Annual Outing Of The Lodge Of Truth, No. 521, Huddersfield.

ANNUAL OUTING OF THE LODGE OF TRUTH , No . 521 , HUDDERSFIELD .

The annual picnic of this lodge was held on Thursday , the zgth ult ., the place selected being Bolton Woods , leaving Huddersfield by the L . and N . W . Railway to Hide ) ' , thence by waggonettes to the Strid , where luncheon was provided , returning to the Lister's Arms Hotel , Ilkley ,

to dinner at four o ' clock . The weather was very unfavourable , still everybody were determined to enjoy themselves , which determination was effectually carried out . The following composed the party : —Bro . W . E . Jowitt , W . M ., and Mrs . Jowitt ; Bro . J . VV . Turner , I . P . M ., and Mrs . Turner ; Bro . Abraham Graham , S . W ., and Mrs . _ Graham ; Bro . Jno . Dawson , I . W . ; Bro . A . Armitage , and Mrs . Armitage ; Bro . T . Greenwood and

Miss Greenwood ; Mrs . Banks and lady friend ; Bro . Geo . Sissons , Mrs . bissons , and nephew ; Bro . J . IT . Cooper , ; Bro . George Moxon and Mrs . Moxon ; Bro . J . T . Sheard ; Bro . Geo . Jackson , I . G ., and Mrs . Jackson ; Bro . Jamrs Brierley , Treas . ; Mrs . Wray ; Bro . H . Wood , J . D . ; Bro . C . Bernin and Mrs . Bernin ; and Bro . E . Dyson and Mrs . Dyson . After partaking of an excellent dinner , the party returned from Ilkley by the ten minutes past six train , arriving at Huddersfield at eight o ' clock .

Annual Picnic Of The Elkington Lodge, No. 1016.

ANNUAL PICNIC OF THE ELKINGTON LODGE , No . 1016 .

The annual picnic of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 27 th ult . The party assembled at the Masonic Hall , Mew-street , Birmingham , where they were received by the Worshipful Master of the lodge , Bro . R . C . Jarvis . They then proceeded by road to the seat of Lord Windsor at

Hewell Park , being conveyed in four-in-hands . The party numbered over 100 . An excellent lunch was laid under tents by Bro . Benson , of Bull-street . The VV . M . presided , the vice-chair being occupied by Bro . H . P . Bloomer , S . W ., Secretary to the Picnic Committee . After the toast of "The Queen , " the Rev . H . FOSTER PEGG proposed "The Ladies , " to which Bro . J ACKSON

suitably responded . Tne grounds and gardens were subsequently visited . There was also boating on the lake and various amusements provided on the lawn . The coaches were supplied by the Birmingham Cab Company . The morning journey was made via Alvechurch and Redditch ; the route taken on the homeward journey by Barnt Green and the Lickey Hills .

Picnic Of The Kirkdale Lodge, No. 1756.

PICNIC OF THE KIRKDALE LODGE , No . 1756 .

Tha members and friends of the above lodge , under the presidency of their VV . M ., Bro . Dr . Hendry , held their annual picnic on Thursday , the 29 th ult . Special carriages conveyed tbe company lo Southport , where mine host of the Prince of Wales Hotel gave every satisfaction in the

manner in which hecatered for the brethren . Unfortunately the weather was anything but favourable , but this did not prevent the company thoroughly enjoying themselves indoors with music and singing . During the interval before dinner songs were well rendered by Bros . J . Kellie , VV . Bushell , H . Maishall , I . P . M . ; J . Kerrin , andothers . After

dinner , previousarrangementsto go to Church-own Gardens had to be abandoned owing to the weather ; but an hour or two was very agreeably spent in the Winter Gardens , after which the whole company were photographed by Bro . Cockbain . A sumptuous tea was excellently served , and the company returned to Liverpool by the S . 35 p . m . train , having spent an exceedingly pleasant day .

Summer Outing Of The Dalhousie Lodge, No. 865, And Kensington Lodge. No. 1767.

SUMMER OUTING OF THE DALHOUSIE LODGE , No . 865 , AND KENSINGTON LODGE . No . 1767 .

The members of these two flourishing lodges held their annual summer picnic on Thursday , the 29 th ult ., by the kind permission of Lady Holland , on St . Ann's Hill , Chertsey . About fifty of the members and their friends

were conveyed from Addison-road Station in four wellappointed breaks , those were shortly joined on the toad by a four-horse drag , from ig , Charleville-road , West Kensington , the residence of Bro . C . A . Walter , P . P . G . S . D . of Middlesex , VV . M . of the Kensington Lodge , who had undertaken the arduous duty of catering for this large assemblage , and so well was this duty performed that

nothing but praise was heard from all present . The start was effected at 9 . 30 a . m ., Bro . R . H . Williams , P . P . G . S ., and P . G . J . D . of Middlesex , W . M . of the Dalhousie Lodge , leading the way in the first break . The route taken was through Hammersmith and Brentford to the Red Lion at Hounslow , where several members of the Dalhousie Lodge had arranged to join their friends . After a halt of

about 30 minutes , the journey was continued to St . Ann ' s Hill , which was reached about 1 p . m . The Committee , with the assistance of a few friends , at once set to work to erect a large tent , lent by Bro . Walter ; in the meantime , the company were sitting about in small groups , discussing sundry boxes of sandwiches and large jars of claret cup . The Committee then commenced unpacking boxeshampers

, , & c , and such an assortment of good things , in the way of beef , lamb , hams , tongues , pies , tarts , cheese and salad , barrels of beer , cases of wine , spirits , mineral water , Sic , it has rarely been our good fortune to see at a picnic . This was conveyed in one of Bro . Walter ' s drays , early in the morning . The carving being nearly comoleted . the comnanv were

summoned by bugle call , and arranged themselves on canvas spread under the tent , and after about forty minutes' good hard labour had to confess themselves beaten , and retired , whilst the Stewards picked up the fragments and prepared for tea . The visitors meantime thoroughly enjoyed the many beautiful walks about the

hill , from the top of which may be seen some of the finest views within 50 miles of London . 1 here were not only sights to be seen , but sounds to be heard . In one part you could hear from time to time certain sweet little old-fashioned tunes from a cornet played by Bro . T . W . Heath , of the Earl of Carnarvon

Summer Outing Of The Dalhousie Lodge, No. 865, And Kensington Lodge. No. 1767.

Lodge . Down by the Monk's Well wc heard a duet sweetly sang by the two daughters of Bro . R . H . Williams . This was followed by a song from one of the same young ladies at the earnest request of many friends . On returning to the refreshment ground , we found some of our friends enjoying a dance to the music of a concertina played by our energetic Bro . Heath , to whose forethought and untiring zeal the thanks of the Committee are due for

this pleasing part of the programme . On the call being again sounded , there was another general muster under the tent , when tea , bread-and-butter , cake , and biscuits were supplied in abundance , after which the tent was struck , and the remainder of the provisions packed and loaded in the dray . The Committee were : For the Kensington Lodge—Bros . C . A . Walter , VV . M . ; Barker , Treas . ; G . Read ,

Sec . ; and W . B . Neville . For the Dalhousie Lodge—Bros . R . H . Williams . VV . M . ; W . C . Williams , Sec . ; and G . Swann , W . S . The return journey wss commenced about 7 . 40 p . m ., the breaks arriving at Addison-road Station about 10 . 30 ., the company congratulating themselves on having spent a most enjoyable day , and thanking the committee for their great exertions in bringing about such a happy and successful result .

The Mark Degree In Victoria.

THE MARK DEGREE IN VICTORIA .

A difficulty has arisen in Melbourne over the election of VV . M . of the South Melbourne Lodge of Mark Master Masons , No . 310 . About three years ago it will be remembered a so-called Grand Lodge of Victoria was formed out of a small minority of brethren belonging to English , Irish , and Scotch Craft lodges in Melbourne , which , as a matter of course , has not been recognised by the three British

Grand Lodges . Several of the seceders were members of the Victoria Mark Lodge , No . 47 , and the aforesaid South Melbourne Lodge , at the time of the rupture , but I believe all have withdrawn from the Victoria Lodge . With the South Melbourne Lodge , however , things are different , and a member has been elected to the chair who has filled a similar office in one of the illegal Craft lodges . Under the circumstances the present Master of the South Melbourne

Lodge declines to vacate the chair , and he informs me the R . W . Prov . Grand Master has expressed an opinion that the W . M . elect cannot be installed . The foregoing are simple facts and difficulties , the latter of which , out here , were foreseen from the very commencement of the formation of the so-styled Grand Lodge of Victoria ; and which I venture to assert might have been avoided had the General Board of the Grand Mark Lodge

boldly followed the lead of the United Grand Lodge of England . It is true that , on the formation of another Mark lodge in Melbourne ( the Combermere , No . 33 6 ) , the by-laws of which provide that no member of an illegally constituted Body can be advanced therein or received as a visifor , the General Board sent out a communication discountenacing the Grand Lodge of Victoria ; but the action was of so incomplete and harmless a character as

sooner or latter to lead to troubles of the kind I have referred to . To make matters worse , the last Grand Lodge report , in its list of lodges , gives the name and number of a new Iodge , the charter of which has been granted to seceders . This latter circumstance , by the bye , I mentioned to the R . W . Provincial Grand Master and Provincial Secretary , some months ago , and they disclaimed any knowledge of such a warrant having been granted . The

inference , therefore , is that the petition was sent direct home , in the names of brethren advanced in English Mark lodges , but at the same time belonging to the unrecognised Grand Lodge of Victoria . It is interesting to add that the Wellington Lodge ( I . C . ) and Keystone Lodge ( S . C ) , in Melbourne , have reaped the benefit of the peculiar difficulties under which the English Mark lodges labour . They are both flourishing

and well-worked organisations . But in one case the Grand Lodge of Ireland , and in the othec the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland , exercise control over Mark lodges , which makes a wonderful difference . Has the time not arrived , therefore , for the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters to take prompt and vigorous steps to put the loyal and great majority of the Mark Masons of Victoria on a proper and sound footing , so that these disputes may be settled and disposed of for years to come

I think the time has arrived , the more so , that by now H . R . H . the Prince of Wales has been installed M . W . Grand Mark Master Mason . I might be allowed to add that , although we have a Provincial Grand Lodge of Victoria , no communication has been held for a long period , and it strikes me that the R . W . Prov . Grand Master feels some repugnance and delicacy in calling his province together . An assemblage of the kind , viewed from the " status in quo , " would , to say the least of it , be a delightlful incongruity .

The Ascotvale (Near Melbourne) Masonic Hall.

THE ASCOTVALE ( near MELBOURNE ) MASONIC HALL .

The first regular meeting of the shareholders of the Ascotvale Masonic Hall Company ( Limited ) was held at the Ascotvale Hotel on Saturday evening , June iy . Bro . W . F . LAHONBY was called to the chair , and , in opening the proceedings , stated that some misconception had got abroad as to the objects to which the hall was to be devoted .

Some people were under the impression that it was to be a building used entirely by the Masons . The real fact was that the company had been formed for the purpose of building a hall for general purposes , such as concerts , dramatic entertainments , balls , & c . That such an institution was required in the borough was generally admitted , and the provisional directors already had received many

offers for renting the building . The only connection which the Masons would have with the hall would be in the capacity of tenants , and even if any Masons should happen to be elected directors , it stood to reason that their interests as shareholders would be the first consideration . A very desirable site had been secured in the Maribyrnong-road , with a frontage of 50 feet by a depth of 130 feet , and the vendor had shown his interest in the undertaking by taking

up 50 shares . The expenses of promoting the company had been very trifling , indeed , only what the law actually required . The provisional directors were sanguine that the speculation would eventually prove a good paying one , when the steadily-increasing population of the borough was considered . The first business of the meeting was the election of directors , the articles of association providing for seven .

The Ascotvale (Near Melbourne) Masonic Hall.

Nine gentlemen were nominated , and the result of the ballot was declared as follows : Bros . Dr . J . Campbell , 464 ; A . Jager , 421 ; W . F . Lamonby , 419 ; A . Reeve , 409 ; W . T . ' C . Kelly , 405 ; S . George , 357 ; J . A . Rigby , 325 ; R . Ovens , 221 ; and J . Blomlield , yo . The first seven were elected . Messrs . Hayles and Green were elected auditors , and Mr . L . ] . Blanchard received the appointment of Secretary

to the company . The meeting then closed . Plans of the proposed building have been already prepared by Mr . J . C . M . Cowan , architect , Moonee Ponds . The ground floor embraces a hall 70 ft . by 40 ft ., with a stage and dressing rooms , and committee rooms and anterooms on each side of the entrance . On the first floor will

be a smaller hall , 27 ft . by 22 ft ., with ante-rooms attached . Thecapitalof the company is £ 2000 in £ 1 shares , 1 G 51 of which have been already taken up . It is intended to lay the foundation stone with Masonic honours . The whole of the 2000 shares in the Ascotvale Masonic Hall have been allotted . The applications exceeded the total number .

The Old Folks At Croydon.

THE OLD FOLKS AT CROYDON .

The usual entertainment to the residents at the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , at Croydon , took place on Thursday , the 29 th ult . The proceedings were of the usual character , the programme selected for the occasion being chiefly musical , with sundry readings and recitations by way of variety . The most prominent part was taken by

the Misses Terry , Miss Culver , and Miss Emily Davies , whose contributions to the pleasure of the meeting were received with the applause they so justly deserved . There were also two humorous songs contributed by Bro . Arthur Combes , and Bro . Walter Sycklemoore sang " A Bandit's Life" and "The Sailor ' s Story , " while the readings and recitations were given with great success by Bro John G . Stevens and Misses I . J . Brown and A . M . Barnard , the

" Boots at the Holly Tree Inn " and " Lieutenant Luff , " by the first-named , being particularly noticeable . In the course of the evening fruit , wine , and other refreshments were handed round to the old brethren and ladies , who were loud in their recognition of the kindness shown them by the visitors , the final act of the entertainment consisting of a little speech making , in which Bro . James Terry , the

worthy Secretary of the Institution , who returned thanks for the toast of his health , played the chief part . After a most enjoyable evening the brethren and their friends returned to town in a saloon carriage specially set apart for their accommodation by the railway authorities . Among those present were Bro . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br ., and Mr . A . P . Bowyer ; Bros . T . Cubitt , P . G . P . ; C . I . Perceval , I . A . Farnfield , P . G . D . ; R . W . Stewart ,

P . G . D ., and J . G . Stevens ; Bro . James I ' erry , Mrs . and the Misses Terry , and Bro . James E . Terry , Bro . and Mrs . W . ] . Murlis , Bro . A . and Mrs . Combes , the Misses Crutch , Bro . VV . H . Perryman , A . G . P ., and Mrs . Perryman , Bro . H . and Mrs . Massey , Bro . J . and Mrs . Newton , Bro . I . J . and Mrs . Berry , Hros . C . H . Webb , Dr . Strong , and C . F . Hogard ; Bro . H . and the Misses Cotter , Mr . G . and Miss Culver , Messrs . A . M . Barnard , J . J . Brown , and A . T . Faull , Miss Emily Davies , and Bro . > V . and Mrs . Snoden .

Scotland.

Scotland .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF PERTHSHIRE WEST . Lieut .-Col . Drummond-Moray , of Blair-Drummond , was recently appointed Provincial Grand Master of this province , in room of the Duke of Athole , resigned . The ceremony took place at Crieff on Saturday , the 24 th ult . There are nine lodges in the province—Dunblane , No . o :

Dunkeld , No . 14 ; Crieff , No . 3 S ; Dunkeld , No . 152 ; St . James , Doune , No . 171 ; St . Kepacs , Comrie , No . 269 ; Tay and Lyon , Kenmore , No . 276 ; Benledi , Callander , No . 614 ; and Breadalbane , Aberfeldy , No . 657—from most of which there were deputations . There were also deputations from Grand Lodge , Sic The ceremony was performed by Sir Archibald Campbell

of BIythswood , Bart ., Grand Master Masun of Scotland , assisted by the Grand Lodge officials . The following commissioned officials were also installed : Col . Stirling , D . M . ; Capt . Dundas , S . M . ; Robert Clement , Secretary ; and the Rev . A . Gray Maitland , Chaplain . After the ceremony , the brethren partook of cake and wine , the P . G . M . presiding . Among the toasts were "The

Grand Lodge , " by the P . G . M ., replied to by the G . M . M . ; "The Visiting Lodges , " by Bro . Col . Stirling , replied to by Bro . Hunter , of No . 3 Lodge , Perth ; " "The Provincial Grand Lodgeof Perthshire West , " by the G . M . M ., replied to by the P . G . M ., & c . The hall of St . Michael ' s , where the ceremony took place , was tastefully decorated for the occasion . There were about 120 biethren present .

THE GREAT WESTERN EXCURSION SEASON . All our railway companies find it to their interest to make some special provision for that numerous class of holiday folk , which , while it cannot afford a prolonged absence from business—say , for three weeks or a monthis able to spare mors than a day altogether in which to invigorate themselves for a fresh course of labour . Hence those weekly and fortnightly excursion tickets which nearly

every company finds it desirable to issue , the Great Western Company being well to the front in the facilities it offers as regards train service and moderate fares , as well as in the attractive country it traverses or is in connection with . Among its chief inducement to intending holiday folk at this season of the year , is its weekly excursions to the West of England and Weymouth . These start every Saturday , leaving the Paddington Terminus at 8 . 5 A . M ., 10 . 45 A . M .,

ar . d 12 . 10 P . M ., according to the places it is proposed to reach , and will be continued throughout the season . The fares are very moderate , and , if the holders think it desirable , they can be extended on very favourable conditions , so as to prolong the holiday . The places to which access is obtainable , at very easy charges , include Lynmouth ,

Barnstaple , Ilfracombc , Dawlish , Torquay , Newquay , Weymouth , & c , & c , and our readers will allow that these are hard to be beaten as pleasure or health' resorts . However , if they have any doubt on the subject , let them make a trial ; they can at the same time test the merits of the Great Western Excursionist arrangements .