge was a small one , yet it maintained the true traditions of

Freemasonry in an honourable manner , and was highly respected in the province . That had been shown in the past by the number of provincial officers selected from St . Cuthbert's Lodge . Bro . H . T . GARDINER proposed "Prosperity , Perpetuity , and Unanimity to the Lodge of St . Cuthbert ' s , " to which Bro . G . H . ANDERTON responded . Several other toasts followed .

Bro. Sheriff A. J. Newton.

BRO . SHERIFF A . J . NEWTON .

The inaugural ceremony of the Sheriffs took place on Friday , the 28 th ult ., it being the last time that two Sheriffs of London and Middlesex , elected by the livery in Common Hall , will be sworn in at the Guildhall . In 1889 there will be a new departure , the City losing its ancient privilege of appointing a Sheriff of Middlesex . The honour of being the last ot the old regime has thus fallen upon Mr . Alderman Gray and Bro . A . J . Newton , who were inducted into the office with the usual ceremonial .

T he previous day the Queen ' s Remembrancer attended at the Secondary's Office , Guildhall , with her Majesty's warrants approving the election of Sheriffs , the usual observances on these occasions being strictly carried out . On Friday , the 2 Sth ult ., those who were invited to take part in the procession assembled at Clothvvorkers' Hall about noon , the Sheriffs-elect being there to receive them .

The hall was kindly lent for the occasion by the Master and Wardens , Mr . Alderman and Sheriff-elect Gray being a member of the guild . The reception took place in the drawing-room , the names of the visitors being announced by Mr . Taylor . The senior Sheriff-elect wore his aldermanic gown , and Bro . Sheriff-elect Newton was in Court dress . The Masters and Courts of the different

companies wore their fur-tipped gowns , and the Sheriffs' Chaplains were of course in their clerical robes . During the arrival o £ the guests the bands of the Postal and Telegraphic service and of the Tower Hamlets Royal Engineers played alternately selections of music in the vestibule . Ihe usual procession having been formed , and the Sheriffselect , attended by their respective Chaplains , being seated

in their State carnages , a start was made for the Guildhall , which was reached shortly before 1 p . m . The Aldermen being in Committee , there was some little delay , but a Court was presently opened , the Lord Mayor presiding , and there being present Alderman Sir T . Gabriel , Bart . ; Alderman Sir J . T . Lawrence , Bart . ; Alderman Sir T . Dakin , Alderman Sir T . S . Owden , Bro . Alderman Sir J . Whittaker Ellis , Bart ., M . P . ; Bro .

Alderman Sir H . E . Knight , Bro . Alderman Whitehead , Bro . Alderman Evans , Mr . Alderman Saunders , Mr . Alderman Wilkin , Mr . Alderman Phillips , Bro . Major and Sheriff Davies , and Bro . Sheriff Higgs . After some purely formal business , the Lord Mayor called upon two aldermen above the chair and two aldermen below the chair to proceed to escort the Sheriffs-elect into Court . Thereupon Alderman Sir T . Dakin , Alderman Sir J . .