Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

I he yuarterly Court ot this Institution s ( jovcrnors and Subscribers was held on Thursday last at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., in the chair . There were also present Bros . J . H . Matthews , Alfred C . Spaull , Col . Hugh M . Gordon , H . Massey , F . Wright , Sir John B . Monckton . W . H . Saunders ,

James Stevens , and F . R . W . Hedges ( Secretary ) . Bro . Sir J B . MONCKTON , P . G . W ., Patron , by permission of the Court , brought on his motion out of order . The motion was as follows : "That in consideration of her long service on the staff of the Institution , commencing as pupil teacher on the 20 th

November , 1851 , and after serving as assistant schoolmistress and assistant governess , filling the office of sub-Matron of the Junior School from the 1 st January , 18 S 1 , to the present time , at . 1 salary of £ So per annum ( with board and residence ) , a period in all of 43 years , Miss Mary Ann Kernot be allowed

on her retirement a pension of . £ 60 per annum . " Sir John B . Monckton said he wanted to bring the motion on now as a personal favour , as he had to be elsewhere , in fact he ought to be in the City at that moment , 12 o ' clock ; but he came there to make the motion himself rather than let it be moved by any one

else . The brethren had heard the motion read , and in commending it to the meeting—which was small but very important , because it represented the whole ofthe Governors of the Institution , and a meeling to pass such a resolution ought to beabsolutely representativehe might say that the motion had the seal and the

unanimous seal of the House Committee , and in a very few words he would explain the condition of things with regard to it , and that the Institution would not be a loser by the resolution , if carried . Miss Kernot , as they saw , had served the Institution very many years , and on her now retiring she was really entitled to some

retiring allowance in the evening of life . When she became Sub-Matron of the Junior School , she had in that character the position of head of the junior establishment , with only one member of the actual staff above her . The duties now being relinquished by Miss Kernot will , without detriment ( o her present

work , be undertaken by Miss Flintoft , under the general supervision of Miss Buck , the Institution ' s most able and most excellent Matron . lt most thoroughly accorded with the idea of the Committee in what they now proposed , that on Miss Kernel ' s retirement—there was no division of opinion on

the Committee wilh respect to this propositionso that on Miss Kernel ' s very worthy retirement if she got the benefit of this annuity she would have £ 60 a year instead of £ 80 , which she had been receiving as ' salary , and the Institution would benefit b y that saving and also the saving of her board and lodging , for what

that was worth ; and there would be a gieat convenience in that there would be a little more room in the house by her giving up her apartments . It was agre . it point in this School that the system of having pupil teachers was now so well developed under Miss Davis that there was no want of junior assistants

which was useful to the girls and useful also to the establishment . He might likewise add that whereas the Junior School bad been very full perhaps rather over-full- for some time past , arrangements had been made by the admirable accommodation in the main building , to reduce the number

10 50 instead of 62 , so that there would be rather less absolute responsibility of children , and lhe House Committee were quite unanimous—and the medical officer , and Miss Davis , and thc matron were with them —that it could be managed without making any addition to the staff on Miss Kernel ' s retirement

Miss Kernot had been closel y connected with the School for many years—longer than he ( Bro . Sir John Monckton ) had been , and she had done her work there without fault of any kind , and she retired with the respect of everybody . connected with the Institution . ( Bro . Sir John Monckton then read the motion . )

Bro . J . H . MATTHEWS said he seconded the motion with pleasure , and he really could add nothing to what Bro . Sir John Monckton had remarked . Bro . Col . GORDON enquired whether Miss Kernot had had any other employment out of the Institution . The CHAIRMAN said , no . She was out of her time

at 16 years of age , and the establishment then took her on ; she was apprenticed , as there were no pupil teachers at that time , and she had been there ever since she was out of her apprenticeshi p . The motion was put and carried . Bro . Sir J B . MONCKTON : Thank you , brethren . but

Nothing duty carries me from this good cause . Bro . Sir John Monckton then retired . The SECRETARY reported that , in consequence of the usual day for the April Court and election falling on the Thursday before Good Friday , the Court and election will be held on Saturday , 20 th April , in accordwith the

ance provision made in Law 50 . The Committee then adopted the following recommendation of the General Committee , viz . -. " That the ' 9 eligible candidates remaining from the last election , together with the 22 whose petitions have been this day approved , be placed upon the list of candidates for the April election , and that 22 vacancies caused by girls leaving be declared . " P w refere " ce to thc resolution as to Miss Kernot , « ro . U . H . SAUNDEI . S , who was not present at the

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

commencement of thc meeting , asked whether there should not be a permanent arrangement for retiring allowances , and a fund started , to which the staff should subscribe , out of which they should be paid . The CHAIRMAN said he did not think such a scheme could be carried out . Where there was a large company , and the officers of that company were receiving

large salaries it could be carried out , but when the brethren considered the salaries the staff of that Institution were receiving they could see that they could not keep up an annuity fund out of those salaries . Bro . SAUNDERS said he thought the Institution might contribute something to it , and the officers , say , sixpence a month . He merely mentioned the subject as he had at vestries and other bodies .

The CHAIRMAN informed the court that the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe would take the chair at the next Festival of the Institution , and that the receipts of the Institution for the past year werc £ 20 , 043 7 s . id . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .

Annual Ball Of The Etruscan Lodge, No. 546.

ANNUAL BALL OF THE ETRUSCAN LODGE , No . 546 .

Thc second annual ball under the auspices of the above lodge was held in the Town Hall , Longton , on Thursday evening , the 3 rd inst ., and was in every way a success . The ball was under the patronage of Bro . the Earl of Dartmouth , Prov . G . M . of Staffordshire ;

and Bro . Lieut .-Col . Bindley , the Dep . P . G . M . The decorations were entrusted to Messrs . Goodnll and Sons , and the result of their labours gave complete satisfaction . The floor was laid with diaper with a border of crimson , and the walls were draped with pale yellow and blue art muslins , with festoons of salmon pink muslin , to which were attached the Royal Arch

banners . Between the draperies , overmantels and gilt mirrors werc suspended . The bandstand was erected in the recess over the portico , and was similarly draped . Underneath the bandstand alcoves were arranged with cosy corners . The stage was fitted up as a drawing-room furnished in Chippendale . Choice and massive ware were kindly lent by Messrs . T .

Forester and Sons , and some fine hoi house plants and ferns , also kindly lent by Mr . Fred Williamson . The Master ' s and Wardens' pedestals and other emblems of the Craft were exhibited in the hall . The west entrance hall and staircase were also prettily draped .

Bro . Arthur L . Harber ably discharged the duties of Hon . Secretary to the Ball Committee . The music , which left nothing to be desired , was supplied by Bro . W . T . Bonner , P . P . G . O ., and his string band . Supper was served in the ante-room . The company numbered about 150 .

Unfurling Of A Lodge Banner.

UNFURLING OF A LODGE BANNER .

On Friday the 4 th inst ., a very large assemblage of brethren gathered at the Barnard Lodge , No . 1230 , in the Masonic Hall , Barnard Castle , on the occasion of thc unfurling of a new lodge banner , the gift of the W . M ., Bro . Dr . A . H . Sevier . Among thc distinguished visitors upon the occasion was thc Right Hon . Lord

Barnard , P . S . G . W ., and Bro . R . Hudson , P . G . S . B . Eng ., P . G . Sec . The officers of the lodge present were Bros . A . H . Sevier , W . M . ; J . R . Thompson , I . P . M . ; Rev . Hartley Jennings , P . P . G . Chap ., S . VV . ; J . H . Dawson , P . M ., J . W . ; R . C . M . Cooke , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., I ' reas . ; John W . B . Hislop , Sec . ; Gibson K yle , S . D . ; G . E . Lockyer , J . D . ; G . W . Jackson , I . G . ; O .

S . Scott ; D . Finlay , P . M ., D . C ; C . H . Welford , Org . ; R . W . Mitchinson , Steward ; R . Woodhams , Tyler ; A . T . Piper , W . R . Atkinson , C . Hedley , C . H . Raper , and E . Winpenny . Among the brethren present were : Bros . J . M . Moore , P . M ., P . P . G . O . ; Isaac Thompson , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . ; J . Mitchell , M . D ., P . M . ; B . S . Beckwith , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; J .

Hanley Holmes , P . P . G . R . ; and J . G . Hall , P . P . G . Asst . D . of C . Visitors : Bros . John Joel , P . A . G . Sec ; John Barnet , P . G . Std . Br . * . | . H . Johnson , P . A . G . D . C . ; R . T . Richardson , P . P . G . R . ; George W . Hudson , P . P . G . Stwd ., N . and li . Yorks . ; Henry Palmer , P . G . S . D . ; T . Dunn , P . G . D . C ; F . II . Bennett , P . P . G . D . ; W . C . Barron , P . P . G . S . Ii . ; W .

Barlow , P . P . D . G . D . C " . ; | olin Robinson , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; R . S . Beckwith , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; D . Finlay P . P . G . P . ; J . M . Moore , P . P . G . O . ; J . S . Hall P . P . A . G . D . C ; J . C Moor , P . P . G . D . W . li . Brown , W . M . in ; J . Suggitt , W . M . 2462 ; G . L . Wooley , W . M . 1862 ; 10 Seaton Cockell , Sec , 1862 ; G . Harrison , W . Waldy , and H . Waldy , 1379 T .

Coates , 16 50 ; J . Atkinson , 1862 , P . P . G . Stwd . ; M . D . Mulhollaud , 124 ; R . Storey , 2415 ; Edward C . Sowerby , 1650 ; T . Braybrook 1 S 62 ; J . H . Leech , P . M . 97 , P . G . Stwd . ; William Phihpson , 2497 ; Chas . Baister , in ; and Rev . W . H . Coney . The lodge having been opened in due form , the

W . M ., Bro . Dr . Sevier , presented to the lodge a handsome new banner , bearing the insignia of the town , and the name and number of the lodge , with Masonic emblems . The hymn " O God , our hel p in ages past , " was sung , after whicli Bro . Rev . Hartley Jennings , P . P . G . Chap ., S . W ., offered up a special prayer for the dedication of the banner .

The W . M . then called upon Bro . Robert Hudson . Prov . G . Sec , P . G . Std . Br . of Eng ., to unfurl the new banner and deliver an address . Bro . HUDSON , in eloquent terms , referred to the uses of banners in ancient and modern times , and particular '}* in connection with the lodges of Freemasonry ,

Unfurling Of A Lodge Banner.

who assembled in Prov . Grand Lodge every year , and upon special occasions , under their respective banners . He hoped the W . M . and the brethren would be long spared to look upon their banner in lodge , and . rally round it on important occasions . Bro . R . C . M . COOKE , P . P . S . G . D ., proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to Bro . Sevier , W . M . for his

valuable gift of the banner , which was seconded by Bro . B . S . Beckwith , P . P . G . Std . Br ., and carried unanimously . The W . M . responded , and a vote of thanks was also passed to Bro . R . Hudson , P . G . Sec , for his interesting address , and in replying Bro . Hudson said the provincial brethren had great pleasure in attending ,

and having Lord Barnard at their head to represent Provincial Grand Lodge on tbat occasion . At a later stage , Bro . Dr . MITCH ELL , in proposing the toast of " The P . G . M ., Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., " coupled the name of Lord Barnard , P . S . G . W ., with the toast , stating that Lord Barnard was in every way most excellently qualified for the position which he

occupied in the province . Bro . Lord BARNARD , in responding for the officers of Provincial Grand Lodgo , said he felt altogether inadequate to represent the high honour they had done him . He was glad tbey shared wilh him the feelings he entertained towards their Provincial Grand Master , Sir Hedworth Williamson . He felt sure he expressed the

opinion of all the Provincial Grand Officers at the very great satisfaction with which they had seen the W .. VL , Bro . Dr . Sevier , present that beautiful banner of the lodge . It was a very great pleasure to him to be present on such an auspicious occasion in a lodge bearing the name he himself bore .

Bro . the Rev . HARTLKV J ENNINGS , P . P . G . C , proposed "The Health ol Bro . R . Hudson , P . G . S ., " who was the right man in the right place as the Secretary of the Province of Durham . Bro . R . HUDSON responded , and gave " The Health of thc W . M ., " and the proceedings afterwards terminated .

Freemasonry In Wales.

FREEMASONRY IN WALES .

Welsh Freemasonry , says the Craftsman , has , during the year just ended , made rapid progress , and the Order is stronger in the Principality to-day than it ever was . Towards the close of the year 18 93 a gloom was cast over the Brotherhood in the Eastern Division of South Wales by the lamented death of thei r Prov . Grand Master ,

Bro . Sir George Elliot , who for so long a period had taken a prominent and active interest in the affairs of the Craft . In January a new Masonic Hall was opened at Tredegar , and on the 26 th of the same month tho Freemasons of Cardiff were much interested in the visit ol Bro . Lord Roberts , who was feted and lionised by the townspeople in a manner that must have been

most gratifying not only to the object of thedemonstration , but also to every Freemason in South Wales . In February the M . W . the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , attended the North Wales National Eisteddfod , and was received with enthusiastic loyalty wherever he went . Tbe death of Bro . S . G . Homfray , D . P . G . M . for Monmouthshire , in March , was a sad

blow for the brethren of that division , and the loss of so staunch and so lovable a brother will be long felt . On March 16 th the venerable Dr . Wm . Reynold Salmon , M . R . C . S ., of Penllyn Court , Cowbridge , completed his 104 th year , and received many Masonic greetings . The doctor occupies the unique position of being the oldest Freemason in the world . In April

Cardiff had another distinguished Masonic visitor in the person of Sir John Gorst . Sir John was the guest of Bro . Sir Edward Stock Hill , K . C . B ., of Kookwood , Llandaff , who also acted as the host of Bro . Lord Roberts . On the 31 st of May one of the most successful Royal Arch meetings ever held in Cardiff , or in the Province of the Eastern Division , took place

at tbe MasonicHall , Working-street , on which occasion the " Marmaduke Tennant " Chapter was duly consecrated . In July , the Merlin Lodge , Pontypridd , set a noble example , which was followed by a number of other Welsh lodges , by devoting a portion of its funds for thu relief of the widows and orphans of the terrible colliery explosion at Cillynydd . On July 12 th , Bro . Colonel Lyne was re-installed as P . G . M . for

Monmouthshire , in the Provincial Grand I . odge held at Rhyiiiney , and on September 27 th tne notable event of the installation of Bro . Lord Llangattock as P . G . M . for the Eastern Division ol Soutn Wales took place at Cardiff , and was one of tbe most magnificent spectacles ever witnessed by Welsh Freemasons . On October I Sth , Bro . C . R . Lyne , the respected son of Bro . Col . Lyne , of Newport , was installed as D . P . G . M . of Monmouthshire , and has since amply justified his

appointment . . Death has been busy among the brethren during the past year , and among the demises chronicled in the columns of the Craftsman during the 12 months just ended were those of Bro . Captain Homfray , Newport ; Bro . John May , Tenby , 73 years of age ; Bros . L .

Mcintosh and R . Davies , ot Merthyr ; Bros . John Nolcini and Sir Morgan Morgan , of Cardiff ; and Bro . Thomas Hall , of Porthcawl . In another portion of the Craftsman a sympathetic notice is given of Uro . W . Pickford , Newport , recently deceased .

THK WILL of Bro . Deputy Gover , of Casino House , Heme Hill , who died on . November 24 th , was proved on the 31 st ult . by Mr . William Henry Gover and Mr . Arthur button Covet , the sons , two ol tne executors , the value of trie personal estate amounting to ^» P 7 ^ .