Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Industry Masonic Hall, Gateshead.

At 3 . 30 p . m ., the brethren , clothed in full Masonic costume , formed in procession in front of the lodge room for the purpose of proceeding to J ackson-street , to take part in laying the foundation-stone of the new Industry Masonic Hall ; and as the brethren were being marshalled by Bro . R . Hudson , P . G . D . of C , and Bro . R . F . Cook , D . of C , a large concourse of spectators , to whom a Masonic procession was evidently a novelty , assembled .

The order of procession was as follows : Bro . G . S . Si nuns , Tyler , with sword ; brethren not members of the province , two and two ; brethren of lodges in the province , according to seniority , juniors walking first ; rough ashlar borne by a Junior E . A . ( Bro . Dr . Douglass ;) brethren of the Lodge of Industry , two and two ; architect with plans ( Bro . Thos . Lamb ;) cornucopia witb corn ( Bro . Wood , I . P . M . 48 ;) ewer with wine ( Bro . AL Corbitt , P . G . S . D . ;)

ewer with oil ( Bro . D . Sinclair , P . M . 48 ;) Inner Guard with mallet and trowel ( Bro . E . SheuArooks ;) Directorof Ceremonies ( Bro . Dr . Cook , P . P . G . SD . ;) Junior Deacon ( Bro . E . McDonald ;) Senior Deacon , ( Bro . VV . Al . Pybus ;) Secretary witb constitutions on cushion , and plate with inscription ( Bro . A . Rhagg ;) Treasurer with phial and coins ( Bro . VV . B . Elsdon ;) Corinthian light ( Bro . J . McCullock , P . M . ;) Junior Warden with the plum rule

( Bro . E . VV . Aliddlemast ;) Doric light ( Bro . G . A . Allen , P . M . ;) Senior Warden with level ( Bro . E . Liddell ;) perfect ashlar borne by a Alaster Alason ( Bro . Lieut .-Col . Cowen ;) Chaplain bearing the Sacred Law on a cushion ( Bro . Rev . J . J . Brown ;) Tonic light ( Bro . R . Whitfield , P . AL ;) Tyler with sword ( Bro . J . Curry ;) Bro . J . G . Smith , W . AL , Bro . R . B . Reed , P . AL ; VV . F . Raeburn , and Bro . J . P . Reay , Stewards ; the Officers of the Prov .

Grand Lodge , Past and ! Present , 'in provincial clothing , according to rank . The weather being exceedingly bright and fine , the line of route , and also the vicinity of the new hall , was thronged with spectators . The building will be constructed , from plans prepared b y brethren of the lodge , after the old English style of architecture . The front will be built of red and otlier coloured bricks , with stone dressings to the windows and finial tops .

The ground floor will comprise three commodious shops , a refreshment room 37 ft . by 25 ft ., with large entrance hall , Stewards' room , lavatory , kitchen , & c . At the back part of the building there will be a house for the caretaker . Upon the first floor will be the Alasonic Hall , the dimensions of which will be * . Length , 45 ft . ; width , 37 ft . ; height , 22 ft . Adjoining the hall will be two ante-rooms , each 13 ft . by 10 ft . The ventilation will be on the most approved plan ,

and everything will be done to make the edifice perfect in all respects . 'The estimated cost , including the freehold site of nearly 1000 yards , will not exceed about £ 2500 . The contractors are Bros . T . and R . Lamb , Gateshead . The surroundings of the site were gaily decorated by Alasonic and other flags and banners , lent for the occasion by Bro . R . Whitfield , P . M ., and in the vicinity a large concourse of ladies and gentlemen had gathered . The

ceremony of laying the foundation stone was performed by Bro . R . B . Reed , P . M . 48 , as Chairman of the Industry Alasonic Hall Company . Bro . J . G . SMITH , W . AL , on behalf of the Directors of the Alasonic Hall Company , asked Bro . Reed to lay the foundation stone of the building , and presented him with a silver trowel as a mark of the respect and esteem in which he was held as Chairman of the Directors . This , he

said , would only be adding one more to the many acts Bro . Reed had done for Freemasonry in general , and for Lodge 48 in particular . The duty of laying the foundation stone could not have fallen into better hands than Bro . Reed ' s , while the amount of interest he had always taken in the cause warranted only the one choice they had made . ( Applause . ) The trowel bore the following inscription : — " Presented to Bro . R . B . Reed , P . M . Lodge of

Industry , No . 4 8 , by his brother Directors , on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of the Industry Alasonic Hall , Gateshead , Alarch 28 th , 1 SS 1 . " Bro . REED returned thanks for the kind expressions used towards himself personally , and said he should lay the stone with very great pleasure . The handsome trowel with which they had presented him should remain in his famil y as a memento of his work as a Alason . ( Applause . )

Thc foundation stone was then laid with full Alasonic ceremonial , the beautiful music being supplied by Messrs . Whitehead , Nutton , and Walker , of Durham , and R . Ferry , Gateshead . In the phial placed in the lower stone were the articles of association of the Industrial Alasonic Hall Company ; thc balance-sheet for the year 1 SS 0 ; the circular convening the meeting for installation and laying the foundation stone ; plan of the hall ; coins of the

present reign ; and copies of . the local papers . Over these was placed a plate inscribed as follows : — " Industry Masonic Hall , 28 th Alarch , 1 SS 1 . Directors—R . B . Reed , Chairman ; R . F . Cook , D . Sinclair , J . VVood , J . G . Smith , A . C . Coning , J . G . Joicey , J . Moult , Secretary ; M . Corbitt , Treasurer . " The stone having heen fixed and adjusted , was declared by Bro . REED , amid cheers , to have been duly laid . The

accompanying ceremonies having been performed , Bro . REED shortly addressed the assemblage . He thanked them in the name of the Lodge of Industry for the kindl y sympathy which had brought them there , and which he hoped by their works hereafter they would endeavour to show had not been misplaced . He also congratulated their Immediate Past Master , Bro . John Wood , who had that day so ably installed his successor in the chair , that durinn *

his year of office the brethren had not been idle . He had caused tViem to use the Masonic implements with zeal and discretion ; and by the aid of tin ; compass , the square , the line , the gauge , and the pencil a plan had been drawn for the erection of that building . ( Applause . ) This was the distinguishing work of his year of office , and would be looked back to b y him with pride as one of the distinguished marks of his Masonic career . The present Mastertoo

, would have to see that the Masonic implements were used with as much ability by his brethren as they had been during the reign of his predecessor ; and b y tbe use of the mallet , the chisel , the plumb , and the rule , see that the plans which had been formed during the past year shoultl be built with perfect exactitude . ( Applause . ) He honed

ana believed that that building would be carried to a successful conclusion , that it would be a proud example of the Masonic art , that it would be an ornament to the town at large , and that it would reflect credit on all who had been connected with its construction . ( Hear , hear . ) For it was right that this old and renowned lodge should have a home befitting its history and its career . The ori gin of the

Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Industry Masonic Hall, Gateshead.

Lodge of Industry was somewhat obscured by the mists of antiquity , but it was a tradition that it dated back as an operative lodge as far as 1690 , when that famous worker in iron , Sir Ambrose Crawley , came to establish his ironworks in this districtat Winlaton and Swalwell . To show that this tradition was well founded , he read two or three entries taken from an old minute book bj * a former Past AIaster ,

these bearing the dates of 1725 , 1727 , ancl 172 S . The transition from Operative to Speculative Alasonry was shown by a minute of June 14 , 1733 . As those who were acquainted with the history of Freemasonry knew , b-fore 1700 the Grand Lodge of London had no existence . There had been civil wars and distractions , and the usual fights of parties , to a greater extent than wc bad them , happily , now ; and , as they knew , Alasonry did not flourish in the

midst of war and blood . Yet the light was there to guide men to brighter and better paths , and about the year 1717 the Grand Lodge of England was resuscitated . The communication between 'Swalwell and London was much more frequent Ihan was customary with many other towns , for the reason that Sir Ambrose Crawley had an establishment in Thames-street , and the iron goods made at Swalwell and Winlaton were sent up by sea every fortnight and every

month . There / ore , the brethren , after the Grand Lodge was resuscitated , knowing how well it would be if the cause were extended over the whole of the country , formed a resolution to join the Grand Lodge of England , and the warrant of the Grand Lodge was given to them on June 24 , . 1735- ( Applause . ) They had a proof of their antiquity , and zeal , and loyalty to the Grand Lodge when a few years ago they applied to use the centenary medal .

It was then found that during the years from 1735 to the present time the dues of tie Lodge of Industry had been regularly paid , and they received permission to have their centenary jewel , which he at that moment wore , and which bore on it the date 1735 . ( Applause . ) He , therefore , thought he might congratulate that old lodge , whicii had lasted through the storms and vicissitudes of centuries . They who knew the records of

Tyneside were quite aware of the very disturbed state it was in from 1735 to after 1745 , when the Stuarts gallantl y tried to regain the throne of their ancestors . In 1 745 Prince Charlie made another gallant effort , and he had many loyal adherents on Tyneside . These were , indeed , troublous times , when the ^ Government of the day very properly and rightly had considerable distrust of secret societies . At that time there was considerable losing of documents . Alen ,

suddenly alarmed , either destroyed or hid documents where they were never found again . As conveyancing lawyers were aware , at that time deeds belonging to great estates became lost . The family plate of Alinsteracres was hidden in a grave near Swalwell . It was in this way that the original charter of the lodge was lost . But their brethren brought the circumstances of the case before-the Grand Lodge , it was duly investigated , and in 1771 they received a

confirmation of their original charter of 1735 , and this was the authority on which they now made Alasons and collected fees . ( Applause . ) Bro . Reed then refer : cd to the union of the ttwo Grand Lodges of London antl York in 1 S 13 , by which thc number o [ thc Lodge of Industry was altered from 44 to f ) 6 , and to the removal of that lodge from to Swalt . 'ell to Gateshead in 1 S 45 . The connection between the fathers of the old

lodge at Swalwell and the members of the lodge at the present day had never ceased . His own grandfather was one of , the cleverest masons Sir Ambrose Crawley employed , and he had therefore peculiar pleasure in laying the foundation stone of the lodge with whicii he was connected . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Corbett ' s ancestors were also connected with the great works , and one of the relatives of Bro . Colonel Cowen was Master of the lodge in 1 S 21

and 1 S 22 . There were also other brethren whose relatives connected the past with the present history of the lodge , and they might hope that , as from the past to the present , the present might lead to a glorious future . ( Applause . ) After the conclusion of the ceremony , the brethren reformed in inverse order of procession and walked to the Town Hall , Gateshead , where the annual banquet was supplied in admirable style by Bro . J . C . S . Liddell , Deckham

Hotel , Gateshead . 1 he chair was occupied by Bro , J . G . Smith , W . AL , who was supported on the right and left hy Bros . J . VVood , LP . AL 4 S ; R . B . Reed , P . AI . 4 S ; VV . IT . Crookes , P . G . Sec ; R . Whitfield , P . M . 48 ; Frederick Binckes , P . G . S . ; AL Corbitt , P . G . S . D . ; R . Hudson , P . G . D . C . ; E . D . Davis , P . P . G . S . W . ; George Hardy , P . AI . 1643 ; D . Sinclair , P . M . 48 ; VV . M . Bell , P . AL 1557 , P . P . G . A . D . C ; A . Robertson , P . AL 1167 , P . P . G . S .

VV . ; G . Portcus , S . W . 949 ; | . J . Clay , P . AL 07 ; VV . Liddell , P . G . D . ; E . Alacdonald , 48 ; Dr . Cook , " P . P . G . S . D . ; J . Kidsdale , P . P . G . J . W . Northumberland ; J . Page , P . P . G . S . B ., Northumberland ; J . Cook , P . P . G . S . W . ; G . Allan , P . AL 991 , P . PG . S . B . Northumberland ; and J . McCullock , P . AL ifi 43 . The vice-chairs were occupied by Bros . Edward Liddell , S . VV ., and I * :. VV . Middlemast , J . W . About one hundred sat down , and ample Justice

having been done to the good things of the table , the VV . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . Bro . J . WOOD , LP . AL , in appropriate terms proposed "The Health of the VV . M . ( Bro . J . G . Smith ) , " who briefly responded . Bro . F . BINCKES , London , proposed "The Health of Bro . R . B . Reed , P . AL , Chairman of the Industry Masonic Hall Company , " in a highly eulogistic speech . He

said he had that day listened to a most able and instructive address —( hear , hear , and cheers)—and he had no doubt they had put the right man in the right place . ( Applause . ) The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm , Bro . R . B . REED returned thanks in suitable terms , and assured them that it had always been his desire to perform his duty to the lodge , and if in the performance he had receiver ! the approbation of Bro . Binckes and the

brethren he had a great reward . Bro . Reed then referred to the excellent prospects of the lodge , and in response to his invitation 315 new shares were taken up in the room . The W . AL then proposed "The Health of Bro . John Wood , LP . AL , " and in the name of the officers presented him with a handsome Immediate Past Alaster ' s jewel . Bro . WOOD responded in feeling terms .

Bro . M . CORBITT , P . M ., proposed the toast of "The Alasonic Charities , " in doing which he pointed out that the members of 48 , by means of their tontines , were continuing the work of the past three years . Bros . W . II . CROOKES , P . G . S ., and F . BINCKES , Secretary Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , responded , and gave the brethren valuable inforrration about the

Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Industry Masonic Hall, Gateshead.

Charities . Bro . Crookes mentioned that the annual festival of the Boys' School was intended to be held in London on the 29 th June next , under the presidency of the Alarquis of Londonderry , the P . G . AI . of Durham . He would be glad to take up any subscriptions as Steward for the Northern part of the province . Bro . J WOOD , I . P . M ., announced his intention of acting as Steward for the lodgeand would be pleased to

, receive the support of the brethren . The W . AL proposed "The Health of the Visiting Brethren " in felicitous terms , and Bros . J DUCKITT , W . M . 481 , and J MACKAY , W . AL 424 , replied . The next toast was " The Past Masters of Lodge 48 , " to which Bros . R . WHITFIELD , AL CORBITT , " and D . SINCLAIR replied .

The Past and Present Officers" was next given by the W . AL , and Bro . E . LIDDELL responded for the present , and Bro . E . MACDONALD for the past officers . The Tyler ' s toast brought the long and interesting proceedings to a happy close . During the evening , the musical selections were ably given by Alessrs . D . Whitehead , J . Nutton , J . Walker , G . Leatham , of Durham Cathedral , and R . Ferry , Gateshead .

Cheshire Masonic Benevolent Fund.

CHESHIRE MASONIC BENEVOLENT FUND .

At a General Committee meeting held at the Alasonic Chambers , 9 , Hamilton-street , Birkenhead , on the 21 st March—Present : Bros . A . E . Coveney , W . M . G 65 , in the chair ; Jas . Salmon , P . M . 425 ; VV . M . Lightfoot , W . M . 425 ; H . J . Lloyd , W . AL 711 ; H . Jones , W . M . 12 S 9 ; I . E .

Steward , P . AT . 336 ; Jesse Ingram , W . AL 336 ; John Turner , P . M . 2 S 7 ; G . D . Bradbury , W . M . 332 ; J . Shawcross , P . AL 2 S 7 ; T . Burrows , W . AI . 104 ; Wm . Lyon , S . W . 75 S ; J . B . Hignett , P . AL 537 ; A . K . Gardiner , W . M . 477 ; VVm . Alellor , W . AL 75 S ; George Moss , J . W . 758 ; David Boyer , 2 S 7 ; H . Jackson , P . G . P ., and P . AL 336 ; Donald Fraser , P . M . 477 and Treas . ; Fred . Thompson , I . P . M . 477 ; J- P- Piatt , Hon . Treas . ; and J . K . Stevenson , Hon . Sec .

I he circular calling the meeting was read . A statement of the accounts for the past year was read , showing that the invested funds amounted at the beginning of the year - t ° £ 373 0 3 s - . 4 d-j which yielded an income of £ 159 6 s . 1 id ., and that during the year a further sum had been invested , making tbe invested capital amount to £ 3880 17 s . The amount received from lodges , chapters , and subscriptions

from individual brethren was £ 150 16 s ., as against £ 204 2 s . Gd . last year . That seventeen children had been educated and two assisted by the Advancement Fund during the past year at a cost of £ 134 12 s . 2 d . It wasjproposed by Bro . J . B . HIGNETT and seconded by Bro . IT , J . LLOYD that theyibe passed .

The Committee then proceeded to consider the applications of seven candidates for education , and after careful enquiry into each case they were all adopted , and it was resolved that their election be recommended at the Court of Governors to be held at Crewe , on the 30 th inst . The various sums voted for this purpose amounted together to £ 35 4 s . The reports of the conduct and progress of the

children at the various schools were placed on the table , and it was resolved that it be recommended to renew the grants in their favour , with the exception of two , one of whom is over age , and tbe other withdrawn . The attention of the Committee was called to the falling off of the amount subscribed by the lodges and brethren during the past year , and Bro . SALMON urged upon the

brethren the necessity of making an extra effort during the ensuing year to make a better collection , and it was suggested that a letter be written to the VV . M . of every lodge in the province asking him to make it a point to read the report of the committee in open lodge , and appoint some member of his lodge to act as Steward for the collection of subscriptions .

The M.W. Grand Master's Visit To Stamford.

THE M . W . GRAND MASTER'S VISIT TO STAMFORD .

The following is a copy of the reply received by the Lodge of Merit , No . 4 66 . from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , AI . W . G . AI . : " Sandringham , " Norfolk ;

" 27 th Jan ., 1 SS 1 . " Mr . Knollys is desired by the Prince of Wales to thank the Worshipful Alaster , Past Alasters , officers , and brethren of the Lodge of Alerit , No . 466 , for the cordial address of welcome which they presented to His Royal Higjiness and to the Princess of Wales on the occasion of their recent visit to the Borough of Stamford .

" His Royal Highness takes a warm interest in everything relating to Masonry , and it always affords him pleasure to receive expressions of goodwill and of fraternal affection from thc members of the Craft . " 1 . Hare , Secretary Lodgeof Merit , No . 466 , "Stamford . "

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

RESULT OI * CAMBRIDGE LOCAL EXAMINATIONS OF DECEMBER LAST . SENIOR EXAMINATION . Helena Aleacock and Florence C . Faithful ! satisfied Examiners .

JUNIOR EXAMINATION . Edith A . Wilson , * Edwina R . Jones , * and Alice AL Newboult—Class III . Honours . Fanny Ashby , Alargaret VV . Allison , Charlotte Coleman , Alinnie Cowley , Alaria English , and Ethel Hinson satisfied Examiners .

This result is still more satisfactory when it is remembered that these examinations do not by any means represent the whole of the girls' education , which also comprises music and such useful branches as needlework ( to which much time is necessaril y devoted ) , cookerv , and other household duties . * Distinguished in religious knowledge . '