Masonic Notes.

One of the most'imposingceremonies ever witnessed at Tredegar took place on Thursday , the Sth inst ., on the occasion ot laying the foundation-stone of a new Masonic Hal ! and general post office combined . In the new building not only will accommodation be found

for Masonic purposes , but the building will also embrace what has long been a desideratum in the town , viz ., a post office affording sufficient accommodation for the growing postal business . The new premises will cost about ^ 1500 , and are to be of Gothic design , from plans prepared by Messrs . Morgan and James , of Cardiff .

* * * The ceremony was most interesting . The brethren , augmented by the Provincial Grand Lodge Officers and numerous visiting brethren from a distance assembled at the Town Hall , where a procession , numbering about 140 , in full regalia vvas formed , the various officers

bearing the ensignia of their office and emblems of the Craft . The procession was headed by a contingent of youths , whose fathers are connected with the local lodge—St . George ' s Lodge , No . 1098 . The usual ceremonial was carried out by R . W . Prov . G . Master , Bro . Col . Charles Lyons , who was supported by the Deputy G . Master , Bro . Capt . S . G . Homfray .

The foundation-stone laying of the New Halifax Infirmary to-morrow ( Saturday ) will be an important Masonic function . An especial Provincial Grand Lodge will be held at the Masonic Hall , Halifax , in the afternoon , at vvhich the Right Hon . the Earl of Mount

Edgcumbe , Deputy Grand Master , Bro . Edward Letchworth , Grand Secretary , and other officers of the Grand Lodge of England , will be present . The brethren will go in procession to the Infirmary site , where the foundation stone will be laid by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe . # # #

We beg to remind our readers that the annual athletic sports of " Our Boys" will take place tomorrow ( Saturday ) , at the Institution , commencing at 2 . 30 p . m . The Guardians of the Strand Union , of

whom Bro . James Willing , jun ., of the Board of Management of the R . M . I . B ., is an active member , have kindly allowed their school band to play a selection of music , conducted by Bro . M . Binnie . Tickets for admission have been freely issued , and all friends of the Institution will be welcomed .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

I We do not hold curatives responsible { or the opinions expressed bv our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to petmit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

THE MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have read with considerable interest the article upon the approaching Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys in the Freemason oi the

31 st ult ., in which you urged the desirability of increasing the invested capital so as to have a larger permanent income for the Institution in order that the Committee of Management would not have to rely . almost entirely , as at the present time , upon the result of each year ' s Festival to provide the funds necessary to meet the current year ' s expenses . Some two or

three years since I remember a Past Master of my lodge recommending to the Provincial Charity Committee a proposal that it should be made a rule of the Committee that any lodge in the province proposing or recommending a candidate for election at either of the Institutions should be expected annually to contribute from the lodge funds or otherwise the sum of ^ 10 ios .

in respect of such candidate so long as he or she was being supported or educated from the funds of the Institution . If this arrangement were generally adopted a sum of £ 2500 or more would annually flow into the coffers of each of the Girls' and Hoys' Institutions from the lodges recommending the 260 girls and 260 boys now in the Institutions , and the

Aged Freemasons' Institution would , in like manner , be benefited . Now , it seems to me that the proposition referred to has much to recommend it . In the first place there are but few ( if any ) lodges in the country vvho could not afford to contribute from their funds a sum of . £ 10 ios . a year towards the support of a candidate from such lodge , and in the next place if such a rule

or custom existed it is probable that greater care would be exercised in admitting only suitable persons as members of a lodge . Surely where any lodge has a girl or boy at the Schools , or an annuitant on the Fund of the Benevolent Institution , it is not too much to expect such lodge to contribute a sum of £ 10 ios . a

year towards the maintenance of its candidate ; indeed , any lodge so circumstanced ought to feel it a duty so to contribute even without the existence of any such rule . There are many lodges who contribute annually considerable amounts towards the funds of the several Masonic Benevolent Institutions , but on the other hand

Correspondence.

there are lodges vvho rarely , if ever , contribute anything whatever , and it will often be found that it is the latter class of lodge vvhich turnish most of the candidates at the elections . If you think the subject to be worthy of discussion perhaps you will find room for this in the next issue ot the Freemason . —Yours fraternally , J . T . LAST , Treas . 2-121 .

THE APPROACHING R . M . I . B . FESTIVAL . Tothe Editor of the " Freemason . " , Dear Sir and Brother , It is very disappointing to several of the Yorkshire brethren vvho this year had undertaken to serve as Stewards at the approaching Festival of the

" Boys '" School to receive notice from Bro . McLeod that the Festival is to be held at Brighton instead of in London , where the Festivals of the Institutions are usually celebrated . Now it is no doubt very convenient and agreeable for Stewards from London and the South to go down to Brighton for the event , but

the decision of the authorities to hold the Festival at Brighton , and practically prohibit many Stewards and others from the Midland and Northern Counties from attending , who might and would have gone to London , but who cannot afford the additional time , to say nothing of the extra expense of going to Brighton , and

vvho , consequently , in addition to the disappointment , will derive no advantage from the Stewards' fees already paid towards the expenses of the Festival , in addition to wliich a further fee of 25 s . is now demanded , as I understand it , for the dinner ticket . 1 venture to doubt whether this is a policy

which will benefit the " Boys' " Institution in the end , as future Stewards from a distance will , doubtless , consider whether it would not prefer either of the other Institutions which hold their Festivals in London , which is certainly more accessible than Brighton to many provincial brethren . If it is occasionally desirable—as

it may be—to hold the Festivals of the Institutions elsewhere than in London , permit me to suggest that some central and accessible town—such as Birmingham or Nottingham—should be selected which would be convenient for Stewards and supporters of the Masonic Institutions from all parts of the country . — Yours fraternally , WEST YORKSHIRE . June 14 th .

[ We insert this letter as a specimen of how mistakes may be made . If " West Yorkshire " is a Steward he must know that no extra expense is incurred by the fact of the Festival being held at Brighton , the railway fare from London to Brighton and back and the dinner ticket being included in the usual fee ; also that the " authorities " for fixing the locality for the Festival are the

" Stewards " themselves , and that at the first meeting Brighton was selected by a large majority . The Brighton Festivals have always been popular , especially with the brethren from West Yorkshire and other Northern provinces , as is evidenced by the large attendance in 1886 and 1891 . We do not think the '' black country , " though central , would " catch on . " —ED , F . M . ' ]

THE ROYAL MARRIAGE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , 1 was never more surprised than last Wednesday at the Grand Lodge that no mention whatsoever of that auspicious event was made . There is no society in this country vvho are not showing in some way or the

other their joy and loyalty . I have heard of a brother inquiring of every brother he met and at every lodge he visited their opinion as to a motion he intended to move , but I have heard nothing since , although in everybody ' s opinion it was a grand and a proper proposition . It now remains to inquire will the Craft rest and be satisfied V—1 am dear sir , yours fraternally ,

S . WILKINS , 69 , Norfolk-lane , Dalston-lane . June 12 th .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1032 ] ANOTHER MASONIC MS . Again it is my pleasure and satisfaction to announce the discovery of another MS . of the " Old Charges , " which was quietly placed in my hands by Bro . James S . Haddon , P . M . 1966 , Prov . S . G . W . Somerset , on the 12 th inst ., for examination , when I was at Wellington to attend the installation of my old friend , Bro . W .

H . Westlake as W . M . of 196 G by Bro . R . C . Else , P . G . D ., the esteemed D . P . G . M . Bro . Haddon had it presented to him recently , but its earlier history is obscure . The roll is written on the finest vellum , 13 ' inches in width and nearly 5 feet 3 inches long , being in two equal strips of parchment united to form one continuous scroll . There is a magnificent

illumination at the head of the roll , and artistically arranged on this is the year of transcription , viz ., 1723 . It is one of the finest , cleanest , and | most perfect rolls I have ever seen , and I must warmly congratulate the owner on his valuable and interesting gift , which , with his permission , I have decided to call "THE HADDON MS . " As time permits it will be duly copied , and its character and text carefully noted . W . J . HUGHAN .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Temperance-in-the-East Lodge ( No SgS ) . —The installation meeting of the above lodge was held at the Assembly Rooms , Nevvby-place , Poplar Wednesday , the 31 st ult ., Bro . A . G . Duck , W . M ., oresiding , supported by Bros . Geo . Graveley , P . M . ; Geo " Shearman , P . M . ; H . Cooper , P . M . ; J . G . Armstrong P . M . ; G . Sidders , P . M . ; H . Rogers , P . M . ; C . Chan man , P . M . ; J . Byford , jun ., P . M . ; W . Bigg , SW W . M . elect ; E . F . Williams . J . W . ; C . Wyatt Smith ' P . M ., Sec ; T . S . Craze , S . D . ; T . Ringrose , J . D . ; W T . Legg , I . G . ; W . E . Puttick , Org . ; W . Bussey , Stwd . H . Baker , Tyler ; E . Thompson , C . J . Cecil , T . H . Dav ' H . Horton , J . D . Murray , F . J . Dickson , E . Horsey , G . Mason , G . T . Gardiner , W . F . Day , W . W . Lodge , E . ' Craft flDasonrp .

Kincaid , H . H . Baxter , R . F . Harris , T . Byford , C . H . Hendy , A . Aves , J . J . Lovvman , C . G . Randall , W . \\ . Graveley , H . Hisvvell , H . Butler , W . J . Mullion , and many others . The goodly array of visitors , about 60 in number ( among whom vvere 23 Past Masters and W . M . ' s ) , comprised the following : Bros . C . J . R . Tijou , P . M . 554 , Asst G . Purst . ; H . J . Day , P . M . 1457 ; B . C . Curtis , 1472

G . H . Canning , P . M . 21 S 2 ; F . H . Gooch , P . M . 7 S 1 ; F . Chandler ; C . Brassfield , 3 S ; C . Handley , 2291 ; C . Pilke , 1384 ; W . Boyse , 1679 ; W . G . Bennett , 1716 ; W . Horseman , 2012 ; M . Bleick , 2374 ; W . Andrews , 1716 ; G . H . Dove , P . M . 45 ; H . Richards , 1151 ; R . Uniacke , 2012 ; W . Fitzgerald , 216 S ; J . Waterson , 171 C ; J . Moore Smith , 2291 ; A . T . Ives , 1472 ; J . VV .

Bull , 781 ; G . H . Fennell , 1 S 05 ; J . Boulton , 2445 ; J . Lightfoot , I . P . M . 1901 ; M . Bright , 239 S j J . J . Fleming , P . M . 12 S 7 ; R . Sandland , 239 S ; J . M . Mosey , 1716 ; Geo . Gardiner , 2309 ; W . A . Freestone , 1326 ; W . Forty , P . M . 1713 and W . M . 1365 ; H . Webster , 1733 ; G . Bowdon , 24 , 32 , and 1107 ; J . Grout , 1716 ; J . Walker , vSos ; J . Dussey , 1 S 05 ; D . R . Duncan , 2319 ; E . Jones ,

171 G ; T . Gay , 1901 ; J . S . Painton , 1901 j D . Channon , P . M . 1475 ; VV . F . Bell , 2012 ; Geo . Parrett , P . M . 1259 ; A . Calvert , 212 ; J . Sparling , 199 ; C . J . Ozanne , W . M ., and J . Mills , 1765 ; and others . The lodge being duly opened , and preliminary business having been transacted , Bro . H . Rogers , P . M ., P . Z ., D . C , then presented Bro . Wm . Bigg , W . M . elect , to the W . M .

A Board of Installed Masters vvas formed , and inducted him into the chair of K . S . Bro . Wm . Bigg , W . M ., wis then saluted . The W . M . invested the following as his officers : Bros . A . G . Duck , I . P . M . ; E . F . Williams , S . VV . j T . S . Craze , J . W . ; J . Byford , jnn ., P . M ., Treas . ; Dr . C . Wyatt Smith , P . M ., P . Z ., Sec ; T . Ringrose , S . D . ; W . Legg , J . D . ; W . Bussey , I . G . ; Hy Rogers , P . M .,

P . Z ., D . C . ; F . Burdett , J . T . Baker , and J . | . Olley , Scwds ; W . G . Puttick , Org . ; and H . Baker , Tyler . Bro . Duck , I . P . M ., who acted as Installing Officer , then delivered the addresses to the W . M ., officers , and brethren generally on their respective duties . In his way of working the installation ceremony , Bro . Duck even went beyond the expectations of those who are well aware of his Masonic

knowledge . He was aided in a most efficient manner by Bro . H . Rogers , who , as D . C , conducted the formal parts of the ceremony . All Masonic business being ended , the lodge vvas closed , and the brethren adjourned to the City of London Tavern , where an admirably served banquet vvas provided . The company vvas over 150 in number . After paying due attention to the good things at the

table , the loyal toasts were proposed and honoured . To the toastof" The Grand Officers , Present and Pa . t , " Bro . Tijou , A . G . P ., responded , and said that he vvas proud of the honour recently conferred on him by the Grand Master , and , through him , on the East-end lodges . It was the first time for many years that a Grand Lodge collar had been seen in connection vvith an East-end lodge . In the

Board of Benevolence the East-end was represented by one in 12 members . Considering the large support they had given to the Charities , they should have a more adequate share in governing them . The I . P . M ., Bro . Duck , in apt terms proposed " The W . M ., " who briefly expressed his pride in attaining that honourable position , and his resolve to work hard in the

cause of benevolence and his duties of the lodge . In responding to the toast of " The I . P . M . and Installing Master , " Bro . Duck said his reward was in the appreciation always awarded to his efforts b y the brethren , and the continued success of the lodge during his year of office . For " The Visitors " several brethren replied , expressing their satisfaction vvith the work in the lodge , and the

hospitality displayed at thc banquet table . Responding for "The Past Masters , " Bro . Graveley said he was fifth Master in the chair ot their lodge . ' present W . M . was one of his boys as a joining member , and the next in the list , the present S . W ., was also one 01 them .

Bro . Rogers , as the oldest P . M . in the lodge , referredI to his 25 years' connection with it , and pointed out that with » steady increase in the members of the lodge there M been a proportionate growth in their subscriptions to t Charities ; / . ' gj more would make them double patrons the three Institutions . Although thankful for all tbey w > received they would like to top the list . , Bro . Armstrong said he would like them to add a four , institution . _ . _ •.-. Hurled tn thp wnrlr hf . had at heart , V ,

that was to form a nucleus fund for distressed brethren their own lodge , so that they might afford help '" niggardly way , but in a substantial form . r .,. For "The Ofiicers" Bros . Williams , S . W . ' . y ^' l . W . ; T . Ringrose , S . D .: W . Legg , J . D . ; and Burde- ' i

Stwd . ; briefly replied . _ a ., 1 Thc Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings . The rnu ' arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Hy . •'PL P . P . G . Reg . Herts , P . M . 1 S 5 , 2054 , 2090 , P . Z . 1 . ' •y assisted by Miss Millie Mallenoir , Miss F . E . Tipper , o , Alpephi and Britten , and the Royal Criterion Hano ^ . ringers and Glee Singers . An excellent program **' well carried out .