Ireland.

more than a quarter of a century stood in the forefront of Irish Freemasonry . There was not a brother present who had not at one time or another confided in his wise discretion and profited by his sound advice . It is some consolation to note , with the framers of the address , th it the natural advance of years demands increased strain upon Bro . Shekleton ' s bodily health , yet the Crafc can still count on those sagacious counsels that his unrivalled experience enabled him to place so ungradgingly at the service of Irish Freemasonry . The following distinguished brethren were present , and took part in the

presentation : Bros . James Creed Meredith , LL . D ., D . G . M . ; the Right Hon . Lord Justice FitzGibbon ; W . J . Chetwode Crawley , LL . D . ; M . E . Solomans , J . P . ; YV . M . Battersby , J . P . ; Major A . Bailey , G . M . L . Herbert Wilson , Joshua Fayle , Hy . Johnston , C . E . ; R . S . Tresilian , Wm . G . Huband , Thomas Parcel ! . M . D . ; HSharman Crawford ; 1 £ . Fitzgibbon M . D . ; J . Fox Gnodman , J . P . ; John A .

Lanphier , John A . Bernard , John Bigger , Loftus Walshe , Charles R . McMimira , C . R . C . Tichboone , LL . D . ; Morris Harris ; Edwd . Hamilton , M . D . ; George Bell , Thomas Jones , Wm . F . Wells . Richd . Heirn , M . D . ; Ju-itya MacCarthy ; Henry Gibson , J . P . ; Sydney Hughes ; Joseph G . Burne , M . D . ; George M . Ross , C . E . ; Wm . Comyns ; Samuel Smalldrige , J . P . ; J . St . CUir M-iyne ; J . Crozier , J . P . ; W . Grove White , LL . D . ; D . Crosthwaite , LL . D . ; and Wm . B . Garland .

The Deputy G . M ., Bro . JAMES CREED MEREDITH , LL . D ., was the spokesman on the occasion , and made the presentation on behalf of Grand Lodge . He recapitulated the chief services Bro . R , W . SheVeton had rendered to the Craft , and conveyed in fitting terms the warm personal feelings of friendship that actuated the hearts of all present . 1 he address ran as follows :

Right Worshipful and dear Brother , We , the Free and Accepted Masons of Ireland , cannot allow you to retire from the distinguished position which you have so long held amongst us without expressing our high appreciation of your valuable services to our Order . Our cordial regard for yourself personally , and our sincere regret that the state of your health has obliged you to withdraw from an offi : e which you have filled with credit to yourself and with great advantage to Freemasonry during an unprecedented period .

For more than 28 years you have held the office of Deputy Grand Master , having served under three successive Grand Master , and hiving be ; n twice called upon to discharge the duty of Acting Grand Master . Throughout your distinguished career your actions and decisions were ever such as to win the love and command the esteem of your brethren .

Your able , generous , and zealous services not alone benefited the Masonic Body in Ireland but advanced the interests and reputation of our whole Fraternity , and we can truly say of you that while discharging your arduous duties with conspicuous efficiency you made for yourself hosts of friends but not a single enemy .

We earnestly pray that the Almighty Giver of all good may spare you for many years to enjoy your well-earned repose , to aid us by your counsel and experience and to receive the grateful respect of all who know you . Given on behalf of Grand Lodge this 7 th day of October , 1 S 97 . ( Signed ) ABKKCOKN , G . M .

In reply , Bro . R . W . SHEKLETON acknowledged in appropriate language the good will and hearty good fellowship of his brethren that had always converted his task as Deputy Grand Master into a veiitable pleasure . Though he was filled with natural regret at parting official ties , yet he felt

that the duties of his late post over-taxed his strergth , though not his zeal . But though the ties of office were severed the ties of brotherhood were onl y drawn the closer , and it would be his duty in the future , as it had been in the past , to do what in him lay for the good of Freemasonry in general and of this Grand Lodge in especial .

Advantage was taken of Bro . Shekleton ' s visit to the Freemasons' Hall , Dublin—his first visit since a recent serious accident—to present him with another address in his capacity of Great Seneschal of the Order of the Temple in Ireland . All the National Great Officers of ire / and were present and took active share in the ceremony .

Sir CHARLES A . CAMERON , M . D ., G . C . T ., paid a glowing tribute to the manner in which the late Great Senechal had ruled the Great Priory of Ireland . The two great charges of Constitution that had supervened on the Order of the Temple in the United Kingdom had been successfully controlled by V . E . Bro . R . W . Shekleton , to whom the gratitude of the Order was gracefully tendered by Sir Charles A . Cameron . The following was the Templar address :

fo the Very Eminent Sir Knight ROBERT WILLIAM SHEKLETON , G . C . T .

Q . C , J . P ., & c . Very Eminent Sir Knight , It was with feelings of the deepest regret that the members of the Order of the Temple in Ireland , learned your intention to resign the office of Seneschal and Deputy Grand Master .

Now that you have taken that step , the Great Priory of the Order , cannot allow the long connection which has subsisted between you and them to terminate without expressing their admiration of the manner in which you virtually presided over them for the long period of 20 years . Although in your capacity of Deputy Grand Master of the Freemasons of Ireland , you expended so large a purtion of your valuable time in

conducting the affairs of that Great Body , yet , you never ceased to take the most lively interest in the alVairs of our Order . Under your presidency it has attained to a high degree of prosperity . It has also been brought into close connection with the Great Priory of England and Wales , and the Chapter General of Scotland , largely due to your advice and action .

Although your official connection with us has terminated , we still hope for vuur attendance at our meetings , and for your valuable advice and assistance in "ie conduct of our affairs . Trusting that you may long be spared to your family , the Ordir , and your I ' . tnerous friends .

We remain , on behalf of the Great Priory , yours fraternally in the bonds of the Order . C . A , CAMERON , G . G . T ., ( Signed by the National Great Priory Officers ) . & c , & c , & c .

lhe V . E . Sir Knight SHEKLETON made a suitable response to the terms [•] which the brethren of the Order had express : d their high appreciation of Ms firm and kindly rule , and declared that among the happiest moments of his career were those he spent in intercourse witi his brethren . The address of the Grand Lodge of Ireland was gorgeously illuminated and bound in the form of an album .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of North And East Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE .

A special meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Duncombe-place , York , on the 5 th instant , under the presidency of Bro . the Marquess of Zetland , Prov . Grand Master , supported by Bros , the Right Hon . Lord Bolton , D . P . G . M . ; the Very Rev . the Dean of York , P . G . Chaplain England ; T . B . Whytehead , P . G . S . B . England ; W . H . Cowper , G . Std . Br . England ; M . C . Peck , P . G . Std . Br . England ; and officers and members of Provincial Grand Lodge .

There was a numerous meeting , the chief object of which was to consider a proposition by the Prov . Grand Master—* ' That the sum of 100 guineas be voted from the Provincial Fund of Benevolence to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , on the occasion of the Centenary . " The resolution was seconded by Bro . the Very Rev . the DEAN OF YORK , and supported by Bro . T . B . WHYTEHEAD , P . G . S . B . England , and carded

unanimously . A vote of condolence was proposed by the PROV . GRAND MASTER to the Right Hon . Earl of Lathom , Pro Grand Master England , upon the sad bereavement which had befallen his lordship by the untimely death of the Countess . This concluded the businessof the meeting .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The regular meeting of the Council was held on Friday , the 31 st ultimo , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro , Richard Eve occupied the chair , supported , amongst others , by Bros . Keyser , Strachan , Corbie , Glass , Fitzgerald , Cummings , Le Feuvre , Margrett , Dr . W . H . Kempster , A . j . Thomas , W . Russell , Scurrah , A . C . Chapin , D . E . Radclyffe , and others . A letter was read from the Earl of Lathom acknowledging vote of sympathy passed at last meeting .

Eight new petitions were accepted , and three rejected as not in compliance with the laws . The list of candidates for the April election was closed , numbering 51 , and 27 vacancies were declared . ~ The Board of Management reported that five boys unsuccessful at the October election had been admitted to the benefits of the Institution on extraordinary vacancies which had occurred during the last term by the withdrawal of boys who had secured good situations , the fifth case being a boy who had only the one chance of election last October .

Bro . W . RUSSELL gave notice of motion for the Quarterly Court of the 14 th instant , to suspend Law g relating to the purchase of Life Presentations for the sum of 500 guineas , which he contended was an insufficient amount . The SECRETARY announced that the income for the year ended that day was i > 3 > 3 3 5 ' 7 d—being the fourth highest amount in the history of the Institution .

Our readers will probably remember that at the last revision of the Laws of the Boys' School power was given to the Board of Management to ( ill up aiy extraordinary vacancies which might occur between the half-yearly elections , and from time to time we have had to congratulate friends of unsuccessful cases on this beneficent alteration .

But never before has the utility of the concession been so marked as on the present occasion , as reported to the last meeting of the Council of the Institution . No less than five vacancies have occurred during the term just ended—happily by the removal of boys who have gained good situations . These have enabled five boys to be admitted who polled respectively as many as 0638 , 2834 , 2504 , and 2316 votes in October , and yet failed at that severe election to secure success .

Our London brethren , as well as the more immediate friends of the cases referred to , are to be congratulated , as each candidate belonged to a London lodge , but the most gratifying feature is that the boy Hibbs , who had only the one chance of election in October , and lost it , is now , by the present fortuitous circumstance , enabled to receive the benefits of the Institution .

Annual Entertainment To The Old People At Croydon.

ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT TO THE OLD PEOPLE AT CROYDON .

On Wednesday , the annual entertainment to the annuitants in residence at the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution at Croydon was given on the premises with the accustomed liberality . Notwithstanding that the weather was of the worst , the brethren and ladies attended in goodly numbers to assist in making a pleasant day and evening for their aged friends , and they were amply rewarded by finding that the old people thoroughly enjoyed themselves .

Among those who attended were Bro . Sydney George Edridge ( Mayor of Croydon ); Bro . H . ] . Strong , Hon . Physician to the Institution , and Mrs . Strong ; Bros . Eric Williams , W . H . Hubbert , J . A . Farnfield , Treasurer of the Institution ; Bro . David Hills and Mrs . Hills ; Bros . W . H . AHaway , W . P . Warren ; Bro . Henry Kempton and Mrs . Ben George ; Bro . Charles Kempton

and Mrs . Kempton ; Mrs . Terry , Miss Kate Terry , Miss Mary E . Raiker , Miss Lilian Raiker , Bros . A . H . Hickman , G . J . Pakes ; Bro . John Newton and Mrs . Newton ; Bro . John Oldis , P . M ., Sec . 1288 ; Bro . H . Massey and Miss Massey ; Bro . A . Mullord , Mrs . Mullord , and Miss Nellie Mullord ; Bro . Richard Parish , W . M . 12 S 8 , and Miss Parish ; Bro . J . Wayte , Hon . Surgeon to the Institution ; Mrs . Anning and Miss Anning ; and Bro . T . Hastings Miller .

On their arrival at the Institution they were met by Bro . James Terry , Secretary of the Institution ; Bro . John Mason , Collector ; and Bro . J . G . Stevens , who gave them a hearty reception and best wishes for the new year . The visitors did not go empty-handed , for in addition to having contributed

the sumptuous banquet which was provided they gave presents of tea and tobacco , while Mrs . Terry and daughters and Mrs' . Curtis gave warm knitted socks and gloves to the annuitants . At two o ' clock the company sat down to dinner , Dr . Strong taking the chair , the vice-chairs being taken by Bros . Terry , Farnfield , Newton , Hubbert , and others .

At the conclusion of the banquet the few toasts which are always proposed at these gatherings were given and honoured , the first , of course , being " The Queen . " The second toast was " The Founders of the Feast , " in giving which Dr .