Opening Of A Masonic Hall At Sutton.

Ward , Auditor ; C . A . Hardwick and Tom Cookes , Secretaries ; Bros . Salter Whiter , Duncan Stewart , Johnson , Gibson , Porter , the Rev . Turner , P . P . G . Chap ., Tom Hill , Baker , and W . W . Lee ; and Messrs . Boniface and Stubington . The dinner was wall served , and left nothing to be desired , and a few toasts were subsequently given . The CHAIRMAN briefly referred to the long-felt want for a suitable place of meeting , the only solution of which appeared to be that the lodges of the district

should associate together and build themselves a home . About two years ago a meeting was held at the residence of the Vice-Chairman , when a Committee was formed . At that time the hall was intended to be expressly and entirely for the purposes of Freemasonry . A company was formed , still with the sitne idea , and it grew from a small thing to what he might now describe as a very large and

important one . Many difficulties had been gone through , and it had not been accomplished without opposition . He had now to declare the hall open , not -done for the purposes of Freemasonry , but for public entertainments also . The building had been finished in the great and glorious year of her Majesty ' s Diamond Jubilee , and he would , therefore , propose the first toast of "The Queen and Freemasonry . "

Bro . Rev . TURNER , P . P . G . Chap ., Rector of Sutton , said the present gathering was not strictly Masonic , but yet from another point of view it was most strictly Masonic in the fraternal good feeling and unity which prevailed . There was no formal list of toasts , but all would feel disappointed if they did not drink " The Health of the Directors " of this Masonic Hall . He had been connected with

the Lome Lodge for a considerable number of years and happy as were his reminiscences , he had long felt , and especially during the last two years , that if they were to carry out the ceremonies of the Craft , with the dignity and exactness desired , it was absolutely necessary to have some more convenient meeting place . He hoped those who were not Masons , his fellow citizens and neighbours , would also feel proud of the hall , not only as a building which was ornamental to town and country , but as providing facilities for holding certain social gatherings

far greater than they had experienced hitherto . Some of them had not been behind the scenes , but as men of business and experience they knew that no institution could be brought about without a great deal of labour , care , and trouble . They all heartily thanked the directors for their services , and would join in the hope that the gratification which the result would afford to Masons , and their neighbours would more than amply repay them for the arduous work . He asked them to drink to the health of the directors , coupled with the name of Bro . W . Pile , Chairman .

Bro . W . PILE , P . P . G . Treas ., in returning thanks , said that what they had done had been partly for the good of Freemasonry in their particular district . As directors they were proud to see accomplished what was so near and dear to their hearts . So far they had been successful , and he was confident that very great success would attend their efforts , and that in five years those who had invested their money would be receiving a dividend equal to io per cent . Bro . C . E . STRIBLING , Vice-Chairman , in response to calls , also replied , and said that what had been done , had been in the true spirit of Masonry .

Bro . C . A . HARDWICKE proposed " The Architect , " and other toasts were given before the pleasant proceedings terminated . The few remaining shares were subscribed for in the room , and the first Masonic function which will be held in the new hall will be the installation meeting of the Lome Lodge on the 9 th instant , when Bro . the Earl of Onslow , Provincial Grand Master , has promised to attend , and a large gathering is expected .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The following letters , which were read at the meeting of the Council ot this Institution on Friday , the 24 th ult ., cannot fail to prove interesting to all wellwishers of our Boys' School . " Surveyors Office , Smelhwick , "January 16 th , 1897 . " The Right Hon . Lord Leigh , " My Lord ,

" I respectfully beg to inform you that I have been appointed ' Surveyor ' to the above Council . I have taken the liberty of troubling you with a letter feeling sure that you would be pleased to hear of the success of an old Masonic boy . " Smethwick has a population of about 42 , 000 and is an improving town so that I venture to feel proud of my positior , seeing that I am not yet 28 years old . "After being seven years ' Assistant Surveyor' to the town the Council gave the chief appointment to me without offering it for competition .

I do not attribute my progress to myself but to the excellent education received at the Masonic School , which would certainly never have fallen to my lot had it not been for the very great kindness of your lordship which is ever before me . " Allow me to be , my lord , with every respect , your obedient servant , ( Signed ) " CHAS . J . Fox AI . LIN . "

" 156 Wilderspool-road , " Warrington , .. » T u ru "AU £ ' , 4 ' ' ' " Mr . Hebb , " Dear Sir ,

" No doubt you will be surprised to hear that I have received an offer of a situation under the Cheshire Lines Committee , in the Cashier ' s office . The duties are—shorthand correspondence , general office work , cash account , and payment of wage ? . The latter mentioned is an exceedingly trustworthy and responsible one . When 1 have got accustomed to the lines I shall have to travel up and down with the men ' s money . I shall have a first . class pass for the whole line , for private as well as official use . " The office is up at the head offices in the Central Station , Liverpool .

The hours are from 9 a . m . to 5 p . m . and I p . m . on Saturdays ; I shall start with ^ 20 a year ( and pass ) rising at the rate of . £ 10 a year . Of course , it is not the actual money I am getting , but the splendid opening and prospect of promotion and advancement to the higher offices ( another of my duties will be land

surveying ) . Such a position can no doubt only be gained by a certain amount of influence , and that influence I can ascribe to Councillors ] . Smethurst , J . P ., and Robert Heaton , two local Masons , who have always manifested an interest in me . Mr . Heaton knew Mr . Clegg Thomas , Secretary C . L . C ., so hearing of the vacancy , he introduced me and pressed a claim on my behalf .

Mr . Thomas , being pleased with my appearance , looked . favourably upon my application , but before I could obtain the berth I had to pass an examination in Arithmetic , Grammar , Geography , Spelling , Shorthand , Composition , and Dictation .

This examination , though it could not be called hard , was really so to me , for not only was I taken quite unawares , but I was in a nervous and excited state of mind . However , 1 passed the examination , according to Mr . Thomas , very

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

creditably , getting V . G . in Arithmetic and G . in Shorthand . Now comes the most important point . The very fact that I knew some Shorthand got tne the place . " It was worth more than Arithmetic to me . I had also to write an essay on Railways , and some letters of application , all of which were commended . You will be surprised to hear that this all took place in one day . " I heard that I had been recommended at 9 a . m . yesterday .

"At 11 a . m . I was in Liverpool seeing Mr . Thomas . I took the examination then and there , and was accepted in the afternoon . As there were no less than 50 applicants for the post , everything had to be decided quickly , otherwise I should have written to ask your advice on the subject . My mother and all my friends strongly advised me to accept it at once , for if I did not I should lose it , so I went

to Liverpool this morning for that purpose . I sincerely hope that you will afre ; with what I have done , and that you will understand how the matter stood . Having accepted the post , I cannot , of course , return on Wednesday . My connection with the School will now be entirely severed , but not without many deep pangs of remorse and feelings of regret .

I begin work on Monday , and , as the clothes in which I left are now getting shabby , I should be glad if you could grant me my new suit , or their value in money . I should be ready to pay carriage should they be sent to me . "And noiv , by way of closing , I beg to thank Mr . McLeod and the governing body of the School , in my mother ' s name and for my own part , for the kindness and generosity which they have evinced to me as one of the boys , and also you , dear Sir , for the consideration and interest with which you have always treated me .

At the same time , I beg to apologise for closing with an offer without con suiting you . Hoping that you will look favourably upon my choice , " I beg to remain , " Yours respectfully , ( Signed ) " A . E . PERKINS . " " Rev . H . A . Hebb , M . A . "

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

D'Ogle Lodge , No . 636 . On Thursday last , the 30 th ult ., the annual meeting of the above lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Morpeth . A large number of visiting brethren were present , including Bros . John Grey , P . M ., P . P . A . G . P ., I . P . M ., J . T . Melrose , P . M ., T . Brown , I . G ., and F . Moscrop , of 1 S 71 J ; A . H . Henderson , W . M ., and E . S . Gibson , Sec , of 11 G 7 ; G . R . Turner , W . M ., and G . Goldsmith , of 1902 . The installation of Bro . John T . Duncan , S . W ., W . M . elect , was held , the duty of Installing Master being performed in an impressive mamer by the retiring W . M ., Bro . W . Airth ; the

charges being given by Bro . T . Appleby , P . M ., P . G . P . Bro . Duncan having- been declared , he invested his officers as follows : Bros . R . R . Ferguson , S . W . ; W . F . Skrimshire , J . W . ; J . Turnbull , P . M ., Chap . ; R . Crawford , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; H . Mears , Sec .: W . Burn , S . D . ; W . Noble , J . D . ; J . T . Proctor , Org . ; J . R . Turner , P . M ., D . C . ; G . Kay , I . G . j G . Brown and J . Armstrong , Stwds . ; T . Dick , Tyler , and J . Wormald . Almoner . Bro . Turner , P . M ., announced tint he

had received a communication from Bro . James Arkle statin ? his willingness to hand over to the lodge the W . Ms , chair that was used before the lodge had a fixed place of meeting . On the motion of Bro . A . M , Loades , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., seconded by Bro . Turner , P . M ., the gift was accepted , and the Secretary instructed to write and thank Bro . _ Arkle for his kind present . "Hearty good wishes" were tendered by various visiting brethren .

The annual banquet was afterwards held at the Earl Grey Hotel , Bro . Duncan , the W . M . presiding , The lodge room has recently undergone renovations , having been thoroughly ventilated , decorated , and new lavatories put in , things are looking exceedingly bright and prosperous .

Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 207 j 6 . The above lodge met at Freemasons' Hall on Friday , the 1 st inst . Present : Bros . C . Kupferschmidt , A . G . S . G . C , W . M . ; Sydney T . Klein , J . W . ; G . W . Speth , P . A . G . D . C , Sec ; T . B . Whytehead , P . G . S . B ., S . D . ; E . Conder . iun ., J . D . ; R . F . Gould , P . G . D . ; W . Wynn Westcott , W . M . Bywater , P . G . S . B . ; Rev . J . W . Horsley , and G . L . Shackles ; also the following members of the Correspondence Circle : Bros . C . O . Uhlie , I . F . Henley , Dr . T . Charters White . E . C . Stimson . 1 . H .

Retallack-Moloney , J . Joel , R . Palmer Thomas , W . W . Mangles , W . S . Boteler . Col . J . Mead , W . F . Stuttatord , E . G . Austen , Leonard Boor , P . D . G . M . New Zealand ; W . Thorne , R . A . B . Preston , H . Gervis , J . J . Thomas , P . G . Std . Br . ; C . H . Barnes , W . H . Colman , J . J . Davies , F . E . Hamel , F . W . Levander , R . Manuel , J . H . Milton , G . P . G . Hills , ] . F . Ferguson , W . J . Armitage , T . L . Miller , J . T . Sweet , Rev . E . S . Shelton , A . J . Cannon , O . Heinemann , C . C . Hokanson , A . Digby Green , R . S . Ellis , Pitt Becker , Col . C . H . T . Marshall , P . G . Edwards , J . Moysey , E . Glaeser . W . T

Nicholes , W . E . Thornton , G . S . Collins , J . L . Bennett , ] . W . Aplin , A . Cohu , J . Goldstein , T . C . Edmonds , H . E . Mullins , W . Brings , H . P . Hay , J . W . Barnes , T . Cohu , J . C . Stanley , R . A . Gowan , Capt . G . B . Preston , F . F . Giraud . C . B . Barnes , C . H . Bestow , Rev . C . E . Wright , F . W . Mitchell , J . C . Pncock , J . P . Leith , P . G . D . ; Dr . F . J . Allan , F . J . Rebman , L . Danielsson , G . Pidduck , G . Martin , and W . H . Toye . Visitors : Bros . Capt . A . S . Palmer ( of Hong Kong ); G . R . Baker , H . F . Talbot ( of Chicago ) , T . Charlesworth , A . Larren , W . M . Taylor , E . Hollandt , I . M . Rohlehr . and A . W . Izard .

Bro . G . L . Schackles was presented to and welcomed by the W . M . on joining' the lodge . A ballot was taken for Bro . Hamon le Strange , P . G . D ., Dep . Pro . G . VI . Norfolk , as a joining member , and he was unanimously elected . Three lodges and 4 < 5 brethren , as follows , were elected to the membership of the Correspondence Circle , viz .: Lodge Wahab or Benevolent , No . 9 SS , Sailkote , Punjab ; Bournemouth Lodge of Instruction ; and Leinster Lodge , No . 44 , Wellington , New Zealand . Bros . L . Phillies , P . M . 63 , Ballarat , Victoria , J . L . Beeston , Newcastle , New South Wales , C . W .

Sutcliffe , Thargomindale , O . Blakey , 1978 , Heberton , A . Knoble , 1554 , Tcvnsville , and G . H . T . Jones , W . M . 8 j 6 , ( S . C . ) , Nambour , all in Queeensland ; O . C . H . Oehley , 1581 , Somerset East , Cape Colony ; W . H . Bennett , 956 , Pietermaritzourg , Natal ; C . L . Edwards , 617 , Beunos Ayres ; G . B . Murphy , Dep . G . M . of Manitoba , Moosomin ; W . E . Sheffield , 29 S , Benton Harbour , Michigan ; W . F . Bowe , 16 G , Augusta , Georgia ; H . S . Cowins , 3 , Bound Brook , New Jersey j A . F . Noble , 163 , St . Paul , Minnesota ; G . W . Atwell , jun ., P . M . 45 , Lima , New York ; V . Lehmann , Christiania , Norway ; T . Lindsay , 353 ; J . Roby , 2042 ; II . W . Casperd , P M . 166 S :

Surg .-Ma ) . Battersby ; J . E . W . Headlam , Cap . R . A ., 1789 ; R : v . H . L . Watts , 257 ; C . J . C . Long , W . M . 342 ; S . Davies , P . M . 190 S ; C . Isler , 1471 ; J . II . Meredith , P . M . 624 ; C . B . Chapman , P . M . 27 ; J . G . Wills ; J . N . Stephens , ' P . M . 171 S ; E . Williams , C 33 ; G . M . Doe , W . M . 1 SS 5 ; J . Gilbert , 510 j R . G . Young , 2416 ; T . Bishop , 1366 ; W . Briggs , 13 GG ; D . C . Wright , 357 ; M . D . Bell , Lieut . R . E ., 415 ; J . Mason , P . G . Std . Br . ; W . H . Bamlett , 1 S 3 ; L . j . de Whalley , 1275 ; Maj .-Gen . A . Terry , P . M . S 3 J ; A . R . Trew ; H . E . Mullins , 211 ; C . Blunewitz , 1627 j CO . Uhlig , 1969 ; and H . Poate , S 2 .

Bro . Sydney T . Klein , F . R . A . S ., was elected W . M . ; Bro . Sir Walter Besant , Treas . ; and Bro . W . Freeman , Tyler , for the ensuing 12 months . Bro . G . L , Shackles then delivered a most interesting lecture on " Masonic Numismatics . " After a general introduction referring to the bibliography of the subject and the descriptions of the most celebrated collections of Masonic medals known , his own being probably the largest and bestof all , the lecturer proceeded to describeabout 100 of the most remarkable medals of the

Fraternity , each being thrown on the screen by a powerful oxy-hydro-Iantern from slides photographed and prepared by llro . Shackles himself . The lecturer kept the attention of his large and appreciative audience fully engaged Tor over an hour , and at the exclusion a vote ot thanks was moved by Bro . Gould , P . G . D ., seconded by the J . W ., and . carried by acclamation . The brethren subsequently dined at the Holborn Restaurant .