Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

BRO . CECIL RHODES has sent 100 guineas to the Metropolitan Hospital . BRO . F . J . HORNIMAN , M . P ., has joined the council of the Land Law Reform Association . BRO . T . H . BROOKE HITCHING , C . C , has been elected the chairman of the Marylebone Vestry .

FRIZINGTON MASONIC HALL COMPANY , LTD . —Registered on the nth lmt Capital £ 600 , in £ i shares . BRO . THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT will be the guest of the Treasurer and Benchers of Gray ' s Inn at their Grand Day dinner on Monday , the 5 th prox . THE STATIONERS' COMPANY [ have granted the use of their hall for the International Congress of Publishers , to be held on the 7 th , Sth , and 9 th prox .

BRO . J . M . KI . BNCK , the President of the Council of the British and Foreign Arbitration Association , is staying at the Hague . With the Treasurer ( Mr . E . Kimber ) and the Hon . Secretary of the Association he will present the memorial of the association to the Various plenipotenitaries now attending at the Peace Conference .

THE RECORDS OF THE CORPORATION . —The Town Clerk ( Bro . Sir John B Monckton ) has presented to the Library Committee his 23 rd annual report on the subject of the Corporation records . The report , which is countersigned by Dr . Reginald R . Sharpe , sets forth the fact that the general condition of the City's records is satisfactory .

AT THE consecration of the new R . A . Chapter , the Jordan , No . 1402 , Masonic Temple , Torquay , much admiration was expressed for the handsome furniture supplied by Bros . Geo . Kenning and Son , which had been presented by the Founders , so that the chapter has been opened free of debt , and already bids fair to bs one of the largest in the province . The first three Principals are Comps . Jno . Lane , P . Z ., the M . E . Z . ; T . H . Wills , P . Z ., the H .: and William Winget , the J .

ST . PAUL ' S CATHEDRAL . —By permission of the Dean and Chapter the following lectures will be delivered in the Cathedral on the period of history fixed for the year by the London Diocesan Church Reading Union : Monday , 12 th prox ., Rev . A . W . Gough , " St . Louis "; Tuesday , 13 th prox ., the Bishop of Ripon , " Dante " ; Wednesday , 14 th prox ., the Archdeacon of London , "Chaucer" ; and Thursday , 15 th prox ., the Rev . H . G ; e , D . D ., " Whycliffe . " The lectures will be at a quarter past one .

DEATH IN A MASONIC LODGE . —The installation meeting of the Wellington Lodge , No . 341 , Rye , on the 23 rd instant , was attended by a sad occurrence . Bro . Wm , George Rubie , the retiring W . M ., having performed the ceremony prior to his investiture as I . P . M ., was being heartily congratulated upon his year ' s most admirable work , when he fell and immediately expired . Bro . Dr . Trollope , of Hastings , was present , but the case was hopeless , the deceased having suffered from a weak heart . Bro . Rubie , who was 33 years of age , was highly respected . He was organist at the Rye Parish Church and master of the Board schools . He haves a widow and two children .

AT THE NEXT meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Derbyshire the question of the formation of a Masonic library will be brought to the attention of the members of the Craft . The Tyrian Lodge has taken the matter in hand , and has passed a resolution inviting the co-operation of the other lodges in the town . The demand for Masonic books , documents , curios , it is pointed out , is rapidly increasing both at home and abroad , and unless steps are taken at once to preserve for local reference items of Masonic value , and particularly of local interest , it may be found in time to come , that

the Province of Derbyshire has sustained irreparable loss _ It is suggested that in Derbyshire there are many valuable relics of the past lying in obscurity—stored away and forgotten—and that each lodge and chapter , and individual members thereof , be invited to seek every opportunity of bringing their treasures to light , with a view to their being lodged ultimately under the care of the province ; also , that each lodge and chapter in the province be invited to send in a photographic copy of its warrant , which would form a valuable , lasting , and unique feature in the provincial archives .

AUSTEH-GWEI . O , RHODESIA . —Among Rhodesian shares we have frequently called attention to those of the Austen-Gwelo Development Syndicate ( Limited ) as being well worth attention . As we predicted , they have risen in price , and look like going much higher . During the past week they have been largely dealt in by some of the most important members of the London Stock Exchange , and , owing to the excellent reports coming forward both by cable and letter from the company ' s manager at the mines in Rhodesia , these thares closed better on the week . The total capital of the

company is only £ 50 , 000 in shares of £ \ , each fully paid , and it owns a farm of 6 oon acres and 507 claims in the best-known and most important gold mining districts of Rhodesia . In addition to the above very satisfactory information , intelligence has come to hand showing that as sinking proceeds the mines develop greater richness . Arrange , ments are being made to ftaat one set of these claims as a company , which will enable Ihe Austen ( Gwelo ) Development Syndicate ( Limited ) to pay a handsome dividend . Speculative investors might do worse than pick up these shares at the present price oi about £ 2 2 s . Gd ., at which they are now dealt in on the London Stock Exchange .

TUB ANNUM , MEETING of the London and Manchester Industrial Assurance Com . pany ( Limited ) was held on the 17 th inst . at the chief offices , Southwark Exchange . Dr . Jas . Mason presided , and theother Directors present were Messrs . W . Dawes , H . Speed , W . F . Woodward , and J . W . Woodward . The annual report showed that 175 , 6 49 new policies had been issued during the year , the number being the largest on record . The life premium income was £ 94 103 , an increase of i , 7 u 9 S . Claims on this department had amounted to £ 34 , 14 !) . The premiums on sickness and medical policies were

£ 40 , 629 , and the claims . £ 24 , 057 . Only 974 of the policies for a weekly allowance , in case of sickness now remained , the issue of new policies in this department having been discontinued 14 years ago . The medical aid policies had been a great boon to insurers , and ihe syslem was highly appreciated by the medical profession . No profit was made from this branch , which was £ 0 managed as to be just self-supporting . The total premium inccme for the year was £ i 3- |> 732 , showing the substantial increase of £ SS 6 o . A sum of £ 21 , 361 had during the year been addjd to the funds , which now

stood at £ 170 , 54 s . 1 his saving was larger than that of any previous year . A dividend of 5 per cent , and a bonus ol z \ per cent , on the paid-up capital was recommended . The Chairman moved the adoption of the report and accounts , referring with regret to the abserce through illness ot the managing director , Mr . W . Woodward , who had never before been absent from their annual meetings for a quarter of a century . The directors this year had again to congratulate the company on a most successful twelvemonth . It might truly be said in their case that * 'Nothing succeeds like success . "

( Heai , hear . ) From year to year their prosperity had increased ; they had never once gone buckward . There was an increase ot 22 , 055 in the number of new policies issued—a healthy sign , indicating a rapidly . growing premium income . The income in the life department alone , including rent and interest , was now over £ 100 , 000 . ( Cheers . ) A sum of £ 734 , 14 s had been paid away in claims . These were well within thc expectation , but such a sum as this , paid with all promptitude , must have ibeen most welcome . With regard to the question of outgo in the life department , they had all probably

noticed that more had been spent upon new business than in the previous year , but the directors were fully satisfied that the money had been well and wisely expended , and the first-fruits were seen in the considerably larger receipts . ( Applause . ) The sickness and medical aid department continued to be quite satisfactory . In the balance-sheet they would see a list of assets displayed that in their nature and amount must be highly gratifying to every shareholder . ( Hear , hear . ) The increase of £ 21 , 361 was the largest that had ever taken place in a single year . ( Applause . ) Not

only had the company been prosperous in the past , but they could look forward with all confidence to the altainment of even greater success in the future . ( Cheers . ) The motion was seconded by Mr . W . Dawes , and carried unanimously . Mr . H . Speed then moved the re-eltction on the board of the company of Mr . W . Woodward , the managing director , and Mr . W . Dawes . The resolution having been seconded by Air .

W . F . Woodward , was carried unanimously , and with loud applause . The dividend recommended in the report was sanctioned , and , on the motion of Mr . Armstrong ( Liverpool ) , seconded by Mr . Johnson ( Birmingham ) , a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the directors for their services . A vote of thanks to the Chairman was pro . posed , seconded , and unanimously carried . The Chairman briefly thanked the shareholders .

Masonic And General Tidings.

THE KINO OF THE HELLENES is one of the latest purchasers ot "the Doily Tele , graph's Hundred Best Novels . " WITHOUT ANY FORMAL CEREMONY the Royal Military Tournament at Islington was opened on Thursday last by the Duke of York , who was accompanied by the Duchess . PRINCESS LOUISE , accompanied by the Marquis of Lome , visited Oxford on Thursday , and opened a Jubilee clock and fountain at the east end of Magdalen Bridge .

THE LATE LORD ESHER will be buried on Monday , not , as previously stated , on Saturday , at Esher . The service will be private , only members of the family being present . YESTERDAY WAS THE BIRTHDAY of H . R . H . the Duchess of York , who was born on May 26 th , 1 S 67 . The Duke and Duchess of York have arranged to leave York House , St . James's Palace , to-day ( Saturday ) for Sandringham .

MR . CHOATE , the American Ambassador , was the principal guest at the dinner of the Royal Theatrical Fund at the Hotel Mutropole on Thursday evening , at which the Earl of Dartmouth presided . THURSDAY was the birthday of Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein , her Royal Highness having been born at Buckingham Palace on May 25 th , 1 S 4 6 . The bells oi Windsor were rung in honour of the anniversary .

OUR BROTHER ' BED . —As the larger part of the sum of £ 340 required for the permanent endowment of the bed has been raised , a little assistance from those lodges who have not already contributed is still necessary to secure the much wished for endowment .

THE CHANCERY SAFE DEPOSIT COMPANY of which Sir William Marling , Bart ., is the chairman , owing to an increased public demand , have entered into contracts for a further extension of their premises . Over 50 new strong rooms and steel vaults are to be added to the Safe Deposit , which is already the largest in the world . THE DUCHESS OF ALBANY will lay the foundation stone of the new wing of the Hospital of the Nursing Sisters of St . John the Divine , Morden-hill , Lewisham , on Wednesday , the 14 th prox ., at five p . m ., when the Bishop of Southwark will officiate , assisted by the Rev . Canon Rhodes Bristow , Chaplain of the Community .

THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT and Princess Henry of Battenberg , accompanied by Prince Leopold of Battenberg , left Victoria by the Continental express for Germany on Thursday evening . The Royal party travel via Queenborough and Flushing . The Duke of Connaught is going to Cassel , near Gotha , and Princess Henry of Battenberg to Kissingen .

BRO . THE EARL OF CASSILLIS , who has been appointed Substitute Master for the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire , was , last week , conducting visitations of the lodges in the Carrirk district . The lodges visited have been Dailly , Givvan , Tarbolton , Maybole , Patna , and Dalmellington . All the lodges were found in good condition and sound working order .

LCRD ROSEBERY opened a cottage hospital at Carshalton on the 24 th instant , remarking on the equality of positions—that the rich man could only eat one dinner , and that the person who fared less sumptuously generally had the best health . But the great advantage of wealth was that it enabled its owners to give to those they loved , when sick or aged , the best medical advice and the advantage of an easier existence and change of climate .

THE OPENING of the Article Club Industrial Exhibition by their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Connaught , at the Crystal Palace , on the 30 th inst ,, promises to be an exceptionally brilliant function . A very large number of distinguished personages will be present . After the opening ceremony , at which their Royal Highnesses will be presented with an address by Lord Suflield , President of the Club , the Royal party will make a tour of the Exhibition , after which they will be entertained to lunch .

T . R . H . THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES , accompanied by Princess Victoria , returned to Marlborough House on Thursday morning from Windsor Castle . Miss Knollys and Capt . Holford were in attendance . The Prince of Wales , attended by Capt . Holford , afterwards left London for Great Yarmouth to inspect the Norfolk Artillery Militia ( of which regiment his Royal Highness is the Honorary Colonel ) , under the command of Viscount Coke .

A BRILLIANT AUIHF . NCF . filled the Royal Opera House , Covent Garden , on the 25 th inst ,, for the rentree of Madame Melba as Juliette in Gounod ' s opera . Among those present were Ihe Duke of York , the Duchess of Fife , and Princess Charles of Denmark , attended by their suites , the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough , Earl and Countess de Grey , the Countess of Craven , Lord Farquhar , Mr . Alfred de Rothschild , Lady Randolph Churchill , and Lord Rowton .

THE OUEEN left Windsor Castle last evening on her customary visit to Balmoral . IIer Majesty has sent telegrams of thanks to the American Ambassador and the members of Parliament touring in the South of Iieland who sent congratulatory messages . The Oueen ' s birthday was celebrated with striking enthusiasm in the I ' nited States , notably at Port Tampa , where there was a naval demonstration , and a portrait oi the Q ueen was unveiled , draped with the British and American digs .

HARDLY an important centre in the world was without its celebration of the Queen ' s birthday . Reuter's Agency furnishes telegrams from Munich , Constantinople , Cophenhagen , and other European cities , giving brief accounts of the way in which thc English resident ? , aided by the native inhabitants , observed the day ; and in all the British Colonies and Dependencies there were enthusiastic rejoicings . In the Transvaal the fete was kept very heartily , and , in spite of the present situation , the Boers joined in , the Volksraad adjourning in honour of the day .

WOODFORD HAS arranged to give a cyclists' fancy dress carnival on the 3 rd inst . in aid of the hospitals . Last year the expenses , which amounted to £ 300 , were paid by the cyclists themselves , and a similar course will be adopted this year , whilst the Woodford and Walthamstow Town Hands have generously promised their services . The route will be by way of Snaresbrook , Woodford Green , Connaught Waters , and Chingford . The lantern ride takes place at 9 p . m ., returning by the same route reversed . The Charities which will participite in the proceeds are the Buckhurst-hill , Loughton , Poplar , West Ham , and Woodford Hospitals , and the Leyton and Walthamstow and Plaistow Children's Hospitals .

ONE OF THE HAPPIEST of the many cetemonies by which the Oueen's Soth birthday was honoured was a gathering at Shrewsbury of 150 Shropshire naval and military veterans , who dined together , under the presidency of Colonel Kenyon-Stanlev , M . P ., supported by Lord Methuen , Lord Barnard , and others . In the course of the proceedings a congratulatory telegram was despatched to the Queen at Windsor . On Thursday Sir Arthur Bigge sent the following reply from her Majesty : " Please express Oueen ' s thanks ' , to Shropshire naval and- military veterans for their loyal congratulations . "

SPEAKING AT A Masonic meeting at Chatham on the nth inst ., the Dean of Rochester referred with gratitude to the festival held in Rochester Cathedral last year , and to the splendid offering left by the Freemasons of England for the beautifying of the building . He had hoped that the time had come for replacing the present unsightly tower by one worthy of the fabric , but , alas ! the Masonic champion of the cause ,

the Earl of Lathom , had been removed by death , and there was no one to take his place . Ihe offering made by the Masons would be devoted partly to general restoration ai . d partly to the erection of four stained-glass windows in the south transept . Three would illustrate great builders : Solomon and the Temple , Ethelbert and the first Christian Church in England , and Gundulph and Rochester Cathedral ; while the fourth would depict the great characteristic of the Masonic body—charity .

Death.

DEATH .

AUBOTT . — On the 20 th inst ., at 30 , Queen ' s-road , Twickenham , aged 61 years , Margaret Jessie , the beloved wile of Bro . G , Blizard Abbott , P . M .. M . E . Z . n 8 < , P . P . G . D . Hertfordshire ,