Consecrations.

Comp . F . Broadsmith P . P . G . H . to instal the Principals Designate . Comp . E . Newhouse P Z . Prov . G . Scribe E P . G . Std . B . England Z ., W . F . Eobinson P . Z . H ., and Andrew H . Baird Prov . G . D . C . J ., who were severally presented by Comp . John Lewis P . Z . P . P . G . Sj , and the three Principals were placed in their respective chairs . The following Officers were all

unanimously elected and invested by the M . E . Z . : Comps . D . Jones P . P . G . N . S . E ., Eev . G . E . Johnson S . N ., Squire Chapman P . Z . Treasurer , Dr . C . S . Brewer Prov . A . G . Sj . P . S ., Edmund Marston 1 st Assistant S ., W . J . Newton 2 nd Assistant S ., J . H . Jackson Prov . G . O . Org ., John Armstrong Prov . G . H . D . C ., J . H . Holtaway Janitor , E . W . Armstrong and A . J . Thompson Stewards .

The Provincial Superintendent proposed that a vote of thanks , to be recorded on the minutes , be tendered to Comp . Broadsmith , for the distinguished services rendered by him that day in the conduct of the ceremonies . This was seconded by

the M . E . Z ., and carried unanimously . Seven Brethren were proposed for exaltation , and twelve Companions as joining members , after which the Grand and Provincial Grand Officers retired in processional order , and the Chapter was closed in due form .

Each of the Founders received a beautiful Founder ' s Jewel , as a memento of the Consecration of the Chapter . Subsequently the company adjourned to the dining hall , where an admirable banquet was partaken of . The Loyal toasts were submitted by the M . E . Z ., that of the Grand Officers by Comp . John Armstrong Prov . G . H ., and responded to by the

Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., Prov . Grand Superintenden and E . C . Newhouse M . E . Z . The Provincial Officers was proposed by Comp . F . Eobinson H ., to which the Grand Superintendent responded , and in doing so said he was much ' gratified at the progress of Masonry in general , but more particularly in the Province of Cheshire . The ceremony of that

day was no doubt new to most of those present , as it was to himself . He could have had the assistance of the Grand S . E . Comp . Letchworth , who had kindly volunteered to come from London to Birkenhead , but having accepted the position of their Grand Superintendent he felt it was his duty to discharge to the best of his ability any ceremonies devolving upon him as such . Before resuming his seat , the Grand Superintendent proposed

the toast of the Principals , and in doing so pointed out that few Chapters started with such talented and experienced Officers as the Newhouse . The M . E . Z ., as the great executive Officer of the Province , was the pivot around which the whole system revolved . His nigh on fifty years active membership of the Order fitted him for any position , and he was supported by a H . of thirty years experience as a Mason , while the J . was a very distinguished P . G . D . C . Cheshire .

Comp . Newhouse , in replying , said it was over forty-one years since he first occupied the position of first Principal of a Chapter . He was extremely gratified when asked to take the office of M . E . Z . in this Chapter , the twentieth in the Province , and the only one consecrated for twenty-eight years . He hoped to see Eoyal Arch Masonry make still further progress in this , his beloved Province of Cheshire .

Comp . W . F . Robinson H . gave the health of the Installing Officer Comp . Broadsmith P . P . G . H ., and , on responding , Comp . Broadsmith said he took it as a great honour to be asked by the Grand Superintendent to assist in the ceremony , and if his efforts had given them satisfaction , he was amply rewarded . Some quarter of a century ago the Companion on his right —Comp . Thomas Drinkwater—initiated him into Freemasonry ,

making such an impression that from that day to this he had tried to make a daily progress in Masonic knowledge , and would continue to do so . It was so long since they had a Chapter Consecration in Cheshire , viz ., the De Tabley , in Birkenhead , in 1869 , that amongst the vast numbers present that day only one , Comp . Samuel Jones P . Z . P . P . G . H ., who that day had been invested Scribe E . of the Newhouse Chapter , witnessed the former ceremony .

The Masonic Charities was ably proposed by Captain Macnab , and responded to by Comps . T . Annett and Lilley Ellis . — " Macclesfield Advertiser , "

Gordon Lodge Ark Mariners.

GORDON LODGE ARK MARINERS .

r F . HE Consecration of this Lodge of Eoyal Ark Mariners , X No . 364 , took place at the New Falcon Hotel , West Street , Gravesend , on 24 th ult ., the following being present : —Et . Hon . Viscount Dungarvan D . G . M . Prov . G . M . Kent , Bro .

Hughes-HallettD . Prov . G . M ., W . Vincent P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., J . G . Podevin P . G . Sec , G . Allen P . C . N . 456 , J . W . Nash W . C . N ., F . Nicholls P . C . N ., G . Peart , G . H . Eussell , H . Bagshaw , L . Salt , C . Walker , J . P . White , W . Eussell , and E . Urquhart , all of No . 237 . The Grand Lodge having issued the necessary authority , a Lodge of Eoyal Ark Mariners was duly opened by Bros . W .

Gordon Lodge Ark Mariners.

Vincent as W . C . N ., G . Allen as S . J ., G . H . Russell as S . S ., Peart as Senior Deacon , Bagshaw as Guardian , and Orum as Warder , when the following Brethren were elevated to the

Degree : —W . Barlow , E . J . Beamish , Cobharn , F . Hitchens , A . Ronaldson , J . Kerney , J . Simpson , E . B . Wilks , G . Masters , J . A . Axcell , J . Davis , J . Munday , F . A . Jewson , and George Martin .

The Prov . G . Master Viscount Dungarvan then assumed the throne , and appointed Grand Officers as follow : —Bros . G . Allen Japhet , J . Nash Shem , J . P . White Chaplain , J . G . Podevin Sec , W . Vincent D . C ., J . Davis Orgauist , H . Bagshaw Guardian , J . Orum Warder .

The ceremony of Consecration was then carried out in due form . Bro . Vincent assumed the throne , and Bro . J . P . White was

presented for enthronement . He having answered the necessary questions a Board of Commanders was formed , and Bro . J . P . White enthroned according to ancient custom , with the usual solemn ceremony observed in Ark Masonry .

The following Officers were then appointed and invested : — J . Nash P . C . N ., W . Eussell Son Japhet , E . Urquhart Son Shem , F . Hitchens Treas ., J . Davis Scribe , E . B . Wilks D . C ., E . J . Beamish Senior Deacon , G . Masters Junior Deacon , F . A . Jewson Organist , A . Ronaldson Steward , J . Simpson Guardian , G . Martin Warder .

Votes of thanks were tendered to the Grand Officers , also to the Dewar Lodge , No . 237 . Bros . Viscount Dungarvan , Hughes-Hallett , W . Vincent and J . G . Podevin were elected honorary members .

The Lodge was then closed and the Brethren adjourned . o o o The Tutbury Castle Lodge was consecrated on Wednesday , at Tutbury , by Bro . H . C . Okeover Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Derbyshire . Brother Percy Wallis was installed Worshipful Master .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

BEO . EOBEET TOLEMAN , one of the leading tradesmen at Beaininster , Dorset , died on Tuesday , 27 th ult ., after a brief illness . He was an active member of the local Lodge , a Life Subscriber to the Boys School , and a Life Governor of the Benevolent Institution . He likewise took prominent part in the public life of the town . He was thirty-nine years of age .

ON Saturday , 17 th ult ., the mortal remains of the late Councillor George Cornish were laid to rest in the cemetery at Bury St . Edmunds . The first part of the burial service was conducted in St . James ' s Church , where Bro . Owen A . Clark

Organist and J . D . of Royal St . Edmunds Lodge , No . 1008 , played the " Dead March" in Saul . The large assembly included representatives of the Craft and other Societies , the two Secretaries of the local Lodges carrying between them a handsome wreath as a tribute from the members .

ON Wednesday , 5 th inst ., two largely attended Masonic funerals took place at South Shields . The first was that of the late Bro . Thomas Smith , hosier and mercer , who died after a brief illness on Sunday . Bro . Smith , who was forty-one years of age , was for some time an overseer of South Shields ,

and was well-known and much respectad . He was a member of the Hadrian Lodge . The cortege , which leit the residence in Julian Avenue , was preceeded by over a hundred Brethren from the Hadrian , Hilda , and Hedworth Lodges . There was also a very large attendance of relatives and friends . The interment

took place in the family burial place in the old cemetery , Westoe Lane , the Rev . Lewis D . Evans , Vicar o £ St . Aidan ' s , being the officiating clergy . At the close of the funeral service , the Freemasons' choir , led by Bro . L . Winstone , sang very beautifully the hymn " Days and Moments" and the refrain

" May we all meet together in the Grand Lodge above . " From the old cemetery the Brethren proceeded to Wentworth Terrace , Westoe Lane , to attend the funeral of their late Bro . S . W . Linsey P . M . and Secretary of the St . Hilda Lodge . Bro . Linsey , who was one of the officials of the Hartou Coal

Company , was thirty-six years of age . On Saturday last , owing to an abscess forming on the brain , he had to undergo an operation which was successfully performed . He went on

satisfactorily until Sunday morning , when a turn for the worse occurred , and he expired on Sunday evening . The interment took place in the new cemetery at Harton . In addition to the Masonic Brethren , a number of the officials of the Harton Coal

Company attended . The Rev . C . E . Adamson conducted the funeral service , and the same hymn and refrain as were sung at the old cemetery were rendered . A considerable gathering of the public took place at both cemeteries . Many beautiful floral tributes from friends and the Masonic Lodges were laid on the graves .