Consecrations.

initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry in a most impressive manner by the W . M . This Lodge , though the youngest , bids fair to be one of the most popular in London .

John Brunner Lodge.

JOHN BRUNNER LODGE .

SUPPLEMENTING our brief report of last week we learn from a local account of the proceedings that Sir John T . Brunner P . S . G . W . of Cheshire and P . M . of the Sincerity Lodge of Northwich has taken a very warm and practical interest in the movement for the establishment of this Lodge ,

and its success was assured when he readily assented to a unanimous request that he should become the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge , which it was decided should be

designated by his name , the number on the roll of the Grand Lodge being 2799 . The Brethren will hold their meetings in the Brunner Guildhall ,: recently presented to Winsford by Sir John .

The consecration meeting will certainly be regarded as •a landmark in the history of Cheshire Freemasonry . The gathering of Masons was probably unique , in that it included not only most of the leading Provincial Officers , but also

representatives of no fewer than forty-six out of the fifty-four Lodges in the Province , and when Sir Horatio Lloyd took his seat in the chair of Consecrating Officer the large room

of the Guildhall-was simply crowded . It may be of interest to note that amongst others to whom invitations were sent were the Provincial Grand

Officers , the Founders , the W . M . of every Lodge in the Province , and all the members of St . John Brunner ' s Mother Lodge—the Sincerity , No . 428 , Northwich . The menu was a very handsome production , and will no doubt be treasured by the guests as a souvenir of the occasion .

It was specially designed and lithographed in Masonic blue and gold . The first page of the cover was adorned with various Masonic emblems and the complete arms of Sir John Brunner , with the motto " Bibe si sapis . " On the second page were miniature portraits of all the Officers , while the

third bore the names of the Founders , and the fourtha reproduction of the Founders' jewel , the centre of which contains the Brunner Arms . A four-page inset , printed in blue and gold on perfection art paper , was devoted to the menu , wine list , toasts , and musical programme .

Bro . Sir John Brunner presided over the banquet , and Bro . Dunn acted as Director of Ceremonies . The W . M . proposed the Loyal toasts .

In submitting the health of his Honour Judge Sir Horatio Lloyd and the rest of the Prov . G . Officers , Sir John Brunner said : It has been to me a great pleasure that we have had Sir Horatio in the chair at the Consecration

ceremony , and it is now an equal pleasure to me that I call upon you to drink his health as a response to him for what he has done in his kindness to us to-day . Brethren , as a loyal Mason , I pay my homage to my superior Officer , but I am bound to declare that it gives me equal , perhaps greater ,

pleasure to give a cordial traternal welcome to our friend , an upright , clear-headed , courteous judge , a genial , hearty , pleasant friend , whenever one meets him . Brethren , I ask you to drink not only to the health of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , but to our friend and Brother . The toast was

drank with great cordiality . Sir Horatio Lloyd , in responding , said : I am quite sure that you will give me credit for sincerity when I say that I am at a loss to find words adequately to respond to the very kind way in which my old friend , Sir John Brunner , has been

good enough to mention my name to you , or to you for the hearty reception which you have given to this toast . I assure you it is no affection on my part to say , as I do most sincerely , that I have had one of the greatest pleasures of my life in being here to-day . I consider this an unique occasion . I

have been nearly fifty years a Mason and I can honestly say that I never remember a ceremony which gave me more unalloyed pleasure than the one we have gone through to-day . Never in my experience have I known an occasion where the Worshipful Master of a Lodge invited the Master of everv

other Lodge in the Province , and out of the fifty-four Lodges in this Province I am told that there are forty-six Masters here to-night . All I can say is , " Where are the other eight ? " I most heartily say I am sorry for them ; I hope they have gone to the front—there is no other excuse for them . They

ougnt to be nere , because it is an occasion which will long live in our memories . I congratulate you , Worshipful Master , most heartily upon the success of this event , because I am sure it is to a great extent due to your personal popularity . I have know a great deal of Winsford through-

John Brunner Lodge.

out my life . I have been counsel for the River Weaver for I do not know how long , and I have heard of Winsford since I was a baby ; but I do not think I should have come here to-day had it not been for Sir John Brunner . I have now to propose the health of our host , which I know you are all

anxious to drink . It gives me the greatest personal pleasure to be present to inaugurate this Lodge , and to help in installing my friend , Sir John Brunner , as your Master . I am sure you could not possibly have begun under better auspices ; it is a good omen for the Lodge , and I most

heartily wish you every success . I am sure you will always deserve it if you only act up to the principles which have , been the rule of life of your Worshipful Master . I give you with all sincerity and heartiness the health of Sir John Brunner

our W . M . The toast was received with the greatest possible enthusiasm . Bro . Pritchard sang " Here ' s to his health , " and the whole of the guests upstanding joined heartily in the chorus . Loud cheers were given for Sir John , and also for Lady Brunner .

Sir John Brunner , in reply , said : If our friend Sir Horatio Lloyd had an excuse for saying that he was at a loss to find words to acknowledge the kindness that had been shown to him , I am sure , Brethren , you will excuse me if I also find myself wanting in words to express my appreciation

of the warmth of the welcome you have given me , for the outpouring of friendly feeling and fraternal love that you have shown to me during the last three minutes I assure you has

been'overwhelming . Brethren , I thank you , and I tell you from : the bottom of my heart that I hope that I may live and die as a worthy Mason . Other toasts followed .

We understand steps are to be taken for the foundation of a Lodge in connection with the Protographic profession in London . There is a feeling that when the principles of

Freemasonry become known among the profession it will create that sociability and brotherhood which is now so lacking , and will tend to the ultimate good of photography in general . We hope to give some further particulars in a later issue .

Masonic Aid For War Victims.

MASONIC AID FOR WAR VICTIMS .

THE following additional sums have been acknowledged on behalf of the different London relief Funds started in connection with the South African campaign :

DAILY TELEGRAPH FUND . Shillings . Ordnance Lodge , No . 2399 ----- 420 Duke of Olaroace Lodge ... ' 344 J Beadon Lodge , No . 619 - - - 320 Unity Lodge , No . 1637 - ... 210

St . Mary Abbotr . Lodge , No . 1974 210 United Service Lodge , No . 215 ( I . C . ) - - - 100 Unity Lodge , No . 132 70 Chaucer Lodge , No . 1540 ----- 50 Noel-Money Lodge , No . 2521 ... 36 J Sub-Urban Lodge , No . 1702 .... 20

The Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire Lord Northcote of Exeter was entertained on Tuesday by the members of the Devonian Club , to a banquet at the Holborn Restaurant , on his apppointment as Governor of Bombay . Mr . Jesse Codings , M . P ., who presided , in proposing the

toast of " Our Guest , " declared that all Devonians , no matter what their politics , rejoiced at the honour which had been conferred upon the noble lord . No better choice could have been made , and they might rest assured that he would maintain the high traditions established by the great men who

had made India what she is . Lord Northcote , who received quite an ovation in rising to reply , admitted that , with the famine and the plague staring him in the face , his task in Bombay was no light one , but it would be his desire to rule the Province in a spirit of sympathy with all classes of the

population . For the next five years he should be absent from the county which he knew and loved so well , and although he could not hope that his name would be written large on the scroll of fame as a Devon worthy , he trusted that on his return it would be said of him that nothing in his

conduct had tarnished or diminished its honour . Among the other , speakers was Sir William Walrond , chief Ministerial Whip in the House of Commons , who remarked that the

Government , like the Army in South Africa , had a stiff fight before them , but , whatever the result , they would adopt the memorable words of Sir Redvers Buller to his army , " There will be no turning back . "