Correspondence.

Correspondence .

Wc do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

HONORARY SECRETARIES . To the Editor ot the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , About 33 years ago , I had occasion to write thethen Grand Secretary on Masonic business , as Secretary of the Frederick Lodge of Unity , No . 452 , and as , in those usual subscri

days , I paid my yearly ption , I signed myself Hon . Secy The W . Bro . Wm . Gray Clarke was the Grand Secretary , and he returned my letter stating that it must come through "the Sec . ofthe Lodge . " I took the hint and re-wrote the letter signing myself Secretary . That letter was duly attended to . — Yours fraternally , MAGNUS OHREN . Tune 25 th . ———

JUBILEE MASTERS' LODGE , No . 2712 . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The "Jubilee Masters' Lodge , No . 2712 , " is now " un Fait accompli , " and in the interest ! ag account of the consecration that appears in your issue of

this week , I regret to notice that no mention is made of the brother who was the originator of the whole scheme . I allude to Bro . W . Thomson Lyon . It was this brother who got up the dinner of London W . Ms , alluded to in your columns , and it was he who suggested that evening the formation of the present lodge . — Yours fraternally , A FOUNDER . London , June 25 th .

A QUERY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear . Sir and Brother , A Past Master who re-joins the lodge in which he served as Worshipful Master becomes a Past Master of such lodge . Does he regain his old position among the Past Masters , or does he rank at the bottom of the list ?—Yours fraternally , P . M . June 27 th .

Annual Athletic Sports Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ANNUAL ATHLETIC SPORTS OF THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The annual athletic sports of the Royal Masonic I nstitution for Boys took place in the grounds of the Institution , Wood Green , on Saturday , the 25 th ult , when there were present , among others , Bros . R . Eve ( Chairman of the Board of Management ) , Glass , Cummings , Willing , Manfield , Ellard , Butcher , Hodges , Bailey , Hawkins , Bale , Chatterton , Karris , Saunders , F . A . White , R . Manuel , and McLeod , Secretary .

Owing to the rain that fell during the morning the attendance was not so large as might have been expected , but thanks to the excellence of the arrangements made by the Committee in charge , everything passed off satisfactorily . Owing to the same cause , however , that kept many from attending , the gymnastic display , which is one of the attractions of the meeting , did not take place , the

grass being far too wet , and for the same reason the tug-of-war was omitted . The other events were in nearly every case well contested , and when all was over Mrs . Willing very kindly distributed the prizes j a vote of thanks to her for her attendance—to which Bro . Willing responded—being proposed by Bro . R . EVE , and carried amid hearty cheers . The following is a record of the results :

THROWING THE CRICKET BALL . —Prize , the ball . 11 entered . Shaw , 1 ; Greenwood , 2 . Distance thrown SS yards 4 inches . 100 YARDS ( UNDER 13 ) . —First prize , tankard ; second prize , batting gloves . 24 competed . Final heat . Curtis , 1 ; Chipp , 2 . Time , 13 seconds . There were 19 entries for the 100 yards ( open ) . —First prize , opera glasses , presented by Bro . Kemp ; second prize , drinkine cup . Final heat . Shaw , 1 j Chadwick , 2 . Time , 11 4-5 ths seconds . ' HIGH J ( PREPARATOKV SCHOOL ) . —First prizeLoxleybat ; second prize ,

, , Hawkins , a pair of pads . Height , 5 feet 2 inches . HIGH J ( OPEN ) . —First prize , handbag ; second prize , cricket ball . Campbell , 1 ; Chadwick , 2 . Height , 4 feet , 1 inch . For the 220 yards ( under 13 ) handicap there were 24 entries . First prize , cricket bat ; second prize , album . 1 , Curtis ( 7 yards )! 2 , Aspden ( 24 yards ) . Time , 33 seconds . 300 YARDS ( OPEN ) . —First prize , cricket bat ; second prize , tankard : presented bv

Bro . A . B . Bennett . 14 entries . Shaw , 1 ; Chadwick , 2 . Time , 43 seconds . Four entered for the high jump ( under 13 ) . —First prize , telescope ; second prize , tennis racquet . Walker , 1 ; Pickles , 2 . Height , 3 feet 10 inches . For the 440 yards ( open ) handicap there were 31 entered . First prize , bat ; second prize , handbag ; Curtis ( 4 OJ yards ) breasting the tape in 6 S 1-5 H 1 seconds ; Grant ( 6 3 yards ) being second .

220 \ ARDS ( PREPARATORY SCHOOL ) . — First prize , football ; second prize , writing case . Loxley won in 3 6 sees . ; 2 nd , Ward . Entries 17 . 100 YARDS BICVCI . H SLOW RACE . —Prizes presented by Bros . James Willing , jun ., and Henry Pritchard . 1 , Tutton ; 2 , Smith . LONG J ( UNDHK 13 ) . —Presented by Bro . James Willing , jun . First prize , writing case , Pickles ; 2 , Walker ; six entered .

BICVCLK TENT-PEGGING . — Prize , clock . 1 , Tutton ; 2 , Garraway . For the Bicycle Race , 220 yards , without hands , seven entered . First prize , tankard . 1 , Tutton ; 2 , Buck . Time , 32 sees . There were 2 y entered for the 223 Yards ( open ) Handicap . First prize , cricket bat ; second prize , pads . Result—1 , Curtis ( 31 yds . ); 2 , Frost ( iS yds . ) . Time , 29 2-sths sees . TheThree-Legged Race—First prize , two Hockey stinks ; second prize , two pa rs of fives gloves—was won by Horsburgh and Roberts , Curtis and Smith being second ; 1 ¦; couples entered .

100 YARDS PREPARATORV SCHOOL . —First prize , bat ; second prize , bitting gloves ; iS entries . 1 , Loxley ; 2 , Lloyd . Time , 12 4-iths sees . SSo YARDS ( OPEN ) . —First prize , cricket ball ; second prize , pads ; third prize , batting gloves ; 26 entered . 1 , Greenwood ( 10 yds . ); 2 , Chadwick ( 6 yds . ) j 3 , Boden . Time , 2 min . 42 sees . OLD Bovs'RACE . —220 Yardr . —First prize presented by the Sports Committee ; second and third prizes by the Old Masonians'Society . 1 , Lillywhite ; 2 , Walker , lime , 17 sees .

LONG J ( OPEN ) . —First prize , pads ; second prize , hockey stick . 1 , Cowell ; 2 , Kees . Distanre , 14 fr . Attree , of St . Olave ' s , Southwark , won the 220 Yards Race ( Open to Public Schools only , ) Prize of the value of one guinea . DONKEV RACK ( PREPARATOKV SCHOOL ) . —1 , Loxley and Howson ; 2 , Abbottand Ilnst . Six entered for the Hurdle Race . Prize , tankard . —Result : 1 , Campbell ; 2 , Owen .

Annual Athletic Sports Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

Six couples entered for the Three-legged Race ( Preparatory School ) . —First prize , two albums ; second prize , two pencils ; Abbott and Dover being first , and Hawkins and Loxley , second . The Consolation Sack Race . —First prize , pads ; second prize , hockey stick . Won b , Owen , Hughes being second . For the 220 Yards Consolation Race . —First prize , handbig ; second prize , tennis racquet . Long came in first ; Hemming , second .

VICTOR LUDORUM . —Over 13 , prize presented by the Gavel Club—A . 'P . Shaw . Winners of Open Events only are eligible . A first place counts 3 ; a second 2 ; a third 1 . Under 13 ; tankard , presented by the Assistant Masters—J . Curtis . No competitor allowed to take more than three prizes . The band of the Strand Schools attended during the afternoon by kind permission of the Board of Guardians , and played an excellent selection under the direction of their bandmaster , Bro . Binnie .

Annual Picnic Of The Gallery Lodge, No. 1928.

ANNUAL PICNIC OF THE GALLERY LODGE , NO . 1928 .

The annual picnic of the Gallery Lodge , No . 192 S , took place on Saturday , the 18 th ult ., at Guildford . The party left Waterloo in specially reserved saloons attached to the 11 . 25 a . m . train , and on arrival at Guildford proceeded to the Constitutional Hall where luncheon was served . In the afternoon carriages were provided , and the members and their ladies , with several visitors , went for a delightful drive to Newland ' s Corner , Fairyland , and the Silent Pool , returning to Guildford by the lower road . The weather was all that could be desired for an excursion of the kind , and after the recent rains , this charming district of Surrey looked its best .

At 6 p . m ., dinner was served at the Constitutional Hall , the W . M ., Bro . Samuel James , presiding , when the toast of " The Gallery Lodge " was proposed by Bro . ASHER , and the W . M . replied . Messrs . H . PIPER and CORNWALL responded for "The Visitors , " and Bro . MAXWELL for " The Ladies . "

Several capital songs were contributed by brethren , and at nine o ' clock " Auld Lang Syne " brought the meeting to a close , the party returning to Waterloo by the 9 . 30 train . The arrangements for the day proved adequate and satisfactory in every respect , and the picnic of 189 S was universally voted a most successful and enjoyable gathering . There were present , among others , Bro . S . James ( W . M . ) and Mrs . James , Bro . A . F . Asher , Bro . G . and Mrs . Tarran , Bro . W . M . and Mrs . Duckworth ,

Bro . W . T . and Mrs . Perkins , Bro . E . A . and Mrs . Peachey , Bro . F . W . and Mrs . Brodie , Bro . G . H . and Mrs . Ribbons , Bro . H . L . and Mrs . Bell , Bro . J . D . and Mrs . Irvine , Bro . John Martin , Bro . E . W . and Mrs . Hobson , Bro . Cornwallis H . Smith , Bro . and Mrs . Collins , Bro . H . E . and Mrs . Fenn , Bro . F . J . and Mrs . Barrett , Bro . G . A . and Mrs . Jones , Bro , T . Artemus Jones , Bro . A . and Mrs . Douglass , Bro . J . B . Maxwell , Mr . H . and Miss Piper , Mr . and Mrs . Cornwall , and others .

The New Masonic Lodge At Portland.

THE NEW MASONIC LODGE AT PORTLAND .

LAYING THE FOUNDATION-STONE . There was a large and influential gathering of brethren at Portland on the 23 rd ult ., when the foundation-stone of the new lodge , which is in course of erection near the station , was laid with full Masonic honours by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Col . Brymer , M . P . For some time past the Portland Lodge has been growing rapidly in numbers , and great inconvenience has been suffered by the lack of sufficient accommodation in the present building . The scheme of a new lodge was initiated by the present W . AL , Bro . Richard Score ,

and the proposal was taken up with the utmost enthusiasm by the members . Fortunately the W . M . was able to secure a site possessing unequalled advantages , and the support which has been forthcoming has been so encouraging as to afford the happiest auguries for the ultimate success of a scheme of considerable magnitude . The laying of the foundation-stone was a ceremony of sufficient interest to attract brethren from all parts of the county . Unfortunately , the Provincial Grand Master could not fulfil his promise to attend , but his place was filled by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master with his customary urbanity and ability .

The Provincial Grand Lodge met at the Soldiers' Institute at half-past two , when the following Provincial Grand Officers were present : Bros . W . E . Brymer , M . P ., acting P . G . M . ; Rev . W . Mortimer Heath , acting D . P . G . M . ; S . R ., Baskett , P . S . G . W . ; F . W . Hetley , P . J . G . W . ; R . D . Thornton , P . G . Treas . ; H . Tizatd George , acting P , G . Reg . ; Robert Case , P . G . Sec ; H . Linir ,

acting P . S . G . D . ; P . J , Gavin , P . J . G . D . ; C . J . Freeman , acting P . G . Supt . of Works ; Albert Hann , P . G . D . C ; H . Gibbs , acting P . A . G . D . C ; Henry N . Cox , P . G . S . B . ; H . R . Morgan , P . G . Org . ; O . M . Beament , P . G , Purst . ; H . B . Vincent , F . P . Oakley , J . T . Whettam , j . Neville , acting , and F , T . Dowdeswell , acting , Stwds . ; J . C . Vye , P . G . Tyler ; and many Past Prov . G . Officers and brethren .

The new building was gaily decorated with flags , and on the platform were a large number of ladies . As the principal officers took up their places the band of the Northumberland Fusiliers played Mendelssohn ' s "Cornelius" March . The proceedings commenced with the hymn " O God , our help in ages past , " the accompaniment being played by the band . The stone being prepared and the upper part raised ,

The DEPUTY PKOVIXCIAL GRAND MASTER addressed the assembly . In the quaint words of the litual , he said : Men and brethren here assembled to behold this ceremony ; be it known unto you that we be lawful Masons , true and faithful to the laws of our country , and engaged by solemn obligations to erect handsome buildings to be serviceable to the brethren , and who fear God , the Great Architect of the Universe . We hnve among us concealed from the eyes of all men secrets which may not be reveale d , and which no man has discovered ; but those secrets

are lawful and honourable , and are not repugnant to the laws of God or man . They were entrusted in puace and honour to Masons of ancient times , and having been faithfully transmitted to us , it is our duty to convey them unimpaired to the latest posterity . Unless our Craft were good and our calling honourable , we should not have lasted for so many centuries , and we should not have had so many illustrious brethren in our Order ready to promote our laws and further our

Institutions . We are assembled here today in the presence of you all to erect this building to the honour and glory of the Most Hi gh , and we pray God may prosper , as it seems good to Him ; and as the first duty of Masons in any undertaking is to invoke the blessing of the Gre . it Architect of the Universe on their work , I now ask you to unite with our Grand Chaphin in an address to the Throne of Grace . The acting CHAPLAIN offered up prayer .

then the PROV . ( i . TREASURER deposited in the civity a bottle containing the day ' s copies of the Times and Dorset County Chronicle , programme of ceremony , notice of meeting , Provincial calendar , copy of the inscription on the plate , and the following coins : gold , sovereign and half-sovereign ; silver , five shilling piece , half-crown , florin , shilling , sixpence ; and in bronze one penny , halfpenny , and farthing , ajl of thc present year .