Annual Banquet Of The Friars Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1349.

ANNUAL BANQUET OF THE FRIARS LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1349 .

The above-mentioned festive meeting was held most successfully on Tuesday last , at Bro . j . H . Pavitt's hostelry , thc Liverpool Arms , Canning Town , E . Bro . W . Musto , P . M ., 349 , the esteemed Preceptor , occupied thc chair , Bro . W . A . Myers , P . M . S 20 , and 1445 , the vice-chair ,

and about fifty brethren were present . Among these were Bros . B . C . Rawe , P . M . 7 S 1 ; . E . T . Read , P . M . 7 S 1 ; J . H . Pavitt , Treasurer , and host ; C . Wintcrton , Hon . Sec ; Keablc , Jones , Decks , Newport , VV . J . Musto , Vinnicombe , Byford , Hinds , S . Moss , Prosser , McGeorge , Watkins , G . T . Holdom , Capt . Spencer , Capt . Bailey , Kidd , Wagstaff , Hooper ( M . L . S . Board and Local G .

Board ) Speedyman , White , Hope , Day , G . H . Stephens , and others . Justice having been done to the excellent viands provided , Bro . Musto intimated that it was his intention to curtail thc speeches as much as possible , and thereby hoped to promote the harmony of the evening , and be able to catch the train to town . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were briefly honoured ,

after which Bro . MYERS , P . M ., gave " The Health of Bro . Musto , Preceptor , and prosperity to the Friars Lodge of Instruction . " He had known Bro . Musto for over 30 years , and could testify to his warm and generous nature over that period , and one who as a Freemason was always glad to render the helping hand to any cause which might need his support . Bro . Myers trusted to have the honour

and pleasure of seeing Bro . Musto guide the r nars Lodge of Instruction for many years to come . After an appreciative response from Bro . MUSTO , he next gave "The Secretary , " to which Bro . WINTERTOM responded , and expressed the pleasure it afforded him to render any service in his power to the lodge of instruction , and bespeaking a larger attendance of the brethren .

" Bro . Myers , P . M ., " was next honoured and thanked for the very kind assistance he was always ready to afford the lodge . After a reply from that worthy brother , " Bro . Pavitt's Health " was also enthusiastically drunk as the Treasurer and the host , and for his kindness in giving his room free of charge for lodge purposes .

" The Visitors " were next toasted , Bro . Musto offering a hearty welcome to each to attend on Tuesday evenings to see their lodge working . Bro . E . T . READ , P . M ., made a capital response as also did Bro . Hooper a member of the School Board for VVest Ham , and also of the Local Government Board . "The Masonic Press" was then honoured , the worthy President recognising the . valuable services which the

Masonic journals rendered to the Craft , and coupling the name of Bro . G . H . Stephens , who gave their lodges so much attention , to the toast . Bro . STEPHENS suitably returned thanks for the hearty reception of the toast and the meeting was continued and some excellent songs were given by Bros . Winterton , Jones , Hope , Stephens , and Bros . J . A . Keable , and XV . J . Musto gave a capital reading , all contributing to form a highly enjoyable evening's pleasure .

West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution.

WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION .

A general meeting of the Court of Governors of this Institution was held on Friday evening , the 2 nd inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , under the chairmanship of Bro . Dr . F . J . Bailey , P . G . S . D . There was a numerous attendance of governors , several of whom came

from distant parts of the province . The minutes of the last annual court at Southport and of a meeting on the 2 nd ult ., read by Bro . R . Martin , jun ., one of the hon . secretaries , were unanimously confirmed ; and on the motion of Bro . SALTER , P . P . G . J . D ., it was resolved to confirm the recommendations of the General Committee that the sum of about £ 90 should be voted for

the education and advancement in life of the children of deceased Freemasons . The annual report and statement of accounts of the Institution were taken as read , and unanimously adopted . Bro . MARTIN gave notice that he would submit the following proposition at the next Court of Governors : "That as there is no provision in the bye-laws for the purchase of life governorships by lodges ( although they have been

allowed without such authority for some years past ) , bye-law 17 should be altered to give such power , and a resolution adopted legalising life governorships already created . " Bro . Martin said he would further propose that " A lodge , chapter , or society making donations of double the amounts provided for in bye-law 16 shall be entitled to like privileges and votes . " The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman .

Australia.

Australia .

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA . A quarterly communication was held at the Freemasons ' Hall , Adelaide , on the 3 rd January last , Bro . Charles Samuel Poole , Past Deputy District Grand Master , in the chair , supported by Bros . J . H . Cunningham , acting D . G . S . W . ; R . E . Lucy , acting D . G . J . W . ; H . M .

Addison , D . G . Treas . ; T . E . l < . Scabrook , D . G . President Board of General Purposes ; J . C . Ferguson , D . G . D . of C . j lames Shakespeare , D . G . Org . ; W . L . Ware , acting D . G . Purs . ; F . Olifent and F . H . Wigg , Stewards ; and N . Kildael , D . G . Tyler ; Bros . Philip Sansom , S . W . 423 ; and John Haslam , J . VV . 423- The visitors present were Bros . Lionel S . VVicksteed , 5 S 3 ; H . Ingleby , 5 S 3 ; T .

Narroway , 5 S 3 ; H . Willis , 5 S 3 ; K . H . Leader , $ i > 3 ; Thomas E . Shanks , 5 S 3 ; J . VV . Bennett , 583 ; and VV . E . Pickels , 423 . . The District Grand Lodge was opened in due form , and the roll was then called , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed .

The President of the Board of General Purposes having informed the District Grand Lodge that there was no report to lay before them , it was resolved after a long and warm discussion "That the attention of the District Grand Master be respectfully called to the circumstance that the District Grand Lodge had no report before thein from

Australia.

the General Committee , on the grounds that there was no adequate arrangement at present existing for the performance of the duties of District Giand Secretary . " Bro . H . M . Addison , D . G . Treas ., and Bro . J . C . Ferguson , D . G . Dir . of Cer ., strongly objected and wished their names to be recorded as protesting against the

motion . A motion to place a sum of money at the disposal of the Deputy District Grand Master to pay the travelling expenses of District Grand Officers when called upon to visit lodges out of Adelaide was declared lost upon being put to the

vote . There being no further business the District Grand Lodge closed in due form . MELBOURNE . — Combermere Lodge ( No . 752 ) . —The installation festival of this flourishing colonial lodge was celebrated on Thursday , January iSth , in the Masonic HaU . Prior to commencing the details of the

gathering , a short history of the lodge may be interesting to English readers . It was founded in the year 1 S 5 S , by thc late Bro . J . J . Moody , who for the first two years was its W . M . Bro . Moody , before emigrating , was P . G . S . VV . of Cheshire , under the late Viscount Combermere , hence the title of the lodge in question , his lordship ' s written permission for the nomenclature being very

appropriately framed , and suspended from the lodge walls during business hours . Since its foundation Combermere has passed through some vicissitudes , consequent on the "leaps iand bounds " and rise and fall of Australian commerce ; but it is pleasing to record that it was never in as prosperous a condition as at present , thanks to the active interest shown in its affairs by Bro . Charles Shaw , who for three successive years has

ably filled the Oriental chair . When he was solicited to continue as Master for the second year , the lodge was slowly but surely rising from a condition of somnolency , and the wisdom of the brethren in electing him for two more years is substantially proved from the fact of its now being the most popular and strongest lodge in Victoria—probably the whole of Australia—the present roll being over 140 members . One reason for the attractiveness of Combermere is

undoubtedly the music introduced in the ceremonies , a qualified choir being under the direction of Herr Siede , whilst Bro . David Lee , the City Organist , has charge of the instrumental department . It might also be added that a Royal Arch chapter was opened about iS months ago , and as nigh on to a score of brethren were exalted therein during the first year , the young branch is also on the high road to healthful maturity . Comp . Shaw is the present

M . E . Z . The installation festival was numerously attended , there being about 120 brethren present belonging to Combermere , and inclusive of visitors from sister lodges of the three constitutions , indeed , the crowded state of the room and the hot weather , the thermometer had that day registered 1 SS ° in the sun , induced one to long for a rough ashlar in the

centre of the hall in the shape of a block of ice . Letters of apology were received and read from Bros . Capt . Standish , R . W . D . G . M ., E . G . ; Sir W . J . Clarke , Bart ., R . W . P . G . M ., I . C !; and Jos . Cahill , R . W . S . D . G . M ., S . C . ; and others . Bro . Chas . Shaw , W . M ., opened the lodge , after which the minutes of the regular and two emergency meetings ,

one held that afternoon were read and confirmed . The W . M . elect , Bro . Dr . J . J . Eardley Willmott , was then presented to the W . M . in order to receive at his hands thc benefits of installation , Bro . Willmott , it may be explained , is a P . M . of Lodge St . Kew , No . 1222 , Weston-super-Mare , England , and during the past year has served the office of S . W . in Combermere . His Somersetshire brethren will

doubtless be pleased to read this account of his Masonic work in the far off Antipodes . The usual formalities having been observed , the Board of Installed Masters , numbering 35 in all , was opened by the W . M ., with Bros . R . J . W . Cartwright , P . M ., as S . W . ; W . F . Lamonby , P . M ., as J . W . ; Rev . VV . Brooks , P . M . Sandridge Marine , No . 76 S , as Chap . ; and the other

officers . The ceremony was performed in a faultless manner by the retiring W . M ., after which he was invested as I . P . M . The remainder of the ceremony was completed by Bro . Shaw , inclusive of the addresses , he thus concluding three years of active work very appropriately and effectively . The following were tbe officers invested : Bros . Charles

Shaw , P . D . Supt . of Wks ., I . P . M . ; P . B . l'orce , P . M ., D . G . S . D ., S . W . ; R . Carter , J . W . ; H . Guy , Treas . ; VV . Henry , Sec . ; H . W . Jordan , S . D . ; W . Chapman , J . D . ; W . 1 * . Lamonby , M . of Cer . ; D . Lee , Org . ; Thomas Haydon , I . G . * , J . R . Webster , and W . Fennah , S . W . ; J . Paul , Tyler Bro . Julius Siede also received the re-appointment of " Choir Master .

Several candidates for initiation and joining members were then proposed , after which the lodge was closed in form , and the W . M . retired with customary ceremonials . Subsequently a large company sat down to banquet , provided by Bro . Paul , the hall caterer , with his well-known liberality and attention . Bro . Willmott , W . M ., presided ,

faced by his Wardens , and the remainder of a pleasant evening was spent in toast and song , the latter part of the entertainment it may be imagined , being a treat of itself , with so many able brethren as contributors . On the Tyler being summoned to the East , the parting toast brought to a conclusion onc of the pleasantest and most successful gatherings of the Craft ever held in Australia .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . W . G . HARRISON , O . C ., GRAND SENIOR DEACON . It is with extreme regret we announce the death on Monday last of Bro . VV . G . Harrison , Q . C , Grand Senior Deacon of England . Bro . Harrison was but 5 6 years of age , and the sorrow felt at his removal from among us in the full maturity of his powers will be as general among his brother Masons as in the profession of which he was so

distinguished an ornament . How deeply his loss is lamented by his brothers of the long robe maybe judged from the remarks made on Wednesday in the Queen ' s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice b y the presiding judge ( Mr . Justice Stephen ) . His lordship ' s graceful tribute to the memory of Bro . Harrison was to the following effect : " I wish to say a word upon a subject that has deeply affected me , and 1 have no doubt many of the members of

Obituary.

this profession—I mean the death of our friend , Mr . W . G . Harrison . I have known him personally for probably a longer time than almost any other member of the Bench or of thc Bar . _ He was a friend of not much less than 40 years' standing . I do not think that a more honourable or a more amiable man ever practised in these courts . He possessed very marked abilities , and they were set off rather , perhaps , than diminished by some harmless

eccentricities , which endeared him to those who knew him . The profession has sustained a great loss by his death , which was as unexpected as it is sad . " In Masonry , Bro . Harrison , who , by the way , was an annual subscriber to the Female Fund of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , held the offices of Grand Senior Deacon in the Grand Lodge of England and Grand First Assistant Sojourner in the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons , and had taken

the 33 in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite . On reference to our brief sketch of his career , shortly after his appointment to the first named office , it will be found that Bro . Harrison was initiated into Freemasonry in March , 1 S 65 , in the iMiddlesex Lodge , No . 143 , and rose to be its Worshipful Master in 1 S 72 . He was also a Past Master of the Methuen Lodge , No . 631 , Taplow , Bucks , and one of the founders of the Parthenon Lodge , No .

1 S 2 G , Egham , Surrey , and its Treasurer from its commencement . He was exalted to the Royal Arch Degree in Mount Moriah Chapter , No . 9 , ; in 1 S 73 was appointed to , and still occupies the part of Scribe E . ; was M . E . Z . in the years 1876 and 1 S 77 , and has been Treasurer since 1 S 79 . He was perfected 12 th November , 1 S 74 , in the St . George ' s Chapter

of P . ose Croix , had served as Treasurer since November , 1 S 79 , and was M . W . S . last year . In 1 S 77 was conferred upon him the 30 ° in the A . and A . S . Rite . This is indeed an honourable record extending over the ei g hteen years he was connected with Freemasonry and will cause his unexpected death to be still more deeply regretted .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Bro . H . J . Byron ' s new comedy , "Open House , " is in rehearsal for early production at the Vaudeville .

* # # Mrs . Kendal during last week lectured at the School of Dramatic Art . ' She had a hearty welcome from the students . * * * "Uncle Dick's Darling" was revived at Bro . Toole ' s Theatre on Monday evening , the lessee appearing in his original part , Dick Dolland .

* In place of " Mock Turtles " a new and ori ginal comic opera in one act , with music by Mr . Percy Reeve , will shortly be produced at the Savoy . Mr . Mark J . Quinton will play Richelieu at a matinee at the Adelphi on March 16 ; Julie , Miss Stella Brereton , supported by eminent artistes .

* * * Mr . Charles Read has contradicted the report that he has taken the Olympic Theatre for an Autumn season . * * * The Lyceum will close as usual during Passion week , and it is expected that a few other theatres will follow Mr . Irving ' s example . # #

* Mr . Irving is to be entertained at a banquet before leaving for America . Thc Prince of Wales is expected , and the chair will be taken by the Lord Chief Justice . ss « ss

Notice to carry out no fewer than twenty improvements in the structural plan of the Alcazar has been served upon the owner of that establishment by the Metropolitan Board of Works . #

» * The new Alhambra Theatre is expected to be ready for opening in October next . It is understood that the first piece to be mounted will be a " feerie , " written by Bro . Sims , with music by Mr . F . Clay .

# # # The Royal Italian Opera Company has , it is stated , let Covent Garden Theatre and Floral Hall to the late lessee , Mr . W . F . Thomas , for promenade concerts , for the next three Autumn sessions .

* « Astley ' s will pass into the hands of Messrs . Holt and Wilmot on Easter Monday , when will be revived Mr . J . Willing ' s popular play , "The . Ruling Passion . " The company will be under the direction of Mr . John Douglas .

* » The opera season at the Drury Lane will commence , under the direction of Carl Rosa , on 26 th of March , and be limited to thirty-nine representations . Two absolutel y new operas will be produced— " Columba , " by A . C . Mackenzie , and " Esmeralda , " by Thomas .

lt is said that Mrs . Kendall will not find a place in the new play " Esmeralda , " which is to be produced at the St . James's . Mr . Kendall will appear in the piece and Miss Dietz will take the leading part . The absence of Mrs . Kendall from the cast cannot fad to injuriously affect its prospects .

. Mr . h . Leader has issued an imposing manifesto as a sort of preliminary to the revival of " A Trip to the Moon . " It is to be "diverting , but not irreverent ;" " grand , but not gaudy ; mirthful , but not meretricious ; decorous , but never depressing . " Mr . Leader neatly refers

to the great operatic artists of the past of Her Majesty ' s , and declares that he will " direct Her Majesty's into the channels of public usefulness . " This is only Mr . Leader ' s way of telling us that he has engaged a good band , a fair staff of artists , and above all , a good ballet .