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Article LAYING FOUNDATION STONE OF NEW DOCKS AT AYR. ← Page 2 of 2 Article LAYING FOUNDATION STONE OF NEW DOCKS AT AYR. Page 2 of 2 Article MASONIC DEMONSTRATION AT GRANGEMOUTH. Page 1 of 1 Article MASONIC DEMONSTRATION AT GRANGEMOUTH. Page 1 of 1 Article PROPOSED CENTRAL MASONIC HALL FOR GLASGOW. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Laying Foundation Stone Of New Docks At Ayr.
industry . The present docks could not be said either to be sufficiently large or commodious to admit of a development of this branch of trade , and , consequently , the Police Commissioners resolved to take measures for an enlargement of the harbour by the construction of an additional dock . Grave , and , in fact , insurmountable difficulties at first presented themselves to the carrying out of
such a scheme ; but the Commissioners did not remain long in a quandary until Mr . James Baird , of Cumbusdoon , with that liberality for which he was so much admired , came forward and generously offered to advance the sum of £ i 20 , coo to the Harbour Trustees . Following up this , the Glasgow and South Western Railway Company gave £ 10 , 000 , and the remainder of the money
required having been provided from other sources , contracts for the erection of the dock were solicited . Plans were prepared by Mr . Meik , CE . ; and the contract was given to Mr . Walter Scott , Newcastle . In June , 1874 , operations were commenced , but about a year was spent in the construction of a coffer dam , and in shutting the sea back from the base of the work . In November last year the
first block of masonry was deposited in its place in presence of a few gentlemen , and since that time rapid progress has been made with the works . The whole works will , it is expected , be completed by November , 1877 . With regard to the proceedings we now describe , although one o ' clock was fixed as the hour at which the procession
would be formed , it was nearly two before the Freemasons , volunteers , halberdiers , and others got into proper order . At the latter hour Ihe bell of the Town Hall commenced to toll , sending forth a funereal tone , and this acted as the signal for the procession to start . The Grand Lodge was composed of Sir James Ferpusson . Bart .. Past Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire .
acting Most Worshipful Grand Master ; Bro . Charles Dalrymple , M . P ., acting Deputy Grand Master ; Wm . Mann , Substitute Grand Master ; Wm . Hay , S . G . W . ; Rev . Inglis , acting G . Chap . ; John Laurie , G . S . ; R . Wylie , G . Treas . ; Roger Montgomery , M . P ., S . G . D . ; R . W . Cochrane Patrick , J . G . D . ; D . Murray Lyon , P . Pm .. G . M . for West Indies-. 1 . T . Middleton . G . A . ;
Capt . G . F . Colt , if Gartsherrie , S . B . ; C . W . M . Miller , G . D . cf Music and Representative of Saxony ; R . Davidson , G . O . ; A . T . Apthorp , G . M . ; Robert Morrison , President of the Board of Stewards ; R . S . Brown , F . S . Law , H . H . W . Finlay , and J . Taylor , G . Stds . ; and W , Si . Bryce , G . T . The lodges represented were—j 66 , Daillyj 36 s ; , Patna ; 310 , Kilwinning Stranraer ; 505 ,
Bums , St . Mary , Hurlford ; 498 , St . John , Catrine ; 442 , Neptune , Ardrossan ; 334 , St . John , New Cumnock ; 230 , Union , Dunfermline ; 242 , Houston , St . Johnstone ; 230 , St . Barnabas , Old Cumnock ; 204 , St . Paul , Ayr ; 198 , Royal Arch , Maybole ; St . Mungo , Mauchline ; 178 , Scotia , Glasgow ; 169 , Thistle and Rose , Stevenston ; 165 , Rojal Arch ; 155 , St . Barchau , Kilbarchan ; 149 , St .
Andrew , Irvine ; 138 , Operative , Ayr ; 135 , St . James , T-rbolton ; 129 , St . Mirren , Paisley ; IIG , St . Andrew , Kilmarnock ; 125 , St . James , Ncwton-on-Ayr ; 124 , Kilwinning , Ayr ; 86 , Navigation , Troon ; 68 , Doric Kilwinning , Port-Glasgow ; 51 , Loudoun Newmilne , Kilwinning ; 22 , St . John ' s , Kilmarnock ; 18 , Dumbarton , Kilwinning ; 8 , Journeyman , Edinbuigh ; 3 , Canongate ,
Leith . A detachment * f the local volunteers and Artillery Brigade , as also a contingent of the 26 th Fusiliers from Glasgow , and the band of the latter regiment , also took part in the procession . All along the route crowds of people were stationed , aud every window and house top from which a view of ihe urocession could be uot was
occupied . Flags , banners , and decorations of almost every conceivable kind floated from the various public and private buildings ; the ships in the harbour were decked in their gayest bunting , and even the itinerant showmen ( who , by the way , have taken full possession of the street which skirts the river ) exhibited what stcck of cloth they possessed so as to complete the " general effect . " Arrived
ut the dock , the procession was drawn up , and the Right Woishipful Masters who were to take a prominent part in the proceedings were accommodated with places in front of the foundation stone . Rev . Bro . Inglis , Kilmaurs , having offered up prayer , the usual Masonic ceremony was gone through—Masonic implements were applied to the stone , corn and wine and oil poured on it , and after the
customary few knocks with the mallet , the stone was declared to be duly laid . The band , which had frequently struck up when not required , immediately after this played the Masons' Anthem , and the fact of the ceremony having been completed was heralded by the firing of a number of shots from the big guns situated on the shore . The loud cheerine- which prevailed having-ceased .
Bro . Sir James Ferguson said : Right Worshipful ' Officers of the Grand Lodge , Brethren , the Provost of Ayr , Ladies and Gentlemen , —Having completed the appropriate ceremony of laying the foundation stone of this grand work , I have now in words of my own , in the first place , to express the gratification which I feel in being privileged to perform this interesting ceremony . 1 must allude , in
the first place , to one to whom I bear much respect and icgard—the Grand Master Mason of Scotland , deeply regretting that he is prevented , by severe illness , from performing his duty to-day ; but I am not the less highly honoured by being privileged to do his duty . I would congratulate the Provost and Magistrates of this ancient burgh the trustees of the harbour , and all concerned in the
work on this event , which is not only the laying of the foundation stone , but the placing , as I may say , of the chief corner stone of the great dock of Ayr . ( Cheers . ) For this block of granite brought from the most distant part of tbe kingdom—the mines of Cornwall—is destined to bear the great gates of the dock through which we trust commerce in abundance in future years may pass . ( Loud ihetra . ) Lit rue -ay one word upon the ceremony whicli
Laying Foundation Stone Of New Docks At Ayr.
has just been performed , The Grand Lodge , on the invitation of the Harbour Trustees , have come here to lend to this opening ceremony all the importance which it is Mn their power to confer . It is for them to bring to the practical part of the work their contribution of symbolical ceremony ; which , let me tell vou . is no idle form , for if the ministration of Justice
in the kingdom is surrounded with certain features of majesty , so ought the great industrial triumphs of peace , to be surrounded by fit ceremonies of respect . ( Applause . ) Our friends are here engaged in a work which has called forth the highest enterprise , that could not have been undertaken without acts of public munificence and great enterprise , and it was fitting that the Grand Lodge of Scotland should
come here to wish success to the work , and to lend all the importance their presence can confer . I regret this day that one is not by our side who throu gh his life did so much for the encouragement of works of value to his fellow citizens . ( Applause . ) But for James Baird ' s public spirit we could not have hoped that the great work could have been undertaken . ( Applause . ) Although we may
hope that in the future the commerce of Ayr will be amply sufficient to pay for the construction of works of even larger grandeur than the present undertaking , still , at this moment , it would have been difficult and onerous to the town to have found the funds , had it not been that the great man who has passed from amongst us came forth with his open and generous hand . Not to all is it
given to see in his lifetime the success and completion of works of usefulness , and though it is an example for those who can do something in their lifetime for the permanent advantage of their fellow countrymen so to do and though the author of the work has passed away , he has secured to his fellow citizens , for the future , the means of completing it , and in this , as many other works , his
monument stands and will stand for ages as an example to Scotchmen if they succeed in life to dedicate the good things of this woild that came to them not only to founding a family , which I trust will long endure , but to works of usefulness which will be for the good of their children's children in ages to come . ( Cheers . ) In conclusion , Sir James wished an abundant measure of success to this
grand work , so honourable to those who had undertaken it , and , he would add to the country at large . ' . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Weir—On behalf of Mr . Whitelaw , who unfortunately , like the Giand Master , is prevented from being here to-day through illness , and on behalf of this great assemblage and of the town of Ayr , I beg to propose a vote of thanks to Sir James Fergusson and his brother
Freemasons , for attending here to-day and laying this stone in a proper manner and with full Masonic honours . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Sct . tt in a few appropriate remarks presented tl . e trowel to Sir James Ferguson , who replied . Provost Goudie—It is a matter of great regret to the Harbour Trustees of Ayr , and . I am sure , to the whole
community , that Mr . Whitelaw should have been prevented by illness from being present on an occasion like this , fraught with so much importance to the burgh ar . d town of Ayr . I have the honour and pleasure of presenting to Mr . Weir , on behalf of Mr . Whitelaw , this beautiful silver trowel , and I ask him to have the goodness to present it to Mr . Whitelaw with the best wishes of the
Harbour Trustees for his renewed health and vigour , and as a fitting memorial of the in-Testing ceremony and proceedings of this day . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Weir , in acknowledging receipt of the trowel , spoke as follows : —1 have great pleasure in taking possession of this trowel for Bro . Whitelaw , and I may say that I will take the first opportunity of presenting it to
him . He is quite conscious of the high honour which has been paid to him to-day , not so much on his own account but on account of the position he has taken in the management of the affairs of the late Bro . Baird , who took such a great and practical interest in the success ol this dock , and which has been so handsomely acknowledged by Bro . Sir James Fergusson and the Provost . I
know Bro . Whitelaw is very much disappointed at not being present to-day ; and I need scarcely say that this beautiful trowel will be held as an heirloom by him , and that he will look upon it as a tribute of respect to him , paid to the memory of the late Bro . Baird . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Walter Scott , Newcastle-on-Tyne , contractor for the works , presented the silver trowel to the Grand
Master for presentation to Bro . Sir Michael Shaw Stewart , and in doing so said he was sorry Bro . Sir Michael was not present himself . He hoped that the undertaking would be a success , and that the contractor would leave Ayr with more capital than he brought into it . A large and influential company assembled in the Assembly Rooms at four o'clock , when a elegant recherche ' dinner was partaken of .
Masonic Demonstration At Grangemouth.
MASONIC DEMONSTRATION AT GRANGEMOUTH .
LAYINO FOUNDATION or INSTITUTE AND OFENINO WATEH ' RWOKS
On the 19 th inst . Grangemouth held high holiday , the occasion being the laying of the memorial stone of the Public Institute by the Earl of Zetland , and of the opening
of Ihe waterworks by the Countess bf Zetland . Early in the morning thc town was astir making preparations for the grand event , which piomised to be very successful . Shortly before 10 o ' clock numerous bodies arrived in the town to take part in the double ceremony , and at 10 . 30 these assembled at the railway station , along
with the local bodies and a detachment of the ist S . A . V ., under the command of Lieut . M'Kay , for the purpose of meeting a number of delegates from the Freemasons of Leith , Falkirk , & c . The Earl and Countess having joined the procession in their carriage , the great bulk of the processionists marched
Masonic Demonstration At Grangemouth.
to the Public . Institute , while the Masonic bod y went t their lodge room , where the Earl | was affiliated . He wa ° then conveyed to the institute , where a number of gentle * men had assembled to witness the ceremony , and amontr them Sir Wm . Edmonstone , Bart ., M . P . ; Sheriff Bell Provost Russel , Falkirk ; T . D . Brodie , S . S . C , Edinburgh - '< F . Anderson , Inchyra , Grange ; Rev . Dr . Ogilvie , Falkirt ' .
Rev . Messrs . Holden , Sinclair , and Lambie , Grangemouth ' Messrs . Wilkie and J . Fairlie , Grangemouth , & c , ftj r Finlay Anderson having presented a silver trowel to the Earl from the Grangemouth Young Men ' s Christiai , Association , the stone was laid in its place , and the usual masonic cermonies gone through . The Earl of Zetlan . returned thanks for the hearty manner in which the
Countess and himself had been received on this their first public visit to Grangemouth . The day ' s proceedings wer to him of an interesting character , for he believed that it was now a century since the foundation stone of the town buildings had been laid by his ancestor , Sir Lawrence Dundas . He believed that Grangemouth was advanc . ing rapidly , and to show this compared the present shin .
ing trade with that of 1840 . He spoke of thc good that might be done by means of the institute , and again ex . pressed the pleasure he had in being present . The procession , having been reformed in its original order walked to a field , about half a mile distant from town on the Bo ' ness Road , where a fountain has been erected Here Miss Mackay presented a beautiful bouquet to the
Countess , who turned on the tap in connection with the fountain , and declared the works open . Mr . J . S . Mackay Chief Commissioner of the burgh , presented her ladyshi p with a silver cup from the Commissoners of the burgh , on the occasion of the opening of the new waterworks b y her ladyship . The Earl returned thanks on behalf cf her ladyship , after which the large assemblage dispersed .
The institute is of a very plain but substantial characler , and consists of two flats . The front of it faces Bridge Street , which street is the principal entrance .. The ground flat is to be devoted chiefly to the inner comforts of man . After passing through a lobby , the dining room , 20 ft qin . by 26 ft . Sin ., and which will accommodate between 70 and 80 people at dinner , is entered , while on
cither side of it is a coffee room and smoking room . The dimensions of the former are 19 ft . Gin . by 15 ft . ; it will accommodate about 40 persons at a time . On the right hand side of the entrance lobby is a room which may be fitted up as a smoking room . The second flat , which is entered from the front by a staircase , consists mainly _[
a large hall , 41 ft . by 37 ft . bin ., which will accommodate from 400 to 450 . The building is to be crowned with a spire , the height of which from the ground is 62 ft ., and iu which is to be placed a clock and bell , Messrs A , & YV , Black , Falkirk , were thc architects . It is estimated 10 cost £ 2100 , of which £ 1450 has been subscribed .
Proposed Central Masonic Hall For Glasgow.
PROPOSED CENTRAL MASONIC HALL FOR GLASGOW .
In pursuance of an idea which he has for a long time entertained , the Provincial Giand Master of Glasgow , Bro . Walter Montgomerie Neilson , of Q _ e _ nt . fiiil , has at length put before the brethren of the province a project for the acquisition of a Central Masonic Hall . It is
much to be regretted , he says , that in Glasgow Freemasonry is only known by the outer world as lodging in inaccessible chambers in obscure localities . Almost everywhere else , even in small towns , Freemasonry has a location , a Masonic building worthy of the order ; and lit holds it is as a discredit to the second city of tli < Empire , and a disgrace to the Craft that , in a province
containing 26 working lodges , it has uot proper premises for thc meetings of its Provincial Assembly , and suitable offices for the transaction of its business . With a \ iew to remedy this state of matters he has had purchased , in B-rklej Street , a building which is now held at the disposal of the brethren of thc province , at the price pai . l for it . It will give accommodation for the meetings ol
the Prov . Grand Lodge , and any other lodges that may choose to use it , in a hall 44 ft . by 22 ft ., with organ anJ choir annexe of 22 ft . by 14 ft . ; a suitable reception room 21 ft . 7 in . by 14 ft . loin ., and a clothing room in the street floor ; a small lodge room , or Prov . Grand Committee room , Master ' s room , Secretary ' s room , large lavatory and W . C . on the first floor * , smoking room , W . C , and t \\
-living rooms for keeper on the attic ; and an excellenl kitchen , with an ample cellar and store rooms in sunt floor . He would have preferred , he says , a situation not quite to far west , but the position has many advantages and nothing at a reasonable price could be got nearer | - the present place of meeting of the Prov . G . Lodge 1 " Rnrlin nan Street . Berklev Street is a fine wide thoroug h-
fare close to the Public Halls , within tramway access from all quarters ; and from the rapid increase of th " city westwards , will soon be in its centre . The cos ' of the building as it stands is about £ 1500 : and it could be altered , decorated , and put into possession of ind Piov . Grand Lodge for about £ 3000 . The P . G Masu . proposes to raise this sum , first , by subscriptions from tw
wealthy members of the Craft in two forms—by donation * - and investments—the investors agreeing to forego , interest , and to hold the property redeemable by the Craft as tney ' may accumulate funds ; second , by every lodge forming a building fund committee , and engaging lo raise a sun ' accordine lo its ability within a given time , say " *
years ; and third , by every candidate for admission Fiecmasonry paying a small sum to the building >" in addition to Ihe ordinary fees , For his own part , the l * . M . intends to subscribe £ 200 to the investment and i , ' to the donation fund , and he will endeavour , he sa . ' . obtain a subscription of every genileman in Glasgow w is a Freemason . He deprecates , however , being l « work single-handed . and asks and expects all b rethren w
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Laying Foundation Stone Of New Docks At Ayr.
industry . The present docks could not be said either to be sufficiently large or commodious to admit of a development of this branch of trade , and , consequently , the Police Commissioners resolved to take measures for an enlargement of the harbour by the construction of an additional dock . Grave , and , in fact , insurmountable difficulties at first presented themselves to the carrying out of
such a scheme ; but the Commissioners did not remain long in a quandary until Mr . James Baird , of Cumbusdoon , with that liberality for which he was so much admired , came forward and generously offered to advance the sum of £ i 20 , coo to the Harbour Trustees . Following up this , the Glasgow and South Western Railway Company gave £ 10 , 000 , and the remainder of the money
required having been provided from other sources , contracts for the erection of the dock were solicited . Plans were prepared by Mr . Meik , CE . ; and the contract was given to Mr . Walter Scott , Newcastle . In June , 1874 , operations were commenced , but about a year was spent in the construction of a coffer dam , and in shutting the sea back from the base of the work . In November last year the
first block of masonry was deposited in its place in presence of a few gentlemen , and since that time rapid progress has been made with the works . The whole works will , it is expected , be completed by November , 1877 . With regard to the proceedings we now describe , although one o ' clock was fixed as the hour at which the procession
would be formed , it was nearly two before the Freemasons , volunteers , halberdiers , and others got into proper order . At the latter hour Ihe bell of the Town Hall commenced to toll , sending forth a funereal tone , and this acted as the signal for the procession to start . The Grand Lodge was composed of Sir James Ferpusson . Bart .. Past Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire .
acting Most Worshipful Grand Master ; Bro . Charles Dalrymple , M . P ., acting Deputy Grand Master ; Wm . Mann , Substitute Grand Master ; Wm . Hay , S . G . W . ; Rev . Inglis , acting G . Chap . ; John Laurie , G . S . ; R . Wylie , G . Treas . ; Roger Montgomery , M . P ., S . G . D . ; R . W . Cochrane Patrick , J . G . D . ; D . Murray Lyon , P . Pm .. G . M . for West Indies-. 1 . T . Middleton . G . A . ;
Capt . G . F . Colt , if Gartsherrie , S . B . ; C . W . M . Miller , G . D . cf Music and Representative of Saxony ; R . Davidson , G . O . ; A . T . Apthorp , G . M . ; Robert Morrison , President of the Board of Stewards ; R . S . Brown , F . S . Law , H . H . W . Finlay , and J . Taylor , G . Stds . ; and W , Si . Bryce , G . T . The lodges represented were—j 66 , Daillyj 36 s ; , Patna ; 310 , Kilwinning Stranraer ; 505 ,
Bums , St . Mary , Hurlford ; 498 , St . John , Catrine ; 442 , Neptune , Ardrossan ; 334 , St . John , New Cumnock ; 230 , Union , Dunfermline ; 242 , Houston , St . Johnstone ; 230 , St . Barnabas , Old Cumnock ; 204 , St . Paul , Ayr ; 198 , Royal Arch , Maybole ; St . Mungo , Mauchline ; 178 , Scotia , Glasgow ; 169 , Thistle and Rose , Stevenston ; 165 , Rojal Arch ; 155 , St . Barchau , Kilbarchan ; 149 , St .
Andrew , Irvine ; 138 , Operative , Ayr ; 135 , St . James , T-rbolton ; 129 , St . Mirren , Paisley ; IIG , St . Andrew , Kilmarnock ; 125 , St . James , Ncwton-on-Ayr ; 124 , Kilwinning , Ayr ; 86 , Navigation , Troon ; 68 , Doric Kilwinning , Port-Glasgow ; 51 , Loudoun Newmilne , Kilwinning ; 22 , St . John ' s , Kilmarnock ; 18 , Dumbarton , Kilwinning ; 8 , Journeyman , Edinbuigh ; 3 , Canongate ,
Leith . A detachment * f the local volunteers and Artillery Brigade , as also a contingent of the 26 th Fusiliers from Glasgow , and the band of the latter regiment , also took part in the procession . All along the route crowds of people were stationed , aud every window and house top from which a view of ihe urocession could be uot was
occupied . Flags , banners , and decorations of almost every conceivable kind floated from the various public and private buildings ; the ships in the harbour were decked in their gayest bunting , and even the itinerant showmen ( who , by the way , have taken full possession of the street which skirts the river ) exhibited what stcck of cloth they possessed so as to complete the " general effect . " Arrived
ut the dock , the procession was drawn up , and the Right Woishipful Masters who were to take a prominent part in the proceedings were accommodated with places in front of the foundation stone . Rev . Bro . Inglis , Kilmaurs , having offered up prayer , the usual Masonic ceremony was gone through—Masonic implements were applied to the stone , corn and wine and oil poured on it , and after the
customary few knocks with the mallet , the stone was declared to be duly laid . The band , which had frequently struck up when not required , immediately after this played the Masons' Anthem , and the fact of the ceremony having been completed was heralded by the firing of a number of shots from the big guns situated on the shore . The loud cheerine- which prevailed having-ceased .
Bro . Sir James Ferguson said : Right Worshipful ' Officers of the Grand Lodge , Brethren , the Provost of Ayr , Ladies and Gentlemen , —Having completed the appropriate ceremony of laying the foundation stone of this grand work , I have now in words of my own , in the first place , to express the gratification which I feel in being privileged to perform this interesting ceremony . 1 must allude , in
the first place , to one to whom I bear much respect and icgard—the Grand Master Mason of Scotland , deeply regretting that he is prevented , by severe illness , from performing his duty to-day ; but I am not the less highly honoured by being privileged to do his duty . I would congratulate the Provost and Magistrates of this ancient burgh the trustees of the harbour , and all concerned in the
work on this event , which is not only the laying of the foundation stone , but the placing , as I may say , of the chief corner stone of the great dock of Ayr . ( Cheers . ) For this block of granite brought from the most distant part of tbe kingdom—the mines of Cornwall—is destined to bear the great gates of the dock through which we trust commerce in abundance in future years may pass . ( Loud ihetra . ) Lit rue -ay one word upon the ceremony whicli
Laying Foundation Stone Of New Docks At Ayr.
has just been performed , The Grand Lodge , on the invitation of the Harbour Trustees , have come here to lend to this opening ceremony all the importance which it is Mn their power to confer . It is for them to bring to the practical part of the work their contribution of symbolical ceremony ; which , let me tell vou . is no idle form , for if the ministration of Justice
in the kingdom is surrounded with certain features of majesty , so ought the great industrial triumphs of peace , to be surrounded by fit ceremonies of respect . ( Applause . ) Our friends are here engaged in a work which has called forth the highest enterprise , that could not have been undertaken without acts of public munificence and great enterprise , and it was fitting that the Grand Lodge of Scotland should
come here to wish success to the work , and to lend all the importance their presence can confer . I regret this day that one is not by our side who throu gh his life did so much for the encouragement of works of value to his fellow citizens . ( Applause . ) But for James Baird ' s public spirit we could not have hoped that the great work could have been undertaken . ( Applause . ) Although we may
hope that in the future the commerce of Ayr will be amply sufficient to pay for the construction of works of even larger grandeur than the present undertaking , still , at this moment , it would have been difficult and onerous to the town to have found the funds , had it not been that the great man who has passed from amongst us came forth with his open and generous hand . Not to all is it
given to see in his lifetime the success and completion of works of usefulness , and though it is an example for those who can do something in their lifetime for the permanent advantage of their fellow countrymen so to do and though the author of the work has passed away , he has secured to his fellow citizens , for the future , the means of completing it , and in this , as many other works , his
monument stands and will stand for ages as an example to Scotchmen if they succeed in life to dedicate the good things of this woild that came to them not only to founding a family , which I trust will long endure , but to works of usefulness which will be for the good of their children's children in ages to come . ( Cheers . ) In conclusion , Sir James wished an abundant measure of success to this
grand work , so honourable to those who had undertaken it , and , he would add to the country at large . ' . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Weir—On behalf of Mr . Whitelaw , who unfortunately , like the Giand Master , is prevented from being here to-day through illness , and on behalf of this great assemblage and of the town of Ayr , I beg to propose a vote of thanks to Sir James Fergusson and his brother
Freemasons , for attending here to-day and laying this stone in a proper manner and with full Masonic honours . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Sct . tt in a few appropriate remarks presented tl . e trowel to Sir James Ferguson , who replied . Provost Goudie—It is a matter of great regret to the Harbour Trustees of Ayr , and . I am sure , to the whole
community , that Mr . Whitelaw should have been prevented by illness from being present on an occasion like this , fraught with so much importance to the burgh ar . d town of Ayr . I have the honour and pleasure of presenting to Mr . Weir , on behalf of Mr . Whitelaw , this beautiful silver trowel , and I ask him to have the goodness to present it to Mr . Whitelaw with the best wishes of the
Harbour Trustees for his renewed health and vigour , and as a fitting memorial of the in-Testing ceremony and proceedings of this day . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Weir , in acknowledging receipt of the trowel , spoke as follows : —1 have great pleasure in taking possession of this trowel for Bro . Whitelaw , and I may say that I will take the first opportunity of presenting it to
him . He is quite conscious of the high honour which has been paid to him to-day , not so much on his own account but on account of the position he has taken in the management of the affairs of the late Bro . Baird , who took such a great and practical interest in the success ol this dock , and which has been so handsomely acknowledged by Bro . Sir James Fergusson and the Provost . I
know Bro . Whitelaw is very much disappointed at not being present to-day ; and I need scarcely say that this beautiful trowel will be held as an heirloom by him , and that he will look upon it as a tribute of respect to him , paid to the memory of the late Bro . Baird . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Walter Scott , Newcastle-on-Tyne , contractor for the works , presented the silver trowel to the Grand
Master for presentation to Bro . Sir Michael Shaw Stewart , and in doing so said he was sorry Bro . Sir Michael was not present himself . He hoped that the undertaking would be a success , and that the contractor would leave Ayr with more capital than he brought into it . A large and influential company assembled in the Assembly Rooms at four o'clock , when a elegant recherche ' dinner was partaken of .
Masonic Demonstration At Grangemouth.
MASONIC DEMONSTRATION AT GRANGEMOUTH .
LAYINO FOUNDATION or INSTITUTE AND OFENINO WATEH ' RWOKS
On the 19 th inst . Grangemouth held high holiday , the occasion being the laying of the memorial stone of the Public Institute by the Earl of Zetland , and of the opening
of Ihe waterworks by the Countess bf Zetland . Early in the morning thc town was astir making preparations for the grand event , which piomised to be very successful . Shortly before 10 o ' clock numerous bodies arrived in the town to take part in the double ceremony , and at 10 . 30 these assembled at the railway station , along
with the local bodies and a detachment of the ist S . A . V ., under the command of Lieut . M'Kay , for the purpose of meeting a number of delegates from the Freemasons of Leith , Falkirk , & c . The Earl and Countess having joined the procession in their carriage , the great bulk of the processionists marched
Masonic Demonstration At Grangemouth.
to the Public . Institute , while the Masonic bod y went t their lodge room , where the Earl | was affiliated . He wa ° then conveyed to the institute , where a number of gentle * men had assembled to witness the ceremony , and amontr them Sir Wm . Edmonstone , Bart ., M . P . ; Sheriff Bell Provost Russel , Falkirk ; T . D . Brodie , S . S . C , Edinburgh - '< F . Anderson , Inchyra , Grange ; Rev . Dr . Ogilvie , Falkirt ' .
Rev . Messrs . Holden , Sinclair , and Lambie , Grangemouth ' Messrs . Wilkie and J . Fairlie , Grangemouth , & c , ftj r Finlay Anderson having presented a silver trowel to the Earl from the Grangemouth Young Men ' s Christiai , Association , the stone was laid in its place , and the usual masonic cermonies gone through . The Earl of Zetlan . returned thanks for the hearty manner in which the
Countess and himself had been received on this their first public visit to Grangemouth . The day ' s proceedings wer to him of an interesting character , for he believed that it was now a century since the foundation stone of the town buildings had been laid by his ancestor , Sir Lawrence Dundas . He believed that Grangemouth was advanc . ing rapidly , and to show this compared the present shin .
ing trade with that of 1840 . He spoke of thc good that might be done by means of the institute , and again ex . pressed the pleasure he had in being present . The procession , having been reformed in its original order walked to a field , about half a mile distant from town on the Bo ' ness Road , where a fountain has been erected Here Miss Mackay presented a beautiful bouquet to the
Countess , who turned on the tap in connection with the fountain , and declared the works open . Mr . J . S . Mackay Chief Commissioner of the burgh , presented her ladyshi p with a silver cup from the Commissoners of the burgh , on the occasion of the opening of the new waterworks b y her ladyship . The Earl returned thanks on behalf cf her ladyship , after which the large assemblage dispersed .
The institute is of a very plain but substantial characler , and consists of two flats . The front of it faces Bridge Street , which street is the principal entrance .. The ground flat is to be devoted chiefly to the inner comforts of man . After passing through a lobby , the dining room , 20 ft qin . by 26 ft . Sin ., and which will accommodate between 70 and 80 people at dinner , is entered , while on
cither side of it is a coffee room and smoking room . The dimensions of the former are 19 ft . Gin . by 15 ft . ; it will accommodate about 40 persons at a time . On the right hand side of the entrance lobby is a room which may be fitted up as a smoking room . The second flat , which is entered from the front by a staircase , consists mainly _[
a large hall , 41 ft . by 37 ft . bin ., which will accommodate from 400 to 450 . The building is to be crowned with a spire , the height of which from the ground is 62 ft ., and iu which is to be placed a clock and bell , Messrs A , & YV , Black , Falkirk , were thc architects . It is estimated 10 cost £ 2100 , of which £ 1450 has been subscribed .
Proposed Central Masonic Hall For Glasgow.
PROPOSED CENTRAL MASONIC HALL FOR GLASGOW .
In pursuance of an idea which he has for a long time entertained , the Provincial Giand Master of Glasgow , Bro . Walter Montgomerie Neilson , of Q _ e _ nt . fiiil , has at length put before the brethren of the province a project for the acquisition of a Central Masonic Hall . It is
much to be regretted , he says , that in Glasgow Freemasonry is only known by the outer world as lodging in inaccessible chambers in obscure localities . Almost everywhere else , even in small towns , Freemasonry has a location , a Masonic building worthy of the order ; and lit holds it is as a discredit to the second city of tli < Empire , and a disgrace to the Craft that , in a province
containing 26 working lodges , it has uot proper premises for thc meetings of its Provincial Assembly , and suitable offices for the transaction of its business . With a \ iew to remedy this state of matters he has had purchased , in B-rklej Street , a building which is now held at the disposal of the brethren of thc province , at the price pai . l for it . It will give accommodation for the meetings ol
the Prov . Grand Lodge , and any other lodges that may choose to use it , in a hall 44 ft . by 22 ft ., with organ anJ choir annexe of 22 ft . by 14 ft . ; a suitable reception room 21 ft . 7 in . by 14 ft . loin ., and a clothing room in the street floor ; a small lodge room , or Prov . Grand Committee room , Master ' s room , Secretary ' s room , large lavatory and W . C . on the first floor * , smoking room , W . C , and t \\
-living rooms for keeper on the attic ; and an excellenl kitchen , with an ample cellar and store rooms in sunt floor . He would have preferred , he says , a situation not quite to far west , but the position has many advantages and nothing at a reasonable price could be got nearer | - the present place of meeting of the Prov . G . Lodge 1 " Rnrlin nan Street . Berklev Street is a fine wide thoroug h-
fare close to the Public Halls , within tramway access from all quarters ; and from the rapid increase of th " city westwards , will soon be in its centre . The cos ' of the building as it stands is about £ 1500 : and it could be altered , decorated , and put into possession of ind Piov . Grand Lodge for about £ 3000 . The P . G Masu . proposes to raise this sum , first , by subscriptions from tw
wealthy members of the Craft in two forms—by donation * - and investments—the investors agreeing to forego , interest , and to hold the property redeemable by the Craft as tney ' may accumulate funds ; second , by every lodge forming a building fund committee , and engaging lo raise a sun ' accordine lo its ability within a given time , say " *
years ; and third , by every candidate for admission Fiecmasonry paying a small sum to the building >" in addition to Ihe ordinary fees , For his own part , the l * . M . intends to subscribe £ 200 to the investment and i , ' to the donation fund , and he will endeavour , he sa . ' . obtain a subscription of every genileman in Glasgow w is a Freemason . He deprecates , however , being l « work single-handed . and asks and expects all b rethren w