Craft Masonry.

A GRAND MASONIC TEMPLE IS being arranged for at the new Trocadero Restaurant which Messrs . J . Lyons & Co . are now completing at Piccadilly Ciicus . Special and complete accommodation will be provided for large and small lodges , and the tariff will be strictly in accord with the moderation which has hitherto characterised I . Lyons and Co . ' s charges . The cuisine will fully sustain the high reputation this company have already earned , and the decorations and comforts of the whole place will mark a new era in the record of Masonic gatherings . Inquiries as to particulars , should be addr'ssed to the proprietors , J . Lyons & Co ., Limited , Cadhy Hall , Kensington . — iADVT . l

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Southern Star Chapter , No . 1158 . The first regular convocation of this young and very promising chapter was held at the Holborn Restaurant , High Holborn , on Wednesday , thc 13 th instant . There were present Comps . J . Block , M . E . Z . ; 1 . Hands . II . ; J . Bunker , J . ; A . W . Wright , P . Z . ; Wm . Beecrolt , Treas . ; J . Austin , S K . j F . W . Down , s , S . N . ; Wm . Belchamber , P . S . ; T . Blum , ist A . S . ; J . Atkinson , 2 nd A . S . ; W . C . Tanner . Stwd . ; W . B . Hardwick , D . C . ; and D . Legg , P . Z ., acting Janitor . The visitors were Comps .

J . D . Graham , P . S . 1614 , and C . H . Stone , M . E . Z . 1901 , P . Z . 1275 . The minutes of the consecration meeting were read and confirmed . The M . E . Z . having invested the S . N .. a ballot—which proved unanimous— was [[ taken for several brethren for exaltation , and the following being present : Bros . R . E . Clark , founder and P . M . 115 S ; F . Tarrant , P . M . 115 S ; T . Morris , 115 S ; and E . G . Cooper , 1158 , they were exalted , in a very impressive manner , by the M . E . Z ., and the lectures a ' so of the respective chairs were given in a highly commendable manner by their occupants .

The by-laws , as compiled " , were submitted to the companions , who passed them , subject to the confirmation of Grand Chapter . Several handsome gifts of furniture were presented to the chapter by Comps . block , M . E . Z . ; Hands , H . ; W . Beecroft , J . Austin , | . Atkinfon , and others , consisting of a sat of large candles-. icks , two Volumes of the Sacred Law , the appropriate emblem of the three G . Ms ., the instruments made use of , Sic , for which the chapter passed a most hearty vote of thanks to the respective companions . Apologies were read from several brethren and companions for non-attendance , mostly on account of great pressure of bu-iness .

The business of the convocation ended , the companions adjourned to a capital repast , after which the usual loyal and Royal Arch toasts were right royally given and received . The toast of " The Pro G . Z ., G . H ., and G . J ., and the reit of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was given by the M . E . Z ., who remarked upon the excellent choice of the ist G . Z . upon investing Earl Amherst as the G . H ., and the best thanks of the companions were due to those excellent companions for their able services .

Comp . R . E . Clark , P . Z . 948 , and acting I . P . Z . ofthe chapter , next proposed "The Health ofthe M . E . Z . " whom he highly commended for his rendering the splendid ritual so peiftctly lor the first time , lt spoke much for the success of the chapter , and his great desire was that it would continue to II > urish under so able a ruler . Comp . Block , M . E . Z ., in reply , thanked the companions for so cordial a greeting , hut having been placed in that honourable position it was his bounden duty 11 discharge his duties faithfully and well , and it would always be his earnest endeavour to carry them out to the very best of his ability .

The M . E . Z . next proposed the toast of his co-Principals , " The H . and J ., whom he was pleased to have as his chief officers in the conducting of this very promising chapter . Neiiher of these companions had ever rehearsed the duties of their respective chairs before , and it was to their highest credit that they had performed them so well , as they weie such young R . A . Masons .

Comp . J Hands , H ., replied and said he was vcy gratified indeed to haar such kind words , but he should always strive to carry out his duties in the chapter as he was performing them as W . M . of the mother lodge , to the very best of his ability . He would thank Comp . Stone , M . E . Z . 1901 , for having exalted him into R . A . Masonry in that chapter , so as to enable him to hold the honourable position of II . in the Southern Star Chapter .

Comp . J . Bunker , J ., also most gratefully acknowledged the compliment paid him , and promised tn do his utmost to uphold the prestige of the chapter . The M . E . Z . next presented the toa ^ t of " The Exaltees" in most becoming terms , stating that the founder and oldest P . M ., Bro . Clark , had expressed his desire of joining , as also Bro . Tarrant , P . M ., and with what pleasure it had giv ^ n him ( toe M . E . Z . ) to

werk the cenmony of exaltation , as also upon Bros . Morris and Cooper , all m-maers cf the mother lodge , ana now companions of the chapter ; but , through unavoidable circumstances , there would have been a larger r . umber of exaltees— botn Past Misters and brethren of the lodge—which augured well for the chapter . The companions gave the exiltees a most cordial greeting .

Ctmps . Clark , Tarrant , Morris , and Cooper most ably replied , and expressed appreciation of lhe honour done them . The toast of "The Visitors" was next ably presented by the M . E . Z . in a very complimentary manner . Comps . C . H . Strne and J . D . Graham replied in happy terms . 1 he M . ri . Z ., in giving " The Treasurer and Secretary , " congratulated himself and the chapter upon two such worthy companions , and thanked them for the very deep interest they were taking in the chapter .

Comps . W . Beecrolt , Treas , and J . Austin , S . E ., replied in very becoming terms , assuring the M . E . Z . that their greatest desire was to support him , so that the Southern Star Chapter might long continue to fl -urish . The M . E . Z . next proposed the toast of "The Officers , " remarking upon the work of Comps . Downes , S . N ., and Wm . Belchamber , P . S ., the latter of whom was highly praised for the able manner he discharged his duties . The Assistant Sojourners—Cc nips . Blum and Atkinson—were also able to perform the duties of P . S ., so that the chapter might need be proud of such young and able companions .

Comps . Belchamber , Downes , Blum , and Atkinson very gracefully replied , and p : omised their best services would be given in the benefit of the chapter . The Janitor ' s toast closed a very happy meeting .

THE GLORIES of the old Trocadero in its best days are to be more than revived , as Messrs . J . Lyons & Co . have erected upon its site at Piccadilly Circus one of the grandest restaurants to be found in Europe . For elegance and convenience of construction , splendour of decoration , and the comfort and completeness of the general appointments it would be difficult to lind its peer . The cuisine of J . Lyons & Co ., Ltd ., has earned for this Company the til le of The Only Perfect Caterers , and the Trocadero Restaurant will be a distinct acquisition to Masonic lodges . Applications respecting bookings should be made to the proprietors , J . Lyons & Co ., Ltd ., Cadby Hall , Kensington , W . —[ ADVT . 1

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

On the occasion of the opening of the Municipal Buildings at Croydon by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., on the 19 th instant , Bro . Sydney G . Edrid ge , W . M . of the Addiscombe Lodge , No . 1556 , of which his brother , the Mayor of Croydon , is a member , entertained the annuitants who are resident in fhe Royal Masonic Benevolent Insrilution at Croydon . For seeing the great

show of the day , the Mayor and Bro . Sydney Edridge had made ample arrangements for tbe accommodation of the annuitants , and in the course of the morning waggonettes were sent to the Institution to convey them to premises in the High-• street , along which the procession was to pass , and a brougham was provided for 'he Matron , Miss Norris ,

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

A beautiful luncheon vvas laid for the annuitants at Bro . Sydney Edridge ' s office , and , after the ceremony of opening the new buildings was completed , they were driven through the town to witness the decorations . At half-past six in the evening , high tea was laid at the Institution , when Bro . Sidney G . Edridge presided , with Mrs . Edridge on his left , and the Mayor and Mayoress on his right . A large number of ladies and gentlemen of Croydon were also present . Among

others were Bros . Walter Hopekirk , P . G . P . ; Peter Joslin , 452 ; W . J . E . Hope kirk , 15 S 6 ; J . Newton , P . G . P . ; J . A . Farnfield , Treas . ; Chas . Chumley , Dr . H . J . Strong , F . Nicholls , M . D ., G . J . Allen , Alfred Lambert , Sec . 155 ( 0 ; A . Young Hyland , ] . Harrison , J . Connelley , W . H . Lascelles , J . Stovell , R . F Grundy , John Aris , T . W . Dobson , John M . Newnham , John Wayte , H . Simpson , H . Massey , W . G . Fenn , and Layton A . Richardson .

At the conclusion of the tea Bro . SYDNEY EDRIDCE , addressing the company said .- The Mayor in his official capacity and the Mayoress in hers had graced that little meeting , but they were now obliged to leave for another function . They would , however , have been pleased and delighted with the display of talent which was about to be made at a later period of the evening . Still , this short visit of theirs was one of those passing sunbeams which were all the moie gratifying because they were not so common . The Mayor had taken part in a very onerous

public duty , and there was not a single lady or gentleman who had not seen how carefully the work was carried out . There was no single person present who would not re-echo the sentiments which Croydon felt through its length and breadth of regard for the Mayor for the splendid way everything had been done . The present little gathering was not so grand as that which some had had the honour of attending , but his audience was quite as appreciative , and he asked them cordially to express their good feelings towards the Mayor and Mayoress for their

kindness in attending . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) He was happy to say that the Mayor was a Mason , as they would be able to know by what he would now say . The Mayor of CROYDON , in acknowledging the compliment , said he could only assure the ladies and gentlemen , brethren and sisters , that it had given him and the Mayoress very great pleasure to attend at the Institution , and they had much enjoyed themselves . He wished to mention that he had had the honour that day of sitting next to the Most Worshipful Grand Master of England , and he took the opportunity of telling him that someof the brethren and sisters in that Institution

were watching with a great amount of interest his Royal Highness passing . The Prince of Wales particularly asked him where they were , and he pointed them out to him . The Grand Master gave them a friendly recognition , and that remark of regard Masons well knew how to appreciate . That was the first time he ( the Mayor ) had been at the Institution , but he was sure everyone would admire that beautiful hall and the beautiful grounds attached to the buildings . He hoped it would not be the last occasion he should be present , and he trusted thit each and all of the brethren would enjoy the entertainment provided . Many years might they all live in peace and comfort .

His Worship and the Mayoress then shook hands with all the annuitants and left , and after the hall had been prepared for the concert , the annuitants and visitors returned ( Bro . Sydney G . Edridge , W . M . 1556 , taking the chair ) . An enjoyable entertainment followed . Bro . J . A . FARNEIELD , Treasurer of the Institution , in proposing a vote of thanks to the Chairman , said the day had been a red-letter day in the life of the annuitants , who had basked in the smiles of Royalty , for they had heard that the

Prince of Wales had smiled on them when they were pointed out to him by the mace-bearer . Bro . Edridge was to be thanked for that , and also for accommodating them with refreshment at his oflice . The treat he had given them in the daytime was enhanced by that which he had added to it in the evening , and he hoped they had merited it . For what he had done for them , they asked him ( Bro . Farnfield ) to thank Bro . Edridge for this—one of the most pleasant days in their lives .

Bro . EDRIDGE , replying , said the longest day must have an end , and the sun had gone down on a very happy day . Associated with its most pleasant memories would be the fact that the brethren of the Addiscombe Lodge had been able to set before them an entertainment of which he should have not only a kind , but also a very pleasant recollection . He appreciated the privilege he had had in helping to take part in the day ' s festivities . He wished the old people to take part in them . He was very pleased to come down to the hall , which was a true haven of rest for the

annuitants after the storms of life . Through the true Masonic hearts of the brethren that had been established , and it showed that they cared for the old people from day to day . The management of the place reflected great credit on those upon whom it devolved . He wished the people to remember there were members outside in the world whose hearts beat with theirs . He hoped that would

extend ; it was not Utopian . He trusted that the glorious Order to which Masons had the honour to belong would extend the blessings which comparatively few now enjoyed . In the words of the song they had just heard—not with the obbligato , but with the sentiments in it from first to last , ne said— " Good night , good night , beloved . " ( Cheers ) . The company then retired .

The Pioneer Life Assurance Co., Limited.

THE PIONEER LIFE ASSURANCE CO ., LIMITED .

Relieved of the encumberance of the liability incident to the original policies which lapsed in 1895 , the Pioneer has now agreeable prospects before it , and judging from the report just issued , much energy has been displayed in giving full effect to the formula now adopted by this office , which appears to be having a full share of public appreciation . Established in Liverpool a few years ago , and where its centre of operations is still situated , the establishment , under careful management and application , appears to have done exceedingly well in the past year , the life account showing premium receipts amounting to £ 7361 , the amount against claims being £ 2064 , and a balance of

£ 930 , forming a basis for the life assurance fund , being carried forward with that object in view . There is a small balance on the year ' s working in the accident department , and the profit on sale of consols has considerably reduced the debit balance on profit and loss . As an instance of the cordiality and faith of the shareholders in the future development of the concern , they have spontaneously responded to the two first of the three shilling calls—due on January 14 th and March 14 th , a proceeding which must considerably enhance its prospects , enabling its directors and their principal adviser to anticipate the great wave of insurance which , year by year , appears to assume larger

bulk , as the people become more familiar with the advantages to be secured under the protection of an insurance policy . The Pioneer enjoys the advantage of location in one of our most important centres , where , by the direct individual influence of the executive , a certain proportion of business must inevitably result , not that we would be understood that the scope of the office is limited to even so great a city as Liverpool , for already its policies are distributed broadcast , and , no doubt , under the encouraging prospects now opening out , the demand for these will greatly increase as the Pioneer increases in years and influence , and its agencies are established and consolidated in

other parts of the kingdom . As already hinted , the hindrances of indifference and superstition are rapidly disappearing , and the apathy and prejudice of the people are giving way to better counsels , so that year by year we notice considerable additions to the membership of all insurance establishments . So that the Pioneer should take heart of grace , and leel assured that a large share of this reformed condition of our affairs , socially , must fall into its lot , with its attractive tables , and the extremely efficient working apparatus which it appears enabled to command . Under the new and improved conditions , we expect to find that considerable progress will be made ere the next report is issued .