Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lying The Memorial Stone Of A Public School At Kilwinning.
LYING THE MEMORIAL STONE OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL AT KILWINNING .
c The memorial-stone of a large and handsome new school for the parish of Kilwinning was laid on Saturday -th ult ., by Bro . Col . Mure , M . P ., vvith full Masonic honours . The school , with the erection of which considerable progress has been made , is situate at a point near the Dairy Road , in close proximity to Kilwinning . The building is
commodious , and in every respect well adapted for an educational institution . The architect is Mr . John Armour , of Irving ' . The school will accommodate 700 pupils , and will cost about , £ 7000 . The ceremony of laying the memorial stone on Saturday proved an event of great interest to the people of the parish , as was evinced by the large number who assembled to witness the proceedings .
Additional eclat was given to the ceremony by the part the Freemasons took in it , and by the demonstration they made in their procession to and from the Temperance Hall in Kilwinning , where the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire , of which Colonel Mure is R . W . G . M ., was opened . At the site of the school a platform was erected for the
accommodation of a large number of ladies and gentlemen . Among those present were the Earl of Eglinton , the Hon . Mr . Vernon , chairman of the School Board ; the members of the board , and the clerk , Mr . Andrew Macrorie ; also the following office-bearers of the Masonic b 0 ( jy : —Colonel Mure of Caldwell , P . G . M . ; Sir James
Fergusson , Bart ., of Kilkerran , P . P . G . M . ; Roger Montgomerie , D . P . G . M . ; W . Ralston Patrick , of Trearne , S . P . G . M . ; R . W . Cochrane Patrick , Substitute P . G . M .-, D . Murray Lyon , Proxy P . G . M . for West India Islands , P . S . G . W . ; D . Campbell , Maybole , Acting P . J . G . W . ; John Whinson , P . G .
Treasurer ; Robert Wyhc , P . G . Secretary . The following were the lodges represented : —Mother Kilwinning , o ; Glasgow , 3 bis ; Maybole , 11 ; St . John ' s , Kilmarnock , 22 ; Thistle and Rose , Glasgow , 73 ; St . Andrew , Kilmarnock , 126 ; Thistle , Stevvarton , 127 ; St . James ( Burn ' s Lodge ) , Tarbolton , 135 ; St . Andrew , Irvine , 149 ; St . John , Kilwinning , Beith , 157 ; Thistle and Rose ,
Stevenston , 169 ; Royal Arch , Maybole , 198 ; St . Clement , Riccarton , 202 ; St . John , Girvan , 237 ; St . Andrew , Glenbuck , 245 ; Blair Dairy , 290 ; Royal Arch , Ardrossan , 310 ; St . Peter , Galston , 331 ; Neptune , Ardrossan , 442 ; St . Matthew , Dreghorn , 549 ; St . James , Dailly Fergusson
59 6 . The proceedings were commenced with prayer by the Chaplain , Mr . Inglis of Kilmaurs , after which the usual formalities were gone through . The Earl of Eglinton presented the trowel to Colonel Mure , who , having performed the ceremony , declared the stone duly laid . Three cheers were called for , and given with enthusiasm
by the spectators . Colonel Mure , M . P . ( P . G . M . ) , then addressed the assemblage . He said it was a very long time ago nowhe thought it was in the year 1814—since the Freemasons of Kilwinning were employed in a similar ceremony as that which had just been completed . On that occasion they laid the foundation of the kirk tower , which was
familiar to them . He had no doubt a great many of them , and particularly the ladies , who , generally speaking , were supposed to be more curious than men , might wonder what the object of Freemasonry was . Well , the object of Freemasonry was , in itself , a most excellent one , as the Craft consisted of a vast number of men , throughout the whole world , banded together in order to promote that which is
good . People might sometimes say to themselves , " Are Freemasons better than any other body ? " All he knew was that if they were not they ought to be , because they bound themselves by solemn vows to be better than other people . With regard to education , he would say this for the Freemasons in Ayrshire , that , quite independent of the great educational movement which had been going on
some years in this country , they had tried to do a little for education , because they had already collected a subscription among themselves by which they could afford to give £ 20 a-year to enable the son of a Freemason to leave the parish school with the prospect of securing a higher education , and do , as many Scotchmen had done before him , raise himself in condition and intellectual power .
J hat was not a very great thing , but it was a step in the right direction . He quite admitted , however , when he knew what a vast organisation Freemasonry is , and when he looked at the enormous ramifications of Masonry throughout the world , that he would not grumble if they did a little more good than they had done . The gallant colonel then referred to the various emblems which had
been used in the ceremony , and explained their meanings and applications . In the course of his remarks on these heads , he observed that when he look the sheaf of corn in his hand he could not help thinking that it formed in some parts of this island not only the errtblem of prosperity , but in some sense it might be said to be not an unfit emblem of
the ignorance that prevailed in certain parts of Her Majesty ' s dominions . He alluded to the wretched condition of the children employed in agriculture in the South of England , and in various counties in that country ; and when he ¦"' ought of that , and also remembered that it was not so jery long ago that the standard of their education was lowered , in order to meet the blind folly of the farmers of
knjrland , he could not help congratulating himself that in Scotland , at least , our farmers had not come forward and said , " We cannot afford to collect the gift of a bountiful 1 rovidence unless our children are kept in ignorance . " hat in itself was to him a subject of sincere congratulation , : "id looking , as thev ought to do , with a more extended
v >' i let them hope the day was not far distant when the co 'npulsory powers we had in this happy part of Her Majesty ' s •omrnions might be welcomed by all classes and trades i I i "l ' "' ' R reat an & otherwise prosperous s and . The hon . gentleman then commented on the •innonv which hail prevailed at the school board , con-
Lying The Memorial Stone Of A Public School At Kilwinning.
gratulating the gentlemen engaged on having set aside their religious differences in their desire that little children who were ignorant might be taught . He also congratulated the people of this country that while the leading men of other nations had to take up their time consideringquestions which stirred up the worst passions of their countrymen , or questions of peace or war , our great men devoted
themselves to public education , and to efforts to improve the condition of the children of the country . By our future acts , by our reformatories , by our industrial" schools , and by this great effort—this great educational scheme—he hoped , by the blessing of God , we would become before many years were passed a happier , better , and more Christian people .
The Hon . Mr . Vernon , on behalf of his colleagues , the members of the School Board of Kilwinning , thanked Colonel Mure and those who assisted him for their kindness . Referring to an observation which fell from Colonel Mure regarding the importance of unanimity , he remarked that the board had worked most harmoniously and unanimously .
Colonel Mure acknowledged the compliment . Three cheers were then given in succession for the Queen , for Colonel Mure , and for the members of the School Board . The Freemasons subsequently formed into procession and marched into town , followed by the people who had witnessed the proceedings at tlie ceremony . In the evening a large number of gentlemen , including
the mejnbers of the School Board and others who took part in the ceremony , met at dinner in the hall connected with the Eglinton Arms Hotel . The Hon . Mr . Vernon occupied the chair , and Mr . Roger Montgomerie , M . P ., and Mr . Ralston Patrick officiated as croupiers . After dinner , the Chairman intimated the receipt of letters of apology for absence from Brcs . Lord Rosslyn , Past G . M . ; Sir Wm .
Cuninghame , M . P . ; Dr . Taylor , secretary to the Education Board ; Mr . Smollett , and other gentlemen . At the request of the Chairman , the company then drank the loyal toasts . Sir James Fergusson , who was very warmly welcomed , proposed " Both Houses of Parliament . " In doing so he said he could not refrain from noticing how large a portion of the time of parliament was at present occupied in
considering and passing measures , having for their special object the improvement of the moral and material welfare of the people . He believed there was no respect in which parliament could better provide for the safety of the people and the good of the nation than by insisting on a good and satisfactory education for the people . He sincerely hoped , with his friend Colonel Mure , that it would not be
long before every parent in the kingdom would not only have the means , but would have imposed upon him the duty of the education of his child . And he believed we might best look forward without apprehension to the future , and expect that not only would this country remain in the enjoyment of peace within its borders , but hold its own in the great competition with other producing nations if
our people were well educated , and so be preserved from falling into those dangers of which ignorance was the fertile source . He was glad to see the liberal provision which the school boards were making for public education . He trusted that the work that district , in common ¦ with others , was engaged in would result in great benefits to this and to future generations . He coupled with the toast
the name of Mr . Montgomerie . Mr . Montgomerie , M . P ., congratulated the meeting on the re-appearance of Sir James Fergusson , and congratulated him on having had such an excellent opportunity for his re-appearance . Speaking to the toast which had been proposed , the hon . member said in no period of our history had the House of Lords occupied a more honourable
position than at present . It was a remarkable thing that whilst our neighbours in countries on the continent were makingnew constitutions , they always stuck at the difficulty of creating a second house of legislation . There might be anomalies about the House of Lords which shocked the ordinary mind of the constitution monger , but it was an institution which had worked well ever since the country
was governed as it is at present . It had never happened that the House of Lords had failed to supply men of first class talents , who were prepared to give up their time and energy and talents to the service of the country ; and he trusted that it might never be the case that such a class of men should cease to exist . He was proud to return thanks on behalf of the House of Commons . There was
not in the world another assembly like that house . He being a member , should not speak so highly of it , but it was undeniable that there was not another representative assembly in the world that maintained its dignity in the way the House of Commons did . The last session had been a laborious one ; the Government and its supporters had done their work to the best of their ability , and
hetrusted they had done it with a certain amount of acceptance to the country . They had devoted themselves to measures which affected the real domestic happiness of the country ; and he thought these measures when they came into operation would be found to work well . It was sometimes objected to some measures that they were permissive in their character ; but surely it was proper when they
proposed to tax people largely for improvements of which they did not perhaps see the immediate value , that they should carry the people along with them . Measures could not be forced down people ' s throats without raising up an opposition which really defeated the object they had in view . The hon member then in eulogistic terms , proposed " The Health of Lord Stair , Lord-Lieutenant of the County . "
Mr Ralston Patrick gave " The Health of the Earl of Eglinton , Lord of the Manor , " and Mr . Ferguson proposed , " The Army , Navy , and Auxiliary Forces , " coupled with Captain M'Jannett , of the Irvine Artillery Volunteers , who replied . " The Clergy of Scotland " was proposed by Mr . I lalkett , Saltcoats , and Bro . Inglis responded . The Chairman then gave "The Grind Lodge of Ayrshire , "
Lying The Memorial Stone Of A Public School At Kilwinning.
coupled with the name of Colonel Mure . Colonel Mure briefly replied , and afterwards spoke to the toast of the educational interests of Kilwinning and of the county . They had in Kilwinning , he said , a magnificent school and an earnest and active School Board . They had also , he was given to understand , a most able schoolmaster , and an active and efficient school officer ; but now
came the time that their real work would have to be done . They would be able , he had no doubt , to sweep the children into the school because they had got compulsory powers . They had been able to build a handsome school because Government had given themjpower to raise money , and they had been able to obtain the services of a good schoolmaster ; but with all this done and secured they
would only perhaps be able to teach these children to read and write . He had no hesitation in saying that they wanted something more than that . He did not believe in children being brought up to the lower standards we had in this country , and then being swept into the fields . After remarking on the necessity for the poor populations in our great cities being properly housed , Colonel Mure concluded
by remarking that it would only be in a few years hence that they would get the real test of this education scheme . It would not do then for them , as they did now , to take the education reports and read admirable descriptions of the number of children swept into the school , and the numbers who had passed the standards , and to read eulogiums upon
school boards . They would then read these reports not alone , but side by side vvith them the reports of the police , the criminal statistics , the pauper statistics , and then , if they found vice and pauperism decreasing , if these were found falling off , they would be able to say their educational , efforts had been of real value . ( Applause . ) A number of other toasts followed .
FREEMASONRY IN RUTHERGLEN The following appeared in the correspondence of the " North British Daily Mail , " 28 th September , 187 .= . Sir , —There are a good many Freemasons in Glasgow , who are probably not aware that the largest , and , indeed considerably the largest , hall in the West of Scotland is situated in the little burgh of Rutherglen . I was present
the other evening at one of their meetings , and witnessed what is technically known as " working the three degrees . " The ritual was literally perfect in its delivery , and at once stamped me with the impression — and that very forcibly too — that the St John ' s Operative Lodge , No 347 , had every reason to be proud of their R . W . M and the several office-bearers , and equally proud of the finest Masonic Hall
in the western district of North Britain . I have visited all the most important institutions of this kind in Glasgow , but Rutherglen so completely eclipses anything of the kind in this city that I sincerely trust the consecration of this new hall on the 12 th of November next , by Colonel Campbell , the justly esteemed Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire East , may be numerously attended , so that every Freemason in Glasgow may personally satisfy himself that
there is no exaggeration as regards its magnitude . The building , of course , is new , and just in its present condition may not be so tastefully decorated as what subsequent arrangements may suggest . The rough walls and absence of paint in new buildings do not contribute as a rule to the most favourable aspect of matters ; but I still repeat that Rutherglen can boast of the best Masonic Hall in the west of Scotland . — 1 am , & c , A FREEMASON .
PRESENTATION TO A WORTHY BROTHER . —On Wednesday week , at the police station , Prescot , a presentation was made by the police of the Prescot division to Bro . J . W . J . Fowler , P . P . G . A . D . C ., P . M . 84 , who is retiring from the position of superintendent , upon the superanuation allowance , after about 40 years' service in the police force of the country , a large portion of that period having been spent
at Prescot as superintendent . The testimonial consisted of a silver cup and a gold pencil case for Bro . Fowler and a gold brooch for Mrs . Fowler . On one side of the cup appears Bro . Fowler ' s crest , and on the other the following inscription : — " Presented bv the officers and constables of
the Prescot division , as a mark of respect , to Superintendent J . W . Fowler on his retirement from the service . September , 1875 . " The presentation was made , on behalf of the subscribers , by Inspector Binns . A testimonial to Bro . Fowler is also being raised by the inhabitants of Preseot and the immediate neighbourhood .
MUNIFICENCE OF DISTINGUISHED BRETHREN IN WEST LANCASHIRE . —The foundation stone of a new church , to be called St . Michael and All Angels , was laid at Dalton , near Wigan , on Wednesday week , by Lady Skelmersdale , of Lathom House . Owing to the want of church accomodation in the district , five years ago a barn was converted into a church , and this was endowed with £ 3000 , which
was raised mainly by trie munificence of Bro . John Prvscott , P . P . J . G . W . West Lancashire , of Dalton Grange . The district was made into a separate ecclesiastical pari > h , a resident minister was appointed , and a vicarage hous ; shortly afterwards built by Bro . Prescott . In place of the present small building , Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M . of E ., Prov . G . M ., W . L ., offered to build a new church .
and on Wednesday week the first stone was laid . Although the weather was very inclement , there was a large number of spectators , amongst these being Lord anil Lady Skelmersdale and family , the Hon . Mrs . Wilbraham , Lord Clarendon , the Hon . F . Villiers , and Nlrs . Prescott , Mrs . Loch ( wife of the lieutenant-governor of the Isle of
Man ) , and a large number of clergymen from the surrounding neighbourhood . A service was first held in the present church , and the ceremony was then performed by Lady Skelmersdale in the customary manner . Luncheon was afterwards provided , and the usual toasts were given and responded to . The new church is estimated to cost from £ 3000 to £ 4000 , and will accommodate 250 peopie
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Lying The Memorial Stone Of A Public School At Kilwinning.
LYING THE MEMORIAL STONE OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL AT KILWINNING .
c The memorial-stone of a large and handsome new school for the parish of Kilwinning was laid on Saturday -th ult ., by Bro . Col . Mure , M . P ., vvith full Masonic honours . The school , with the erection of which considerable progress has been made , is situate at a point near the Dairy Road , in close proximity to Kilwinning . The building is
commodious , and in every respect well adapted for an educational institution . The architect is Mr . John Armour , of Irving ' . The school will accommodate 700 pupils , and will cost about , £ 7000 . The ceremony of laying the memorial stone on Saturday proved an event of great interest to the people of the parish , as was evinced by the large number who assembled to witness the proceedings .
Additional eclat was given to the ceremony by the part the Freemasons took in it , and by the demonstration they made in their procession to and from the Temperance Hall in Kilwinning , where the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire , of which Colonel Mure is R . W . G . M ., was opened . At the site of the school a platform was erected for the
accommodation of a large number of ladies and gentlemen . Among those present were the Earl of Eglinton , the Hon . Mr . Vernon , chairman of the School Board ; the members of the board , and the clerk , Mr . Andrew Macrorie ; also the following office-bearers of the Masonic b 0 ( jy : —Colonel Mure of Caldwell , P . G . M . ; Sir James
Fergusson , Bart ., of Kilkerran , P . P . G . M . ; Roger Montgomerie , D . P . G . M . ; W . Ralston Patrick , of Trearne , S . P . G . M . ; R . W . Cochrane Patrick , Substitute P . G . M .-, D . Murray Lyon , Proxy P . G . M . for West India Islands , P . S . G . W . ; D . Campbell , Maybole , Acting P . J . G . W . ; John Whinson , P . G .
Treasurer ; Robert Wyhc , P . G . Secretary . The following were the lodges represented : —Mother Kilwinning , o ; Glasgow , 3 bis ; Maybole , 11 ; St . John ' s , Kilmarnock , 22 ; Thistle and Rose , Glasgow , 73 ; St . Andrew , Kilmarnock , 126 ; Thistle , Stevvarton , 127 ; St . James ( Burn ' s Lodge ) , Tarbolton , 135 ; St . Andrew , Irvine , 149 ; St . John , Kilwinning , Beith , 157 ; Thistle and Rose ,
Stevenston , 169 ; Royal Arch , Maybole , 198 ; St . Clement , Riccarton , 202 ; St . John , Girvan , 237 ; St . Andrew , Glenbuck , 245 ; Blair Dairy , 290 ; Royal Arch , Ardrossan , 310 ; St . Peter , Galston , 331 ; Neptune , Ardrossan , 442 ; St . Matthew , Dreghorn , 549 ; St . James , Dailly Fergusson
59 6 . The proceedings were commenced with prayer by the Chaplain , Mr . Inglis of Kilmaurs , after which the usual formalities were gone through . The Earl of Eglinton presented the trowel to Colonel Mure , who , having performed the ceremony , declared the stone duly laid . Three cheers were called for , and given with enthusiasm
by the spectators . Colonel Mure , M . P . ( P . G . M . ) , then addressed the assemblage . He said it was a very long time ago nowhe thought it was in the year 1814—since the Freemasons of Kilwinning were employed in a similar ceremony as that which had just been completed . On that occasion they laid the foundation of the kirk tower , which was
familiar to them . He had no doubt a great many of them , and particularly the ladies , who , generally speaking , were supposed to be more curious than men , might wonder what the object of Freemasonry was . Well , the object of Freemasonry was , in itself , a most excellent one , as the Craft consisted of a vast number of men , throughout the whole world , banded together in order to promote that which is
good . People might sometimes say to themselves , " Are Freemasons better than any other body ? " All he knew was that if they were not they ought to be , because they bound themselves by solemn vows to be better than other people . With regard to education , he would say this for the Freemasons in Ayrshire , that , quite independent of the great educational movement which had been going on
some years in this country , they had tried to do a little for education , because they had already collected a subscription among themselves by which they could afford to give £ 20 a-year to enable the son of a Freemason to leave the parish school with the prospect of securing a higher education , and do , as many Scotchmen had done before him , raise himself in condition and intellectual power .
J hat was not a very great thing , but it was a step in the right direction . He quite admitted , however , when he knew what a vast organisation Freemasonry is , and when he looked at the enormous ramifications of Masonry throughout the world , that he would not grumble if they did a little more good than they had done . The gallant colonel then referred to the various emblems which had
been used in the ceremony , and explained their meanings and applications . In the course of his remarks on these heads , he observed that when he look the sheaf of corn in his hand he could not help thinking that it formed in some parts of this island not only the errtblem of prosperity , but in some sense it might be said to be not an unfit emblem of
the ignorance that prevailed in certain parts of Her Majesty ' s dominions . He alluded to the wretched condition of the children employed in agriculture in the South of England , and in various counties in that country ; and when he ¦"' ought of that , and also remembered that it was not so jery long ago that the standard of their education was lowered , in order to meet the blind folly of the farmers of
knjrland , he could not help congratulating himself that in Scotland , at least , our farmers had not come forward and said , " We cannot afford to collect the gift of a bountiful 1 rovidence unless our children are kept in ignorance . " hat in itself was to him a subject of sincere congratulation , : "id looking , as thev ought to do , with a more extended
v >' i let them hope the day was not far distant when the co 'npulsory powers we had in this happy part of Her Majesty ' s •omrnions might be welcomed by all classes and trades i I i "l ' "' ' R reat an & otherwise prosperous s and . The hon . gentleman then commented on the •innonv which hail prevailed at the school board , con-
Lying The Memorial Stone Of A Public School At Kilwinning.
gratulating the gentlemen engaged on having set aside their religious differences in their desire that little children who were ignorant might be taught . He also congratulated the people of this country that while the leading men of other nations had to take up their time consideringquestions which stirred up the worst passions of their countrymen , or questions of peace or war , our great men devoted
themselves to public education , and to efforts to improve the condition of the children of the country . By our future acts , by our reformatories , by our industrial" schools , and by this great effort—this great educational scheme—he hoped , by the blessing of God , we would become before many years were passed a happier , better , and more Christian people .
The Hon . Mr . Vernon , on behalf of his colleagues , the members of the School Board of Kilwinning , thanked Colonel Mure and those who assisted him for their kindness . Referring to an observation which fell from Colonel Mure regarding the importance of unanimity , he remarked that the board had worked most harmoniously and unanimously .
Colonel Mure acknowledged the compliment . Three cheers were then given in succession for the Queen , for Colonel Mure , and for the members of the School Board . The Freemasons subsequently formed into procession and marched into town , followed by the people who had witnessed the proceedings at tlie ceremony . In the evening a large number of gentlemen , including
the mejnbers of the School Board and others who took part in the ceremony , met at dinner in the hall connected with the Eglinton Arms Hotel . The Hon . Mr . Vernon occupied the chair , and Mr . Roger Montgomerie , M . P ., and Mr . Ralston Patrick officiated as croupiers . After dinner , the Chairman intimated the receipt of letters of apology for absence from Brcs . Lord Rosslyn , Past G . M . ; Sir Wm .
Cuninghame , M . P . ; Dr . Taylor , secretary to the Education Board ; Mr . Smollett , and other gentlemen . At the request of the Chairman , the company then drank the loyal toasts . Sir James Fergusson , who was very warmly welcomed , proposed " Both Houses of Parliament . " In doing so he said he could not refrain from noticing how large a portion of the time of parliament was at present occupied in
considering and passing measures , having for their special object the improvement of the moral and material welfare of the people . He believed there was no respect in which parliament could better provide for the safety of the people and the good of the nation than by insisting on a good and satisfactory education for the people . He sincerely hoped , with his friend Colonel Mure , that it would not be
long before every parent in the kingdom would not only have the means , but would have imposed upon him the duty of the education of his child . And he believed we might best look forward without apprehension to the future , and expect that not only would this country remain in the enjoyment of peace within its borders , but hold its own in the great competition with other producing nations if
our people were well educated , and so be preserved from falling into those dangers of which ignorance was the fertile source . He was glad to see the liberal provision which the school boards were making for public education . He trusted that the work that district , in common ¦ with others , was engaged in would result in great benefits to this and to future generations . He coupled with the toast
the name of Mr . Montgomerie . Mr . Montgomerie , M . P ., congratulated the meeting on the re-appearance of Sir James Fergusson , and congratulated him on having had such an excellent opportunity for his re-appearance . Speaking to the toast which had been proposed , the hon . member said in no period of our history had the House of Lords occupied a more honourable
position than at present . It was a remarkable thing that whilst our neighbours in countries on the continent were makingnew constitutions , they always stuck at the difficulty of creating a second house of legislation . There might be anomalies about the House of Lords which shocked the ordinary mind of the constitution monger , but it was an institution which had worked well ever since the country
was governed as it is at present . It had never happened that the House of Lords had failed to supply men of first class talents , who were prepared to give up their time and energy and talents to the service of the country ; and he trusted that it might never be the case that such a class of men should cease to exist . He was proud to return thanks on behalf of the House of Commons . There was
not in the world another assembly like that house . He being a member , should not speak so highly of it , but it was undeniable that there was not another representative assembly in the world that maintained its dignity in the way the House of Commons did . The last session had been a laborious one ; the Government and its supporters had done their work to the best of their ability , and
hetrusted they had done it with a certain amount of acceptance to the country . They had devoted themselves to measures which affected the real domestic happiness of the country ; and he thought these measures when they came into operation would be found to work well . It was sometimes objected to some measures that they were permissive in their character ; but surely it was proper when they
proposed to tax people largely for improvements of which they did not perhaps see the immediate value , that they should carry the people along with them . Measures could not be forced down people ' s throats without raising up an opposition which really defeated the object they had in view . The hon member then in eulogistic terms , proposed " The Health of Lord Stair , Lord-Lieutenant of the County . "
Mr Ralston Patrick gave " The Health of the Earl of Eglinton , Lord of the Manor , " and Mr . Ferguson proposed , " The Army , Navy , and Auxiliary Forces , " coupled with Captain M'Jannett , of the Irvine Artillery Volunteers , who replied . " The Clergy of Scotland " was proposed by Mr . I lalkett , Saltcoats , and Bro . Inglis responded . The Chairman then gave "The Grind Lodge of Ayrshire , "
Lying The Memorial Stone Of A Public School At Kilwinning.
coupled with the name of Colonel Mure . Colonel Mure briefly replied , and afterwards spoke to the toast of the educational interests of Kilwinning and of the county . They had in Kilwinning , he said , a magnificent school and an earnest and active School Board . They had also , he was given to understand , a most able schoolmaster , and an active and efficient school officer ; but now
came the time that their real work would have to be done . They would be able , he had no doubt , to sweep the children into the school because they had got compulsory powers . They had been able to build a handsome school because Government had given themjpower to raise money , and they had been able to obtain the services of a good schoolmaster ; but with all this done and secured they
would only perhaps be able to teach these children to read and write . He had no hesitation in saying that they wanted something more than that . He did not believe in children being brought up to the lower standards we had in this country , and then being swept into the fields . After remarking on the necessity for the poor populations in our great cities being properly housed , Colonel Mure concluded
by remarking that it would only be in a few years hence that they would get the real test of this education scheme . It would not do then for them , as they did now , to take the education reports and read admirable descriptions of the number of children swept into the school , and the numbers who had passed the standards , and to read eulogiums upon
school boards . They would then read these reports not alone , but side by side vvith them the reports of the police , the criminal statistics , the pauper statistics , and then , if they found vice and pauperism decreasing , if these were found falling off , they would be able to say their educational , efforts had been of real value . ( Applause . ) A number of other toasts followed .
FREEMASONRY IN RUTHERGLEN The following appeared in the correspondence of the " North British Daily Mail , " 28 th September , 187 .= . Sir , —There are a good many Freemasons in Glasgow , who are probably not aware that the largest , and , indeed considerably the largest , hall in the West of Scotland is situated in the little burgh of Rutherglen . I was present
the other evening at one of their meetings , and witnessed what is technically known as " working the three degrees . " The ritual was literally perfect in its delivery , and at once stamped me with the impression — and that very forcibly too — that the St John ' s Operative Lodge , No 347 , had every reason to be proud of their R . W . M and the several office-bearers , and equally proud of the finest Masonic Hall
in the western district of North Britain . I have visited all the most important institutions of this kind in Glasgow , but Rutherglen so completely eclipses anything of the kind in this city that I sincerely trust the consecration of this new hall on the 12 th of November next , by Colonel Campbell , the justly esteemed Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire East , may be numerously attended , so that every Freemason in Glasgow may personally satisfy himself that
there is no exaggeration as regards its magnitude . The building , of course , is new , and just in its present condition may not be so tastefully decorated as what subsequent arrangements may suggest . The rough walls and absence of paint in new buildings do not contribute as a rule to the most favourable aspect of matters ; but I still repeat that Rutherglen can boast of the best Masonic Hall in the west of Scotland . — 1 am , & c , A FREEMASON .
PRESENTATION TO A WORTHY BROTHER . —On Wednesday week , at the police station , Prescot , a presentation was made by the police of the Prescot division to Bro . J . W . J . Fowler , P . P . G . A . D . C ., P . M . 84 , who is retiring from the position of superintendent , upon the superanuation allowance , after about 40 years' service in the police force of the country , a large portion of that period having been spent
at Prescot as superintendent . The testimonial consisted of a silver cup and a gold pencil case for Bro . Fowler and a gold brooch for Mrs . Fowler . On one side of the cup appears Bro . Fowler ' s crest , and on the other the following inscription : — " Presented bv the officers and constables of
the Prescot division , as a mark of respect , to Superintendent J . W . Fowler on his retirement from the service . September , 1875 . " The presentation was made , on behalf of the subscribers , by Inspector Binns . A testimonial to Bro . Fowler is also being raised by the inhabitants of Preseot and the immediate neighbourhood .
MUNIFICENCE OF DISTINGUISHED BRETHREN IN WEST LANCASHIRE . —The foundation stone of a new church , to be called St . Michael and All Angels , was laid at Dalton , near Wigan , on Wednesday week , by Lady Skelmersdale , of Lathom House . Owing to the want of church accomodation in the district , five years ago a barn was converted into a church , and this was endowed with £ 3000 , which
was raised mainly by trie munificence of Bro . John Prvscott , P . P . J . G . W . West Lancashire , of Dalton Grange . The district was made into a separate ecclesiastical pari > h , a resident minister was appointed , and a vicarage hous ; shortly afterwards built by Bro . Prescott . In place of the present small building , Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M . of E ., Prov . G . M ., W . L ., offered to build a new church .
and on Wednesday week the first stone was laid . Although the weather was very inclement , there was a large number of spectators , amongst these being Lord anil Lady Skelmersdale and family , the Hon . Mrs . Wilbraham , Lord Clarendon , the Hon . F . Villiers , and Nlrs . Prescott , Mrs . Loch ( wife of the lieutenant-governor of the Isle of
Man ) , and a large number of clergymen from the surrounding neighbourhood . A service was first held in the present church , and the ceremony was then performed by Lady Skelmersdale in the customary manner . Luncheon was afterwards provided , and the usual toasts were given and responded to . The new church is estimated to cost from £ 3000 to £ 4000 , and will accommodate 250 peopie