New Year's Entertainment At Croydon.

NEW YEAR'S ENTERTAINMENT AT CROYDON .

The annual entertainment in celebration of the New Year to the annuitants of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution residing at the establishment at Croydon was g iven on Wednesday at the Institution , and was as successful as any of its predecessors . The South-Eastern Railway Company , with their usual kindness , placed a couple of saloon carriages attached to the I 9 p . m . train from

Cannonstreet at the disposal of the ladies and brethren proceeding to Croydon from London , and these visitors seemed even more numerous than on previous occasions , the endeavour to please their old friends becoming more and more widely spread . The company engaged in this pleasant duty included the following old friends of the Institution : Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , Mr . A . B . H . Clerke , Mr . R . L . Bowyer , Mrs .

Edgar Bowyer , Bro . Edgar Bowyer , Bro . Thomas Cubitt , Bro . Charles J . Perceval , Bro . Charles F . Hogard , Mrs . Hogard , Bro . H . H . Shirley , Bro . H . Massey , Miss A . R . Massey , Miss Charlotte Massey , Bro . J . J . Berry , Bro . A . L . McNish , Bro . Hugh Cotter , Miss Colter , Bro . W . J . Crutch , T . Hastings Miller , C . C ., Miss Miller , Miss Nellie Miller , Bro . J . Laidlaw Cross , P . M ., Bro . J . T .

Briggs , P . M ., Treas . 157 , Miss Banks , Bro . Mullord , Mrs . Mullord , Bro . John Culver , Mrs . M . A . Culver , Miss M . E . Culver , Bro . R . W . Gain , I . P . M . 1366 , Bro . Robert H . Halford , P . S . G . D . Herts , Mrs . R . H . Halford , Miss Halford , Bro . C . E . Ferry , W . M . 1743 , Bro . John Newton , Mrs . Newton , Miss Newton , Bro . Thomas Goode , Bro . Thomas Hubburd , St . Leonard ' s Lodge , Miss Neliie

Lonsdale Dolby , Mrs . Terry , Miss A . M . Terry , Miss M . C . Terry , Bro . Raikes , Mrs . Raikes , Miss Jessie Terry , Miss Ada Crutch , Dr . H . J . Strong , Hon . Surgeon , Bro . E . A . Harris , 201 , Bro . W . W . Morgan , P . M . 211 , Bro . H . A . Lovett , Mrs . Lovett , Mr . H . W . Massey , Bro . A . Maynard Barnard , Bro . A . R . Bowyer , Miss Florence S . DiveUey , and Miss Bessie Crutch .

When the party arrived at the building , they were received by Bros . Terry , Mason , and J . G . Stevens , who had been on the premises all the morning , arranging for the comfort of the old people and visitors ; and Miss Norris , the untiring Warden , as well as Bros . Terry , Mason , and Stevens , gave all a hearty welcome and best wishes for the New Year . The customary round of visits was immediately

made by the Bowyer family to the residents , of whom it would not be " timeo Danaos et dona ferentes . " The gifts the Bowyer family bore to the inhabitants were , as usual , numerous and useful , and the old people received them with the heartiest expressions of kindness for the thoughtfulness that had prompted the donations . Everything connected with the arrangements for these annual

gatherings has nowsettled down into such a perfect system , that on this occasion every visitor , as well as every annuitant , knew exactly where to go for a seat at table , and the consequence was that by the time the bell was rung for the repast to commence which opens the day ' s festivities , all were in their places , and at a few minutes after two o'clock , Dr . Strong , who presided at the dinner , said

grace , and the viands , which were abundant and delicious , were operated upon . Bro . Terry took charge of a superb piece of roast beef , Bro . Raynham Stewart was very attentive to a magnificent turkey , Bro . Thomas Cubitt displayed his accustomed skill on a ham that was a credit to its grower and curer , and Bro . Perceval looked after fowls which must have enjoyed the good things of this

life very much when they strutUd in the farmyard . It is almost needless to say that every other brother made himself useful by seeing that no diner had an empty plate , and for nearly two hours there was an unbroken succession of thorough enjoyment . Grace after meat having been said , Dr . STRONG followed the customary rule of a few words being uttered before

the room was cleared for the evening's entertainment ; and , in proposing ' * The Queen , " said the toast would be drunk with more than the usual enthusiasm , because her Majesty had last year completed the fiftieth year of her reign . Following with the toast of " The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , " he observed that this was really "Our Worthy Selves , " and those who annually visited

the old people at Croydon were gradually getting whiter about the locks than they were in their earlier visits . This was also the case with the annuitants , but , whether visitors or annuitants , they appeared to be even much more lively than they were some years ago . fcln connection with the Institution he wished to mention a lady who was connected with it—the Warden , Miss Norris . The residents in the

Institution knew how much they were indebted to her for the kind care , solicitude , and watchfulness which she bestowed upon them . The Committee also knew how careful she was of the property of the Institution , how she guarded its interests , and how she abnegated herself . Although in the present day ladies made speeches , Miss Norris yvould rather not reply to this toast herself , and therefore

he would call on Bro . Terry to reply for her . Bro . Terry was the life and soul of the Institution . To him they were all indebted for his watchfulness and care , and also for getting up both the New Year and the summer entertainment to the old people . The toast was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm , and _ Bro . TERRY , in the course of a brief replvsaid that ,

, interpreting Miss Norris ' s feelings , he thanked the company very much for their hearty acceptance of this toast . The guests sympathised with all the residents in the Institution , and they felt that there could be no better successor to the late Bro . Norris in the office of Warden of the Institution than Miss Norris . That she might long be spared to carry on her earnest work was the wish not only of the

Committee but of the residents . Although Miss Norris had never had the advantage of being a mother , she yet exercised motherl y care of the annuitants at Croydon . He agreed perfectl y with what had been said with regard to Miss Norris , and he thanked the company very much for the compliment paid to Miss Norris , which he might say was well deserved . Bro . EDGAR BOWYER proposed " Dr . Strong , Chairman of the

dinner . " ., B f STRONG , in reply , said he had been connected with me Institution for 27 years , and in that time he had seen a great many changes . Many old friends had passed away , many new ones were made , and still the world rolled on . Me had seen the Wardens pass away , but he hoped he should never see Miss Norris displaced . He would now propose " ihe Founders of the Feast . " The enteitainment was not provided out of the funds of the Institution

New Year's Entertainment At Croydon.

but from voluntary contributions cheerfully made . It was very pleasant to find that though the brethren got older they still had the same desire they always had to give enjoyment to their less fortunate brothers and sisters . He would particularly mention Bros . Bowyer , T . Hastings Miller , C . C ., Crutch , Newton , Goode , and J . J . Berry , all of whom assisted these delightful festivals to the utmost

of their ability and with the greatest heartiness . Bro . THOMAS GOODE , who was called on for a reply , said he had been there several times , and had assisted as far as he could in making their dear old friends happy and comfortable ; but what little he had done towards founding the feast had been amply rewarded—and he was sure that every other founder of the feast had been most amply rewarded—by seeing the happy faces there were around

him . Bro . BOWYER , who presided at subsequent stages of the proceedings , proposed " The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , " and said every one wished success to it . It was necessary that everything in the way of speaking must be cut very short , because the evening entertainment would take place at 6 o ' clock , and the room had to be cleared .

He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Terry . Bro . TERRY said , in reply , that 18 S 7 had been the most eventful year in the history of the Masonic Institutions . Many of the brethren had seen in some of the daily papers on Monday , a statement of the income of the three Institutions in ' the year 1 SS 7 , and he was proud to say that while the two educational establishments had realised

£ 33 , 000 , the Benevolent Institution had the honour of taking more than £ 29 , 000 . So that the Benevolent Institution held its own in comparison with the other Institutions . It was quite problematical what would be the result of the year 18 SS . The number of Stewards for the old people was much smaller now than it was at that time last yearthere being now 1 S 0 against 255 last year . There was

very hard work to be done before the election . There were now 130 candidates and only 14 vacancies—11 men and 3 widows , and the Committee had it not in their power to make an addition . There was no question at all that the Centenary of the Girls' School was absorbing all the interest of brethien . As far as he was concerned , during the 24 years he had been connected with the Institution , he had

never allowed himself absence from duty when his presence was necessary , and he hoped he should continue to find the institution in the same condition of promise of success that it had now . The Craft had enabled it to do what it was now doing , and he hoped when they met that time next year , there would be even better prospects for it than there were now . Thanking the brethren very , very sincerely

for what they had done . He wished them a Happy New Year . Bro . RAYNHAM W . STEWART , P . G . D ., proposed "The Chairman , Bro . Bowyer , " whose first love on entering Freemasonry , was the Benevolent Institution , he standing as Steward for that Institution , and who had never missed these meetings ever since he was a Life Governor .

Bro . BOWYER assured the brethren that although he had served as Steward for the Institution , and had always been at these pleasant gatherings which were initiated by Bro . Terry , he should always come down to them if he could and spend some happy hours in seeing other people enjoy themselves . Bro . TERRY said he wished to supplement his former

observations with the remarkthat there was going on at the present time a similar entertainment at the Masonic Hall , Cooper-street , Manchester . Ihe Province of East Lancashire , when he was on a visit to it some years ago and told the brethren there about their New Year's enter , tainment at Croydon , they resolved to have one there , and they gathered together at Manchester the annuitants

of the province , paying their railway fare and cab hire in order to have them all together at a New Year ' s treat in Manchester . He had sent the following telegram : — "The Old Folks at Croydon send fraternal greetings to brethren at Manchester , wishing them a Happy New Year and an enjoyable evening . " Later in the evening the following reply was received : —

" Annuitants and brethren assembled here reciprocate your kind expression . Wishing you every success in future . —Jefferis , Manchester . " Bro . B OWYER proposed "The Health of Dr . Strong , " and highly eulogised the devotion he had shown to the interests of the Institution for 27 years . Dr . STRONG replied , and pointed out the vast

improvements there had been in the Institution since he first became acquainted with it—the increase in the annuities , the greater comfort of the annuitants , the enlargement of the hall , the provision of gas in lieu of oil and other lights , the gift of a library , and other _ improvements , which might be called luxuries , in comparison with what they would now call the bare necessaries of life . With regard to

the library , he commended the liberality of the Supreme Council , 33 ° . Bros . J . G . STEVENS and J . MASON , replied respectively to a toast proposed by Bro . BOWYER , in their honour , both hoping that that year would be a favourable one for the Institution , though at the same time fearing that the Girls' Centenary would absorb the principal part

of the funds of the Craft . In the evening a capital musical and comic negro entertainment , given by Mr . Charles Chumley , who was assisted by Mr . Leslie Smith , Mr . J . E . Hulbert , Bro . John Chumley , P . M . 1556 ; Bro . C . J . Balfour , 902 ; Mr . A . C . Harper , Mr . J . Aris , and Bro . Arthur Coombes . Miss Strong also gave some beautiful music on the violin , and Miss Terry on the piano .

CHURCH E MIGRATION SOCIETY ( 9 , Victoriachambers , Westminster ) . —Bro . Major C . A . Cooper , Secretary , has just made most advantageous arrangements with the Orient line for the entire of the deck-house of their splendid steamer , the Orient , for the purpose of sending out a party of superior girls , mothers' helps , junior and nursery governesses , and domestic servants of a good

class , whose characters and qualifications must . be unexceptionable . This party will leave , under the care of the society ' s matron , for Adelaide , Sydney , and Melbourne on the 1 st of March . Application to join the party should be made before the 15 th inst . to Miss C . E . Denison , Hon .

Sec . Ladies' Committee , 196 , Cromwell-road , London , S . W ., who , with Miss Stuart—daughter of the late Sir A . Stuart , formeily Premier of New South Wales—will have places ready for many of the party . £ 18 ios . will cover cost of the superior third-class passage , and a most liberal ship ' s kit , bedding , linen , & c .

Presentation To Bro J. Nicholson And Mrs. Nicholson, Of Maryport.

PRESENTATION TO BRO J . NICHOLSON AND MRS . NICHOLSON , OF MARYPORT .

The members of the Craft , Arch , Mark , and Allied Masonic Degrees resolved some time ago , it being the Jubilee year , to present the veteran of the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland , Bro . Nicholson , P . M . 371 , P . P . S . G . W ., and Past Senior Grand Qeacon of England of Mark Master Masons , also Mrs . Nicholson , who is our brother ' s senior by three years , and is now 83 , with some

token as an evidence of the great esteem in which they are held , not only by the members of the mystic knot in the toivn they reside in , but by the province . On Friday , Dec . 30 , a deputation was formed , headed by Bro . Col . F . R . Sewell , D . P . G . Mark Master , accompanied by Bros . P . de E . Collin , P . P . S . G . W . ; Jas . Gardiner , P . P . G . Reg . ; E . G . Mitchell , W . M . 371 ; E . B . Penrice , P . G . Std . Br . ; and

Robert Brown , P . M . ; and they repaired to our brother ' s residence in Eaglesfield-street , when Bro . Col . Sewell made the presentation of a Past Grand Deacon ' s Jubilee Jewel ( manufactured by Bro . Geo . Kenning ) to Bro . Nicholson , and a very massive silver teapot to Mrs . Nicholson bearing the following inscription : — "Presented to Mrs , Nicholson by the Freemasons of Maryport , Jubilee year ,

1 SS 7 . " In making the presentation , Bro . SEWELL said : Bro . Nicholson , we visit you to-day as a deputation from and as the W . M . ' s and Principals of the various Masonic bodies connected with Maryport , to present to you—as our " Masonic father "—a token of the great esteem in which you are held by the brethren for your inestimable Masonic services . The value of the gift is not great ; it must be

considered more as a token of our heartfelt esteem for you , and of our appreciation of your services to the brethren , than of any intrinsic value it possesses . The honour of presenting it—for it is a great honour—should have fallen to Bro . Mitchell , for of course , as the W . M . of the Craft lodge , he is the principal local chief at present amongst us j but he has requested me , us the W . M . ot Council No . 11 ,

Allied Degrees , to undertake it for him ; and in presenting it to you in your Jubilee year as a Mason , 1 wish you long life and health to enjoy jour new honours as P . G . D . ot England in the Mark Degree , of which this gift is the jewel ; and in offering this I must also allude to you , Mrs . Nicholson ( for we have a gift for you ) , and to your good services to the Masonic cause , tor if your good man is our

" Masonic father , " you may certainly be called our " Masonic mother . " I think you know as much about matters Masonic as any of your sex can know , and your good help has always been duly appreciated . As a small token of our feeling , I present you with this teapot , which you will see has an inscription stating from whom it comes . We wish you both , on behalf of out brethren and ourselves ,

long life and happiness , and a Happy New Year . Bro . NICHOLSON feelingly replied , and thanked the brethren for their kindness . Mrs . NICHOLSON also remarked if ever during her long life she saw a Mason doing anything she considered not Masonic and correct , she had never hesitated to ca'I his

attention to the fact , and so done her best to keep him straight . We may safely add our worthy brother is the oldest Craft and Mark Mason in the province , and has been to ihe front in every good cause on behalt of Masonry in the two counties tor upwards of 50 years .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . GEORGE ISAAC VENABLES . We deeply regret to announce the death of Bro . George Isaac Venables , which occurred at his residence , S 5 , Pauletroad , Camberwell , on December 23 rd , at the comparatively early are of 42 . The deceased gentleman was well known in connection with the South London Choral Association and Institute of Music , meeting at the Surrey Masonic Hall ,

Camberwell New-road , and also amongst the members of the numerous Masonic lodges meeting in the building . The funeral took place on the 29 th ult ., at Woking , the chief mourners , consisting of Mr . Leonard C . Venables , Mr . Leonard C . Venables , jun ., Mr . George Small , Mr . William Small , the committee and officers of the South London Choral Association ( including Mr . A . Pettengill ,

secretary ) , Mr . J . S . Curwen , president , Mr . K . Gritliths , secretary of the Ionic Sol-fa College , & c , & c . Deceased was universally known and beloved by his Masonic brethren , and was a member of the Sterndale Bennett Lodge , 2182 ; Kintore Mark and the Stanhope Chapter , 1269 ; The following brethren were present at the funeral , viz . Bros . Page , P . M . 1 475 ; C . E . Power , P . M . and Sec .

1558 ; Gooden , 1329 ; Murche , 1329 , Bromley-Smith , S . W . 15395 Dakers , 16 O 9 ; Francis , 1339 , P . P . G . D . Surrey ; Walden , I . G . 165 S ; Dr . H . Walmsley , 21 S 2 ; W . Clifford , 2182 ; J . H . Cureton , 1539 and 2 iS 2 ; Costello , I . G . 765 , and S . W . 2182 ; W . H . Harper , 21 S 2 ; Tiling ; Booth , 1539 . H . J . Wicks , W . M . 1269 ; A . J . Shore , A . D . C . 1658 ; and R . Jackson , 2182 .

Bro . Lawrence Alport announces that the style of the business which he acquired at the beginning of last year , viz ., that of Chas . H . Job and Co ., and Job Bios ., and Co ., wholesale stationers , of 149 , Queen Victoria-street , will hereafter be altered to L . Alport and Co .

A meeting was held at Terry ' s Theatre on Friday , the 30 th ult ., for the purpose of considering the best steps to be taken in order to assist the employes of the Grand Theatre , Islington , who have been so suddenly thrown out of employment by the destruction by fire of that theatre . Among those present were Bros . Edward

lerry , Walter lerris , E . Ledger , John Douglass , and others . It was decided to accept Miss Mary Anderson ' s offer of Tuesday afternoon for a benefit peifoimance in aid , and to form a financial Committee , with Bro . the Earl of Londesborough as Chairman , and Bro . E . Ledger as Honorary Treasurer , the latter consenting to receive

subscriptions at the hra Office , Wellington-street , Strand , until a working Committee was formed . Benefit performances have been arranged to be given by the Mohawk Minstrels to-day ( Friday ) , at Sadler ' s Wells theatre on Friday next , the 13 th inst ., and at Deacon ' s Music Hall on Friday , the 20 th inst . The Daily Telegraph has also opened a subscription for the same benevolent object , the proprietors heading the list with a donation of £ 50 .