The New Grand Officers.

GRAND ORGANIST . Bro . MEYER LUTZ , like the majority of those who have adopted his profession , sought admission into the ranks of the Freemasons through the portals of the Asaph Lodge , No . 1319 , the year of his introduction being 18 74 , and the year

in which he was installed as Worshipful Master 1881 . In 1886 he joined that highly distinguished lodge , the Drury Lane Lodge , No . 2127 . He is also a Royal Arch Mason , having been exalted in the Asaph Chapter ; a member of the Orpheus Chapter , Rose Croix , No . 79 , on the roll of the Antient and Accepted Rite ; and an Annual Subscriber to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls .

GRAND PURSUIVANT . Bro . DAVID D . MERCER , promoted from Assistant Grand Pursuivant , whose Masonic services wc described at some length in our account of the new Grand Officers for 1889 .

ASSISTANT GRAND PURSUIVANT . Bro . S . VALLENTINE is a veteran brother of considerable repute who has occasionally made known his past experiences in Masonry through the medium of the Masonic Press . He was initiated in the Albion Lodge , No . 9 , in the year 1849 , and , working his way rapidly upward , had the satisfaction of being elected to

preside over the lodge in 1853 . During the last few years his interest in the proceedings of our Craft appears to have been re-awakened , and in 1884 we find him elected a joining member of the Montefiore Lodge , No . 1017 , and the year following of the Orpheus Lodge , No . 1706 . Three years later he was exalted to the Royal Arch Degree in the Orpheus Chapter , No . 1706 , and last year , on the transfer

of the old No . 9 Chapter , to be attached to another Iodge , and the foundation of a new chapter connected with the Albion Lodge and bearing its name , Comp . Vallentine was installed in the chair of First Principal . He has served once as Festival Steward for our two Masonic Schools , and has qualified as Life Governor of them both . We trust Bro . Vallentine may live to enjoy his Masonic honours for many years .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

QUARTERLY COURT .

The Quarterly Court of the Subscribers to this Institution was held last Saturday at Freemasons' Tavern . Bro . Henry Smith , P . G . D ., Deputy Prov . G . M . for West Yorkshire , was voted to the chair . After the reading of the minutes of the January Court , Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , P . G . D ., said he thought the meeting ought not to proceed to further business without previous reference to the death of their old

friend , Bro . John Anthony Rucker . For many years past no one had been a more prominent supporter of the School , and no one was more generally known , beloved , and respected than Bro . Rucker . His death would leave a gap in Masonry which would not be easil y filled up . As far as the Girls' School was concerned , he had been an active member of the House Committee , and he had been Trustee of the Institution . At the School he was looked upon with the greatest affection . He

had seen in the course of many years not only all the children educated in the Institution , but by far the larger part of the Governesses . The present Matron was the leader of the calisthenics when Bro . Rucker first joined the House Committee 18 years ago . With such a brother , who had no enemies in the world , they ought not to part on this occasion without some notice of his decease and his works . He therefore hoped that a vote of condolence with the deceased brother ' s family would be moved .

The minutes were then confirmed . Bro . HENRY SMITH , Chairman , next said that he fully sympathised with the remarks that had fallen from Bro . Frank Richardson . No Mason was more beloved than their good friend the late Bro . J . A . Rucker . He ( Bro . Smith ) had known him for a great many years , and he was known and respected by every one . With a charming manner , a disposition which all mi ght envy , he was ever ready to

assist this Institution . He had now passed away , and it would be most agreeable to the feelings of all Masons that they should carry a vote of condolence with Bro . Rucker ' s family in the terms which Bro . Richardson so well and ably put . Therefore , he would now move that a vote of condolence be conveyed to the family of the late Bro . Rucker , expressing the great regret of this Court at his death . Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON seconded the motion . The motion vvas put , and carried nem . con .

The minutes of the Special Court of the nth A pril were read , authorising the conclusion of the agreement with the Brighton Railway , and recording the deep sense entertained b y the Court of the admirable and successful manner in which the best interests of the Institution had been advocated and maintained by Bro . Frank Richardson throughout this very important business . These minutes were verified .

Bro . VASSAR-SMITH , Dep . Prov . G . M . for Gloucestershire , proposed Bro . Henry Smith , Dep . Prov . G . M . for West Yorkshire , as Treasurer of the Institution . The Province of West Yorkshire had been large subscribers to the Charity , and many members of the province had taken great interest in the Institution ) and no one had taken greater interest in it than Bro . Henry Smith . Bro . FRANK SPAULL seconded .

Bro . C . SHEPPARD proposed the re-election of Bro . Horace Brooks Marshall , Past Grand Treasurer . Bro . GEORGE BOLTON seconded . On being put to the vote Bro . Smith was declared duly elected . . Bro . HENRY SMITH said he was taken completely by surprise . Bro .

Vassar-Smith was well calculated to be a Freemason for the excellent manner in which he had kept the secret . Until Bro . Vassar-Smith rose , he ( Bro . Henry Smith ) did not know that any one had any thought of proposing him as Treasurer . It would have given him great pleasure to support Bro . Horace Brooks Marshall , but he could not , on account of the honour done to the Province of West Yorkshire , refuse to accept the office .

The following brethren were elected the General Committee : Bros . E . J , Anning , E . Almack , J . W . Berrie , C . H . W . Biggs , J . J . Coney , Col . Wolseley . Cox , J . French , T . G . C . Gambrill , R . C . Green , J . R . Harnell , H . Nicholls , and F . W . Smith .

On the motion of Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , seconded by Bro . Col . PERKINS , it was resolved that the temporary vacancy caused by the absence of Ida E . Strathearn through ill-health be filled at the forthcoming election , making 22 vacancies in all . The girl mentioned , when in the School , had spent the greater part of her time in the infirmary ; consequently , there was a vacant bed . Since

Christmas she had not been back on account of her illness , and the House Committee thought that steps should be taken to have the bed filled up . He understood she would be withdrawn from the School , and that a petition would be lod ged on behalf of a younger sister . It was a very great loss that while so many were knocking at the door for admission a bed should be vacant .

Bro . HENRY SMITH said he knew it was a very popular thing to increase the number of girls in the School if it could be done judiciously . Scrutineers of votes for the election were then chosen . ¦ Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON said , with respect to the agreement with the Bri ghton

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

Railway , if the brethren would like to see the details of it , he would be happy to show the plans and give explanations . Bro . COUSENS ( Lincoln ) , with reference to the subscriptions for the memorial windows , said it was understood that the £ 12 subscribed by provinces for placing a memorial window in the hall of the School would not be allowed to be put on the Stewards' lists . He would suggest that it should be allowed to go on the list , but not to carry a vote .

Bro . C . HAMMERTON said the subject had been discussed , and it was thought unwise to put the money on the list . Bro . COUSENS could not see any objection to the money being put on the list , if it was to carry no votes . Bro . HAMMERTON said it would be for the Court to decide , and he thought it would be well that it should decide . Bro . HY . SMITH said he did not see any objection to the proposition . Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON took the same view .

Bro . RUSSELL , Prov . G . Treasurer Kent , saw some objection , although it was a trifling one . The funds that went on the lists were supposed to go for education . This subscription of £ 12 did not go for education . If the proposition was agreed to the money would be muddled up . It would be much better to leave it alone . Education and ornamentation should be kept separate .

Bro . RICHARDSON said it would not appear in the accounts for education ; there would be a separate account—so much for the purposes of the Institution , so much for the windows . Bro . RUSSELL had no objection if the moneys were not mixed up . Bro . HARVEY saw no objection to the money being put on the Stewards' lists . Bro . J AMES BRETT , P . G . P ., could notsee what good end would be served . The money had nothing to do with the education of the children .

Bro . HENRY SMITH , said he listened always with great respect to the remarks of the brethren ; but he thought if the money appeared on the lists it would act as an incentive to the promises to subscribe . Bro . J AMES BRETT observed that the provinces did not require any incentive ; they worked very hard for the Institutions . Bro . COUSENS' proposition was put and lost .

A vote of thanks to Bro . Horace Brooks Marshall , F . G . T ., for his services as Treasurer of the Institution was then carried unanimously , on the motion of Bro . HAMMERTON , seconded by Bro . J AMES BRETT . The election of 22 out of a list of 43 candidates for admission to the School was afterwards proceeded with . For list of names see advertisement columns .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

The following is the business to be transacted on Wednesday next : The minutes of the last Quarterly Convocation to be read for confirmation . Installation of Principals , and appointment and investiture of officers for the ensuing year . THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF GENERAL PURPOSES . To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England . The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 15 th January to the 15 th April , 18 90 , both inclusive , which they find to be as follows :

To Balance Grand Chapter ^ , 239 12 o By Disbursements during the „ „ Unappropriated Quarter £ 3 9 ' 5 6 Account ... iSS 11 7 „ Balance 359 o 7 „ Subsequent Receipts ... 443 16 1 „ „ Unappropriated Account ... 1 S 3 3 7 £ S 7 i 19 S £ S 7 i 19 S

which balances are in the Bank of England , Western Branch . The Committee have likewise to report that they have received the following petitions : ist . From Comps . John Paterson , as Z . ; David Reece , as H . ; Joseph Clifton Thompson , as J . ; and 14 others for a chapter to be attached to the Sun and Sector Lodge , No . 9 62 , Workington , to be called the Sun and Sector Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , Portland-square , Workington , Cumberland .

2 nd . From Comps . Major James Tascher Ritchie , as Z . ; William Alexander Weston , as H . ; William Richard Arnold , as J , ; and eight others for a chapter to be attached to the Ubique Lodge , No . 178 9 , London , to be called the Ubique Chapter , and to meet at the Regent Masonic Hall , Air-street , Regent-street , London . 3 rd . From Comps . Samuel Hewett , as Z . ; Simeon Jacobs , as H . ; Frederick Kedge , as J . ; and 16 others for a chapter to be attached to the Covent Garden Lodge , No . 1614 , London , to be called the Covent Garden Chapter , and to meet at the Criterion , Piccadilly , London .

The foregoing petitions being in all respects regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted . The Committee have also received memorials from the undermentioned chapters praying for charters of confirmation , the original charters being lost : The Bective Chapter , No . 1074 , Kirkby Lonsdale , in the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland . The Mount Sinai Chapter , No . 19 , London .

The Committee recommend that charters of confirmation be granted for the above-named chapters . The Committee have likewise received memorials , with copies of minutes , for permission to remove the following chapters : The Devonshire Chapter , No . 625 , Glossop , from the Norfolk Arms to the new Masonic Hall , Glossop .

The Canonbury Chapter , No . 657 , London , from Masons' Hall , Masons ' Avenue , to the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , in the City of London . The Guy ' s Chapter , No . 395 , Leamington , from the Crown Hotel , to the Masonic Rooms , Holly Walk , Leamington . The Committee recommend that the removal of these chapters be sanctioned .

The Committee have further received the following appeal of Comp . Albert Walsh , P . Z . Chapter No . 711 , Port Elizabeth , South Africa ( E . D . ) , against a decision of the Grand Superintendent of the District , appointing Comp . Darley Hartley as District Second Grand Principal at the meeting of the District Grand Chapter in June , 1888 , the said Comp . Darley Hartley not being then qualified for the office under Article 37 , Royal Arch Regulations .

The Committee submit this appeal for the consideration of Grand Chapter . ( Signed ) ROBERT GREY , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 16 th April , 1890 . After the ordinary business had been disposed of , the following resolution was passed :

" That the cordial thanks of the members of the Committee be tendered to E . Comp . Robert Grey for the very able and courteous manner in which he has presided over the meetings of the Committee during the past year . " ( Signed ) L . GORDON ROBBINS . Election of the Committee of General Purposes for the ensuing 12 months .