Candidates For The Benevolent Institution.

CANDIDATES FOR THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

nnHE ballot papers for the annual election for the two J- branches of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution are now issued , and show a total of 113 approved candidates for the two Funds , with thirty-three declared vacancies , six of these

latter being , as usual , for deferred annuities , payable only as vacancies may occur from death or other cause among those already enjoying the pension provided by the Fund .

On the male side there are sixty candidates , and nineteen declared vacancies , among the applicants being one aged Brother who now appears on the list for the fourteenth time , another comes for the thirteenth time , and another for

the twelfth , after which there is an eighth and a seventh application , two sixth , one fifth , three fourth , six third , seventeen second , and twenty-six first , so that we see fourfifths of the applicants have beem admitted as candidates

within the last three years , a fact that goes far to prove that in a large majority of cases early success is secured by those whose necessity compels them to appeal to this splendid fund

of English Masonic benevolence , and this despite the fact that some few of the candidates has been as long as twelve , thirteen and fourteen years seeking for an annuity , and are even yet outside the benefits of the Fund .

Turning to the' Widows' Branch we find fifty-three candidates , of whom nearly half , or , to be exact , twenty-four , now make their first application . As in the case of the Aged Brethren there are some who have been striving for a long

time to secure the pension of the Institution , two widows now coming forward for the thirteenth time , three for the eleventh , two for the tenth , one for the ninth , three for the eighth , two for the seventh , one for the fifth , five for the fourth , six for the third , and four for the second .

It would be impossible , in the space at our disposal , to attempt anything like an analysis of the claims of these several candidates ; fortunately a large proportion of them have

a strong body of helpers at their back , who will use every effort on their behalf , and , it may be hoped , speedily secure for them the benefits they desire , and , it is gratifying to know , the Craft is able to provide in such profusion .

United Grand Lodge.

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

THE annual meeting of Grand Lodge , for the installation of Grand Master , and appointment and investiture of Officers for the year , will be held at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday next , at 4 for 5 o ' clock .

Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

THIS Board met on Wednesday evening , at the Freemasons ' Hall , London , and was numerously attended . The President ' s chair was occupied by Bro . Grey , the Senior Vice-President ' s by Bro . D . D . Mercer , and the Junior Vice-President ' s by Bro . C . A . Cottebrune . Bros . E . Letchworth G . S ., W . Lake Assist . G . S ., W . Dodd , and W . H . Lee attended in their official

Board Of Benevolence.

capacity , and among the Grand and Past Grand Officers were Bros . 0 . E . Keyser , J . H . Matthews , S . Valentine , H . Garrod , G . J . E . Tijou , George Everett , and John Newton . After the Board had confirmed recommendations of the previous meeting , to the ' extent of £ 490 , they took up the new list ,

which comprised the large number of forty-two petitioners . To thirty-nine of these propositions were carried which made up the total sum in the evening to £ 960 . Three cases were sent to Grand Lodge , one for £ 75 , and two for £ 50 each . For confirmation at

the next monthly meeting , the Grand Master s approval was asked to four grants of £ 40 each , seven of £ 30 each , aud one of £ 25 . The remainder were immediate grants varying from £ 20 to £ 5 . £ 20 was voted in fifteen cases , £ 10 in seven , £ 15 to one petitioner , and £ 5 to another .

Exeter Masonic Hall.

EXETER MASONIC HALL .

EXETER Freemasons' Hall , in Gandy Street , was re-opened on the 16 th . When the disastrous fire occurred at Scott ' s Factory , on Christmas eve 1894 , certain parts of the building were seriously damaged both by fire and water . At the time

considerable discussion took place amongst the Brethren as to the advisability of erecting an entirely new Hall on another site , which was considered to be more central , and a combined meeting of the members of the Craft in the city was held at the Victoria Hall to . consider the matter .

It was decided almost unanimously that it would be better to retain possession of the existing premises , and re-construct those portions which had been injured . Sundry other schemes were set on foot , one of them being in favour of starting a limited liability company for erecting spacious Lodge Rooms with Club premises attached , but these did not meet with a ready response , and were dropped .

Bro . James Jerman , A . R . I . B . A ., surveyor to the trustees , was then instructed to prepare plans for restoring the old Hall , and under his direction the work has been admirably carried out by Mr . G . E . Saunders , the contractor . The size of the old Lodge Rooms has been increased , and the original accommodation

has been extended . The principal hall will measure 36 feet by 22 feet , and will be 23 feet high , with an open timbered roof . Abundant light and ventilation have been provided for . By the side are the preparation rooms , with the usual approaches , which had been worked in with the old staircase . Underneath the

large hall is a spacious dining room , with kitchen and other offices adjoining . A new and efficient heating apparatus has been provided by Messrs . Wippeli Bros , and Row . The other parts of the building , consisting of the Club premises and other rooms for Masonic purposes , will remain as before . The

Brethren came to a wise decision when they made up their minds not to remove from the old site , as it is very central , and besides this the premises have many historical associations . It has been the residence of Fortescues , Brakes , Graingers , Snows , and other well-known local families , and there are evidences in

its construction of work dating from the fourteenth century downwards . The handsome painting of Dr . Carwithen , so much prized by local Masons , which formerly hung on the great staircase , will in future have a place on the west wall of the Lodge Room .

The opening ceremony was performed at a joint meeting of the Exeter Lodges—St . John , 39 ; St . George , 112 ; and Semper Fidelis , 1254 ; the three Masters respectively occupying the Master ' s , Senior and Junior Wardens chairs , in order of seniority . The I . P . M . was Brother H . Jerman , St . John . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master Brother G . C . Davie was present , and

took part in the proceedings , and other Provincial Oraud Officers also attended . Bro . E . M . Vinnicombe presided at the organ , and was assisted by a choir of twenty-live voices . A banquet was afterwards held at the New London Hotel , when the Deputy Provincial Grand Master presided , and there was a numerous attendance . — " Western Morning News . "