Freemasonry In Natal.

Mason , D . G . 1 reasurer ; Bro . P . K . Francis , D . G . S . D . ; Bro . W . Simons , D . G . J . D . ; Bro . A . G . Knox , D . G . Superintendent of Works ; Bro . F . C . Loney , D . A . G . S . ; and Bro . A . X . Scott , D . G . P . At the conclusion of the consecration service Bro . the Rev . C . D . Tonkin was duly installed as the lirst W . M . by the D . D . G . M ., Bro . S . Marriott , and Bros . J . Bird and

R . C . Xutman Avere invested as S . W . and J . W . respectively . In the evening the brethren , to the number of eighty , sat clown to the customary banquet , which was presided over by the W . M ., when , in addition to the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , " The Health and Prosperity of the Xew Lodge " was

enthusiastically drunk . It is always of interest to learn of the doings of the Craft at the outposts of the Empire , and we wish long life and success to the latest addition to our lodges in this far-off portion of His Majesty ' s dominions .

London Stone Chapter, No. 2536.

London Stone Chapter , No . 2536 .

r DHE consecration of the London Stone Chapter , attached I to the Staines Lodge , took place at Staines on Saturday , the 14 th December . The ceremony Avas performed b y the Grand Superintendent of Middlesex , the Hon . Lord George Hamilton , M . P ., assisted by Comps . J . Beresford Ryley , as H . ; Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , as J . ; and C . O .

Burgess , as D . C . A large number of brethren , resident in and connected with the Province of Middlesex , were present , and the proceedings were completely successful . At the banquet , which took place after the consecration , the chair was taken by the M . E . Z ., who , in proposing

" The Health of Lord George Hamilton , " said they were not welcoming the Grand Superintendent to a mushroom town , but probably to one of the oldest in the kingdom . If history was to be believed , there stood a church , during the Saxon Heptarchy , on the site of the present parish

church . King John slept in Staines the night before he signed the Magna Charter . A bridge had spanned the river there for many generations . It was recorded that Henry III . gave two oak trees from Windsor Forest for its repair ; but above the antiquities which the toAvn possessed , none were better

known than the London Stone , which stood at the boundary of the counties of Middlesex and Bucks , and marked the jurisdiction possessed by the City of London over the river Thames prior to the formation of the Thames Conservancy Board . This Stone bore the date 1280 , and it was probable that the present town took its name from it , slana being the

Saxon for stone . They remembered with pleasure the last visit of his Lordship , when he consecrated the Staines Lodge , and had acted up to the advice he then gave as to the enrolment of members . This accounted for the smallness of the lodge , which only numbered thirty-two ; but its Avorking and its support of the Masonic Charities were known far and

wide . It would be the aim of the IICAV chapter to follow in the lodge ' s wake , and make it a credit to the Province of Middlesex and a pleasure to the Grand Superintendent , who had that clay honoured them by personall y consecrating the chapter . His Lordship , in replying , expressed the pleasure it

was to him to be present in his capacity as the head of the province . At one time he greatly feared that he would not be ; ible to come , as an important Cabinet Council had been held that morning ; but , by dispensing witli that superfluous meal called lunch , he was able to be there .

Following the line taken by his predecessor , he had decided not to recommend any petition for either lodge or chapter unless it filled a local want . The Staines Lodge had done this , and he had no doubt the chapter would do so too . He complimented the founders on their choice of a name . Having represented that division in Parliament for seventeen years , the

London Stone was no new object to him . He trusted the chapter would be as strong as its emblem , and be as noticeable a boundary . He was particularl y impressed by the decorations on the breasts of the founders , showing their zeal for Masonry , which must prove of advantage to the chapter .

Jonic Lodge, No. 227.

Jonic Lodge , No . 227 .

r | "HL installation meeting ot the above lodge took place I at the Criterion , Piccadilly , on December 5 th , in the presence of a numerous gathering of distinguished visitors and a large number of members . The out-going Master , Bro . Charles R . J . Evans , F . S . A ., installed his successor , Bro . William H . Arber , P . M . 20 C 1 , in a very dignified

and impressive manner , which excited the admiration of the visitors . After the investiture of the officers the lodge Avas closed , and the brethren adjourned to a banquet . After the loyal and Masonic toasts had been disposed of , Bro . Evans , in proposing the toast of " The Worshipful Master , " said nothing in Masonry had ever given him

greater pleasure than installing his oldest and dearest friend info the chair of W . M . He congratulated Bro . Arber upon attaining the much coveted position of Master of such a grand old lodge . The toast was received most heartily . The Worshipful Master , in reply , thanked the brethren for

the encouraging manner they had received his toast . He should feel it his duty to follow the good example set him b y his predecessors . He had good ollicers , and with their loyal support would try his hardest to prove a successful Master .

MHO . WILLIAM II . A Ii IIKit , W . M . ( Plmh , Klile I ' orlnril Co . ) The Worshipful Master then proposed the toast of "The Installing Master . " He could , without ( lattery , declare that Bro . Evans , his old and respected friend , was one of those Masons who put their whole heart into their Masonic duties .

The I . P . M . thanked the W . M . for his kind Avoids and the brethren for their appreciation of his efforts . In proposing the toast of " The Visitors , " the W . M . extended to them a hearty welcome . It is interesting to note that this old lodge , which has an Athol warrant dated i 8 ro , now consists principally of

professional men . It was originally founded by mechanics , and although in common with the majority of warrants granted by the ancients it bears no name , it Avas doubtless called the Mechanical Lodge , Xo . 312 , Woolwich , as that inscription 'appears on several of the officers' collar jewels ,

which are in excellent preservation , the figure of Mercury , Avhich was the ancient emblem borne by the Deacons , being particularly line . It AV ; IS consecrated at Woolwich in 1810 , removed to Old Charlton in 1825 ( in which year it received its present name ) , from thence to the George and Vulture , Cornhill , in 1835 ; to the King ' s Head , Poultry , in 1851 ; to the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall Street , in 1854 ; and the Criterion , Piccadilly , in 18 93 .