Craft Masonry.

at the banquet , through the great loss he had sustained in consequence of the death of his son . As a Secretary he was perfect , and might he long continue to hold his office . The W . M . also referred to the other officers , mentioning each by name , and stating their qualifications . He was proud of them , and they would give him [ every assistance .

In response , Bro F . Kedge , P . M ., Treas ., stated that he saw the Secretary , Bro . G . Reynolds , P . M ., the last thing after the lodge closed that evening , but he was unable , for the reason they knew , to meet them at the festive board . He was honoured by being appointed Treasurer , but he regretted that his predecessor , Bro . J . Coltart , had not continued in , and , in conclusion , he said that he appreciated the way he had been toasted and received by them . Bros . C . J . Rotter and I . VV . Elvin also responded in happy terms .

The Tyler's toast brought to a close a mcst successful and pleasant evening . The excellent vocal entertainment was under the direction of Bro . J . Kift , assisted by Mr . Charles Capper , Mr . Walter Hengler , Miss Gertrude Snow , and Miss Marian Blinkhorn , but special mention should be made of the two ladies for their great efforts .

A GRAND MASONIC TEMPLE is being arranged for at the new Trocadero Restaurant which Messrs . J . Lyons & Co . are now completing at Piccadilly Circus . Special and complete accommodation will be provided for large and small lodges , and the tariff will be strictly in accord with the moderation which has hitherto characterised J . Lyons and Co . 's charges . The cuisine will fully sustain the high reputation this company have already earned , and the decorations and comforts of the whole place will mark a new era in the record of Masonic gatherings . Inquiries as to particulars , should be addressed to the proprietors , J . Lyons & Co ., Limited , Cadby Hall , Kensington . — [ ADVT . ]

Columbia Lodge , No . 2397 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Cafe Royal , on the 22 nd inst ., when the following brethren were present : Bros . E . Jessurun , W . M . ; F . C Van Duzer , S . W . ; Col . F . W . Frigout , P . M ., J . W . ; J . B . Cumming , P . M ., P . Z ., Treas . ; W . J . Spratling , B . Sc , P . M ., P . Z ., P . Prov . G . Treas ., Sec . ; R . N . Crane , I . G . ; R . Clay Sudlow , P . G . Std . Br ., D . C . ; H . S . Wellcome , I . P . M . ; A . W . Chapman , G . W . Field , B . F . Stevens , R . H . Mardon , H . Phillips , L . Stevens , L . V . Johnson ,

and J . C Edmonds , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . Sir J . B . Moncktan , P . G . W . ; Rev . I . S . Studholme Brownrigtr , P . G . Chap . ; F . Coles , P . G . S . B . ; R . Horton Smith , O . C , Dep . G . Reg . ; A . J . R . Trendall , P . A . G . D . C . ; VV . S . Hoyte , P . G . Org . 7 I . L . Taylor , P . G . M . Florida ( U . S . A . ); W . R . Bennett , VV . M . 19 G 5 ; G . Lewis , I . P . M . 250 S ; J . F . Last , P . M . 2321 ; A . E . Ford , P . M . 1635 ; J . P . Fitzgerald , P . M . 216 S ;

J . M . Pntchard , P . M . 1635 ; W . J . Heard , P . M . 101 ; A . Reside , S . W . 1201 ; F . W . Ward , Sec . 250 S ; R . H . Williams , S . D . 63 ; VV . Baker , S . D . 2208 ; J . Passmore Edwards , 2369 ; A . C Bradley , 1507 ; W . M . Thompson , 1507 ; Chas . Langford , 21 ; A . D . Kennaby , 1965 ; V . Codina-Langton , 245 S ; VV . H . Oldham , 503 ; Geo . Rankin , 1641 ; A . VV . Melhuish , 1635 ; H . J . Stokes , 173 ; J . I . Parsons , 1 G 36 ; and A . Millbourn , 1237 .

The lodge being opened , the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Van Duzer was then installed as W . M . for the ensuing year by Bro . Jessurun , and the following officers were invested : Bros . Fred . C . Van Duzer , W . M . ; Elias Jessurun , I . P . M . ; Col . F . W . Frigout , Deputy Consul-General , U . S . A ., P . M ., S . W . ; W . Wright , J . W . ; John B . Cumming , P . M ., P . Z ., Treas . ; W . J . Spratling , B . Sc , P . M ., P . Z ., P . Prov . G . Treas . Middx ., Sec ; R . Newton Crane , S . D . ; W . H . Toone , J . D . ; W . S . Penley , Org . ; J . R . Brough , I . G . ; R . C . Sudlow , P . G . Std . Br ., D . C ; V . D . B . Cooper , A . D . C ; Arthur W . Chapman and B . F . Stevens , Stewards

Henry Phillips , jun ., Steward and Musical Director ; and J . C . Edmonds , Tyler . Bro . Jessurun , as Installing Master , and Bro . Sudlow , as D . of C , well merited the praise bestowed on them for the excellent manner in which their respective duties were performed . After receiving the report of the Audit Committee , a handsome Past Master's jewel was presented by the lodge to the I . P . M ., who , in acknowledging the gift , assured the brethren that it would be to him a memento of the happy recollections he would have of his year of office . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment .

A lengthy toast list was submitted during the evening , that of "The Queen and the Craft" being proposed by Bro . R . N . Crane ; the next , "The Presidentof the United States , " by Bro . j . Passmore Edwards . Bro . the Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , in proposing the toast of " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " said that for the time he would repudiate his nationality and become an American , and as such he would express their unbounded admiration of the Grand Master of the Order in England .

"The M . W . the Pro G . M ., the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Lathom ; the R . W . the Dep . G . M ., the Rt . Hon . the Earl Amherst ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was proposed by Bro . J . L . Taylor , who said he deemed it a great honour , as a guest of the Columbia Lodge , to be the spokesman on this occasion , to hold Grand office meant so much , and they all knew how much the Brotherhood was benefitted by their efforts .

Bro . Sir John B . Monckton , in response , said the present occasion showed the great bonds of brotherhood existing between Masons , and called to his mind a similar gathering at a dinner given by Bro . George Kenning some years ago to a party of distinguished American brethren then visiting England , he thanked Bro . Taylor on behalf of the Grand Officers for the manner in which he had presented the toast . "The W . M . " was next proposed by the I . P . M ., who said that Bro . Van Duzer was one of the original founders of the Columbia Lodge , and when the idea of forming

the lodge on special lines—as bringing together English and American Masons—threw himself heartily into the work and in a great measure helped to make it the success it was ; nothing could be more harmonious than the international love which existed , and to be VV . M . of the Columbia Lodge was to hold a position of which one might be justly proud . He ( Bro . Jessurun ) had great satisfaction in the knowledge that Bro . Van Duzer would work zealously and perform his duties in a way to further promote the welfare of the lodge , and he trusted that a successful year awaited him .

Bro . Van Duzer , who must have felt gratified at the continued applause which greeted him on rising , thanked the brethren for the hearty reception given to the last toast ; he was conscious of certain shortcomings , following such splendid workers as Bros . Jessuiun and Wellcome , he knew he could rely on their assistance , and he would do his utmost to preserve that fraternal accord and unity on which the Columbia Lodge was founded .

The W . M . then said that he had no doubt as to the hearty reception thafawaited the next toast , which was "The Installing Master . " Bro . Jessurun had been so assiduous , and had spared no time to make them all capable . He hoped that Bro . Jessurun might be long spared to them . Bro . Jessurun , in response , said that he trusted to have many years' labour for the good of their grar . d and noble Order , and he would always find the greatest pleasure in doing his utmost for the Columbia Lodge ; to see its prosperity was his greatest pride .

The toasts of " The Visitors , " "The Past Masters , Treasurer , and Secretary , " and " The Officers " were respectively responded to by Bros . Bennett , Wellcome , Spratling , and Frigout , the Tyler ' s toast closing a most successful meeting . Under the musical directorship of Bro . Hy . Phillips , jun ., vocal and instrumental music further increased the enjoyment of the evening .

CARE OF OUR AGED SEAMEN . —The Committee of the Royal Alfred Aged Merchant Seamen ' s Institution submitted their 29 th annual report on Wednesday , Captain David Mainland , F . R . G . S ., Vice-Chairman of the Committee , presiding . The report showed that 14 old sailors had been admitted to the " Home " at Belvedere and 25 to the receipt ot the out-pension of £ 12 a year , making 1230 stranded old mariners admitted to the benefits of the Charity since it was established in 1 S 67 . Present number of inmates , 100 ; out-pensioners , 23 G , these benefits being enjoyed about seven years . The deaths during the year have been 11 inmates and 28 out-pensioners , at the average

age of 77 . The receipts were £ 3 650 , while the disbursements viere £ 6555 , necessitating a loan of £ 1000 . The Committee reported that Mr . J . Bailey Walker had been appointed Secretary , after 14 years' previous connection with the Institution . There are coo applicants for the benefits of the Charity , and when it is remembered that these are all old sailors , 170 of them being between 70 and 85 years of age , some having been at sea 50 or 60 years , little more need be said to urge the necessity of generous and immediate help , which Mr . J . Bailey Walker will gladly acknowledge . The office is at 58 , Fenchurch-street . E . C .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES has sent 50 guineas to thejfund now being raised for the benefit of the sufferers of the Drummond Castle . AT THE FIRST meeting of the Board of General Purposes held on Tuesday , Bro . J . J . Thomas was unanimously elected Vice-President , on the proposition of Bro . Jas . Stephens . "TORONTO , CANADA , 24 TH J , 1 S 9 G . M . W . Bro . J . Ross Robertson , P . G . M . of the Grand Lodge of Canada , has been elected a Member of Parliament for one of the most important constituencies in the dominion , that of East Toronto , one of the three ridings into which the City of Toronto , the Capital of Ontario , is divided . "

THE METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL . —The Hon . Vicary Gibbs , M . P ., presided on Thursday night at the annual festival of this institution at the Hotel Metropole . The Secretary , Mr . C . H . Byers , announced subscriptions to the amount of £ 2762 , including i 2 CO from the Goldsmiths' Company .

THE WILL OF Bro . Henry Bradshaw Brown , F . S . I ., of Bilhter-square , the Millwall Estate Offices , and 20 , Vanbrugh Park , Blackheath , surveyor , who died on March gth , was proved on the nth inst . by Mr . John Benjamin Smith , 0 ( 3 , Lombard-court , Gracechurch-street , and Mr . Harry Hooper , the executors , the gross value of the personal estate being i , 12 , 062 , and the net £ 3820 .

THE FREE HOME FOR THE DYING . —The concert given on the 9 th of June , at Stafford House , by kind permission of the Duchess of Sutherland , under the patronage of the Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York , in aid of the building fund of this national charity , the only Fie ; Home for the Dying , in which the Craft maintains "Our Brother ' s Bed , " produced the handsome result of £ 237 5 s . 6 d ., in addition to which a lady sent a cheque for £ 500 to the Honorary Treasurer , Mr . W . Hoare .

THE WILL OF Bro . Francis Sharratt , formerly of Finsbury , of Cromwell Lodge , Anerley-hill , Upper Norwood , who died on May 2 nd , was proved on June 10 th by Mr . Thomas Ferguson and Mr . William Henry Field , the executors , the value of the personal estate being £ 28 , 4 62 . The testator bequeaths £ 200 and all the household furniture and effects to his wife , Mrs . Susannah Sharratt . Subject thereto he leaves all his property upon trust for her for life . At her death he gives annuities of £ 100 each to his daughters , Susan jane , Amy , Frances Jessie , and Laura Lydia Ann , and the ultimate residue upon trust for them in equal shares .

INTERNATIONAL F REEMASONS AT VIENNA . —The new building for the Freet masons' Lodge of Budapest was opened there on Sunday . A Correspondent says Undelegates had been sent from all parts of Europe and also from America . The City presented the Freemasons with the ground . Speeches of welcome were given in German , English , French , and Servian . The Belgian delegate replied , and sang the praises of Hungary and its beautiful capital . The representative of other rJerun Freemasons had been instructed to present a fine silver bumper to their brother Masons of Budapest . In September next the first of a series of international anti-Freemasons ' Congresses will take place at Trient , in the Tyrol .

A TELEGRAM HAS BEEN received , stating that Bro . the Hon . Alan Egerton , M . P . for the Knutsford Division , P . G . W . England , Grand Superintendent , Prov . G . M . M . of Cheshire , & o , and Maurice Egerton , his son , have just left the Cape for England . The hon . member has been away from England since last Christmas , and he and his son have witnessed some exciting incidents near Gwelo and Buluwayo during the recent troubles , much anxiety being felt for their safety by the family in England . Bro . Egerton is expected in London on the 15 th of July . A great meeting will be held in Tatton Park to welcome home the hon . member .

THE TENSION EXISTING between this country and the South African Republic has caused those who favour mining industries to look out for a safer field for speculation . There is now a strong leaning towards New Zealand , which has been strangely , if not stupidly , neglected during the South African boom . As an instance of what New Zealand can show in the shape of productive mines , the East Hauraki Company may be cited . This mine is situated on the western side of the Coromandel Range , and is only

two miles from the coast at Coromandel Harbour . Within the comparatively small area of 30 acres , this company has no fewer than 20 reefs running through its property , so that whenever a shaft is sunk it is bound to strike one or other ot these reefs ; 4000 ozs . of gold have been taken from 20 tons of quartz in one case , 20 ozs . per ton in a second instance , and again 1000 ozs . out of 40 tons , and yet the shares of this company are to be bought at 7 s . New Zealand is undoubtedly the coming field , and the marvel is how East Hauraki has been for so long overlooked . —ADVT .

THE GREAT N ORTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY announce many important improvements and alterations in their express train service , commencing July 1 st . A new day express train will leave King ' s Cross , at 11 . 20 a . m ., arriving in Edinburgh , 7 . 45 p . m . This train will also have connections to Glasgow , Perth , Dundee , Aberdeen , & c . The 8 . 0 p . m . Scotch sleeping car express will leave at 8 . 15 p . m ., and the S . 30 p . m . Scotch express will leave at S . 45 p . m . A new night sleeping car express will leave _ King's Cross at 10 . 0 p . m ., from July nth to August 13 th inclusive , Saturdays and Sundays excepted , for Edinburgh and Aberdeen . A special express for Sheringham and Cromer

will also run from King ' s Cross at 12 . 40 p . m . A new feature , which will no doubt be much appreciated by travellers between London and the West Riding of Yorkshire , is the introduction of third-class dining-cars between London and Leeds . These cars will be attached to the 10 . 0 a . m . express train from Leeds ( Central ) , and to the 5 . 45 p . m . express from London . Improved services will be given between London and Huddersfield , via Wakefield . The Scarboro' and Whitby special express will commence running on July nth , and will leave King ' s Cross at 10 . 25 a . m . For full particulars see the time tables of the company .

V . BENOIST , 36 , Piccadilly , W . —Banquets , Dinners , Suppers , and Receptions served in the most unique style . Menus and estimates on application . Also French Comestibles of every description . Sole Caterer to the celebrated Grafton Galleries . The best locale in the West End for holding Private Parties , Balls , & c . Telephone , No . 3 , 919 . Telegrams , Gourmet , London . —[ ADVT . ]

THE TROCADERO RESTAURANT . will shortly be opened by Messrs . J . Lyons and Co ., Limited , alter a lengthened period of preparation . Every effort is being made to make this the handsomest and most perfectly-equipped dining palace in Europe , and the arrangements for Masonic meetings will be made a special feature . Application respecting bookings should be made as early as possible to the proprietors , J . Lyons and Co ., Limited , Cadby Hall , Kensington , where all inquiries should be addressed . — [ ADVT . ]

The Manchester Fire Assurance Company.

THE MANCHESTER FIRE ASSURANCE COMPANY .

Contrary to the experience of the majority of its contemporaries , and particularly so in America and Canada , where many English offices have been compelled to suspend operations , the Manchester Fire reports an excellent year ' s work as recorded up to the close of 1 S 95 . Really , the results disclosed may well be described as phenomenal , for a very substantial profit ( 4 * 4 6 , 113 ) has been realised , and alter a handsome dividend , at the rate of 15 per cent ., £ 16 , 113 was carried to the reserve fund , which now stands at within a touch of half a million . The premium income for the year amounted to £ 738 , 891 , and the investments and interest realised £ 320 , 269 , claims paid , £ 4 65 , 468 , a decrease on

the preceding year , and as already intimated , a profit to the shdrenolders of ^ , 40 , 133 . the total funds and security amounting to £ 2 , 49 6 , 187 . The wealth of the company in us rich investments will always be its sheet anchor in tne payment of handsome dividends , and the following particulars of the proprietors' securities cannot fail to interest . It appears that £ 225 , 839 ot the shareholders' money is invested in railway and ° ' ^ debentures and bonds : £ 97 , 94 * in United S' . ates American Four Per Cent . Bonds 494 , 784 in Municipal bonds , & 12 , 329 in English and other stock , £ 68 , 330 in Canadian , Cape of Good Hope , Transvaal , Australian , and other Government bcock ; £ i ° < 45 °

in mortgages and first-class property , £ 44 , 004 on house property , land , & c . 'The total lunUS of the company , at the end ot last year , amounted to £ 696 , 187 , this sum having been rapidly increased since 1 SS 9 , and the possession of which must always impress the public favourably . 'I he report as a whole denotes a wise and able administration , and a shrewd and prescient business crganisation as demonstrated by ( in addition to the American Board referred to ) , the Manchester and London Boards , the latter constituted by sucn well and favourably known names as Messrs . H , Hicks , F . H . Brunker , A . Crampton , G . Evans , and C . M . Trehern .