Correspondence.

Correspondence .

V'e 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 .

THE HONORARIUM TO BRO . McLEOD . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I think it will be a sufficient answer to those who think I have gone out of my way to enter into the discussion of this subject it I quote the resolution passed unanimously by the Board of Stewards last week :

" That this general meeting of Stewards of the Centenary Festival R . M . I . Boys desires to record its entire approval of the recommendation of the Board of Management approved by the Council and adopted by the Quarterly Court of Governors and Subscribers in October last in granting a substantial and

wellearned recognition to the Secretary and his Staff for their extra labours in connection with the Festival , and congratulate the Subscribers to the Institution on the fact that such gratuities being fully met from the surplus Funds of the Stewards' Fees , no extra charge whatever falls upon the General Funds of the Institution . "

At this season of festivity , when our main desire is peace and good will to all men , may I express a hope that discussion of this subject now terminate . —Yours fraternally , JOS . FARNCOMBE , P . M , 311 , P . G . Warden , Sussex , & c , & c . Saltwood , Spencer-road , Eastbourne , December 23 rd .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In the leader in your issue of the 24 th inst . no mention is made of the undermentioned resolution , which was carried unanimously at the recent final meeting of Stewards , viz .:

" That this general meeting of Stewards of the Centenary Festival of the R . M . B . I . for Boys desires to record its entire approval of the recommendation of the Board of Management , which was sanctioned by the Council , and adopted by the Quarterly Court of Governors and Subscribers , in October last , that a

substantial and well-earned recognition be granted to the Secretary and his Staff for their extra labours in connection with the Festival , and congratulates the subscribers to the Institution on the fact that the gratuities which have been awarded will be fully met from the surplus funds of the Stewards' Fees , so that no extra charze whatever will fall uoon the jreneral funds of the Institution . "

In the controversy which has arisen I submit that publicity should be given to this motion . —Yours fraternally , THE MOVER OF THE RESOLUTION . The Temple , December 27 th .

To thc Editor of thc " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , At the Mark Lodge St . Cuthberga , ( No . 99 , held on Tuesday last , the 20 th inst ., the following resolution was unanimously carried : "That this Mark Lodge protests against the action of the Board of Management of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys in voting an honorarium of

1000 guineas to the Secretary , Bro . McLsod , from money collected by th e Stewards of the Centenary Festival , and which was given by brethren solely for the benefit of that Institution . "—Yours fraternally , ALFRED BUDDEN , Sec , St . Cuthberga Mark Lodge , No . 99 . Twynham , Wimborne , December 23 rd .

Provincial Priory Of Kent And Surrey.

PROVINCIAL PRIORY OF KENT AND SURREY .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Priory was held at the Masonic Hall , Guildford , on Wednesday , the 7 th inst ., under the presidency of the Right Hon . the Earl of Onslow , G . C . M . Gr ., K . C . T ., Prov . Prior .

There was a fair muster of knights belonging to the united provinces , and a most successful meeting resulted . The Provincial Prior entered under the arch of steel , supported by the

Sub-Prior , Sir Knight Horatio Ward , and opened Provincial Priory ia full form . The minutes having been confirmed , and the Treasurer ' s statement submitted and approved , the Provincial Prior appointed and invested his officers for the year as follows : Sir Knight Horatio Ward ... ... ... Prov . Sub-Prior . „ Rev . H . Cummings ... ... Prov . Prelate .

„ Col . Bircham ... ... ... Prov . Chan . „ S . Saunders ... ... ... Prov . ist Constable . „ B . R . Bryant ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd Constable . „ Col . A . S . Bircham ... ... Prov . Treasurer .

A u r > . S Vcov . Keg . ana vice-„ A . H . Bateman { Chancellor . „ Major Collins ... ... ... Prov . Marshal . ,, W . Briant ... ... ... Prov . Almoner . „ J . Barnwell ... ... ... Prov . W . of R . ,, V . H . Sumner ... ... ... Prov . Herald .

,, Col . Sankey ... ... ... Prov . ist Std . Br . „ Dr . Wilks ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd Std . Br . ,, H . M . Biggleston ... ... Prov . Banner Br . ,, S . Horsley ... ... ... Prov . S . B . ,, Rev . A . Jackson ... ... ... Prov . Chamberlain . „ P . Monson ... ... ... Prov . Capt . of Gd . Frater Harrison ... ... ... ... Prov . Guard .

The PROV . PRIOR appreciatively referred to the past services of the principal executive officers—the Sub-Prior , the Treasurer , and the Registrar , also to the kindly welcome accorded to Provincial Priory by the receiving Preceptory , the Temple Court . The alms was collected , and the Provincial Priory was closed .

Provincial Priory Of Kent And Surrey.

The members subsequently dined together , under the presidency of the Prov . Prior , and enjoyed an admirably served repast , brightened by a magnificent display of chrysanthemums and foliage plants , most kindly sent from the renowned glasshouses of Claridon Park . The toasts usual to loyal and Christian Masonry were duly honoured , and the knights separated in entire fraternity and perfect harmony .

Red Cross Of Rome & Constantine.

Red Cross of Rome & Constantine .

DIVISIONAL CONCLAVE OF KENT .

The annual meeting of the above was held under the banner of the Invicta Conclave , No . 148 , at the William the Fourth Hotel , East Greenwich , on Monday , the 28 th ult . The Intendant General of Kent , the Rev . H . Cummings presided , assisted by his Deputy , Sir Knight A . H . Bateman , and many of the Divisional Officers , Past and Present .

Previous to the meeting , the Invicta Conclave held its ordinary convocation , electing the M . P . Sovereign for the new year , viz ., Sir Knight Capt . Woollett , and subsequently the Saye and Sele Conclave , by dispensation , received and installed as a Knight of the Order , Bro . C . J . Hayes , W . M ., of the Peckham Lodge , No . 1475 , & c .

The Arch of Steel having been formed , the Intendant General entered and occupied the Throne , opened Divisional Conclave , and the muster roll having been called and the minutes read and confirmed , the Treasurer , Sir Knight Bryant , presented his audited accounts , which showed a satisfactory balance , and were duly approved and passed . The Intendant General then appointed his officers as follows :

Sir Knight A . H . Bateman ... ... ... Dep . IntendantGen , „ G . H . Dowsett ... ... ... Viceroy . „ W . T . Wiggins ... ... ... Sen . Gen . „ F . W . Williams ... ... ... Jun . Gen . „ Rev . R . Finlay , M . A . ... „ , High Prelate .

„ B . R . Bryant ... ... ,.. Treasurer . „ W . C . Taylor ... ... ... Recorder . „ Capt . Woollett ... ... ... Chamberlain . „ H . Bagshaw ... ... ,,. Marshal . „ S . F . Mackway ... ... ... Prefect . F . W . Sanders ... ... ... In < : n . nf Ronald

„ G . Burney ... ... ... ist . Std . Br . „ J . Hernaman ... ... ... 2 nd Std . Br . „ F . E . Tidswell ... ... •... S . B . „ J . G . Dunkley ... •... ... Organist . „ Capt . Wishart ... ... ... Herald . Frater E . Spinks ... ... ... „ , Sentinel .

Divisional conclave was then closed , and the Intendant General retired under the Arch of Steel . The knights subsequently dined together under the presidency of the Intendant General , supported by his Deputy and the late Intendant General of Kent , Sir Knight F . Wood ; the Sovereigns of the Invicta and Saye and Sele Conclaves , Sir Knights Dowsett and Campbell-Taylor , occupying the vice-chairs ,

The toasts usual to Christian Masonry were duly honoured , and a very enjoyable musical programme was presented by Sir Knights Edward Hall , Graham , and Cummings , with the assistance of Miss Marzials Burleigh , a lady at present new to Masonic meetings , but possessing a highly-trained and charming mezzo soprano voice , and very considerable musical ability ,

The accompaniments were ably rendered by Misses Heaps and Burleigh , the former also coutributing some acceptable pianoforte solos . Bro . Graham gave the usual pleasure with his natural whistle and piano performances , as well as buffo songs . A very successful meeting has to be recorded .

Secret Monitor.

Secret Monitor .

CONSECRATION OF TRANSVAAL CONCLAVE , No 30 ,

Some months ago the brethren of the lodges in Johannesburg , working under the Scottish Constitution in the Craft , applied for a warrant permitting them to open a conclave of this popular Order in Johannesburg . Their application was approved and duly supported by the Sentinel Conclave of the same city , and it was hoped that Bro . Geo . Richards , District Grand Master ( Craft ) for the Transvaaland Past Grand Visitor of the O . S . M .,

, would have been able , on his recent visit , to perform the consecration . It is a long way from Natal to Johannesburg , and advantage was taken on the 25 th ult . of the presence of R . W . Bro . Thomas Cook , District Grand Supreme Ruler for South Africa , and some other leading Secret Monitors , to hold the consecration ceremony and to constitute the conclave . The

conclave , Sentinel , No . 22 , joined heartily in the good work , while Bro . Aburrow , P . O . B . Br ., in charge of the Transvaal during Bro . Richard ' s absence , most ably seconded and supported the D . G . S . Ruler in the arrangements . Unfortunately , a pressing civic engagement prevented Bro . Aburrow from taking a part in the actual ceremony .

There are now no less than five conclaves of the Order in South Africa , and besides , a letter of inquiry has recently been received from Cape Town , which district will doubtless soon fall into line with its neighbours . Bro . COOK installed and commissioned Bro . Richard George Bevington as S . R . for the year , and he appointed Bros . James Thompson and Henry Wm . Simpkins as Counsellor and Guide respectively . The other offices

were duly filled up , and the brethren hailing from " the land 0 ' cakes" will no doubt go on and prosper . Bro . Cook writes that he has given Bro . Aburrow " the rank of District Grand Councillor , and he will watch the Order in the Transvaal and keep him posted up . This is a prelude to the formation of a District Grand Conclave there as soon as the place is ripe for it . "

The brethren of the Order have cause for rejoicing that their head , the Earl of Warwick , has been selected to the important post of Deputy Grand Master of English Freemasons . Lord Warwick has conducted the proceedings of the Order with dignity , and his efforts in the cause of peace and