Cheshire Masonic Benevolent Institution.

CHESHIRE MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

At the Chester Town Hall on the afternoon and evening of the 15 th inst . the inauguration festival of the Cheshire Masonic Benevolent Institution , which was founded some time ago for purposes associated with Masonry in the county , was held . In the absence of Lord Egerton of Tatton , P . G . M ., through indisposition ,

and Bro . Sir Horatio Lloyd , D . P . G . M ., Bro . J . Salmon , P . M ., P . S . G . W ., presided , and was supported by a large number of Grand and Provincial Grand Officers . After the repast , the CHAIRMAN gave the loyal toasts from the chair , and these having been duly honoured , he next proposed "Success to the Cheshire Benevolent Institution , " giving an interesting account of the

inception of the movement , stating that their Provincial Grand Master started the fund with a subscription of 100 guineas , and from that moment it quickly increased until it reached its present gratifying dimensions . In acknowledging the toast , Bro . NEWHOUSE , Prov . G . Sec , read a statement as to the amounts promised and subscribed to the fund by the various lodges in the

county . The grand total promised had been £ 3180 , and there was in the bank now to the credit of the fund no less a sum than £ 2500 . Some of the lodges were contributing one guinea a year for five years to the fund , and that would account for the difference between the amount promised and the amount paid . He thanked the brethren sincerely for the manner in which they

had assisted him in forming that institution , in which their Provincial Grand Master had evinced the very greatest interest . He concluded by proposing " The Health of Bro . Jas . Terry , " who , he said , was doing more for the comfort of the whole people of England than any other man in the country . The toast having been drunk with musical honours ,

Bro . TERRY , P . G . S . B . of England , Sec . R . M . B . I ., in acknowledging the toast of his health , said he welcomed this new Benevolent Institution in the Province of Cheshire with an enormous amount of confidence . It might be said that the institution of branch associations would , perhaps , affect the position of the parent Institution , but they had not yet found that so . Wherever

branch institutions had been established there had been a keeener interest exhibited for the prosperity of the London Institution . They had at the present moment in the London Institution no less than 450 annuitants , and they paid £ 16 , 400 to annuitants . He was proud to think that Cheshire had this auxiliary

institution , because it would be a grand thing for a person to have half a loaf from the county benevolent fund while waiting for the whole loaf from the London Institution . He trusted their example would be followed by many other provinces . The proceedings then terminated .

Presentation To Bro. Horatio Ward.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . HORATIO WARD .

A meeting unique in the history of the Craft took place on Tuesday afternoon , the 13 th instant , at the Masonic Temple , St . Peter ' s-street , Canterbury , there being held a united lodge meeting , convened by the W . M . ' s of the three Canterbury lodges , viz ., the United Industrious Lodge . No . 31 ; the St . Augustine ' s

Lodge , No . 972 ; and the Royal Military Lodge , No . 1449 , f ° r the purpose of presenting an address , clothing , and jewels , subscribed for by several of his Masonic friends , to Bro . H . Ward , on his receiving an appointment in the Grand Lodge and the Supreme Grand Chapter of England . The W . M . ' s of Lodges 31 , 972 , and 1449 occupied

respectivel y the chairs of W . M ., S . W ., and J . W ., whilst the rest of the offices were filled by representatives of the whole ot the different lodges or chapters meeting in Canterbury . In the absence of Bro . Longhurst , Bro . J . Plant , P . P . G . Org ., presided at the harmonium . The presentation was made by the Deput y Prov . Grand Master , Bro . J . S . Eastes , P . G . D . lincland .

The following is a copy of the illuminated address which had been beautifully executed by the artist , Mr . t > . Beall , the bordering being made to represent the collars of Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , whilst at the top corners were emblems of the jewels of office , ? nd the bottom corners were those of a P . G . D . of

Mark Master Masons and P . G . Councillor of the secret Monitor . At the sides were emblems of all the [ pages meeting at the Masonic Temple : fo W . Bro . Horatio Ward , P . G . J . W . ( Wilts and « nt ) . P . Z ., P . G . S . N . ( Dorset ) , P . G . J . ( Kent ) , l . G . H . Wilts . —Deputy Grand Sword Bearer in Grand Lodge . —Grand Standard Bearer in Supreme Grand Chapter .

Dear Sir and Bro . —His Royal Highnessthe Prince 0 Wales , K . G ., & c , & c , Most Worshipful Grand Waster and First Grand Principal of Royal Arch „ ons ° f England , having appointed you Deputy wand Sword Bearer in Grand Lodge and also a Grand standard Bearer in the Supreme Grand Chapter of

- "gland , we whose names are here annexed being at /? S ° ^ ^ Craft , hereby express our gratification .... " onours conferred on you , and as a mark of our v .. ™ and of our appreciation of the many great and luable services so freely rendered by you to Masonry . , 1 .. g your acceptance of this address and of the pining and jewels annertainine' to the above offices

Ar \' ° ° ^ our re £ arc ' i a"d we trusL ^ at the Great with I ' ° * ^ ^ ' verse , na y be pleased to bless you ma a ' ' 1 ar | d strength so that you may enjoy for atta ^ ^ l ' high position you have so worthily

Presentation To Bro. Horatio Ward.

The names of the subscribers followed , numbering 160 , amongst whom were the Prov . G . M ., Earl Amherst ; the Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . J . S . Eastes , P . G . D . England ; the Prov . G . Treas ., Bro . W . Russell ! P . P . S . G . W . ; and the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . A . Spencer , P . G . Std . Br . England . '

After the ceremony was over , thebrethren retired to the Fountain Hotel , where a very sumptuous supper was provided . The D . P . G . M . presided , and the brethren , to the number of 70 , spent a most enjoyable evening .

The usual Masonic toasts were given , the chief one being "The Health of the Honoured Guest , Bro . Ward . " It was given by the worthy CHAIRMAN , who spoke in the highest terms of Bro . Ward ' s Masonic career , and the general pleasure and satisfaction the Craft has experienced at the high and dignified honour conferred upon him .

This was received in the heartiest and most enthusiastic manner the brethren were capable of exhibiting , ending with the musical honours so well led off by our esteemed Bro . J . Plant , P . P . G . Org . The evening was a most enjoyable and harmonious one , greatly enhanced by some excellent glees and songs , contributed by the musical brethren , Bros .

Plant , Pearson , Halward , Higgins , and Rhodes . The brethren separated , having enjoyed a most . delightful evening , which will longlingeras a " red-letter" dayin Masonry . Amongst those present were Bros . E . B . Goulden , W . M ., E . L . Gardener , S . W ., H . H . Mount , J . W ., F . Baker , S . D ., T . S . Sutton , J . D ., J . Plant , P . M .,

P . P . G . O . ; W . Ashenden , P . M ., P . G . D . C ; H . M . Maugham , P . M ., P . P . G . Chap ., H . T . Sankey , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., J . Wiltshier , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W , F . Horner , P . M . R . M . Mercer , P . M . H . M . Biggieston , W . Elcombe , J . Parmiter , R . Rhodes , and R T . Wheeler , of 31 ; A . H . Marks , W . M ., G . E Tournay , S . W ., C . Richardson , J . W ., T . Easton , P . M .,

E . Beer , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., S . Newman , P . M ., P . G . Steward , A . H . Pilcher , P . M ., W . Plant , P . M ., S . F Pringuer , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., P . J . Syree , P . M P . P . G . C , E . Lukey , P . M . 199 , P . P . S . G . D ., G . Moorcroft , P . M . 25 , F . Puttiek and J . Rennie , Stewards , A . W . Anderson , J . Charman , G . M . Carter , H . B . Collis , F . Fagg , G . F . Francis , W . Halward , W . Milchard ,

and A . K . Sutton , of 972 ; W . B . Pring , W . M ., J . W . Farmery , J . W ., T . H . Blamiers , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . E Cockersell , P . M ., W . T . Claydon , P . M ., D . Laing ] P . M ., H . Andrews , J . Pearson , W . Nichols , and R . T . Wheeler , of 1 449 . Visitors : Bros . James S . Eastes , P . G . D . England , D . P . G . M . ; R . Joynes Emerson , P . M . 1206 , P . G . Std . Br . England ; J . Pollen , P . M .

767 , D . J . G . W . Bombay ; Sibert Saunders , P . M . iqis . P . G . R . ; S . H . White , P . M . 125 , P . G . S . B . ; G . Barton P . M . 1915 , P . P . G . D . C ; J . T . Reeves , P . M . 191 c P . P . A . G . D . C ; Herbert Black , P . M . 1273 , P . PAG D . of C . ; S . Varren , P . M . 185 , P . P . A . G . P . : A . Bassington , P . M . 205 ; T . H . Vennicombe , ' 158 ; A . J . Crane , P . M ., and A . Bromley , 55 S ; c . T .

Bradley , P . M ., Geo . Goble , P . M ., H . Morris , R . Gardiner , J . W ., Hy . Hooker , S . D ., and C . B . Harris , J . D ., all of 1273 ; F . T . Browning , W . M ., Edward G . Walthew , P . M ., John Wood , P . M ., A . W . Southwell , J . W ., F . Gibbs , and Charles Gurr , all cf 1915 ; and James S . White , P . M . 2099 . The following is a brief record of Bro . Horatio

Ward ' s Masonic career . He was initiated into Freemasonry in St . Cuthberga Lodge , No . 622 , Wimborne , Dorset , in the year 1859 . After filling the various offices he was installed W . M . in 1865 . In the same year he joined the Elias de Derham Lodge , No . 5 S 6 , Salisbury , of which lodge he was elected W . M . in 18 70 and again in 1 S 71 . In 1866 he was a founder and first

W . M . of the Vale of Avon Lodge , No . 1112 ( now the Shirley Lodge , Southampton ) . In 18 72 , was appointed to the chair of Prov . J . G . W . of Wilts ; and at the installation of the Prince of Wales as Grand Master , in 18 75 , acted as one of the special Stewards for the province , and was presented in Provincial Grand Lodge by the P . G . M ., with the jewel , which all the

special Stewards on that occasion were authorised to wear . In 18 7 6 he removed to Canterbury , and received a very cordial reception from the brethren in that city . In 1878 he took a prominent part in / emoving the lodges to private premises , which resulted in the erection , in 1880 , of the Masonic Temple , which is justly allowed to be one of the most perfect edifices in the United Kingdom ;

in 1881 Bro . Ward assisted in founding the Graystone Lodge , No . 1915 , Whitstable , acting as the I . P . M . for the Iirst two years . In 1884 he was elected W . M . of the United Industrious Lodge , No . 31 , and was appointed Prov . J . G . W . of Kent in 1885 . In Royal Arch Masonry Bro . Ward has taken a very high position , he was exalted in the Amity Chapter , Poole , in

1863 ; was one of the founders of the St . Cuthberga Chapter , No . 622 , Wimborne , and in 1886 was elected and installed M . E . Z . ; he is also a founder and P . Z . of the Elias de Derham Chapter , No . 586 , Salisbury , and also a founder of the Harmony Chapter , No . 622 , Devizes ( but formerly of Trowbridge . ) He took an active part in promoting the formation ofthe Provi 11 c 1 . 1 l

Grand Chapter of Wiltshire . In the Province ol Kent he is the principal founder of the Bertha Chapter , No . 31 , Canterbury ; also a founder of the Harmony Chapter , Faversham , No . 133 ; also the Gundulph Chapter , Rochester , No . 1050 ; also the St . George ' s

Chapter , No . 2099 , Home Bay , of whicli he was the first M . E . Z . ; he also filled the chair of First Principal of St . Michael's Chapter , Sittingbourne , No . 1273 , two years in succession ; he is a P . P . G . Scribe N . Dorset ; P . P . G . J . Kent ; and P . P . G . H . Wilts . Bro . Ward is also a member of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , having

Presentation To Bro. Horatio Ward.

been perfected a member of the Rose Croix Chapter , St . Peter and St . Paul , Bath , in 1869 ; was one of the founders of the Ethelbert Chapter , Rose Croix , Canterbury , in 1 S 78 , took the 30 in 1879 , and in 188 7 the Supreme Council conferred upon him the 31 ; he is also P . M . W . S . of the Chapter ; he is also one of the founders of the Coeur de Lion Chapter , Rose Croix ,

of which he is an honorary member ; he is also a Knight Templar and Past Prior of Malta ; was the founder and first Eminent Preceptor of the Black Prince Preceptory , Canterbury ; is a Past Grand Sword Bearer of Great Priory and Sub-Prior of the united Provinces of Kent and Surrey . In Mark Masonry Bro . Ward was advanced to the Mark Degree

in the Lodge of Economy , No . 52 , Winchester , in the year 1871 ; is a founder of the St . Martin's Mark Lodge , No . 262 , Canterbury , and a Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden Kent , and was invested by H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales with the collar of Junior Grand Mark Deacon of England ; he is also a Royal Ark Mariner ; in 1887 he took the Degrees of Royal ,

Select , and Super Excellent Master , and in 1888 became one of the founders and first T . I . M . of the Invicta Council of Cryptic Degrees in Canterbury , and is a Past Grand Officer of the Grand Council of England ; he is likewise a member of Allied Masonic Degrees , St . Lawrence the Martyr , Knight of Constantinople , Knight of the Red Cross of Babylon and

Grsat High Priest , and Past junior Grand Warden in the Grand Council of England ; he is also a member of the Order of the Secret Monitor and a Past Grand Councillor of the Order ; is also a member of the Royal Order of Scotland , and a Past Grand Officer of the Province of London and Metropolitan District . Bro . Ward is an Hon . Member of Lodges No . 586 ,

622 , 1112 , 1 449 , 1915 , 1965 , 2099 , 2147 , 2148 , 2195 , and 2200 ; has also been honoured with many tokens of respect and esteem from many lodges and chapters with which he has been associated , having been called upon to act as Director of Ceremonies at the consecration of many lodges and chapters in Wiltshire and

Kent during the past 30 years . He is a Life Governor of all three Institutions ; has served the office of Steward for the Girls' and Boys' Institutions , and three Stewardships for the Benevolent Institution ; is also a Vice-President of the Mark Benevolent Institution , for which he has served three times as Steward .

"Our Boys" At The Zoo.

"OUR BOYS" AT THE ZOO .

It cannot be doubted that the most useful aid to the youthful memory is an agreeable holiday , and of all thc places in London most likely to amuse children and to set their little minds thinking about the world ' s wonders , the Zoo is the right place to successfully accomplish this object .

Attracted by lovely weather , the writer strolled on Thursday , the 15 th inst ., into these beautiful gardens , when almost the first to catch the eye was a brother whom I constantly meet in Masonic circles surrounded by a contingent of Boys , out of which he selected several half-dozens , which were packed off to the nearest ticket office to procure a ride on the back of

Jumbo's successor , this performance being repeated again and again , to the evident delight of the whole . Masonic Boys' School , for such I discovered it was , who for the time had claimed Bro . George E . Fairchild for their very own . I discovered afterwards Bro . Fairchild , who is a

Fellow of the Society , had made arrangements to invite the whole of the boys—250 in iiumber—from Wood Green to visit the Zoo , which struck me at once as a very kindly act , and a most practical suggestion to carry out , and if one could judge from happy faces and joyous ringing laughter , a right royal time the boys seemed to be having .

At half-past five the refreshment department was stormed , and so strong was the forces under the generalship ot Bro . the ltev . H . A . Hebb , M . A ., Messrs . Spiers and Pond had to cut the Head Master ' s army into two parts , and marshal them intoa capital tea served ad lib , which to the youthful mind is the proper way to do things—or rather to serve a tea . No time at this

juncture had to be lost , and the few members of the Board on the spot , viz ., Bros . G . E . Fairchild , R . D . Cummings , and J . P . Fitzgerald , also the Secretary of the Institution , Bro . J . McLeod , had to work hard for an hour doing the necessary for the boys in providing them with all they wanted , except appetites , which the staff of Messrs . Spiers and Pond

found had not been left behind at Wood Green . However , great praise is certainly due to the manager here , Mr . Blanchette and his staff , for the completeness and liberality with which the whole refreshment arrangoi ments were carried out . Previous to the departure , the elder boy of the

School called "Three cheers for Mr . I ' airchild , and the same for Mr . Blanchette , which was responded to with a ring not to be forgotten for a day or two . Bro . Hebb then issued arrangements lor the return home ; tnen to bed 10 dream ot the wonders ol the Zoo , and the kindness of Bro . F . iircnild .

" Not a bad thing by any means tc be a Masonic boy , " was the last observation heard from a visitor who had been much interested with ihe proceedings of the day .

The Queen , accompanied by the Princess Beatrice , Princess Louise ( Marchioness of Lome ) , and the Princess of Leiningen , left Balmoral for Windsor Castle on . Tuesday , arriving at their destination on VVednesday morning .