Annual, Festival Of The, General Lodge, Of Instruction For Warwickshire, No. 587.

ANNUAL , FESTIVAL OF THE , GENERAL LODGE , OF INSTRUCTION FOR WARWICKSHIRE , No . 587 .

The above festival took place at the Alasonic Hall , New-street , Birmingham , on the artth ult . The lodge was opened and the ceremonies of

initiation ancl raising , ancl the explanation of the tracing board were delivered by specially appointed officers , in strict accordance with the " Emulation " working . The brethren afterwards partook of a banquet in the adjoining room , the chair being taken by Bro . J . T . Collins , Past G . S . B ., Dep . Prov . Grand Alaster , who

was supported by Bros . A . W . Adams , P . P . G . S . B ., Preceptor ; J . Graff , LP . M . 938 , W . M . for first ceremony ; j . Gittings , W . M . 1246 , W . M . for third ceremony * T . R . Arter , P . AI . 92 s , P . P . S . G . W . ; R . B . Alorgan , P . AI . 925 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Dr . N . H . Turner , P . AL 2000 ; C . Lamsdale , W . AI . 739 ; W . IL Rollason , 887 , Sec . ; and many other visitors and

members . A pleasant evening was spent , during which the satisfactory announcement was made that , owing in a great measure to Bro . Sudlow ' s visits , the lodge was in a most flourishing condition , both as regards membership and general proficiency in the "Emulation " working .

Masonic Bali. At Daventry.

MASONIC BALI . AT DAVENTRY .

On Thursday evening , the 18 th ult ., a Alasonic ball , under the patronage of the P . G . Master , Bro . the Earl of Euston , D . C . L ., the Alayor ( Air . j . T . Lawrance ) and Mayoress of Daventry , the Mayor ( Air . W . Tomes ) and Alayoress of Northampton , and the Alaster , Wardens , Officers , and brethren of Beneventa

Lodge , No . 2380 , was held in the Assembly Hall , which had been very tastefully and effectively decorated and prepared by Air . T . Warren , with a refreshment bar under the efficient management of Bro . Ward . Air . Warner , of Northampton , supplied a capital string band near the stage , which was converted into a very comfortable lounge . The vestibule of the hall was

utilised for cloak rooms . The following were of the company : Afr . T . IL Reynolds and the Alisses Reynolds ( two ) , Air . Weston and Aliss A . Weston , Air . and Airs . Geo . Underwood , Mr . F . Willoughby , Air ., Mrs ., and Aliss Bowers , Air . W . Drage , Aliss Knight , Afr . W . Edgar , Mr . Al . Edgar , Air . Clarke , Air . Alontgomery and the Alisses

Alontgomery ( two ) , Aliss Bottrill and Airs . L . Botlrill , Aliss S . Pettifer and Aliss E . Pettifer , Air . and Airs . Reeve and Miss Riley , Ali * . and Airs . Farmer , Air . and Airs . T . Boys , Aliss Kent , Air . and Airs . Izzard , Air . E . Ellard , Mr . and Airs . E . Parkinson , Air . and Airs . F . and Aliss A . Billingham , Aliss Warner , Aliss ] . Whiken , Aliss Bradshaw , Aliss D . Wykes , Aliss Wills , Miss Turner , Airs .

ind the Alisses Billington ( two ) , Air . Knight , Air . H . Law , Air . F . F . Rodhouse , Air . Snow , Air . Starmer , Air . AI . Alarriott , Air . | . Stanton , Mr . Bates , Air . E . Neal , Mr . W . Wright , Mr . J . Cotterill , Air . J . Morris , Air . J . Lawrance , Air . T . Farmer , Air . D . Farmer , Air . Gilling , Air . Allmett , and others ' . Bros . Willoughby and Whitford were AI . C . s .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . T . BATEMAN FOX . It is with the most unfeigned regret that we have to record the death of Bro . Thomas Bateman Fox , J . P ., of Dewsbury . It is only some few weeks since a large und representative gathering of West Yorkshire Freemasons assembled in the country church at East Hardwick to pay their last tribute of respect to their late

Provincial Grand Alaster , Bro . T . W . Tew ; now has fallen upon them this additional and terrible blow . We venture to say that no more highly esteemed or more devoted Mason could be found in the province than Bro . Bateman Fox . His strong personality , his strict integrity , his hardworking and persevering attention , his prompt and vigorous action , but , above all , his

unswerving loyalty and attachment to his province , not only conspicuously distinguished him amongst his brethren , but made him a power in the executive , and a force to be reckoned with , if any subject arose which in his opinion might be in any sense prejudicial to the interests ofthe Order . Bro . Bateman Fox was initiated in the Three Grand Principles Lodge , No . 208 ,

Dewsbury , in 18 7 6 . He was W . M . in 1882 , and from the lime that he passed the chair has taken a prominent and beneficent interest in the concerns of his lodge . In 1885 he was made Prov . G . S . B ., and in 1890 Prov . S . G . W . of West Yorkshire . Having always exhibited the greatest sympathy for our Alasonic Institutions , Bro . Fox , by example and precept , lost no opportunity

of advocating their claims . Regular in attendance as Charity Steward , after serving for some time as Deputy , lie was elected , in 1891 , to perhaps the most highly esteemed post in the province—that of Chairman ol the West Yorkshire Charity Committee . It is perhaps not too much to say that it was in this capacity that he became best known to his brethren . His

excellent business abilities , together with that power ° f mind , which , without neglecting details , could yet seize upon and bring out principles , enabled him to conduct the affairs of the Committee with promptitude . -ind despatch . Unable , through illness , to attend the ¦ ast meeting of that Committee on the 30 th Alarch , " was with very great regret that the members received

Obituary.

an intimation thai he intended to resign . The fact was , Bro . Fox had more work on his hands than it was possible for one man to accomplish , and how he contrived to give so much time to Masonic matters , amid his other multifarious occupations , has often been a puzzle to his friends . Energetic , industrious , and thorough , lie- mastered all difficulties . In the Royal

Arch , which he joined in 1877 , he became Z . in 1 S 85 , and J . in the Provincial Grand Chapter in 1 SS 8 ; he was a member of the Rose Croix Chapter in Leeds , serving as M . W . S . in 1891 ; a Knight Templar ; and a Past Alaster of the Northern Counties Lodge , London . He rarely missed attending the meetings of his own lodge and chapter , and in his capacity of Chairman of the

Charity Committee , was frequently present at Alasonic gatherings all over the province . A native of Dewsbury , Bro . Fox , took the keenest interest in all its concerns . He entered municipal life in 1880 , was for three years in succession unanimously elected Alayor , and was an Alderman and J . P . of the borough at the time of his death . Besides being a County Councillor , he

was a member of the Dewsbury Chamber of Commerce ; a founder and first President of the Technical School ; an ardent promoter of the Free Library ; Chairman of the Town Hall and Corporate Property Committee ; and took a most active and important part in promoting the building of the Town Hall and the erection of Public Baths . He was at the same time

carrying on an extensive business as a yarn spinner and wool merchant . The name of Bateman Fox , by which he was familarly known , was a household word in Dewsbury , and will be long , worthily , and gratefully remembered by his fellow townsmen . His death , at the early age of 47 , after an illness extending over several weeks , is deeply lamented , and the respect and

esteem which he has gained was exhibited at his funeral on Alonday last , in a manner most pronounced and unmistakable . There was a very large gathering of friends , representatives from all the public bodies with which he had been associated , the Alayors of Dewsbury , Batley , Ossett , and Huddersfield , and a considerable number of

brethren to form the procession . The streets in the route to the cemetery were lined on both sides with sympathising spectators ; shops and places of business were closed ; the minute bell boomed forth from the tower , and the flag on the Town HaU floated at halfmast , lt was , in fact , a public funeral . The burial service was concluded by Bro . the Rev . Canon Lowther

Clarke , P . P . G . Chap ., and Bro . the Rev . L . S . Calvert , master of the Batley Grammar School , both of them members of Bro . Fox ' s lodge . The flowers and wreaths , gifts from all quarters , were most numerous and beautiful , in fact , it must have been clear to the minds of all who witnessed the funeral ceremony that

Dewsbury and lhe VVest Riding knew that they bad parted with a staunch friend and a faithful servant , and would fain express in some measure their recognition of his excellent qualities , and their sense of their own irreparable loss . It was a touching tribute to departed merit , and its spontaneous and heartfelt character only added to its intensity and value .

BRO . WILLIAM MASTERS , W . M . 60 . We deeply regret to announce the death of Bro . William Alasters , VV . AL Co , Past Grand Steward . The sad event took place very suddenly at his office , 340 , Gray ' s Inn-road , W . C , about 11 o ' clock on Tuesday morning , the 7 th inst . Although our brother had not been in the best of health for some four months , he

had of late appeared to be recovering , and his cheery manner and activity were remarkable to . the last . He left his residence apparently in good health and spirits , and , having attended to some matters of business , was preparing for the work of the United Northern Counties Lodge , No . 2128 , of which he was P . AI . and Secretary . Heating a noise as of heavy breathing , his

clerk ( who had only for a few minutes left him ) returned to the private office to find our brother had been suddenly seized with apoplexy , and he died in his clerk's arms instantly . In Bro . Masters the Craft has lost one of its most devoted members . Initiated in the Lodge of Sincerity , No . 458 , Northwich , about 25 years ago ; alter serving the office of VV . AL , he

removed to London . A founder and P . M . of the United Northern Counties , Lodge , No . 2128 , he became its Secretary , and the many splendid meetings of that Iodge were due in great measure to his strong individuality , genial presence , and business aptitude . A joining member of Peace and Harmony , No . 60 , after serving the minor offices , lie has died

whilst actually the W . M . Nominated as Grand Steward in 1893 , our brother will be remembered as one of the best Secretaries of the Board of Grand Stewards ever known . But it is with regard to the splendid work Bro . Alasters has done in connection with our Charitable Institutions , and particularly the Boys' School , that his memory will live green . He

was a Life-Governor of the Girls' School with two Stewardships , a Vice-President of the Benevolent with seven Stewardships , and a Vice-President of the Boys' with five Stewardships . Bro . Alasters was one of the early members of the Provisional Alanagement Committee appointed in iSSgto re-constitute the Boys ' School—elected one of the Board of Alanagement in

1891 , ar . d again in 1 S 92 , and so recently as April last without opposition for a further period of three years . During the whole of that period Bro . Alasters' record of attendance at the Board and various Committees of which he was a member , was invariably the premier . As Chairman of the Buildings Committee , his practical knowledge

Obituary.

served the Institution to good purpose , and the many improvements in sanitary , lighting , and other matters , were largely done under his supervision . The loss to the Boys' School is truly expressed by the sentiment on the wreath sent by the Board of Alanagement"A mnch loved and valued member . " The funeral took place at St . Albans Cemetery , on Friday , the ioth

inst ., being preceded by a service in the Parish Room , conducted ( by request ) by Bro . the Rev . Philip Deedes , P . P . G . Chap . Herts , assisted by the Rev . D . Carteret , and Bro . the Rev . H . A . Hebb , Head Master of the Boys ' School . Bro . GilTm , the Organist of St . Peter ' s , presided at the organ , and the choir of St . Peter ' s also assisted . The church of St . Peter ' s is undergoing

repairs by Lord Grimthorpe , and was not available . The funeral cortege was preceded by the choir of the Boys ' School , who , to the number of 18 . attended to pay a last mark of respect to one who had ever been kind to them . The scene at the cemetery was most impressive , and our Boys gave a happy and beautiful rendering of " Rock of Ages " at the side of the grave . Amongst

those who attended were Bros . W . F . Smithson , P . G . D ., Vice-Chairman of the Board of Management ; Charles E . Keyser , P . G . D ., Treasurer ; Fairchild , A . G . D . C ; Burgess , Corbie , Diamond , Pritchard , Scurrah , Pulman , Stephens , Thomas , and McLeod ( Secretary ) as representing the Boys' School ; Bros . Kempster , P . AL , P . G . Stwd ., H . Slade , P . M ., P . G . Stwd ., A . H .

Debenham , E . Rogers , P . AL , Secretary , O . Polenz , and H . and F . Slade , of Lodge No . 60 ; Bro . McLeod ( by desire ) representing Lodge No . 458 ; Bros . Smithson , Giller , Davidson , S . W ., Haydon , Chant , Davis , Munro , Bourne , Aloysey , and Nundy , representing Lodge No . 212 S ; Bros . Dixon , P . AI . 231 ; Watts , 108 ; E . P . Debenham , J . W ., and others , representing the Rose

and Lily Lodge of Mark Alasons , No . 354 ( of which Bro . . Masters was a P . AI . and Secretary ) ; Dr . Bates , W . AL , and others , representing the Halsey Lodge , No . 1479 ; and others . Wreaths were sent by the following Airs . Masters ( wife ) , Airs . T . Alasters ( mother ) , Mrs . Stelfox ( sister - in - law ) , Airs . B . Bolas ( mother-in-law ) , Mr . S . B . Bolas

( brother - in - law ) , Bro . Horace Slade , Alderman and Airs . Slade , Sydney , Mabel , Gerty , and Leslie Slade ( basket of llowers ) , Bro . and Airs . Smithson , Air . R . Porter Keates , Bro . AIcLeod , Mr . Davidson , Mrs . F . Parker Dixon , Air . and Mrs . F . Blanks , Mr . and Mrs . James Dickson , Air . and Airs . Wright ( box of orchids ) , Air . and Airs . Tagnoss , Mrs . Godden and Airs . Harvey , and Aliss Bagshawe ; Lodgeof Sincerity ,

N ° 458 ; Peace and Harmony Lodge , No . 60 ; United Northern Counties Lodge , No . 2128 ; Rose and Lily Alark Lodge , No . 354 ; Halsey Lodge , No . 1479 . St . Albans ; the Board of Alanagement Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; the Boys from the Alasonic School ; the Employees in London ; and the Campbell Tile Co ., Stoke-upon-Trent ( box of lilies ) . Bro . Alasters leaves a widow to mourn , but no family

BRO . JAMES FISHER . The funeral of Bro . James Fisher , whose death from influenza , at a comparatively early age , a few days ago , has excited deep regret amongst a wide circle of friends , took place at the Western Cemetery , Spring Bank , Hull , on Thursday , the 2 nd inst . The deceased was the Director of Ceremonies of the Alinerva Lodge , No . 250 ,

a prominent member of the Hull Musical Union , and one of the vice-presidents of the Botanic Ward Ratepayers' Association . The Rev . Elmett Brown , ALA ., vicar of St . Judes ' s read the burial service , and when the last sad offices had been performed , the Alasonic brethren filed past the open grave , took a last look at the coffin containing the mortal remains of their

deceased brother , and deposited sprigs of acacia thereon . There were several brethren from lodges at a distance . The Hull Alusical Union was well represented . Two lovely wreaths were placed on the coffin , one from the Alinerva Lodge embodying a floral compass and square of forget-me-nots and other flowers , a unique and highly artistic arrangement . Attached

with a satin ribbon were the words : "With deepest sympathy from the Alinerva Lodge , No . 250 . " The second wreath came from the Hull Musical Union , of which the deceased gentleman was a highly respected member . It was fashioned in the shape of a harp . The strings were made of laburnum blossom , one being broken in the centre symbolising a useful life cut short .

BRO . T . GLASS , P . AI . We regret to announce the decease of Bro . Thomas Glass , which took place early on Tuesday , the 7 th inst ., at Hastings , whither he had gone for the benefit of the sea air . Bro . Glass , who was 55 years of age , was LP . AL of the Dalhousie Lodge , No . 86 o , P . P . G . Std . Br . Jersey , J . elect of the Dalhousie Chapter , and a

member of the Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 1003 . He was very popular in the north of London where he was highly respected , and his loss will be felt by a large circle of brethren . He was a generous supporter of the Charities , having served as Steward for all of them , and an active member of the various committees ,

being Vice-President of the Three Institutions . The funeral took place on Saturday last , at Highgate , and was attended by his relatives and friends , as well as by numerous members of the Dalhousie , Highbury , Kingsiand , and other lodges , to pay their last mark of respect to his memory .

THE DUKE OI- * CONNAUGHT has consented to occupy the chair at a Festival dinner which will be held at the Hotel Mi ' tropole on Saturday , the Oth July , in aid of the funds of the Westminster Hospital .