Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

THE HONORARIUM TO BRO . MCLEOD . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother . Your leader will give satisfaction to the Craft , as while everybody feels that the worthy Secretary deserves some remuneration for his arduous labours , it cannot be right to vote money to him and his clerks from the funds of the Institution .

No notice was given of the-donation to the clerks , and if three hundred pounds can be voted why not three thousand . Then was it quite straightforward to advertise that a sum of money was to be given and in the Hall to circulate a notice of motion in altered terms giving the amount 1 Is this quite legal ? The Stewards ot the Festival are the proper brethren to suitably reward Bro . McLeod and his staff , and if the balance of the Stewards' fees will not be sufficient start a list , many would be pleased to contribute .

We also hear of wild schemes for buying bricks , surely the first thing to be done is to prove that a responsible contractor can build the whole structure within the estimate of the architects , or building by instalments may result in a building costing two hundred thousand pounds . I hope with you that brethren will do their utmost in 1898 to furnish funds for Bros . Terry and Hedges . —Yours fraternally , LIFE GOVERNOR .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother I cordially approve of every word in your leader of to-day ' s Freemason , for I consider the undue " fuss " made over the Boys' Centenary was not only a reflection on , but unfair to , the two other Masonic Institutions .

Bro . McLeod has indeed done noble work on behalf of his Institution , but the Secretaries of the other two Institutions have also devoted their best energies and very many years of their lives to do the best for theirs . As you well remark , the precedent of taking a large sum of money from the Charity itself to give away as an " honorarium" is most dangerous j and when a well-known and worthy brother told me he was going up to support £ 1000 being presented to the Boys '

Secretary I ventured to protest , first , against the principle of taking money from the Charity ; and , second , that the amount was excessive , and that half would have been a handsome gift ; and , lastly , do the brethren generally realise what a very large if not extravagant sum is going to be spent on the new buildings ? It will prove a dead weight on the Boys' Funds , and necessitate constant pressure being laid on Masonic benevolence to the detriment of the " Old People and Girls . "Yours fraternally , DE FERRIERES , P . G . D . Bays Hill House , Cheltenham , October 10 th .

MASONIC IMPOSTORS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , A person giving the name of Ralph Sinclair , Cornubian Lodge , No . 450 HayleCornwallis going about obtaining assistance from lodge

, , , Almoners . The Secretary of the lodge says that no such name has ever been attached to that lodge and that he has had several enquiries about this man during the last 12 months . He has several aliases , viz ., Charles Buckle , Robert Miller , and A . Ballington . It is to be hoped that Almoners will be on their guard against him . —Yours fraternally ,

JAMES NEWTON , Prov . G . Sec . East Lancashire . 23 , Silverwcll-street , Bolton . October 27 th .

Lines.

LINES .

On being refused admittance to Messrs . Cozuans' Paper Mill at Penicuick . Armed with drawn sword I've sometimes stood Outside a close-tyled door , My care to keep off " Cowans " rude Who'd cross our threshold floor .

Behold the Irony of Fate ! Rude Justice here we see !! For I stand vainly at the gate , While " Cowans " keep off me !!! A . TYLER .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Orpheus Lodge , No . 1706 . This excellent musical lodge held its installation meeting at the Holborn Restaurant on the 2 < jth ult ., under the presidency of Br . i . Albert Fox , W . M . A very large gathering of brethren witnessed the proceedings . Those present were Bros . Sutton Shepley , I . P . M ., James Gawthrop , S . W . ; Charles G . Sadler , J . W . ; Richard Clowes , P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; Richard J . Hemmings , P . M ., Sec ; C . H . Kempling , S . D . ; F . VV . Murton , I . D . ; George F . Smith , P . G . Org ., D . C ; W . J . Wimbolt , Org . ; R . Stokoe and iton 1

George E . VV . Ackerman , Stewards ; K . A . Kemp , r . M . ; I ' . 'aning , I ' . AI . ; Frederick Cambridge , P . M . ; Henry Guy , P . M . ; H . Walmslcy Little , P . M . ; Henry Parker , P . M . ; William Stevenson Hoyte , P . M ., P . G . Org . ; Henry P . Railing , Arthur Smith , E . M . Woods , J . H . Smith , Henry W . Richards , Charles William Paine , Ernest Taylor , Harry Lohe , Jesse Hawkes , C . M . Gray , William Fiell , R . Rodgers , Walter J . Tull , W . H . Cook . Ernest M . Cullum , Charles Lewis , Isaac C . Griffith , WHCoxM . HubbardR . J . Stevenson , J . R . Hindley , L . Loewenthal , C . H . Greet ,

. . , , F . Marchant , J oshua Drue , John Curran , Malcolm Stodart , Basil Free , Sidney Galcr , j . L . Haddon , A . ] . Wood , I . Chubb , Samuel Noble , James Brand , David Stronjr , C . T . Johnson , R . J . Hawkins , A . J . Maltster , VV . H . Brereton , P . M . ; W . Hiles Smith , James J . Dixon , F . J . Barthorpe , A . J . Holme , and Agar Grover . Among the visitors were Bros . E . L . Home , P . M . and Sec . 227 ; Rev . J . Rupert Hollick Bernard 131

Patterson , Chap . 3 ; Percy B . , I . P . M . IICJO ; L . , P . M . S ; Henry Cattermole , P . M . 1 S 3 CJ ; A . Burgoyne Stutlicld , J . W . 1920 ; II . VV . Hope , P M . w . A . Austin , W . M . 2 G 37 ; Charles Upton , P . M . 03 ; E . F . Browne , 7 S 4 ; James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; S . McK . Barry , P . M ., 272 ; D . W . Barry , 139 ; J . VV . Sanderson , J . D . 209 G ; Carl Heitzman , 2395 ; II . Massey , P . M . Oio and 1028 i William Gray , P . M . 14 S 9 ; Henry Cornford , S . W . 1922 ;

Craft Masonry.

Victor Gray , P . M . 957 ; F . S . Thorn , 134 S ; H . Traill , 2136 ; R . W . James , S . W . 1924 ; H . P . Grover , P . M . 1135 ; W . Manger , P . M . 1314 ; H . Bloyd , Stwd . 2409 ; H . G . Blackman , S . W . 2410 ; George W . Taylor , P . M . 171 ; Henry John Burgess , G . S . M . 2454 ; H . Morley Perfect , 750 ; George Stubbs , 771 ; Charles Jackman , and Frank Wills . After the formal opening of the lodge , and the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting , Bro . Albert Fox , W . M ., installed Bro . James

Gawthrop , S . W . and W . M . elect . Bro . Albert Fox was invested as I . P . M . The other brethren appointed to office were Bros . C . G . Sadler , S . W . ; C . H . Kempling , Prov . G . Org . Essex , J . W . ; Richard Clowes , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Treas . ( elected ); Richard J . Hennings , P . M . 250 S , Sec ; F . W . Murton , S . D . ; H . G . Hast , J . D . ; W . J . Wimbolt , I . G . ; George Ackerman , Org . ; Henry Guy , P . M ., D . C ; C . H . Greet , Stwd . ; and Bro . Potter , P . M ., Tyler ( elected . ) On the motion of Bro . G . F . Smith , P . M ., P . G . Org ., seconded by Bro . Albert Fox , I . P . M ., the balance-sheet was adopted .

Bro . Charles Lewis , P . M . 250 s , then informed the brethren that the seventh annual festival of the Kirby Lodge of Instruction , No . 265 , in which lodge the W . M . of the Orpheus Lodge ( Bro . Gawthrop ) had worked , and learned his Masonry , with what effect the brethren had seen , would be held at the Midland Grand Hotel , at 6 p . m ., on Tuesday , November 15 th , and he hoped there would be a large attendance . The First Lecture would be worked , Bro . George Rankin , 1641 , J . D . 2397 , and I . G . 250 S , Preceptor of the Kirby , acting as W . M . Bro . Albert Fox , W . M ., announced that the

testimonial to Bro . Frederick Bevan , P . M ., who had gone to Australia , was on view in an adjoining room , where the brethren could inspect it . Bro . Hennings read a letter from Bro . F . Bevan conveying his best wishes for the success of the lodge , and a happy year of office for the W . M . Bro . Albert Fox , I . P . M ., was then presented by the W . M . with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel . The I . P . M . thanked the brethren for the

gift , which he said he should wear with pride . Lodge was thereupon closed , and a banquet , of which 110 brethren partook , followed . Between the speeches , in which the toasts were proposed and acknowledged , some charming part singing was performed by the W . M ., and Bros . E . Taylor , S . Noble , Hiles Smith , Guy , Fell , Strong , Grover , Brand , Brereton , Ackerman , Sutton Shepley , Haddon , and Paine .

Bros . James Terry and Richard Clowes , P . G . S . Bs ., responded to the toast of " The Grand Officers . " Bro . Albert Fox , I . P . M ., proposed "The Worshipful Master , " whom all the brethren knew as an excellent Mason from their long association with him in lodge . They also knew him as a singer , and they greeted him with all heartiness as W . M . of the Orpheus Lodge .

Bro . Gawthrop , W . M ., in reply , expressed his thanks to the brethren , and particularly to the I . P . M . for his kind remarks . But he could not forget the general brethren of the lodge who had so well supported him . The Benevolent box yielded three guineas . Bro . Gawthrop , W . M ., in proposing "The I . P . M ., " said that Bro . Albert Fox had performed all the duties of the chair during the past year in an exemplary manner , and that performance had been to the satisfaction of the brethren and the benefit of the lodge . He had wound up his year by installing his successor , and his performance of that work was a Masonic treat for all the brethren .

Bro . Albert Fox , I . P . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said he was very proud to have had the privilege of installing the W . M . It was the first time he had dane it outside a rehearsal . He was conscious that there were many shortcomings in it but they must forgive him . He thanked the brethren for the very handsome jewel they had voted him . He should prize it very much indeed . At any time he should be of service to the lodge he should be happy to give his assistance he should be only too proud and happy to do so . Several brethren responded to the toast of " The Visitors . "

Bro . G . F . Smith , P . G . Org ., responding to the toast of " The Past Masters , " said the Past Masters had great pleasure in receiving Bro . Albert Fox into their ranks . All the brethren who had heard the admirable manner in which he had installed the W . M . would acknowledge that the ceremony cuuld not have been better performed . The Orpheus Lodge had a reputation , which he trusted those who were coming on to the chair would sustain , and the lodge would go on for many years as grandly as it had

proceeded hitherto . Bros . Guy , P . M ., and Hoyte , P . M ., also replied to the toast . Bro . Richard J . Hennings , P . M ., Sec , responding to the toast of "The Treasurer , the Secretary , and the Officers , " said he felt convinced that the jovial manner in which the W . M . proposed the toast proceeded from jovial spirits , not born of Dutch courage but from the genuine feelings of the W . M . ' s heart . It would be the duty of the officers to make the lodge a grand success .

Bro . C . G . Sadler , S . W ., said all the officers were thirsting for work , and he hoped that the work they had to do would bring credit to the lodge in general , and also to themselves , and that they would have a very happy year ot office . Bro . Potter gave the Tyler ' s toast and the brethren then separated . The jewel was manufactured by Bros . George Kenning and Son .

Acacia Lodge , No . 2321 . This lodge celebrated the festival of St . John in a highly successful manner on Thursday , the Cth ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Rawson-square , Bradford . Bro . John Morton , W . M ., presided , and was supported by Bros . S . A . Bailey , I . P . M . ; J . 13 . Fearnley , as S . W . ; J . A . Drake , J . W . ; Fredk . Betteridge , B . A ., Chap . ; C . H . Ellis , P . M ., Treas . ; J . T . Last , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Sec ; A . Stephenson , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., D . C ; T . P . Sykes , S . D . ; Wm . Docksey , J . D . ; J . S . Hedley , I . G . ; J . S . Cooper , Tyler ; T . Wainman HolmesP . M . P . P . G . O . Org . ; Thos .

, , , H . Bedford , S . of W . ; W . H . Townend , Stwd . ; W . Durrance , Asst . Sec ; John Niven , P . M . ; Samuel Robinson , P . M . ; H . Lea , R . B . Nicholls , W . H . Barton , Wm . Walker , J . L . Turner , R . S . Hird , F . Kinder , John Harland , and Jere . Ledgard . Visitors : Bros . J . C . Malcolm , P . G . D . Eng ., D . Prov . G . M . ; Rev . J . Moxon Walton , 307 , Prov . G . Chap . ; Rev . W . Wilkinson , P . M . 1214 , 20 C 9 , P . P . G . C ; W . Dyson , 2261 , P . P . G . D . ; John Dawson , P . M . 521 , P . P . G . D . C ; Rich . Revell , P . M . 1034 , Prov . G . D . ; W . Butterworth , 1 3 02 , Prov . A . G . P . ; S . Whiteley , W . M . IOU .

P . P . G . O . ; G . H . Holrqyd , P . M . 1541 , P . P . G . P . ; W . Greenwood , P . M . 439 , Prov . G . Stwd . ; A . Holmes , P . M . 1522 , Prov . G . Stwd . ; J . Wilson , P . M . 1034 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; R . T . Town , Gi ; Geo . Whitaker , S . W . 40 S ; Fred Hall , 439 ; R . Wolff , W . M . 302 ; John Hill , 302 ; J . T . Mugglestone , W . M . 60 . 0 ; S . Mortimer , P . M . 603 ; Rich . Gill , W . M . 25 S ; Jas . Robinson , I . P . M . 750 ; Geo . Niven , P . M . 750 ; I . Sowden , P . M . 25 S ; H . A . Ellis , 971 ; H . Holland , W . M . 101 S ; C . V . Woodcock , W . M . 1 C 4 S ; J . Barraclough , J . W . 164 S ; VV . H . Moxon , 1 C 48 ; E . Clarkson .

1 C 4 S ; Wm . Miles , 164 S ; F . H . Jones , W . M . 2330 ; VV . Metcalfe , P . M . 1545 ; J . Marshall , Sec . 2 G 0 S ; Jas . Tilley , J . W . 2 G 5 g ; J oseph Taylor , Chap . 2 K 3 ; A . J . Taylor , Org . 2 GGy ; and J . W . Ackroyd , 26 G 9 . The W . M . having opened the lodge , the minutes of the election meeting and also of an emergent meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . J . C . Malcolm , P . G . D . Eng ., Dep . Prov . G . M ., escorted by a number of present and past Prov . G . Officers , entered the lodge and was saluted . Bro . James B . Fearnley , the W . M . elect , was then presented

by the Dep . Prov . G . M ., and was regularly installed into the chair of K . S . by Bro . J . T . Last , P . M ., Sec , P . P . G . Reg ., in the presence of a Board of 30 installed Masters The charges were given by Bros . Stephenson , P . P . G . D . ; Niven , P . M . ; and Bailey , P . M . The W . M . afterwards invested the officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . Jno . Morton , I . P . M . ; T . P . Sykes , S . VV . ; W . Docksey , J . W . ; Fred . Betteridjie . B . A ., Chap . ; J . W . Bland , Treas . ; T . J . List , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., Sec ; VV . Durrance , Asst . Sec ; J . S . Hedley . S . D . ; T . H . Bedford , J . D . ; W . Walker , I . G . ; Jno .

I . Cooper , lyler ; l . Wainman Holmes , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., Org . ; R . B . Nicholls , S . of W . ; W . H . Townend , H . Lea , W . H . Barton , J . L . Turner , and J . Ledgard , Stwds . Bro . John Niven , P . M ., was elected as the Representative of the lodge on the West Yorkshire Charity Committee . A brother who had removed to Devonshire was , at his request , placed on the non-resident list of members , pursuant to the lodge bylaws . A former member of the lodge was proposed as a re-joining member , and the names of three gentlemen were submitted as candidates for initiation . Apologies were

tendered for the unavoidable absence of the Prov . G . M . and a considerable nnmber of present and past Provincial Officers and distinguished brethren , the Leeds Musical Festival being responsible for preventing the attendance of several who would otherwise have honoured the W . M . by their presence . After " Hearty good wishes " trom the large number of visitors the lodge was closed and the brethren adjourned to the adjoining room , where they dined together under the presidency of the W . M . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .