The New Masonic Hall, Leeds.

been appointed who will reside on the premises , rooms and accommodation for whom formed part of the scheme . Electric lights and bells , with the latest improvements in heating , ventilation , and lavatories are prominent features ; there is excellent cellarage , and several strong rooms ; a lift to take the brethren from the vestibule to the principal lodge-room , and amongst other provisions are a suite of two apartments which it is suggested sh mid become respectively the office of the Prov . G . Secretary and the West

YorlsYie Masonic library . West Yorkshire , we are assured , possesses an exceptionally valuable collection of books and curios . If a room in the new building wee set spart as a library , and at certain hours on one or two days in a week some competent and responsible brother were in attendance , who would submit for inspection such books as inquirers or students might wish to consult , it would render the library a practically useful institution , and afford opportunities for Masonic research which at present , we are informed , are not easily obtained .

It will be seen from the particulars mentioned that the Leeds Masonic Hall Company have undertaken a great responsibility . With the help and sympathy of their brethren there can be no doubt as to their success . It is an opportunity , a turning point in Leeds Freemasonry , and we cannot but believe that the brethren of the city will rise to the occasion and prove themselves worthy of these exceptional Masonic privileges .

Cheshire Masonic Charities.

CHESHIRE MASONIC CHARITIES .

JOINT FESTIVAL AT KNUTSFORD . A joint festival of the Cheshire Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institutions was held on the 20 th instant in the Town Hall , at Knutsford . Bro . the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., Prov . Grand Master , president of the two institutions , acted as chairman over the banquet and subsequent proceedings . In spite of the great heat there was a large gathering , betokening a great interest in the Charities . Knutsford is an attractive summer resort ordinarily , and Earl

Egerton of Tatton , the former Prov . Grand Master , with characteristic kindness , threw open his gardens at Tatton for inspection by the brethren and their lady friends during the afternoon . Within the Town Hall the seats at the tables were all filled , and some of the Stewards and guests had to be accommodated in another room of the building . After dinner Bro . R . Newhouse , the Prov . Grand Secretary , read a list of contributions totalling up to . £ 2063 , although in two or three cases the lodges had not yet sent in their returns , and this sum will in the end be exceeded .

Bro . F . BKOADSMITH , in proposing "The Health of the Provincial Grand Master , " said the Cheshire Masonic Educational Institution had been formed many years . The Benevolent Institution came into existence within the last 15 years ' , and was formed to meet a growing desire that there should be a provision for old and indigent Masons and widows of Masons pending their being placed on the foundation of the London Institution . The Prov . G . Master , by virtue of his office in the province , but still more by reason of his own personal

inclination , had become the President of both Cheshire Institutions , in order to further the interests of Masonic Charity in the province , and to enlist the sy . npathies of the brethren on behalf of the fatherless and widows and the distressed . The Benevolent Institution was the offspring of the Prov . G . Master's immediate predecessor in office , Earl Egerton of Tatton , who rightly conceived that there was something to be done far away beyond the education of children , in providing for the needy old men and old women connected with the Order in the province .

The PKOV . GRAN ' D MASTER responded . He said he had little to say on the subject of their Charities , seeing that he had so recently taken the position of Provincial Grand Master . Hut after the many long years of work that his brother , Karl Egerton , had given to the province , and the record that his lordship had made , he should do his level best to live up to it . ( Cheers . ) That festival was the second which had been held in the province . It was instituted practically at Lord Egerton ' s instance , in order to make it possible that fitting objects of their Charity might be helped at once , instead of having to wait even the short time that

was necessary to secure for them the benefits of their London Masonic Charities . With regard to that matter , he could only say that he should follow in the footsteps of his predecessor to the very best of his power . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Egerton afterwards proposed the toast " Success to the Masonic Charitable Institutions of the Province , " coupling with it the name of Bro . Henry J ackson , Chairma ; , of the Committee , to whose energy and organising ability , lis said , the success of the gathering was , in his opinion , due . The handsome sum which had been recorded had been contributed by the brethren as a result of the work of the Committee , with Bro . lackson at its head .

l ! ro . H . J ACKSON , who was coidially received , said the sum raised by the lodges and the Stewards was very gratifying , particularly when they remembered that the Province of Cheshire , which was but a small province in point of numbers as compared with some of its neighbours , had , during the past two years , spent something like 10 , 000 guineas upon the various Masonic Charities in the country . Their Cheshire Educational Institution was educating upwards of 60 boys and

girls who had been left fatherless . Their Benevolent Institution was paying annuities to 12 or 14 annuitants , as a stepping stone to the recipients being placed upon the London Charities . With regard to their Educational organisation , they had with them ils veteran Hon . Secretary , Brj . F . K . Stevenson , who had devoted himself to ils interests for over 30 years . A large number of brethren had determined to show their appreciation of Bro . Stevenson's efforts , and in their behalf he asked that worthy brother to accept a purse of something over 90

guineas . Br J . F . K . STKVEXSON , after expressing thanks for this token of regard , said he had luen connected with the Educational Institution for something like 33 year ; -, having taken up the work in iSGS . During that period the Institution had educate i 29 S children . 'J'i . ey hai now 54 children on their books whose clothing and education would require about £ s > o this yeir . Their assured income was scarcely , £ 150 per annum , and for the remainder they looked , and not in vain , each ) ear to the brethren of the province . Among subsequent speakers were Bros . Dr . Napier , J . Fred . May , and George Ibeson .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

St . George's Lodge , No . 1958 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . J . F . MATTHEWS . The installation meeting of this IburisVmg lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Highbury-street , Portsmouth , on theS : h ult ., when Bro . J . F . Matthews wis placed in th : chair of K . S ., the c : remony being ably and impressively performed by the outgoing Mister , liro . T . Allway , who was presented by th ; W . M ., in the name of the lod ^ e , with a hanjsjne Past M aster ' s jewel as a mark of esteem and recognition of the excellent manner in whic ' i he had discharged the duties of W . M . during his year oi

Craft Masonry.

office , a large muster of the brethren of the lodge being present , including the Pasl Masters of the lodge , Bros . J . Rerrow , P . P . A . G . P . ; A . Manistree , P . P . A . G . P .: T . s Hobbs , T . J . Hill , arid G . T . Oliver . J The W . M . appointed and invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows Bros . T . Allway , I . P . M . ; W . Pellatt , S . W . ; J . Hurdle , J . W . ; A . Manistree ' P . M ., Treas . ; 1 . S . Hobbs , P . M ., Sec : I . Gunner , S . D .: I . E . Ramsev . I . D . '

J . Berrow , P . M ., D . C . ; G . Barnes , Or ? . ; D . Apps . l . G . ; T . Templeton ana E . C . Allen , Stwds . ; and H . Ansell , Tyler . Amongst the numerous Masters of neighboring lodges and visitors were : Bros . G . F . Lancaster , P . A . G . S ; c , G . P . En * . ; C . N ^ ck 342 ; H . M . Triggs , 4 S 7 ; F . S . Stebbing , S > 4 ; E . P . Dish , 903 ; I . H . Seymour ' 142 S : R . H . PUttin , 1705 , P . M . 15 S ; A . G James , S . W . 170 s ; J- Wood , rg-n G . Williams , P . P . G . P . 2 J 6 S ; W . G . Miller , 20 G 3 ; J . W . B > ne , 2074 ; J . Pardon , 2153 ; and others . The brethren then adjourned to the Town Hill , ivhere a most excellent banquet was presided over by the W . M ., the usual loyal and M isonic toasts being given .

Runymede Lodge , No . 2430 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . G . S . BEECHING . The installation meeting ot this lodge was held at the Anglers' Rest Hotel , Wraysbury , on Thursday , the iSth inst ., 25 brethrei , including several visitors , attended to take part in the gratifying ceremony of installing the genial W . M ., Bro . G . S ,

Beeching , into the chair ot K . b . tor a second year ot olhce , additional honour being conferred on the lodge and its Master by the presence of the Prov . G . Master , Lord Addington , who himself carried out the actual work of installing , the addresses being given in a very able manner by Bro . Robert Head , P . M . 1305 , Bro . W . Vincent , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br ., actiog as D . C .

The W . M . invested the following officers : Bros . A . H . Pook , S . W . j C . E Grigsby , J . W . ; G . S . Fricker , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Treas . ; C . Chubb , Sec . ; B . B . Springett , S . D . ; John Hewett , J . D . ; A . E . Holt , I . G . ; Dr . Bowdler Sharpe , P . M ., D . C ; Kirby , Stwd . ; and Ellis , Tyler . Other brethren present in addition to those named were : Bros . O . A . Fry , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; Sullivan , P . M . ; Blencowe , P . M ., Prov . G . Purst . ; Baxter Boyle , L . Raven Hill , Tate Maude , Salisbury , Humfrey , Solway , White . Chapman , Woodham Smith , Warden , Hunt , Young , and Ellis .

The W . M ., having been proclaimed and saluted , the names of two candidates were amounted to be balloted for at the August meeting . Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , at which Bro . Beeching , VV . M ., had the gratification of being supported , not only by the Prov . G . Master , but also by the Dep . Prov . G . Master , Bro . Bowen , who was unable through pressure of important business to be present during lodge as he had intended . Bro . Lord Addington , in returning thanks for the toast of " The Prov . G . Master , "

alluded to the very great pleasure it had been to him to be present at and take part in such an admirably worked installation ceremony , and hoped that he might have still : urther opportunities of attending the Runymede Lodge , feelings which were thoroughly endorsed by the Dep . Grand Master when responding for the Grand Officers of the Province . Bro . Vincent , P . G . Std . Br ., in responding for " The Officers of Grand Lodge , "

mentioned that it was an unique occasion , in a long and busy Masonic career , including the membership cf nearly 200 lodges which he had assisted in consecrating , for him to have been present at a lodge where the Prov . G . M . thus showed such marked appreciation of the lodge and its W . M . by thus attending to perform the installation ceremony . He was truly pleased to see such signal honour paid to Bro . Beeching , in addition to the always pleasing recognition of services during the year of office , that of being asked to continue in the chair for a further period .

The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly given , and the proceedings close ! in good time to allow of the brethren returning to London . Thomas Railing Lodge , No . 2508 . A TRIP TO CANTERBURY . On Saturday , the 13 th instant , the following members of the above lodge availed themselves of the kind invitation of Bro . Horatio Ward , P . D . G . S . B ., father of Bro , Frank W . Ward , VV . M . of the Thomas Railing Lodge , to pay him a visit at the Fleur

dc-Lis Hotel , Canterbury , of which he is the proprietor : Bros . F . W . Ward , W . M . ; C . Lewis , P . M . ; R . J . Hennings , P . M . j C . H . K-mpling , P . M . ; R . Clowes , P . G . Std . Br . ; A . LOV , S . W . ; C . Gough , J . W . ; G . Rankin , S . D . ; 1 . Martin , Stwd . ; A . G . Wedmore , C . Ledger , H . Billinghurst , J . C . Lyell , and W . H . Oldham , Secretary .

The party travelled in a specially reserved saloon carriage leaving Cannon-street at 10 a . m ., and on arrival at Canterbury proceeded at once to the Fleur-de-Lis Hotel , where they were heartily welcomed by Bro . Horatio Ward , and hospitably entertained at a cold collation , at which they fortified themselves for the day ' s sight-seeing . The visitors proceeded to the Cathedral directly after lunch , under the guidance of Bro . F . McClemens , who entertained the brethren with his interesting and instructive explanation of the various points of interest of this ancient and historic edifice . Bro .

Rhodes exhibited and explained to the brethren the treasures of the Cathedral Library , alter which they attended evensong in the Cathedral , the celebration of which , being fully choral , was greatly appreciated . After service , Bro . Frank Ward , W . M ., conducted the party to the world-renowned Norman porch and the ancient school-rooms of the King's School , founded by King Henry VIII . The W . M ., ws may add , was formerly a scholar at King ' s . Bro . Ewell next assumed the leadership , conducting the visitors to S . Augustine ' s College and the ruins of S . Pancras , one of the

most ancient of British churches , and the excavations now proceeding at the Old Abbey Church . Time , unfortunately , did not permit of a visit being paid to S . Martin's , the oldest existing church in a state of preservation in England , built by S . Augustine , but tbe Old City wall was inspected , and a visit paid to the Masonic Temple , specially consecrated for the use of the three Craft lodges in Canterbury , and used also by the chapters , Knights Templar , and other Masonic bodies . Bro . Kennett , W . Master , and Bro . Biiglcston , P . M . of the United

Industrious Lodge , No . 31 , explaiied the varbus objects of interest in this uni lie an I handsome structure . Bro . Frank Ward , P . M ., who was initiated , passed , raised , an J exalted by his father in this Temple , signed the visitors' book on behalf of the members of the Thomas Railing Lodge , after which the party returned to the Fleur de Lis Hotel , where an excellent banquet , ' served in the admirable style for which thcic host , Bro . Horatio Ward , is famous , awaited them . The visitors and local brethren who partook of the banquet were 20 in number .

Bro . Clowes , P . G . Std . Br ., proposed "The Health of their Host , Bro . lioraliJ Ward , " in a humorous speech , which , nevertheless , was expressive of the visitors ' appreciation and the generous hospitality extended to them . Bro . Horatio Ward thanked the brethren for their kindly appreciitbn of his efforts to entertain them . He de : ply regretted that his health had not permitted him to accompany them to the various places of interest , but was pleased to welcome them all

under his roof . He remembered with gratitude his visit to the Thomas Ralline LoJge in April last , when he was so kindly allowed to instal his son in the chair of K . S ., and the hearty welcome given him by members of the lodge on that interesting occasion . He regretted that Bro . Thomas Railing was too busy in connection with the forthcoming meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Essex , but was pleased to see his old friend , Bro . Clowes , and the other members present , and to think their outing had been

every way a success . Bro . Biggleston then presented each of the visitors with a metal ash-tray , on which a splendid view of the Cathedral was engraved . Bro . Frank Ward , W . M ., thanked Bro . Biggleston for the pretty souvenir he had so thoughtfully provided , and which would be preserved in memory of the delightful day the brethren had spent in Canterbury . He took the opportunity also of personally thanking his dear father , in the presence and on behalf of the urethr . 'n and himselt , for his great kindness and hospitality , which they would always gratefully remem ' jer . the

Bro . Lewis proposed the healta of the brethren who had kindly conducted party during the day , and done so much t 3 make their outing enjoyable . Bros . McL'lemens , Rhodes , and Hi s'gles : on replie J . " The Health of Bro . Kennett , W . M . 31 , " was proposed and honou .-ed , an ! duly responded to . . The visitors returned to town in a first-chss saloon carriage , kindly placed at the " disposal by the S . E , K . C , through the agency of Mr . E . Skelton .