Masonry And Parish Affairs.

the traditions of fairness and impartiality which should be associated with all their official dealings . It is argued that no one who is not a member either of the Freemasons or the Orange Society stands any

chance 7 of employment by this Committee , while undue favouritism is shown to those who are associated with the members by the ties of brotherhood .

We imagine these matters can be decided on the spot , without much trouble , and no doubt locaL feeling is strong enough to force some understanding on the point j what we more particularly regret is the

necessity for Freemasons to be periodically put on their defence , although , of course , if they act in such a way as to lay themselves open to adverse criticism they , not only deserve the remarks showered upon I *

them ; but are guilty of a grave on ^ nce against ree masonry , and one calculated to bring lasting disgrace and disapproval on its members .

As one outcome of the Brighton squabble we , may look forward to ' the early erection of a Masonic Hall in the town , which is amply large enough and has sufficient Lodges meeting during the year to support such a building , and we hope some definite action

will be taken by the local Craftsmen to clear themselves and the Order from the stigma that now rests nnnn them .

At Wigan & vote of censure was carried that will entail a thorough sifting of the charges preferred , so that here , at least , we may hope for a definite understanding being arrived at , and this , we hope , will

prove perfectly satisfactory to all sides and to the many non-residents who . must feel an interest in the controversy , not only because it affects-the Masonic

Brotherhood , but " also because most Englishmen like fair play and unquestionable honesty , particularly in affairs which concern the general public and parish finance . '

Consecration : St. Michael Lodge.

CONSECRATION : ST . MICHAEL LODGE .

ON tbe 29 th ulf , there was a very large gathering of Freemasons , at Stone , for the purpose of witnessing and taking part in the consecration of a new Lodge . Bro . J . Mervyn Wood P . M . and W . M . 546 was named as the first W . M ., with E . C . D'Anquier , M . A . , and P .

Brandon P . P . G . R . as Senior and Junior Wardens respectively . There has not before been a Masonic Lodge at-Stone , and the brethren -have chosen the name " StrMichael , " and appropriately the consecration took place on St . Michael ' s

Day . The assembly room of the Crown Hotel has been secured as the place of meeting , and there are the necessary ante rooms in the same bnilding . , Tho consecration ,

however , took place at the Town Hall , Bro . Letchworth Grand Secretary , ; who ' attended for the purpose of consecrating the Lodged was accompanied . by a large number of Past and Present Provincial Officers , and he MBS , assisted in the

ceremony by Bros . W . J . Whittall RG . S . W . as S . W ., R . Dain P . G . J . W . as J . W ., Rev . S . Wickham Jones , M . A ., P . G . C . as ; Chaplain , and J . H . Matthews P ; D ; G ; lX of 0 as Director of Ceremonies .. Among the brethren present

waa Ljealehant-Colonel , Bindley D . PiG . M ., who , having taken the chair , opened the Lodge . Subsequently the Chaplain ( Rev . S . Wickham Jones ) delivered an oration on the principles of the institution . The Chaplain , in his address , said the foundation of Masonry was most honourable , and it was a most honourable ait

which had existed from the very foundation of the world . The mystic signs connected with it were derived from the principles of piety and virtue . Afterwards Bro . J . Mervyn Wood was installed the first W . M ., the ceremony being performed by the Grand Secretary .

Cumberland And Westmoreland.

CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORELAND .

THB Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Tuesday of last week , under the banner of the ' Windermere

Cumberland And Westmoreland.

Lodge , No . 2217 , tho meeting place being the Windermere Institute . The Lodge was opened at noon : ( in the absence through continued illness of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master the Earl of Bective ) by D . P . G . M . Bro . J . G . McKay . There wero present in all between

00 and 70 brethren , including representatives from the Lodges at Kendal , Keswick , Millom , Carlisle , Whitehaven , Penrith , and other p ' aco ? . After tho transaction of Provincial Lodge business , the brethren , wearing the insignia of their rank , went to St . Mary's Church , the procession

being headed by the local Volunteer band . A shortened form of evening prayer was conducted by tho Rev . Geo . Crewsdon , Vicar of St . Mary ' s , and the -preacher was thc Rev . W . Cree W . M . 332 P . G . Chaplain , of Newton Reigny , who gave an eloquent and impressive discourse . A

collection was made on behalf of the Masonic Chanties . From the church the brethren returned to the Institute , where ah excellent banquet was provided by-Bro . John Raine . At tbe close of the banquet the usual Loyal and Masonic

toasts' were honoured . The new Lodge room of the Windermere is completed , and will be opened next month . The following were . appointeid-the Provincial Officers for the year :: —«¦« ¦ - ¦ . . ' ¦ •: . ¦ . ¦ > ' •¦

, Bro . Jamea G , Gandy - .......... •Senior W / arden .. : / . •¦¦ , ;„ ¦ - ' . Edward Clarke •,. .. . . — . Junior Warden - Rev . Charles H . Gem ,. ¦ . ,., •V rjh ' ablaina ' Rev . John H . Hartley , - ... . .. •) ,.. < \; ' . ¦¦ : . R . J . Nelson . .. .. ¦ .... •Treasurer .

Alexander Milne - •,,. •. Registrar George Dalrymple ... Secretary John Robinson .... Senior Deacon Jonathan Cant - - •Junior Deacon T . C . Bnrn Superintendent of Works

R . P . Hunter . . . •, •Director pf Ceremonies Thomas Annison ... •Assist . Director of Cers . R . P . Long - ¦ ••' - ••¦ '¦ - •'•' •Sword Bearer ' ''•¦ " . ? ? f-Jf ¦ ¦ * " " ' [ Standard Bearers . ' .. '' ¦• J . J . Little - ¦¦ •- ' ¦ ' ¦ •-: - •)' ¦•¦ ¦ ¦¦¦

D . H . Cook .- ' - '•' . ••Organist •' '' ' ' - . ' .. . Rev . Jas . Anderson . - - Asaitant Secretary . ' ¦ •'• James Lowery - ... Pursuivant ' ¦ '"" John Atkinson . •- •Asa't . Pursuivant " ¦ R . A . Clarke - - . ¦ - > ¦

Edward Pattinson . j . Dr . H-J . Webb - -. - . [; siewftrd 8 , T" ; . F . R . Back . . . . * f " .. '" . , William Robinson - . -j J . T . Graham - •- - -j A . W . Johnston . i . - •¦; Tyler

South Wales—Eastern Division.

SOUTH WALES—EASTERN DIVISION .

A MEETING of the Provincial Grand LodgoSvas hold at the Masonic Hall , Pontypridd , under . the banner of the , Merlin Lodge , on Tuesday , 10 th inst ; , under tho presidency of the D . P . G . M . Bro . Marmaduke Tetinant . There were about 100 brethren present , including a

number of representatives from London and Captain Homfray D . P . G . M . of Monmouthshire . Bro . Dr . H . Naunton Davies was invested Senior Warden of "the Province forth © year , and Bro . : C E . ; D _ ovey ,, Cardiff ,,. . Junior Warden . Ia the evening , there : was a banquet in the Now Inn iHotel . <

Grand Lodge For Transvaal.

GRAND LODGE FOR TRANSVAAL .

AT the . Johannesburg Lodge , No " . 2313 ^ on ult ., the proposal to apply to the Grand Lodge of Engf land ; for a warrant for the establishment of a District Grand Lodge for the Sonth African Republic was brought on for considerations a large number-of ; members and

visitors , including a goodly array of Past Masters ,,. being present . The advantages that would , follow . upon the establishment of a District Grand Lodge were enlarged upon at length by the prosperer , Bro . J . E . Green P . M .

The discussion which ensued was a lengthy . one ; the speakers generally in favour of the proposal , which was ultimately carried unanimously , an amendment to adjourn the consideration of tho matter sine die meeting with no

support . No doubt this action on the part of the'Johannesburg Lodge will have a large influence on tho decision which the other English Lodges in the State have stiil . fp come to in the matter . r—Johannesburg Star . ' , . . .-.:,. ><"'