Herefordshire.

HEREFORDSHIRE .

HP HE annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge will JL be held on Monday next , 12 th inst ., under the banner of the Eastnor Lodge , No . 751 , Ledbury . It is expected the Provincial Grand Master Lord Glanusk will attend and officiate on the occasion .

The work in Pennsylvania Lodges at present is reported to be more uniform than at any other period of its history . This , the Grand Master says , is largely due to the light shed by several Schools of Instruction . He finds it necessary , however , to give a word of warning to those conducting

these Instruction Lodges , as he points out that they are for the purpose of teaching the work ; they are not to expound the landmarks , rules and regulations , or law of Grand Lodge . The overstepping of these purposes notwithstanding , these Instruction Lodges are commended , and their work

acknowledged to be of great service . The same is reported from all Jurisdictions where Lodges of Instruction are permitted , says " The Mallet , " in " Glasgow Evening News , " yet they are not countenanced by the Grand Lodge of Scotland . Strange !

Bro . George E . Wagner Acting Grand Master for Pennsylvania , in his address to the Grand Lodge , says that a Lodge in the Jurisdiction decided that on a certain day it was to take charge of the religious services at a certain place of worship . As there was a difference of opinion among the

members as to the propriety of this , he had been called upon to give a ruling , and he advised the Brethren that while , of course , admonished to attend religious services at their several places of worship on all convenient occasions , a Lodge , as such , has no power or authority to assume the charge of any such services , and notify the members to attend .

The Committee of Benevolence appointed by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow had nine applications before them at their last meeting—a record number . In eight of the cases £ 57 was granted , in sums of from £ 5 to £ 10 each . The other case was delayed in consequence of no one being present to support the petition .

The annual dinner of the Bromley St . Leonard Lodge of Instruction , No . 1805 , has been fixed for Wednesday , 21 st inst , at the Bow Bells , Bow Road , E ., on which occasion Bro . Thornton W . M . of the Mother Lodge will occupy the chair .

''A Sprig Of Acacia.''

''A SPRIG OF ACACIA . ''

A SPECIAL Lodge of sorrow in connection with the death of Bro . John Lane , F . C . A ., was held at the Masonic Temple , Torquay , on Wednesday evening , 17 th ult . Convened by the W . M . of the Jordan Lodge , No . 1402 , Bro . J . D . Beer , there was a large attendance of members of that Lodge and Brethren from neighbouring Lodges . Bro .

W . J . Hughan P . S . G . D . of England gave an oration on the Masonic virtues of the deceased , and premised by saying that the death of Bro . Lane was the greatest blow in his life . As one got older the loss of the friends of former days was felt the more keenly . Initiated in that Lodge in 1878 , elected

W . M . in 1882 , in 1887 the late Bro . Lane was appointed Prov . G . D ., and the Quatuor Coronati Lodge elected him to full membership , whilst the Grand Lodge of Iowa conferred on him the distinguished rank of P . S . G . W ., because of his literary research , an honour rarely accorded to Europeans .

The late Bro . Lane was noted for his extraordinary punctual attendances , knowledge of ritual , study of the history and general information bearing on all points connected with the Craft . In fact , he might be termed a veritable encyclopaedia of accurate information , and was termed the Statistician of

the Order . In 1888 he brought out " Masonic Records , " a comprehensive compendium of facts and figures , which had never been excelled by any similar work , and had no equal under the sun . In issuing a revised edition in 1895 he presented the copyright to the Grand Lodge of England , and

in accepting it , had conferred on him the high honour of the degree of P . A . G . D . C . of England . A diligent student of other points , he also took an active interest in the Charities , and always placed his votes at the service of the Lodge for the benefit of the Province . As his closest friend and

''A Sprig Of Acacia.''

Masonic executor he had given careful consideration to the question of the disposal of the library which Bro . Lane had amassed , and which for purposes of reference was invaluable . The most valuable library that side of London , he suggested it should be acquired by the Lodge and placed in the library

in the adjoining room for the benefit of the Province . Bro . F . J . W . Crowe P . P . G . O ., as W . M . of the St . John Lodge , No . 328 , expressed deep and sincere sympathy at the loss thej' had sustained . Bro . Lane's Masonic virtues were of the rarest type , and his death was an irreparable loss to the

Lodge , the Province and the Craft . The suggested Memorial Library was thoroughly endorsed , and letters of appreciation of the late Bro . Lane read from the Prov . G . Sec , and others . Bro . R . Freke Gould , the well-known Masonic historian ,

wrote : " Our Brother was so modest that I do not believe he ever realised the astounding mark he made in the Craft . " After special prayer , the proceedings concluded with the playing of the Dead March in "Saul , " by the Organist Bro . Heaton Bailey .

ONE who has been an exceptionally ardent worker in connection with the Benevolent side of Freemasonry has just passed away in the person of Bro . Thomas Bunker P . M ., who died on Friday , 19 th ult , at the age of 65 years , after a long and serious illness of some twelve months duration . This , and other misfortunes of our departed

Brother , and his zeal in connection with the Craft , were recognised by Grand Lodge on a recent occasion , in such a manner as to give official endorsement to the opinion entertained by Bro . Bunker ' s friends , that he was in every way a worthy member of the Craft . Bro . Bunker was initiated in

the Southern Star Lodge , in 1874 , passed the chair therein , and was a subscribing member until his death . He was I . P . Z . and one of the Founders of the Southern Star Chapter , and M . E . Z . of the Clapham Chapter . For ten years he was an elected member of the Board of Benevolence , was

Treasurer of the Duke of Connaught Lodge of Instruction , and a frequent attendant at many other Lodges . The funeral took place at Ilford cemetery , on the 25 th , and was attended by a large number of Masonic and other friends of the

deceased , Bro . A . RusbyP . M . and Bro . F . Thomas specially representing the Duke of Connaught Lodge of Instruction , and Bro . J . Hands P . M . and Ex-Chief Inspector Downs I . P . M . his Mother Lodge . We tender our sympathy to the widow and family of our departed Brother .

CITIZENS of Hereford , and indeed the county generally , will learn with regret of the death of Bro . Charles Caldicott , who for something like thirty-six years had held the responsible position of Head Master of the Scudamore Endowed Schools . What makes the event more sad is the

fact that Bro . Caldicott ' s retirement from scholastic labour was announced to take place in April next , when he would have commenced to enjoy a well-earned superannuation . Death however intervened , after a short illness , and in a somewhat unexpected manner , on Monday night , 29 th ult .

He attained considerable reputation as the author of " A Guide to the City of Hereford , " and similar works relative to Warwickshire and other counties . He was a member of the Palladian Lodge , in which he had held Office , and he was also clerk to Lord Scudamore ' s charity . Three sons are left to mourn his loss .

AT Locksbrook Cemetery , Bath , on Monday afternoon , the funeral took place of the late Bro . E . L . Hill , a very old member of the Craft , who died in his 80 th year at Bath . Deceased was a P . M . of the Royal Albert Edward

Lodge , No . 906 , which he joined in 1866 , and also held office in the Royal Arch and Provincial Chapter . Many members of his own Lodge attended at the graveside , where also were representatives of other local Lodges .

nnHERE were many public signs of sympathy and respect I exhibited on the occasion of the funeral of the late Bro . Walter Marshall P . M . of the Enfield Lodge , No . 1237 , and

Secretary of the Lodge of Instruction attached thereto , he having taken a very prominent part in local affairs , filling , among other positions , that of Captain of the Edmonton Volunteer Fire Brigade .

THE Senior Warden of the Liberty of Havering Lodge , No . 1437—Bro . George Bailey—died on the 27 th ult ., aged 49 years . Our deceased Brother was a Solicitor , in practice at Laurie Square , Romford , and held the position of Clerk to the Local Urban District Council .

r jnHE death is announced ! of Bro . Small , of Ventnor , for JL some time Tyler of the Yarborough Lodge . His death is much regretted , and the widow and deceased ' s brothers have the sympathy of all who know them .