Original Correspondence.

To the Editor if thc Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I have seen in your paper several suggestions that the brethren of lodges , who have not access to the Grand Festival , should unite to hold festivals of their own upon the day of thc Grand Festival , and 1 bee lo point out that

no lodge as such , and therefore no union of lodges , within the London district can have a Masonic feast on the day of thc Grand Festival . ( Sec Book of Constitutions , p . 23 , sec . 13 ) . If any banquet is held , it must therefore be strictly unmasonic in character and conduct . Vour obedient servant , W . M .

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . To Ihe Editor if Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I am' obliged for your opinion so kindly expressed in your paper of 19 th December in reply to my letter of 3 rd November . I think , however , you have overlooked a most particular point , in fact , the point ou which the

whole matter rests , viz ., " at that meeting "—that is , at the first regular lodge when the minutes are read for confirmation . A contends that B should give notice of motion that at the next regular meeting he will propose that a certain clause in the minutes read be rescinded . The minutes wonld of course stand unconfirmed until after his proposal had been considered .

I have been requested tc ask you to reply to a question as to the power of the W . M . to refuse to allow a member to ballot for a candidate on thc ground that such member had stated to one or more members that he intended to black-ball every candidate who might be proposed during the year , or for a certain time . Yours fraternally , W . C . HOWARD .

Queenstown , Cape of Good Hope , March 19 th . [ Our opinion is , that the W . M . has 110 right to prevent a brother voting , as he has no power , but wc think that such a speech is unmasonic and might fairly be adjudged to"be prejudicial to thc best interests of the lodge . The W . M . could clearly summon the brother before thc lodge on a charge of unmasonic conduct , tending to thc injury of the lodge—ED . ]

The Masonic Charities.

THE MASONIC CHARITIES .

In the Freemason for March 27 th I pointed out thc fact , that out of 31 candidates for the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls only two of the fathers had contributed directly to its funds ( one having been a " Steward six times and subscribed to all" ) . Also that out of 48 candidates for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , only six of the fathers had been contributors to our Masonic charities : in other

words , only eight of the 79 brethren , whose children were candidates at the late elections , had contributed directly to cither of the Loudon Masonic charities , and only one out of the 79 had been a Steward . I mentioned also some other facts respecting the brethren whose children sought election , particularly that their average subscriptions to their lodges would about serve to clothe , educate , and board their 79

sons or daughters for six months 111 either of thc institutions . By some Freemasonry is looked upon as a most useful and expensive society , wherein one ' s pocket is drained oi its contents , and nothing returned by way of compensation . It occurs to mc , therefore , that the foregoing facts should tend to alter the views of all such objectors to our " Ancient

and Honourable Fraternity . " 1 have since received a number of private letters on the subject , thanking me for drawing attention to thc matter , and expressive of thc hope that the publication of thc communication will be the means of inducing many brethren , now in prosperous circumstances , to subscribe to our grand Masonic Charities , who have hitherto been content with

ignoring the claims of indigent Masons , or their widows and orphan boys and girls . One correspondent , " Q ., " in in a most friendly manner calls me to account for thc remarks I have made , or rather the facts pointed out . I venture to think lie lias wholly mistaken the object I had in view by the publication of the communication ,. and consequently the inferences he deduced from the observations

I made are his , not mine . It is easy for a' brother to fancy objections to a certain course , and then answer them to his own satisfaction . I am not at all concerned as to that , indeed , I have admired in two or three instances how neatly and completely " Q . " has demolished various arguments brought to bear against certain methods of testing thc qualifications of candidates ;

but then in each case the fallacies so exploded have not been my creation , but his own , so thc advantages or disadvantages resulting therefrom are likewise his , not mine . I do not say that " those candidates are thc most eligible whose fathers contributed to our charities , " and never have . Why should I ? The result might be quite the contrary . But 1 do say that all who enter thc Masonic Society should

be able then to devote a portion of their income to relieve the distressed brethren , though subsequently their circumstances might change for the worse . This being so , I can only account for so many refusing to aid our charities , who are well able to do so , from sheer disregard of their obligations as Freemasons , or complete misconception of the meaning and intention of the aims of our society .

I have seen our indefatigable Bro . John Constable offei his shilling tickets , on behalf of the Masonic Charities , to brethren who refused their mites , and yet have spent a shilling or more the same evening in liquor , they would have been better without .

Certainly if two brethren in similar circumstances for years as Masons were to die—other conditions being equal—the children of the brother who had been a liberal subscriber or steward to our Masonic Charities should be preferred fot elect ! on to those belonging to the other brother , who had never given one penny to either of our institutions . 1 fail to

The Masonic Charities.

see anything unfair in this , and thc late elections prove that subscribers are not going to lose sight of this view of thc case , for the two little girls belonging to thc two deceased brethren who had subscribed to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls were both elected , anil one I know mainly because of the father ' s exertions ou behalf of our noble institutions during his Masonic career , and whose income , be it remembered , was much less than many brethren who refuse to contribute to our Masonic Charities !

1 hr ee out of the six boys whose fathers had been subscribers to thc charities were elected on the 12 th inst ., and only five more were successful out of the remaining fortyfive ! 1 quite think with my friend & brother " Q . " that" it would be most unfortunate if we gave or withheld our support in the case of a particular candidate on the sole ground that his or her father had or had not contributed to our charities

during his lifetime , or presumed prosperity . " It would be equally unfortunate if the children of Masons , equal as to claims in all other respects when candidates for our institutions , should be elected in preference to other children similarly worthy , only with the additional qualification that their fathers had been liberal supporters of thc charities in question , whereas the others had not .

I do not wish to dogmatise in any respect on the subject , but I think Bro . " Q " will see with me that but a few of the many Masons in this country support our various charitable institutions , both in the country and in London , and making all due allowance for the different circumstances of thc brethren , and the difference in incomes , it is still a melancholy fact , that many of our brethren who might

have aided the charities when in good circumstances , ( for their condition in life ) never subscribed to any of the institutions , but spent their incomes in an extravagant and generally useless maimer , and then have died , leaving us the legacies of their widows and children unprovided for . I expect to see some more correspondence ou the subject ol our Masonic Charities in the Freemason when the

excitement attending the Installation of H . R . 11 . the Prince of Wales as M . W . G . M . is over , and I hope the readers of the paper will carefully ponder the letter in to-day ' s issue by Bro . , P . G . D ., which is " worthy of the gravest consideration . " I have long held that the minimum fee of " three

guineas " ( exclusive of the registration fee and certificate ) is much too low , and should be doubled . Indeed , I have induced many lodges to do so , and until the authorities decide so to do let the members take the initiative , and agree to the increase themselves . I hope " P . G . D . " will ventilate the matter by proposition in the Grand Lodge . WILLIAM IAMF . S UL ' GUAN .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Leicestershire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF LEICESTERSHIRE .

The annual communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge of this province was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , on Friday , the and inst ., the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Bro . William Kelly , F . R . H . S ., presiding . There were also present , Bros . Rev . William l-anglcy , S . S . Partridge , C . Stretton , G . Toller , F . J .

Baines , W . Sculthorpe , A . M . Duff , F . Amatt , II . James R . B . Smith , J . C . Duncombe , C . P . Newcome , J . T . Thorp , W . T . Rowlett , T . A- Wykes , J . Young , S . Knight , J . Garnar , G . W . Statham , J . W . Smith , G . Clifton ' , O . Law , II . Meadows , It . Taylor , W . Weare , and J . M . Mc AHister . The Fowke Lodge having been previously opened , thc

Prov . Grand Master and his ofiicers were received and saluted under the direction of Bro . J . T . Thorp , M . C . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in ample form by the Prov . Grand Master , assisted by Rev . Wm . Langley , P . D . P . G . M . ; A . M . Duff , P . M ., acting S . G . W ., and ' Bro . S . S . Partridge , J . G . W . The minutes of the last regular meeting , and also of a special meeting , were read and

confirmed . A favourable report was received of thc progress of Mark Masonry in this district , and , with the exception of the Knights of Malta , No . 50 , the other lodges in the province were well represented . Bro . Clement Stretton , Past Grand Steward , was unanimously re-elected Treasurer in the Provincial Grand Lodge , and received the hearty and cordial thanks of the Provincial Grand Master

and brethen for the able and painsLiking discharge of his important trust during the past year . The Provincial Grand RIaster appointed the following brethren as Provincial Grand Officers for the usual term of office , and invested those present , Bros . Rev . William Langley , P . M ., P . G . D . M . ; S . S . Partridge , P . M ., P . G . S . W . ; I . C . Duncombe , W . M . No . 3 ; , P . G . J . W . ; Rev . H . E . von

Stiirmer , P . G . Chaplain ; G . Toller , W . M . No . 19 , P . G . M . O . ; W . Sculthorpe , P . G . S . O . ; R . A . Barber , P . G . J . O . ; C . Stretton , P . G . Treasurer ; Chester P . Newcome , P . G . R . M . ; J . M . McAllister , P . M ., Prov . Grand Secretary ; R . B . Smith , P . G . S . D . ; Robert Waite , P . G . J . D . ; Dr . George Clifton , P . G . D . C ; F . Amatt , P . G . A . D . C ; W . T . Rowlett , P . G . F . W . ; J . T . Thorp , P . G . S . B . ; T . A . Wykes , P . G .

Organist ; J . W . Smith , P . G . I . G . ; R . Taylor , G . Odell , H , James , P . G . Stewards ; and C . Bembridge and T . Dunn , P . G . Tylers . The Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in ample form , and the business of the Fowke Lodge was resumed under the presidency of Bro . McAllister , W . M ., when Bros . W . C Shout , J . W . Noble , and R . Clarke were advanced to the degree of Mark Master .

The Installation of the W . M . elect , Bro . loller , was conducted by Bro . S . S . Partridge , I . M ., in ; r manner which rereived the highest encomiums of praise from the R . W . Prov . Grand Master and the brethren who enjoyed the privilege of witnessing his perfect work . The W . M ., Bro . Toiler , thc Prov . Grand Master , Bro . C . Stretton , and the rest ofthe brethren , expressed by a hearty vote of thanks to Bro . " McAllister , I . P . M ., their satisfac-

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Leicestershire.

tion with the manner in which he had conducted the ceremonies and discharged the duties of the chair during his Mastership . The following brethren were appointed and invested with the collars of their respective offices : —Bro . C . Stretton , S . W . ; W . Sculthorpe , J . W . ; Rev . II . E . von Stiirmer , Chaplain ; R . A . Barber , M . O . ; W . T . Rowlett , S . O . ; F . J . Baines , J . O . ; ] . Garnar ,

Treasurer ; J . B . Hall , Sec . ; G . W . Statham , Assis . Sec . ; T . A Wykes , R . M . and Organist ; J . T . Thorp , S . D . ; J . Young , J . D . ; G . Odell , Director of Ceremonies ; J . W . Smith , I . G . ; W . Sculthorpe and R . Taylor , Stewards . The claims of the Masonic Charities received deserving attention , and the lodge was closed in due form . The banquet which followed was numerously attended ,

and was graced by the presence of the Prov . Grand Master and other distinguished Mark Masons . The usual Masonic toasts were given and responded to , especially the Prov . Grand Master , who is now the Senior Officer of that rank in England , having been appointed in i 8 ,, S , and to whose individual exertions Mark Masonry in Leicestershire owes its very existence , and under whose

fostering care it has attained the prosperity it is now our pleasing duty to report . Bro . McAllister , I . P . M ., in proposing " Thc Health of the newly Installed Worshipful Master , " spoke in high terms of the zeal shown by that distinguished Mason in the discharge of the business and ceremonies of various degrees of Masonry , of his ability as administrator of the

interests of the lodge , of his character as a citizen and a gentleman ; and congratulated thc brethren on having secured the services of one who would prove an able , urbane , firm , and thoroughly conscientious Master , while his own modesty of character would be the chief ornament

of the high position he now occupies . Thc toasts of "The Past Masters , " coupled with the name of Bro . McAllister ; "The Installing Master , " Bro . S . S . Partridge ; " The Officers of the Lodge , " "ThcNewly Advanced Brethren , " "The Ladies" and the Tyler ' s toast terminated a most enjoyable evening .

Masonic Picnic In New Zealand.

MASONIC PICNIC IN NEW ZEALAND .

The annual picnic given by thc members of thc Prince of Wales Lodge of Freemasons , was this year rendered less enjoyable than was anticipated , through thc unfortunate change of the weather on the day . The party , consisting of about eighty ladies and gentlemen , assembled pretty punctually at the wharf , and embarked on board thc

p . s . 1 akapuna , " which had been specially chartered to convey them to the Lake , and about 11 o'clock started ; the City band , under the direction of Mr . Impey , discoursing most delectable music . The spot selected for holding thc picnic was a barn near the Lake Takapuna , where every preparation had been made by host Gorman , of the Alexander Hotel , Parnell , to whom had been entrusted Ihe

catering , and who had exerted himself to the utmost , besides providing most liberally for the comnu ' sariat department , having seen that the floor of the barn was in proper condition for thc dancing , which forms so essential a part of a properly organised picnic . Scarcely had the party reached half way to the North Shore , where it was proposed to land some of thc passengers who preferred

going overland , when it began to be feared by the weatherwise that a thoroughly wet day was in stoic for thc excursionists . Their fears were confirmed after they had rounded the North Head , and thc sea running unpleasantly high , the ladies began to evince signs of becoming uncomfortable . It was represented to the committee that to land thc party with such a sea , even in the splendid

boats courteously placed at their disposal by Captain Le Vesconte , of the ship " Glcnlom , " would be ^ attended with great discomfort , if not with danger . Word was given , after some consultation , to " 'bout ship , " and thc party returned to the North Shore . Arrangements were at once made for the use of the large room at the Flagstaff Hotel , and messengers were dispatched to the Lake for the

provisions which had been previously conveyed thither . By three o'clock everthing was ready for dinner , and the ladies , with as many of the gentlemen as could find room at thc tables , sat down to an ample and elegantly arranged feast . At the conclusion of this portion of the proceedings the " toasts " were proposed , but , iu deference no doubt to the anxious looks of those gentlemen who had

not been able to secure scats , the speeches were mercifully omitted . The Worshipful Master , G . N . Brassey , Esq ., who occupied the chair , proposed " Thc Queen and Craft . " Band : "National Anthem . " The chairman then proposed" Thc Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family , " remarking that at the last picnic they knew his Royal Highness had just joined the Craft . Now he has

taken his third degree . Band : " God Bless the Prince of Wales . " Dr . Dawson gave the toast of " His Excellency the Governor , the Marquess of Normanby . " Band : " Rule Britannia . " The Rev . C . M . Nelson gave " The Press , " stating that , however opinions might differ as to thc "Three Estates , " about which so much had been written , there was no disputing about thc position of the

" Fourth Estate . " He was sorry to miss from among them their Bro . Snyder . Mr . Kinsclla was called upon to acknowledge the toast . Band : " He ' s a Jolly Good Fellow . " " The Ladies , " proposed by Mr . Dargavillc , and responded to by Mr . E . Bennett , was the last toast on thc programme . Band : " Here ' s a health to all Gooil Lasses . " After thc gentlemen had dined " The

Worshipful Master " was proposed by Bro . Jenkins , and in his reply to the toast Mr . Brassey proposed " Thc Health of Captain Le Vesconte . " The party then separated , and the weather having cleared up , strolled about thc pretty nooks so well known to frequenters of the North Shore , some even scaling Mount Victoria at the risk of being blown off their feet . About six o ' clock tea was served , and after he table had been cleared away dancing commenced ,