The Hughan Testimonial.

THE HUGHAN TESTIMONIAL .

On Wednesday last a meeting was held at Freemasons ' Tavern for the purpose of appointing a committee and other business in connection with the proposed testimonial to Bro . W . J . Husrhan , P . G . D . Both London and the provinces were influentially represented , and the utmost unanimity prevailed as to the object for which the meeting was convened . W . Bro . Rev . Thos . Kobinson , P . G . Chap .,

occupied the chair , and , in introducing the subject to the meeting , spoke in the highest terms of the merits and claims of Bro . Hughan , and of the esteem and affection in which he was universally held . He called on Bro . YVhytehead to explain what had been already done to further the objects they had in view , and the subsequent steps the promoters proposed to lake . Bro . WHYTEHEAD stated that the idea of a testimonial

on an extensive scale had been suggested to him by the one that had been so successfully carried out in Cornwall . He felt that the merits of their worthy brother were as highly appreciated by Masons in different parts of the country , and in fact wherever English Masonry existed , as they were in the province which had so largely benefited by his services , and the letter he forwarded to the Freemason suggesting that such a fund should be raised was a

spontaneous act on his part , without consultation with any one , and with no idea of prominently putting himself forward as the leader of the movement . But in consequence of that letter he received personally a number of communications sympathising with the movement and volunteering help . He , therefore , willingly undertook the duties of Secretary until a meeting could be called to formally appoint a Committee , & c . He had much pleasure in proposing that a

fund be opened for the purposes of presenting a suitable testimonial to Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . G . D ., in recognition of his literary and other services to the Craft . This was seconded by Bro . J , MCKAY , Prov . G . Secretary for Cumberland and Westmorland , and carried unanimously . The following resolutionswere then proposed and carried . Proposed by Bro . E . D . ANDERTON , Prov . G . Sec . Cornwall , and seconded by Bro . J . S . EASTES , D . P . G . M .

Kent "That the brethren mentioned on the printed list which appeared in last week ' s Freemason be a Committee for carrying out the above suggestions . " Proposed by Bro . GEORGE KENNING and seconded by Bro . WHYTEHEAD " That the Earl of Zetland , Prov . G . Master of North and East Yorkshire be President , and Bro . J . D . Allcroft , Grand Treasurer , be Vice-President . " Proposed by Bro . E . D . ANDERTON and seconded by

Bro . M C K AY "That Bro . George Kenning be Treasurer , and Bros . T . B . Whytehead and VV . Lake , joint Honorary Secretaries . " Proposed by Bro . GEORGE KENNING and seconded by Bro . EASTES "That in addition to those already published , the names of the following brethren be added to the Committee : Bros . Edgar Bowyer , G . Std . Br . ; N . B . Headon I . P . M . 142 G ; R . Muckle , Past Grand Treas . Penn . ; Capt . Colville , P . G . S . W . Cornwall ; J . S . Cumberland , P . G . S .

W . N . and E . Yorkshire ; J . Todd , P . P . G . Reg . N . and E . Yorks ; Hon . F . J . Townshend , LL . D ., K . of the Grand Chap . Ireland ; Canon 'Tristram , D . C . L ., Prov . G . M . M . M . Northumberland and , Durham j R . C . Else , D . P . G . M . Somersetshire ; Colonel Adair , P . G . D ., G . Supt . Somersetshire ; E . D . Anderton , P . G . Sec . Cornwall . It was further resolved after some discussion that the subscription be not limited to one guinea as had been first announced .

Consecration Of The Clausentum Masonic Hall At Woolston.

CONSECRATION OF THE CLAUSENTUM MASONIC HALL AT WOOLSTON .

The Masonic Temple which has just been erected at Woolston for the accommodation of the brethren of the Clausentum Lodge was consecrated on the 19 th ult ., by the R . W . Bro . VV . VV . B . Beach , M . P ., Prov . G . M . of Hants and Isle of Wight , assisted by his Deputy , VV . Bro .

Hickman , and the Prov . Grand Officers , in the presence of a large attendance of brethren representing the Clausentum and sister lodges . The warrant for the Clausentum Lodge is dated 25 th September , 1 S 73 , and the lodge was consecrated by the present Prov . G . M . on the 19 th November following , its name being taken , at the suggestion of the late Bro . Dr . J . R . Stebbing , P . G . D . ( who assisted in its consecration ) , from the

neighbouring Roman settlement . The lodge started with iS members , since increased to 57 , and this accession of numbers long ago rendered it imperative that steps should be taken to obtain more commodious premises , the Woolston Inn , where the best accommodation that could be afforded had been given , being found totally inadequate to the requirements of the constantly increasing needs of the lodge ,

and the principal members of the lodge practically recognised the fact that the only satisfactory solution of the difficulty would be the erection of a Masonic Hall . A site was granted by the late Mr . Thomas Chamberlayne , whose behest after his death was loyally acted up to by his successor , Mr . Tankerville Chamberlayne , but unexpected legal difficulties in the way of a transfer of the land cropped

up , which not only delayed the work of erection for years , but the cost has proved a serious encroachment on the Building Fund . However , the Clausentum brethren laudably persevered in their endeavours , and to Bro . Methven , the present W . M ., has been reserved the honour and pleasure of being the first ruler over the lodge in a home which , in every detail , does high credit to the architect , Bro . W .

H . Mitchell ; the builder , Bro . VV . H . Chapman , P . M . j and all concerned . We have been furnished with a detailed description of the new building , but regret we cannot give it owing to the pressure on our space . The attendance on the present occasion included Bros . W . W . B . Beach , Prov . G . M . ; W . Hickman , D . P . G . M . ; M . E . Frost , P . M ., P . G . S . W . ; H . M . Green , P . M .,

P . G . J . W . ; J . E . Le Feuvre , P . M ., P . G . Sec . ; R . L . Rastrick , P . M ., P . G . Treas . ; Rev . P . G . Pickering , S . W . « , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . A . L'Argent Bell , S . D . 594 , P . G . Chap . ; Major Douglas , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; M . Emanuel , P . M ., P . G . Reg . ; H . B . Here , P . M . 404 , P . P . G . Chap . Herts ; T . H . M . Martin , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W . ;

J . S . Hickley , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . ; C . W . A . Jellicoe , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D . ; W . B . Edgeler , 928 . P . G . S . Wks . ; A . J . Miller , 130 , P . P . G . J . W . ; C . J . Phillips , P . M . 130 , P . P . G . S . D . ; W . H . Jacob , W . M . 7 6 , P . G . S . ; I . Robertson , W . M . 130 , P . G . Stwd . ; J . Patstone , W . M . 359 , f . G . Stwd . ; H . Lashmore , W . M . 394 ; VV . F . Mayoss , W . M . 1112 ; J . Methven , W . M . 1461 ; W . Brunwin ,

Consecration Of The Clausentum Masonic Hall At Woolston.

W . M . 983 ; J . H . Saunders , W . M . 1 S 69 , P . G . S . ; G . J . Tilling , P . M ., P . p . G . Supt . Works ; \ V . Horton , P . M . ] W . Chapman , P . M . ; Rev . S . Scott , P . P . G . Chap . ; H . P . Aslatt , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . ; F . W . Nixon , P . M . ; F . Powell , P . M ., P . G . P . ; A . Edginton , P . M ., P . D . G . W . Bombay ; H . Grier , W . M . 1971 ; J . Woodhouse , W . M ., P . G . S . B . ; VV . [ . Hickman , P . M . ; J . Harle , P . M ., P . P . G . R ; H . " Webb , J . W . 359 ; J . Stevens , Treas .

17 S 0 ; VV . Grinyer , P . M . ; A . Algar , Sec . 17 S 0 ; J . Beer , J . Cateley , K . Williams , J . C . Uurbage , S . W . 319 ; j . I . Bray , VV . H . Swaync , J . B . Marguison Clarke , J . U . 130 ; K . Davis , J . Kamsden , E . A . Edwards , T . G . Dacombe , H . P . Arthur , P . M . ; VV . Berry , P . M . ; J . T . Wells , Org . 14 C 1 ; T . Dartnell , J . W . 130 ; G . Greenslade , Sec . 1112 ; J . Simpson , I . G . 1112 ; J . Lister , 949 ; U . VV . Lees , A . J . Blackman , 359 ; W . J . Miller , F . VV .

Summerbee , S . Stevens , E . J . Petty , A . Baker , VV . Jcnvey , J . Stead , S . 130 ; S . Dacombe , VV . P . Hoggett , VV . Pearse , C . Callagan , E . Silverthorne , T . O . Spencer , M . F . Curtis , J . D . 1461 ; and D . Biggs , Excll , W . Vare , and C . Harrington and C . Henley , 'Tylers . Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in due form , prayers were offered by the SEN . PROV . GRAND CHAPLAIN . The PROV . GRAND MASTER then addressed the brethren , congratulating the Clausentum Lodge on the success which

had attended their efforts . They had raised up a building that was exceedingl y beautiful in its character , and not doubting that it would be devoted to the purposes for which it was designed , he should have great pleasure in consecrating it to Masonry . The Rev . P . G . PICKERING , S . W ., one of the Prov . Grand Chaplains , next delivered an address , in which he referred to some of the aspersions cast upon Masonry by the outer world , and whilst saying there was no need to defend it

before an assemblage of the brethren , he maintained that Freemasonry was a bulwark against many of the dangers which are said to threaten the State . He justified , as a clergyman , his connection with the art , and said that if the world acted more thoroughly up to the principles laid down in Freemasonry , the minister ' s work would be a very different character indeed . Bro . VV . H . MITCHELL , the architect , then delivered up

to the Prov . Grand Master the instrument entrusted to his care at the laying of the foundation-stone , and reported that the hall had been well and truly built . P . M . Rosoman had put the whole of his knowledge of the requirements of the brethren at his disposal , and had rendered him great assistance in the earlier arrangements for the erection of the building , and the greatest unanimity had pervaded the Building Committee , of whom Bro . Methven , the present

W . M ., had been Chairman , and Bro . Bowyer , P . M . ( Sec . of the Clausentum Lodge ) , Secretary . It was their one wish that the building should be entrusted to Bro . Chapman , knowing the interest he had taken in the lodge , but the Committee felt they were bound to a certain extent to throw the work of erection open to competition , but the difficulty they were in in this respect was obviated by the fact that his tender was the lowest , and he had carried out

his commission in a most satisfactory manner . The PROV . GRAND MASTER made a suitable reply , and the Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . LE FEUVRE , formally informing the Prov . Grand Master of the object of the assembly , said the corner-stone was laid about seven months ago , and he believed the unanimous verdict would be that from the foundation then laid there had been raised a superstructure perfect in all its parts , and

honourable to the architect and builder , and all those who had aided in the work . The solemn ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with , the anthem " Behold how joyful a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity " being sung by a double quartette , followed by anode in honour of Masonry , Bro . J . T . Wells ( by whom the musical arrangements of the day were admirably carried out ) , presiding at the

American organ . Provincial Grand Lodge was closed , after which the "Clausentum" was opened , and VV . Bro . METHVEN expressed the pleasure it gave him to see so large an attendance , and his sense of the honour of being Master of the lodge on the day of the dedication of their new building . He proposed that the thanks of the lodge be given to the Prov . Grand Master , the D . Prov . Grand Master , and the officers of the province for having performed the ceremony

of consecration . The PKOV . GRAND MASTER in reply said he had a lively recollection of the time that he came there to constitute the lodge 10 years ago , and he was glad to find that his anticipations of the importance the lodge would assume had been realised , and culminated in the erection of the beautiful hall they had that day dedicated . The Prov . Grand Master , the Deputy Prov . Grand

Master , and the Prov . Grand Secretary were elected hon . members of the lodge , and each returned thanks acknowledging the compliment . At the conclusion of the ceremonies , about seventy brethren sat down to a recherche : banquet , provided by Bro . Dartnall , of Southampton , but a cloud was very early thrown over this part of the proceedings by the receipt of a telegram by the Prov . G . M ., announcing that his daughter had met

with an accident in the hunting field , and that concussion of the brain had resulted . He left for home by the earliest possible train , and the heartiest sympathy was expressed towards him during the evening , the sympathy of the lodge being afterwards forwarded officially by Bro . Bowyer , the Secretary . The W . M . presided , and the usual Alasonic

toasts were given and acknowledged . In the course of the proceedings , Bro . Bowyer announced that a petition had already been sent in for a warrant for forming a chapter , and the D . P . G . M ., alluding to a recent proposition to divide the province , said the suggestion had been withdrawn , and the brethren who made it were , he believed , convinced they had made a mistake .

Annual Banquet Of The United Military Lodge Of Instruction. No. 1536.

ANNUAL BANQUET OF THE UNITED MILITARY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION . No . 1536 .

This festival took place on the 2 Gth ult ,, at the Earl of Chatham Arms , Thomas-street , and was well attended by

the members and friends of it and the neighbouring lodges . Bro . G . Kenneday , W . M . of the mother lodge , presided , and was supported by the following brethren 1 Bios . T . Holleyman , I . P . M . 153 6 ; VV . B . Lloyd , P . M . 913 ; G . Spinks , P . M . 1536 ; G . Davis , P . M . 13 ; W . Moulds , J . W . 1536 j T . Cooper , G , Whiteheart , A . J . Fisher , Sec .

Annual Banquet Of The United Military Lodge Of Instruction. No. 1536.

H . Swinherd , A . J . Rowley , VV . A . Mcinnery , A . Murdock , H . Troud , J . Butler , J . Bilton , A . Green , J . K . Hunter , R . Gooding , VV . Maule , J . Purnell , U . C . ; J . Morton , T . Wylie , all of 153 G ; E . VV . Carter , S 5 S ; S . West , 700 ; J . Hooton , 913 ; J . Laughlin , 1536 ; C . Jolly , 913 ( Freemason ) . i he menu which was all that could be desired , having been discussed , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured .

Bro . HOLLEYMAN then gave the toast of " Bro . Kenneday , our W . M . and Preceptor of the lodge . " He said bro . kenneday was not only an excellent Master , but a good and painstaking Preceptor , and he asked them to drink the toast cordially . Bro . KENNEDAY said he was much gratified to see such a muster that evening ; it augured well lor the prosperity of the lodge . Ihe instiuction received in it had been of

immense service to the lodge , and although it had many vicisitudes in its course , yet it was now firmly founded and prospering . Some of the lounders of it were absent , and he regretted that Bro . Anderson , one of its greatest supporters , was unable to be present . He was pleased to see the manner in which his name had been received , and would promise them faithfully to do all in his power to make the lodge one of the best in the district .

Ihe next toast was that of "The Past Preceptors , " coupled with the name of Bros . Spinks , Holleyman , and Gooding . Bro . HOLLYMAN in response , congratulated the W . M . upon being so well supported , and also upon the success the lodge had attained and which he attributed to a resolution adopted some three years ago , viz ., " That the W . M . of the mother lodge for the time being be the

Preceptor of the lodge of instruction . " 'They had worked well , for where the W . M . was the brethren would be also . During the last three years that system had been in vogue , and the attendance had increased mateiially , and the result was that their lod ge was second to none , if not superior to most of the lodges about them in its workin " , especially that ot the minor offices , and at some lodges where there was no lodge of instruction the working was

painful to witness . He could not do better than read them a little bit of good advice that he had cut out of the Freemason , it was as follows : ' We are not among those who ever undervalue the need and value of our ' Lodges of Instruction . ' On the contrary , this peculiar English institution , is in our humbleopinion , the secret of much true Masonic work amongst us , a source of Masonic sympathy , and constitutes one of the main reasons why our English

working is so sound and so uniform on the whole . That there are vaiietiesof working , customs , and usage , Bro . James Stevens will tell us ; but it is a very remarkable fact , explain it as you will , that there is , in truth , little essential difference of working in our lodges . We are glad therefore to note the activity of these lodges , and feel we owe a debt of gratitude to them and to many able Preceptors for seeking so carefully to maintain in vital accuracy and full

efficiency our Masonic lore and our cherished ritual . " That was the true meaning of lodges of instruction , and he felt sure its teachings would sink deep into the heart of every aspiring Mason . Bros . SPINKS and GOODING also responded , and Bros . DAVIS , LLOYD , HOOTON , and J OLLY returned thanks for

" ihe Visitors . " Bros . GOODING and AIORDOCK responded for "The Secretaries ; " and Bros . FROUD and MURDOCK for " The Stewards , " and a cordial vote of thanks to Bro . CAPON for his excellent cateiing concluded the proceedings , which were enlivened by the excellent singing and reciting of Bros . Maule , Bilton , Fisher , Cooper , Morton , Hooton , Murdock , Kenneday , and Jolly .

Bro. H. Jeffs And The Corporation Of Gloucester.

BRO . H . JEFFS AND THE CORPORATION OF GLOUCESTER .

It will be remembered that in March last , Bro . H . Jeffs , P . Prov . o . J . W . Gloucestershire , the then High Sheriff of Gloucester , was presented with a gold chain of office , which by the following it will be seen has been handed over to the Corporation of that city , and duly acknowledged :

Sherborne Villa , Spa , Gloucester , Nov . gth , 1 SS 3 . To the Right Worshi pful the Mayor , the Worshipful the Aldermen , and the Town Council of the city 0 $ Gloucester . " Gentlemen , —It is in your rememberance that after my appointment as Sheriff of this city some of my Brother Freemasons , as an expression of their esteem and regard ,

presented me with a gold chain and badge of office . On the expiration of my year of office it is a pleasure to me to offer to you , for the acceptance of the city , the said gold chain and badge . "The badge has the following inscription : 'This gold chain and bad ge were presented to Brother Henry Jeffs , Past Master , Past Provincial Grand Junior Warden

Uloucestershire , by members of the Masonic Crait on his appointment as Sheriff of Gloucester , his native city , Anno Domini 1 SS 3 . ' 'I he shield above the badge is now supplemented by the following inscription : ' Pre . ented by Henry Jeffs , City Shenff , to the Corporation of Gloucester , in trust for future Sheriffs to wear . November 9 th , 1 SS 3 . ' " Your official recognition of thegift under the seal of the

Corporation will be a keepsake for my family . _ " I hanking most sincerely the members of the Corporation for the courtesy and kindness extended to me during my year of office , and , wishing every prosperity to the city , —I beg to remain , gentlemen , your faithful servant , " HENRY J EFFS . " P . S . —The blank shields on the chain are designed for the monograms or crests of future Sheriffs . "

The following reply has been received by Bro . Jeffs : "At a Ouaiterly Meeting of the Town Council of the city of Gloucester , held at the 'Town Hall , in the said city , on Friday , the gth day of November , 1 SS 3 . Kedgwin Hoskins Fryer , Esquire ( Alderman ) , Mayor , in the chair . It was moved by Alderman Jones , seconded by Mr . Fitzgerald , and resolved unanimously : 'That the gold chain recently presented to Mr . Henry Jeffs , as High Sheriff of

this city , and now offered by him to this Council , be accepted and held by the Corporation as a chain of office , to be worn by the High Sheriff for the time being of this city and that the best thanks of the Council be given to Mr ! Jeffs for presenting the chain to the Corporation , and also to the Freemasons who originally subscribed for the chain and presented it to Mr . Jeffs . That a copy of the foregoing resolution be sealed with the Common Seal and forwarded to Mr . Jeffs . ' ( Signed ) " K , H . FRYER , Mayor , "