Grand Lodge Of South Australia.

The Table of meetings , 18 97-8 , of the Grand Lodge , the Board of General Purposes , the 39 lodges , Royal Arch chapters , and other Bodies for all the 12 months , is a most useful compilation , and so also as to the various departments , statistical and general .

The " Points from the Constitutions , " extending to six pages , are of considerable utility , and other pages are devoted to Masonic Mems ., being hints as to practical lodge life and the jurisprudence of the Craft . The only other feature I must stay to note are thc pages

relating to Memorable Dates , which arc of a most interesting character . The Royal Arch may now be dated back to 1 743 . Mahommedan Princes had been initiated long before 1882 .

I hope Bro . Sansom will correct an unfortunate error as to Egypt , as its Grand Lodge has long been recognised by England , and he might as well put the original number 2002 to the present Lodge No , 29 . W . J . HUGHAN .

Centenary Of The Charity Lodge, No. 223. Plymouth.

CENTENARY OF THE CHARITY LODGE , No . 223 , ' . PLYMOUTH .

Charity Lodge , No . 223 , Plymouth , having been granted its centenary warrant , the interesting event was celebrated with much eclat on Wednesday , the Sth inst . In spite of rain , nearly So ladies and gentlemen assembled in the morning at Freemasons' Hall , and in four waggonettes , each drawn by four horses , they drove over Laira Bridge , through the villages of Brixton and Yealmpton , to the stately home of Flete , where in the handsome library Mr . and Mrs . H . B .

Mildmay and their daughter , received the company with a kindness that was keenly appreciated . The elegant mansion presented many points of interest . A classical subject by the late Lord Leighton . P . R . A ., a fine landscape by Leader , A . R . A ., and a series of family portraits ( especially one of Mr . F . B . Mildmay , M . P ., when a boy ) , were much admired . In the spacious music chamber Bro . W . Willoughby , Mus . Bac , Oxon ., played selections on the line-toned organ . On the terrace overlooking a grand woodland scene , through which the river Erme meanders , the

party was photographed by Mr . H . Yeo ; first the brethren and then the whole company . It had been intended to secure a group of the members of Charity , in Masonic clothing and jewels , as a souvenir to hang on the lodge walls , but the necessary dispensation from the Prov . G . M . had not been obtained . Fortunately the rain , which fell more or less all day , ceased for about half an hour whilst the photographs were being taken . and the visitors strolled through the beautiful grounds , vineries , and gardens , escorted by the steward .

Before leaving Flete " The fine old English gentleman ' was played on the cornets , and ringing cheers were given for Mr . Mildmay and his family , and the compliment was acknowledged by the ladies from an upper window . Returning to Yealmpton , a capital luncheon was served at the Yealmpton Hotel . Bro . C . H . Tozer , W . M ., presided , supported by his wife and daughter , and the rest of the company included Bro . J . Hoyton and Mrs . Hoyton ; Bro .

Stenlake , Mrs . and Miss Stenlake ; Bro . W . Biscombe , Misses K . and A . Biscombe ; Bros . J . W . Cornish , H . S . Hill , and J . C . Hannaford ; Bro . H . Rogers and Mrs . Morrish ; Bro . C . B . Gale , Mrs . Gale , and Miss Kent ; Bro . W . J . Hoare and Mrs . Hoare ; Bro . A . E . Bridgman and Miss Nellie , Hutchings ; Bro . J . Goad and Mrs . Goad ; Bro . J . Mumford and Mrs . Mumford ; Bro . A . W . Boon and Miss Tollick ; Bro . A . Browne and Mrs . Browne ; Bro . A . E . Wonnacott and Miss Bickford : Bro . W . Brimblecombe and Mrs , Brimblecombe : Bro . R .

Rowse and Mrs . Rowse ; Bro . J . J . Gerry and E . Gerry ; Bro . A . E . Webb and Mrs . Webb ; Bros . W . E . Butchers and H . F . Yeo ; Bro . G . Quarm and Mrs . Quarm ; Bro . Thos . Foster and Mrs . Foster ; Bro . J . Stoneman and Mrs . Stoneman ; Bro . H . Blake and Miss Blake ; Bro . J . Kingcombe and Mrs . Kingcombe , Bro . W . H . S . Moysey and Miss Moyseyj Bro . H . Thomas and Mrs . Thomas ; Bro . C . S . Tozer and Mrs . Tozer ; Bro . W . Hocking and Mrs . Hocking ; Bro .

H . Day ; Bro . W . G . Kingwell and Mrs . Kingwell ; Bro . W . J . Bidgood and Mrs , Bidgood ; and Bro . R . Turner and Mrs . Turner . After the loyal toast , "The Health of Mr . and Mrs . Mildmay and their Family" was , at the call of the WORSHII ' FUL MASTER , drunk with hearty cheers and musical honours . Then Bro . CORNISH , infelicitous terms proposed "The Worshipful Master , " whose gratification at affording others pleasure was very evident ,

The toast was received with enthusiasm , and with one cheer more for Mrs . Tozer and family . Bro . TOZER returning thanks , said he felt in a very real humour to be the W . M . of a Iodge 100 years old , and still showing signs of youthful vigour and a true Masonic spirit . At the suggestion of Bro . STENLAKE , the Treasurer , Bro . Robins was cordially thanked for his successful catering . Songs were sung by Bros . Biscombe and Webb ,

In the evening the W . M . entertained at tea those who had joined in the outing , together with other members of the lodge and their lady friends . Bro . Tozer also extended invitations to all the W . Ms , of the Three Towns lodges , with a request that each would bring a lady . Among those who accepted the invitations were Bros . Albert Moore , W . M . 1247 ; Leach , W . M . 70 ; W . H . Bird , W . M . 1099 ; Captain Reynolds , W . M , 1428 ; S . Jew , J . R . Lord , W . L . Lavers , W . H . Dillon , H , J . Barter , and Trout .

An elegant " high" tea was served in the refectory , the tables being made gay with ( lowers . Whilst it was in progress a portion of the Royal Naval String Band played choice selections . Tea over , the company , which numbered nearly 200 , adjourned to the spacious provincial lodge room , and there discovered that the W . M ., for their delectation and comfort , had had it transformed into a most beautiful

drawingroom . An entertaining programme was carried through with much spirit by Bros . Willoughby and A . Webb . There were choice selections by the string band , admirable part-singing by a quartet , capital songs by Bros . Wright ( bass ) , Biscombe ( humorous ) , Mumford , W . Goad , H . J . Barter , A . Webb , and others , a charming duet by Bro . H . Yeo and Miss Yeo , and very acceptable variety was afforded by two dramatic selections by Miss Lavers , and recitations by Miss

Tozer , Bro . Captain Reynolds , and Bro . Hocking . Bro . Reynolds' recitation was " The Babies , " and it vastly amused the company ; especially the ladies . Another delightful contribution during an evening that passed all too quickly was the rendering of the inimitable quarrel scene from " The School for Scandal , " Bro . W . W . L . Lavers taking the part ot the jealous and irascible Sir Petet Teazle , and his daughter the bewitching coquette , Lady Teazle . Mr . J . N Pearce presided at the piano .

Centenary Of The Charity Lodge, No. 223. Plymouth.

It fell to the lot of Bro . J . HOYTON , the Treasurer of the lodge , to express the indebtedness of the company to the W . M . for his splendid hospitality , and he seized the opportunity to sketch the chequered history of the Iodge . Founded on September 7 th , 1797 , by the brethren belonging to the ship La Revolutionar , stationed at Falmouth , the warrant was 15 days later delivered to brethren of Lodge No . 306 , at the Prince George Inn , Plymouth Dock . Two years later the warrant was purchased for a Plymouth lodge by brethren attached to the Royal

Veterans Invalids' Corps , stationed at the Plymouth Citadel ; the final meeting of the original members was held at the Earl Howe , in Clowen-lane , Plymouth Dock , on November 17 th , 1799 , and the lodge was established at the Welcome Home Sailor , Plymouth . In 1801 , it was named the Royal Invalids' Lodge . In 1804 it was removed from the Fountain Tavern , the Parade , to the Fishing Smack , Southside-street ; four months later to the Crown and Anchor , on the Barbican . The same month the Iodge went back to the Fountain Tavern , Parade ,

there to dine on St . John ' s Day . In 1807 the lodge met at the Salutation Inn , Higher Batter-street . In 1809 the name of the lodge was changed tt * Charity , and in 1813 , on the signing of Articles between the Grand Lodges of London and York , the number was changed from 306 to 389 . In 1819 there was no election of officers , and in the following year the same W . M . remained in office . In 1820 the lodge was low in funds and numbers , and two years later it was removed to 2 , Prospect Buildings , Millbay , and there continued to meet occasionally , for

several years being almost in abeyance . Returns were , however , made for the few members ( four to six ) , who held the warrant and furniture . In 1824 , a W . M . was installed for six months , and the same year a W . M . was elected and installed at the samejlmeeting . In 1826 , the Iodge removed to the Lamb Inn , Trevillestreet ; in 1829 to the Freemasons' Hall , Cornwall-street ; in 1832 to Treeby ' s Schoolroom , Tavistock-place ; and in 1833 to the Golden Fleece , East-street ; the lodge ' s number being changed to 270 . In 1835 , the Iodge had as its W . M . the Kte

G . W . Soltau , of Efford , and in the following year the late John Edmonds , solicitor , for many years the Borough Coroner . Bro . Soltau in 1841 was Mayor of Plymouth as well as W . M . of Charity Lodge . These two worthy Plymothians seemed to have given new life to the lodge , for in 18 42 it could boast of a balance of £ lS , and six years later it had as its W . M . the present Earl Fortescue , who was

then Viscount Ebrington , M . P . for Plymouth , and a son of a former Prov . Grand Master of Devon . In 1856 it made still another move , this time to the King ' s Arms , Britonside , and in i 860 lo 193 , Union-street , which was its home for 27 years , the last remove of the lodge in 1888 being to the new Freemasons' Hall , where it still meets . It was in 1862 that the number of the Iodge was changed to 223 .

The vote of thanks to the W . M ., coupled with hearty wishes for long life and happiness of himself and family , was passed with enthusiasm , and Bro . Si Jew increased the impression by singing "The fine old English gentleman . " Bro . TOZEII made a feeling response , and proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Evans , C . C , who had devoted much time and Skill to the decoration of th ; lodge room and the approach .

Bro . EVANS , responding , spoke of the great honour all must feel at belonging to a lodge that had existed for a century , and trusted that one and all would be stimulated to maintain its reputation by the promotion of those grand principles for the upholding of which it was originally established . After the singing of the National Anthem , one of the largest and happiest gatherings ever held in the Freemasons' Hall dispersed . The W . M ., in making his arrangements , was greatly helped by Bros . Wi Biscombe , l . P . M . j W . Stenlake , Sec . ; and J . Hoyton , Treas . . , Bro . W . J . Hoare ' s kindness in providing floral sprays for the ladies , 'bflth fof the trip and for the •* ' At H ome , " was much appreciated ,

New Masonic Charity In West Lancashire.

NEW MASONIC CHARITY IN WEST LANCASHIRE .

The Masonic Province of West Lancashire already possesses three excellent Charitable and Benevolent Institutions—the " West Lancashire , " for children j the " Hamer , " for old and distressed brethren j and the " Alpass , ' for the maln « tenance of the widows of deceased Freemasons . Now the number will be increased to four by the establishment of the West Lancashire Victoria Fund of Benevolence , founded to commemorate the 60 th year of the reign of her Majesty the Queen . The object of the scheme is to relieve poor and distressed Masonic

brethren or their relatives , or other persons who may have been dependent upon or closely connected with them , and for whom existing Masonic Institutions do not provide assistance . A numerous and influential meeting in connection with the new scheme 0 benevolence was held on the ioth instant , at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , where brethren were present from many parts of the extensive province . Bro . R . Wylie , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . of West Lancashire , was unanimously voted to the chair . After the minutes of preliminary meetings had been approved ,

Bro . W . GOODACKE , P . G . S . B ,, Prov . G . Secretary , submitted a report as to the progress of the fund . It was stated that up to the present time a sum of upwards of . £ 1100 had been received from 60 lodges , as well as from chapters and other kindred Orders , and from individual members of various lodges . Beyond this , a further substantial sum had been promised , which put the scheme

on a very substantial foundation . The CHAIRMAN said it must be satisfactory to the brethren to hear the encouraging statement which had just been made , and he had no doubt that when the subscriptions were received from the 50 lodges in the province which had not yet come in , probably in consequence of the summer vacations , he had no doubt the fund would amount to more than ^ 2000 , which was a splendid beginning for a new Masonic plan of benevolence .

It was unanimously resolved to appoint the following brethren as the officers of the " Victoria" Fund ; Bros , the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , G . C . B ., M . W . Pro G . M ., Prov . G . M . West Lanes , President ; the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , P . G . W ., P . Prov . G . W . West Lanes , Patron ; Wm . Goodacre .

P . G . S . B . Eng .. Prov . G . Sec , Robert Wylie , P . G . D . Eng ., P . P . G . W ., and S . G . Sinclair , P . G . D . Eng ., P . P . G . W ., Trustees ; T . Banner Newton , Prov . G . Treas ., Treasurer ; Wm . Goodacre , P . G . S . B . Eng ., Prov . G . Sec , Secretary ; G . A , Harridon , P . P . G . Treas ., and J . Piatt , P . P . G . D ., Auditors ; and Jas . J . Lambert , P . P . G . R ., Solicitor .

The rules and regulations recommended for the government and administra . tion of the new scheme of benevolence were subsequently discussed at considerable length , and , after alterations and additions , they were adopted . In connec . tion with the effort to raise funds for the proper fouudation of the Charity , it was

announced that the Bootle Wilbraham Lodge , No . 2463 , will hold a church festival at St . John ' s , Knotty Ash , on the afternoon of Sunday , the 3 rd prox ., at 3 . 30 , when the offertory will be handed over in its entirety to the Victoria Benevolent Fund , and a hope was expressed that there would be a large gathering of brethren on the occasion .

At the conclusion of Victoria business , a meeting of the Benevolent and Charity Committee of the Province was held for the purpose of considering petitions from widows , which were adopted , and to decide upon the appropriation of votes which may be at the disposal of the province at thi Qjtobef elections .