The Boys' School.

the part of the father , mother , some near relation or friend , stating the names and ages of the brothers and sisters ( if any ) of the child on whose behalf the application is made , ancl how provided for . Which petition is to be accompanied by - [ " 1 . A . certificate , of the pavewte' vsrMi-iage . " 2 . A certificate of the registry of the candidate ' s birth and baptism .

" 3 . A certificate or other evidence satisfactory to the General Committee , of the death of the father in any case in . which such death is stated in the petition . " 4 . The Grand Secretary ' s certificate of the " father having been duly registered , and for what period , on the books of the Grand "Lodge of England . " 5 . A certificate from the Master and Wardens of the lodor

ge lodges to which the father is or has been a regularly contributing member for five years , ancl ( should he be deceased ) had contined so up to within five years of his death , unless it can be shown to the satisfaction of the General Committee that his not having continued to subscribe for the entire period of five years , or until within five years of his death ( if deceased ) , or the presentation of such petition ( if he be alive ) , should have arisen from altered

circumstances , which precluded his remaining a subscribing member of a lodge . ] "But the child of a deceased brother , who at his death , or within five years thereof , was a subscribing member of a lodge , shall he eligible to be received as a candidate . So petition shall be received on behalf of any child who shall be less than seven or more than ten years of age- nor shall any candidate be elected after he shall

, have attained twelve years of age . No child shall be placed on the Election List who has a brother on the institution , unless there be at the least as many vacancies as candidates , nor shall two brothers he placed on the same list for election , except in the case of twin children . "

The words omitted from the rule , ancl for which those given above in brackets were substituted , are as follows : — " Certificates of the father ' s marriage , and of the registry of the caudidafces ' s birth or baptism ; a certificate from the Master ancl AVardens of the lodge or lodges , to which the father is , or has been , a regularly contributing member for five years at least ; ancl the Grand

Secretary's certificate of the father being duly registered , and for what period on the books of the Grand Lodge of England ; provided , that no petition be received in which it shall appear that the father of a candidate has ceased to be a subscribing member of a lodge for a period of five years previously to the presentation of such petition , unless it he shown to the satisfaction of the General Committee that his ceasing to subscribe had arisen from causes beyond his own control . "

The amendments to the last mentioned rule were proposed hy Bros . H . Greene , and Hopwood , ancl did not emanate from the Committee of Inquiry . Bro . SHEES then moved : — " That in consideration of the faithful and zealous services of Bro . Thiselton , late Secretary to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys during a period of 35 years , he be allowed a retiring pension , to commence from Midsummer , 1 S 61 , of £ 100 per annum , payable quarterly . "

Bro . UDAII . seconded the motion , to which an amendment was moved hy Bro . Robins , ami seconded by Bro . Waring , that the pension be £ 150 per annum . After considerable discussion , the original motion was adopted , there being twenty for the motion , and thirteen for the amendment , about a dozen members not voting .

In reply to a question , the Chairman stated the funded stock of the Institution was now £ 13 , 000 , independent of £ 6 , 000 expended on the erection of the new schools . A vote of thanks to Bro . Symonds , V . P . for his conduct in the chair , concluded the proceedings . [ AVe may add that the Rev . G . J . Gill was educated at Christ's

Hospital , ancl graduated at Cambridge , where he took high honours and was winner of the Porson prize two years successively . He has since been engaged in educational duties , and has the most satisfactory testimonials from the principal of Cheltenham College , the principal of Emanuel College , Cambridge , and others . ]

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

MEBCHANT NAVV LODGE ( NO . 1083 ) . —This prosperous lodge held its monthly meeting at Bro . Brand's , Jamaica Tavern , AVest India , Docks , oi \ Thursday , the 11 th inst ., when Bro . Captain Rice was raised to the sublime degreee of a M . M ., after which Bro . Rule brought forward a petition for the recommedation of the brethren for a new lodge to be held at a dancing room iu Poplar , but considering that the Eastern Star , Yarborough , Merchant Navy ,

and British Oak Lodges being in the immediate neighbourhood , it was considered by them to be unnecessary , therefore the petition was refused to be signed . The lodge having been closed , the brethren met at the festive board and spent a pleasant evening .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DURHAM . WEST HAEIIEPOOI .. —Harbour of Refuge Lodge ( No . 1066 ) . — On Tuesday , the 9 th inst , at the regular monthly meeting of this lodge , Bro . Fisher was advanced to the third degeee of Master Mason , the obligation being impressively given by the AA . M ., Bro . Sutclifi ' e , and the AV . M . of No . 774 , St . Helens Lodge , Bro . James Groves conducting the remaining portion of this interesting

ceremony . Mr . F . J . Cackett , was duly initiated by the AV . M . of No . 1066 into the mysteries of the Order , Bro . J . Grodes delivering the charge in as solemn a manner as its serious obligations require . The lodge being finally closed in ancient form , the brethren , to the number of some forty , sat clown , to a sumptuous dinner provided by Bro . Murray , P . M ., and celebrated , in their festivity , St . John's Day . Bro . Sutcliffe presided on the occasion , ancl during the evening did the duties of toast-master in a manner

right worthy of him , the few hours for which they had met together being characterised by that harmony ancl good fellow-ship so prominently shown by the members of the Craft . This being the annual meeting , tho election of officers for the ensuing year was confirmed ; Bro . Sutclifi ' e again taking the place of W . M ., and Bros . S . E . Clarke ancl Dr . Kirk being chosed as S . W . and J . AA . respectively ; M . Richardson , Treas . ; J . U . Spenee , See . ; H . Rank , S . D ., ancl Z . Pearson , J . D . ; 'J ? . English , I . G . ; M . Muers , T .

KENT . DOVEK . —Lodge of Peace and Harmony ( No . 235 ) . —An emergency meeting was held at the Royal Oak Hotel , on Monday , the 15 th inst ., the lodge being opened in the first degree at 8 p . m ., the AV . M ., Bro . Adamson presiding , Bro . Donney , J . AV . of Aldershott Lodge , acting as S . W ., Bros . Olifent , J . AA . ; F . Prescott , S . D . ; DallimoreJDCoxPMacting IGalso BennettMatthews

, .. ; , .., .. ; , , Holwell , ( Prov . G . AA arden of Canada AA ost ) , Hollis , Nelson , Hiscocks , AAliiston , Usherwood , Jacobs , and a numerous gathering of members The lodge was summoned for Bro . Hiscocks who is about to leave England . A ballot was taken for Mr . Alexander Reid , who was unanimously accepted . Bro . Nelson was raised to the sublime degree of M . M . The lodge then resumed to the first degree . Bros . AVhiston , Hiscocks , and Usherwood , having answered the usual questions ,

were duly passed to the degree of F . C , The lodge then resumed , when Mr . Alexander Reid was initiated into Freemasonry . The lodge being closed the brethren adjourned to refreshment , when the usual loyal ancl Masonic toasts were duly responded to . The AA . M . gave " The D . Prov . G . Master , Bro . Dobson , and the Prov . G . Officers . " Bro . Phillpots , Prov . G . Pursuivant , returned thanks . The AV . M . then gave "The Visitors . " Bro . Downy returned thanks . "The Masonic Press , " coupling it with Bro . Briggs ,

editor of the Dover Chronicle , who returned thanks . "The P . M ' s . " was duly responded to by Bro . Cox , P . M ., who then gave "The Health of tho AA . M ., " in flattering terms , eulogising his excellent working . The W . M . duly responded . "The Officers Present and Passed , " having been acknowledged , the Tyler ' s toast brought the meeting to a conclusion , the evening being spent in strict accordance with the title of the lodge , Peace ancl Harmony LANCASHIRE ( EAST . )

LIVERPOOL . —St . John's Lodge ( So . 971 ) . —The installation of Bro . AVilliam Crankshaw as AV . M . of this lodge took place on Tuesday , the 7 th inst ., at the Mersey Yacht Hotel , Duke-street , in the presence of a large number of the brethren . In the absence of Bro . Charlton , AV . M ., through ill health , Bro . AV . T . May , P . M ., Prov . G . Steward , installed the AV . M . elect , assisted by Bros . J . Hauler , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., and Anderson , P . M . No . 782 . About six