Christmas Entertainment At The Girls' School.

CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT AT THE GIRLS' SCHOOL .

The Christmas entertainment to those of the children of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls vvho did not go home for the holidays was given by the House Committee on Saturday last , at the Institution , St . John's Hill , Battersea Rise , when the Chairman of the House Committee for the month , Bro . J . H . Matthews ,

P . D . G . D . of C , presided . There vvere also present Bros . Frank Richardson , E . M . Money , H . W . Hunt , John Toone , E . Letchworth , Peter de Lande Long , G . W . Garrod , F . R . W . Hedges ( Secretary ) , H . Massey , and J . Stevens . Several ladies also attended , but the company was not large on account of the dreadful state

of the weather . The enjoyment , however , of the party was not interfered with b y this circumstance , for the House Committee exercised themselves to the utmost in making the whole entertainment thoroughly successful . They provided a beautiful tea at the arrival of

the visitors , over which Miss Buck , the energetic Matron , presided , and afterwards there was a capital marionette and shadow performance , vvhich had been procured from Whiteley , the " Universal Provider , " and dancing was kept up with considerable spirit in the intervals .

The children had their twelfth cake supper with bonbons , & c , and Bro Mathews entertained the visitors at a beautifully-selected supper . The hospitality , as is usual on these occasions , was unlimited , and the visitors and children spent a most pleasant evening . The visitors vvere shown all the improvements and

alterations in the buildings , including the beautiful new hall , vvhich is nearly ready for opening by the Prince of Wales . The visitors , a large majority of whom had known the Institution for some years , could not fail to experience the greater comfort and convenience vvhich

the larger rooms afforded . In the course of the evening a telegram vvas received by the Secretary from Bro . Edward Terry , P . G . Treas ., stating that he vvas " fogbound , " and unable to be present , but inviting the children to a matinee performance of " In Chancery , " on Thursday , the Sth instant .

New Year's Entertainment At The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

NEW YEAR'S ENTERTAINMENT AT THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The annual entertainment given to the residents in the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution at Croydon by some of Bro Terry ' s numerous kindly-hearted coworkers vvas held as usual on Wednesday , and many brethren and ladies , notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather , journeyed to the old Surrey town by

the South Eastern Railway 1 . 4 p . m . train . They were received on their arrival at the Institution by Bro . James Terry , who greeted each of them vvith "A Happy New Year . " Bro . Dr . Strong , Hon . Surgeon to the Institution , and Bro . J . G . Stevens , were also in the reception hall heartily joining in the same good wishes .

Among the visitors were the following ladies and gentlemen : Samuel Brooks , P . M . 1608 , Mayor of Reigate , and Miss Brooks , Mayoress ; Robert Griggs , J . A . Farnfield , Charles Frederick Hogard , Bro . and Mrs . T . Goode ; Miss Chevalier , MissBlanche Chevalier , Charles J . Perceval , Bro . A . Mullord , Master and Miss

K . Mullord ; George Mickley , T . Burne , John Aldis and Miss Aldis ; Bro . George K . Pugh and Mrs . Pugh ; Henry Magee and Miss Magee ; William H . Making and Mrs . W . P . Clark ; Henry Esling , 1 3 , and Mrs . Esling ; G . Ward Verry , Mrs . and Miss Verry ; Hugh Cotter , P . M . 554 ; H . W . Massey , 160 ; H . Massey ,

160 , P . M . 609 and 1928 ; M . Raiker , L . Raiker , Jessie E . Terry , Kate Terry , Annie Cotter , Harriet Cotter , E . James Anning , W . H . Hubbert , C . H . Cary , Chas . Lacey , J . Wayte , T . Hastings Miller , John J . Berry , C . Kempton , Mrs . and Miss Kempton ; A . Cook , Mrs . ferry , F . R . W . Hedges , Sec . R . M . I . G . ; C . F . Newton ,

Fanny A . Newton , A'ida Crutch , Clara E . Clark , Mr . F . R . Colee ( Life Governor ) ; J . Newton , Vice-Patron ; A . J . Berry , P . M . 16 95 ; and W . B . Inder . Many of the visitors brought Christinas presents for the old people , including tobacco for the old brethren , and tea for the widowsand a novelty was introduced

, this year by Bro . Frank Rothschild , vvho sent handsome briar root pipes for the male annuitants . Dinner was served soon after two o ' clock , and it consisted of the customary supply of the finest turkeys , sirloins of beef , fowls , plum puddings , and mince pies , we visiting brethren serving the annuitants . Bro . Dr .

Strong presided , vice-chairs being taken b y Bros . Terry , harnfield , Perceval , and others , and at the ' conclusion of the meal , which appeared to be thoroughly enjoyed , the three toasts of "The Queen / '" The Founders of the reast , " and " The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , " were proposed b y Dr . Strong .

Bro . Dr . STRONG , in giving the second toast , said he n ^ ght tell those who were present for the first time that this annual entertainment was provided by voluntary contributions , and was in no way supplied out of the funds of the Institution . The aonors were pretty nearly the same every year , "a it was one of the most pleasing parts of the entertainment

that the same ladies and brethren met each ther _ in that room year by year . On the present ccasion he would associate with the toast the names ot two brethren vvho vvere exceedingly well known to nem—one , perhaps , not so much as the other , but he tV , ^ * n Masonr y . and was now occupying ne distinguished position of Mayor of Reigate , Bro . crooks . The other brother was Bro . Mullord .

New Year's Entertainment At The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

After the toast had been honoured , Bro . BROOKS replied , and said that he and those associated with him endeavoured to do all they could for the good of those dear old people who had fought the battle of life , and vvho , if they had not reaped the success they had hoped to achieve , atany rate assembling

there that day proved that they had earned the love , esteem , and respect of everyone with whom they had come in contact . At the opening of this New Year nothing could be more gratify ing than to come to this Institution and see those old friends assembled around the social board enjoying themselves . The

visitors had been there on other occasions , and they hoped to see their dear old friends and each other again and again , and to congratulate them and wish them "A Happy New Year . " Bro . MULLOKD said it was very kind to couple his name with the toast . He might say it had delighted

him to do all he could for the old folks . He and others considered it very much like getting a hot water bottle for themselves ; they might have to come to the Institution themselves some day , and if they did they certainly should not regret anything they had done to help the old folks . Anything they could do for them

in the future he could assure them they would do , as they had done in the past . Bro . Dr . STRONG then proposed " Success to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , " and said if he vvere to dilate on the merits of the Institution and on its working he might be accused by Bro . Terry of taking the words out of his

mouth and depriving him of the power of making a speech . He ( Bro . Dr . Strong ) thought that would be a difficult thing to do , for Bro . Terry would be sure to find something else to say on behalf of the Institution . All vvho vvere present wished success to it . They were pleased to know that even now , notwithstanding all the financial troubles of the past year , the Masonic Benevolent Institution stood at the head

ot the list of the three Institutions . He said it stood at the head of the list for good reason . The Girls ' School had by a small amount the largest sum , but that was because it had sold a small piece of land . The Benevolent Institution had not sold any of its land , and the amount it had received was in donations and

subscriptions . Bro . J AMES TERRY , responding to the toast , said the Chairman had remarked that this Institution was at the head ot the list for the last year . The Girls ' School really vvas ahead b y . £ 300 , it having received altogether , £ 21 , 700 , and the Benevolent Institution

. £ 21 , 400 . In that respect it was for the second time in 11 years in the second position among the three Institutions . But taking subscriptions and donations , the Benevolent had received the highest amountover . £ 15 , 000 ; the Girls' School over . £ 13 , 000 ; and the Boys' School over . £ 11 , 000 . Therefore , the Benevolent

stood No . 1 , although it was beaten in the grand total through the sale of a strip of land , at an enormous price , vvhich the Girls' School had had the good fortune to receive . He must , however , say that the Benevolent Institution had received . £ 1500 , part of a legacy left to it , and he believed that before two months had

elapsed it would receive the balance . The Institution was doing very well as far as regarded its list of Stewards for next Festival ; the number was 30 or 35 in advance of the number at this time last year , when it had no province behind its back , having only obtained the sanction of the then Lord Mayor of

London to say he would preside that year . He had , however , the advantage of a very bi g and wealth y province to support him—the Province of Kent—whose Grand Master , the Earl Amherst , vvas going to preside on the 25 th February next , and he had no doubt that the amount vvhich would be then raised would be equal

to any of the announcements made in the last five years . The brethren who were acting as Stewards vvere exerting themselves ri ght well . One brother , vvho was present , had already a list of . £ 160 or . £ 170 , and there were several Stewards who said they would make up lists larger than that . Therefore , though

they might not exceed the number of Stewards , he thought the total the Stewards might bring would be quite as large , if not larger than before . With regard to the candidates for the next election , the Institution had now closed its lists , and despite the alterations vvhich had been made , which had restricted the number

of persons eligible for the benefits of the Institution , there vvere still 156 on the list . What the total number of vacancies would be it was impossible to say until the time for election arrived , but at the present time there was something like 25 or 26 , and 156 were seeking to have the advantages of the Institution .

At this point of Bro . Terry ' s speech one of the annuitants was taken very ill , and had to be carried out of the room , and the proceedings at the social board were brought to a close , Bro . Terry stating after a short interval that he was pleased to inform the brethren and kdies . that the annuitant referred to was

according to the doctor ' s statement , very much better , and that any further remarks he had to make vvith regard to the Institution he would make at another part of the day . The old people afterwards enjoyed a musical entertainment , under the management of Bros . A . Mullord .

P . M ., and I ' . Goode , P . M ., with Miss Blanch Chevalier as pianist , the performers being the Unity Vocal Quartette , Bro . Millward , Mr . Albert Gorsuch , Bro . Inder , Miss B . PohJer , Mr . E . Poh . er , Mr . W . H . Wheeler , the Misses Chevalier , Bro . Walter Syckelmoore , Bro . Arthur Reynolds , Mrs . Arthur Reynolds , Miss C . Mullord , Bro . Pocklington , and Mr . F . Lines .

Masonic Entertainment To Aged Poor.

MASONIC ENTERTAINMENT TO AGED POOR .

The success that has attended previous efforts in this direction , and the general satisfaction that has been expressed by the venerable recipients of the bounty , induced the members of St . Kew Lodge , No . 1222 , to repeat the experiment , and the last day of the old year was selected as a suitable date for the

gathering , which took place at the Victoria Hall , Weston-super-Mare . The arrangements were delegated to a Committee , with Bro . G . H . Perrett as Honorary Secretary , whilst Bro . S . Sellick rendered efficient aid in arranging the musical portion of the programme . In response to the Committee's appeal ,

about _ £ 3 S vvas subscribed by the brethren , and this enabled the promoters to invite nearly 300 local patriarchs to a most seasonable entertainment . The weather on Wednesday , December 31 st , was most inclement for the old folk to venture out , but bearing in mind the enjoyment of previous similar gatherings

they appear to have resolved to make atmospheric drawbacks of second consideration , and upwards of 250 persons—a very large proportion of whom were verging on , whilst many had exceeded , the allotted span of three-score years and ten—lent their presence . The apartment had been decorated with much taste

for the occasion , and around the platform was a display of choice plants from Brooks' Whitecross Nurseries . Half-past six o ' clock was the hour announced for the tea and prompt to time every seat was filled . Grace having been said , the "attack" commenced , and however great the slaughter , the " reserves" of Bro .

E . G . Huntley were equal to the occasion , and when all had been satisfied , there still remained sufficient to have deprived a second , if smaller , army of the keenness of their appetites . The duties of the tea tables , for the most part , vvere discharged by the wives of the brethren , and included Mesdames W . E . Perrett , sen .,

G . E . Alford , W . H . Glass , T . Sellick , G . Glossop , W . B . Frampton , E . E . Baker , W . H . Webber , E . G . Lalonde , J . P . Curtis , H . Butt , J . Gregory , W . E . Perrett , jun ., G . H . Perrett , R . W . Gibbs , Grey , Webb , F . Hauser , T . Cox , F . Blackmore , Misses Forty , Dart , Glass , and Leach .

Each lady on entering the room was presented with a pretty decoration , consisting of a silver Masonic device in the centre of a blue rosette , with gold tassel . The brethren of the lodge officiated as waiters , and discharged their duties in a manner that many of the professionals may well take example by .

Those who so gave their services included the W . M . of the lodge ( Bro . W . E . Perrett , sen . ) , Bros . G . E . Alford , J . P . Capell , W . H . Glass , S . Sellick , G . Glossop , W . B . Frampton , S . E . Baker , Barker , Shanks , H . Grey , T . Cogle ,. F . Hauser , H . B . ffarington , E . E . Baker , E . C . Norton , E . G . Lalonde ,

H . Butt , Cooper , W . M . Forty , W . C . Thomas , R . J . Dart , W . H . Webb , T . Cox , S . E . Harvey , F . Blackmore , J . James , W . H . Wooler , and G . H . Perrett . The whole of the above , under a dispensation from the Prov . Grand Lodge , wore the jewels of their respective offices and Degrees , and a prettier sig ht it is difficult to

imagine than was presented by this combined display . The repast over , preparations were made for the entertainment that was to follow . Many hands made light work , and in less than a quarter of an hour after the wants of the " latest arrivals " had , been attended to , the W . M ., in a few appropriate words , extended , in the

name of St . Kew Lodge , a hearty welcome to all present , immediately after which the National Anthem vvas heartily sung , the solo being sustained by Mrs . Alford . Sones were then contributed by Bros . R . J . Dart , W . C . Thomas , S . Sellick , and Mrs . Alford , whilst recitations were given by Bros . W . H . Glass

( the W . M . elect ) and E . C . Norton . Then followed some extraordinary feats of legerdemain by Professor Redmond , in which he satisfactorily convinced his audience that the hand is quicker than the eye . The Professor subsequently gave an half-hour ' s ventriloquial entertainment , the old folks being highly

amused with the antics of "Naughty Joey" and " Good Little Tommy . " Miss Leach accompanied Mrs . Alford in her song , and Mr . C . T . Grinfield was the general accompanist . During the evening 18 gallons of beer were distributed among those who vvere not strictly pledged to total abstinence , whilst for those

who belong to the temperance section of society g inger beer and lemonade were provided in unlimited quantities . A whole case of " churchwardens " were brought into requisition , and with a bountiful supply of fragrant \ veed ,. to see the veterans puff , sip , and laugh afforded the donors of the feast equal pleasure

with those who attended as guests . At 10 o'clock votes of thanks were accorded to the guests for their company , and to the ladies for their assistance , after which " Auld Lang Syne " was sung in a hearty manner , and the company dispersed , either wishing the other a happy New Year and expressing

a hope that they mig ht be spared to " come another year . " Before leaving the room—which had been heated to a genial temperature—as a preventative against the possibility of taking a cold , a temperance hot punch vvas served out , and declared to be capital , even by the

non-abstaining section . We should add that the fifty persons who vvere unable to attend through the severity of the weather , vvere not forgotten , but were supplied with , in addition to their meat and cake , a small packet of tea each , so that they mig ht have a taste of Masonic bounty in their own homes .