Correepondence.

Correepondence .

Wc do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents ' , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

MASONIC VAGRANTS . To the Editor of thc " Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , My friend , Bro . W . J . Hughan , having invited Almoners to give some accoant of their experiences on the above subject , as Almoner of my lodge for the past 12 years I venture to recount some of mine .

Without exception f make it a rule to put each through a close crossquestioning , Masonic and otherwise , and note in a book for reference the salient points , with observations thereon , and the amount of relief given . In my opinion one-third of these applicants , if not one-half , are undeserving of any relief whatsoever . Several ivhom I have stopped appear to make a wide circuit ,

taking them about three years to complete , and from my records their tale is thc same on each occasion . When certificates are produced the autographs thereon are compared with the receipts taken . If any relief is given , the parchments stating the brother to have been initiated in " Yokohama , " " Three Globes Germany , " " Washington , " ' ' Breslau , " " Secunderabad , " and so on .

This questioning , and the promise of more liberal help " after due enquiry , " is just what they do not want , their needs being pre ssing . One " brother " without any credentials , whom I had relieved two year s before , on being recognised gave a false name ; another , producing his parchment , affirming he had never been here before ( my notes telling me he had ) , his excuse being "two of the sam e name were initiated in the same lodge on the same day , " application refused ; and another had no help given because on enquiry his statement was found to be false .

In two cases serious results might have followed my refusing their importunity j being myself alone , a fighting attitude was taken up by them , when a brother coming along , and taking in the situation , asked if they knew they were threatening a Justice of the Peace j after this they vanished . For the sake of the Craft I have refrained handing others over to the police .

From my experience I can fully endorse what is said by Bro . Hughan that the ordinary brethren should not relieve those who seek their aid—particularly the younger members—but refer them to the Almoner . That some of the applicants are genuine goes without saying , at the same

time I cannot too strongly urge that where there are several lodges in a town or group of towns , one Almoner should be appointed for such a group , he only to give relief ; and each year a pro rata division of the sums given paid by such lodges . By such a system our funds would be saved for the larger and more deserving Charities , besides having helped deserving cases . —Yours fraternally ,

JOHN TAYLOR , P . M . and Sec . 1402 . 15 , Lucius-sticct , Torquay . November 22 nd .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear S r and Brother , 1 am glad to see thc question of Masonic vagrants receiving some degree of prominence in your columns . It has been the practice in HuddcrsfieM for more than 30 years to appoint a

prominent police officer ( the Chief Constable whenever possible ) examiner of sojourners , and upon the retirement of my predecessor , who filled the position for many jcars , I was unanimously requested by thc brethren to undertake the duties , and so enable them to continue the policy which had prevailed with success for so many years .

The office is a thankless one ; it is a painful ordeal to close one's cars to the piteous cry of a brother in distress , but upon the principle that what is worth doing at all is worth doing well , I accepted the position upon the clear understanding that in a needy and deserving case I was not to be limited in the extent to which I might lend assistance , and upon the other hand there was not to be

any inteiference with me in an effort 1 was determined to make to stamp out impostois upon our funds . 1 act for eight lodges in the town and immediate neighbourhood , and undoubtedly , when there are several lodges in a district , one Almoner should be appointed to represent all . The outlay is easily apportioned at the end of t ' ne year .

Without my certificate no assistance is given in this district , tho brethren loyally support me , and of private distribution there is practically none . Thus , with the whole thing in my own hands , there was not much * difficulty . I make it a point to investigate the statements made by each applicant , yet

when help icems to be needed , I help promptly . Should J afterwards find that 1 have been imposed upon , which , I must confess , happens in the majority of cases , a black mark goes down in my record-book against the men , and should he show his face here again , woe-bolide him . Four of the most impudent and barefaced impostors 1 have prosecuted and sent to prison .

These vigorous steps soon bore fruit , During the year 1 S 98 1 had 23 applications , 18 during the year 1891 ) , eight during the year lyoo , and from January 1 st to date , I have only had eight applications . lii West Yorkshire we have a system of informing the P . Grand Secretary when an impostor has been discovered , he quickly notifies the Almoners of each lodge and so the rogue finds it to his advantage to pass on to some other province where no intelligent step has been taken to grapple with the evil .

There is no doubt lhe fact of the Almoner or Examiner being a police officer has a deterrent effect upon the professional Masonic beggar , but his methods are quickly recognised and where that officer is known to be careless in discrimination , he is soon approached with perfect confidence and effrontery . The whole fabric is on the most unsound basis . Some little good may be dore by a solitary province endeavouring to protect itself , but a much wider

movement than that is needed . Thc provinces ought to combine with London in forming a Central Association through which complete lists of all itinerant applicants should be periodically distributed . With such information at his disposal a little energy on thc part of the individual Almoner would speedily effect a change throughout ihe length and breadth of England to the undoubted advantage of the Craft Generally .

This couise I have- vigorously advocated for several years , but it is a question not for a individual or for a province , but lor Grand Lodge . —Yours fraternally ,

JOHN MORTON , Chief Constable , Huddersfield . + - HKO . THE LORD AIAYOR , Past Grand Warden in Mark Masonry , will preside it the 3 . ) th Anniversary Festival of the Maik benevolent Fund on July jnd next .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1141 ] — SALE OF BOOKS . The valuable collection of Masonic books , medals , engravings , & c , belonging to the late Bro . John Haigh , of Somerville , Mass ., U . S . A ., was sold by auction on October 28 th to November ist , 1 9 , by Messrs . C . F . Libbie and Co ., of Boston , U . S . A ., who kindly sent me the two catalogues , but came one day just too late for my bids at . the sale . The books , prints , Masonic pitchers , plates ,

etc ., ran to 1086 lots , being the remaining portion of his library . The illustrations add much to the interest of the catalogue , and the varied and extensive character of the books , with several rare volumes , prove what a diligent collector Bro , Haigh was , extending over many years . I do not remember seeing or having a catalogue of the first portion . The second catalogue is devoted to Bro . Haigh ' s collection of coins , Masonic medals , potlery , & c . ; the coins especially being of

a very representative and valuable character from all parts of the world , and ably arranged for the sale . Thc numismatic books were of a high order , and that of the State Bank Bills being of a most unusual number , one lot running to 2 S 70 pieces , sorted into states and towns , in long envelopes , duly labelled . The Masonic portion was small compared with the general collection . On October 30 th , Bro . Haigh ' s collection of postage stamps was sold . W . J . HUGHAN .

Ancient And Accepted Rtte,

Ancient and Accepted Rtte ,

St . John the Baptist Rose Croix Chapter , No . 142 . The annual festival of the above Rose Croix chapter was held at the Masonic Hall , Aylesbury , on the 14 th instant , when there were present III . and P . Bro . Rev . V . P . Wyatt , 30 , in the chair ; III . and P . Bro . J . F . Tower , 32 , Treas . ; Bro . R . F . R . Harnett , P . M . W . Sov . ; Bro . J . Williams , P . M . W . Sov ., Recorder ; and Bros . J . J . Simcox , C O . Burgell , Rev . C . E . Roberts , Rev . M . W . Myres , R . F . W . Harnett , FulsomPoulton , Brown , Balland others .

, , The chapter was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting were read , confirmed and signed . Letters of apology were read from III . Bro . Capt . Philips , Grand Commander ; 111 . Bro . Rev . Canon Brownrigg , Grand Prior ; III . Bro . Bliss , and others , who were unable to attend . Bro . Dr . W . L . Bradshaw being accepted as a candidate vas duly perfected , the First Point being very ably taken by Bro . John Williams , the Second by Rev . R . F . Harnett . III . Bro . J . F . Tower then took the chair , and in

a very impressive manner installed Bro . J . J . Simcox into the chair of M . W . Sov . The M . W . S . then appointed his officers . The M . W . S . next presented the III . Bro . V . P . Wyatt with a handsome P . W . Sov . jewel in recognition of the sincere interest he had taken in thc chapter from its formation and his work in the chair . Bro . Rev . Wyatt ably responded . Bro . Tower having taken the Third Point , the chapter was duly closed in solemn form . The brethren afterwards dined together , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

A CITY OF GLOOM . —Ten days ago the electric lighting of Bath , which is in the hands of the Corporation , broke down , and since then the illumination of the city has been partially restored , but on Wednesday evening there was again a complete failure of public and private lighting , causing the greatest inconvenience and discomfort . Candles and lamps had to be requisitioned in the shops and the hotels .

Ad00803

A METHODIST I JMINISTER OF 40 YEARS' STANDING , SAYS : 1 "Fur years 1 was troubled with Indigestion aud MS Constipation , and sull ' ered greatly from Giddiness , H Nervous Debility and Sleeplessness . jg SEIGEL ' S SYRUP . "The best medical skill seemed of no avail , and I H ijuite t . hoiiglit my ministerial work was coining to a | B close . However , a friend urged mo to try Seigel's Eg Syrup , and Four bottles sulliced lo inuke my cure | j | complete ,. " —( Rev . ) J . Si'KNSbliY , Winterton , I loiicnsler , S | ^ dEt ^ jjgs ^ ffijfffff fr ^ jffSHBtea—T HMIIilfflT ^^