Correspondence.

Correspondence .

fWedo not hold ourselves responsible for the opinion-expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play tc all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . !

"SHADWELL CLERKE TRUST . " To the Editor of . the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The reference in the' newspapers to Col . Shadwell Gierke's will having caused some misconception as to the income left to Mrs . Clerke , we think it

right to state that we have been furnished with a list of the securities in which the personal estate was invested . Their value at present prices is ^ 10 , 461 8 s . This includes the ^ 1000 mentioned in the will , of which Mrs . Clerke has the testamentary disposition , and also a policy for £ 1000 , payment of which is in

question . The sum of ^ 10 , 4 61 bs . invested in securities suitable for trusts would yield a yearly income of £ 310 Out of this by the will ^ 100 a year is to be paid to each of the sons , and the balance to Mrs . Clerke on condition she provides a home for and maintains the daughter . Should the policy money not be received ,

the balance will be reduced to £ So a year . Mrs . Clerke has a small entailed property of her own in Ireland which brings in a precarious income , the average of the last two years being . £ 133 ios . So far as we are able to learn , the whole of her income will therefore be either ^ 243 or - £ 213 to provide

a home and maintain herself and daughter , which is sufficient to show that for a lady in her position she "has been left very inadequately provided for . " When the will was read it was believed that Mrs . Clerke was left a life interest in her husband ' s real estate in Ireland , but this appears not to have been

legally carried out , and it is to fulfil , to some extent , the evident intention of Col . Clerke that "The Shadwell Gierke Trust" bas been formed . The brethren to whom our circular was addressed are reminded that the case was not put before them as

one of Charity , nor were they solicited for subscriptions . They were invited to join with the Committee in testifying by the purchase of a life annuity for Mrs . Clerke " their appreciation of Col . Gierke ' s high character and services . "—Yours fraternally ,

THOMAS FENN , Pres . B . of G . P ., Chairman ROBERT GREY , Pres . B . of B ., Treasurer . FRANK RICHARDSON , P . G . D ., Secretary .

A CAUTION . To the Editor of thc " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In the last issue of the Freemason I notice a letter from the P . G . Sec . of Hants and Isle of Wight Province cautioning the brethren against a man hailing from the Newstead Lodge , No . 47 , Nottingham . I

very much sympathise with our Bro . E . Goble , and hasten to ask all concerned , through the medium of your paper , not to place any reliance on the name given by the individual in question , as doubtless it is an assumed one , no one of the name of Dawson having been connected with the Newstead Lodge , to my certain knowledge , for the last 28 years . —Fraternally yours ,

O . J . WEEKS , W . M . 47 . February 20 th .

WHEN TO BALLOT FOR A CANDIDATE . To thc Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , May I be allowed to back up what " Rough Ashlar" has to say on this subject by stating that it is the custom in all the English lodges in the River Plate

( and as far as I could find out in the foreign lodges there , too ) to propose a candidate at one meeting , ballot at the next , and initiate at the next , if the business of the lodge permitted , but never under any circumstance initiate on the same night that the candidate was balloted for . —Yours fraternally ,

J . KEMSLEY . Late Secretary Lodge No . 2329 , & c . February 24 th .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have read the letter on the above subject in last week ' s Freemason , and learn with considerable surprise what a pernicious system must exist in some lodges .

I will briefly explain to "Rough Ashlar" the modus operandi of balloting for candidates in the lodge to which 1 belong , and which , 1 believe , is the practice now being generally adopted by the majority of lodges in the Province of West Lancashire . Our lodge meets , say , on the second Thursday in

every month , when , after all the business is done , candidates for initiation are proposed . The usual lod ge summons is posted so as to be in the hands of members seven days prior to the next meeting , that is , it is received on the first Thursday in the following month , when , after the " instruction lodge " is held , a

CommiUee meeting is formed consisting of all members of the lodge present , and including the proposer of a candidate , and the merits of the candidate are fully enquired into . Should everything prove satisfactory , a proposition is made by some member of the Committee " that the candidate be recommended to the lodge for

Correspondence.

acceptance , " and a special circular is sent to the candidate requesting his attendance at the lodge meeting , when he will " be balloted for , and if duly elected , be received into the Order according to ancient custom . " It very rarely indeed happens that anyone is

proposed that is not a fit and proper person to be received into the Order , but should such an occurrence arise , the proposer is requested to withdraw his name , which , as " Rough Ashlar " will readily perceive , saves unpleasant discussion at a regular lodge meeting and before visitors . —Yours fraternally , PERFECT ASHLAR .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft Masonry .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Westbourne Lodge ( No . 733 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on the iSth instant at the Holborn Restaurant , Bro . James W . Curtis , W . M ., presiding . There was a very large attendance of brethren . These included Bros . John Welford , P . M ., I ' reas . ; S . R . Walker , P . M ., Sec . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . M . ; XV Drew , P . M . ; C . J . Brown , P . M . ; W . Hallett , P . M . ;

L . Asctt , P . M . ; T . VV . Allen , P . M . ; E . Collins , P . M . ; and the following visitors : Bros . J . Aird , M . P ., P . M . 259 , S . G . W . ; W . J . Francis , SGo ; H . Massey , 160 , P . M . 619 and 192 S ; E . W . Reed , 2021 ; C . Godfrey , S . W . 2021 ; B . Thomas , 511 ; J . S . Adkin , 991 , P . P . G . Reg . ; E . M . Under , P . M . 1042 ; H . E . Dehane , 1543 , P . P . S . G . D . Essex ; VV . H . Chalfont , P . M . 1425 ; J . A . Oliver , 902 ; H . Armfield , 1 C 42 ; R . H . Dillon , P . M . 15 G 7 ; H .

Campbell , I . G . 742 ; H . Windeatt , J . W . 1793 ; Wm . Middleweek , W . M . elect 1793 ; A . Ellenden , 1623 ; T . Middleweek , 1014 ; T . W . Mogford , D . C . 2302 ; E . Rogers , I . P . M . 60 , P . G . Stwd . ; J . Carton , S 90 ; J . W . Harvey , P . M . 25 ; T . M . Lambie , 511 ; S . Pocock , P . M . 1 G 14 ; L . Von Hill , 1441 ; H . Flower . 172 ; E . T . Gindel , 1653 , * Thomas VV . Heath , W . M . 1642 ; R . Pierpoint , P . M . 182 S ; C . Wise , P . M . 1158 ; W . Back , J . D . 2 395 ; A . Shaw , 3 62 ; G . H . Holland , 212 S ; G . H .

Reynolds , I . P . M . 1 C 14 ; T . Payne , I . G . 21 O 3 ; Henry Wells , 1507 ; A . Walker , 2032 ; H . J . Phillips , P . M . 205 ; G . H . Irish , 340 ; H . B . Chamberlain , P . M . 13 C 4 ; E . Gibb , S . VV . 1017 ; J . Thomson , 23 G 2 ; A . G . Reminson , ! 3 ° 5 ; J- Martin , 201 ; J . Herow , P . M . 1056 ; John C . Pratt , 1623 ; G . VV . Mogford , 2362 ; A . J . Hawkes , P . M . 315 , 1560 , and 1 G 36 ; F . J . Deaton , VV . M . 25 ; J . Pullen , 1 G 14 ; W . Herllitt ; F . J . Done , 2098 ; VV . H . Handow , 1 C 42 ; W . H . Kerr , 194 ; and Curtis D'Alton ,

2191 . After the opening of the lodge , and the preliminary business had been performed , the VV . M . installed Bro . J . W . Belsham , S . W . and VV . M . elect , as Master of the lodge . The following brethren were invested as oflicers : Bros . J . W . Curtis , I . P . M . ; R . Rogers , S . W . ; A . Arrowsmith , J . W . ; J . Welford , P . M ., Treas . ; S . R . Walker , P . M ., Sec ; W . H . Faircloth , S . D . ; J . Gumming , l . D . ;

G . Goddard , LG . ; J . Rees and G . W . Hughes , Stwds . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . M ., D . C ; and W . M . Roberts , A . D . C . The new VV . M . afterwards initiated in excellent style Messrs . Hector McNeill , J oseph J . Hough , and F . Wortham , and subsequently presented Bro . Curtis , I . P . M ., with a beautiful jewel of a Past Master , and a Past Master ' s collar and jewel . The W . M . announced that he was going up as Steward at the Jubilee Festival of the

Benevolent Institution , and that to his list the lodge had voted 2 G guineas . He also solicited further individual assistance by the brethren to his list . Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a choice banquet . The usual toasts followed . 'The W . M . in opening the proposition of the toasts by introducing "The Queen and the Craft , " announced that

he was going to make all his speeches short to give the programme of music which had been arranged for the brethren the better opportunity of hearing the beautitul delectation . In giving "The M . W . G . M ., " he referred to the death of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , Prov . G . M . for Berkshire , P . G . W ,, and said all the brethren sympathised with the Prince of Wales in the loss of his eldest son , whom he was bringing up to follow his footsteps

in Freemasonry . Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., in replying to the toast of "The Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom ; Dep . Grand Master , the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe ; and Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " said he had always taken the deepest interest in thc Westbourne Lodge , and . he always should take that interest . Bro . Curtis , I . P . M ., in proposing "The W . M ., " said

most of the brethren had known the VV . M . for some years , and they knew , as he knew , that Bro . Belsham had done his duty well in whatever capacity he had been placed in the Westbourne Lodge . From the very lowest rung of the ladder up to the highest in which they found him that night he had always done his duty—he had , indeed ; and he ( Bro . Curtis ) hoped and believed Bro . Belsham would remain with them for many years to assist those who required his

assistance and to instruct those who required his instruction . The VVorshipful Master , in reply , said he did not think he deserved all the kind words the I . P . M . had used concerning him . It was quite true he had worked up from the lowest rung of the ladder , but hc did not know that he deserved praise for doing it . But now that they had placed him in the position of W . M ., he trusted the G . A . O . T . U . would give him health and strength to discharge his duty to the satisfaction of all the brethren of the lodge .

Thc Worshipful Master , in proposing " The LP . M . and Installing Master , " said the brethren all knew the good qualities of Bro . Curtis . They had seen his able work in the lodge during the last year , although he had not had so much work to do as he would have liked . Still they had had the opportunity of seeing him work in lodges of instruction , doing initiations , passings , and raisings , and also the ceremony of installation . He had done them all well . It was a pity he had not had more to do in the mother lodge ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

for he was quite ready and able to do it . He hoped they would have him with them for many years to come . Bro . Curtis , I . P . M ., in reply , said he thanked the W . M . very much for his kind remarks , and also the brethren for the very handsome present they had given him that evening , the beautiful jewel of a Past Master and the Past Master ' s collar and jewel , and he should value them as longas he was a member of the Westbourne Lodge , which

he hoped would be as long as he lived . He could tell them as he had told them on many occasions when responding as an officer of the lodge , that whatever duty devolved upon him he should do it to the best of his ability . He had certainly not had a great deal to do during the past year , but he had had a very pleasant time of it for the brethren had all been very kind to him . It had been a

labour of love to him what he had done , and how he had done his work he hoped would be an incentive to those brethren who were coming on to do their duty so as to merit the approbation of the brethren . Perhaps as a . reward thev would receive a similar testimonial to that which he had received that evening . He hoped the Westbourne Lodge would long continue to prosper and to maintain its prestige ,

and be honoured by the visits of as many distinguished brethren as the lodge had had that evening . Each of the Initiates responded to the toast of "The Initiates , " and Bros . Heath , Deaton , W . M . 25 ; E . Rogers , I . P . M . 60 , P . G . Stwd . ; G . H . Reynolds , I . P . M . 1614 ; and Wise , P . M . 1158 , replied to the toast of "The Visitors . " "The Masonic Charities , " "The Past Masters , " "The

Treasurer and Secretary , " "The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toast were the other toasts , and they were all received with the greatest heartiness , and the brethren then separated . A beautiful programme of music was performed during the evening under the direction of Bro . Barry Lindon ( conducted by Bro . VV . Clarke ) , by Bro . Barry Lindon , Mr . Dyved Lewys , Miss Marion Evans , Bro . George Goddard , Miss Nora Lyne , and Mr . H . R . Abbot .

Covent Garden Lodge ( No . 1614 ) . —The regular meeting of this prosperous and popular lodge was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , on the gth instant , when there were present Bros . G . H . Foan , W . M . ; G . H . Reynolds , LP . M . ; S . Hewett , P . M ., actingas S . W . ; A . L . Bullen , J . W . ; E . J acobs , P . M ., Treas . ; G . Reynolds , P . M ., Sec ; G . C . Bond , S . D . ; J . W . Belsham , J . D . ;

J . Mayo , D . C . ; XV . J . Thrussell , acting as Org . ; H . 1 . Keen , acting as LG . ; VV . A . Dowling , Stwd . ; R . r . Potter , Tyler ; J . Jacobs , P . M . ; G . Coleman , P . M . ; S . Jacobs , P . M . ; A . Bush , C . 0 . Burgess , W . M . Carter , H . G . Walker , XV . Unwin , A . Oddennino , F . Costa , W . Humphrey , J . Wise , W . R . Faulks , J . C Citron , W . J . Green , C . Liddiard , VV . Downes , T . Middleweek , H .

Price , J . Alexander , J . Woodward , A . Packham , J . Pullen , J . Nathan , J . \ V . Davis , L . Isaacs , W . J . Morgan , A . Freeman , G . C . Howard , S . J acobs , and others . The visitors were Bros . J . Williams , 214 G ; C . E . Gray , 2146 >' J . W . Burgess , P . M . 1325 , P . P . G . P . West Lanes . ; T . 1 . Hubbard , S . VV . 1032 ; B . Holeyman , I . G . 73 ; F . R . Jarvis , J . VV . 511 ; W . Dennis , 9 ; J . Hearsman , I . P . M . . / -.-. 1 c .:. 1 wr ....... wr \ n : JJI » ... AAI . c wr ...... . iu / outu mmuicy i /

, J . , J . »» . 1 / 4 J , " . . ^ -., o . Y - I . yj , and J . Smith , 733 . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Letters of regret at not being able to be present on account of illness were read from Bros . Sheriff H . Foster , A . T . Dickson , P . M ., and a letter from Mrs . Shadwell Clerke returning thanks for the sympathy the lodge had shown in the loss or the late Grand

Secretary . Ballots were taken for the following gentlemen as initiates : Messrs . S . Jacobs , C . Liddiard , Wm . V . Morgan , and Jas . W . Davis , and , being unanimous , those gentlemen were initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry . A ballot was also taken for Mr . Charles Morrell as an initiate , which was unanimous . Bros . A . Oddennino and F . Costa were passed to the Degree of F . C , and Bro . W .

Downes was raised to the Degree of a M . M . A notice of motion was given by Bro . Edward J acobs , P . M ., to the effect that the installation meeting be held in the month oE February instead of January . A sum of ten guineas was unanimously voted to the list of Bro . G . Reynolds , P . M ., Sec , who represents the lodge at the forthcoming Jubilee Festival of the R . M . B . I . The Worshipful Master having received the " Hearty good

wishes" of the visitors , the fodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Prince's Room , when a capital banquet was served under the personal superintendence of Bros . G . P . Bertini and A . Aubenal . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were most heartily received . Bros . J . XV . Burgess , P . M . 1325 , P . P . G . P . West Lancashire , and J . Hubbard , S . W . 1032 , replied for " The Visitors , " and a selection of music was given under thc direction of Mr . H . Foan , son of the W . M ., which was greatly appreciated .

Bromley St . Leonard Lodge ( No . 1805 ) . —The installation banquet ( postponed from the regular meeting of the lodge in January in consequence of thc death of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale ) was celebrated on Tuesday , the iOth inst ., at the Holborn Restaurant , when the W . M ., Bro . Tom Green , presided , supported by the following ollicers and brethren : Bros . W . Maxfield Mead , S . W . ; G . E . Warn , I . W . ; John Collier , Treas . i

W . J . Roberts , Sec ; W . F . Potts , S . D . ; John Bussey , J . D . ; W . Home , D . C . ; G . H . Fennell , A . D . C ; Percy Jackman , Org . ; A . S . Bird and E . R . Speirs , Stewards ; A . Peterken , P . M . ; J . E . McLaren , P . M . ; J . Bailey , P . M . ; R . Toole , P . M . ; Ben . Johnson , I . P . M . ; Wood , Flynn , Shadrake , Mamlord , Thornton , Murrell , Chilmade , Gabriel , Holmes , Hooper , Miners , Sheffield , Hutchenson , Davis

Hankey , Hopson , Ives , Marriott , Carpenter , A . S . , W . Davis , H . W . Boarer , R . J . Boarer , J . Boarer , !'• Allen , Barnes , and Skinner ; and the following visitors : Bros . C . J . R . I ijou , P . M . and Sec . 1 S 04 ; L . Potts , P . M . 17 iO ; R . Francis , ino ; A . J . Harvey , 9 ; J . Ada " ' P . M . 1194 ; J . Holland , I . G . 1 S 04 ; J . G . Milbourn , P . M . 13 ; H . J . Smith , P . M . 548 ; F . J . Southgate , 54 ' P . Sharpe , P . M . 8 G 9 j G . F . Wheeler , P . P . G . S . B . Herts ;

C . 11 . Callaghan , 127 S ; I . Isaacs , 1 C 24 ; J . H . Pearson , P . M . 15 G 7 ; Jas . Smyth , 40 ; R . Foskett , 1 G 23 ; > V ' Harris , W . M . 1 OG 2 ; ti . C . Vlayns , 181 G ; J . Oxley . l . * . ' . 130 G ; T . Warren , 1625 ; J . VV . Gibbs , S . W . 1804 , * . *" G . Cormack , 1540 ; J . F . Jansen , 1185 ; R . A . Germain ** L . C . C , 2033 ; Geo . J ackson , 1 C 25 ; A . Cox , S . D . i 47 ' W . Loden , 1287 ; J . J . Tyler , 898 ; James Young , W ( S . C ); G . King , 212 ; J . Purvis , 504 ; E . A . Oibbs ,