The Approaching School Elections.

last effort next month ; and No . 19 ( Northumberland and South Wales , E . D . ) , who was also a candidate in April , when he polled 794 votes . The others are all fresh cases , and include No . 21 ( Durham and Bucks ); No . 25 ( Auckland ,

N . Z . ) ; No . 26 ( Lincolnshire ) ; No . 29 ( Cambridgeshire ); No . 30 ( Worcestershire ) ; No . 31 ( Suffolk ); No . 33 ( Sussex ); No . 34 ( Kent ) ; who has only this one chance of securing election ; No . 36 ( South Wales , E . D . ) ; No . 41 ( Gloucestershire ) ; and No .

43 ( N . and E . Yorkshire . ) In rather more than half the cases the boy ' s father had been a subscribing member of a lodge or lodges for 10 years or longer , and the remainder for less than 10 years . In several cases too , the father had held office in lodge and

Provincial Grand Lodge , and in a fair proportion of them he had contributed to or acted as Steward for one or more of our Institutions . Of the whole 45 boys , 40 are fatherless , three have both parents living , and two have lost both .

We close these remarks with the usual appeal on behalf of the children who must win places at the approaching election or have their names removed from the list altogether . They are ,

in the case of the Girls' School , No . 8 , and in that of the Boys School , Nos . 8 , 12 , 13 , 17 , and 34 , and we trust those voters who have not already promised to support a case or cases will o-ive their votes and use their influence in aiding these half dozen children , so that none of them may be sent empty away .

Important Masonic Gathering In Bombay.

IMPORTANT MASONIC GATHERING IN BOMBAY .

JUBILEE OF ST . GEORGE LODGE , No . 549 . The members of the above lodge , the premier Masonic lodge of this city , celebrated the Jubilee of the lodge on the evening of Tuesday , the 16 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Byculla , in the presence of a large and influential gathering of the members of the Craft . The refreshment-room on the ground-floor was transformed for the occasion into a fashionable reception hall , which was decorated with flags and bunting , and embellished with flowers and evergreens , which were skilfully worked in elegant Masonic

symbols and designs . On the staircase leading up to the first floor was surmounted a transparency with the words " Welcome to the Jubilee of Lodge ' St . George' " inscribed on it . Representatives of about a dozen lodges working in Bombay under the English as well as Scotch Constitutions were invited , and they all mustered in full force to do honour to the occasion . It was a cosmopolitan gathering of Europeans , Parsees , Hindoos , and Mahomedans .

The lodge was opened at 6 . 30 p . m . for the transaction of business laid down in the summons convening the meeting , which was presided over b y Bro . F . C . Allen , the W . M . of the lodge . At the termination of the business , Bro . R . S . Brown , a Past Master of the lodge , in addressing the brethren , raid that on an occasion like the present , when the lodge was celebrating the Jubilee of the 50 years of its existence , he would make a

few observations previous to his moving a short resolution congratulating the lodge and the W . M . on that auspicious event . It did not fall to everyone ' s lot to be present , and still less to be present in his own lodge , on the occasion of the accomplishment of the Jubilee of 50 years of its existence . The period might not appear Jong compared with' the time immemorial during which their Fraternity had existed , nor could it be long in comparison

with the history of the countries and races to which they all belonged ; but at the same time it was a circumstance which did not always obtain in the case of all human institutions , and it was therefore a matter of great congratulation to themselves , and he hoped to the Fraternity generally , that they had been permitted during the last 50 years , and without any interruption , to carry on the work of Freemasonry in Bombay . ( Applause . ) He

would not detain the brethren by any lengthy remarks , but he might however observe that it must have occurred to their minds , as it had occurred to his mind , that the experience of the last 5 } years transcended the experience of a majority of the brethren present that evening , the long period carrying them back to the time when Bombay , and for the matter of that the whole of Indii , must have been in a very different condition than

what they were in the present . The changes made in Bombay as regarded its buildings , its government , its trade , and its general advancement , must have been immense . As regards its connection with the Western world , it should not be forgotten that in those days it took them a period of three or four months to accomplish the voyage which had now been reduced to a few days . The prosperity of the town , though slightly eclipsed at the present

moment , had advanced by leaps and bounds , and it was a matter of congratulation that side by side with the prosperity and general advancement of the town , Freemasonry had also taken a deep root in the city , and Lodge St . George had not only survived , but had increased in its number and influence . ( Applause . ) He thought that they might fairly consider that while , on the one hand , it should inspire them with gratitude that Providence

had enabled them to carry on the work of the lodge for such a long period , they should , on the other hand , look forward with confidence that if all the changes that had taken place during that time had resulted in an enormous spread of Freemasorry , they might also confidently believe that in the future Ihe same progress might be continued . ( Applause . ) He then proposed that the

Worshipful Master be asked to accept the congratulations of the bdge over which he had the good fortune to preside at a time when it had reached the 50 th year of its existence , and that the members of the lodge expressed their gratitude for favours received and their confidence in the usefulness of the lodge in the future . ( Loud applause ) .

Important Masonic Gathering In Bombay.

3 ro . H . J . PARSONS seconded the resolution , and it was carried unanimously . The lodge having been closed , dinner was served , covers being laid for about 80 members . The table was most tastefully and artistically decorated , being adorned with many of the silver trophies belonging to the Worshipful Master , and the tout ensemble reflected the greatest credit on Mrs . Arnold Jenkins , who had spent much time and trouble in superintending the

arrangements . The following is a list of members of the lodge and guests who had acctptrd the invitations , and who were almost all present at the banquet : Bros . E . C . B . Acworth , F . C . Allen , R . S . Brown , E . Comber , Commander T . G . R . Finny , A . H . B . Froom , W . L . Harvey , R . A . Arnold Jenkins , H . E . John , Hon . Mr . Justice Parsons , I . M . Shields , J . W . Smith , R . M . Watson Smyth ,

Sydney CODP , G . A . Gerrard , Jas . Mumford , G . A . Prier de Saone , Surgeon-Capt . W . G . Hojel , A . S . Leresche , S . E . Prall , G . Hay , C D . Furdoonjee , Amirudin Tyebjee , G . Hepworth , T . W . Cuffe , D . R . Chichgar , Bomonjee F . Wadia , Bapojee R . Wadia , E . Shapooijee' Saher , Alexander Mackenzie , R . W . Sharp , J . F . Saunders , Thomas Counsell , E . W . Fern , N . N . Wadia , George Mackenzie , J . A . Brandon , A . B . Talpute , Dr . Framjee J . Patell , Cursetjee H .

Captain , Cowasjee Wookerjee Kharas , James Dunlop , F . M . Coleman , N . R , Chichgar , A . Waller , E . J . Smith , A . Pell , P . N . Wadia , Captain C . D . Wise , D . R . Tata , W . W . Wilson , F . Hogan , R . Ditchbourne , Manekjee F . Setna , Shiavaxa S . Batliwalla , Ardeshir S . Engineer , H . R . Hoyles , J . W . Seager , C , W . Richardson , A . F . Kidney , L . A . Macaulay , R . M . Chichgar , G . W . Street , Jas . Tate , Ardasir Pestonjee Davar , M . H . Mody , C . Beresford , and Surgeon-Major W . H . Quicke .

At 8 . 15 p . m . the string band of the 21 st Bombay Infantry , which was present by the kind permission of the officers of the regiment , played " The roast beef of England . " The proceedings of the evening were much enlivened by the band playing a few selections and some of the brethren giving songs and recitations during the intervals . At the termination of the dinner , Bro . F . C . ALLEN , the W . M ., who presided at the banquet , gave the toast of "The Queen-Empress and the Craft , " which was cordially

received . The W . M . then proposed the toasts of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . ; " " The Grand Master Masons of Scotland and Ireland ; " " H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and Straithnairn , District Grand Master of Bombay and its Territories ; " and " H . E . Lord Sandhurst , Pro District Grand Master of Bombay , " and they were all duly honoured by the brethren .

Bro . R . S . BROWN next proposed the toast of " The Grand Master and Officers of the Grand Lodge of All Scottish Freemasonry in India , " observing that they were always welcome to Lodge St . George . Bro . J . W . SMITH , P . G . M . of All Scottish Freemasonry in India , in replying to the toast , said that Bro . Brown had taken the wind out of his sails , inasmuch as he said all that could be said about the Jubilee of Lodge

St . George in his excellent oration which he delivered in the lodge . Speaking for H . E . Lord Sandhurst , the Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India , he said that nothing could have given greater pleasure to his Excellency than to be present at the Jubilee of Lodge St . George , but that the exigencies and business of the State only had prevented him from visiting the ] lodge . The W . M . next proposed the toast of "The Deputy District Grand Master and his Officers . " He said that he was sure the name of Bro .

Shields required no recommendation from him . ( Cheers . ) He was known throughout the whole of India in the ranks of Freemasonry for the lively interest and constant thought that he had given to the Craft , not only in the present time , but also in the past . Bro . Shields had always lent the very greatest assistance , and had enabled Freemasonry to attain the present position that it had acquired in Bombay . ( Cheers . ) His interest in

Freemasonry had been far-reaching , and he ( the W . M . ) could personally testify to the fact that his advice to him and other young Freemasons was of a most valuable kind , and he spared neither time nor trouble in furthering the interest of the Craft . ( Cheers . ) In asking the assembly to drink to the health of Bro . Shields , he asked them to drink to the health of a brother who was distinguished for everything good in Freemasonry . ( Cheers . ) Bro .

Shields was surrounded by many worthy officers , and the able way in which they assisted him to carry out his duties was . proved by the very prosperous condition in which Freemasonry in that Presidency stood at the present moment . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . SHIELDS , in reply , said that he thought the W . M . in proposing his toast had somewhat overdrawn the picture which he had painted . ( Cries

of " No , " " no . " ) He had always endeavoured ever since he came to Bombay , and long before he ever accepted the important post he filled at the present time , to do whatever he could for Freemasonry and the various lodges with which he had been connected . In his present position he was supported by a body of Freemasons who had long experience , and who had served the Craft in various capacities , and who had proved their ability in the chairs of various lodges , and who now supported the Grand Master in

his duties with great zeal and assiduity . The District Officers recently visited with him some of the lodges in the mofussil at a great sacrifice of time and money , which showed that they had the interest of the Craft at heart . ( Cheers . ) The WORSHII ' MASTER then proposed the toast of " The Past Masters of Lodge St . George , " and in doing so referred to the long list of distinguished Past Masters who maintained the prestige and dignity of the lodge .

Bro . H . J . PARSONS , in responding to the toast on behalf of the Past Masters , remarked that the lod ; e was particularly fortunate in always possessing a grand stock of Past Masters . When he entered the lodge in the early eighties they were almost entirely Past Misters , and the lod ^ 'e was almost kept up by Past Masters . At that time Lodge St . George was , if not the most hospitable , one of the most hospitable lodges in Bombay .

At the lime when he entered the lodge the late Bro . Tyrrel Leith , whom they all knew and held in high esteem was the Grand Master , and since then they had H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught at the head of affairs , and now they had H . E . Lord Sandhurst for their Grand Master —( cheers j the latter two bfing members of Lodge St . George . Freemasonry in general was flourishing in Bombay , and Lodge St . George showed a record such as

no other lodge could show in regard to its charitable subscriptions , and ! M subscriptions to the new Masonic hall building , in the completion of WHICH they all took so much interest , He hoped that the lodge would continue to flourish , and he had no doubt whatever that everyone present there wo'Jl have the happy recollection of that evening . ( Cheers ) . < - Bro . I . M . SHIELDS then proposed the toast of success to " Lodge = > ¦ George of Bombay and the Worshipful Master , " and in doing so he g