Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The customary monthly Meeting of the Committee was held at Great Queen Street on Wednesday , when there were present , Bros . Col . Creaton , G . Treas ., in thc chair , and thc following brethren : James Willing , inn ., C . G . Dilley , J . liulmer , C . A . Cottebrune , Geo . Snow , James Brett , lames ' Kench , VV . J . Murlis , VV . H . Goodall , VV . Stephens , J . A . Farnlield , ] . Newton , ) . M . Case , Raynham VV . Stewart , William Hilton , J . R . Gallant , C . I .. Moore , j . | . " Uerry , C . II . Webb , Julius Quitmann , Jabez Hogg , Thos . Cubitt , and I- ; , I * . Massey ( Freemason ) .

The SECRETARY reported the death of an annuitant since the last meeting of the Committee . The deceased had received from the funds of the Institu tion an aggregate sum of £ 295 . The WARDENS reported , first , that since last meeting Messrs . Chatto & VYindus had sent a parcel of books for the benefit of the residents in the Institution at Croydon ; and , secondly , that the amounts due to the annuitants had been paid .

Cheques were ordered to be signed for small repairs and rates , and also one for £ 20 for the customary entertainment on New Year ' s Day to the residents at the Institution . The widow of the deceased annuitant above referred to applied for a grant of her late husband ' s annuity for three years , in terms of the bye laws , and the documents being found to be in order , the application was granted .

The SECRETARY said that he had a very unpleasant matter to report to the Committee . A brother who had stood as Steward at the festival in 1 SS 1 , and another brother who had acted as such at the festival of the present year had not paid into the Institution the money they had collected , except a small sum which had been paid in by the brother first referred to ; and , after some discussion , in which several brethren took part , it was resolved that the . Secretary be instructed to inform the defaulting brethren that , unless payment be made within fourteen days , the matter would be reported to the Board of General Purposes .

Bro . Dilley's notice of motion being the next business on thc agenda , Bro . DILLEY said that , impelled by commiseration for the position of the applicant , hc gave notice that he would move that a grant of £ 10 should be voted toiler . It appeared that an evening paper , in reporting the matter , had made remarks to the effect that the Institution had to deal with an Annuity Fund , and were not a Board of Benevolence . Seeing that the reporter had thought fit to dictate in a way that no reporter had a right

to dictate to that Board , hc ( Bro . Dilley ) felt it right to press his motion . He need not remind them that had this brother ' s widow been married to her late husband only a very short time longer she would have been entitled to ^ 20 a year for three years . He proposed that a gratuity of £ 10 should be given to her ; but on consideration , and uninfluenced by the newspaper referred to ( which had only been shown lo him that evening ) , he felt that his pity had no rig ht to make him do that which he felt was wrong ; but as this liberty had been taken with the Board , he moved that the £ 10 be paid .

At the request of a member Bro . DILLF . Y read the paragraph complained of . Dr . JABEZ HOGG said hc thought it was a pity that this matter had been brought forward in such a spirit , because the brethren could not feel that there was anything wrong in thc paragraph which had been referred to . Bro . Dilley ' s motion was in order and the case could be considered on its

merits . He thought that the reporter was perfectly at liberty to offer a comment if he considered that the case was a little out of the way , and required a little more consideration on lhat account . After the remarks made the other evening in Grand Lodge , he ( Dr . Hogg ) , did think that some consideration was wanted ; he thought that the caution recommended in that paragraph was wanted , and the Board did require to act with a good

deal more caution than they had previously done . He rather felt that the remarks were not out of place , and that the Board was fairly open to them . The CHAIRMAN said that Bro . Dilley ' s motion being in order he would put it to the vote . The vote was put to the meeting and carried . There were fourteen petitions considered , thirteen of which were approved and the names added to the list of candidates for election . One was deferred lor a medical examination and report , which Dr . Hogg kindly undertook to make . There being no further business a vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Derbyshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DERBYSHIRE .

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Derby , on Monday the 27 th , ult ., when the following brethren were present : Bros . IL C . Oakeover , Deputy Prov . Grand Alaster ; VV . B . Hextall , P . S . G . W . ; Septimus Stone , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . Thomas Orrell , Prov . Grand Chap . ; Wm . Naylor , P . G . Sec ; A . Frazer , P . G . S . D . ' , * J . Allen , P . G . J . D . j D . A . Davis , P . G . Supt . ot Wks . ; James Whitehead , P . G . Dir . of Cers . ; James Bettle , P . G . Asst . Dir . of Cers . ; E . Home , P . G . Org . ;

Thomas Halliday . P . G . Purst . ; Thomas Parker , P . G . Std . Br . ; F . G . Boven , and W . Helps , Stwds . ; Rev . A . A . Bagshawe , P . P . G . Chap . ; Thomas Horsley , P . P . S . G . W . ; FrankCrampton , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . H . Marsden , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . G . Alleyne , P . P . S . G . W . ; H . Hillam , P . P . S . G . W . ; C . Graham , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Wright , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . J . Gothard , P . P . G . P . and P . P . S . G . W . Leicestershire and Rutland ; J . H . Lawson , P . P . S . G . D . ; l . Smith . P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Aloore , P . P . G . Reg . ; James B . Coulson , P . P . G . Sec ; E . Faulkner , P . P . S . G . D . ; Peter Brammell , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks ., * W . H . Tutt , P . P . G . Org . ;

Thomas R . Gee , P . P . G . Dir . of Cers . ; R . Bennett , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . ; H . Lennox , P . P . LG . D . ; F . R . Hart , P . P . G . Reg . ; Wm . Johnson , W . AL 353 ; R . Pender , P . M . 506 ; VV . Watts , W . AI . G 24 ; H . George . W . M . SS 4 ; T . Horsley , jun ., W . M . 253 ; G . Day , LP . AL 1324 ; W . H . Fisher , P . AL 1324 ; A . L . Straus , W . M . 16 SS ; C . Wilkinson , VV . M . 1235 ; G . T . Reading , 353 ; VV . Abbott , J . VV . 1324 ; A . Morton , I . G . 1324 ; VV . Boughen , P . AL 1235 ; j . H . Jackson , P . AL 654 ; J . D . Simpson , Org . 1952 ; VV . D . Sutton , P . M . 1235 ; j . Gladwin , S . D . 1235 ; G . Smedley , S . W . 1235 ; R . Lane , 1235 ; I . Hall , 1235 ; A . Oram , 1235 ; W . C . Cheever , 1235 ; H . Harrison ,

W . M . 506 ; J . Noon , Tyler 50 G ; W . B . Woodforde , 7 S 7 ; K . Thompson , 812 ; C . D . Hart , I . W . 10 S 5 ; VV . P . Bowler , VV . M . 7 S 7 ; T . Turner , P . M . 50 G ; T . R . Hibbert , S . D . 7 S 7 ; W . T . Palmer , P . M . 7 S 7 ; G . Walker , W . AL C 54 ; R . T . Earp , 506 ; S . Collier , S . W . G 25 ; VV . H . Hodgson , J . W . 625 ; J . Hadfield , VV . M . G 25 ; R . Wall , P . M . 8 S 4 ; j . Hawthorn , S . W . 654 ; J . Bland , S . W . 731 ; S . H . Masters , J . W . 654 ; VV . Prince , P . AL 850 ; J . VV . Wyatt , I . P . AL G 54 ; J . West , J . D . 787 ; and R . li . Lisenden , J . D . 317 ( Freemason ) .

Provincial Grand Lodge was then opened , and the PROV . GRAND SECRETARY called over the roll of lodges in the province , there being but two lodges unrepresented . The roll of Prov . Grand Officers was next called over , and the minutes of the last annual Provincial Grand meeting were read and confirmed . The V . W . Deputy P . G . Master next received the annual written reports of thc doings of each lodge in the province during the past year , and which were read aloud by each VV . M ., and showed a satisfactory condition of Masonic advancement throughout the province .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Derbyshire.

The report of the Masonic Hall Committee was also most satisfactory , that inasmuch it showed ( to the great credit of the Derbyshire brethren ) the debt of £ 1150 , which existed twelve months since , to have been completely wiped off ; and this happy result had been obtained in a great measure through the liberality of Bros . John Smith and Abraham Woodiwis ( both ex-mayors of

Derby ) , who had subscribed ^ 200 each towards extinguishing the debt , whilst the Arboretum Lodge , No . 731 , had through its members given £ 141 , the remainder being subscribed by the various lodges in the province . The announcement that the Hall now belonged to the province was received with much pleasure , and is undoubtedly most meritorious on the part of our Derbyshire brethren .

The Charity report was next received , from which it appeared that no candidate had solicited any aid from either of the Charities , which had been individually and collectively subscribed to by all the lodges in the province . The Chairman of the Charity Committee , Bro . G . T . Wri ght , P . P . G . S . W . ( who has been re-appointed for the ensuing year ) , read the report , and further stated that there were upwards of 3000 votes belonging and at the present time owing to the province .

The report of the Audit Committee was next received , after which the election of Provincial Grand Treasurer was proceeded with , the choice of the brethren again falling upon Bro . Thomas Cox , who was declared reelected . The V . W . Deputy PROV . GRAND 'MASTER then appointed and invested the following brethren officers for the ensuing twelve months , viz . * .

Bro . J . B . Coulson , P . M . 2 * 53 ... Prov . G . S . W . „ VVm . Walters , P . M . 353 ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . Thos . Orrell , 731 ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ W . Whittaker , P . M . 731 ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Thos . Cox , P . M . 253 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Wm . Naylor , P . M . 1085 Prov . G . Sec . „ Wm . Cameron Moore , P . M . 1235 ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ J . K . Russell , P . M . 10 S 5 Prov . G . J . D . „ W . S . Allen , P . M . 1739 - ••Prov . G . S . of W . „ Percy Wallis , P . M . 8 so ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ J . H . Jackson , P . M . 6 ^ 4 ... Prov . G . A . D . C . „ R . Pinder , P . M . 506 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . ,, I * :. Thompson , jun ., S 02 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ S . Steele , P . M . SOJ Prov . G . Purs . „ VV . Lytic , P . M . 7 S 7 Prov . G . A . Purs . „ VV . Stone , mS ** ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . Bros . II . A . Bemrose and A . H . Crump , 253 ; James ) Noon and T . N . Turner , 506 ; and Frank t Prov . G . Stwds . Bryant and Wm . Parker , 802 ... ... J

A resolution was unanimously passed expressing the opinion of Prov . Grand Lodge that Bro . Clabon ' s motion as to " the payment of an increased quarterage by Provincial Grand Lodges" should be rejected . A vote of thanks was also unanimously awarded to Bro . William Naylor ( the courteous and indefatigable Prov . Grand Secretary , for his energetic services on behalf of the Alasonic Hall Debt Fund .

A committee was appointed to consider and report to a future Provincial Grand Lodge the question of re-furnishing the hall in a more suitable style than at present , and a notice of motion was given " That a sum not exceeding - £ 250 should be placed at the disposal of the committee for the above

ooject . Provincial Grand Lodge was afterwards formally closed , most of the brethren remaining for the banquet , which was presided over by the V . W . D . G . M ., and during which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured .

Consecration Of The Earl Of Clarendon Lodge, No. 1984.

CONSECRATION OF THE EARL OF CLARENDON LODGE , No . 1984 .

On Wednesday afternoon , Bro . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Prov . Grand Master for Herts , consecrated the Earl of Clarendon Lodge , No . 1984 , at the Town Hall , Watford , assisted by the Grand Secretary of England , Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , and brethren to the number of about 150 , the principal part of which number consisted of Provincial and Past Provincial Oflicers of Herts . The full list of the brethren who attended was as follows :

Bros . F . II . Wilson lies , AI . D ., Dep . P . G . Master ; John L . Alather , Henry John Giller , G . Tidcomb , Treas . ; William Wilson , Sec ; John Walker , S . D . ; William Urge , J . D . ; Alfred Cotton , D . C ; T . F . Halsey , P . G . AI . ; Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ; F . Webster , P . M . 1479 ; T . Kent , P . M . 1479 , P . P . G . D . ; Philip Deedes , 1479 ; G . Young , W . AL 1707 ; VV . T . Graves , ] . Noyes , W . AL 1327 ; J . Hodges , W . AL 1706 : R . L Ward . I . W . i . vti ; E . Wilding , 1541 ; F . Davison , P . AL 10 ; C . W .

Reynolds , W . AL 1479 ; George F . Smith , jun ., VV . M . 1 S 39 ; W . Stedman , S . W . 17 G 5 ; T . C . Carter , P . M . 403 ; John Shearman , 1146 ; John Livingston , P . M . 1385 ; John T . Bolding , 173 ; E . F . Francis , 403 ; John Purrott , 1479 ; D . M . Dewar , P . AL 1415 ; C . E . Keyser , I . P . M . 404 ; T . Woodman , P . M . 1757 5 John Fisher , P . AL 1327 ; F . Sumner Knyvett , P . AL 58 , 404 , P . G . Steward ; C . Payser , 404 ; Frederick Binckes , P . AL . P . G . " Steward ; Charles N . Killick , W . AI . 15 S 0 ; John Gibbs , S . D . 1 . 5 S 0 ; John

G . Yolland , W . AL 1385 ; James Stevens , P . M . 1426 ; John F . Lee , W . M . 404 ; C . W . Allen , W . AL elect 13 S 5 ; C . F . Alatier , P . G . W . Greece , P . M . 645 ; H . Balderson , P . P . G . J . D ., P . AL 1757 ; George Kenning , P . G . D . Middlesex ; George Alickley , P . M . 449 , P . P . G . D . Herts ; J . Brittain , S . D . ' 1355 , P . P . G . S . ; Walter E . Gompertz , W . M . Gresham , P . G . J . D . ; T . Binslow , G 57 ; Herbert A . P . Cooper , P . M . 591 ; E . F . Foord . P . P . G . R . Herts ; Henry J . Bell , 404 ; J- Shilcock , P . P . J . G . W . Herts , P . AL

449 ; Sidney Martin , j . D . 404 ; Joseph Belcher , 17 S 4 ; W . Oswell Thompson , P . P . G . C . Herts , P . AL 1757 ; T . Chas . Grant , P . M . 38 , * G . G . Flint , J . W . 404 ; Charles Veal , P . G . J . D . Surrey , Sec 1549 ; E - Bamford , W . AL 1549 ; H . C . Finch , P . M . 404 ; A . P . Brett , P . M . 404 ; E . D . Hatch , P . M . 357 ; G . F . Cook , 1580 ; F . Hall , 405 , P . G . A . P . ; T . IL Lane , J . D . 12 G 9 ; J . E . Cussans , 403 , P . G . S . W . ; Edgar Bowyer , 1580 , P . P . G . S . W . ; George Finch , 404 , 1757 , P . P . G . Chap . ; John E . Dawson , P . M . 404 , Prov . G . Sec ; C . Thomas , Prov . G . Tyler Herts ; John Middleton , Assist . Tyler ; and II . Alassey , P . AL G 19 and 192 S ( Freemason ) .

The lodge was opened shortly after three o ' clock in the Three Degrees . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . T . Graves , who w . as assisted by Bros . J . Lyndon Hodges , J . Stedman , G . F . Smith , and Frank Ward . After the preliminary steps , the Prov . Grand Chaplain , Bro . thc Rev . W . OSWELL THOMPSON , Vicarof Heme ! Hempstead , delivered the oration . The ceremony of consecration was then conducted through all its stages in admirable style ; and , after the formal dedication to the purposes of Freemasonry ,

Bro . HALSEY informed the brethren that Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Sec , would instal Dr . Wilson lies as the first Master of the new lodge . Bro . Halsey thereupon resigned the chair to Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , who proceeded with the ceremony of installation . The Board of Installed Masters was exceedingly numerous . Dr . Wilson lies having been formally installed and saluted , invested the following brethren as officers of the lodge