Festivities In Masonry.

FESTIVITIES IN MASONRY .

I iHE many records we are able to give week by week of - * - social meetings in different parts of the country , at which ladies and Brethren enjoy themselves together at what may

be at least described as semi-Masonic gatherings , seem to afford evidence that this feature of Freemasonry , which but a few years back was regarded as an un-Masonic innovation , has not only passed the experimental stage , but is becoming increasingly popular as it becomes better known .

The fact that the majority of the Masonic meetings at which ladies are invited to participate are promoted for the purpose of benefiting one or other of the many Charity funds existing in connection with the Craft , and the known sympathy

of the fair sex in all that pertains to the alleviation of suffering and distress , are no doubt the chief causes that lead to so many successes being achieved , and we think the

advantage thus aimed-at goes far to justify the appearance of the ladies in Freemasonry even in the eyes of those who regard their association with the Graft as out of place and unconstitutional .

But however this may be it is very certain that this season Masonic festivities appear to have been more numerous and more popular than ever , and from the reports published of results arrived at we may look forward to many an orphan , a widow , or

a distressed Brother being the richer in consequence . We have always advocated the association of ladies in the beneficent work of Freemasonry , believing that their presence cannot possibly do harm , while their interest in the good cause can and does do

good . For this reason we hope the practice of entertaining the ladies at the Lodges at least once a year will extend in our midst , that their sympathy in the sacred cause of Masonic Charity may thus be awakened , and permanent help secured .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

THE Quarterly Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . Comp . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., presided , having for his H . the Eev . J . S . Brownrigg , and for his J . Comp . J . Thornhill Morland . Comps . E . Letchworth S . E , Thomas Fenn as S . N ., Baron de

Ferrieres as P . Soj ., G . H . Hopkinson as 1 st Asst . Soj ., J . E . Le Feuvre as 2 nd Asst . Soj ., and W . M . Stiles Grand Treasurer were in their respective places . Sir George D . Harris acted for Comp . Eobert Grey President of the Committee of General Purposes .

There was a good attendance of Grand and Past Grand Officers , and of representatives of subordinate Chapters . On the motion of Sir G . D . Harris , seconded by Companion Frank Eichardson , Charters were granted for the White Rose of York Chapter , 2491 , Sheffield ; the Eccentric Chapter , 2488 ,

London ; the Fellowship Chapter , 2535 , London ; the Studholme Brownrigg Chapter , 2421 , Amersham ; and the Southern Star Chapter , 1158 , London . The Charter of the Bulwer Chapter , No . 1068 , Cairo , having been destroyed by fire , a Charter of confirmation was granted . Chapter No . 260 was ordered to

return its Charter ; No . 1537 was ordered to be erased , and No . 171 was ordered to be summoned tc show cause why it should not share the same fate . On the motion of Sir G . D . Harris , seconded by Companion Eichard Eve , £ 50 was voted to the Scholarship Fund of the Masonic Boys School .

Hampshire And Isle Of Wight.

HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT .

nnHE Provincial Grand Chapter met at the Masonic Hall , I Bournemouth , on Monday , 27 th ult ., under the presidency of Comp . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Grand Superintendent , with

Comp . J . E . Le Feuvre P . G . Swd . Br . Eng . H ., and C . J . Tilling J ., as second and third Principals respectively . A large and thoroughly representative gathering of Companions from all parts of the Province were present .

At the conclusion of the business , the Companions adjourned to the Grand Hotel , where a recherche banquet was served , and the customary toasts were honoured , under the direction of the Provincial Grand Superintendent .

Staffordshire.

STAFFORDSHIRE .

ri'lHB Provincial Grand Lodge , as at present arranged , will be I held at Hanley , on the 13 th of May . The business meeting will take place in the Artillery Hall , the Brethren will attend Divine service at Shelton Church , and a banquet will be held in the Victoria Hall .

Consecrations.

CONSECRATIONS .

TRINITY LODGE .

A WARRANT has been granted for a new Lodge to be held at Buckfastleigh , making fifty-three in the Province of Devonshire . Its number is 2595 , and the meetings are to be held at Anthony ' s Assembly Rooms . The charter is dated 28 th December 1895 , and designates Bro . 3 ames Willcocks P . M . 710 Totnes the first Master , Bro . John Cole ( another P . M . of that Lodge ) is also among the petitioners .

ST . MARY OF THE HARBOUR LODGE .

ON Tuesday afternoon , 18 th inst ., this Lodge , No . 2591 , will be consecrated at the Town Hall , Shoreham . The ceremony will be performed by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Sussex Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C , S . G . D ., who will be assisted by the Prov . Grand Officers . The consecration will be followed by the installation of Bro . the Rev . J . Puttick P . P . G . Chaplain as Worshipful Master .

ROYAL ARK MARINERS .

AT the Masonic Rooms , Hamilton Street , Birkenhead , on the 31 st ult ., Eoyal Ark Mariners Lodge , No . ll , which is attached to the Joppa Lodge of Mack Master Masons , was consecrated , in the presence of a large gathering of the fraternity . The consecration ceremony was admirably performed by Brother

C . F . Matier P . G . W . G . S ., and several Grand Officers . The Brethren designate were Bros . John Armstrong W . C . N ., T . C . Thothburn S . J ., J . 0 . Robinson S . S . Thirty-three Brethren were elevated to the degree by Bro . W . Vincent P . A . G . D . C .

An interesting oration was delivered upon the principles of Ark Masonry bv the Rev . Bro . C . E . L . Wright , M . A ., P . G . Chaplain of ' North-East Yorks , and W . C . N . York , T . I . The enthronement of Bro . John Armstrong was impressively performed by Bro . Vincent , and the newly appointed W . C . N , invested his Officers .

Subsequently the usual Loyal and Ark toasts were proposed and responded to , and an excellent musical programme was rendered . The catering was carried out by Bro . H . Moyers , of 605 , and the musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . W . Hudson Organist .