West Lancashire.

M-A ., Rector of Chorlton-cum-Hardy , the Eev . C . A . Old , Curate , Bi'o . John William Maclure , M . P ., P . G . D . England , & c . The site having been reached the ceremony was immediately proceeded with , being watched by crowds of villagers and others of both sexes , who were interested spectators . Various hymns

were sung , and in a cavity beneath the stone was placed a bottle containing copies of newspapers , together with several coins of the present reigu . A magnificent programme had been provided , which gave full details of the proceedings , and also contained etchings of St . Clement ' s Church in the year 1512 , and of the

present structure . Brother Thomas , in the course of a long and interesting address , explained that the ceremony of that day had been organised previous to a very great event which had just taken place—he referred to the General Election—which caused them absence of

to deplore the many imporant personages who otherwise might have taken part in the proceedings , among others being Lord Egerton of Tatton , a munificent contributor to the building fund , who had also given the site for ever for the use of the parish in the worship of God ; and also Sir Wm . Cunliffe

Brooks , Bart ., who had journeyed to Aberdeen to vote , and who had returned that day from Scotland in order to record his vote in the Prestwich Division , Sir William ' s patriotic duties having kept him away from the stone-laying . Mr . James Lowe , M . A ., J . P ., an esteemed parishioner was also unable to be present .

They might , however , congratulate themselves on the fact that the avoidance of a contested election in the Stretford Division had enabled Bro . J . W . Maclure , M . P ., to be present , and take that part in the ceremony which had been intended for Mr . Lowe . The Eector spoke of Bro . Maclure as one well fitted to faithfully represent the division .

This formal stone-laying was the first in connection with the present building , which was erected thirty-five years ago , the delay having been caused by various differences . It was not , strictly speaking , a church , having never been consecrated to the service of God ; that act remaining to be dotfe , and that nart of

the work now about to be carried out was really the completion of an undertaking commenced thirty-five years ago . When the transept was finished the parish would possess a very beautiful church . One thousand pounds had been contributed towards the cost , and an additional five hundred pounds was required ,

the last part of a desired sum for any particular purpose being always the most difficult to get . It was fitting that the Masonic Brotherhood should be associated with that building . The ancient Brethren assisted in the building of the Temple at Jerusalem under King Solomon . It was also fitting that the

Masonic Order should be allied with sacred edifices , because charity , in its widest sense , was ever the proudest motto of the Craft . Bro . Thomas concluded by saying that charity and brotherly love were the distinguishing characteristics of Freemasonry , which existed long before the Christian era .

Bro . Maclure , M . P ., in presenting the trowel to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , disclaimed for the Church and

Freemasonry any politics . He explained that he was present that day as a substitute for Mr . Lowe—his " alter ego "—and not as the member of Parliament for the division . He expressed his delight that their reverend Brother had induced the Freemasons to take part in laying the corner-stone of the south transept , but

regretted the abeence of Mr . Lowe and Bro . the Earl of Lathom Pro Grand Master of Masons in England . He said that the latter had been commanded to be in attendance on Her Majesty the Queen , and they , as Masons , who were taught to obey the Great Architect above , must also obey the commands of the Queen below .

Bro . George Wylie Dep . Prov . G . M . West Lanes , then laid the stone , in accordance with Masonic usage and prescription , and delivered the usual address .

The Very Eev . the Dean of Manchester , who as one of the patrons of the living of Chorlton-cum-Hardy was called upon to say a few words , stated that it had given him singular pleasure ou behalf of the Chapter to be present , and he hoped that that day ' s proceedings might be a happy augury of the extension of

Church feeling and sympathy in that now very important parish . At the close of the ceremony the Brethren re-formed in procession to the Masonic Hall , headed by a band of music as before , and here Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in due form ,

and the interesting function of that day was over . Frequent indications of wet had been given , aud unfortunately these expectations were realised . The ardour of the Biethren , however , was not diminished by the inclemency of the weather , and everything passed off in a very successful manner . The architects of the new extension are Messrs . W . and G . Higginbottom , Manchester .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire will be held at Northvvich on the 21 st inst ., when it is expected Lord Egerton of Tatton Provincial Grand Master will preside .

Kent.

KENT .

r jnHE annual convocation of the Provincial Grand Chapter 1 _ of Kent was held on 24 th ult ., at the Sun Hotel , High Street , Chatham , under the presidency of the Grand Superintendent Earl Amherst , nearly every Chapter in the Province being represented . After the transaction of the usual business the following Grand Officers were invested for the ensuing year : —

Comp . J . S . Eastes - - - - H . Sibert Sanders - - - - J . T . S . Warne .... Scribe E . G . W . Blaxland .... Scribe N . Wm . Russell .... Treasurer \ V . S . Whitaker .... Registrar

G . R . Cockburn .... Principal Sojourner John Abrey ----- 1 st Assistant Sojourner W . B . Marcoolyn - - - - 2 nd Assistant Sojourner Edwin Morris .... Sword Bearer Edward Barrell - - - - " ) D . T . J . Lyle .... C Standard Bearers Robert Derry - - - - )

William Francis ... Director of Ceremonies George Goble - - - \ Thomas Hearn - - - r Assist . Dirs . of Ceremonies P . Jones - - - - - J Joseph H . Price .... Organist A . C . Brown .... Assistant Scribe E . John Cooke .... Janitor The convocation was subsequently closed , and the Companions adjourned to dinner .

Arch Masonry In New South Wales.

ARCH MASONRY IN NEW SOUTH WALES .

ri ^ HE time fast approaching when something will have be JL done towards unifying Eoyal Arch Masonry in New South Wales . At the present time the Supreme Grand Chapter of that colony has thirteen Chapters under jurisdiction , all of which ( judging from the annual report of 1894 ) are in a healthy financial

condition . There are several Chapters working under the S . C ., and one only holding under the I . C . It necessarily stands to reason that with these three constitutions working side by side , a certain amount of rivalry exists , in the course of which some very objectionable features occasionally develop . A feeling of jealousy

sometimes arises , and one constitution is apt now and again to claim a certain superiority over the other constitutions . AH this points to an element of separation which , if it increases in strength , will gradually but surely lead to Eoyal Arch Masonry in the colony being not a bond of union , but of disunion . Friendly

relations are observed and an interchange of visits made between N . S . W . and I . C . But those Chapters holding under the S . C . stand aloof and will not permit any of its members to visit or in any way to recognise the N . S . W . Chapters . This is in direct opposition to the principles and teachings of Freemasonry . — " Masonry . "

We congratulate Bro . Hebb on the increase of salary just accorded him by the Council of the Boys School , and hope he will long live to enjoy the preferment . As our readers are aware , we were opposed to the very large addition that was proposed

and has since been carried , and we are still of opinion that the appointment was sufficiently well paid at the old rate , but that does not prevent our congratulating a Brother who is evidently

imbued with a desire to satisfy the supporters of the Institution , place the School in a high position as an educational establishment , and make the pupils thoroughly efficient ; and this we do most heartily .

Bro . Samuel Pope P . G . D ., the leader of the Parliamentary Bar , is excused by Committees , says a contemporary , from standing while conducting a case . He sits on an air-cushion ; and sometimes he uses a fan . His weight is enormous ; yet he

gets through an extraordinary amount of work , for which the teetotallers give part of the credit to his abstinence from intoxicants . At the end of the day the great Parliamentary counsel is wheeled iu a chair along the corridors to the ladies ' lift , and from the lift he gets into a four-wheeler .

A contemporary has an interesting article on Masonic Dress , and comes to the conclusion that an apron and white gloves alone should be worn . With a thermometer at 112 ° in the Lodge Boom , we can quite appreciate the comfort of such dress ,

but it leaves something to be desired on the score of decency , and we quite comprehend now what we never before thoroughly understood , why the W . M . at his installation should be exhorted to discourage public processions of Brethren clothed as Masons . — " Indian Masonic Eeview . "