New Year's ' Entertainment To The Annuitants At Croydon.

having Freemasons'Tavern for holding the Festival ; and casting their eyes about for a suitable place there were to be found but two in London- —one the Albert Hall , the other Covent Garden Theatre , which belongs to Bro . Sir Augustus Harris , P . G . Treas . Which of the two would be chosen by the Committee he could not say , but whichever it was , he hoped it would be for the

benefit of the Institution . As Dr . Strong had informed them , he ( Bro . Terry ) was the night before at Dudley , and when he told the brethren there that . £ 16 , 000 was annually required to pay the annuitants who were on the books of this Institution , that there vvere at present on the list of candidates for election next year 150 persons , and only 27 vacancies for the annuity , they

could see at once there was a very strong ground for him to appeal for support for the Institution . He need scarcely say he did extract a pound or two from the brethren before he came away . Sir Edmund Lechmere , the Provincial Grand Alaster , sent a wire from Stourport , saying he would give 15 guineas , and Bro . Godson , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , not to

be outdone , said he would g ive 15 guineas . Well , they raised . £ 170 in the room . Therefore , he thought that the circumstances of the Secretaries of the Institutions goingout was recognised at Dudley on Tuesday night . For the fourth time in the lives of the three present Secretaries of the Masonic Institutions , those three Secretaries had met together out at agreat Masonic gathering .

It was a-good thing tor them to go out , they made themselves known . To say that , for a modest man , was something . The Secretaries had a great deal of correspondence with brethren in the country , and in the course of that correspondence occasionally it was difficult to understand a brother . Perhaps a brother by his correspondence might appear to be crusty , and one

felt inclined to resent his tone . But when you got introduced to the brother and came to know him , he probably turned out to be one of the best fellows living , and you and he were the firmest friends ever after . To go to another subject in connection with the Benevolent Institution he would not like to pass by . He would not like to sit down without mentioning the name of Miss

Norris , the worthy Alatron . A great deal rested on the shoulders of Miss Norris , and the brethren and ladies had only to look round to see how well everything was managed , that all was done in a spirit of love , and there was no word of command given . Thc Institution was blessed first of all wilh a modest Secretary , and secondly with a good Matron . If there could be

anything done to evince their regard and esteem for that lady in the Jubilee year , it would be by a large subscription . They might take it from him it would be llattering to her . A little later in the day he would say something financially , but he might now inform the company that Dr . Strong was retiring from the active medical supervision of the Institution , though

not from his hearty co-operation in its affairs . Year by year , and again this year , they had his genial presence among them , and Mrs . Strong and her two daughters were generally there as well . This year , however , they were not . One of those daughters was married on Tuesday , and she could not be expected to be there . He was sure that everyone present would

desire to tender to the happy pair their sincere congratulations , and wish them every blessing they could wish for themselves . To revert to the Institution , he hoped if there was anyone in that assembly who had not yet parted with a £ 5 note that he intended to give to this Institution , he would hand it now to him . Dr . STRONG acknowledged for Miss Norris the kind remarks made by Bro . Terry with respect to her , and

said she ruled not with a rod of iron . With regard to what Bro . Terry had said of him , he was entering on his 32 nd year oi tfficc in the service of the Institution . He had been in practice since 1 S 54 . He did not , however , relinquish his connection with Croydon , for although he had a marine residence , he continued to have a residence in Croydon , and would be there once a week .

The dinner party then rose , and the ladies paid visits to the residents , and-afterwards partook of tea . The brethren who had attended to the serving of the dinner subsequently dined together , Bro . C . K . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br ., presiding . Bro . TERRY , in replying to the toast of " Success to the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution , " proposed

by the Chairman , said Bro . Hogard had informed the brethren that he ( Bro . Terry ) perhaps had some interesting statistics to give . Well , just as to the history of the past year , so far as regarded the finances of the Institution , the brethren were aware the Institution had a very heavy fight against the recent Festival of the Boys' School , which had the great honour of receiving

nearly , £ 30 , 000 . When the Benevolent Institution came to total up its amount at the end of the year , the announcement at the Festival being over , £ 15 . , there was only the difference between the amount announced ; is received for the Boys' School , . £ 27 , 000 , and lhe total , , £ 2 . 2 , 000 , of the Old People , of only £ 5000 when the year oi both of them terminated . That

was a great result to achieve in the face of such a grand success as the Hoys' School had . In the future the Benevolent Institution could only make a guess ; it was impossible to say what the amount might be ; but with the 919 Stewards at , £ 40 a piece a total of . £ 37 , 000 would be got . But when it was known that

ladies were working as well as brethren , antl that tVe provinces were working most energetic illy , he hoped the average total of £ 40 per list would be considerabl y exceeded . If tha * should be the case the total announcement would be very much increased . The average list of the Benevolent Institution taken the last 10 or 11

New Year's ' Entertainment To The Annuitants At Croydon.

years had always been in excess of that of the Boys' or the Girls' School . It had sometimes got up to from i . 50 to £ 52 per list ; the Boys' and Girls' had been £ 40 , and averaged from . £ 3 2 to £ 36 . Therefore in this comii g year great efforts being made , and additional voting privileges being given , people and lodges would increase their subscriptions , and he was sanguine enough

to hope that £ 36 , 000 or £ 40 , 000 would be below the mark . The Chairman had said he saw no one round the table who was not a Steward ; but casting them up he found 12 were Stewards , which was a large proportion . There were others who had been Stewards last year , and it could not be expected that they would take that burden on

themselves this year . One took up over £ 200 last year , and he could not be expected to be a Steward this year . Dr . Strong was one , and brethren right and left of him were also . The Festival he hoped would be a success . Its President was the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , the new Deputy Grand Master . Seven Stewards would come up from Cornwall , Lord

Mount Edgcumbe s province , and every lodge in the province would send a Steward . Devonshire , which was intimately connected with Cornwall , would also come forward and support his lordship . The place in which to hold the Festival had not yet been fixed upon by the Committee . The Crystal Palace and Brighton were out of the question , and the Committee

had to choose within a four-mile radius of London . The Albert Hall and Covent Garden Theatre were the two to select from , as Her Majesty ' s Theatre , not having been used for a long time , would require toe much money to be spent on it . But in the event of Covent Garden Theatre being selected it was to his mind best adapted , as it was now arranged

for fancy balls ; 1350 people could dine on the floor of the house , and then there was the mag . nificent crush room , and the whole house would be at their disposal . Very advantageous terms had been kindly offered by Sir Augustus Harris for a three days ' occupation . In case of that house being decided on , he ventured to say the scene would be one that

Freemasons had never seen the like of . Reference had been made to his services , and to the tact that on Tuesday he was on the other side of Birmingham , and on Thursday would be at Northampton . He could assure the brethren that nothing except in the way of health would stand in the way of his doing all he could for the Institution ; but , just in passing , permit him to

say , as almost the only graceful acknowledgment he could make to the services of his coadjutors , Bro . Alason and Bro . Stevens had been doing their best—Bro . Alason in Birmingham , where he was well known , and Bro . Stevens in London , where he was well known ,

night after night getting Stewards . They were very successful , and as Secretary he thought it but right to give praise where praise was due . The Benevolent Institution stood in a different position to the Boys' School and the Girls' School offices , in which there was no man who was a Mason but the Secretaries . The Rene .

volent Institution was in the position of having so to speak three Secretaries , each at a different place at the same time . He had he thought nothing further to say than to express the earnest hope that this time next year all the brethren present might congratulte themselves on the good health of the residents of the Institution . Bro . Terry then made special allusion to

the services of Dr . Strong in looking alter the residents , and to the cheerful entertainment which was given to the old people , which reminded them of days when they were able to provide comforts for themselves . Bros . MASON , STEVENS , Dr . STRONG , and HOGARD replied to speeches made in compliment to them ; Bro . Dr . Wayle promised 10 guineas , and Bro . Anning

another 10 guineas ; and the party adjourned for a short time to tea , while the room was being prepared for the evening entertainment . In the evening a musical programme was performed under Bro . George Smith by Miss Amy Sargent , Miss Lilian Close , and Bros . VV . H . Wheeler and W . Syckelmore .

Annual Festival Of The Langton Lodge Of Instruction.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE LANGTON LODGE OF INSTRUCTION .

The annual festival of this nourishing lodge ol instruction was held on Thursday , December 17 th , at the White Hart , Abchurch-lane , Cannon-street , E . C , Bro . J . D . Langton , P . M . 16 73 and 2096 , P . P . G . W .

Surrey , in the chair , supported by the following brethren : Bros . James S . Fraser , P . P . G . D . Surrey , Treas . ; C . VV . Mapleton , VV . M . 256 , Hon . Sec . H . AL Hobbs , P . AL 2096 , P . P . G . W . Surrey , and Geo . F . Marshall , P . M . 69 , Preceptors ; W . T . Grant . F . Knight , Hugh E . Diamond , W . AL 1 704 ; Henry Ough , S . W .

16 73 ; E . M . Morriss , P . AL 1965 ; J . A . Williams , A . Smith , S . W . and W . AL elect 1 704 ; F . G . hey , J . White , jun ., S . Lea Smith , VV . E . Soltau , and Gordon Smith , P . M . 14 , 20 4 , W . M . 2243 , P . G . S ., Hon . Sec . Second Langton Alasonic Benevolent Association . Honorary members : Bros . G . Anderson , P . AL , P . G . S .,

and R . Clay Sudlow , P . G . S . B . Visitor : Bros . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg . The preliminary business ronsisted of the annual audit of the accounts of the Benevolent Association attached to the lodge of instruction , which was quite satisfactory . A ballot for a

Life-Governorship was drawn in favour of Bro . C . W . Mapleton . Shortly after seven o ' clock the brethren sat down to dinner , and that important function having been performed to the satisfaction of everyone , the Chairman

Annual Festival Of The Langton Lodge Of Instruction.

proceeded with the list of toasts usually honoured on these occasions . After " The Queen and the Craft , " " The Grand Master , and the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was received with lively satisfaction , Bro . PHILBRICK responding in his well-known effective and kindly

manner . Bro . PHILBRICK next proposed "The Chairman , Bro . J . D . Langton , " which was drunk with the enthusiasm that widely-esteemed brother deserves . Bro .. J . D . LANGTON responded , and gave " Success to the Langton Lodge of Instruction , " coupling the toast with the names of Bros . H . M . H 011 BS and G . F .

MARSHALL the hard-working Preceptors , who returned thanks in fitting style . Bro . GORDON SMITH responded to the next toast , that of " The Second Langton Alasonic Benevolent Association , " remarking that over £ . 1500 had passed through his hands whilst Secretary of the present and the previous Associations .

" The Health of the Honorary Members" was especially well received , Bro . Sun LOW , in reply , laying stress on the fact that the lodge of instruction was the stepping-stone to the proud position he occupied in the Emulation Lodge , and thereby to the dignity of the purple ; and Bro . ANDERSON stating that during the winter season

he gave the room free on five nights a week to lodges and chapters of instruction , and esteemed it a great privilege thus to show his love of Masonry and his appreciation of the devotion of its workers . The toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary" was responded to by Bro . C . W . MAPLETON , who gave a

most gratifying account of the popularity of the lodge and the state of its funds , the latter being sufficient to make the lodge hold three shares in Benevolent Associations at the same time . Bro . W . GRANT replied to the toast of '' The Committee , " and the brethren separated at a late hour , a thoroughly pleasurable evening having been spent .

Masonic Treat To Poor People.

MASONIC TREAT TO POOR PEOPLE .

Following the precedent of 1890 , the officers and members of St . Kew Lodge entertained about 300 of the aged and deserving poor of the town to a capital meat tea and entertainment at the Victoria Hall on New Year ' s Eve . About £ 34 was subscribed by the brethren , and the catering ot Mr . E . G . Huntley could

not have been surpassed . The arrangements for the treat were undertaken by the following Committee , who discharged their duties very satisfactorily . Bros . R . J . Dart , S . Sellick , VV . E . Perrett , and W . H . Webb . Some choice plants for decorative purposes were kindly lent by Alessrs . W . Brooks and Son . At the conclusion of the tea , the following excellent

programme was submitted lor the delectation of the company : Musical sketch , Bro . Roberts ; comic song , Bro . R . J . Dart ; song , "Anchored , " Bro . W . C Thomas ; song ( in character ) , " Jim the carter , " Bro . S . Sellick ; song , " 1 was so volatile , " Bro . Kirkbride ; reading , "Nancy Bell , " Bro . Williams ; song , "Round goes the wheel , " Bro . Dart ; song , " The better land , "

Mrs . Alford ; recitation , Bro . Webb ; song , "Three jolly smiths , " Bro . Huntley ; musical sketch , Bro . Roberts ; song , '' The skipper , " Bro . Williams ; song , " Love ' s old sweet song , " Bro . Sellick ; pianoforte selection , Mr . C . T . Grintield , R . A . A 1 . The last-named and Mrs . VVebb accompanied . The whole of the items were thoroughly enjoyed by

those assembled , and themusicalsketches of Bro . Roberts were remarkably clever , and were productive of considerable merriment . The pleasure of the company was further enhanced by the distribution of the fragrant weed , in addition to alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages .

Bro . VV . E . PERRETT , sen ., proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies who had presided at the tables , and expressed a hope that they would all meet again on a similar occasion in 1892 . The pleasant gathering was brought to a close by the singing of " Auld lang syne" and the National Anthem .

Ireland.

Ireland .

ENNISKILLEN . Enniskillen Chapter ( No . 205 ) , —The regular quarterly communication of this chapter was held in the chapter rooms of the 1 own Hall , on Tuesday , the ist December . The chapter was opened , and . Bros . Crowe , Gibson , and Kidd being in attendance , were exalted to the R . A . Degree by Bro . O . Ternan . P . K ., P . G . S ., iS ° . Before closing the chapter , the following officers who had been elected on ist September for 1 X 02 , were confirmed as

uneler : Bros . John t-. uning , ALD ., King ; Wm . Ritchie , High Piiist ; joe L . Carson , Chief ScnPe ; John Vane , Capt . of Host ; George B . White , Sup . of 'Tab . ; Geoi ^ c Elliott , R . A . Captain ; B . Gamble , f . K ., Capt . Scarlet Veil ; VV . Teele , P . K ., Capt . Purple Veil ; Win . Purdon , P . K ., Capt . Blue Veil ; O . Ternan , P . K ., Chaplain ; VV . F . Jones , P . K ., Reg . and Treas . ; and C E . Irwin , P . K .. Janitor .

The Court of Aldermen held a special meeting on Neiv Year ' s Day for Vhe purpose of receiving the form *! announcement of the death of Sir Thomas Chambers , O . Ci the City Recorder , and , on the motion of Sir WiTnai " Lawrence , seconded by Bro . Sir J . Whittaker-EIIis , Bart . i ALP ., a resolution recognising the services of the deceased official , and expressing sympathy with thc members of hH family , was carried unanimously .