Vaudeville Theatre.

decided failure , and was withdrawn . We think it was Mr .. C . Hawtrey ( we are not quite sure on this point ) who first took it in hand—the part of the simp le-minded curate was written up—the piece was again produced , and , this time , received the stamp of public approval ; the clerical hero was afterwards undertaken by Bro . W . S . Penley , whose original rendering of

the Private Secretary achieved great success . Bro . Penley again resumes his old part , all the well-known points of character are brought prominently forward , and the piece is rattled through by Bro . Penley and his assistant confreres in spirited style . The unpleasant predicaments of th « i unhappy curate are well portrayed and provide innocent mirth for appreciative audiences .

GENERAL NOTES . Mr . Arthur Collins is busily engaged upon the preparations for his autumn drama at Drury Lane Theatre . * * * * Amongst the recent additions to the Zoological Gardens , are specimens of the Kentucky blind fish . These are a most interesting acquisition , as the fish has never before reached England alive , and it is supposed that only on one occasion have living specimens been exhibited in Europe , viz ., in

1870 , when five examples were brought home , and placed in a tank in the Dublin Zoo . They did not , however , live there for long , as they succumbed after a few months , to a fungoid growth on their bodies . As its name implies , this fish is unable to see , having lost the use of its eyes , through a constant life in darkness . As is the case with all other animals that live out of the light , its body is colourless and almost transparent . The blind

fish does not attain to a great size , and the largest specimen known , does not exceed five inches in length . To make up for its loss of sight , its other senses are abnormally developed , those of touch and hearing being remarkably keen . The organs of feeling are arranged in a series of wrinkles on the head , but its acute sense of hearing seems to be its greatest protection against its enemies , for , on the least noise , it makes for deep

water , and hides itself beneath a rock or other object . The only chance of catching this fish is at night , by means of a net , when everything is quiet , and it comes to the surface of the water to feed . Almost the whole of its food is obtained from the surface of the water , as very few living creatures exist in the dark water it inhabits . It is admirably adapted for this mode of feeding , as its head is quite fiat , and its mouth directed upwards , so that it need not show itself above the water when capturing its prey .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Town Hall , Portsmouth , on the 30 th ult ., under the presidency of the Prov . G . M ., Bro . the Right Hon . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., who was supported by Bros . Edgar Goble , P . G . Std . Br . England , D . P . G . M . ; Le Feuvre , P . G . D . England , P . D . P . G . M . ; the Rev . Norman Lee , P . G . C .

England ; and some other Past G . Officers , as well as a large number of Past and Present G . Officers and of Master Masons of the province , the scene in the Great Hall when all the brethren had ranged themselves under their respective banners being a most imposing one . All the lodges of the province but one answered the roll-call . The other chairs were occupied by Bros . Major H . Pidcock-Henzell , Prov . S . G . W ., and G . E . Kent , Prov . J . G . W . The minutes of the last Prov . G . Lodge meeting , which had been distributed to the brethren , were taken as read and duly confirmed . Bro . J . W . GIEVE , Prov . G . Treas ., presented his accounts for the year , saying the province had in hand the substantial balance of . £ 166 9 12 s . iod . The accounts were approved and adopted , on the motion of Bro . MILLER , seconded by Bro . WILLIAMS .

The D . P . G . M . ( Bro . GOIILU ) proposed the re-election as P . G . L . Treasurer of Bro . J . W . Gieve , congratulated the Province on the excellent balance-sheet produced that day , and said the fact that they had so substantial a sum in hand was largely due to the efforts of the Treasurer ( hear , hear ) . Bro Gieve had held this honourable office for many years and had done his duty faithfully , and the brethren were greatly i ndebted to him for the work he so assiduously performed . ( Hear , hear ) .

Ihe Prov . J . G . W . ( Bro . KENT ) seconded the motion , ana testified as one of the Auditors to the admirable way in which the accounts of the province were kept . The proposition was carried with acclamation , and the Provincial Grand Master congratulated the province on the re-election , and Bro . Gieve on the honour which the province had again unanimously conferred on him .

Bro . GIEVE , in returning thanks , said it was a matter of gratilication to him that his small efforts were so far appreciated that the brethren had thought it well to unanimously re-elect him to this honourable office . It was the only elective ollice in the Provincial Grand Lodge , and he appreciated the compliment of his unanimous re-election now and for several

years past very highly . It was a great pleasure to work under a brother who was so well-known in Freemasonry as their Provincial Grand Master . In conclusion he remarked that he had , £ 303 on deposit , and suggested this should be appropriated by voting 100 guineas to each of the Masonic Charities—the Boys' School , the Girls' School , and the Aged and Benevolent Institution .

The PROV . G . SECRETARY moved that the W . Ms , of Lodges 20 ( 08 , 2074 , and 2153 , be appointed as the Audit Committee in addition to the cx-officio members of such Committee , which was seconded , and agreed to . The PROV . G , SECRETARY next submitted the report of the Prov . G . Lod ge Committee . Four meetings had been held . Two boys had been elected to the School , one greatly aided by the efforts of Bro . Dashwood ,

one Doy already in the School , Hugh Owen , from Lodge 130 , had been retained by the management for higher instruction . The same boy had alread y been retained 12 months over the usual time . The Charity grants made b y the Committee during the year were detailed . The number of candidates initiated was 266 , a decrease of 20 on the preceding year ; the subscribing members totalled 3917 , which was an increase of 39 . The Committee

recommended the appointment of a Special Committee to consider me amendment of the bye-laws , such Committee to have power to obtain miormation from lodges , and to report to Prov . G . Lodge at the earliest convenient date . . .. ine DEI ' . PROV . G . MASTER , Chairman of the Committee , moved that me report be approved and adopted , and said the Prov . G . Lodge was

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.

much indebted to the members of the Committee who attended the meetings so regularly . Bro . BRICKWOOD , P . P . G . W ., seconded the motion , which was agreed to . Bro . LE FEUVRE moved the appointment of the Special Committee as recommended , such Committee to consist of the Dep . Prov . G . Master , the Prov . G . Wardens , the Prov . G . Treasurer , the Prov . G . Secretary , and the Prov . Asst . G . Secretary . Bro . FRANCIS , Havant , seconded , and the motion was agreed to .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER said that before proceeding to the special business cf the day he should like to refer to the great loss the province and Freemasonry generally had sustained by the death of Bro . Richard Eve . ( Hear , hear . ) They all knew the great services which theirlate brother had rendered to Freemasonry , both in that province and elsewhere , taking a prominent interest in every good work connected with it . He was intimately

identified with the Masonic Chanties , having served a large number of Stewardships , and he rendered particular service in promoting the welfare of the Boys' School , and was for several years Chairman of the Board of Management of that Institution . He was afraid it was Bro . Eve's zeal for the School which cost him his life , for he was on a sick bed when thearrangements for laying the foundation stone of the new school buildings were made , but he was anxious to be present , and contrary to advice he attended the

ceremony on what proved to be a very cold day . Bro . Eve told him at the time he had no business to be there , and that he ought to be in bed . They must , however , do justice to the motives which prompted him to be present , and they now had to deplore his loss . He understood that Bro . Eve had no near relative to whom a vote of condolence and sympathy could be forwarded , but they should record on the minutes their deep regret at the loss sustained , and he moved accordingly . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . LE FEUVRE said he was associated with Bro . Eve in Masonic work

for many years , and it was a melancholy pleasure to him to second the proposition . For 30 years to his knowledge Bro . Eve was associated with the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight ; he had served the office of Prov . S . G . W ., and had taken a great interest , as the Prov . Grand Master had said , in the Boys' School , and was Chairman of the Board of

Management for 11 years . It would be a long time before Bro . Eve would be forgotten in Hampshire or elsewhere , for he was well known in other parts as well as _ in this province , and if they would follow his example in their Masonic conduct they would all be better men . ( Hear , hear . ) The motion was carried in silence , all the brethren upstanding .

Bro . LOVELAND-LOVELAND asked that the by-laws might be suspended while he called attention to the case of Bro . Tuohy , which had not been dealt with by the Provincial Charities Committee . This being agreed to Bro . LOVELAND LOVELAND went on to refer to the long Masonic career of Bro . Tuohy , who was 93 years of age , and had only a small pension . He moved a grant of . £ 30 . Bro . I *] . S . MAIN seconded , but said he would prefer £ 50 ( hear , hear ) .

Bro . Loveland Loveland amended his proposal accordingly , and the same was carried , Bro . TUOHY making , for a man of his great age , a vigorous and appreciative speech in reply . The Provincial Grand Master then invested the officers for the year as follows : —

Bro . H . R . Pink , 106 9 ... ... ... p . S . G . vV . „ C . F . Simmons , 6 94 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . H . L . Watts , 1 S 34 ... ... - , „ _ , „ Rev . Geoffrey Hughes , 1461 ... ... J Frov G Cha P - „ J . W . Gieve , 1069 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ W . H . Willis . 18 S 4 ... ... .. „ Prov . G . Reg . „ Commander II . G . Giles , R . N ., 1903 ... Prov . G . Sec . „ Capt . H . C . Godley , 1971 ... ... ¦ > p „ „ C . Brown , « .........Prov - S . G . Ds .

„ R . H . A . Woodman , 551 ... ... ) n , ^ n „ G . Cox , 804 .. .. ... ;;;) Prov . J . G . Ds . „ E . Hinxman , 76 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of Wks „ W . I . Pawsey , 2153 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ 1 ) . T . Rule , 1 S 34 ... ... ... p . D . G . D . C . „ Dr . K . W . Mackenzie , 608 ... ... ) D . _ _ , _ „ Isaac White , 1428 ... " ......\ l rov - A . G . D . Cs .

„ H . Sherwood , 1373 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . ,, E . Penton , 309 ... ... ... ") „ T . G . Dacombe , 359 ... ... ... C p . G . Std . Brs . > J- L . Snell ,. iS 7 j ,, F . White , 2068 ... ... ... IVov . G . Org . „ G . F . Lancaster , 903 ... ... ... p rov . A . G . Sec . „ E . G . Finch , 195 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ J . G . Jordan , 1780 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . ,, G . R . Masters , 319 ... ... ,.. ~ „ P . Dicks , 1 S 8 3 „ E . A . Edwards , 1993 ... ... .. „ W . H . Brading , 216 9 ... ... r "ov . G . Stewards .

„ J . W . Snndell , 2158 ... ... ... | „ VV . H . Vye , 19 5 ... ... ... ] ' „ J . Extll 342 ... ... ... p . G . Tyler . The PROV . GRAND MASTER congratulated the brethren on the progress Freemasonry was making in the province . Although the report presented by the Prov . Grand Secretary showed a decrease in the number of initiates ,

the subscribing members had increased in numbers , which showed that progress was b-ing made . Members , however , as he hid frequently painted out , were not the exact criterion of progress , though of course it was desirable they should keep their numbers up by initiating men who they were sure would do honour to the Craft , and do their utmost to recognise its great responsibilities and to uphold its dignity . ( Hear , hear . ) He was quiie sure that in lliis province the brtthren were inclined to take a verv

high view of I ' reemasonry , and he exhorted them to do their utmost to promote its best interests . He congratulated them on that large meeting ; the fact that that magnificent hall had been placed at their disposal had something to do with it . ( Hear , hear . ) 1 le hoped they would have an equally large meeting 011 the next occasion , and that the brethren then present would include many who were now serving their country in South Africa , and who , he hoped , would return , as the Rev . Norman Lee had done , in good health , and well able to resume their Masonic duties . ( Applause )

Some formal business was then transacted , and the Prov . Grand Lodge was closed in due form . Bro . the Mayor of Portsmouth , as W . M . of the United Brothers' Lolge , invited the brethren to the conversazione at the Town Hall in the evening .