Presentation To Bro. W. F. Smithson, Junior Grand Deacon.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . W . F . SMITHSON , JUNIOR GRAND DEACON .

On Monday evening , the 23 rd inst ., a well-deserved compliment vvas paid to this popular and distinguished brother . At the Masonic Hall , Great George-street , Leeds , a special meeting of the Charity Committee of the Province of West Yorkshire was held for the consideration of the approaching election of a Secretary

to the R . M . I , for Boys , and the opportunity was seized of presenting Bro . VV . F . Smithson vvith a testimonial in recognition of his valuable services and generous support on behalf of the Masonic Charities . Bro . W . F . Smithson has held the offices of Vice-chairman and Chairman successively for the past ten years of that

powerful West Yorkshire organisation , during vvhich period . andformany years previously , his energy has never flawed . His efforts towards raising subscriptions for our ' lnstitutions have not only been untiring but highly successful , and wherever hard sterling work has had to be done he has always been to the fore . No greater

testimony could have been borne to Bro . W . b . Smithson's reputation for unimpeachable integrity , business capacity , and sound judgment than his appointment as a member of the Provisional Committee for the management of the Boys' School , vvhich has been fully justified by the valuable aid he has rendered , vvith

others , in clearing away the difficulties surrounding that Institution . The M . W . Grand Master having recently conferred upon our brother the office of Grand Deacon of England , a fund vvas at once raised by the members of his Charity Committee , and others , for the purpose of

presenting him with the jewel , full dress and undress suits of that office , also a full set of clothing and the jewel for the office of Standard Bearer in Grand Chapter , to vvhich position he has also been appointed . In moving a congratulatory resolution , and on making the presentation on behalf of the subscribers ,

the Prov . G . M . of West Yorkshire , Bro . T . W . TEW , J . P ., passed a high euloginm upon the zeal , ability , and good work displayed by Bro . W . F . Smithson for the last twenty-three years on behalf of every department of Freemasonry . In giving a brief sketch of his career Bro . Tew spoke of the great personal esteem and warm affection vvith vvhich Bro . W . F .

Smithson is regarded , not only in the Province of West Yorkshire , but also in the London District and the provinces generally . The resolution vvas ably seconded by Bro . HENRY SMITH , D . P . G . M . West Yorkshire , P . G . D . England , cordiallysupported | by others , and carriedby acclamation . Bro . SMITHSON having made an appropriate and eloquent response , the meeting closed .

T he brethren , to the number of eighty , vvere subsequently entertained at 1 'he a la Fourchette by the Prov . G . M . and the D . P . G . M .

Presentation To Bro. Stringer.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . STRINGER .

The transfer of Bro . Head-Constable Stringer from Enniskillen has been learned by the brethren of Lodge 473 wilh feelings of surprise and regret . Bro . Stringer , P . M ., has for eight years been practically custodian of law and order in the town , and so courteously , so

impartially , and so efficiently has he discharged the functions of his responsible office , that he has earned the gratitude and appreciation of that district . At the Enniskillen Petty Sessions On Monday , the 23 rd inst ., after the business of the Court had been disposed of , Lord Belmore , on behalf of the

Enniskillen Bench ot Magistrates , addressing Bro . Head-Constable Stringer , said that they had heard he was about to be removed from Enniskillen , and before he left they wished to express their deep regret at his removal , and to testify to the great satisfaction that he had g iven them during his location there .

Bro . Stringer has received from the brethren of Lodge 473 a presentation of plate suitably engraved . As a student of Masonic jurisprudence he will be a valuable acquisition to the brethren he is sent amongst , to whom vve recommend him as a "brother ancl a friend , " and while regretting his loss in Enniskillen , vve follow him with "Hearty good wishes . "

Annual Picnic Of The Horwich Lodge, No. 2324.

ANNUAL PICNIC OF THE HORWICH LODGE , No . 2324 .

On Tuesday , the ioth inst ., the members and their friends of the Horwich Lodge held their first annual picnic . The lodge vvas opened by Bro . J . Rogers , W . M ., and the business of the lodge being ended , a

most interesting ceremony took place . A beautifully illuminated and framed address on vellum , vvith the lithographed autographs of the brethren of the lodge , vvas presented to Bro . Dr . Whitaker , S . W . of the lodge , as a token of respect and esteem on the occasion of his marriage , and bearing the following inscription .-

Horwich Lodge , No . 2324 . Brother George Henry Whitaker , Senior Warden , We , your brethren of No . 2324 Lodge , desire to express to you our warmest congratulations on the occasion of your marriage . As a brother Mason your hand has ever been ready to assist in those kindly offices for which the

Craft is distinguished , and this gives us every confidence in hoping that in the union with your bride—to whom also vve beg to tender our most cordial congratulations—your future life vvill be one of increased happiness and usefulness . We pray that the Great Architect of the Universe may bless you and your beloved wife with health , happiness , and a long and prosperous life .

Annual Picnic Of The Horwich Lodge, No. 2324.

Signed , on behalf of the whole of the brethren , this 13 th day of May , 1890 . [ Then follow the signatures of the whole of the members of the lodge . ] The presentation was made by Bro . J . ROGERS , on behalf of the brethren , and Bro . Dr . Whitaker reserved

his response till later on in the day . The picnic vvas to Lathom House , the seat of Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M . England , and Prov . G . M .. special permission having been obtained by Bro . J . G . P . Simpson from Lady Lathom to visit the house and grounds of Lathom on this occasion .

The party , to the number of about 40 , including ladies , drove in two waggonettes , the distance being about 20 miles . Arriving at Lathom House , lunch was provided b y Bro . Taylor , of Ormskirk , and to vvhich ample justice vvas done . The party afterwards

proceeded to view the house and grounds , which vvas both a surprise and treat to them . Onward to Ormskirk , to the Wheatsheaf Hotel , where a splendid dinner was partaken of . Numerous toasts followed , and Bro . Dr . WHITAKER , in most feeling language , thanked the brethren for the address presented to him .

Bro . THORNTON proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Rogers and the other brethren for the able and successful manner in vvhich they had carried out the picnic arrangements . The ancient church of Ormskirk vvas visited by many of the party . The weather vvas not altogether favourable , but the outing was thoroughly enjoyed , and all arrived safely home .

Irelad.

Irelad .

Tyrone and Fermanagh Preceptory ( No . 332 ) . —At the regular meeting of the above preceptory , held in the Town Hall , on Wednesday , the 14 th inst ., Sir Knight O'Ternan , Preceptor , dispensation having been received from the Grand Priory of Ireland to elect and install officers , the following sir knights vvtre elected for the ensuing year * . Sir Knights VV . F . Jones , C . P . S ., E . P . ; Wm . Purdon , C . E ., Constable ; Wm . Teele , J . P .,

Marshal ; A . Anderson , Std . Br . ; C . E . R . A . Irvine , Chap . ; J . West , M . D ., ist Capt . of the Guard ; and J . L . Carson , 2 nd Capt . of the Guard . Sir Knight VV . F . Jones vvas ably inducted into his office by Sir Knight O'Ternan , M . D ., P . P ., and Sir Knight Col . Irvine , J . P ., P . P . A Royal Arch companion having been balloted for , and two companions having been proposed for exaltation , the encampment was , after the transaction of some unimportant business , closed .

Scotland.

Scotland .

A Commission from the Grand Lodge of Scotland held a conference in the Caledonian Hotel , Inverness , on the 19 th instant , for the purpose of appointing a Provincial Grand Master for Inverness-slrre . The members of the deputation vvere . Bros . James Berry , Prov . G . M . of Forfarshire ; D . Murray Lyon , G . Sec .

Dr . John Falconer , Proxy Prov . G . M . for New Zealand ; and J . Macgregor Mallock , Govandale , 437 , Glasgow ; Bro . Major F . W . Allan also accompanied the Commission . The office-bearers of the various lodges in Inverness-shire met , and unanimously resolved to elect Bro . Sir Henry Cockburn MacAndrew to the office of

Prov . G . M . for Inverness-shire . We understand that it has been arranged that the installation shall take place early in October , when the Grand Master for Scotland , Bro . Sir Archibald Campbell , Bart ., of Blythswood , vvill officiate . A full deputation from the Grand Lodge will be present on the

occasion , and a most imposing and effective ceremony vvill be carried through . The Grand Lodge is at present arranging for the general resuscitation of the old Order of Prov . G . M ., and the effect vvill be to increas the interest and usefulness of Freemasonry . In the evening the members of the deputation vvere

entertained to dinner in the Caledonian Hotel . The Provost of Inverness , Bro . A . Ross , P . M . 6 , occupied the chair , supported by Bros . Sir H . Cockburn MacAndrew ( ex-Provost ) , P . M . 6 ; Ellis , P . M . 339 ( to whom the Chairman alluded as the father of Masonry in Inverness ) ; ancl Palmer , W . M . St . Andrew ' s Lodge ,

Fort George , vvhich , if not a military lodge , is composed principally of military men . All three lodges vvere fairly represented by their members . The gathering vvas altogether of a most fraternal and enjoyable character , the deputation expressing their pleasure in visiting , and the members of the several

lodges theirs in receiving such distinguished members of Grand Lodge , and all wishing for an early opportunity of renewing the acquaintance . During the evening each member of the Commission vvas asked to accept a handsomely bound volume of the " History of Freemasonry in Inverness and St .

John's Lodge , No . 6 , from 16 7 8 to 18 77 , " by Bro . Alex . Ross , P . M ., also '' Six Lectures on Freemasonry , " b y Bro . Ellis , P . M . 33 g , published 18 S 6 . In accepting the gifts , Bro . Dr . FALCONER mentioned the fact that the Grand Lodge vvas forming a library of Masonic works , and suggested to the authors the desirability of sending a copy of their works to the library .

The suggestion vvas adopted by both . Bro . Major F . W . ALLAN gave an interesting account of'the progress made by the Grand Committee in their scheme of benevolence , and pointed out the desirabilit y of all lodges contributing to that fund , and the pleasure it gave the Committee to assist any deserving and properly vouched for cases of distress from any of the lodges .

Egypt.

Egypt .

Mehemet All Lodge . —On Wednesday , the 28 th ult ., the above lodge initiated a candidate . The initiation vvas particularly interesting from the fact that it vvas the lirst time that the English ritual has been adopted in Egypt in a foreign lodge , and was a decided success . There vvere present some 40 members and visitors , and all the officers took admirably to their parts . The translation into French ,

in which language the lodge works , of all the Degrees is being made by Bros . Count Michichievitch , the W . M ., ancl Bent , 1187 , Alexandria , the translation of the First Degree being just completed . The brethren all prefer the new working to that previously in use . The Mehemet Ali Lodge vvas founded in 1842 , under the Grand Lodge of Maples , passed afterwards under the

Grand Lodge of Palermo , and was one of the first to take the initiative in forming the Grand Lodge of Egypt , under which it now works , being No . 1 on the register . It vvas , however , dormant for some years , until resuscitated this spring , when Bro . Michichievitch was elected and installed , and its members go on augmenting daily . It is in

contemplation to translate the Mark and the R . A . Degrees also . In this connection I may mention that a translation into Arabic is also being made by Hanna Bey Bacoom , of the Grand Lodge of Egypt , at Cairo . Masonry is making great strides in Egypt , especially among the natives , and the utmost cordiality reigns among the lodges of different nationalities .

Australia.

Australia .

MELBOURNE . Combermere Lodge ( No . 752 , E . C . ) . —The annual report and balance-sheet in connection vvith the above lodge vvas issued after the installation of Bro . W . R . Virgoe , the new VV . M . This is one of the two lodges in Melbourne that did not join the Grand Lodge of Victoria .

The total receipts for the year come to jt . 71 S 6 s . iod ., including £ 279 14 s . 7 d . balance from the previous year , £ 271 14 s . for members' subscriptions , and £ 132 6 s . for initiations . The balance of receipts over expenditure is , ( " 316 7 s . 7 d . The Benevolent Fund is now £ 512 12 s . id ., against £ 414 5 s . 3 d . last year .

Funeral Of Bro. George Arnold Mort.

FUNERAL OF BRO . GEORGE ARNOLD MORT .

Bro . Mort ' s remains vvere interred in the T yldesley cemetery on Friday , the 20 th inst ., in the presence of a numerous company . The cortege left the residence of the deceased at three o'clock , and in front of the hearse

walked Bros . Dr . Duncan , T . Yarvvood , J . Dickinson , W . Davies , T . Gregory , J . Walshaw , J . Green , J . Jackson ( ex-Supt . of police ) , W . H . Pennington , J . Kerfoot , T . T . Mackenzie , T . Tyldesley , J . Jackson , W . Sutcliffe , W . Griffiths , R . Ditchfield , T .. Cockshout , E . Ash , R . Greenough , J . Mather , and J . Forbes , of the

Marquis of Lome Lodge ; W . R . Mountcastle , J . Newton , S . Sumerfield , and J . Grounds . The following companions from Bolton represented St . John ' s Chapter , No . 221 , to vvhich chapter the deceased belonged , being a P . Z ..- Comps . T . B . Tong , M . E . Z . ; James Walker , H . ; E . G . Harwood , P . Z ., and P . P . G . S . N . East

Lane . ; and William Duncan , P . Z ., P . P . G . Treas . East Lane . The chief mourners were deceased ' s son , James , and Mr . R . L . Mort , brother . The coffin vvas of plain oak , and a brass plate bore the following inscription : " George Arnold Mort , died June 11 , 1890 , aged 49 years . " The Rev . R . Willott , B . A ., officiated at the graveside . Wreaths vvere contributed b y

deceased s wife and son , Mr . and Mrs . Mort , Mr . R . L . Mort , Mrs . Hodgkinson , Mr . and Mrs . G . A . Mort , Mr . and Mrs . Stout , Mr . and Mrs . Arnott , Mrs . Richards , Mr . and Mrs . Barnes , Mrs . Hodgson , the members of the Tyldesley Conservative Club , deceased ' s servants , and b y the members of the Tyldesley Subscription Bowling Club .

« The memorial stone of a Masonic and Publ ' c Institute vvas laid in Buckie , on Wednesday , the iSth inst ., by Bro . Jas . Berry ,, Provincial Grand Master of Forfarshire , with Masonic honours . The new building vvill cost £ 1400 , and is nesring completion . It comprises a large hall , library , committee , reading , and refreshment rooms , & c , and is an adaptation of the Tudor Gothic style of architecture . There

is a considerable extent of ground at the rear , where it is intended shortly to build a large billiard-room and caretaker ' s apartments as an addition on the present plan , in consequence of a recent gift by a local gentleman . The same donor is to give books to the lately formed library to the value of £ 100 . The present public library and readingroom are to be moved into the new institute .

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