Aid For War Sufferers.

AID FOR WAR SUFFERERS .

HPHE returns which come to hand day by day afford *¦¦ ample evidence of the heartiness with which our countrymen in all parts are responding to the appeal for funds with which to relieve sufferers through the

war in South Africa , and not the least gratifying feature of the loyal enthusiasm , from our point of view , is the large number of contributions received from Masonic sources . With so many Funds and organisations in

operation throughout the country it is all but impossible to compile a full list of Masonic contributions , but we are able to collect sufficient to prove that the Craft is

by no means behindhand in the good work , as the list we give elsewhere demonstrates , although it must be understood that the sums therein recorded are those

which have been acknowledged during the last two weeks only . We shall be pleased to hear of any other amounts contributed from Masonic sources

throughout the country , as we hope to be able to compile a complete record of Masonic contributions ere the different Funds are closed .

At the moment of going to press we have before us a list of the contributions acknowledged to-day , and are pleased to see the total is , Masonically , one of the best since the Funds were started , even if it does not deserve the premier position , including as it does X 105 the

from Grand Mark Lodge ; ^ 80 from Cripplegate Lodge , No . 1613 ; ^ 30 fro m the Atlingworth Lodge , No . 1821 ; ^ 28 10 s from the Welcome Lodge , No . 1673 ; ^ 21 from both the Wanderers Lodge , No 1604 and the Surrey Masonic Hall Lodge , No . 1539 ; ^ 17 5 s from the Manchester Lodge , No . 179 ; and a large number of other amounts .

Another Masonic Secession.

ANOTHER MASONIC SECESSION .

IN the ordinary course of things secessions from a * body like the United Grand Lodge of England , for the purpose of forming an Independent Grand Lodge , must be regarded as evidences of strength rather than of weakness , although of course such a

proceeding means a reduction in the number of Lodges on the parent register •but at the same time it evidences such progress as calls for the establishment of a new head or governing body ; and such is the case to-day ,

when we have to record a movement—all but unanimous , and entirely constitutional and regular—towards the establishment of a Grand Lodge for the colony of Western Australia .

In another part of this issue we give fuller details of the course taken to bring about this step , and we now take the opportunity of congratulatino our colonial

Brethren on the position they have achieved , and the brilliant prospects it is fair to say are before them , for unanimity in such a matter as independence is of most vital moment .

Another Masonic Secession.

As stated in the report to which we refer there are thirty-four Lodges under the jurisdiction of the District Grand Lodge of Western Australia , while our Grand Lodge Calendar records one—at Albany—as under no District Grand Lodge , so that it may mean that the English Roll will lose thirty-five Lodges by this latest

movement in the way of independence , if the one opposing Lodge falls in with the views of the majority , as is almost certain . The published records of the Craft do not give the whole of these thirty-five Lodges , but probably a few new ones have been Warranted

since the last returns were published , and thus the discrepancy is accounted for . Those we know of as Warranted for Western Australia are as follow , and we imagine our Grand Lodge will , at an early date , greet * them as a Sovereign Grand Lodge :

No . Name and Locality of Lodge . Date oi Warrant . 485 St . John , Perth - 1842 1033 Fremantle , Fremantle ... 1864 1454 Plantagenet , Albany - - - - * ¦ 1873 1683 Geraldton , Geraldton - 1877 1840 Wellington , Bunbury ... 1879

2118 York , York - - - - - - 1885 2165 St . George , Perth ----- 1886 2281 Emulation , Perth ----- 1888 2282 Harmony , Fremantle ... - 1888 2297 Harding , Roebourne ... 1888 2443 Albany , Albany - 1892

2452 Unity , Perth ... 1892 2471 Avon , Northam .... 1893 2543 Ooelgardie . Coolgardie ... 1894 2574 Southern Cross , Southern Cross ... 1895 2617 Murchison , Cuo .... 1896 2618 Friendship , Helena Vale - - - - * 1896

2635 Beaconsfield , Fremantle - 1896 2636 Military , Perth ... 1896 2637 Norseman , Norseman ... 1896 2638 Esperance , Esperance .... 1896 2639 Menzies , Menzies ----- 1896 2658 Loyal Westralian , Fremantle - - - 1897 2775 Perth , Perth - - - . - - - 1899

2776 Richmond , East Fremantle - - - 1899 2777 Diamond Jubilee , Perth ... . 1899 2778 Kalgoorlie , Kalgoorlie .... 1899 2779 Boulder , Boulder .... 1899 2780 Finnerty , Kalgoorlie - ---- 1899 2781 Katanning , Katanning .... 1899 2782 Duke of Albany , Perth . ... 1899 2783 Golden Square , Kalgoorlie - 1899

Leicestershire And Rutland.

LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND .

rjpHE annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge will be JL held at the Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , on Thursday , 30 th inst ., for the transaction of the usual business of the

year , and to present , on behalf of the Province , a portrait and silver salver to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bro . S . S . Partridge , who is most highly esteemed in the district .

The Committee of the Provincial Charity Association , in their twenty-first annual report , " record the success of two candidates for the Masonic Institutions * . a Girl in April , with 4 , 710 votes ; and a Benevolent candidate , in May , with 5 , 105

votes , and they add they wish it to be observed how large a number of votes it is now necessary to obtain in order to secure success at these elections , and how essential it is that the voting strength of the Province , which is now 4 , 183 a year , should not only be maintained but largely increased .

After the completion of the work in Lodge , there will be a banquet , tickets for which , including dessert , are 6 s each , and may be obtained of the Provincial Grand Secretary Bro . E . Holmes ( Freemasons' Hall , Leicester ) .