Enlargement Of The Holborn Restaurant.

ENLARGEMENT OF THE HOLBORN RESTAURANT .

ONE of the most notable additions to the places of entertainment in London has just been completed by the Proprietors of tho Holborn Restaurant , who havo erected a new wing to that already extonsivo and popular establishment , and have thereby provided what is probably the finest and largest public dining hall in any part of the world . The Proprietors of the Holborn Restaurant , as already mentioned

in our columns , were frequently called upon to provide accommodation for larger parties than could be entertained at their establishment , notwithstanding its former large dimensions , and to meet this requirement they have added their Western Annexejustly described as a palatial adjunct characterised by the same

unostentatious and massive beauty which pervades the original structure . Tho principal portion of this recent addition is the " King ' s Hall , " which is margined by two spacious Balconies , the lower one being slightly raised above the central floor , and communicating therewith on every side by a couple of grand antique

marble steps . Here there is accommodation for upwards of 500 at a banquet on the main floor , while , with the additional space provided by the two Balconies , tho King's Hall can comfortably seat 600 diners , and will no doubt attract a very large number of tho more numerously attended banquets of the future .

But it is-not only as a commodious Banquet room that tho King ' s Hall will bo patronised , as of course it will be equally suitable for cinderellas , balls , concerts , public meetings , or , indeed , anything requiring space and comfort .

Another part of the additional premises is designated the Council Chamber , and will be available for purposes similar to the King ' s Hall , but on a smaller scale , and may also be used as an auxiliary to the larger Hall when necessary . The other additions provide ample Crush Rooms and other conveniences , and are best described when we say that they are fully in keeping with the splendour of the older portions of this famous establishment .

Tho formal opening of the Annexe took place on Wednesday of last week , when the Proprietors issued invitations which were accepted by some 3 , 0 i 0 persons , all of whom wero loud in their expressions of approval of the splendid accommodation just added , and which , it is fair to predict , will be as widely patronised and appreciated as it deserves to be .

Manchester Masonic Hall.

MANCHESTER MASONIC HALL .

DURING the recess the Masonic Hall has been installed with the electric light , and thoroughly beautified , its principal rooms at the present time being probably as handsome as any in the kingdom . The electric lighting has been carried out entirely by the Collier-Marr Co . Limited , of Derby Street , Oxford Road , Manchester , who have installed about 100 incandescent lamps in the various rooms of the Hall . The installation is supplied with current from the

Corporation mains , and is arranged on the multiple distribution system . The main cables are led from the Corporation metres to a distributing board fixed in a central and convenient position in the main landing , close to the bar . Prom this distributing board branch off separate mains to supply current to the various . rooms , each branch circuit being independent , and protected by a safety fuse on both positive and negative wires .

We commence at the entrance , which , together with the stairs , is lighted by a handsome three-light electrolier , as is also the passage and landing on the floor above , each electrolier being under the control of a separate switch . In the smoke room are fixed two three-light electroliers of similar design to tho above , and each under the control of a separate switch fixed near the smoke room door .

The dining room is lighted by three five-light electroliers , fixed down the centre of the room , and six single light cord pendants , arranged in two rows of three each down either side of the room . The switchboard for the dining room is fixed near the serving room , so as to be under the immediate control of the waiters , and on it are

arranged five tumbler switches with the requisite safety fuses . There is one switch to each of the five-light electroliers , and one switch to each of the side rows of single lights . With all lights oh , and the tables set for . dining , the effect is extremely brilliant .

The reading room is lighted by a five-light electrolier , of similar design , and arranged and controlled in a similar manner to those iu the smoke room . The Masonic room , which has been entirely re-decorated , was naturally of the greatest importance so far as the electric lighting was concerned , aria after due consideration it was decided to erect

two electroliers , of fifteen lights each , down the centre of the room , and six two-light brackets on the walls . These electroliers , which are of extremely handsome design , are suspended from two arched beams , each being under the control of a separate switch , and tho brackets are arranged on two separate circuits , each controlled by a separate switch . The four switches are all mounted on one

polished walnut switchboard , fixed near the door , so that the whole of the lights in the room are under the immediate control of the attendant . The room is extremely well lighted , and the atmosphere delightfully cool and refreshing , in great contrast to the state of affairs when gas was used , as then the room soon became most uncomfortably hot and close . But the greatest gain will be in regard to the decorations , which will remain clear and fresh for

years . The various smaller rooms , such as the bar , lavatory , ante-room , kitchen , & c . ; are all provided with electric light , mostly in the form of single cord pendants , or plain brackets , each light as before being separately controlled . From an electrical point of view , no less than its commercial one , the whole Installation has been most carefully designed and

Manchester Masonic Hall.

carried out , the various circuits being . effectually protected against any accident , and each independent of the other , whilst the whole of the lighting is entirely controlled from the main distributing board before mentioned . This latter , which consists of a handsome polished walnut case with glass front , contains , in addition to tbe distributing fuses , two double pole main switches , with quick break action , each mounted on an enamelled slate base , and whioh control the whole of the current required for the Installation .

The Installation has now been working about six weeks , and has given unqualified satisfaction both to the directors and members , who appear to be extremely well pleased with the excellent manner in which the Collier-Marr Company have carried out the work .

It would be interesting to know who enjoys the distinction of being the oldest living Lodge founder . In another column we report a meeting of the St . Margaret Lodge , No . 1452 , at which the first Master of the Lodge

was presented with his portrait on behalf of the members . This Lodge was established as recently , comparatively speaking , as 1873 , so that there are

doubtless many veterans who have a much longer record to refer to . Perhaps some of our readers can give us particulars of others .

o o o Since the above was written we have learnt that Bro . George Everett Past Grand Treasurer was one of the Founders of the Kennington Lodge , No . 1381 , which

was established in 1871 , so that he has prior rank as a Founder , although he did not enjoy the distinction of being first Master of that Lodge , while from our report of the Unity Lodge , No . 1332 , it will be seen its present Master has just been installed by a Founder thereof , thus carrying the point back to a Lodge of 1870 .

o o o The 159 th Anniversary of the Angel Lodge , No . 51 , will take place on Thursday next , at the Cups Hotel , Colchester , when Bro . Claude E . Egerton-Green S . W .

I . P . M . 2477 Prov . G . Treas ., & c , will be Installed as Master , in succession to Bro . G . F . Wright . o o o

The Installation meeting of the Covent Garden Chapter , No . 1614 , will be held on Thursday next , at the Criterion , Piccadilly , the Principals-elect being Comps Hancock , Hewett and Foan . The Agenda for the meeting contains the names of four candidates for exaltation . o o o On Saturday the memorial stone of St . Stephen ' s Established Church , Craigie , Perth , was laid with Masonic honours by Bro . W . Whitelaw , M . P . for the city , R . W . M . of Lodge Royal Arch , No . 122 , acting as Provincial Grand Master of Perthshire East .

o o o A very successful gathering marked the installation meeting of the William Shurmur Lodge , which took place on Thursday , at Chingford , Bro . Richard Kershaw being installed . Our report will be given next week ..

u u u The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall was held at Redruth , on Tuesday , when the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe took his seat as Provincial

Grand Master . The proceedings were of an interesting nature and will be more fully referred to in our next issue . o o o

The half-yearly meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire was held on Wednesday , at Sheffield , under the presidency of the Rt . Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master . We shall give a report of the proceedings next week . o o o The censure of the Grand Lodge of Scotland against the W . M . of the Zetland Lodge , Grangemouth , for having opened his Lodge on a Sunday , was formally delivered by the Prov . G . M . of Stirlingshire at the meeting of the Lodge last week .