Bro. Alderman Sir William Treloar,J. P.

interesting to notice that he someAA-hat scouts the legend that the words " Ludgate " and " London " ( Lud-town ) OAVC their direct origin to the more or less mythical King Lud of ancient times , and points out that there is no record of a gate having been placed there until many hundreds of years

subsequent to his era . The preparation of this work was doubtless a labour of love , performed by one Avho was born at the foot of Ludgate Hill , has carried on his business at that spot , hallowed as it is by innumerable traditions and legends , and has for many years exerted himself unselfishly to benefit his City and its children .

With such a record of business and civic activities it could hardly be expected of Bro . Treloar that he should devote so much attention to his Masonic duties as others of fewer interests and occupations , but he is by no means a drone in the Masonic hive and is thoroughly in sympathy Avith its aims and teachings . He Avas initiated in St . Mary's

Lodge , No . 6 3 , in the year 1881 , and was installed as Master in 1892 . He is also a member of the Farringdon Lodge , No . 1745 , having been elected a joining member in 1892 . He is a Life Governor of the Royal Masonic BeneA'olent Institution and a Life Subscriber to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys .

Coventry Masons are contemplating the erection of a Masonic hall in the city . The plans prepared provide for lodge rooms and a banquet hall on the first floor , and three suites of offices on the ground floor . It is estimated that if carried out the scheme Avould involve an expenditure of

about £ 3000 . The beginnings of the Charitable Institutions of which Ave are so proud in the mother country , are observable in nearly all the Masonic jurisdictions which have sprung out of the Grand Lodge of England . The annual meeting of

the Freemasons' Orphan Society of NCAV South Wales Avas held recently in the Masonic Hall at Sydney , under the Presidency of Bro . W . H . Simpson . Annuities Avere granted to 18 children , the orphans of Freemasons . The balance sheet shoAA'ed that the revenue for the year was £ 1128 , and

the expenditure £ 502 , Avhich includes the sum of £ 416 , granted in annuities to children . The assets of the society amount to £ 25 , 420 , the greater part of which is invested in Government securities . The following Avere elected as officers for the year 1904 : —Trustees , Bros . W . H . Simpson ,

R . Anderson , and W . H . Soul ; Treasurer , Bro . S . Chatfield ; Secretary , Bro . Arthur H . Bray ; auditors , Messrs . T . F . H . Mackenzie , F . S . I . A ., and T . J . Rowbotham .

Catania Cathedral , in Sicily , was the scene of a serious riot recently . The Lenten preacher there , Padre Scapaidini , is a political firebrand , and had already provoked several disturbances since he began a series of conferences . The church on this occasion AA'as croAvded to hear a diatribe

against Freemasonry , Avhich had been announced . The fiery friar , it is said , needed three minutes' interval during the delivery of his discourse in order to cool himself and regain his breath , so he invited the congregation to indulge in cries of " DoAvn Avith the Freemasons , " " Long live the Temporal

Poiver . " A body of dissentients present shouted " DOAVH with the Pope , " " DOAVII with the priests . " A general tumult ensued . Chairs were hurled about in all parts of the church . The turbulent friar disappeared from the pulpit in the twinkling of an eye . Women fell fainting by the score , and many

persons of both sexes were severely wounded by flying missiles . The riot was continued outside the cathedral , where an overAvhelming CIOAVCI compelled the police to release the rioters who had been arrested . In Rome the Pope has forbidden Lenten preachers to deliver political discourses

even on the favourite topic of the Temporal Power . His Holiness ' s advice to Catholic pulpit orators is that Gospel themes afford ample material for their preaching .

Thornham Lod Ge, No. 2279 .

Thornham Lodge , No . 2279 .

installation of c ) 3 ro . the cRev . J . Seorge Sibson

THE annual meeting and festival of St . John , held at the Freemasons' Hall , AA'as unique in the history of this lodge . The installation ceremony AA-as performed by Bro . W . Hall , P . M ., W . M ., assisted by Bro . M . H . Dodd , P . M . 1119 , and the Past Masters , supported by the officers ,

members , and several visiting brethren . The W . M ., Bro . J . George Gibson , has been a Freemason for over 25 years . Ever since he has continued a subscribing member of his mother lodge , St . George , No . 431 , and professional duties alone have prevented acceptance of progressive steps to the W . M . ' s chair , although he has passed

through most of the grades , and repeatedly held the office of Chaplain in this and various other lodges . He is a Prov . G . C . designate , a companion of the Royal Arch , a Sir Knight of the Royal Kent Preceptory , a member of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 , a member of the National

Association of Masonic Veterans , and one of the founders of the University of Durham Lodge . Bro . Gibson has been and still is a generous supporter of Charities . Since 18 95 our brother has been Rector of Ebchester ( Durham ) , and also since 1900 Organising Secretary of the

Jerusalem and the East Mission Fund for the N . Province . His name , especially amongst men , is a household Avoid throughout East Lancashire ; and his career appeals to the Avhole body of the Craft , and Ave are sure that Bro . Gibson ' s year of office will not only be to him a sacred trust , but will ,

in every way , redound to the honour and welfare of the Craft . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts AA'ere given by the W . M . and Bros . P . Buckley , P . M ., D . C . ; W . Hall , I . P . M . ;

and T . W . Christopher-Smith , S . W ., and suitably acknowledged by the brethren present . In proposing the toast of " The Worshipful Master , Bro . J . George Gibson , " Bro . Hall , P . M ., I . P . M ., said it had been his privilege and pleasure on many occasions to discharge a

similar duty , but he never valued the privilege more or experienced so much pleasure as then . The W . M ., Bro . Gibson , occupied a position of more than ordinary responsibility , and the reputation of the lodge now stood by the S . W . ' s work deservedly high and justified its ambitions . They

felt proud , and it Avas a happy circumstance , that the representative head at that period should be Bro . Gibson , an author of no mean repute—he whom they all respected , admired , and loved ; a brother who had a noble conception of duty , great natural qualities , and exceptional abilities ; a

high standard of action , a great love for his felloAV men and brother Freemasons , who was just and generous in the highest and best sense , and who was indeed in every Avay fully fitted to guard his trust and foster the lodge ' s success . By unanimously electing Bro . Gibson the lodge had done honour to whom honour Avas undoubtedly due . The year

Avould be an eventful one , marked by efforts to secure increased efficiency , for the W . M . Avas , as they all knew from experience , a sterling , enthusiastic , and hard-working Freemason . When called upon to reply , the mention of the W . M . 's name aroused sentiments of enthusiasm , and the cheers Avhich greeted him were loud and long . He said he was very much afaid that whatever he might be able to say would