Ladies' Banquet Of The St. Pancras Lodge, No. 2271.

them a gem culled from the jewels of nature as Mrs . Scurrah . He ( the W . M . ) had a very pleasant duty to perform in making a presentation to Bro . S : urrah , who had worked earnestly for the welfare of the lodge ever since its formation , No pains had been spared , and his efforts had extendad to the Royal Arch , Mark , and Rose Croix . They accepted his services with gratitude , knowing how cheerfully they were given . As an earnest of their respect and regard they asked Bro . Scurrah to accept their gift as a token of their brotherly affection .

The present consisted of an ormolu mounted English chime clock in mahogany case , striking the Cambridge chimes on eight bells , and the-Westminster chimes on four gon ^ s . There were also two pairs of silver candlesticks . The clock bears the following inscription : " Presented to W . Bro . W . A . Scurrah , P . P . G . Supt . of Works Middx , and P . G . S . B ., by the members of the St . Pancras Lodge , No . 2271 , as a mark of their esteem and in recognition of his services to the lodge as Secretary since its consecration in Augt ., i 8 S 3 . "

Bro . W . A . SCURRAH , P . G . S . B ., said he did not know how to thank the VV . M . for the kind words used , or how to thank the brethren adequately for their kind thoughtfulness in presenting him with the very handsome testimonial . It had been a great pleasure to him to belong to the lodge and pilot it through something like 11 years as the first and the present Secretary . Bro . Sir Robt . Fowler was the first Master , and the second was a distinguished doctor , but both were dead . The third Master was their esteemed and respected Bro . Graham ,

M . P ., who now ranked as the senior P . M ., and who had been ever ready to help the lodge . He did not know if he deserved this testimonial , but he could assure them he had done his best tor the lodge . He had very carefully scrutinised every proposed member , so as to admit only thoroughly goDd and worthy men . To have his work recognised in such a manner was a fresh impetus to mike him go on , and , if possible , do more in the future . He thanked the W . M . and also

the S . W ., Bro . Vine , who had taken an active part in the presentation , and he was glad to know all the members were in accord on the subject . He was imbued with a deep sense of gratitude for the presentation . He should never forget that very happy moment of his life when the members had proved themselves true brethren and friends . Anything he could do to reciprocate their kindness would be earnestly done , and if he could help any brother he was theirs to command .

Each lady was presented with a bottle of choice scent , and an adjournment was made to the concert room , where the following artistes assisted in an excellent programme : Miss Marie Kehreil , Miss Gomersall , Mr . Courtier Dutton , Mr Arthur Barlow , and Bros . Wood and J . Jefferson , Org .

Presentation To Bro. James Kay, No. 1611.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . JAMES KAY , No . 1611 .

Freemasons are always ready to acknowledge faithful and devoted services , and on no brother has honour been more worthily bestowed for such service than on Bro . James Kay , who has been Secretary of the Eboracum Lodge since its formation in 1876 , and Scribe E . ofthe Eboracum Royal Arch Chapter since 1880 . A most interesting gathering took place in the Freemasons' Hall , St . Saviourgate ,

on the 14 th inst ., in order to make a presentation to Bro . Kay . Bro . Sykes , W . M . 161 r , presided , with Bro . J . L . Spetch , M . E . Z . 1611 , at a dinner . There were also present Bros . Whytehead , P . P . G . W ., P . G . S . B . Eng . ; Cumberland , P . P . G . W . N . and E . Yorks , P . D . G . S . B . Eng . ; J . Blenkin , P . P . G . D . ; Lamb , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; J . H . Buchanan , P . P . G . R . Thirsk ; D . Young , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; E . Thackray , P . P . G . S . ; T . H . Lindberg , W . M . 2328 ; W . Storey , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; 1 . Kay , the guest of the evening ; and a large number of brethren .

The W . M . gave " The Queen and the Cralt , " which was duly honoured , and then he submitted " The Oflicers Supreme and Subordinate , " which was replied to by Bros . WHYTEHEAD and STORKY . Bro . WHYTEHEAD then proposed " Health , Long Life , and Prosperity to their Secretary , Bro . James Kay . " ( Applause . ) He said that when he went into that toast and talked about it , he was afraid that some of them would consider it

ancient history . When the Eboracum Lodge was formed in 1 S 76 Bro . Kay was one of the members who signed the petition for the warrant , and from that time he had acted as Secretary of that lodge , and from the time that the Eboracum Royal Arch Chapter was formed he had acted as Scribe E . ( Applause . ) That was a wonderful record , but Bro . Kay was anything but a novice when he came to York , for he had been Secretary of the Kingston Lodge , Hull , for a number of

years , and he brought such a splendid record of Masonic work , that they were only too glad and proud to enlist him in their ranks . From that time he served them in a way v / hich he ( Bro . Whytehead ) doubted if any brother couid . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Kay had not only been most amiable and discreet , and he used those words carefully , in everything that he did , but the lodge had always been in good form , without reproach cither from Grand Lodge or Provincial Grand Lodge ,

( Applause . ) There was a lot in that , because an inexperienced Secretary might have made a number of slips . Nothing of that kind happened , and owing entirely to the services of Bro . Kay the lodge had had an unbroken record of prosperity and peace . ( Applause . ) The Secretary of a lodge was its keystone and pivot . Bro . Kay had remained Secretary all those years , steadfast and irue . W . Ms , had comeandgone , buttheSecretaryhadgoneonall that time , and he hoped

Ihat he would go on as long as he lived . He had discharged his duties in a > plendid manner , and had earned their greatest admiration and deepest gratitude . ( Applause . ) It had occurred to the members of the lodge and the chapter that lhe time had come when they should make some trifling recognition of those services , and they proposed that night to do it . Bro . Kay knew as much of Masonry is anyone , and was always willing to exert his powers and knowledge for the benefit of the

Eboracum Lodge . ( Applause . ) He then presented Bro . Kay with the following address , and a purse containing upwards of , £ 50 : — " Presented tocher with a purse of gold by the members of the Eboracum Lodge and Luoracum Royal Arch Chapter of Freemasons to Bro . and Companion James Kay , who , since the formation of the Lodge in 1 S 76 and the Chapter in 18 S 0 , has served the respective offices of Secretary and Scribe E . with the utmost zeal and lidehty . During this prolonged period you have endeared yourself to every member

of these Mesonic bodies by the invariable courtesy and grace with which you have discharged the multifarious claims of your arduous position . As a Freemason of very old standing , known and wi jely respected in the Province of North and East Yorkshire , we desire to wish you , our brother and companion , all prosperity , and may you long be spared to the happiness of your family and a Kocd Masonic example . " The address , which was signed by 85 brethren , was handsomel y framed in gold and oak , and had been illuminated in a highly atlWic manner .

w Br ° - LAMII , P . M ., said that he endorsed every word that had fallen fro-oi Bro . Whytehead . Bro . Kay had endeared himself to everyone , and every W . M ., had always received from him the most valuable assistance . Bro . Kay was a worthy . l ; uon fer he always practised outside the lod ge what he learned in it . 'Ihe Health of Bro . Kay '' was received with great enthusiasm .

Bro . KAY , on rising , was received with a burst of applause . He thanked the orethrin lor the splendid compliment of that night , first in coming there in such numbers , and then for the handsome gifts , and the kind words expressed in the aaaress lhe words that had fallen from Bros . Wh ytehead and Lamb would mane a lasting impression on his mind . He had hoped that the kindness and

Presentation To Bro. James Kay, No. 1611.

courtesy that he had always received from the members of the lodge and the chapter would have sufficiently repaid him for any little trouble , but he felt that what had occurred that night was prompted by the kindly feeling to himself . ( Applause ) . He had always tried to . promote harmony and good feeling amongst the brethien of the lodge , and he was not aware that any action or word of his had ever given pain to any member of the chapter or the lodge , and he thought the words of Bros . Whytehead and Lamb justified him in saying so . Bro . Kay

then gave a short history of the lodge , which started with 22 members , and 252 names had been put through the register since its consecration , and it had now 99 members on the register and 17 honorary members . In the first few years of its existence it sent up a record amount of money to the Masonic Charities . They had with them that night the oldest scholars in the school , Bro . J . Blenkin , Bro . Whytehead , who was the pioneer of the lodge , and Bro . Cooper . The Royal Arch chapter started with 10 members , and they now had 49 , and a great deal of good Masonic work had been done by the chapter . He would like to mention the

honour which had been conferred on the lodge by distinguished visitors . The Provincial Grand Lodge had visited them more than once . They had been honoured with a visit by the American Pilgrims , who were delighted with that building and with the splendid organ in the lodge room . They had been visited by the Grand Lodge of Scotland , by brethren from the Colonies and India , and by the most learned body of Masons in the world—the Quatuor Coronati . ( Applause . ) He hoped that the lodge would go on and prosper . The secret of its success had been the kindly feeling and unanimity which had always existed among the members , and he proposed "Success and Prosperity to the Lodge . "

Bro . CHAMBERS , P . M ., proposed " The Health of the W . M ., " who acknowledged the compliment . Bro . VAUGHA ** proposed " The Presentation Committee / ' which was acknowledged by the VICE-CHAIRMAN . A very large number of apologies for inability to be present was received . Several brethren contributed songs and recitations , and a most enjoyable evening was spent .

Restoration Of The Tower Of The Church Of The Holy Trinity At Long Melford.

RESTORATION OF THE TOWER OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY AT LONG MELFORD .

The laying of a corner-stone of the restoration of the tower of the grand old parish church of Holy Trinity at Long Melford took place on Monday , the ioth instant , with imposing and impressive Masonic ceremonial , the event being altogether unique as far as this district is concerned , and one long to be remembered by all who took part in or attended it . The restoration is being carried out to commemorate the 60 th Jubilee year of the reign of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen .

It was about 18 months ago that the rector , Rev . G . St . John Topham , brought forward the suggestion that this much-needed improvement should be carried out , so as to bring the tower into harmony with the main portion of the beautiful edifice . In referring at the beginning of the year in his address to the parishioners to the many fresh undertakings that had been launched on the parochial sea this year , he remarked that the church tower restoration would of

its own importance dwarf the rest , and would " be sure in future to be looked upon as the great work of love of our generation . " Soon after the matter was broached a strong Committee was formed to compass the object , the members being as follows : The Rev . G . St . John Topham , Chairman ; Mr . Henry H . Almack , Mr . G . John Coe , Mr . L . G . Fisher , Mr . W . Jennings Mills , Mr . H . Turton Norton , the Rev . Sir W . Hyde Parker , Bart ., Mr . C . J . N . Row , and Mr . C . H . Sewell , with Mr . E . E . Adams as Hon . Secretary .

A subscription list was opened as soon as preliminary arrangements had been made . The Rector headed this with the munificent sum of ; £ ioao , and among the principal donors were Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , £ 100 ; Miss Martyn , ^ 50 ; Rev . E . Bennett , £ so ; Mr . H . Turton Norton , £ 262 ios . ; Rev . Sir W . Hyde Parker , £ y >; Dowager Lady Parker , £ 25 ; Mr . C . J . N . Row , . £ 100 ; Mr . E . S . Bence , ^ 50 ; Mr . H . H . Almack , ^ 25 ; Miss Almack , , £ 10 ; Mr . L . G . Fisher , £ 2 $ ; Mrs . E . F . Fisher ,

. £ 20 ; Sir F . L . Robinson , K . C . B ., £ 20 ; Sir William Robinson , , £ 20 ; Mr . Stephen Leach in memory of Hugh Hyde Parker , £ 1 $ ; Mrs . Braithwaite , £ \ o ; Mrs . Ulicke Burke , . £ 10 ; Rev . A . C . Hair , , £ 10 ios . ; Miss B . Heap , ; £ io ; Mrs . Woodforde , £ 9 9 s . ; Major Hatherley , £ g ; and the following £ 5 each : Mr . T . B . Ardley , Mr . C . Bean , Mr . J . G . Coe , Mrs . J . G . Coe , £ 5 ; Mr . F . C J . DuCane , Mr . Joseph Heap , Mrs . Kealing , Colonel Matthews , Mr . F . J . Methold , Mr . Elland Norton , Mrs . D . Ricardo , Mr . S . Richold , Mr . L . S . Saunt , Mr . J . C . Wickham , and a number of smaller sums .

Altogether about ^ 2500 has been received or promised , leaving , £ 2000 to be raised .

It was agreed on all hands that it would be a most appropriate and auspicious inauguration to have a full Masonic ceremonial , conducted as it would be by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , P . G . C . Eng ., and Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen , he having been connected so long and so affectionately with the parish . There were practically no deccrations in the parish . Those visitors who had expected to look through a vista of flags and bunting for the disposition of which

the long and in some respects quaint street admirably lends itself , were disappointed , and some surprise was expressed that the Melfordians had not risen to the occasion in this respect . The indefatigable Mr . C . J . N . Row hoisted a dig on his tower . The only other display was at the entrance to the churchyard , where a string of pennons spanned the road from the hospital to the rectory .

Still , if Melford streets had not assumed their gayest aspect , anybody with half an eye could see that something unusual was happening , for long before the time fixed for the service crowds wended their way to the churchyard , while others lingered about the green and near the schoolroom to witness the " pomp and circumstance " attending the Masons' march in state to the church .

An Especial Provincial Giand Lodge held in a room appointed for the purpose at the school , where the brethren assembled at two o ' clock , the Provincial Grand Lodge being opened about half an hour later by the R . W . Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . the Rev . C J . Martyn , P . G . Chap . Eng . The following brethren signed the presence book : Bros , the Rev . Charles J . Martyn , P . G . C , Dep . P . G . M . Suffolk ; E . U . Adnam * , P . M . 1983 , P . S . G . W . ;

Geo . C . Carliell , P . M . 1592 , P . G . S . B . ; Owen Clark , W . M . 1008 , P . P . G . O . ; R . F . B . Colling , P . M . 1983 , P . G . S . ; C . J . N . Row , 1224 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; F . W . W , Gross , P . M . 81 , P . P . G . R . ; R . J . Carthew , P . M . 376 , P . P . J . G . D ., Prov . G . D . of C ; Joseph George , P . M . 1324 , P . P . J . G . D . ; A . J . Grimwade , P . M . 132 , P . P . S . G . W . ; Joseph F . Hills , P . M . 1224 , P . P . J . G . W . ; Thos . J . Railing ,

P . A . G . D . C , Prov . G . Sec . Essex ; G . Powell Price , P . M . and Sec . 325 , P . P . G . S . B . ; H . J . Norton , University Lodge ; T . B . Ardley , P . M . 1224 , P . P . S . G . D . ; F . C Peccock , P . M . 516 , P . G . Stwd . ; the Rev . J . E . Munday , 2371 , P . G . Chap . ; J . McNaught-Davis , P . G . P . Derbyshire ; George Turner , 376 , P . J . G . D . Suffolk ; CH , N . Haward , 332 , P . G . Treas . ; J . Bardwell , P . M . 1823 , P . P . G . S . B . ; and J . E . Barnes , P . P . G . Treas .