The Coming Of Age Of The Son Of Bro. J. Derby Allcroft, P.G, Treas.

THE COMING OF AGE OF THE SON OF BRO . J . DERBY ALLCROFT , P . G , TREAS .

On Saturday last a deputation from the employes of Messrs . Dent , Allcroft , and Co ., Worcester , paid a visit to Bro . J . D . Allcroft at his residence , Stokesay Court , Shropshire , for the purpose of presenting an address of congratulation to that gentleman and Mrs . Allcroft on the

coming of age of their son , Mr . Herbert John Allcroft . The second object of the visit was to present Mr . Allcroft , jun ., with a hammerless breechloader in a handsome case . Mr . HANBURY , who has nearly completed 50 years in the employ of the firm , in presenting the address , alluded to the industry and enterprise of Mr . Allcroft ' s late father , which had so largely assisted in establishing a reputation

lor the excellence of their productions , which had found their way into every corner of the commercial world , as well as a place in the front rank of their local industries . To the advantage of all concerned he himself had wisely followed his father's example , and in all relations between employer and employed they had always found him kind and considerate , and one whom they could not fail to hold

in grateful remembrance . Mr . ROFE , who acted as Hon . Sec , then read the following illuminated address , which was written on vellum , and bound in handsome book form by Messrs . Deighton : — "Dear Mr . and Mrs . Allcroft , —On behalf of our fellow workmen employed at Worcester , we beg most respectfully to congratulate you on the happiness of seeing your

son , Mr . Herbert John Allcroft , attain his majority . Out of a deep feeling of solicitude for your happiness and wellbeing , which your generosity and good feeling have inspired in our midst , we sincerely hope that your son may be to you all that you both could wish him to be , that a happy and honourable future may attend him through a well-spent life , and that a long life of good health may bless you

both , with many continued opportunities of seeing him a blessing to all who are dear to him . With a grateful sense of your past kindness , and our best wishes foi your future , we are , on behalf of our fellow workmen , " Your obedient servants , "THOMAS HANBURY , "J OHN BRUTON , "THOMAS ROFE . "

Mr . ROFE , in adding his good wishes to those already expressed , said that on hearing of the happy event tjut one desire animated the minds of all whom they were there to represent . That desire was to rejoice with Mr . and Mrs . Allcroft , and assure them of their lasting regard for those whose noble generosity in times past was still fresh in their memories .

Bro . ALLCROFT , m reply , said he hoped the deputation would convey his hearty thanks to his many kind well wishers for the good feeling they evinced towards him . He felt most sensibly the kindness and respect they had thus shown him . He should carefully preserve that address among his other treasures , which in due time may be handed from father to son .

Mr . BRUTON then , in a very appropriate speech , presented Mr . Herbert John Allcroft with the gun previously alluded to . Mr . ALLCROFT , in acknowledging the gift , said how sorry he felt that he could not personally thank all his kind donors for that handsome present , which he should prize for their sake as long as he lived , for it would be to him a

link that would always bind him and them together in kindly remembrance , and which he hoped would never be broken . . The deputation afterwards visited Stokesay Castle , a very ancient luin on Bro . Allcroft ' s estate . After a most enjoyable day , rendered as replete as possible by all that kindness and consideration on the part of their generous host could make it , they returned home , well tired and well pleased .

Masonic Charity In West Lancashire.

MASONIC CHARITY IN WEST LANCASHIRE .

A meeting of the Charity Committee of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire was held on Friday afternoon , the 10 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street . Bro . R . Wylie , P . G . S . W ., presided , and the very large and highly-influential attendance showed how much interest

was taken in the business , the special feature of which was to decide which candidates should be selected for acceptance at the forthcoming elections of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys and the kindred Institution for Girls in London . After some discussion , it was resolved , on the motion of Bro . T . SALTER , P . P . G . D ., seconded by Bro . I . COBHAM ,

r . G . S . D ., and supported by Bros . P . M . 's G . MORGAN , r . WHITEHEAD , R . MARTIN , and J HOULDING , that the son of a deceased brother formerly connected with the Merchants' Lodge , No . 241 , should be adopted as the candidates for election on the foundation of the Boys ' institution . It was stated that the Province of Cheshire had given

promise of cordial help in the election , and , in view of this fact , it was unanimously resolved that an effort should be made to secure the election of another candidate from Ulverston . The following motion , submitted by Bro . R . MARTIN , I ' . P . G . Treasurer , was adopted : "That all applications ipr the adoption by this Committre of candidates for

elec" ° to the Metropolitan Charitable Institutions be considered at the March and Septemner meetings only , and that a written application , together with the recommenda-» « . n od 8 ' ' approving of the application , shall be sent to the Provincial Grand Secretary , at least , 14 days prior to either of the above meetings , before any case can be dealt with . "

u lh Crystal Palace Gas Company , of which Bro . Magnus Ohren , P . G . A . D . C , is Secretary , held its nau-yearl y meeting at the Albion , Aldersgate-street , on f , . ' - ? \ the ' 7 '" inst - The rePort , which was of a hiphly satisfactory character , was adopted . Votes of thanks to tne directors , auditors , and staff were passed . MORTOAOBS . —Messrs . UMES are in a nosition to Simniu M «»

H , iV « l ^ u RST on lhe following Securities : —Landed Estates . tere « . \ ° , ? ' . " 1 ces ' Warehouses and Wharves , Life [„' rates of i ^' . !^"'? , " ' ° 8 h Rat « . « " . at the lowest current W . d-CABVT ?] Pron , P tSettl < : nlent " » , Staple Inn , London ,

Proposed Colonial And Indian Institute.

PROPOSED COLONIAL AND INDIAN INSTITUTE .

THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE . His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has addressed the following letter to the Lord Mayor : "Marlborough House , Pall Mall , S . W ., September 13 th , 1 SS 6 .

Dear Lord Mayor—My attention has been frequently called to the general anxiety that is felt to commemorate in some special manner the approaching Jubilee of her Majesty ' s reign . " It appears to me that no more suitable memorial could be suggested than an Institute which should represent the arts , manufactures , and commerce of the Queen's Colonial and Indian Empire .

Such an Institution would , it seems to me , be singularly appropriate to the occasion , for it would illustrate the progress already made during her Majesty's reign in the Colonial and Indian Dominions , while it would record year by year the development of the Empire in the arts of civilisation . " It would thus be deeply interesting to her Majesty ' s

subjects , both within aiid beyond these islands , and would tend to stimulate emigration to those British territories where it is required , to expand the trade between the different British communities , and to draw closer the bonds which unite the Empire . " It would be at once a museum , an exhibition , and the proper locality for the discussion of Colonial and Indian

subjects . " That public attention has already been forcibly directed to these questions is sufficiently proved by the remarkable success which is attending the Colonial and Indian Exhibition at South Kensington , and 1 confidently anticipate that arrangements may be made whereby the more important collections , which have so largely contributed to this

success , will be placed at the disposal of the institution . " I have much satisfaction in addressing this letter to your lordship as Chief Magistrate of the capital of the Empire , and to invite your co-operation in the formation of this Imperial Institute of the Colonies and India as the memorial of her Majesty ' s Jubilee by her subjects . "Should your lordship concur in this proposal , and be

willing to open a fund at the Man * ion House , I would suggest that the contributions received be vested in a bod y of trustees , whom the Sovereign would be asked to nominate ; and 1 would further suggest that the institution should be under the permanent presidency of the Heir Apparent to the Throne . —I remain , dear Lord Mayor , yours truly ,

( Signed ) "ALBERT EDWARD P . " The Right Hon . the Lord Mayor . " To this communication the Lord Mayor replied : "The Mansion House , London , E . C , "Sept . 17 , 1 SS 6 " . " Sir , —I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Royal Highness ' s letter of the 13 th inst ., and , in reply , to express the great pleasure it will afford me to

give the heartiest co-operation and aid in the formation of the proposed Impsrial Institute of the Colonies and India as the memorial of her Majesty's Jubilee by her subjects . " Your Royal Highness truly states that general anxiety is felt to commemorate in some special manner the approaching Jubilee of Her Majesty ' s reign . There will , I am sure , be an universal desire to give expression , in a

suitable and , if possible , adequate way , to the deep attachment , veneration , and loyalty _ which the Queen ' s subjects in all parts of her vast dominions entertain for a Sovereign , whose long and illustrious reign has been productive , under Providence , of many blessings to her people , and been rendered memorable by the striking progress in civilisation and prosperity developed throughout the Empire .

" Difficult as it may be to signalise in a commensurate way the feelings which are thus naturally emphasied at the approach of the Jubilee of her Majesty ' s reign , I am convinced that the proposal which your Royal Highness indicates , and which has the support of your influence , will be considered singularly appropriate ' .

" It will , therefore , give me much satisfaction to open a fund at the Mansion House for the receipt of contributions as suggested by your Royal Highness . —I have the honour to remain , Sir , with the greatest respect , your Royal Highness's most dutiful and most obedient servant , ( Signed ) "JOHN STAPLES , Lord Mayor . " His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , K . G . "

Masonic Ceremony In Victoria (Australia).

MASONIC CEREMONY IN VICTORIA ( AUSTRALIA ) .

The foundation stone of St . George ' s Anglican Church , Surrey Hills , was laid with Masonic ceremonial on Saturday , the 7 th July , by Bro . H . St . John Clarke , M . D ., D . D . G . M . ( E . C . ) The District Grand Lodge ( E . C . ) was opened in form in the Recreation Hall , Bro . H . St . j . Clarke , D . D . Grand Master in the chair . The other

officebearers were Bros . W . T . C . Kelly , D . G . D . B . G . P ., D . G . S . W . ; T . H . Taaffe , D . G . Reg ., acting D . G . J . W . ; Rev . W . W . Mantell , acting D . G . Chap . ; T . H . Lempriere , D . G . Sec ; P . Cohen , D . G . S . D . ; T . Smith , D . G . l . D . ; A . Purchase , D . G . S . W . ; W . B . Lovering . D . G . D . C ; F . Wilke , D . G . D . C ; M . Phillips ( S . C . ) D . G . Swd . Br . ; H . G . Crocker , D . G . I . G .. D . G . P . ; A . J . Clark ( S . C . ) acting D . G . T . ; and W . S . Hayling , D . G . Steward .

The District Grand Lodge having been formed and adjourned , a procession was arranged , in which were several Past District Grand Lodge Officers ( E . C ) , also Present and Past District Grand Lodge Officers ( S . C . ) The Deputies of the Irish and Scotch Constitution took part in the proceedings—Bros . Geo . Baker , D . P . G . M . ( l . C ) , and Capt . C . R . Martin , D . D . G . M . ( S . C . )

On arriving at the site of the building , the ceremony of laying the stone was performed in orthodox manner as laid down in the Book of Constitutions , having been tried and proved faithfully laid , corn , oil , and wine were poured upon it . Several hymns were sung . The D . G . Chaplain gave the prayer .

The ceremony concluded , a return was made to the Recreation Hall , and the Grand Lodge closed . Tables were then laid for the refreshment of the assembled guests , and some 150 sat down to a repast prepared b y the residents of the locality . Notice must be recorded of the evident anxiety displayed by the ladies in providing for the

Masonic Ceremony In Victoria (Australia).

comfort of the guests , especially Mrs . Lovering , Mrs Dyer , Miss Humberstone , Mrs . Moore , and the Misses Smith . Bro . G . BAKER proposed "The Health of the Ladies , " which was received with the utmost enthusiasm ; Bro . LOVERING responded . A considerable exodus was made at the conclusion of the

feast , some , however , remaining to a concert , which was a most pleasant one . A violin solo by Master H . Johnston was a masterly performance . Mrs . Dyer proved herself as an accomplished instrumentalist , her exertions as an accompanyist being also of a high standard , as also wc ; c the pieces she rendered , many of the numbers were of an excellent character .

The "Tableaux Vivants" by the friends from Christ Church , South Yarra , assisted by Bro . H . Chandler , were very effective ; indeed , the whole passed off in a most gratifying manner . The ground for the church was given by Bro . E . D . Dyer , of the St . Clair Lodge , S . C . The Incumbent is P > ro . H . E . Taylor , also a member of the

same lodge . The trowel with which the stone was laid was presented to the W . D . D . G . M ., Uro- H . St . J . Clarke , by Bro . Lovering . The vessels used for the corn , wine , and oil , were the property of Bro . H . J . Herberte , and were kindly lent by him for the occasion ; they were those used at the laying of the foundation-stone of the Hall in Collinsstreet . —Melbourne Masonic Journal .

Freemasonry In Tasmania.

FREEMASONRY IN TASMANIA .

The Lodge of Hope , No . 61 S , held its installation meeting at the Masonic Hall , Launceston , on 24 th June , when some 60 members and visitors were present , including representatives of the three governing bodies of the various Constitutions in Tasmania . Bro . R . J . Sadlier , P . M ., » ho has recently been appointed Deputy D . G . Master ( E . C . ) in succession to Bro . George Smith , P . M ., resigned , acted

as Installing Master . The following were the officers invested : Bros . R . S . Scott , W . M . ; James Taylor , I . P . M . ; James Scott , S . W . ; C . H . F . Shearn , J . VV . ; J . P . Hobkirk , P . M ., Treas . ( re-elected ); W . Home , P . M ., Sec . ; H . C . Hallows , S . D . ; F . Richards , J . D . ; C . J . Pike , D . of C ; R . D . Harris , I . G . ; and jno . Bri ' ckhili , Tyler . The usual banquet followed the proceedings , and , in responding to the toast of his health , the newly-installed

W . M . gave an interesting sketch of the past history of the lodge , pointing out that it had a history and traditions that its members were proud of , and that it was a lodge any member must be honoured to be selected as the ruler , from its accounts , which were models of correctness , he found the Lodge of Hope has established in August , 1 S 52 , under dispensation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of New South Wales , and on September , Bro . T . G . S .

Swan , Assistant Commissary General here , was installed as the first W . M . by the W . M . of Peace and Friendship , a military lodge , meeting at Longford . The first candidates proposed were Mr . George Cathcart , whose son is on the roll , and Mr . Vincent W . Gibbin , uncle of the present acting Chief Justice of Tasmania , and at the next meeting Sir Richard Dry ( the first Speaker of the Tasmanian Assembly ) was proposed . In 1 S 53 , Bro . the Rev . R . K .

Ewing became W . M ,, and in 1 SS 6 the lodges of Faith and Charity were formed out of Hope , and early in 185 7 these three lodges petitioned for a Provincial Grand Lodge , which was granted , Bro . R . K . Ewing been appointed the first P . G . Master . The only other English lodge in the colony—the Tasmanian Union , 7 S 1 ( now 536 ) , at Hobart—objected to the Prov . Grand Lodge being established without them being consulted , and

in 1858 this lodge was suspended by the Prov . Grand Master , and remained closed for some nine months , when 62 members made submission , and the remainder followed suit . But the quarrel and subsequent local dissensions dealt a heavy blow to Masonry in Launceston , where at this time only the three English lodges were in existence , Faith collapsed , and Charity was voluntarily wound up , the Provincial Grand Lodge died a natural death on the removal

of Bro . Ewing to Victoria , and the lamp of Hope burned very dim for some years , though it never closed its doors . In 1870 a revival set in , and between 1873 and 1 S 83 the Lodge of Hope made rapid progress , and nearly doubled its list of members . During the past three years there has been a decline in membership , from declare-olfs and death ? , but the lodge is in a sound financial position , and was never more united and harmonious . It had been the old members

who had stood by Hope through good and ill-fortune , who had been its backbone in the past , and he ( Bro . R . S . Scott ) felt like an apprentice when he looked on the veterans on either side of him . Bro . J . F . Hobkirk , P . M ., who had proposee his health , entered Hope Lodge in 1 SG 1 , Bro . D . M . Barnard , P . M ., in 1 S 66 , and the Deputy D . G . M ., who had installed him that evening , had joined Hope Lodge in 1 S 66 , from the

Cambria Lodge , 656 ( E . C ) , Sydney . Senior to all these was their Tyler , who entered in Feb ., 1 S 59 , was appointed Tyler in June , and had that night been reinvested for the 27 th time ; though it was only a few years since he ( the W . M . ) had joined Hope Lodge , he felt he had imbibed the " esprit de corps " of which its members were proud , and supported by his officers , and encouraged by its Masonic veterans , he trusted its warrant would be upheld by him

pure and unsullied as he had received it . From the outset , judging from the records , Hope Lodge seems to have been punctilious in its working . Its Committee of Managnnent was as energetic in 1854 as in 18 S 6 ; its library , initiated by individual subsciiptions in 1854 still existed , though somewhat curtailed , and the Library Committee and their rules no longer existed ; their Benevolent Fund , initiated in 1 S 57 , and remodelled in 18 CS , still existed , and occasionally did good service in relieving a distressed brother .

As their W . M ., he would do his utmost to maintain the dignity and reputation of the lodge , but he desired the members to bear in mind that success can only be obtained by united and individual effort , and that while a Master might do much , assisted by his officers and members , his unsupported efforts would avail little . Bro . Scott ' s speech , of which the foregoing is but an outline , was listened to with much interest . —Melbourne Masonic Journal .

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