Glasgow.

Dalmuir St . John ' s , 543 . —The members of this lodge , which was opened only in December last , have just shown an example of public spirit , which might advantageously be imitated in other country districts . There being neither hall accommodation for themselves , nor for any other occasional

assemblies , they have pluckily formed themselves into a Masonic Hall Company ( Limited ) , secured a piece of ground on adequate terms , and are now well advanced with the erection of a building , the chief feature of which will be a hall capable of accommodating 200 persons , with retiring-rooms and other

modern conveniences . The edifice is situate at the east end of the village , midway between the Dumbarton-road and the Forth and Clyde Canal ; and although primarily meant for the convenience of the Craft , it will be found greatly useful in the locality for public or private meetings of any kind .

On Saturday , the 7 th inst ., the village was all agog in consequence of the laying of the memorial stone of the building with masonic honours , by the Provincial Grand Master of Dumbartonshire , Brother Alexander Smollett of Bonhill . Shortly before 3 p . m ., the P . G . L ., met in the house of Bro . Scott ,

adjacent to the building , and was opened by the P . G . M . Meanwhile there had mustered on the scene deputations from the following lodges , No . y / z , St . John ' s , Glasgow ; 18 ( Dumbarton Kilwinning ) ; 73 ( Thistle and Rose , Glasgow ) ; 87 ( Thistle Glasgow ; 117 ( Patrick St . Mary ' s ) ,

129 , ( St . Mirren ' s , Paisley ) ; 170 ( Leven St . John ' s , Renten ) ; 321 ( St . Andrew ' s , R . A ., Alexandria ) ; 370 ( Renfrew County , Kilwinning , Paisley ) ; 426 ( Prince of Wales , Renfrew ) ; 437 ( Govandale ); 503 ( St . George , Helensburgh ) ; 510 ( Maryhill ) ; and 543 ( Dalmuir , St . John's ) . In addition to these

were deputations of Ancient Shepherds , Foresters , and Free Gardeners , from Renfrew , Duntoches , & c , in most cases accompanied by an instrumental band , so that it can be understood that the occasion was a gala day in the place . The members of P . G . L . and office-bearers of lodge 543 having

proceeded to the bunding , and assembled on the platform close to the stone , prayer was offered up by the Rev . Quintin Johnstone , Whiteinch , acting chaplain of lodge , 117 . Bro . Morrison , Duntoches , one of the directors of the company , then addressed himself to the P . G . L ., and said ;—Twelve months

ago you were pleased to accept and support our petition to the Grand Lodge of Scotland requesting their sanction for a lodge of free and accepted Masons to be opened in Dalmuir ; and you have now come to confirm the work by laying the foundation stone . Knowing you to be a skilled

and efficient workman under the Great Architect , I ask you in the name of the shareholders to accept of this trowel , whereby you may complete the work which has already been begun . The P . G . M . then accepted of the trowel , and duly consecrated and laid the stone in its position . In the course of a

few remarks thereafter , the P . G . M . said that the building of which they had now laid the foundation stone , was the first which any lodge and freemasons had erected on their own resources within the province , at least since he had the honour of holding the position of P . G . M ., no similar undertaking had

been carried out , and he thought it was greatly to their credit that so little time should have elapsed since the formation of the lodge and their taking the present steps for carrying out the work of freemasonry . The craft in the district appeared to be in a very flourishing state , and he only

hoped that it would l « ng continue so . He had to thank the brethren of the lodge for the very handsome trowel they had given him . He would keep it and cherish it as long as he lived . The R . W . M . of the Lodge ( Bro . Ferguson ) then briefly thanked the P . G . M . forhis serviceson the

occasion , and called for three cheers for him , which were given with a will . The Rev . Mr . Wilson Renton , P . G . chaplain , then offered up prayer , and the proceedings at the building terminated . Immediately thereafter , the various deputations present with their bands , formed in procession , and

had a march up the road as far as Clydebankbuildings , the Paisley and Renfrew , contingents continuing on homeward , and those for the west and Glasgow returning to Dalmuir for the trains . The members of the spirited young lodge must have been much gratified with the complete success of the occasion . They appeared for the first time in

their spick and span new clothing and jewellery , all manufactured for them by Bro . George Kenning , at the Masonic Depot , 145 , Argyle-street , Glasgow , who likewise furnished the unusally handsome and massive solid silver trowel , presented to the P . G . M ., and referred to by him as above . The weather was dry and bracing throughout , an important element as every one knows , on all such occasions .

Lodge Thistle ( 87 ) . —The regular bi-monthly meeting of this lodge was held here on the 3 rd inst ., Brother John Miller , R . W . M ., presiding , Bros . John Fraser , P . M ., C . R . Jenkins , D . M ., William Wilson , S . W ., J ames Booth , J . W ., and the other

Glasgow.

principal office-bearers being present , with a large concourse of brethren . The lodge having been opened in the first degree , the minutes of the last meeting were read and sustained , when the R . W . M ., in a neat and appropriate speech , proposed Brother Malcolm Stark , D . M ., 553 , for honorary affiliation , which , being duly seconded and carried ,

was accordingly done , Bro . John Fraser , P . M ., officiating . The next business was the nomination of office-bearers for the ensuing year , after which the lodge was called from labour to refreshment , when a pleasant hour was spent , Bros . Burns , Stuart , Scott , and others contributing greatly to the harmony of the meeting . The lodge was then recalled and closed by the R . W . M .

Lodge Old Markland , St . James's ( 177 ) . —The annual festival of this lodge was held in M'Intyre's Hall , on 30 th ult . The R . W . M . ( Bro . Richard White ) occupied the chair , supported right and left by Bros . Symington and D . M . Donaldson , while Bro . E . M . Belton officiated as Croupier ,

supported by Secretary Crichtonand S . W . Martm . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , the chairman gave the toast of the evening , " Lodge Old Markland , St . James ' s , " in doing which he gave a most interesting resume of the history of the lodge from its formation until present day . Amongst remaining toasts were " Sister Lodges , " proposed by

Brother Symington , and responded to by Brother Chalmers , Lodge Montrose ( 887 ) , and " The Strangers , " given by Brother Bell , and replied to by Brother Ccllan , Lodge New Jersey , U . S . A pleasant evening was spent . The usual monthly meeting of the lodge was held on the 3 rd inst ., when two candidates who had previously been proposed and balloted for received the first degree .

Dunbar Castle Lodc ; e ( 75 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of the above lodge was held on the evening of Wednesday last ( 4 th inst . ) , and it is very gratifying to know that this ancient lodge is in a most flourishing condition . Brother David Vallance , R . W . M ., occupied the chair , supported by Bro ,

C . Conncll , P . M ., and J . Smith , of Lodge Malta , 3 S 7 , Bros . Melvin , Treasurer ; Murray , Secretary ; J . Robertson , Acting S . W . ; W . Riddell , Acting J . W . ; & c . The lodge being duly opened in the first degree , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and passed , an application was submitted

from Mr . John Penn , late sergeant 17 th Lancers , who was proposed at a previous meeting , which was considered by the brethren and sustained , after which he was duly initiated into the mysteries of the order . The lodge was then passed to the second degree , when Bros . A . Aitken , W . Innes ,

and J . Penn , who had made good progress in the first were duly passed , the R . W . M . performing the two degrees in his usual style , which at all times gives great satisfaction . The lodge was then reduced to the E . A . Degree , when Mr . George

Cunningham was proposed as a fit and proper person to be admitted a member of the order , which was agreed to . No other business being before the lodge , it was called from labour to refreshment , and after a very happy evening the lodge was duly tyled and closed .

Lodge St . Machar , 54 , Aberdeen . —A special meeting of this lodge was held on the 5 th inst . in the Masonic Hall , Exchange Street , the R . W . M ., Bro . Cran presiding . Mr . Charles Augustus Brook , late of the Tapanese navy ,

received the E . A . degree , the ceremony being performed most effectively by the R . W . M ., assisted by the D . M . Bro . Gordon of Craigmyle , and the P . M ., Bro . Crombie . The working of this lodge in all its departments is of the very highest order .

PRESENTATION TO BRO . WILLIAM FORSTER , I . P . M ., P . P . G . S ., OF W . —On Monday evening a special meeting of the Fawcett Lodge ( 661 ) was held in the Masonic Hall , Seaham , for the purpose of presenting Brother William Forster , I . P . M ., P . P . G . S ., of W ., with a testimonial of its

appreciation of the valuable services rendered by him in connection with the erection of the recently completed Masonic Hall in that town . The chair was occupied by the W . M ., Bro . H . B . Wright , P . P . G . R ., supported by Bro . James Ayre , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Bro . Robert Candlish , P . M ., Bro . William Skelton ,

P . M . ( Palatine Lodge ) , P . P . G . S . B ., and others . In an excellent speech the W . M . begged Bro . Forster ' s acceptance of the jewel and clothing of his Provincial Grand Rank , and , amid the acclamations of the brethren , expressed the lodge ' s sense of

indebtedness to the recipient for the warm and selfsacrificing interest he had taken in the building of the commodious hall in which they were assembled . Bro . Forster replied in a short , interesting , and feeling speech , and the proceedings terminated .

The Wreck Of The Chusan.

THE WRECK OF THE CHUSAN .

We understand that upwards of thirty witnesses have been summoned to attend the Board of Trade inquiry which opens at Ardrossan Town Hall today at ten a . m . The inquiry therefore promises to be a somewhat protracted one . On Friday night the members of Lodge Neptune

Kilwinning , Ardrossan , No . 442 , had a very interesting meeting in their lodge-room , the object being to present a sum of money to the officers of the Chusan . There was a large attendance of the brethren , and the officers of the Chusan present were : Messrs . J . M . Johnstone , first officer ; Edwin

Humphreys , purser ; William Ortwin , William G . Wrench , and George Marr , engineers . The first engineer , Mr . Gardner , was unable to be present , as we regret to say he has not yet recovered from the injuries received at the wreck . The chair in the east was filled by the Past Master , Bro . James

Robertson , and , after opening the lodge in due form , he referred to the loss of the Chusan , and said it became them as Masons to give practical effect to the sympathy they felt for the officers of the steamer in their misfortune . All of the brethren were Masons , and in the name of the Neptune

Lodge he begged to offer them the congratulations of the brethren on their preservation , and to ask their acceptance of a purse of fifty-four sovereigns to aid them in obtaining another outfit . He explained that this sum would yet be augmented . The Lodge would never forget the brethren of the

Chusan , or the sad circumstrnces which had brought them under their notice . He hoped that in future every success might attend them . Each of the brethren returned their heartfelt thanks for the kindness bestowed on them by the members of the Neptune Lodge , and for the many marks of

attention received from the people of Ardrossan . The presence of several visiting brethren was then acknowledged from the chair , and responded to by Bro . J . H . Mearns , afterwhich the lodge was closed in due form . It is worthy of note that all the officers of the Chusan , including Captain Johnson , were

members of Masonic lodges . It may be fresh in the minds of our readers that Mr . David Casey , mate of the Ada Barton , gave valuable assistance on board the tug steamer while picking up some of the survivors . As Mr . Casey is also a Freemason ,

the Neptune Lodge presented him with a valuable gold ring , which bears the following inscription — " From the brethren of Neptune , Kilwinning , to Bro . David Casey , for his manly conduct at wreck of the steamer Chusan at Ardrossan harbour . "North British Daily Mail .

Ireland.

Ireland .

GRAND LODGE OF IRELAND . ELECTION OF GRAND MASTER . A meeting of the members of this ancient and venerable Order was held in the Grand Lodge Room of the Masonic Hall , Molesworthstreet , for the purpose of electing a Grand Master in the room of the late Duke of Leinster .

The large portrait of the late Grand Master , the organ , the pillars , and chair , were draped with crape , and the proceedings were characterised with a befitting feeling of solemnity . There was a very numerous attendance from the city and provinces . The chair was occupied by Bro .

Shekleton , Deputy Grand Master , supported by the Rev . Lord Plunket , Hon . David Plunket , M . P ., and other distinguished members of the Order . After the usual formal business had been transacted ,

The Deputy Grand Master said that since they last met within those walls a sad and dire event had occurred . A blow had fallen ^ and Masonry had been deprived of its head . One who for over sixty years had been their guide and leading star had fallen—had gone to his

last account . Far be it from him in an assembly of Masons to utter any eulogy on the memory of their Grand Master—( Hear , hear ) . It would be only an insult to his memory were he to do so , for he knew that his memory was loved and cherished amongst them all . lie was anxious , as he knew they all were , that they should have

the melancholy satisfaction of paying the last tribute of respect to his memory ; but in accordance with the dislike to ostentatious display which had ever marked his grace ' s course through life , he gave positive directions that his funeral should be strictly private . Knowing that the slightest utterance of a wish even by