Consecration Of The Willesden Chapter, No. 2489.

Aii oration was delivered by Comp . Rev . J . S . BKOWNKIGC * -, P . G . Chap ., and the chapter was afterwards dedicated and constituted . Comp . W . Wellsman , P . Z ., the M . E Z . designate , was inducted into h ' s chair by the G . S . E ., and Comp . Major-Gen . Hay installed Comps . O . C . Robson and E . R . Bartley Denniss as H . and J . respectively . The following officers were invested : Comps . C . j . Marrian , S . E . ; H . C . liorradaile , S . N . ; F . W . Marrian , P . S . ; C . Stanley Gibbs , ist A . S . ; if . Levick , P . Z ., D . C . ; and I . Whiteway , Janitor .

The M . E . Z . said the first proposition he had to make would commend itself to all the members . They had seen the charming ceremony worked in a manner that could not be surpassed . It must have impressed those who had not previously seen the ceremony , and would bring back pleasant memories of the past to those who had had that privilege . He , therefore , proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Consecrating Ollicers , and also that they should be elected honorary members .

The G RAND SCRIBE E ., in returning thanks for himself and colleagues , said it was an honour they all accepted with great pleasure . Several members of the parent lodge were proposed for exaltation , and the chapter was closed . The companions adjourned lo Freemasons' Tavern , where a recherche banquet was admirably served and thoroughly enj > ved .

The usual toasts followed , the first being "The Ouetn and Royal Arch Masonry" and " ' H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . G Z . T ' In proposing " The Grand Officers , " the M . E . Z . drew attention tothe presence of several Grand Officers who were associated in the Craft and Koyal Arch Masonry , and hailed their presence with pleasure . But for an unfortunate accident they would have seen Sir John Monckton at the banquet

table . It was difficult to select a name to couple with the toast , but he would first mention Comps . Sissons and Sir Reginald Hanson and connect their names to respond . Comp . Sissons had conferred a great honour by his attendance and Sir-Reginald Hanson they knew as the W . M . ofthe Willesden Lodge to which this chapter is attached , and also as the M . K . Z . of another chapter .

Comp . HARLING SISSONS , G . Supt . LmcolnshAre , in responding , said the task was an easy one , for those who knew Lord Lathom knew that whatever office he filled—whether for his Sovereign , or in Masonry—he filled with stately dignity . He also possessed higher qualifications in the warm sympathy which was one of his greatest attractions . The Grand Officers were worthy of the offices they were called upon to peiform . The ritual they

heard that day was the grandest they could hear and nothing was wanting from those who performed it . With office there came great responsibilities and he claimed for the Grand Officers that they fully realised this , and that they kept up the noble principles the Order inspired . He had the privilege of being present when the lodge was consecrated and was glad to be present that day to wish the chapter prosperity . He trusted the noble lessons

taught by the Order would sink down in all their hearts , that brotherly love wuuld fully realise those broad principles of dispensing Charity to those less ioilunate . , Comp . Sir REGINALD HANSON , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . S . N ., briefly replied . Tlie M . E . Z . had referred to services in the lodge to which that chapter was attached , and he could assure them he would give the same attention as he

had in the lodge . The M . E . Z . then said they had arrived at tho toast of the evening"The Consecrating Officer and his Assistants . " He confessed that any words of his were quite unequal to do justice to it , for the ceremony had so deeply impressed their minds that as expressed in the words of thc quotation , "They have indeed bettered expectations . " It would be superfluous for

hiin lo speak of the way Comp . Letchworth had performed the ceremony , for it was charming—using the word in its best sense—and although he had . seen the ceremony on several occasions , he felt he liked it better than ever . The whole ceremony seemed to go like a book , everything being said and dene at the proper moment , and to some of those old Masons like himself of 35 years' standing , it must have brought back to their memories the

initiation ceremony . They were deeply grateful to the Grand Scribe E . and hi * - * colleagues , and also to Major-General Hay , for the admirable manner in which he installed the Principals . They had been accustomed to see Comp . Richardson perform the duties of D . C . as to the manner born , and he was also pleased to see Captain Walls , whom he had the pleasure of investing as P . S . in his first chapter , and who was an earnest worker in the

Craft and Royal Arch Masonry . He would ask them to drink heartily and with the greatest possible pleasure to the health of the Consecrating Officers ad his assistants . Comp . E . LETCHWORTH , G . S . E ., said that , as they had been compelled to listen to his voice that night , he would not occupy their time many moments . He wished to tender the warmest thanks of the Consecrating

Ollicers for the very kind reception given the toast , proposed in such very kind terms by the M . E , Z . He might take that opportunity of tendering his personal thanks to-those Grand Officers who had rendered him such valuable assistance , and he fully endorsed every word the M . E . Z . had said in regard to the admirable manner in which the installation ceremony was performed by his friend , Comp . General Hay , who was always ready at all

limes to render assistance . With regard to the other companions , he could onl y say the same . Comp . Brownrigg was always to the front , and Comp . Kichardson was a host in himself , and , in fact , he did not know how a consociation would be performed without that excellent companion . He was also glad to acknowledge the services of Comp . Walls . It was difficult to realise that two years had passed since he had

the great pleasure of consecrating the Willesden Lodge , and it was most satisfactory to know that during that short time the lodge had felt ¦ tself strong enough to start a chapter . He could only express the hope that 'hat chapter might have before it a very successful career , and when he looked a '* the founders he was sure those hopes would be realised . He had next a ""' st agreeable duty , and that was to propose " The Health of the M . E . Z . "

* * ' ! iom he had had the pleasure of placing in the chair . Comp . Wellsman "ad had great experience in Masonry , and he most heartily congratulated '"^ members of that chapter on having as their first M . E . Z ., in its most ¦ " ' jit ' cal year of existence , one so well able to guide it . He hoped that under Hro . Wellsman ' s genial rule the chapter would be successful , and he felt sure *¦ •<* M . E . Z . would have the support of every companion .

Comp . WitTUR WELLSMAN , M . E . Z ., in response , said they always "card words of wisdom and admiration from the ( I . S . E ., who had told them ' . ' * at an anxious position that of M . E . Z . was . He ( the M . E . Z . ) had occup' ^ d that post twice before , but on each occasion tnere was an amount of anxiety that made a man nervous as to whether he would carry out the ""ties properly . After the kindly words of the G . S . E ., he felt a little

Consecration Of The Willesden Chapter, No. 2489.

terrified . He had not taken the office lightly , but intended to do his best for the chapter and Royal Arch Masonry . No doubt he should make mistakes , but if that should happen , he asked them to put them down to him and not blame the chapter . He desired to do well , and if at the end of his year he heard the words— " Well done , " he should be delighted , but they would at least , he hoped , say he had tried to do his best .

THE M . E . Z . Comp . SMITHETT , M . E . Z . 58 , acknowledged "The Visitors" in an interesting speech , and was followed by Comp . GAZE , P . Z ., who said he was sure the M . E . Z . would do his utmost to maintain the integrity and reputation of the chapter . He thanked them for the intellectual ' treat he had enjoyed , for he was sure he should remember it for many years . He wished the chapter every prosperity and future success .

" The Second and Third Principals " was proposed by the M . E . Z ., who expressed the opinion that they would both be excellent suppoiters . It grieved him exceedingly that Comp . Robson , IL , was unable to stay , but public duties were paramount . Comp . Denniss occupied lhe high office of W . M . of a mosl important lodge , and came to the chapter thoroughly prepared to support thc M . E . Z . and chapter .

Comp . BARTLEY DENNISS , J ., also regretted the absence of the H ., but returned thanks on his behalf . They both hoped to dn their work to the satisfaction of the chapter and Royal Arch Masonry in general . Comp . C . J . MARRIAN , S . E ., on behalf of " The Officers , " said he felt a certain amount of trepidation in replying , because the M . E . Z . remarked that they were new to the work , and that was true . He could , however , assure the M . E ' / .. that what they lacked in experience they would make up in earnestnessand would endeavour to do their work in the

, they best way it could be done . As long as he had the honour to wear a collar of office , the chapter would always be his first care , and he hoped it would flourish in the same way the parent lodge had done . Comp . H . C BORRAUAILE , S . N ., also replied , and said he had had same 23 years' experience in Royal Arch Masonry , although , through circumstances beyond his control , he had not worked his way up . He hoped to be of assistance to the M . E . Z . and help in the prosperity of the chapter .

Comp . LEVICK , D . C , having replied , the Janitor ' s toast was given , and the proceedings terminated . Comp . J . Kift very satisfactorily conducted the musical arrangements , and was ably supported by Comps . F . Bevan and J . A . Brown .

District Grand Lodge Of South Africa , Eastern Division (E.G.).

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH AFRICA , EASTERN DIVISION ( E . G . ) .

1 he annual communication of the above District Grand Lodge was held in Port Elizabeth , Cape Colony , under the banner of Goodwill Lodge , 711 , on Wednesday , the I 2 * . h ult . The attendance was exceptionally large . The District Grand Master , Bro . Dr . C . J . Egan , presided , and the Deputy District Grand Master , Bro . Austen , was also present . The report of the Board of General Purposes showed a satisfactory increase in the numbers of the Craft . The Board of Education stated that

105 children had been educated by means of the fund , 33 being the number now at various schools . The income for the year had amounted to . £ 416 . Port Elizabeth has a local Education Fund , which is doing good work . A resolution was unanimously carried for the establishment of a District Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund , the details of its administration being left for the decision of the next communication , after the lodges had been afforded an opportunity of considering them .

The following officers of District Grand Lodge were appointed and formally invested :

Bro . J . Newmg , 853 ... ... ... Dist . S . G . W . „ Rev . Dr . A . I * . Wirgman , 711 ... ... Dist . J . G . W . „ Ven . Archdeacon Grant , 1 S 24 ... ... Dist . G . Chap . „ Rev . A . W . Brereton , 23 SS ... ... Dist . A . G . Chap