Correspondence.

You appear to think the matter is not one of much importance ; but I venture lo urge that in years to come it might be considered a question of historical fact . In conclusion , I still contend that the late Bro . John Williams was absolutely the last District Grand Master of New South Wales under the English Constitution . — Fraternally yours , 1 W . F . LAMONBY . January 13 th .

LABOUR AND REFRESHMENT . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , " Fifty years ago , " I read in reports of proceedings of Masonic lodges that refreshment ( the banquet ) was partaken of ( as well as labour ) whilst the lodge was still open , that labour apparently was not so distinct from

refreshment then as is customary in modern times . For example , I read that at the installation of Master in the Alfred Lodge , Oxford , 27 th December , 1 S 45 , the brethren assembled at the Masonic Hall to celebrate the annual festival of St . John the Evangelist . At 10 o ' clock in the morning the installation took place when the officers were appointed and invested , after which the lodge adjourned until five o'clock , when the celebration of the annual festival commenced in the banquet room , followed by the customary " toasts " and speeches , accompanied

by harmony in the shape of music and singing ; at nine o'clock the lodge was closed , and the brethren having divested themselves of their regalia and Masonic clothing , tea and coffee were served and conviviality was resumed until 12 o ' clock , when the National Anthem was sung and the company dispersed . The proceedings of the Apollo University Lodge , Oxford , were conducted in a precisely similar manner , judging from which , I presume , that such was the prevalent custom with the lodges generally in these times .

It would be interesting to me , and , doubtless , to your other readers , to be informed by some of Our older Masonic brethren , who know , when these old customs were altered , and the causes that brought about the change that made refreshment at our meetings distinct from labour . —Yours fraternally , J . T . LAST , P . P . G . Reg . W . Yorks .

The Army Service Corps.

THE ARMY SERVICE CORPS .

There are now over 3000 N . C . Os . and men of this Corps serving in South Africa , the long lines of communication and numerous depots make the duties most arduous , but unless this important branch is efficient the rest of the army must suffer . It is proposed to arrange the work of collecting useful articles into districts and the following ladies will be grateful for any contributions , such as caps , socks , pocket-handkerchiefs , pipes , tobacco ,

cigarettes , & c , kc , or monies to purchase these or other comtorts . Stationery and indelible pencils will be particularly acceptable . Mrs . Knocker , Rosecliffe , Saltash , Cornwall ( Western District and Scotland ) . Mrs . Hadfield , Royal Barracks , Dublin ( Ireland ) . » Mrs . Clayton , Comdg . Officers Hut , Stanhope Lines ., Aldershot

( Aldershot and Southern District ) . Mrs . Parkyn , Montague House , Vanburgh Park , Blackhcath , S . E . ( Thames District and London ) . Mrs . Oughterson , A . S . C . Barracks , Woolwich ( Woolwich District ) . Lieut .-Colonel Parkyn , Head Quarters , Brompton Barracks , Chatham , will be glad to hear from any other ladies in districts who will kindly assist , and also advise as to transmission of parcels , kc , kc .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

St . James ' s Union Lodge , No . 180 . The installation meeting was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Tuesday , the gth inst ., when there were present Bros . John Benyon , W . M . ; E . Barlow , I . P . M . ; A . W . Dennis , S . W ., W ; M . elect ; L . F . Dury , J . W . ; T . J . Dilby , Treas . ; W . C . Parsons , Sec . ; H . H . Cooke , S . D . j H . M . Newlyn , J . D . ; G . J . Taylor , P . M ., D . of C . ; F . T . Thomas , I . G . ; W . Wright , P . M ., Org . ; W . Makein and C . H . Green , Stewards ; J . B . Green , P . M . ; L . Heof , P . M . ; F . J . Whitehead , P . M . ; W . B . Draper , John Hennersley , G . Russell , T . H . Thompson , H . A . McMillan , W . T . Pratt , W . Saville , R . W . Nichols , A . T . Hurley , and others . Visitors : Bros . W . C Luck , P . D . G . W ., P . D . G . Treas , Queensland , Australia ; Prof . F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . M ,

45 ; E . Wood , 2127 ; C Oftord , D . C . 1337 ; C Serjeant , iSg ; R . Sladden , Org 17 G 5 ; R . W . Haskins , 1604 ; G . J . Hunt , 2721 ; Edwd . Moyes , I . P . M . 105 O ; J Mason , P . G . Std . Br . ; R . C P . Gardener , P . M . 2 C 00 ; and others . The lodge was opened by Bro . Green , P . M ., acting Master , owing to the indisposition of the VV . M ., and the minutes having been read and confirmed , Bros . Hurley and Draper were raised to the Third Degree . The W . M . elect , Bro . A . W . Dennis , S . W ., was presented by Bro . Green , P . M ., to the Installing Master , Bro . W . C . Parsons , P . M .

and Sec , and the W . M . elect was obligated . A Board of Installed Masters having been opened , the W . M . elect was invested and placed in the chair . The W . M . invested Bro . John Benyon , late W . M ., as I . P . M . The Board of Installed Masters having been closed , the W . M . appointed and invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows Bros . L . F . Dury , S . W . ; H . H . Cooke , ] . W . j T . J . Dilby , P . M ., Treas . ; W . C . Parsons , P . M ., Sec . ; H . M . Newlyn , S . D . ; F . J . Thomas , J . D . ; W . Makein

I . G . j L . Heof , P . M ., and C . H . Gieen , Stewards ; G . I . Taylor , P . M ., D . C . j W . Saville , Assistant Director of Ceremonies ; W . Wiieht , P . M ., P . P . G . Org . Middlesex , Organist ; and J . Gilbert , P . M ., Prov . G . Tyler Middlesex , Tyler . The three addresses were given by the Installing Master , Bro . W . C Parsons , most impressively . A Past Master's jewel was presented by the W . M . to the I . P . M ., Bro . J . Benyon , for his efficient services as W . M . of the lodge last year . The

Craft Masonry.

I . P . M . returned thanks , saying how greatly he would value their gift as a mark of their kind approval . The VV . M . announced that a Bohemian Concert would be held in the large hall of the tavern on the fourth Friday in January , at S o'clock p . m ., for the benefit of the Masonic Charities . He trusted that the brethren would do their utmost to dispose of tickets , price 2 s . and is . each , so that a grand success might be ensured . There was a proposition for initiation , and , after " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge was closed .

The brethren adjourned to the Freemasons' Tavern , where the banquet was held , after which the usual toasts were given . In proposing " The Queen and the Craft , " the W . M . remarked that her Majesty was the most constitutional monarch England had ever had . The Queen , at this grave crisis , had shown the greatest sympathy for her people and , above all , for the brave soldiers and sailors who were maintaining her and the nation's honour in South Africa .

" God save the Oueen " by Miss Marie Vagnohni . The W . M . next gave "The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " and said the interest the Grand Master took in Masonry was well known and appreciated by all the memhers of the Craft . " God bless the Prince of Wales , " by Bro . Treffelvn David . The next toast was "The M . W . Pro G . M ., the R ^ W . D . G . M ., and the rest of the G . Officers , Present and Past . "

Bro . J . Mason , P . G . Std . Br ., replied on behalf of the Grand Officers and himself , thanking the brethren . Song , " Angus Macdonald , " by Miss Marie Vagnolini . " The Health of the W . M . " was given by the I . P . M . He congratulated the W . M . on the high position he had attained , He had the distinguished honour of presiding over one of the most delightful lodges in the Craft . He wished him a happy and prosperous year of office , with plenty ot Masonic work to do . Song— " Loch Lomond , " by Bro . Treffelyn David .

The W . M . thanked the brethren , and trusted they and himself would have a happy year together . He gave " The Masonic Charities , " and coupled with it the name of Bro . J . Mason . Bro . Mason replied . He said that he had lived long enough to obey the commands of the W . M . St . James ' s Union Lodge was known throughout the length and breadth of the land for their liberal contributions to the Masonic Charities . Bro . Parsons was always the one to set a good example . He also spoke of Bro . Barlow . In fact , the Benevolent Institution was able to pay £ 17 , 000 in annuities during the past year . The

centenary of the Boys' School had brought in upwards of £ 141 , 000 . The old men and women , when ence elected , seemed determined to live on . He mentioned that many who had lived tbe greater part of their days in luxurious comfort had , through pecuniary reverses , been compelled to solicit in the winter of their life the assistance from the Benevolent Institution towards which they had been generous donors and subscribers in the heyday of their prosperity . This aid was willingly and gratefully extended in recognition of their former liberality . Bro . Sam Wright gave a humoroussong , "The Waif and the Wizard . " Song— " May Morning , " by Miss Florence Glover .

The W . M ., in giving "The Visitors , " extended to all a hearty Masonic welcome He coupled with the toast Bros . Alfred Page , R . C P . Gardener , Prof . Driver , the brother from Queensland , Australia , W . C Luck , and G . J . Hunt . Quartett— " Regular Royal Queen . " Song— " Dear Love , " by Miss Marie Vagnolini .

The visitors responded . Then followed "The Installing Master and the I . P . M . " The W . M . said he felt deeply indebted to the Installing Master for his work that evening ; he was deeply impressed by it He spoke kindly and feelingly of the I . P . M ,, who , at the present time , was undergoing a severe trial .

Bro . Parsons replied on behalf of the Installing Master , saying he was always willing to render assistance when required . He also returned thanks for the I . P . M . He said the I . P . M ., Bro . Benyon , had to part with his sons , who were ordered to the front in the war in South Africa , and the I . P . M . was not equal to the task of speaking himself . He ( Bro . Parsons ) felt deepl y the kind words of Bro . Mason . He took the warmest interest in the Masonic Charities , and , in his humble way , he had done his best to support them .

The W . M . gave " The Treasurer and Secretary . " He said the brethren knew well how valuable were their services to the lodge . It was satisfactory to know they were in a good pecuniary position . Humorous Song— "The Moucher , " by Bro . Sam Wright . The Treasurer and Secretary briefly responded . Then succeeded * ' The Officers , " to which the S . W . and J . W . replied . The Tyler ' s toast brought the evening to a successful close . Bro . W . Wright , P . P . G . Org . Middx ., presided at the piano .

Loyal Berkshire Lodge of Hope , No . 574 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held in the Temperance Hall , on Friday , the 5 th inst . Special interest was attached to the occasion because it marked the jubilee year of the lodge and also because of the fact that Bro . Lieut .-Col . G . C . Ricardo was to be installed for the second time as Worshipful Master ,- the gallant colonel being about to proceed to South Africa in command of the Berkshire Troop of Imperial Yeomanry . There was a numerous company present , including Bros . C . E .

Keyser , P . G . D . England ; S . Knight , W . H . Belcher , G . Boyer , Mitchell , J . N . Day , Heard , S . Knight , jun ., G . J . Cosburn , J . Rolfe , E . A . Stickland , I . Stradling , Rev . J . L . Turbutt , Dr . Langley , Dr . Jenner Clarke , Dr . Whiley , J . Howard , C H . Stradling , E . Turner , J . H . Wilson , E . W . Goddard , Veitch , Hedges , S . J . L . Vincent , A . Camp , J . Hawkins , H . Elms , G . Elms , Gilks , New , F . S . Cambridge , Wright , E . Parfitt , Burton , and the Worshipful Masters of the Union , Greyfriars and Kendrick Lodges . The ceremony of installation was most impressively performed by Bro . S . Knight .

jun ., I . P . M ., and on behalfof the members a handsome Past Mister's jewel was presented to Bro . Col . Ricardo in recognition of his services to the lodge during the past year . Bro . Ricardo , after he had thanked the brethren , proceeded to appoint and invest his ollicers for 1900 as follows : Bros . G . Knight , jun ., I . P . M . ; J . Rolfe , S . W . ; E . A , Stickland , J . W . ; Rev . J . L . Turbutt , Chap . ; W . II . Belcher , Treas . ; S . Knight , sen ., Sec . j J . Stradling , S . D . ; J . Howard , J . D . ; C . E . Keyser , D . C ; S . J . L . Vincent , Org . ; C . H . Stradling , I . G . ; E . Turner and E . W . Goddard , Stwds . ; and G . P . Burton , Tyler .

At the conclusion of the lodge the usual banquet was held at the Chequers Hoiel , the room being specially decorated in a most tasteful manner by Bro . S . Knight , jun ., and the catering carried out to the great satisfaction of the brethren by Bro . W . R . Mees . The menu included all the delicacies of the season . "The Queen and the Craft" was proposed by the W . M ., Bro . Ricardo . " The Grand Lodge Officers , Present and Past , " was next submitted by the W . M ., and responded to by Bro . Keyser , P . G . D . Eng . " The R . W . Prov . G . Master , Bro . Lord Wantage , V . C , K . C . B . ; the V . W . Dep . Prov . G . Master , Bro . J . T . Morland ; and the rest of the Prov . G . Officers , Present

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