Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

Bro . J . M . Case , P . G . D ., rose , and said : Before you oceed to e ] cct a new Trustee in place of the late Lord Shrewsbury , I propose that we should pause to pass some testimony of the great loss this society , as well as the other Masonic societies generally , have experienced in the death of Lord Shrewsbury . At the last festival of this Institution Lord Shrewsbury took thc chair , under

circumstances which redounded greatly to his credit . Our Royal Bro . Prince Leopold , was unable , on account of illness , to nreside , and the Institution was at some loss to know how to supply bis place . The Secretary , with commendable alacrity , looked round fo r some one to occupy the chair , an d with great discrimination he applied to Lord Shrewsbury who agreed , at a very short notice , to occupy the

, chair . How successfully he did so I need not call to your minds ; the result of the meeting amply justifies me in say ing that it was successful . As I happened to be President of the Board of Stewards on the occasion , I had an opportunity of seeing howjeadily he took the office , and how successfully he performed its duties ; and , therefore , I beg to propose that we should now offer our testimony

of respect to the late Lord Shrewsbury ; and of the great loss this Institution has sustained by his death . He was a Trustee and a Vice-Patron of this Institution , as well as a great supporter of it . But he was equally a supporter of the other Masonic Institutions , though this is not a p lace to advert to that circumstance . I propose that we pass a resolution to thc effect I have mentioned , and also

expressing our sympathy with the Countess of Shrewsbury and her family in their bereavement . ( Hear , hear . ) The Chairman said -. I shall have great pleasure in seconding the resolution , but I would suggest that an addition should be made to it to the effect that a Utter expressive of our sympathy should be written to the Countess .

Bro . J . M . Case said he would adopt the proposed addition . The motion was then put and carried nem con . The Chairman proposed , and Bro . Raynham Stewart seconded , Sir F . M . Williams , Bart ., as a Trustee in place of the late Bro . Alex . Dobie , and Lord Leigh in place of the late Earl of Shrewsbury .

Carried unanimously . Bro . S . Rawson rose to move an alteration in the laws of the Institution with respect to the annuities to widows . He said it was not with the object of altering the rules so much as to afford aid in the interpretation of them that he proposed the amendment . On a recent occasion , at a meeting of the committee , a widow of a Freemason , who

married again after her husband ' s death , came forward as a petitioner to be placed on thc list of candidates for election . It was announced by the committee that the rules excluded her , as she was not qualified for the widow ' s fund . Some of the brethren , though a very small minority , thought that that reading was not right , and therefore he submitted an addition to the law , which should admit , in

the event of a widow marrying again , and being again left a widow , still being eligible as a candidate . If the brethren carried this motion , they would only be applying the same rule as was now applied by the Government as regarded the army and navy , and the East India Government , that if a widow who had been in receipt cf a pension lost it by reason of her marrying again , if she for the

second time became a widow , she could again receive her pension . He thought he need say no more , and therefore he would propose that an addition should be made to the laws on the subject , that in the event of the widow marrying again , and a second time becoming a widow , she should be eligible as an annuitant . Bro . J . M . Case , P . G . P ., seconded the motion . At thc

time the sub ject came before the committee he was confined at home by illness , but when he read an account of what had taken place he was afraid there was some misapprehension on the subject before the brethren . The Institution being a Benevolent Institution , one of its objects should be to extend its benefits rather than to narrow them ; and , as in other institutions which he knew of ,

widows' pensions reverted to them when they became a second time widows , he took the opportunity of mentioning the subject to Bro . Rawson , who at the next meeting brought it forward . Hc ( Bro . Case ) had in his hand an extract from the book of rules of the Admiralty Navy List , bearing on this subject . It was as follows : — In all cases i . f a widow remarrying , since 3 : st

December , 18 30 , " ( up to that time a widow lost her pension if she did re-marry ) , " her pension shall be suspended from the date of her re-marriage ; but , in the event of her again becoming a widow , her pension may be restored upon proof being adduced to thc Admiralty that her private income does not exceed the limit fixed bom time to time by the Admiralty for the rank last held by her husband , and that she is otherwise deserving thc Public

bounty , but it will be again liable to suspension during future re-marriage . " He had also a book of rules "' the Royal Naval Benevolent Society , with which he "ad been associated for fifty years . The rule on this subject was : " No widow , orphan , mother , or sister of a "y naval officer shall have any claim to relief from the corporation during coverture , nor if the subscription of the nicer shall be in arrear for three years preceding his "fath , provided the officer VlpM „ ar'rr . rin nnl en Wi ,

ut this rule is not to affect the relatives of subscribers . 70 died bd 0 Te the 21 st of April , 1851 . " With these irecedents for the guidance of the brethren he begged " most strenuousl y to second the motion of Bro . Rawn . feeling that the desire of the Institution thould be hear ) d " beneflts a ,, d not to "strict them . ( Hear ,

WM . Jos fl ' . Smith . P-G-P ., said he thought the brethren this tr , " . - lndebted t 0 Br ° - Rawson for bringing forward be Jd -0 * " ' asking the meeting lo decide what should tended ?! , " _ ° P ursued for the future . He appre-«« that Bro . Rawson did not say that if a widow

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

who had received the annuity , married , and lost it , and a second time became a widow , she was to receive her annuity without being a second time elected . ( No . ) The brethren should certainly be the judges of her qualification . There might be a very strong case . A widow might marry some brother who had held a very high position in the Craft , and if she was not a

very old woman , some brother in the Craft who had known her before might marry her . He might be a very influential man , who had taken an active part in Freemasonry , and if he dierl it would be a very unjust thing to say that his widow should not be eligible for the annuity . He thought Bro . Rawson meant that she should become a candidate a second time , and if the subscribers chose to

elect her she should have the annuity . The brethren must remember tbat by marrying again she did the Institution a benefit , for she saved the Institution the amount of the annuity by being married . The motion was carried unanimously and the Chairman declared it carried subject to the approval of Grand Lodge . Bro . Dr . Erasmus Wilson was not present to move on a

subject of whicli he had given notice . Scrutineers of votes were then appointed for the cleciion , and the Chairman said that in consequence of deaths which had occurred since the proxies were issued the number of men and women to be elected would be 29 men , and 24 widows . At thc declaration of the poll the following was found to be the result -.

—SUCCESSFUL . MEN . NAME . VOTES . Bro . Watson , William ... 1847 „ Smith , George ... ... ... 151 ° „ Barnes , Richard E . 1266

„ Phipps , Osborne G . ... ... 991 „ Wright , Henry 907 ,, Nceve , Henry 851 „ Bainard , Alfred T 829 „ Goddard , Cornelius ... ... 802 „ Seabrook , Edward ... ... 801

„ Polkinghorne , Edwin S .... ... 757 „ Lcvelace , John 625 „ Barnard , John C . 616 „ Holme ? , Joseph J . ... ... 616 „ Jones , Richard ... ... ... 5 82 „ Le Page , John 577

„ Doorne , John C 55 8 „ Burgess , George 557 „ Russell , James ... ... ... 326 „ Newton , Henry 518 „ Langlands , Nathan ... ... 515 „ Hawoith John 507

„ Luter , John , ... - 494 „ Wilkinson , Benjamin ... ... 45 6 „ Fauvel , John 453 „ Hodson , Samuel ... ... 448 „ Ball , William 443 ., Bence , Edward O . ... ... 412 ,. Chapman , William H 412 „ Stening , James ... 363

WOMEN . NAME . VOTES . Mrs . Plockton , Maria I . 1099 „ Whitems . n , Jane 1082 „ Heming , Rhcda 873 „ Jenkins , Jane M 85 ° „ Woods , Eliza , 797

„ West , Maria A 745 „ Buck , Susan 73 8 „ Eastes , Frances ... ... ... 735 ,, Farnham , Sarah ... 6 91 „ Sumner , Charlotte ... ... 690 „ Naylor , Martha 667 „ Allatson , Margaret din

„ Haselwood , Lucy A . ... 6 35 ,, Trotter , Ann ... 624 ,, Dewar , Mary A . ... ... ... 623 „ Masters , Rebecca ... ... 603 „ Dixon , Margaret ... ... ... 600

„ Emery , Harriett ... ... ... 5 6 5 ,, Clarkson , Hannah ... ... 5 6 4 „ Brown , Ann ... ... ... 514 „ Tilbury , Ann ... ... ... 507 „ Packwood , Emily ... ... 455 „ Rackstraw , Amy ... 416 „ Bushtr , Mary A . B . .. ... 365

UNSUCCESSFUL . MALES . NAME . VOTES . Bro . Allen , James P 273 ,, Holdaway , Henry ... ... 4 6 „ Morton , Hiram ... ... ... 14 „ Cushen , Thomas ... ... 9 „ Giay , John D ; ad .

FEMALES . NAME . VOTE . Mrs . Fletcher , Betty ... ... ... 325 „ Thompson , Julia 292 „ Sherry , Maria G . 277 „ Brinckley , Eliza 21 ( 1

„ Beale , Sarah 215 , Shearer , Anne ... ... ... 120 „ Elliott , Issabclla ... ... ... no ,, Lewis , Jane D ... 75 „ Wakefield , Ann ... 9 „ Crispin , Martha ... ... ... 2 „ Stafford , Jane 2 Votes of thanks to the Scrutineers and the Chairman of the day closed the proceedings .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Dorsetshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DORSETSHIRE .

( Continued from page 199 . ) At the close of the Provincial Grand Lodge ( the proceedings of which were fully reported in our last ) the biethren were invited to a magnificent banquet provided in the great hall of Cnnford House , by Messrs . Gunter , of London . A

number of caninges were in readiness in the Square , Wimborne , ready fur ttie conveyance of the brethren to Canford , and the entire company were speedily conveyed thither . According to the notice on thc agenda paper , the brethren appeared at the banquet in Masonic Craft clothing . The tables were splendidly laid out , and the liberality which prompted Bro . Montague Guest to invite so large a

company to ro sumptuous a banquet called forth the highest praise . As a matter of course , the newly-installed P . G . M . occupied the chair , and he was supported by Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , D . G M . ; Bro . ] . Hervey , G . S . ; Bro . Sir Albert Woods , ( Garter ) , P . G . W ., G . D . C ; Bro . Wilhelm Kuhe , G . Org . ; Bro . Viscount Holmesdale , Prov . G . M . Kent ; Lord Methuen , Prov . G . M . Wiltshire ;

Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P . ; Bro . Lord Henry Thynne , Bro . W . T . Benett-Stanford , M . P . ; Bro . J . M . Brymer , M . P . ; Bro . A . E . Guest , Bro . the Hon . R . Harbord , Bro . C . Hambro , and other distinguished Masons . Grace was said before and after dinner by Bro . the Rev . H . Everett , of Dorchester . Bro . Winn , of Her Majesty ' s Chapel Royal and Vicai

Choral of St . Paul ' s Cathedral ; Bros . Baxter and Carter , of Westminster Abbey ; and Bro . Beckett , of Her Majesty ' s Chapel Royal , during the evening sang a number of glees in excellent style , which called forth repeated applause . The Chairman proposed " The Health of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Q . ueen , the Patroness of Freemasonry , " He said that he felt he need not say anything to commend

the toast , for it was always well received ( cheers ) . The Chairman next pioposed " The Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Grand Master , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . " Chose who were present two years ago at the installation of his Royal Highness would , he was sure , never forget the imposing and impressive sight . He thought no person in England could

maintain the dignity of the office of Grand Master better than did the Prince of Wales . ( Cheers . ) Two of the Prince's brothers were a ! fo Masons—the Duke of Connaught and Prince Leopold . ( Cheers . ) The Princess of Wales was also deserving of their esteem and regard . ( Cheers . ) The Chairman proposed as the next toast , " The Health

of the Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master of England , the Right Hon . lord Carnarvon . " He felt so much had been said in praise of his lordship during the last few years that he need not on that occasion say anything respecting him , because they all knew how much his lordship had done . ( Cheers . ) He had hoped their Pro Grand Master would have been present with them that day , but

was prevented by other duties , his lordship sending a very kind letter , expressing his regret , and hoping they would have a pleasant evening and fine weather . ( Cheers . ) The Chairman said he was sure they would be pleased to receive in the most enthusiastic manner the next toast which hc would have to propose . It was " The Health of their Deputy Grand Master Lord Skelmersdale . "

( Cheers . ) He felt he cculd personally do no more than , the Provincial Lodge had already done , viz ., thank his lordship for his great kindness in coming down on this occasion to assist them . This he could , assure their Deputy Grand Master was no idle praise . He had known his noble friend for many years , and hc knew how many matters his lordship had to engage his attention , and also how he had to tear himself away from other important

duties so as to be with them that day . ( Cheers ) . Whatever his lordship did was always successful , and he felt that his coming down to them that day had made the meeting a success . ( Cheers . ) His lordship was always successful , whether as a breeder of short-horns or as a hardworking member of his party in the House ol Lords . The Chairman concluded by again commending to them the toast .

Lord Skelmersdale said he thanked them most warmly for the kind way in which they had received the toast of his health . He assured them it had been a real pleasure to him to meet them that day . He was glad that the meeting had . been fixed for Saturday , as that was his free day . The Chairman had said that whatever he took in hand proved successful , and hc hoped that in this

present instance this would prove true , and that his coming amongst them that day would be an augury of the future prosperity of the province under the rule of its newlyinstalled Grand Master . ( Cheers . ) His lordship then referred to the death on the previous day of the Earl of Shrewsbury , than whom , he said , no person took a greater interest in Freemasonry , and concluded by proposing

' 1 he Heallh of the Provincial Grand Master of Dorset . " ( Cheers . ) The toast was received with great enthusiasm . The Chairman , in responding , thanked the Deputy Grand Master for the way in which he had proposed his health , and for the good wishes which be had expressed towards him . Hc felt that a sorrow overshadowed their meeting that day , occasioned by the death of their late

Provincial Grand Master—Bro . Joseph Gundry , who for 18 years ruled over the Province . They all knew how well he had worked , and he was sure they would agree with him that he filled the office with impartiality and ability . He felt it was an exceedingly difficult task to follow after one who was so much appreciated , but he was certain it

would be his endeavour to fill worthily the post to whicli he had been appointed by the Right Worshipful the Grand Master , the Prince of Wales . It would be his endeavour to personally work amongst them , and he should be pleased to listen to any suggestions which might be made by any of his brethren for the furtherance of the interests of