South Africa.

Taylor , Treas . ; I . Hirst , Ore ; T . B . Burnham , M . C . ; T . Ellis , I . G . ; G . Brent , O . G . At half-past seven , the brethren sat down to the annual banquet , which was catered for by Bro . G . Houghting in his usually excellent manner .

Inauguration Of The Masonic Hall, Sunderland.

INAUGURATION OF THE MASONIC HALL , SUNDERLAND .

The brethren of St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 80 ) are now in possession of a splendid edifice , erected in Park-terrace , by the Masonic Hall Company ( Limited ) , and is available for all Masonic purposes . On Tuesday , March 1 st , it was inaugurated by a ball , which proved a decided success . The Shields' Ga .-eUa stated that fully seventy couples were present , aud the whole of the arrangements were of

the most satisfactory character . Unqualified admiration of the building was expressed on all hands , the lodge room in particular eliciting the highest commendations . It is a beautiful chamber , and , with its dais and Masonic seats , suggests the idea of a state apartment in some regal residence . On the night of the ball ifc was turned into a drawing room , dancing being carried on in what is

intended for the banqueting room on the basement floor . The room in the upper storey , which is appropriated for the use of the new Masonic Club , was set apart as a ladies' dressing room . When in ordinary use . it will be found a charming club room , with its excellent view of the east and extensive parks . The building ( which has been erected by Mr . Cooke , from plans prepared bMr .

y Tilman , architect ) is altogether as handsome a piece of workmanship of its class as is to be found in this part of the country , and its total cost will not exceed £ 2 , 000 . The Sunderland Times gives a description of the buildins thus : — "The front elevation shows a white brick

building , with stone dressings , stone strings and cornices , in harmony with the remainder of the buildings in the row . It projects beyond the line of the adjoininghouses some three or four feet , though not in a manner to detract from the appearance of tho other properties . The front is pedimented with three tiers of three light windows . Above the second or ground floor window is

a projecting balcony , opening out from the club room on the upper story . The principal entrance is at the side , recessed about two feet back from the front . Ascending by aflight of seven steps , thereis an Ionieportic , with columns on each side , and from tho portico three steps lead to the entrance hall . Above the portico is a staircase window , and above that a small dormer windowwithout which it

, appears no Masonic lodge is complete . " I may also add that the dimensions of the lodge room are 25 ft . by 42 ft ., with a height of 21 ft . It is ornamented with Corinthian pilasters , and full Corinthian columns , ranged round the semi-circular dais , are placed seven chairs in the form of stalls ; these chairs are handsomely

executed in oak , in the Doric style , and above the Master ' s chair will be the proper Masonic emblems . The room is lighted with gas , and ventilated £ by the Patent Yentilating Sunlights , and it will not be used for any other than Masonic purposes . The paintings and embellishments are the work of the Treasurer of St . John ' s Lodgo ( Mr . Thomas Godfordson ) .

The ball was opened by Bro . John Tilman , W . M . of the Williamson Lodge , and Miss Wade , daughter of Mr . S . J . Wade , who laid the corner-stone of the building , and is the chairman of the Building Committee ; Mr . R . Dixon , W . M . of St . John ' s Lodgo , and several distinguished members of the Craft were present , and dancing was kept up till an early hour .

On Tuesday , the 8 th inst ., the first meeting of St . John ' s Lodge was held in the new Hall , Park-terrace , but the brethren were invited by tho P . M . ' s of the lodge to meet half an hour previous at the Queen ' s Hotel , Fnwcettstreet , to "tak a cup o' kindness" vnth the host , Bro . Shiel , on the removing of the lodge from his establish-

Inauguration Of The Masonic Hall, Sunderland.

ment . Bro . Mark Douglass being the senior P . M . present took the chair . Two appropriate toasts were given by the chairman—one relating to the removal and future prosperity of the lodge , the other to the health and prosperity of Bro . Shiel . The latter toast was acknowledged by Bro . Shiel in a neat and proper speech . A . verse of " Auld laug syne" was sung with great fervour , and the

whole resulted in a very cordial leave-taking . The brefchi-en then proceeded to the hall , and prepared to open the lodge . There were many visitors from the Phoenix , the Palatine , and the Williamson Lodges , and even from St . Hilda ' s Lodgo , South Shields-The W . M ., Bro . Dixon , was supported hy Bros . M . Douglas , T . Elwen , D . Clark , J . Graham . R . Sanaster ,

P . Hoistindahe , P . M . ' s , and S : J . Wade , I . P . M . Bros . W . H . Crookes , P . M . and P . G . S . W ., being from home on business , was unavoidably absent . The lodge having been opened in due form and with solemn prayer , the minutes of the last general lodge , held at the Queen ' s Hotel , were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for Mr . Robert Smith and Mr . FrederickPeddar andthey

were approved ! of and initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry , Bro . Smith being the first to cross the portals of the new Masonic Hall . Five gentlemen were proposed as candidates for initiation . The petition of a brother to the Grand Lodge Board of Benevolence was read and duly recommended previous to the lodge being closed . Bro . S . J . Wade gave a brief but suitable address .

He spoke of the high position the lodge now held in the province , and pointed out the necessity of sustaining that position in all its influence and integrity . He besought the members of St . John ' s Lodge in particular to attend to and be guided by the moral teachings of the Order , and to exemplify ,-in their lives and action 5 : , the three great cardinal principles of Freemasonry-

—brotherly love , relief , and truth . The lodge was then closed in due form . Refreshments were served in the banqueting hall , where apleasanfc hour was spent , and the proceedings closed abouc ten o ' clock .

South Eastern Masonic Association.

SOUTH EASTERN MASONIC ASSOCIATION .

We have received the Annual Report of the above , which was started in 1866 , having for its object the securing to its members , by means of small periodical subscriptions , life-governorships of the different Masonic Charities . By the abstract it appears that during the past year the subscriptions have amounted to £ 92 10 s ., by means

of which nine brethren have been made life-governors as follows : —Three to the Eoyal Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons , five to the Boys' School , and one to the Girls' School . The total amount subscribed since the formation of the Association in 1866 is £ 484- Is . Gd ., by means of which of which 46 life-governorships have been secured as

follows : —Eoyal Benevolent Institution , 18 ; Boys' School , 14 ; Girls' School , 14 . The movement is so praiseworthy in eve 2-y respect that we have unfeigned pleasure in placing before our readers so gratifying a result . If such good can be clone in the South Eastern district , wo see no reason why our brethren in the North , South , East , and West should

not do likewise ; and if such institutions were multiplied , we can easily imagine that they would contribute , in no small measure , to increase tho funds of our noble Charities .

EOYAL MASONIC IXSTITUTEOX FOR BOYS . —The soventysecond Anniversary Festival , Jl . B . TL the Prince of Wales in the chair , will take place at Freemasons' Hall and Tavern , on the 30 th inst . Our advertising columns contain the list of stewards . A largo number of Provincial Grand Officers are included on the list , amounting to about 100 , and brethren representing Metropolitan and Provincial lodges to the number of 116 .