Opening Of A Masonic Hall At Minehead.

The roll of lodges was next called , 19 out of 26 in the province being represented . Another pleasing ceremony took place before the proceedings were closed . The P ROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER , calling Bro . Roberts before him , asked him , on behalf of the members of the lodge , of which he was the Immediate Past Master , to accept a Past Master ' s gold jewel , as showing how much they were indebted to him for his honorary services as architect . He could only say that not only was the . lodge indebted to him , but the whole province was indebted to brethren who , like Bro . Roberts , were not only Masons in word but in deed and did so much credit to Masonry . ( Applause . )

Bro . ROBERTS expressed his thanks for the handsome present . He was sure that any other brother in similar circumstances would have done the little he had done . He must say that the assistance of the Worshipful Master of the lodge ( Bro . Kite ) had been very great , and with that assistance they had been able to get a much better building than they could have had without it . The lodge was then closed with the singing of the National Anthem . The musical arrangements of the day were in the hands of Bro . Ham , Mus . Doc , and were carried out most efficiently .

Subsequently a banquet was held at the Plume of Feathers Hotel , where Bro . Thistle placed upon the tables a most excellent spread , which gave the greatest satisfaction . The P . G . M . presided , supported on the right by the D . P . G . M ., and on the left by the W . M . of the lodge , and the following toast list was gone through :

" The Queen and the Craft " ; " The M . W . G . M . his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales" ; "The M . W . Pro G . M ., the R . W . Deputy G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past "; "The R . W . Prov . G . M . of Somerset , the Rig ht Hon . the Viscount Dungarvan " ; " The V . W . D . P . G . M ., Bro . R . C Else , P . G . D . England " ; " The Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , Present and Past" ; " The Visiting Brethren " ; and " The Exmoor I » odge . "

Presentation To Bro. Hughan.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . HUGHAN .

At the annual meeting of the Coryton and Rougemont Chapter of Rose Croix , held at Exeter , the 111 Bro . J . Taylor , J . P ., 30 ° , presiding , presented to 111 . Bro . W . J . Hughan , 32 , of Torquay , an illuminated address as an honorary member of the chapter .

The illumination on vellum was the work of Bro . George Kenning , Great Queen-street , and admired for its neat and appropriate style , the text being as follows :

( THE ADDRESS ) . © Ancient and Accepted Rite for England and Wales and the Dependencies of the British Crown .

This is to certify that Illustrious Bro . William James Hughan , 32 ° , has this day been elected an Honorary Member of The Coryton and Rougemont Union Chapter , No . 2 , Exeter ,

In recognition of his great services not only to this Chapter and Rose Croix Masonry generally , but to the Craft universal .

JOHN TAYLOR , 30 , M . W . S . FRANK W . CHANTER , RECORDER , P . M . W . S . April 26 , 1896 . Bro . TAYLOR , who made the presentation on behalf of the chapter , briefly referred to the distinguished career of the recipient , and to the great interest he displayed in the welfare of all young Masons . The name of Hughan was known the world over for his Masonic research .

Bro . HUGHAN , in accepting the address , expressed the pleasure it gave him to receive such a pleasing memento of the high esteem in which they held him . Airongst the many addresses that he had received from his brethren in Freemasonry , that was the first from the Ancient and Accepted Rite . The chapter was honoured by the distinguished presence of the Inspector-General of the District , Bro . the Rev . H . A . Morse , M . A ., 32 , and at the instance

of Bro . Taylor , a special vote of thanks was accorded Bro . Morse for his presence . The ceremony of installation was then proceeded with , the M . W . S . elect being Bro . H . W . Michelmore , who afterwards appointed his officers as follows : Bros . F . C . Frost , 1 st General ; F . Sprague , 2 nd General ; H . S ' . ocker , Marshal ; F . W . Chanter , Recorder ; M . Fortescue , Raphael : and F . C . Sanford , Capt . of Gd . These present also comprised Bros . S . Jones , 31 ° ; J . Lane , ' 30 ° ; W . B . Maye , W . Taylor , J . P . Heath , and J . Stocker .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

PRESENTATION TO MISS DAVIS . An interesting and touching little ceremony took place at last Thursday's meeting of the House Committee . After the ordinary business had been transacted by a very full meeting , the presence of Miss Davis , Miss Buck , and Miss Red grave , with the other leading Governesses , was invited , and after they had entered and were seated , the senior member of the Committee , Bro . P . DE LANDE LONG , rose ( the other members also standing ) , and said as follows :

Miss Davis , —This being the last meeting of the House Committee for the current half-year , we have deemed it the most fitting occasion on which formally 10 take leave of you . I , as the senior member , have been requested to express the sincere regret we all feel at the prospect of your retirement from an Institution in which you have worked for the past 35 years with such good results , and to ask you to accept from us and others of your personal friends a slight

memento of our esteem and regard . It is a matter of much satisfaction to the Committee that proper provision will be made for you in your retirement , rom long and intimate knowledge of the Institution , we congratulate you on the -hi * ' '""* cons P ' cuous success that has attended your most useful and honour-* ^ f here . You can indeed look with pride the present hih state 1 \ Willi * 3 ullL lllgll 3

f . upon g flf CC - --- - ww . . I . . . . IU . UU . Iwwn piluu U ^ JVII III- pil- LCII . W elhciency of the Institution and feel that in leaving it you do so with the it e ^ . S knowled ge and satisfaction that your name will be for ever identified with . | "testannals ; that every member of the Staff has beenyour pupil ; that you have that ' - W '" a'ways retain > the love , esteem , and regard of those ladies ; and owing to your good work there are scattered over our Empire hundreds

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

of others of your pupils , whose kindliest feelings you will always continue to enjoy . To ourselves it seems impossible a Principal can enter into an honourable and well-earned retirement with more comfortable surroundings than you do . I now ask you , in the name of the donors , to accept this dressing-bag and the cheque it contains , and will only add , in your retirement you will retain the many friendships you have made , and will have the great satisfaction of knowing that you have well fulfilled your duty in that position of life in which it has pleased the Great Architect of the Universe you should pass so many years .

The gift , which was privately subscribed for by personal friends and admirers of Miss Davis ( who will duly receive a transcript of their names ) , consisted of a silver fitted dressing big , a well-filled glove case , a handsome purse containing a cheque for . £ 150 , and some volumes of Miss Davis' favourite authors . Miss DAVIS , who spoke with considerable emotion , said : Mr . De Lande Long and Gentlemen , —You will believe me when I say that 1 scarcely can find words to express my thanks for the great kindness that has been shown to me . It is a matter of great and sincere grief to me to be so shortly leaving the home in

which I have spent so many happy years . How those years have flown ( for flown they have ) I can scarcely imagine . My heart has been in my work , and if that work has been blessed with success , and you are all kind enough to say it has , I feel indeed rewarded , but I am none the less grieved , deeply grieved , to have had to arrive at the conviction that the time for my retirement had come . My affections will ever be here , in my dear old home , and with my dear friends . You have given me a beautiful parting gift , and I shall treasure and remember it all my life . From the bottom of my heart I thank you .

An Afternoon Outing Of The Skelmersdale Lodge, No. 1599.

AN AFTERNOON OUTING OF THE SKELMERSDALE LODGE , No . 1599 .

A select few of the members of the above lodge , accompanied by their wives , and presided over by the W . M ., Bro . E . J . Wickenden , had a most delightful outing on Saturday , the 20 th instant . Assembling at Cannon-street at 1 . 15 , the journey tp Redhill Junction was made by the 1 . 35 train , a saloon carriage having been kindly provided by the railway authorities . On arrival at Redhill , the comfortable , pretty hotel known as " Laker ' s " ( having been in the family for

more than half a century ) was first visited , and after light refreshments on the lawn , brakes were in readiness for a four hours' excursion to Boxhill and back , The outward route was via Reigate Hill , the ascent of which severely tried the " lung power" of some of the Past Masters . A rest on the Suspension Bridge for " repairs " and for the enjoyment of the magnificent view there obtained , and then Kingswood and Walton Heath being passed , Betchworth Clump and Headley Woods came in for their share of admiration . The honeysuckle was here

growing in profusion on the hedges , and one or two of the " fossils " grew quite juvenile again in their gallant efforts to obtain a supply for the ladies . Boxhill was safely reached , and was looking at its best , the recent rains having restored freshness to the abundant foliage , and the lovely panorama from the hill was simply indescribable . A " group " was , of course , taken , and after the contents of a hamper had been discussed , the return journey was made through Burford Bridge , Betchworth , Reigate , & c .

Dinner awaited at " Laker ' s , " and was served in the admirable manner for which the house is so famous , Bro . W . R . Laker , P . M . 1362 , P . P . G . P . Surrey , being unremitting in his attentions , and evoking from one of the brethren the remark that he was " a typical host , " a statement which received the heartiest approval of all .

An hour on the lawn , with music and singing , and there being time to stroll across to the station , a hearty farewell was exchanged with the worthy landlord and his wife . The saloon was found in readiness , and in due course the party were safely landed at Cannon street , thoroughly satisfied and delighted with the "afternoon outing . "

Entertainment By Bro. Septimus Croft, W.M., Of The Members Of The Aldersgate Lodge, No. 1657, And Their Ladies.

ENTERTAINMENT BY BRO . SEPTIMUS CROFT , W . M ., OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ALDERSGATE LODGE , No . 1657 , AND THEIR LADIES .

Saturday last is a day that will be remembered by the brethren of the prosperous Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 , and the ladies who accompanied them on their visit , by invitation , to the residence at St . Margaret ' s , Bury , near Ware , of Bro . Septimus Croft , its respected Worshipful Master , and Mrs . Croft . The day was admirably suited for an excursion into the country , there being plenty of genial sunshine , while the temperature which otherwise would have been

excessive , was perceptibly cooled by the refreshing breezes that prevailed during the greater part of the day . Hertfordshire , especially at this time of the year , is at its very best and brightest , and as in the neighbourhood of Ware are the residences of many gentlefolk , a fe > v hours'drive along the country roads and lanes through the beautiful meadowland with every here and there a gentleman ' s house surrounded by gardens showing a wealth and variety of colour such as is

not always to be met with is a form of recreation which cannot be too greatly valued . In this case , the members of the lodge and their ladies to the number of about 50 left Liverpool-street Station in special saloons attached to the 1 . 50 p . m . train . On reaching their destination three brakes were in waiting to convey them to Bro . Croft's residence , where luncheon was served , and the ladies and brethren having refreshed themselves after their journey from town , the brakes were again called into requisition , and the party drove through the

country , passing through the estate of the coming Lord Mayor , Mr . Alderman Faudel Phillips , the towns of Ware and Hertford , which are in close proximity , and noting by the way the Bluccoat School , Haileybury College , and other places of interest . On returning to St . Margaret ' s , Bury , the visitors devoted themselves to tennis , croquet , bowls , fishing , or other congenial pastimes , and then , by way of a relaxation from this form of pleasure , they wandered about the gardens , where the roses and begonias and , above all , the tulip trees , which were in full bloom , proved a great attraction .

At 8 p . m . dinner was served in a large building adjoining the house , which is ordinarily used as a skating rink , and after dinner a brief list of toasts was honoured , among them being " The Queen , " " The Prince and Princess of Wales , " " The Honoured Guests , " and " The Lady Visitors . "

Bro . J AMES SHOTTEK , I . P . M ., replied 111 his customary humorous vein to that of "The Guests , " and thanked Bro . and Mrs . Croft for the kindness and warmth of their hospitality , and , at the same time , congratulated the members of the lodge on their good fortune in having so indefatigable a brother to preside over them as Master .