Laying The Foundation Stone Of St Anne's Church, Bagshot.

His ROYAL H IGHNESS having tested it with the ' plumb-rule handed to him by the Junior Grand Warden said— " I find this stone to be plumb , and the Craftsmen have prepared it true and trust }' . " Applying the level handed by the Prov . Grand Senior Warden he said " I find this stone to be level , and the Craftsmen have laboured skilfully . " Trying it with the square

handed by the Grand Master he said " I find this stone to be [ plumb , level and square , and I declare it to be truly prepared and duly laid , and that the Craftsmen have done their work well . " He then gave three knocks with the maul , and declared the stone duly laid . Corn , wine and oil were

then placed on the stone , emblematical of plenty and abundance , joy , and peace and unanimity . Might peace , prosperity , happiness and goodwill ever prevail amongst those who should minister in that place , to the glory of the Most High , till time should be no more . ( So mote it be ) .

The BISHOP then prayed that true faith , the fear of God , and brotherly love mig ht always abide , and that the place might remain ever consecrated to prayer and the praises of His holy name . As the offertory was being taken the choir and congregation sang the hymn , " Christ is our

cornerstone . A pleasing incident here occurred , her Royal Highness the Duchess receiving at the hands of several children , some of whom were very diminutive , and appeared timid and abashed in the presence of royalty , purses containing sums collected towards the Building Fund . The first to place a

purse upon the stone was the rosy-faced little infant , Princess Margaret , only a few months old , and who appeared charmingly oblivious of the prominent part she was taking in the ceiemony . Her father , the duke , patted her lovingly on the cheek as she was being taken up to the stone in the arms

of her nurse . The anthem " How dreadful is the place" and Psalm Ixxxvii ., " His foundations are upon the holy hills , " were sung , and the concluding prayers were said by the VICAR , the BISHOI ' pronouncing the Benediction .

Soon afterwards the company dispersed , the Royal party , accompanied by the Bishop of Winchester , Mrs . Harold Browne , and the Bishop ' s Chaplain , driving home to Bagshot Park . The clergy and other friends were entertained at the Vicarage , and the brethren having reassembled in Prov . Grand Lodge were thanked for their attendance in such numbers and dismissed , returning by the 4 . 30 train for home .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The General Committee of Subscribers to this Institution met on Saturday , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Edgar Bowyer in the chair . There were also present ; Bros . Joyce Murray , John L . Mather , L ; Ruf , Arthur E . Gladwell , Rev . Richard Morris , D . D . ( Head Master ) , Donald M . Dewar , Raynham W . Stewart , W . Maple , Alfred Williams , E . Baxter , George Cooper , F . Adlard , John Palmer , Thomas Cubitt , G . P . Festa , C . F . Hogard , F . Bmckes ( Secretary ) , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) .

After the reading and confirmation of the minutes the sum of £ 10 was voted to educate a boy out of the School for six months on account of ill health . Thc sum of ^ 2000 was ordered to be invested in India 4-per cent . Stock . The Secretary reported that £ 500 having been left by a testator to

" The Freemasons' Boys' School" it had become necessary to apply to the Chancery Division to ascertain whether "The Royal Institution for Boys" was meant . The chief clerk , on the necessary affidavits being before him , had decided that this institution was meant by the testator , in consequence of which the £ 500 had been received free of legacy duty .

Two petitions to place candidates on the list for the October election were passed , as was also the necessary qualifications of a presentation boy . Outfits of £ 5 each were granted to three late pupils of the Institution who are now in situations .

In consequence of withdrawals the number of candidates for next Monday ' s election was reduced to 62 , and a notice of motion for that meeting was given by Bro . W . ROEBUCK . The Committee then adjourned .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The monthly meeting of the General Committee was held at Freemasons ' Hall , on Wednesday last , under the presidency of Col . Creaton , when there were also present Bros . Raynham W . Stewart , C . G . Dillev , G . Bolton , C . A . Cottebrune , Louis Stean , lohn Bulmer , C . J . Perceval , Charles Lacy , J . M . Case , A . A . Richards , W . Hilton , W . H . Goodall , John J . Berry , A . H . Tattershall , Thos . W . Bush , Thos . Cubitt , James Garner , C . H . Webb , Jamas Willing , jun ., and E . C . Massey ( Freemason ) .

The minutes of the meetingof 14 th March having been read and verified , the secretary , Bro . Jarries Terry , reported the deaths ot two male annuitants , and the death of one male and one female candidate for election , and stated that there were now vacancies for 25 male and 15 female annuitants to be filled up at the next election .

The secretary submitted the report of the Finance Committee which verified the accounts down to 31 st March , and recommended that ^ 1000 should be invested in India Four per Cents , in the names of the trustees of the male and female funds respectively , and that ^ 2000 should be placed on deposit at the bankers ; and the committee resolved that the report be adopted and entered on the minutes , and authorised the investments and deposit recommended by the Finance Committee .

Bro . Col . Creaton , F . Farnfield , and Chas . Lacy were appointed as a committee to draw up the annual report to be presented to the meeting in May next . An application from the widow of Bro . Hyland , an annuitant whose

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

death was reported at last meeting , for a grant of a moiety of her deceased husband's annuity vvas acceded to . There being no further business before the committee the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmorland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND .

I he preliminary meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland and Westmorland was held in the County Hall , Carlisle , on Friday , the 6 th inst . In the unavoidable absence of the R . W . Prov . Grand Master and the W . Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . W . B . Gibson , P . M . 119 , P . P . G . S . W ., occupied the chair , supported by the following Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers :

Bros . J . Nicholson , P . M . 371 , P . P . G . S . W ., as D . P . G . M . ; G . W . Kenwoithy , P . M . ng , P . G . S . W . ; Jas . Dick , P . M . 1400 , P . G . J . W . ; Rev . W . Cockett , 310 , P . G . Chap . ; R . J . Nelson , P . M . 129 , P . G . Treas . ; Geo . J . McKay , P . M . 129 , P . P . G . S . W ., P . G . Sec ; Geo . Potter , P . M . 1532 , P . G . S . D . ; R . Wharton , P . M . S 12 , P . G . J . D . ; Geo . Dalrymple , P . M . S 72 , 1660 , P . G . D . of C . ; E . Tyson , P . M . 119 , P . G . A . D . of C . j D . Reece , P . M . 962 , P . G . Purst . ; R . L . Court , P . M . 310 ; J . F . Kirkconel , P . M . 1267 ; J . C . Mason , P . M . 1532 ; and C . Christooherson . 107- ! . P . G . Stewards : W . Graham .

1532 , P . G . Tyler ; J . Barr , P . N . 119 , P . P . G . I . W . ; W . Sandwith , P . M . 119 , P . P . G . T . ; W . Middleton , W . M . 129 ; H . Court , W . M . 310 ; J . Slack , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D . ; J . Wheatley , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W . ; J . Bewley , S . W . ; R . Nelson , J . W . ; Geo . Murchie , P . M . ; W . Harrison , P . M . ; W . Blaylock , H . Bewes , P . M . 327 , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . Kirkbride , P . M . 339 , P . P . G . S . W . ; T . B . Arnison , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . ; J . Gardiner , Walters

P . M . 371 , P . P . G . Reg . ; A . , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; J . J . Robinson , P . M . 872 , W . M . 19 S 9 , P . P . G . T . ; Rev . E . M . Rice , 962 , P . P . G . Chap . ; J . C . Hunter , P . M . P . P . G . Purst . ; F . R . Sewell , P . M . 1002 , P . P . G . S . W . ; H . Peacock , VV . M . 1002 ; Thos . Mayson , Sec . ; Chas . Gowking , W . M . 1073 ; J . Hall , J . W . ; W . L . Towerson , W . M . 1267 ; E . Clarke , P . M . P . P . G . J . D . ; M . Compton , P . M . 127 , P . P . G . D . of C . ; C . S . Lane , P . M . 645 , 764 , P . P . G . S . D . Durham ; and others .

After several letters of apology were read for non-attendance , the minutes of the annual Provincial Grand Lodge held at Carlisle last September were confirmed . The dues and fees of honour having been paid , with the exception of one lodge only , it was decided , on the recommendation of Bro . W . L . TOWERSON , W . M . 1267 , that > t be suggested to the R . W . Prov . Grand Master the desirability of holding the annual meeting at Egremont , under the banner of Kenlis Lodge , No . 1267 .

Two sums of £ 5 were voted to two widows ; and on the motion of Bro . MCKAY , P . G . S ., seconded by Bro . GIBSON , acting Prov . G . M ., the handsome sum of ^ 150 was voted on behalf of Bro . McKay ' s Stewardship , when he in an able speech thanked the brethren of the province for the very hearty

and generous manner they had in the past supported him , and trusted what had been done was only of a mere fractional character in comparision to what would have to be accomplished . The advantage to the province of double voting power at former prices was not to be lost sight of ; now or never was the time to strike the blow .

" Hearty good wishes " having been given from Kent and Durham , Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in form . The brethren subsequentl y dined in the County Hotel , after which the loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Cumberland And Westmorland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND .

The annual convocation of this Grand Chapter was held in the County Hall , Carlisle , on Friday , the 6 th inst ., under the banner of the Union Chapter , No . 310 , when in the absence of the Earl of BECTIVE , M . P ., Prov . Grand Superintendent , the throne was occupied by M . E . Comp . W . B . Gibson , P . Z . 119 , P . G . H ., supported by the following Comps .: Comps . J . Barr , P . Z . 119 , P . P . G . J ., as H . ; 1 . Nicholson . P . Z . -171 . P . G . I . : Geonre T .

MacKay , P . Z . 129 , P . G . S . E . ; P . de E . Collin , P . Z . 371 , P . G . S . N . ; J . Wheatley , P . Z . 310 , P . G . P . S . ; R . J . Nelson , P . Z . 129 , P . G . Treas . ; George Dalrymple , Z . ng , P . G . Swd . Br . ; J . Cook , 310 , P . G . Std . Br . ; A . Walters , H . 371 , P . G . DiC . ; F . R . Sewell , 371 , P . G . Stwd . ; George Potter , 310 , P . G . Stwd . ; H . Bewes , P . Z . 327 ; W . Sandwith , P . Z . 119 , P . P . G . A . S . ; Edward Tyson , P . Z . 119 , P . P . G . D . C ; Edward Clarke , H . 119 ; G . W . Kenworthy , P . Z . 119 , P . P . G . Treas . ; J . F . Kirkconel , 119 ; J . Robinson

J . , 119 ; J . Slack , P . Z . 310 , P . P . G . P . S . ; W . Court , P . Z . 310 , P . P . G . S . Br . ; R . L . Court , P . Z . 310 ; M . Compton , 310 ; J . Gardiner , P . Z . 371 , P . P . G . Reg . ; T . B . Arinson , 339 ; H . Peacock , 371 ; and others . The minutes of the former convocation were read and confirmed . Comp . R . J . Nelson was by a unanimous vote elected Provincial Grand Treasurer , and Comp . J . M . Salisbury for the second time Provincial

Grand Janitor . The Officers for the ensuing year were then invested as follows : — Comp . John Holme , P . Z . 129 ... ... ... Prov . G . H . „ G . W . Kenworthy , P . Z . 119 ... ... Prov . G . J . „ George J . MacKay , P . Z . 129 Prov . G . S . E . „ W . Sandwith , P . Z . 119 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N .

„ T . B . Arinson . P . Z . 339 ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ James Cook , P . Z . 310 ... ... ... Prov . G . ist A . Soj . „ Andrew Walters , H . 371 ... ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . Soj . „ F . R . Sewell , 371 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ J . Lazonb y , ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ J . R . Burrow ... ... ... „ , Prov . G . Std . B .

„ M . Compton , 310 ... ... „ , Prov . G . D . C . „ J . Smith , Org . 371 ... . . . , „ Prov . G . Org . „ Edward Clarke , H . 119 ... - ^ „ J . Banks , 12 9 . „ ... ... I Prov . G . Stewards . „ R . L . Court , 310 ... ... ... J

„ James M . Salisbury , Janitor 119 ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . The Treasurer ' s statement of accounts was passed , showing a balance of upwards of £ 50 . On the motion of Comp . MCKAY , supported by Comp . GIBSON , the sum of 20 guineas was voted to Comp . MCKAY ' S Stewardship , After other matters of a general character were disposed of Provincial Grand Chapter was closed with solemn prayer ,