Obituary.

Obituary .

— : o : — BRO . J . DERBY ALLCROFT , PAST G . TREAS .

U NIVERSAL regret has been expressed at tho decease of this well known and respected Mnson , which occurred on tho 29 th ult . Bro . Allcroft was initiated many years back , and won for himself such general esteem among the Masons of the city and elsewhere that when it was

proposed to make the offico of Grand Treasurer an annual one , instead of virtually a permanent one , as had previously been the case , ho was chosen to champion tho new order of things , and was elected by a large majority over the head of his predecessor in the office , who sought re-election .

Ho has since worked for tho good of Freemasonry with great energy , and was rewarded with the good opinion of his brethren , as evinced by the establishment of the Derby Allcroft Lodge , No . 21 ( 38 , in 188 G , of whioh he became the

first Master , and where under his rule somo happy meetings havo been held . We tender our sincere sympathy to his relatives , and much regret that the Craft has lost so able and zealous a supporter .

BRO . PERCY H . WHITE .

THE news of the startlingly sudden death of Bro . Percy H . White , M . B ., M . R . C . S ., & c , was received by his many friends with tho deepest feelings of regret . Dr . White , who was the Immediate Past Master of the Weyside Lodge , No . 1395 , installed his successor ( Brother Gilbert

H . White ) as recently as 27 th June in a manner which will long dwell for its impressiveness in the memory of the members present . Dr . White also attended the usual banquet in the evening , when he appeared in excellent health , and was , as usual , exceedingly cheerful and genial .

A few days after he was attacked with typhoid fever , and died at his residence , 3 Moore Street , Cadogan Square , London , on the 24 th July , in his 38 th year . The deceased was initiated into Masonry in 1886 in the Weyside Lodge , and rose to the office of Master in 1892 . He

was also a rising member of the Woyside Chapter . He was tho fourth son of the late Mr . Richard White , of Norwich . For several years Dr . White carried on his profession at Woking , but somo five years ago he disposed of

his practice to Dr . A . Howlin , joining as partner au eminent surgeon-denti-t in London . Here he immensely increased the practice , and had made quite a name for himself as a clover dentist . Tho remains of tho deceased

wero interred at St . James Cemetery , Dover . Among many other wreaths sent was a beautiful one from thc Master and Brethren of the Weyside Lodge .

BRO . CHARLES SHEPHERD .

MANY in Aberdeen , thoso especially connected with shipping and Masonic circles , will regret to learn of fcho death of Mr . Charles Shepherd , manager of tho Aberdeen Steam Navigation Company . Tho deceased gentleman was fifty-six years of age , and entered the employment of the Aberdeen Steam

Navigation Company in Aberdeen , first as shipping clerk , and afterwards as manager in London , where his work won the highest praise from tho directorate . About twenty years ago he returned to Aberdeen as manager of the Company iu the head office , and the duties of that important

appointment he continued to discharge to the last with marked assiduity and success . His Masonic connection dates back into the fifties . He was initiated in the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , and rose throngh the various degrees of the Order—including that of Master—till at the time of

his death he filled the office of Provincial Grand Superintendent . He was a liberal but unostentatious supporter of every good work , and none will regret his death more than the workmen in the employ of the Steam Navigation Company , towards whom he at all times manifested a kind and generous spirit . —Aberdeen Free Press .

The Masonic brethren at St . Ann ' s-on-the-Sea have removed their Lodge-room from the corner of Garden Street , and are at present making use of the Mission Hall in Sfc . George ' s Road , where they may possibly remain temporarily until fcho New Masonic Hall in Orchard Road JS completed .

The First Manchester "Richmond" Building Society.

THE FIRST MANCHESTER "RICHMOND " BUILDING SOCIETY .

IN our desire to encourage thrift we have pleasure in publishing some account of a pio-nio which recently took place in connection with the above society . The idea of suoh an onting waa first con . ceived by Bro . J . Townley Trotter , F . S . S ., Secretary , whose name has previously figured in our columns , he being an accomplished lecturer , aud a poet of no mean pretentions . He thought that by such a means he could bring into better communion himself and

clerks who had much of the routine work to do ; and many of the directors , upon whom fell the responsibilities of management . In the former capacity there were present : -Bros . Trotter , Geo . Wen . ham Davies , and E . Roberts , together with Messrs . Edward Matley , Fred . Fairolougb , Frank Lowe , and Edgar Witney , while in the capacity of Directors were Mesar < » . W . H . Allen , VV . F . Gibson , J .

Nuttall , J . K . Foreman , and A . Brotherton . Mr . J . Mao Km lay , manager of Wainwrights' Limited , tbe largest boot and shoo firm in this part of the couttrr , accompanied the party as a visitor . The place selected was Alder ley Edge , a large residential village about Id miles from Manchester , and the weather proving fine , a very pleasant trip was tho result . Mr . Samuel Graby , of tbe Boyal Oak

Hotel catered for the party , and gave universal satisfaction by the way in whioh he treated them . Alderley , the residence of the Lords of Stanley , is a very picturesque spot , and tho Edge itself commands an extensive view of delightful scenery . It possesses its beaoon , caverns , holy well , Druidical stones , Liliputian Cromlech , and also its blood-curdling

story of an ancient wizard . After a long ramble through many of the most interesting places around , the party returned to the Hotel , some indulging in a game of bowls , and others in recreation of a more varied character . After tea they adjourned to the large club room , where toasts were proposed , the proceedings being enlivened by songs , recitations , & o . Mr . Allen

acted as chairman . In opening the proceedings , the chairman said that it was a happy thought to have suggested a pio-nio like the present , for by this means all connected with the Sooiety were bronght into friendly contact , and became better acquainted . Mr . Allen spoke hopefully of the Sooiety , and of its solvent position , and adduced some interesting particulars . Bro . Trotter said tbat he had

been identified with the " Richmond" since its formation , and though he wonld not speak in vaunting terms of its position , yet he must candidly admit that it was mnch superior to many of a kindred character , contrasted with whioh it stood ont advantageously . The Sooiety had been the means of doing good to many , who did not regret having been members , and he expressed himself as willing to

help in whatever capacity he could to fnrther its interests . The chairman , after a few commendatory remarks , whioh were directed to Bro . Trotter and his clerks , to whom he said tbe directors and members owed a debt of gratitude , proposed their healths , which toast was enthusiastically drunk . Bro . Davies in response said that he and his co-workers were extremely obliged to those who had been

so enthnsiastio in their expressions of satisfaction at tbe assistance rendered . This was the first occasion upon which Mr . Trotter bad taken his official staff into tbo country , and he presumed that tbe recent successful business justified him iu his action . He hoped business would still increase , and thus allow the pleasures of tbat day to be repeated .

Ancient Test Questions In The Mark.

ANCIENT TEST QUESTIONS IN THE MARK .

HOW many points has your mark got ? Three points . To what do they allude ? To the three points of an equilateral triangle . Please demonstrate this as an operative Mason .

A point has position , without length , breadth , or thickness ; a line has length , without breadth oi thicknoas , and terminates in two points j and three lines of equal length , placed at equal angles to eaoh other , form an equilateral triangle , whioh is the primary figure in geometry . Please explain the figure as a specnlativo Mason .

The equilateral triangle lepresonts the Trinity in Unity . The Great Architect of the Universe , having no material form , exists per . vadingall space ; the Creator of all things , Governor of all animate and inanimate nature , Fountain of Wisdom j whose greatness , perfection and glory is incomprehensible , nnd whose loving kindness nnd tender mercies are over all His works . —New Zealand Craftsman .

Tho following suggestion has been made for the formation of the United Grand Lodge of South Africa , to which we refer elsewhere : —Have five District Graud Lodges , that is one each for Natal , Free State , Transvaal , and two for Capo Colony , one Eastern and one Western , as

at present . Then have a Grand Lodge , with permanent headquarters , but meeting placo moveable , such Grand Lodgo to consist only of members of the District Grand Lodges , the annual meeting to be held in each district in

its turn , and each District Grand Lodge paying tho expenses of its delegate or delegates to Grand Lodge . Tho expense would only come once a year , and in the year when the Grand Lodge met in any particular district thero should bo no expense for that district .