Annual Soiree Of The Caledonian Lodge, No. 204, Manchester.

ANNUAL SOIREE OF THE CALEDONIAN LODGE , No . 204 , MANCHESTER .

The annua ! soiree took place on Wednesday , the Sth ct in the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-street , and was a Lrea ' t success . The popularity of these friendly and en-• . able gatherings was manifested once more by the dend for tickets , which was far greater than the limited ^• rommodation could supply , viz ., ioo ; and , however cynics the of these gatheringsthere is no

mav sneer at inutility , Houbt they tend to popularise Masonry with the fair sex , who are thus enabled to see how Freemasons conduct themlllves and how anxious they are , whenever an occasion nresents itself , of permitting the ladies to share some of the enjoyment which the brethren are credited with . The ordinary lodge meeting was held at six o ' clock , and mhpn finished , the Stewards , Bros . Martin Thomas , W . M . ; H Guthrie , S . W . ; C . Duckworth , J . W . ; \ V . Bagnall , themselves to

c D and J . E . Roberts , J . D ., prepared receive the company , who began to arrive shortly after eight o ' clock . The first dance commenced at 8 . 30 , and was followed by others until supper was announced ready in the dining-room , where the whole company shortly afterwards were seated , and a very attractive coup d ' ceil was oresented . The supper was a great success , and being served in the dining-room , instead of as heretofore in the lodge room , enabled Bro . Phillips to devote all his attention

During dessert the W . M . proposed the toast of " The Oueen , " which was well received , after which "The Health of the Prince and Princess of Wales " was proposed in felicitous terms and heartily drunk . Bro . Rev . PHILLIP HAINS next proposed "The Health of the VV . M ., " who , he said , would this year attain his maioritv as a Mason , and who had been installed W . M . of

two lodges during the 21 years he had been a Mason . He possessed all the qualifications necessary to fill such a position , and the admirable and earnest manner in which he had fulfilled his duties in the Lodge of Charity and the Caledonian , convinced the members of 204 that he would maintain the prestige and dignity of their lodge . After referring to the musical abilities of Bro . Thomas , and

his genial and affable manner , Bro . Hains asked all present to rise and drink his health . Bro . Thomas Shorrock , P . M ., here sang a verse of "Here ' s to his Health . " The W ORSHIPFUL MASTER , who on rising was received with loud and long applause , said he thanked Bro . Hains for his kind remarks , and all present for so heartily

responding to the toast of his health . On a previous occasion , not long since , he had said all he could say in response to the toast , and therefore the present was for him rather a difficult position to be in , but in speaking to those who were not Masons he would tell them a little about what Freemasonry was . Bro . Thomas thereupon explained the principles of the Order , and referred to the religious the

character of the ceremonies , which were founded on purest principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth . No society in existence could compare , he said , with Freemasonry for benevolence and Charity , no leisasum having been subscribed by them in 1887 than £ 63 , 000 . Whatever part of the world one travelled , there Freemasons would be met with , and the right hand of fellowship held out to all brethren .

Bro . Thomas ' s remarks were attentively listened to , and when finished he proposed "The Ladies , " and Mr . J ALLEN , in a very humorous speech , responded on behalf of the fair sex . The company then returned to the ball room where dancing was resumed and kept up until 4 a . m . During the intervals between the dances a daughter of Bro . Martin Thomas , who possesses a splendid soprano voice , sang in grand style " Esmeralda , " and was greatly applauded and encored .

Mr . John Allen , the well-known Manchester humourist , also obliged with "All on account of Eliza , " and Bro . Lisenden recited '" Arry interviewed . " The band , under the direction of Bro . James Varley , P . M ., P . P . G . Org ., played a capital selection of dances , and Bro . Robt . A . Eldershaw , P . M ., as usual made an indefatigable , useful , and courteous Master of the

Cere-. Amongst the company were the following : Bros . Martin Thomas , W . M ., and Mrs . Thomas , Mr . A . L . Thomas and the Misses Thomas , Bro . Herbert Guthrie , S . W ., and Mrs . Guthrie , Bros . C . Duckworth , j . W . ; Rev . Phillip Hains , Chap . ; John Roberts , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Treas ., and

Mrs . Roberts , Mr . A . E . and the Misses Roberts , Bro . J . E . Roberts , J . D ., and Mrs . J . E . Roberts , Bro . William Bagnall , P . M ., and Mrs . and Miss Bagnall , gro . Wilfred Bagnall , S . D ., and Mr . A . W . Bagnall , Bro . R . A . Eldershaw , P . M ., D . C , and Mrs . and Miss Eldershaw , Bro . J . G . Grimshaw , I . G ., and Mrs . Immvhaw , Miss Parkin ; Bro . John Cliffe , I . P . M ., and Mrs . Cliffe ; Bros . Thomas Shorrock , P . M . ; Thos . Sawer , P -M . ; Hill , P . M . ; S . N . Porthos , W . H . Ream , and Mrs .

and Miss Ream , Bro . and Mrs . Miller , Bro . P . D . Apostolu , "ro . A . and Mrs . Burgow , Bro . and Mrs . Tennant , Bro . "fetey , Bro . W . P . and Mrs . Heap and Miss Walters ; ? . - Richard and Mrs . Jennison , Mr . and Mrs . John Allen , ™ r . VV . H . Perks , Bro . Edward , and Mrs . and Miss Smith , dro . VVethington , P . M . 78 , and Mrs . Wethington , Bro . w -B . Russell , W . M . mo , and Mrs . Russell , Bro . Nuttall and Mrs . E . N . Nuttall , Bros . Samuel Ayland , R . R . "senden , P . M . 317 , Prov . G . Stwd ., and Mrs . Lisenden .

The Second Annual Ball Of The Rothesay Lodge, No. 1687.

THE SECOND ANNUAL BALL OF THE ROTHESAY LODGE , No . 1687 .

On Thursday evening , the gth inst ., the brethren of the St 1 pr , omism g 'odge held their second annual ball at l - JameS S Hall , armill- irnl . j ; . i .. J n-oo . lorv . or , oHonrtorl

comn ' Was ke P P cil 1 one a ' - » when the ollH ? ° wn to an excellent supper , provided by that old reputed caterer , Bro . J . S . Roberts , sen ., under the havinl y oE the WM- > Br ° - MOLE , who in a few words lw" ? Proposed "The Oueen and the Craft : " Bro . ij vjuccu auu ti . c v . tau mu .

UOOT ' BD n * , "Thou' ii . , ' Proposed in few well chosen sentences its An „„ To , ? „ W . M . ; " " Success to the Lodge and who snol ^ ' ^ Proposed by Bro . H . GROSS , S . D ., the tn » cV ° . ully o £ the future of tne lodge » coupling Whom he W - ? health of Bro - Valerian ! , P . M ., than Pe 'itv of , 1 1 J ° had done more to secure the prosts p reWn : - ° . Z > and that in a great measure it owed P ^ sent position to his zeal and energy .

The Second Annual Ball Of The Rothesay Lodge, No. 1687.

Bro . GOSLING having proposed " The Health of the Ladies , " the company returned to the ball room , when to the excellent music of the band of the Middlesex Yeomanry Cavalry , conducted by Bro . W . T . Graves , P . M ., dancing was resumed till the small hours of the morning . Bro . P . Wyatt was a most efficient Master of the Ceremonies . Altogether this was one of the most pleasant gatherings of the season , and the Rothesay Ball bids fair to become a permanent and successful institution .

Consecration Of The Ascotvale Masonic Hall.

CONSECRATION OF THE ASCOTVALE MASONIC HALL .

The new Masonic Hall in Ascotvale , near Melbourne , the foundation-stone of which was laid in October last year by Bro . W . F . Lamonby , the VV . M . of the Gordon Lodge , No . 2 n 2 , was consecrated and dedicated to the purposes of the Craft on the evening of Wednesday , December 2 ist , by Bro . Sir William Clarke , R . W . Disrict Grand Master of

Victoria . The building is the property of a limited liability company , with £ 2000 capital , the whole of which has been paid up . It contains a large hall , suitable for concerts , meetings , and religious services , & c , with ante-rooms front and back , and a Masonic lodge room on the first floor . The whole is completely furnished , whilst a grand piano has also been provided .

The proceedings , held under the banner of the Gordon Lodge , No . 2112 , most of the members of which are shareholders in the company , commenced with an emergency meeting of the local lodge in the main hall , after which the R . W . Uist . G . M . and his officers were announced , and received with the customary honours . Bro . Sir William Clarke then assumed the chair , and opened a special

communication of the District Grand Lodge , when the ceremony of dedication and consecration was proceeded with in the presence of a large number of Masons from Melbourne and elsewhere . Those who took part in the interesting ceremony , in addition to Bro . Sir William J . Clarke , were Bros . J . James , P . D . S . G . W ., as Deputy Dist . G . M ., in the absence of Dr . H . St . John Clarke , P . G . VV . of England ;

W . J . Runting , D . S . G . W . ; J . Dowding , D . J . G . W . ; Rev . E . Rodda , D . G . Chap . ; Rev . W . W . Mantell , P . D . G . Chap . ; Rev . J . Caton , Chaplain of the Gordon Lodge ; W . T . C . Kelly , D . G . P . B . G . P ., P . D . S . G . W ., acting D . G . Secretary , in the absence of Bro . T . H . Lempriere , P . G . S . B . of England , through illness ; G . Thomas , D . G . D . C .: G . H . Davies , D . G . A . Org . ; the Masters of the

Yarra Yarra Lodge , the Shepparton Lodge , and the lubilee Lodge ; VV . W . F . Lamonby , VV . M . of the Gordon Lodge , and chairman of the Masonic Hall Company ; J . C . M . Cowan , l . G . Gordon Lodge , and Architect of the building . Bro . Dr . Willmott , P . G . D . of England , was present as a visitor . The ceremony having been brought

to a conclusion , the District Grand Lodge was closed , and Bro . Sir William Clarke and his officers retired . The Gordon Lodge was then closed . Subsequently the assemblage , on the invitation of the Gordon Lodge , partook of refreshment . Three or four formal toasts were proposed , and a very successful gathering came to a close .

District Grand Lodge Of Victoria, E.C.

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF VICTORIA , E . C .

* The quarterly communication of the District Grand Lodge of Victoria was held on Monday evening , December the 19 th , in the Freemasons' Hall , Collins-street , Melborne . Sir VV . J . Clarke , R . W . District Grand Master , presided , and the principal officers present were : Bros . John James , P . D . S . G . W ., as Deputy D . G . M ., in the absence of Bro . Dr . St . John Clarke , P . G . W . of Eng . ; J . W . Runting , D . S . G . W . ; J . Dowding , D . J . G . W . ; Rev .

E . Rcdda and J . Saunders , D . G . Chaplains ; T . H . Lempriere , P . G . Swd . Br . of Eng ., D . G . Sec ; and Dr . Willmott , P . G . D . of Eng ., P . D . S . G . W . A number of Present and Past District Officers , as also Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens of lodges , were in attendance . The District Grand Lodge was opened in due form , after which Sir William Clarke and the Past Officers of England were saluted according to their respective ranks . The roll

of lodges was called , and the minutes of the previous quarterly communication read and confirmed . The District Grand Secretary stated that dispensations had been granted for the opening of two new lodges , namely , the Natimuk , at the town of that name , and the Warregar , at Warracknabeal . This will bring the total number of lodges in the district up to 98 . In accordance with a resolution of the Grand Lodge of England , whereby Clause 83 of the Book of Constitutions

was temporarily suspended , the Right Worshipful District Grand Master announced that he had conferred past rank on the following 24 brethren in honour of the Queen ' s Jubilee : — Bro . W . T . C . Kelly , P . M . 2112 ... P . D . S . G . W . „ J . G . Sauerbry , P . M . 1133 ... P . D . J . G . W . „ J . Embling , P . M . 1153 P . D . J . G . W . „ W . Thomson , P . M . 1020 ... P . D . J . G . W . „ D . Loel , P . M . 474 P . D . J . G . W . „ Rev . Archdeacon M'Cullagh , 641 P . D . G . Chap .

„ D . N . M'Leod , P . M . 576 ... P . D . S . G . D . „ H . T . James , P . M . 843 I P . D . S . G . D . „ D . Taylor , P . M . 846 P . D . S . G . D . „ T . Tachell , P . M . 915 P . D . S . G . D .

„ T . Haydon , P . M . 572 P . D . S . G . D . „ W . Kavanagh , P . M . 745 ... P . D . J . G . D . „ Dr . Duncan , P . M . 1317 P . D . J . G . D . „ R . C . Elliot , P . M . 798 P . D . J . G . D . „ A . Blashki , P . M . 84 s P . D . J . G . D .

„ T . Tamwell , P . M . 728 P . D . J . G . D . „ C . R . Geoghegan , P . M . 1132 ... P . D . G . Swd . Br . „ T . Monckton , P . M . 1316 P . D . G . Swd . Br . „ R . Ward , P . M . 2065 P . D . G . Swd . Br . „ Ramsay Thomson , P . M . 1700 ... P . D . G . Swd . Br .

„ J . W . Waddell , P . M . 2141 ... P . D . G . Std . Br . „ A . Mills , P . M . 105 7 P . D . G . Std . Br .

„ H . Brackenwagen , P . M . 087 ... P . D . G . Std . Br . „ F . Ford , P . M . 845 P . D . G . Std . Br . The R . W . D . G . M . nominated the following brethren to serve on the Board of General Purposes for the ensuing

year : Bros . C . H . Bayley , P . M . 727 , President ; J . A . Cantor , P . M . 474 ; J . I . Saqui , P . M . 1881 ; P . Cohen , P . M . 1080 ; H . Newman , P . M . 2009 ; F . Andrews , P . M . 84 s j P . Blashki , P . M . 2176 ; W . B . Lovering , P . M . 1290 ; H . J . L . Batten , P . M . 727 ; T . H . Lempriere , P . M . 729 ; and W . J . Runting , P . M . 280 .

District Grand Lodge Of Victoria, E.C.

On the report of the District Board of General Purposes coming up for confirmation , some discussion took place on a recommendation that the District Grand Secretary ' s salary be increased . An amendment that the question stand over till the next quarterly communication , on account of the recommendation not being on the agenda paper , was rejected by 31 votes to 26 . Ultimately it was carried that

the salary be increased to £ 500 per annum , on consideration that the District Grand Secretary devote the whole of his time to the office , in conjunction with his other Masonic duties , viz ., D . G . S . E ., and Secretary of the Freemasons ' Hall Company . Bro . Lempriere agreeing to this , the report was adopted . The financial statement for the past quarter showed that X 15 S had been disbursed in relief to distressed brethren and

their widows . The balances in hand were : £ 39 18 s . 8 d to the credit of the Grand Lodge ; £ 1000 6 s . iod . Distric Benevolent Fund . The District Grand Lodge Fund shovve a debit balance of £ 74 os . 3 d . Bro . H . W . Lowry was re-elected D . G . Treasurer for th ensuing year ; and Bros . C . H . Bayley , VV . B . Lovering , and J . Osmont were elected Auditors .

In pursuance of notice of motion , £ 5 5 s . was voted to the Alfred Hospital . The following notices of motion were handed in : " That £ 10 s . 10 s . be voted to the Benevolent Asylum , " by Bro . P . Blashki ; "That £ 10 10 s . be voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , on the occasion of its Centenary

Festival next year , " by Bro . W . F . Lamonby ; "That this District Grand Lodge take into its serious consideration the wide-spread dissatisfaction now existing in the Craft with reference to certain matters of Masonic interest , " by Bro . J . L . Batten . The foregoing has reference to the desirability of forming a Grand Lodge of Victoria , a more strongworded notice of motion having been ruled out of order by the R . W . D . G . M . The District Grand Lodge was then closed .

Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The Board of Masters met on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall , when the agenda paper for the Quarterly Communication of March 7 th was submitted to the * brethren . The Board of Benevoldnce was then held , at which Bro . Robert Grey , P . G . D ., President , presided , having Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., Senior Vice-President , and Bro . W . H . Perryman , G . P ., as Junior Vice-President , in the chairs

of those offices respectively . Bros . Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . ; A . A . Pendlebury , W . Dodd , and W . H . Lee were present from Grand Secretary ' s office ; and there were also present Bros . J . M . Clabon , Past President ; VV . P . Brown , Henry Garrod , David D . Mercer , F . R . Spaull , George A . Cundy , G . P . Britten , L . C . Haslip , A , C . Woodward , J . H . Matthews , Walter Hopekirk , T . B .

Green , GeorgeJ Read , W . M . Bywater , VV . A . Scurrah , Charles F . Hogard , Charles Dairy , A . A . Drew , Rev . P . M . Holden , Thos . C . Coope , W . W . Westley , L . B . Wooldridge , J . VV . Robinson , C . H . Webb , G . Blanks , W . Carey , C J . Coombs , Howard H . Room , T . Tedbury , George Gardner , Adam Bligh , jun .. Aug . C . Bauke , James Catling , Thos . Elliott , James Hill , H . J . Phillips , Henry

Stiles , E . G . Johnson , J . W . Stobbs , K . J . Homans , A . Blaine , A . W . G . Weeks , H . Massey , J . L . Cogan , E . St . Clair , W . Beavis , George Palmer , John H . Gregory , Geo . A . Bickerton , John Hernaman , L . P . Griffiths , J . Ellwood , Robert Greening , J . D . Birkin , N . P . Vallentine , Thomas Whaley , T , W . Kichardson , G . Kearney , Charles John Free , D . H . Jacobs , C . W . Kennedy , D . Belinfante , G . VV .

Lion , G . Powell , A . E . Sarti , James B . Colvvell , W . A . Anderson , J . L . Cox , N . Lingley , Morris E . Stoke , G . R . Lingley , VV . Wingham , George Free , f . H . Gardiner , T . E . Walker , VV . Lake , Geo . Coop , T . L . Edmunds , Chas . Castell , Wm . Baker , H . J . Chapman , J . H . Hawkins , E . Squirrell , O . L . M . Latreiile , T . G . Fluck , T . S . Curtis , T . Watkins , VV . J . Forscmt , E . 1 . Williams , C . Graham . 1 .

Clever , and H . Sadler , G . T . The PRESIDENT said , in opening the proceedings , there was a large amount of business before the brethren , who would all be pleased to see again among them an old President of the Board—( applause)—who hadj not been there for many years . Bro . J . M . CLABON , P . G . D . / said he . Jwas very glad to

be at the Board once more . The brethren then confirmed the recommendations to the Grand Master at the January meeting , to the amount of £ 320 , and afterwards proceeded with the new list , which contained the names of 52 petitioners . These came through lodges in London , Netvchurcb , Battle , Putney , Sivindon , Tunbridge Wells , Slough , Poole , Sheerness , Kandy ( Ceylon ) ,

Bath , Rochford , Greenwich , Bermuda , Chorlton-cum-Hardy , Tottenham , Kedcar , Sunderland , Shrewsbury , Liverpool , Filey , Jersey , Constantinople , Stafford , Lucknow , Cambridge , Brazil , Hartlepool , Sevenoaks , and Swansea . In the course of a four-and-a-half hours' sitting , the brethren dismissed three of these cases , and deferred three ,

relieving the remainder with a total of £ 1205 . There were two recommendations to Grand Lodge of £ 100 each , and five of £ 50 each ; two recommendations to the Grand Master ot £ 40 each , and ten of £ 30 each ; ten grants of £ 20 each , two of £ 15 each , fourteen of £ io each , and one of £ 5 .

Freemasonry.

FREEMASONRY .

The following is from the Echo of the 15 th inst ., and so strongly exemplifies the good points in Masonry , that we have thought it would prove interesting to our readers , and reproduce it accordingly : —• How many a wife would like to have just one peep into the lodge which her husband goes to , and see what he is really ' up to " there . How many a woman wonders why

she cannot be let into all the secrets of the Craft . Her husband promised her to be a comrade for life , and he has kept his word in every other particular but this . When he has been worried , he has let her share his cares ; when he has lost money , he has allowed her to go without new hats and sealskin jackets ; when he has been lucky , he has

made himself happy—for her sake ; when he has felt that he would worry her by stopping at home , he has gone to his club ; she has opened his letters , and he has only complained formally ; he has confided to her all his plans , when he has felt she ought to know them ; but this secret of Freemasonry he keeps to himself . Why ? I never could make out why Solomon , in founding the