Provincial Charity Votes.

PROVINCIAL CHARITY VOTES .

T ABULAR S TATEMENT taken from the Reports for the year 1 S 77 , shewing the number of Votes held by the various Provinces in England in the Three Royal Masonic Institutions , with the number of Boys and Girls belonging to the several Provinces , and number of Lodges in each .

Province . 1 Bedfordshire . . . 2 Berks and Bucks 3 Bristol 4 Cambridgeshire . ' . 5 Cheshire ... ( i Cornhill ... 7 Cumbd . & Westmlnd . 8 Derbyshire .... 9 Devonshire 10 Dorsetshire . . . 11 Durham ... 12 Es-sex 13 Gloucester .... 14 Hants and 1 . of Wight 15 Herefordshire . . . 16 Hertfordshire . . . 17 Kent iS Lancashire-, E . Div . . 19 Lancashire , W . do . . 20 Leicester & Rutland . 21 Lincolnshire . . . 22 Middlesex ... 23 Monmouthshire . . 24 Norfolk 23 Norths & Hunts . . 26 Northumberland . . 27 Notts 28 Oxfordshire . . . 29 Somerset ... 30 Staffordshiie . . . 31 Suffolk 32 Surrey ^^ Sussex 14 Warwickshire . . . 35 Wilts 36 Wnrcestt r . . . . ' , ; Yorks , N . eV E . Reigns . 31 Yorks , W . Riding . V ) Wales , N . . S : Shrops . 40 Wales , S . E . Div . . . 41 Wales , S . W . do . . 42 Chan . Islands . . . 43 Isle of Man . . .

. . . . . Male . Female . Life . Ann . Life . Ann . 18 4 6 12 " 59 > 3 So 39 81 123 61 88 > 3 4 " 4 225 27 93 8 53 4 7 49 ' 7 44 34 20 10 24 10 390 188 266 68 175 20 S 93 41 iCS o 9 8 2 116 194 47 3 d !> 9 4 i 72 43 213 172 174 222 26 2 20 4 109 133 95 92 557 226 479 177 " 5 " 34 55 7 577 24 237 21 " 5 4 35 8 18 3 30 ( 19 20 99 17 81 10 84 5 80 o 62 31 68 12 i ° 3 15 fi » 3 ' 142 4 109 20 30 11 12 1 o 123 92 88 106 217 92 133 82 149 66 47 23 209 43 13 6 no 203 S 3 139 100 213 134 173 11 fi Mi 31 349 ' 37 160 1 ^ 7 ^ 4 61 68 " fi 52 3 113 129 49 9 6 6 43 601 799 26 31 28 23 30 74 2 37 2 8 2 S 8 20 22 12 2 8 2602

Boys . „ , Life . Ann . Sch . 0 13 4 3 279 21 1 122 30 1 2 3 ii 3 397 5 0 244 9 2 214 11 4 2 ot > 32 3 . ' 24 . 12 < " > 354 44 6 433 ' 2 1 200 48 1 33 ° 34 5 * 681 38 0 20 2 1 112 17 9 925 ° 8 19 7770 23 2 386 2 3 ' 45 9 i 4 3 S 5 ' 4 0 224 21 3 S 3 2 4 79 32 2 1 77 5 1 297 1 ° 55 29 2 194 ' 4 3 466 21 3 422 11 2 167 16 2 408 42 5 4 ° » 53 ¦ 1 959 75 2 198 18 0 12 S 10 2 275 33 ' 3 2303 23 4 168 16 2 3 < ' 9 3 1 99 9 o 44 2 000

Girls . No . of In , ., . Lodges , . . Life . Ann . ° Sch . 0 14 4 5 1 181 16 16 1 6 z 20 8 1 10 6 4 1 177 6 38 1 62 8 27 ¦ 1 90 3 19 0 23 9 18 5 174 17 46 ¦ 88 7 13 2 224 44 23 3 133 4 8 if > 1 131 21 14 « 328 37 3 ° 0 16 4 4 1 99 32 10 7 661 42 43 7 574 25 86 1 219 7 77 0 40 4 10 7 233 16 20 5 217 ^ 27 2 86 3 8 2 8 . ? 24 ' 4 1 11 * 6 8 0 63 1 18 1 41 41 9 0 103 16 8 4 168 19 19 4 223 13 21 4 ' 37 28 19 2 199 39 18 2 3 81 73 > 9 9 34 2 16 29 1 109 12 10 1 54 9 10 4 124 49 25 13 ' 289 39 6 3 o 95 16 23 0 160 ^ 11 1 4 6 6 8 o 28 o 11 o 023

Farewell Dinner And Presentation To Bro. Spinks.

FAREWELL DINNER AND PRESENTATION TO BRO . SPINKS .

Among the number of our gallant solJiers residing in our midst who arc about te » eir have left Englanel fur service at the Cape , none have gained more friends or held them faster than Assistant Commissary Bro . G . Spinks , I . P . M . of the United Military Lodge , No . 1556 , who for

the last twenty years has live-din Woolwich , and by his character and conduct has attained the proud position of an officer in Iler Majesty ' s Army . Bro . Spinks only received oiders for departure on Wednesday , the 12 th ult ., and no sooner was it known among his comrades in the garrison , Masonic brethren , and many friends outside , than it was determined to present him with a token of the

esteem and regard in which he is held by llieni , and on Saturday evening , the 15 th ult ., a large aud influential gathering took place at Bro . Capon's House , the Prince Alfred , Raglan-road , Plumstead , for the purpose eif presenting the testimonial to him . The testimonial took the form of a diamond ring and binocular lie-Id glass , of the estimated value of twenty-five guineas . Both the ring

and glass were suitably inscribed . An excellent cold collation was spread for the company , among whom were Bro . Weston , P . M . 153 6 , Chairman ; Bro . Shaw , S . W . ' 53 bi Vice-Chair ; Bio . Spinks , and Bros . Sculley , Kiikbride , Hayes , Price , Dare , Jarvis , Holleyman , Cox , Mabbctt , Kennedy , Murphy , Vincent , Eniby . Moulds , Purnell , Hast-all , McClellen , Saunders , Sharpe , Welding , Norman ,

Palmer , Campbell , Capon , and C . jolly . The dinner having been disposed of , the toasts of " The Huecn and the Craft , " " Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " "Lord Carnarvon , P . G . M ., and thej rest of the Grand Officers , " were drank with enthusiasm . The Chairman then rose , anel said the lime had now arrived when it was his duty to commence that portion of

'he proceedings for which they had especially been brought together . They all knew that their esteemed brother and friend , Past Master Spinks , was abuut to leave then ) and g « to a far distant land , not for pleasure , but for duty , and , however much they mi ght regret losing him , yet this call , t » e soldier's call to eluty , must be obe-yed . He was going to war , but to a war the horrors of which were nut mitigated by 'he arts or amenities of civilisation , but against acruel and

a ruthless foe , who spared r . one in his lust for blood and rapine . ( Hear , hear . ' * Their Bro . Spinks carried with him tn e respect , esteem , and admiration of them all , and nut ° "' y those present , but all who knew his sterling worth a "d manly heart , as was evinced by the token e , f that respect which it was now his duty to present to him . He . "en made the presentation , and said—Bro . Spinks , 1 now , 11 the name of this company , and in the name of all h ° se who have subscribed to it , present to you this diamond

Farewell Dinner And Presentation To Bro. Spinks.

ring , which , wc trust , will for many years be a memento of their respect aud esteem for you , and when you look upon it you will remember the many happy years you have spent in their company , not only in Freemasonry , but in the open paths of life you anil they have trod together . I have also much pleasure in presenting you with this binocular glass , and , in asking your acceptance of the same ,

we trust you will ever value both ring and glass , not for their intrinsic value alone , but as an evidence of that which we know is of far higher value to you , theleivc and respect e > f yourfellow men . ( Cheers . ) Believe me , Bro . Spinks , no matter whereyou maybe , wherever the call of duty is , there we know you will be doing your duty as a soldier , a man , and a Mason . ( Loud cheers . ) We wish you God speed upon your

journey , and may lie spare you through the dangers awaiting you by sea and land , and when your duty is elone speed ynu safely back again to your friends in Woolwich and Plumsteael , where a heaity welcome will always await you . ( Loud and continued cheering . ) " The Health of Bro . Spinks" was then diank with musical honours , and Bro . Alexander Jarvis by special request sang " Auld Lang

Sync . " Bro . Spinks , who , on rising to reply , was received with cheers , said—W . M . Bro ., Shaw , anel brethren , I cannot fiuil words to express to you my thanks for the great kindness that I have always received at your hands , and more especially for the very handsome manner in which you have shown your regard and esteem for me . It was only

on Wednesday last that 1 received orders to go to the Cape , only three days ago , and in those three days what has been elone ? As I have before said , I know Bro . Weston is a redhot Mason , and whatever he takes in hand is done quickly anil well . ( Cheers and laughter . ) He anil Bros . Saunders and Shaw hael workeel hard for this occasion , and it reflects great credit upon them for the manner in which

they have carried it out , and for their kindness I thank them from my heart . I never expected to receive such a valuable present from the hands of my friends , and feel that I have elone nothing to deserve it . I have always eneleavouicd to elei my eluty in any position that 1 have been placed in , and no more-. This beautiful jewel , which is encased in this hand of gold , will , I trust , he a light to still

further guide me on in the same path of duty and honour thai has won for mc , above all other honour , your generous esteem and regard , and when I look through these magnificent glasses I will think their vision brings before nie my kind frienels , both civil and military , in Plumstead and Woolwich , until once more I am back amongst them

again , if not with fame , at least with honour . ( Loud cheers . ) I have said that 1 cannot find words to express to you my gratitude for the kindnesses I have received at your hands , but believe me that if ever I return to my own country I will , with God's help , comejo you my friends , at Plumstead , and again and again thank you for your

Farewell Dinner And Presentation To Bro. Spinks.

splendid testimonial and your hearty good wishes for my welfare . ( Loud and prolonged cheering . ) Bro . Assistant Commissary Cox , who , like Bro . Spinks , leaves for the Cape , and who had come all the way from Shoeburyness to participate in the gathering , was then toasted and wished God speed , and returneel thanks in a splendid speech , replete with eloemence and patriotic sentiments .

Bro . Hayes , W . M . 913 , proposed "The Health of the Chairman , " and in so doing spoke of the unceasing toil of Bro . Weston for any cause that was good , more especially for charity . His exertions for the children who were fatherless , and for the widow who was penniless , were such as reflected the highest cicdit upon him , and many a poor and distressed widow and child are now living to bless his

generous and brotherly aid . He asked them to drink the health of one who was worthy of all they could say or do for him , ar-. ei his wife and family . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . Weston then returned thanks , and said that the more he knew of his brethren and the Craft , the more he loved it and honoured them . As Bro . Cox had said . it made a man return the sword to the scabbard in the face

of his foe who was a brother , and such a thing had been done repeatedly in the Franco-Prussian war . He thanked them especially for their good wishes to his wife and family . He now had six , with a prospect of adding to their number . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Bros . Shaw and Saunders were then complimented on

their good work in raising the testimonial , and suitably replied . Bros . Vincent anel Jolly responded for the Press , and after Bro . Capon had been warmly thanked for his excellent catering , anil the many kindnesses he had shewn the brethren of the Military Lodge especially , a verse of the National Anthem closed the proceedings .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

The installation meeting of the Portsmouth Lodge , No . 487 , will take place on Thursday , 13 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Portsmouth , when Bro . IL Osborne will be installed W . M . by ' . V . W .: Bro . W . Hickman , Dep . G . M . Hants and Isle of Wight , in the presence of W . Bro . J . K . Le Feuvrc , P . G . Sec . Hants and Isle of Wight , and other distinguished brethren .

The annual meeting of the Shakespeare Lodge , No . 99 , took place at the Albion Tavern 011 Thursday , the 27 th ult ., when Bro . W . Marshall was installed in the chair of K . S . for the ensuing year . The half-yearly meeting of the Great Western Railway Company was hclel on Friday , the 28 th ult .,

under the presidency of Sir D . Gooch , M . P ., P . G . M . Berks and Bucks , when the report was adopted , and a dividend on the ordinary stock at the rate of 4 per cent , was declared . Bro . J . D . Allcroft , M . P ., laid the foundation stone eif the new church of St . Simon , Shepherd ' s Bush , on Thursday , the 6 th inst .

The Saddlers' Company have voted a donation of ten guineas to the King Edward Ragged School , Spitalfields . The Annual Supper of the Israel Lodge of Instruction will be held at the Rising Sun , Globe-road , Bctfmal Green , on Thursday , the 1 -5 th inst ., at 7 .

There is yet a chance , it is said , of Lord Haidwicke ' s remaining Master of the Buckhounds . If this be so , everybody will be well pleased ; for the " glossy peer " is a model of kindliness and courtesy , and his popularity extends far beyond his own set , or his own order . —The World .

It is not customary at Royal marriages to speak of "the best man . " A Prince is said to he " supported " to the altar , and the hi mldic term is by no means inappropriate . The Duke of Connaught ' s supporters will , as I announced a month ago , he the Prince of Wales and Prince Leopold , who will wear the costume of Knight of

the Garter , rhcy will be ushered to the altar by Lords Hertford and Bauington , with a complete retinue of heralels , gentlemen-at-arms , and pursuivants . The briele ' s supporters will be Prince Frederick William ( her father ) , who will give her away , and the Prince Imperial of Germany . — The Whitehall . Review .

Bro . Commander Cheyne , R . N ., lectured at Oxford , on Wednesday , fo appreciative audiences , on his proposed expedition to the North Pole by a new route , and the search for Sir John Franklin . Mr . Grenfell , President of the University Boat Club , presided in the evening . The lecturer stated that his plan of reaching the Pole was by taking advantage of the ocean currents which circulate in

the Arctic regions . An influential committee , comprising members of the university and citizens , was formeel to assist Commander Cheyne in his project . This makes the forty-sixth committee established in different parts of the kingdom for the same object . Mr . W . R . S . Ralston repeated his

interesting lecture on Popular Fairy Tales 011 Wednesday afternoon , at St . James ' s Hall , the proceeels being given to the fund for the benefit of the shareholders of the Glasgow Bank . Mr . Ralston unmercifully exposes the fairy delusions wc have always looked upon as gospel , and proves unremorscfully that the glass slipper of Cinderella was made of fur .

According to information received by Joseph Malins , G . W . C . T ., from the Cape , an entire Lodge of Good Templars was destroyed at Isandula . The lodge was formed among the men of the 24 th in Cape Colony , anel was called the British Pioneer Lodge . This is the second Templar Lodge swept out of existence by a great disaster , the first being destroyed when the " Eurydice " went down .