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HTOj ^ SSal SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 20 , 1897 .

Masonic Notes.

Masonic Notes .

We have been requested to state that Bro . Major Clifford Probyn , who was one of the two brethren nominated to fill the office of Grand Treasurer during

the year 18 97-8 , has withdrawn his candidature , Bro . Bro , Alderman Vaughan Morgan , the other nominee remains , therefore , the sole candidate , and , as such , will , of course , be elected at the Quarterly Communication of United Grand Lodge , on Wednesday the 3 rd prox .

# # # ¦ We have much pleasure in announcing tbat one of the most important fixtures of the year—the annual Festival of the Emulation Lodge of Improvementwill be held at Freemasons'Hall on Friday next , the

Masonic Notes.

26 th instant . As will be gathered from the announcement in our advertisement columns , the Sections of the First Lecture will be worked in lodge , and we strongly advise those who are desirous of seeing a masterly exemplification of the best English Masonic lodge work , and are able to spare the time , to make a

point of being present . When the lodge is closed , the customary banquet will take place in the adjoining Tavern , under the presidency of Bro . Lieut .-Gen . J . Wimburn Laurie , M . P ., P . G . W ., Past Grand Master of Nova Scotia , and , as the arrangements have been

entrusted to an exceptionally strong Board of Stewards , we have every confidence that those who attend will derive both profit and pleasure from the proceedings . For further particulars we refer our readers to the advertisement at page 92 .

# # * It is once again our privilege to chronicle the success of " Our Boys" atthe Cambridge Local Examinations —Preliminary Stage—which were held in December , 1896 . Of the 40 boys who were entered , one obtained first class , two second class , and three third class honours , while 30 satisfied the examiners ; in addition

five distinctions were awarded in one or other of the subjects of examination . What makes this result more gratifying is that the average age of these 40 candidates was only 13 years 1 month ; the oldest of those who were awarded classes being 13 years 1 month , and the youngest 11 years 4 months , while the age of the youngest who passed was 10 years 4 months .

* * # We believe we are correct in stating that this is by far the best result ever obtained at these examinations and it is with the greatest pleasure that we congratulate the Head master , our Rev . Bro . Hebb , and his staff on this further proof of the excellence of their system of training . The Board of

Management , too , who are so assiduous in looking after the School and so ready to afford every help in their power in order that the children entrusted to their charge may be thoroughly grounded in all useful knowledge , are entitled to the thanks of alt who have in every way contributed towards the' support of the Institution .

We are also in a position to announce that of the 19 pupils from the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls who were entered for the same Preliminary Stage of the Cambridge Local Examinations in December of last year , one took third class honours and was awarded distinction in Religious knowledge , while 17—of whom one was awarded distinction in English—satisfied the

examiners ; there being only one failure . In this case also we heartily congratulate the House Committee , who look so carefully into everything connected with the training of the children , and Miss Redgrave on this result . The latter , in particular , must be gratified at finding that the prestige of the School has been so fully maintained during the brief period it has been under her direction as Head Governess .

» The boys who were successful in passing the Cambridge Local Examinations in 18 95 have recently been enjoying themselves , having been invited on successive Wednesdays by Bro . Edward Terry , Past Grand

Treasurer , to witness the performance of " Love in Idleness " at the theatre which bears his name . The boys themselves have requested us to record the fact , and , at the same time , to express publicly on their behalf their appreciation of our respected brother's kindness .

* * * We are indebted to the courtesy of Bro , John Stocker , Prov . G . Secretary Devonshire , for the receipt of copies of two circular letters which R . W . Bro . the Hon . Sir H . Stafford Northcote , Bart ., M . P ., Prov . G . Master , has recently addressed to the lodges under

his charge . The first of them has reference to the Indian Famine Relief Fund , now being raised by the Lord Mayor of London , and takes the form of an appeal to the lodges and brethren in the Province of Devonshire to contribute—the lodges by votes from their funds and the brethren by personal

donations" towards the relief of our famine and plague-stricken fellow subjects in India . " The Prov . Grand Master reminds the lodges in his Province that H . R . H ., the M . W . G . Master , intends moving the grant of a substantial sum from the funds of Grand Lodge , and he expresses the hope that " the Freemasons of

Devonshire" will not be backward in supporting so laudable a movement . He therefore requests that intending donors will remit their contributions either to Bro . E . Roseveare , Great Western Docks , Plymouth , Prov . G . Treasurer ; or to Bro . John Stocker , 66 , St . Thomas , Exeter , Prov . G . Secretary , and announces his inten-

Masonic Notes.

tion of closing the list on the nth proximo and then paying the whole of the sum raised to the Mansion House Fund in the name of " The Freemasons of Devonshire . " We trust agoodlyjsum may be obtained in response to this appeal .

The olhei circular letter refers to the subject of Masonic funerals . The Prov . Grand Master mentions that he has received several applications from lodges in the Province " for dispensations to attend funerals of deceased brethren in Masonic clothing , " and he expresses it as his opinion that " the interests of the

Craft are not generally promoted by public processions of Masons clothed with the badges of their Order . " He also thinks that respect to the memory of a departed brother will not be "less sincere or less worthily expressed" if brethren attend a funeral in ordinary attire , or if they think some distinctive mark is necessaiy , wear

ing whites gloves . The Prov . Grand Master adds that while he does not wish it to be understood that he shall " in every case refuse to grant a dispensation for this purpose , " he is most anxious to discourage the practice and that such applications must be strictly limited to those cases in which " strong proofs are afforded that the deceased brother had rendered such

special and signal services to the Craft as ought to be outwardly recognised in this public manner . " We trust the kindly appeal of Bro . the Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote will be accepted by our Devon brethren in the spirit in which it is offered . What is manifestly intended as a special tribute of respect to the memory of a deceased brother of eminence must not be granted generally or it will cease to be a special tribute .

* * The 39 th annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Canada ( Province of Ontario ) was held in the Masonic Hall , Toronto , on the 27 th ult . Comp . J . Ross Robertson , M . E . G . Z ., presided , and was supported by Comps . M , Walsh

Grand H . j W . J . Reid , Grand J . ; several Past G . Zs ., the Grand Superintendents of Districts , and the Grand Officers , Present and Past . Comp . Robertson , in the course of his address , referred to the approaching centenary of Royal Arch Masonry in Ontario , the 7 th June , 1797 , being the date on which the Royal Arch was introduced , and a chapter

constituted in Kingston . Comp . Robertson recommended that the auspicious event should be duly celebrated with all possible eclat , and that Grand Chapter should appoint a Committee to co-operate with the brethren of Toronto , who have already started arrangements for this anniversary . * * *

In the course of his other remarks Comp . Robertson said that there were 96 chapters on the roll , nf which " 50 are credited with doing good work , 20 with work not up to the average , and 16 are not worth mentioning , so indifferent is their work . " This extract is taken from the report of the meeting published in the Toronto Freemason , which also is responsible for the

announcement of the previous particulars , and also for the statement that the following are the principal Grand Officers for the present year , namely , Comps . M , Walsh , Grand Z . ; W . J . Reid , Grand H . ; Geoige W . Shapley , Q . C , Grand J . j Thomas Sargant ( re > elected ) , G . Scribe E . ; N . Leslie , G . Scribe N . ; Hugh Murray ( re-elected ) , G . Treas , ; E . W . Case , G . Prin . Soj . ; S . W . Mckeller , Grand Registrar .

* * * The New Zealand Craftsman ior last month contains two very amusing stories . In one case the episode occurred at- the installation meeting of the Harvard Lodge . The toast of "The Installing Officer" ( Bro . H . J . Williams ) was being proposed , when the Grand Superintendent of the District , who was present ,

waggishly suggested to the proposer that he should couple with it the name of the Director of Ceremonies ( Bro . Pitcher . ) This was done , and Bro . Pitcher at once rose , and was making a capital speech for the " Installing Officer , " when the absurdity of his position suddenly dawned upon him , and exclaiming— " Why , this is all wrong j what have 1 to do with it ?"—sat down amid the most uproarious merriment .

* * * In the second case a portly Grand Officer was the prominent figure . He was quietly smoking a cigar in the hall of thc principal hotel , with his luggage and reg-alia-ca . se close handy , waiting for the train , when a porter and a friend entered , and the latter having , out

of curiosity , glanced at the luggage and inspected the regalia-case , remarked to the porter— " I see you ' ve got one of them coves here as runs them enlargement picture shows , and this is the case what holds it . I don ' t think much of them blokes , and you had better keep your eye lifting on this one . " Collapse of " portly Grand Officer . "