Correspondence.

Correspondence .

v . e 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 limits—free discussion .

QUALIFICATION FOR MASTER'S CHAIR . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Would "Lex Scripta" or some others of your readers kindly inform me of the general interpretation of the word served , in the fourth line of Rule 130 Book of Constitutions ? It is held here to mean "invested , " i . e ., Bro . A . is appointed Warden and being present on the night of installation is duly invested

; r . d placed in his chair . After this he takes no further interest in his lodge and toes r . ot attend another meeting during his term of office , yet on the next irgulardayof election he is deemed fully qualified to stand for the position of W . Master . On the other hand Bro . B ., who has also been appointed Warden at the same time , but owing to the pressing emergencies of his public or private avocations was unable to attend on the night of installation , but attends upon the next regular night of meeting and is duly placed in his chair and fills it regularly for the following 11 months , is not qualified .

I know that in the latter case Grand Lodge says that the office must be filled for 12 months , therefore Bro . B . would not have the necessary qualification , but what about Bro . A . r—Yours fraternally , A . MEARS , P . M . 1978 ( E . C ) . Townsville , New Queensland , February 17 th .

SIGNING OF MINUTES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In the absence of tie W . M . of a lodge , who is the legal and proper person to sign the minutes after they have been read and confirmed at next lodge—the W . M . or the brother who acted for him at the last lodge ?—Yours fraternally , D . C .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Industry Lodge , No . 48 , The annual and installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Industry Masonic Hall , Gateshead , on Monday , the 23 rd ult ., when there was a large muster of members and visitors . The retiring W . M ., Bro . A . Dodds , P . P . G . S ., presided , and there were also present Bros . Hugh Jackson , J . W ., W . M . elect ; W . Stafford , I . P . M . ; Wm . Brown , P . M ., D . C ; W . Dalrymple , P . M . ; M . Corbitt , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; J . G . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; E . Shewbrooks , P . M . ; W . M . Pybus , P . M ., P . P . G . R .:

W . J . Jobson , P . M ., P . P . D . G . D . C , Treas . ; T . R . Jobson , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Sec ; D . Sinclair , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C . ; Mark R . Wright , P . M ., P . P . G . S . ; R . Ferry , P . P . G . O . ; and also the folhwing visitors : Bros . J . C . Moor , P . J . G . W . ; W . M . Lyon , P . P . S . G . D . ; C . B . Ford , P . P . G . D . ; Thomas Lewens , P . P . G . D . James Shaw , P . M . 424 , P . P . G . D . ; T . A . Moffatt , P . M . 424 , P . J . G . D . ; E . Milburn , P . P . G . D . Durham ; E . Turnbull , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . G . Ross , P . P . G . Stwd . ; T . R . Short , P . M . 424 , P . P . G . Stwd . Durham ; Rev . W . Bowker , P . P . G . C . : W .

Madgshon , W . M . 1119 ; W . A . Bell , W . M . 2520 ; Nicholas Lee , W . M . 2039 ; J . A . Stelhng , W . M . 4 S 1 : Cornwall Smith , P . M . ; F . Turnbull , P . M . 4 S 1 ; Wm . Dorman , P . M . 40 G ; Robert Stewart , P . M . 424 ; Thomas Wright , P . M . 1342 j F . Jameson , S . W . 24 ; Leo Nixon , S . W . 4 S 1 : Jos . Banks , J . W . 40 G ; J . H . Inman , S . W . 2520 ; J . Stark , S . W . 1676 ; Geo . Lisle , S . W . 22 G 0 ; j . Burrell , J . W . 424 ; and others . After the ordinary business had been transacted , the W . M . elect , Bro . Hugh Jackson , was duly presented by the senior P . M ., Bro . M . Corbitt , P . P . G . D ., and the

ceremony of installation was performed with much ability by the Installing Master , Bro . Adam Dodds , P . P . G . Stwd ., who also delivered the addresses to the officers and brethren . Bro . Hugh Jackson having been duly installed in the chair of K . S ., invested the officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . A . Dodds , P . P . G . Stwd ., I . P . M . ; Alf . Simpson , S . W . ; W . C A . Holzapfel , J . W . ; Rev . W . Bowker , P . P . G . C , Chap . ; Wm . J . Jobson , P . M ., P . P . D . G . D . C , Treas . ; T . R . Jobson , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd ., Sec ; J . Armstrong , S . D . ; J . T . Pragnell , J . D . ; Wm . Brown , P . M ., D . C ; R .

Ferry , P . P . G . O ., Org . ; Thomas Douglas , I . G . j H . H . Pitt , W . E . Peacock , R . Hewett , and R . Atkinson , Stwds . j and J . Curry , P . P . G . Tyler , Tyler . The hearty congratulations of the visiting brethren were afterwards expressed to the newly-installed W . M . by the large and representative number of visiting brethren from lodges in the district , and the lodge was closed . Afterwards the annual festival was held in the banqueting hall of the lodge , Bro . Hugh Jackson , W . M ., presiding , when he was supported by a large and influential number of members and visitors .

The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and received with due honours , and a pleasant and harmonious gathering completed the evening's entertainment . Lodge of Prosperity , No . 65 .

PRESENTATION TO « BRO . W . C . THOMAS . The installation meeting of this old-established , popular , and prosperous lodge was held at the Guildhall Tavern , on the 2 Gth ult ., when the members and visitors mustered in strong force . There were present Bros . W . C Thomas , W . M . ; D . Harlow , I . P . M . ; W . J . Greig , S . W . ; J . Kinipple , J . W . ; J . Roberts , P . M ., Treas . ; H . I . Harriss , P . M ., Sec ; S . Spencer , S . D . ; W . J . Graham , J . D . ; G . Schadler , P . M .. D . C :

I . Smart , A . D . C ; J . Huckell , Steward ; T . F . Noakes , Org . ; C . J . Rich , P . M . ; C Daniel , P . M . ; Wm . Chicken , P . M . ; E . C . Talbot , P . M . ; F . J . Ruse , P . M . ; Wm . t-trong , J . Meurice , W . Downes , G . Pupe , W . Haines , F . King , C H . Dalton , H . Rattle , H . Newman , H . H . lkbbs , A . Seneschall , E . T . W . Drake , H . Cox , J . Cohen , U . Chiveis , J . Hall , W . W . Woodman , J . Foyer , W . H . Lovell , D . L . Jenkins , M . J . Hanis , J . S . Lidbury , C Martin , R . Martin , H . Burge , G . Brown , J . Goodrich , G . W . bl . crjheid , R . C Harris , H . W . Miles , Jno . Savage , O . Talbot , H . H . Karslake , 1 .

Haines , J . Dobbs , K . Portwine , W . J . Iidder , G . A . Davidson , S . J . Wormsley , P . J . Heaver , G . Greig , R . R . Tough , Bernard Keane , A , Underwood , F . Ilaigh , | . M . Game , C W . Burrows , VV . H . Montague , D . L . Ihomas , C . Newman , E . Gray , jun ., O . VV . Rix , O . T . Miller , W . M . Huckell , J . Biss , W . Evans , A . J . Kirk , A . Sergeant , W . E . Knight , A . Grantham , T . White , W . H . Newman , C . J . Rich , jun ., F . A . Simmonds , W . T . Cocks , C . Martin , F . Green , H . 1 . ' . Bettf , J . JaEper , G . Warwick , C H . Fuller , G . Costa , II . T . Napier , H . T . visitors uio

moons , ano w . Lane , ryier . : Bros . rc . . vser , P . M ., P . G . Steward John Hooke , P . M . 4 G 3 , P . P . G . D . C . Surrey ; E . Milsom , 24 S 4 ; W . EnglelHd ' P . M . 1321 ; W . Edwards , 54 S ; W . Pollard , 1330 ; Jno . P . L-dbury , 243 G ; T . Ilobley , 1320 ; J . Morris , 1050 ; G . J . Warland , 172 S ; H . Williams , 1507 ; Kobt . harson , W . M . 192 ; William biker , S . D . lyj ; VV . Sarjeint , 17 Oj ; I . Fulford , ; oii ; H . Sillis , P . M . 2362 ; Wm . J . Harris , P . M . 54 . S ; H . VV . Kane , 7 . S 1 ; Bernard Hoot 2241

rerry , 1743 ; , rerry , ; A . aennemer , 157 ; 1 'redk . A . Sier , 15 S 5 ; II . G : iggs , 54 S ; D . R . Rudd ; C . Coram , 2332 ; F . G . G . Hone , 130 G ; J . W . J > yce , 21 S 4 ; Jno . J . Franklin , ifijjz ; and A . G . Morris , 1329 . The lodge being opened , the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed , also ll . cicpoitof the Audit Committee adopted , the W . M . immediatel y proceeded to raise Ires . Karslake , Seneschall , Newman , Rattle , and Dalton , then passed Bros . Costa , Wocdman , Hall , Lovell , and Jenkins , and the ballot being unanimous in their favour ' initiated Messrs . A . L . Underwood , Fdk . High , John Game , and Marshall VV . Burrows ' and without any delay proceeded to install his successor in the chair . Bro . Thomas was

Craft Masonry.

in splendid form , and went through the whole of the above work in such a masterly and perfect manner as to reflect the greatest credit on himself , and to win for him the most hearty approval and congratulations of all present . Bro . Greig then proceeded to invest his officers for the year , giving the addresses to each in such excellent form as to prove that if the lodge will only find him plenty of work to do , he will not be behind

any of his predecessors in the chair in carrying out his duties successfully , the appointments being Bros . W . C Thomas , I . P . M . ; G . T . Kinipple , S . W . ; S . E . S pencer T . W . ; ] . J Roberts , P . M ., Treis . ; H . I . . Harriss , P . M ., Ssc ; W . J . Graham ' S . D . ; J . Huckell , I . G . ; G . Schadler , P . M ., D . of C . ; J . Dobbs , A . D . of C ; W . ' J . Downes and J . S . Lidbury , Stwds . ; T . F . Noakes , Org . ; and W . Lane , Tyler . " The Installing Master then gave the usual addresses with the same ability thit marked all his previous work .

A summer banquet Committee was then appointed , and all other business being disposed of , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet served under the personal superintendence of Bro . J . Marcham . The Worshipful Master gave the usual loval and Masonic toasts in brief but happy terms , and in giving that of the " Present and Past Grand Odi : ers , " drew attention tj the great amount of time they devoted to their Masonic duties , and the excellent manner in which they carried them out , simply desiring as their reward the approval of the brethren at large .

Bro . R . Clowser , P . G . Stwd ., briefly replied , stating that it gave the Grand Officers the greatest possible pleasure to do all they could for the furtherance and bsnsfit of the Craft . Bro . W . C . Thomas , I . P . M ., proposed " The Health of the Worshipful Master , " saying this needed no words of his to commend it to the brethren , as Bro . Greig had already won the esteem . of every member of the lodge , and many brethren present thit he came in contact with at the lodge of instruction , being a most excellent worker and genial companion . The toast was most enthusiastically received , and

Bro . W . J . Greig , W . M ., in reply , tendered his sincerest thanks for the very kind manner in which Bro . Thomas had proposed his health and to the brethren for so cordial a reception . He would use his best endeavours to give full satisfaction during his year of office , only asking them for plenty of work to do , his heart being in Masonry and nothing pleased him better than seeing large numbers present . The Worshipful Master , in submitting " The Health of the I . P . M ., " observed that he had conducted his work in a most perfect manner , characterised by great courtesy

to all the brethren , and it gave him very great pleasure to invest him with a handsome gold Past Master ' s jewel , which he richly deserved , and to further ask his acceptance of the handsome piano standing in the corner of the room as a small token of their affection and esteem and appreciation of the able manner in which he had presided over the lodge during his year of office as W . M . Bro . Thomas , who , on rising , met with a most cordial reception , heartily thanked the brethren for the appreciation of his work during the past year , he certainly endeavoured to do his best and had had a very busy as well as pleasant time whilst in

the chair , having initiated some 20 brethren , this would remain a red letter day in his life and he hoped to be spared many years to wear the jewel they had so kindly presented him with and be of service to the lodge , and in conclusion he thanked them all on behalf of his wife and daughters for the splendid piano , which he was sure would be greatly appreciated by them . The toasts of "The Initiates , " "The Visitors , " "The Past Masters , " and "The Treasurer , Secretary , and Officers , " were all most cordially received and briefly responded to . Bro . Hooke , P . P . G . D . C . Surrey , responding for the visitors . The Tyler ' s toast then brought a most enjoyable evening to a close .

The pleasure of the evening was greatly enhanced by the capital singing of Miss Ada Hunt Smith , Miss Miriam Beckett , Mr . Harry Hudson , Bro . Kinipple , and last but not least of one of the visitors , Bro . C . Coram , 2332 , the music being under the direction of Bro . T . F . Noakes .

United Pilgrims Lodge , No . 507 . The installation meeting of this old and flourishing lodge was held at the Bridge House Hotel , London Bridge , on Thursday , the 26 th ult ., when there were present Bros . G . W . Beste , W . M . ; Wm . Lipscomb , S . W ., W . M . elect ; W . C . Chaney , J . W . ; J . S . Terry , P . M ., Treas . ; C . W . Peters , P . M ., Sec . ; G . W . Comfort , S . D . ; T . R . Robert , acting J . D . ; C W . Stone , I . G . j A . W . Brewer , Charity Steward ; S . Ellson , P . M ., D . C . ; Charles Thomas , P . M ., Stwd . ; G . Harrison , Tyler ; Thomas

Noakes , P . M . ; R . B . Gibson , P . M . ; H . E . Cockell , P . M . ; G . W . Levy , P . M . ; H . E . Joyce , P . M . ; C H . Stone , P . M . ; F . W . Madge , W . E . Dean , R . A . Brangwin , and Charles Fisher . The visitors were Bros . C E . Fitch , 2345 ; G . Gardiner , S 9 S ; A . C White , P . M . 141 ; W . W . Westley , P . M . iS 6 ; Wyndham Hart , P . M . 49 ; M . Delmard , 2190 ; G . R . Hoare , P . M . 1314 ; J . H . Laing , S . W . 24 G 9 ; J . Hernaman , P . M . 1329 ; A . Collins , 1962 ; C J . Brewer , 1853 ; VV . Fanner , 105 G ; Samuel Cochrane , P . G . Treas . ; S . Ainsworth , 509 ; J . Mann , 1172 ; J . W . Dickinson ,

913 ; W . Bailey , P . M . 49 ; C . Garton , J . W . 192 ; A . Appleby , 170 G ; T . F . Pira , S 6 oj and P . B . Skelton . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bros . Dean and Madge were raised in an exemplary manner , the W . M ., Bro . Beste , giving the traditional history most perfectly and impressively . Bro . S . Ellson , P . M ., D . C , next presented Bro . Wm . Lipscomb , S . W ., W . M . elect , to receive from the hands of the W . M . the benefits of installation , which was carried out by Bro . Beste faultlessly , who also rendered the addresses admirably . Bro . Lipscomb , W . M ., invested his officers as follows :

Bros . G . W . JBeste , I . P . M . ; R . B . Gilson , P . M ., S . W . ; W . C . Chaney , J . W . ; J . S . Terry , P . M ., Treas . ; C W . Peters , P . M ., Sec ; C . W . Stone , S . D . ; R . A . Brangwin , J . D . ; A . W . Brewer , I . G . ; S . Ellson , P . M ., D . C . ; C Thomas , P . M ., and T . R . Roberts , Stewards ; F . C . Atkinson , P . M ., Org . ; and G . Harrison , Tyler . The balance-sheet was presented and adopted , which showed the lodge to be in a thoroughly sound state . A letter of apology was read from Bro . Atkinson , P . M ., Org ., for not attending through a severe illness , and it was unanimously resolved to send a letter of sympathy wishing him speedy recovery .

The business ended , the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , which was much appreciated . The cloth removed , the W . M . gave the customary loyal and Masonic toasts in very appropriate terms , and which were royally received . In presenting the toast of "The Pro G . M ., Deputy G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the W . M . remarked they were noblemen and brethren who well deserved loyal support for their untiring energy bestowed for the benefit of the Craft , and he was particularly pleased and honoured that the lodge wis favoured wit . i the presence of Bro . S . Cochrane , P . G . Treas . The toast was drunk most cordially . Bro . S . Cochrane , P . G . Treas ., most heartily thanked the brethren for the kind

reception which the toast of the Grand Officers always received , and also for the Kinj remarks said of him . He was very pleased to be present and see some of his oldest an 1 dearest friends whom he hid met in lodges of instruction , specially under the able Preceptorship of Bro . Westley , who had done much for the good of Freemasonry . , He would say of the working in the lodge that he had seldom seen it equalled and specially the installation ceremony . The lodge need be proud of such workers and he trusted snouiu ine at luture

ne nave opportunity some time ot again visiting tnem . „ Bro . G . W . ' Beste , I . P . M ., next rose to give the toast of the evening , "The W . M , who had endeared hims : lf to every brother in the lodge , the best proof of which was his unananimous election to the chair . He wis an excellent worker as was exhibit ; d in the investing of officers . The one hearty desire of the brethren was long life , health , and happiness to him and prosperity to the United Pilgrims Lodge . , Bro . Lipscomb , W . M ., stated , in reply , that his remarks were inadequate for me able manner the toast had been pioposed , and its hearty reception at the hinds of tnnis rrei ? nad been received trom tnose

Drcmrcn . Knowledge or masonry uw--, brethren who had preceded him in the chair , also from Bro . Westley , the Preceptor 01 the lodge of instruction . It would be his aim to conduct the affairs of the lodge to tne best of his ability , and emulate the bright examples before him in the lodge . He m *> heartily thanked the brethren for their cordial ereetinc .

The next toast—one very important , the W . M . slid—was that of " The In 5 ' , ll " 3 Master , Bro . Beste , " who had worked side by side with him in the lodge , and «> _ deaconed him when initiited . The I . P . M . had ingratiated himself with every one 10 tnlodge , and the rendering , both in voice and manner , ot the splendid ceremony that eve ing had thoroughly inspired all present . He hid the greatest pleasure in presentingjewel , so richly deserved , and trusted he might live many years to weir tie same > continue one of the pillars of the lodge .