Annual Ball Of The Albion Lodge And Chapter, No. 9.

ANNUAL BALL OF THE ALBION LODGE AND CHAPTER , No . 9 .

A very successful ball was held in connection with the Albion Lodge and Chapter , No . g , at Freemasons ' Tavern , Great Queen-street , on the 28 th ult . There was a numerous attendance , and thanks to the kindly exertions of Bros . W . Drew , W . M . ; W . H . Holroyd , P . M . ; and W . Dennis , I . G ., who officiated as M . C . 's ,

and of Bro . L . W . Harvey , P . M ., the indefatigable Secretary , the proceedings throughout were of a very enjoyable nature , and the ball was pronounced by all present to be an emphatic success . When half of the dance programme had been carried out , an adjournment was made to the supper room , at which Bro . W . Drew , W . M ., presided with his

customary geniality . A few toasts were afterwards given , " The Queen and the Craft " being first honoured . Bro . L . W . HARVEY , P . M ., Sec , briefly proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and said the numbers in which the ladies and brethren had come to support Bro . Drew , W . M ., was proof positive that he was

appreciated , and was a W . M . whom they liked to follow and admire . The W . M . had spared no trouble or expense to make the ball a success , and therefore his health would be received heartily , and all present would wish him a happy new year . Bro . W . DKEW , W . M ., in reply , said the Secretary had highly eulogised his efforts to bring about the

success of that ball , but the success was due more to Bro . Harvey than to himself , for that brother had been a moving spirit in bringing a large number there . He ( the W . M . ) was very proud to belong to that old lodge , which dated back to a very early period of Freemasonry in England . The lodge , though not large in numbers , was very select . He thanked the

Secretary for the kindly remarks respecting his consort , who deserved even more than Bro . Harvey could say . He hoped the success of their lodge ball would continue for a long time , and he would at times do what he could to further that end . Bro . ARTHUR ROBERTS , in proposing " The Health of the Ladies , " said that to his intense surprise , and ,

he must say , delight , he had been asked to propose a toast which to him came somewhat foreign . As an old and experienced traveller , he was very proud to be allowed the privilege of proposing the toast in as few words as possible . Without the ladies they would be a miserable lot of beings . As the W . M . had said , the brethren present were a choice lot , and the ladies had

come up with a nice little lot . The faces of the brethren were all smiling , because they were graced with the sweet presence of the ladies , and he , therefore , begged to propose the toast . Bro . R . WHITE , P . M ., replied ; and the company then returned to the ball room , where dancing was

heartily indulged in until the small hours of the morning . The company separated with hearty thanks to the W . M . and brethren for having afforded them the opportunity of spending a very enjoyable and pleasant evening .

Annual Festival Of The Wandsworth Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1044.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE WANDSWORTH LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1044 .

The annual festival of this popular and successful lodge of instruction was held on Tuesday , the 7 th inst ., at Mint ' s Hall , Clapham Junction . In the unavoidable absence of Bro . Colonel G . Noel Money , C . B ., LP .,

" rov . G . M . of Surrey , who had promised to preside , Bro . Frederick West , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . Surrey , proved an admirable substitute , and was supported by Bro . Robert Clay Sudlow , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br . Eng . ; Bro . Dr . Dempster , P . G . S ; and 150 brethren . The First Lecture was worked by Bro . Higcrty , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Surrey , Preceptor , as W . M .

1 st Section by Bro . G . Fortesque , 1585 and 2437 . 2 nd „ (| W . D . Jesseman , J . W . 1044 . 3 rd „ „ M . Cutting , W . M . 1564 . 4 th „ „ J . M . Parsons , P . M . 1564 . Sth „ „ T . W . Foady , S . W . 1044 .

6 th „ „ T . W . Reddy , S . D . 2417 . 7 th „ „ H . Baker , J . W . 1360 , S . W . 2437 . 1 ' wenty-five brethren were elected members of the lod ge . l'he brethren then adjourned to the banquet . Covers

were laid for 160 , While the resources of the caterer were taxed , they proved equal to the occasion . After the loyal toasts had been duly honoured , the toast of " The Grand Officers , " coupled with the name ° > Bro . Sudlow , was drank with enthusiasm . Bro . ROBERT CLAY SUUI . OW replied , and said : Mr .

resident and Brethren , —On behalf of the Grand Lod ge in general , and on my own behalf in particular , thank you heartily for the way you have received this toast . The Grand Officers , as a body , take a great 'titerest m these lodges of instruction . They consider ! 'it _ they are a very important factor in our nuble institution . Many Grand Officers themselves are good

porkers and students of our sections and it would Merest you lo know that in the Emulation Lodge of improvement the very lecture we have so impressively 5 , 'Ven to-ni ght was , a short time ago , worked by seven 01 the Grand Oliicers . You have all heard of the j -plendid services of Bro . Fenn . Well , those who are I tVi tC < 1 '" the system taught at the Emulation , and wili'S EVery Mother here is interested in that system , "l do well to read the speech made by him at the "tivul of that lodge last week . The system taught

Annual Festival Of The Wandsworth Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1044.

by that lodge has been accepted by Grand Lodge as the work that should be adopted , and this work has been earned on unaltered for at least 70 years . In proposing the toast of " Prosperity to the Wandsworth Lodge of Instruction , " Bro . FREDERICK WEST said , I hardly think it necessary in such an assembly as we have here to-night , in this great gathering of

Masons , to attempt to justify the existence of this lodge of instruction . I am given to understand it has been established 28 years , and judging from what I have seen to-night it must have done excellent service in years gone by . The working we have witnessed tonight has must thoroughly justified this lodge of instruction . If a Mason wishes to get on and excel in

his work the more he attends his lodge of instruction the more he will get on . This lodge is an immese success . My friend on my right ( Bro . Sudlow ) is an excellent judge of good working , and the work done to-night has been done admirably . Anything equal to it I have never seen out of Emulation lodges . If other evidence of the success

of the lodge were wanting , look around on this great gathering . You are fortunate in being presided over by such Preceptors as Bros . Carter and Higerty . In Bro . Carter you have a Preceptor who has done good service ; he is followed by a brother of my own province , and I am glad you so thoroughly appreciate the work they have so well done . I have now a most

pleasing duty devolving upon me , and that is to ask Bro . Higerty to accept this liqueur case , as a mark of appreciation from the members of this lodge of instruction . Brethren , you cannot do more than appreciate the good work our brethren have done , and by transmitting the knowledge you have gained from them you will be doing lasting service to the Craft . I ask

you now to drink prosperity to this lodge of instruction , coupled with the names of Bros . Carter and Higerty . In reply , Bro . CARTER , P . M ., remarked that , having been a member of this lodge of instruction for nearly a quarter of a century , you may be sure how gratified I feel at being present on this auspicious occasion . We have gone on , loyally assisted by our members week by

week and year by year , until it has reached a pitch of which we are proud . It has at times been at a very low ebb , but , by patience and strict attention to work , we have gained what wc see to-night—the sympathy and help of this vast assemblage . As long as I am spared , nothing shall be wanting in my power to further the interests of this lodge of instruction .

Bro . HIUEKTV said : I feel quite at a loss how to commence , how to continue , and where to finish . First for this handsome gift and the kind words that have accompanied it . It there is one thing that has touched me more than anything else it is the kind words of my friend and colleague , Bro . Carter . In looking round this vast assembly I see evidence of another

patent feature—the loyal support we get from our members . After the very gratifying and flattering remarks from our distinguished brethren we shall go home with a more haughtier gait than that with which we left . I ask you now to drink " The Health of our worthy President , " and thank him for the very excellent

manner he has discharged his duties . Bro . WEST suitably replied , and proposed " The Health of the Officers of the Evening , " coupled with the name of Bro . Reddy . The Tyler ' s toast brought to a successful close a memorable evening in the history of the Wandsworth Lodge of Instruction .

Ladies' Night Of The Derby Allcroft Lodge, No. 2168.

LADIES' NIGHT OF THE DERBY ALLCROFT LODGE , No . 2168 .

The annual banquet of this prosperous and representative lodge took place at the Midland Grand Hotel , St . Pancras , after the usual lodge meeting on Thursday , the gth inst ., when the W . M ., Bro . Walter Frewen Lord , had the pleasure and satisfaction of presiding

over a brilliant gathering of upwards of 150 ladies and brethren . Amongst the company present were : Bro . and Mrs . Lord ; Bro . and Mrs . Wm . Thomas ; Bro . and Mrs . Dixon ; Bro . E . Y . Jolliffe , Miss Jolliffe , and Miss Dixon ; Bro . Wm . Lawrence , Mrs . Lawrence , and Miss Lucy Forster ; Bro . and Mrs . Smerdon ; Bro . and

Mrs . R . D . Cummings , Mr . Gus Cummings , and Miss Nellie Cummings ; Bro . and Mrs . Haskins and Miss Katie Young ; Bro . and Mrs . Corbett ; Bro . William Towle , Mrs . Browning ; Bro . and Mrs . J . P . Fitzgerald , Miss Fitzgerald ; Bro . and Mrs . Demetrius ; Bro . and Mrs . George E . Fairchild ; Bro . and Mrs . James "Charity" Stephens ; Bro . and Mrs . Mugford ; Bro .

and Mrs . Nathan Robinson , Miss Cummings , Mr . F . Depree , and others . The company then sat down to an exquisite banquet , during which Bro . Henry Tinney ' s salon orchestra performed an admirable selection of music . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been honoured ,

The WOKSIIHTUI . MASTER pioposed the toast of the evening , "The Ladies , " and thought the same was pleasing to the ear of all of ihe company , and that it was a fallacy in thinking the ladies did not like Freemasonry , and the Worshipful Master hoped the ladies would go away with a good impression of

Freemasonry , especially of that lodge , as its object was to better mankind , improve humanity in general , to diffuse happiness , to alleviate sorrow , to help those in distress and give Charity , and the principal object was Charity . To show how the ladies appreciated the objects of Freemasonry he referred to last year ' s Festival of the Old Peoples' Benevolent Institution , when there were

Ladies' Night Of The Derby Allcroft Lodge, No. 2168.

several lady Stewards , and the total amount collected on that occasion amounted to ^ 69 , , and at this year's Festival one of the lady Stewards ( Mrs . Stephens ) , who he was delighted to see present , headed the list with . £ 330 , and on a former occasion the same lady collected the sum of . £ 300 . The toast was ably responded to by Bro . J . P .

FITZGERALD on behalf of the married ladies , and he laughingly quoted the tale of how a certain lady , the Hon . Mrs . Aldworth , became a Freemason , and witnessed the ceremony of the First and Second Degree by removing a brick there with a pair of scissors . He hoped they would have again the pleasure next vear of meeting the ladies .

Bro . Dr . WIIOLEY very suitably responded on behalf of the single ladies . Bro . Corbett , P . M ., next proposed " The Health of the Worshipful Master . " He was pleased to say tne members of the Derby Allcroft Lodge were proud of their brother who now occupies the chair , especially considering he was the first initiate of the lodge wno had

arrived at that distinguished position , and ne had had the courage to continue as a zealous Freemason , and he asked the brethren present to receive the toast with the enthusiasm it deserved . The W . M . , Bro . WALTER FREWEN LORD , in responding , thanked them for the way they received the toast , and that it would always be his aim to promote the welfare

of the lodge in sincerity and in truth . Bro . WM . THOMAS , P . M ., S . W ., next proposed the toast of " The Visitors , " and in doing so said it was one that commended itself to every member of that lodge , and he hoped some of the visitors beloretheend of the year would show their appreciation of the

brotherly love and concord existing in that and other lodges by joining them . He coupled with the toast the names of Bro . Geo . E . Fairchild , P . M . ( who had rendered signal service to Fieemasonry ) , Bro . James Stephens ( a member of 16 lodges 1 , anil several other brethren , who all expressed their nigh appreciation of the entertainment accorded them .

After the toast of " The Health of the Past Masters , " the W . M . proposed the toast of " Tne Treasurer , " and remarked that it must be patent to everybody trom the indefatigable services wnich lie nad rendered , and the lodge tendered him their hearty approbation and gratitude . He was the beloved of tne lodge , and always recognised under tne familar style ol " dear

old Jolliffe , to which Bro . JOLLU-I"E responded in very affecting terms , and thanked tnem all lor the way in which they had received the toast . The WoRSltifFUL MASTER , in proposing "The Health of the " Secretary , " thanked him lor the untiring energy with which he conducted the affairs ol the lodge and the responsibilities tney involved , and he

was sure the brethren present fully appreciated what had been done by the Secretary , especially on that occasion , and it was fair to say that it was in a great measure that the present position that lodge had attained was due to his unceasing efforts . Bro . R . D . CUMMINGS , the Secretary , responded . The toasts were delightfully interspersed with a

selection of music , under the direction ot Bros . Hasxins and W . Bradford , and performed by Mr . Herbert Schartau ' s Part Singers , and the . solo on the cornet— " The Lost Chord , " by Bro . Wm . Short , was powerfully given , and received a well-deserved encore , and the solo on the bassoon— " Lucy Long , " by Bro . E . F . James , was fully appreciated , and brought forth a loud

encore . The Steward , Bro . VV . Mackie , P . M ., was thanked cordially for his services that evening . The entertainment was brought to an end with the Tyler ' s toast . Special mention must be made of the artistic programme of music , menu cards , and book of words , which were greatly admired , and thanks to Bro . George Kenning who supplied them .

Consecration Of The Durban Rose Croix Chapter , No. 127.

CONSECRATION OF THE DURBAN ROSE CROIX CHAPTER , No . 127 .

Under charter from the Supreme Council of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown , a new Rose Croix chapter , under the name of the Durban Chapter , No . 127 , was duly

inaugurated at Durban , Natal . South Atrica , on the 9 th ult ., by 111 . Bro . K . I . Finnemore , 33 " , Inspector . General , assisted by III . Bros . W . Francis , 32 ; T . Cook , 32 "; W . S . Leigh , 3 o ' ; Capt . D . Deeves ; Bros . Howe , Elstob , Sykes , Wright , Brownloiv , and others .

Bro . Cook was duly installed b y Bro . Finnemore in the chair of M . W . S ., after which draft by-laws were read and submitted . A number of candidates lor joining and perfection were duly proposed . Bros . Francis and Leigh were elected hon . members . In view of 111 . Bro . Finnemore ' s intention to leave

for London by the ss . Ifafa about the 15 th March , on a short visit to the mother country , a resolution was passed , conveying to him and Mrs . Finnemore the " Hearty good wishes" of the chapter for a pleasant voyage , happy sojourn in England , and safe return to the colony . i 3 ro . Finnemore was also asked wlui ; t in

London to convey to the rulers of the Order a . oval message from the Colonial brethren . Ihe meeting was followed by a supper , which passed off most successfully . There appears to be every prospect for a successful career for the . now chapter ,