Craft Masonry.

Bro . Ferguson , W . M . 177 , first responded . He related , in a humorous manner , his unique experience when , on the occasion of one of his early visits to the Chiswick Lodge , the W . M . and P . Ms , were absent from illness , and it was found he was the only qualified person to take the chair , and he also presided at the banquet table . Bros . Keen , Scott , Linsell , Bond , and Leader also spoke .

To the toast of "The P . Ms . " Bro . Geo . Everett , P . M ., replied . " The Treasurer and Secretary" was then proposed ; both officers responding . " The Officers of the Lodge " was next given . The S . W . replied on behalf of his colleagues and himself . The Tyler ' s toast brought the evening to a close .

Obituary.

Obituary .

THE LATE BRO . ALDERMAN MABANE , P . PROV . G . W . DURHAM . We regret to have to record the death of Bro . Alderman Thomas Grieves Mabane , J . P ., which took place at his residence in Salisbury-place , South Shields , about 10 p . m . on Tuesday , the 3 rd instant . After a few days' holiday at Harrogate , Alderman Mabane returned borne . He was not enjoying good health , and , becoming worse , sent for his medical attendant , Dr . Dalziel , who found him suffering from an attack of pleurisy . On Sunday he showed some improvement ,

but on Monday pneumonia set in and developed rapidly , his condition in a short time becoming very serious . On Tuesday afternoon he revived slightly , but in the evening became worse , and gradually sank , death taking place at the hour mentioned . Our late brother was one of the best known and most popular men in South Shields . He was of a most energetic nature , and took an active interest in the work of all sorts of public and semi-public bodies . His profession was that of a solicitor , in which he had practised successfully since 1866 . Till a couple of

years ago he was frequently engaged in police court cases } and had a large share of the legal work in connection with the Brewster Sessions ; but so far , at any rate , as the South Shields Borough Court was concerned , his appearance at the solicitors' table ceased on his being made a magistrate . In 1884 he was appointed Registrar of the South Shields County Court , and discharged the duties of that position in a judicious and painstaking manner . For 29 years Bro . Mabane was a member of the South Shields Town Council . He

was first elected in November , 1870 , and in 1885 was raised to the Aldermanic bench . In the years 188 3 to 1885 he was Mayor of the borough , and fulfilled the functions of that office in a manner which gained for him great popularity . During the last year or two he had been Chairman of the Parks Committee , and sought to make the public pleasure grounds as attractive as possible to tbe people . He strongly advocated the provision of music in the parks at the public expense , but was not successful in persuading the Council to do this . As a member of the

Board of Guardians , he during many years gave great attention to the administration of the poor law . His sympathy with the poor was strong , but he was careful at the same time to guard the interests of the ratepayers . In successive years he was vice-chairman and chairman of the Board , and was chairman of the House Committee up to the end . Educational work , too , claimed some of his attention . He was a member of the School Board for some years , and also showed himself a friend of the voluntary school system . In August , 1896 , Bro .

Mabane was made a borough magistrate , and regularly discharged his duties on the bench , his knowledge of police court work and of the law being of great service to him in this respect . When the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade was formed it at once enlisted the sympathy of Bro . Mabane . He was one of its first captains , and after doing active duty in aiding to rescue shipwrecked seamen , for many years , he relinquished this position , and in recognition of his services was elected an honorary captain .

Another institution which commanded his sympathy and support was the Ingham Infirmary . He was one of the Governors , and some years ago was elected chairman of that body . The infirmary at the time was not in so satisfactory a financial position as could be iwished , and , with characteristic energy , Bro . Mabane threw himself into the task of improving the state of things . In this he was successful , and when he retired from the chairmanship about five years ago the institution was on a much sounder basis than before . Amongst the

brethren of the district , the late alderman was well-known and held in great esteem . His first entrance to that body dates as far back as 18 70 , when he became a member of St . Hilda's Lodge . Seven years later he was W . M . of the lodge , and in the same year was made Provincial Senior Grand Deacon . In 1891 , he founded , and was first Worshipful Master of the Hedworth Lodge , No . 2418 Three years afterwards , the Provincial Grand Master of Durham ( Sir Hedworth Williams ) , in recognition of his services to Freemasonry , invested Bro . Mabane

as Prov . J . G . W ., the Prov . Senior G . Wardenship in the same year being held by Lord Barnard . To the end , Bro . Mabane was an enthusiastic member of the Craft . Since its establishment , 35 years ago , Bro . Mabane was a member of the South Shields Amateur Swimming Club , and for the last eight or nine years was its President . In his younger days he used to take part in the competitions at the annual gala . He was also at one time an active member of the South Shields

Amateur Rowing Club ; for a great number of years he took an active interest in the South Shields Cricket Club ; and he was President of the South Shields Rugby Football Club , his interest in athletics being always well maintained . Of the South Shields Choral Society Bro . Aid . Mabane was a Vice-President , and at all times he did what he could to promote its prosperity . The deceased , who was about S 3 years of age , was a widower , his wife having pre-deceased him about two years . He leaves two daughters and a son .

The remains were interred in Harton Churchyard , on Friday , the 6 th instant , and the very large gathering which took place on the occasion was indicative of the hig h esteem in which the deceased was held , and the wide popularity of which we have spoken . The cortege was formed at his residence in Salisbury , place , and from the house to the burial place there were large crowds of people assembled along the route , while nearly the whole of the houses in Salisburyplace , Erskine-road , Westoe-lane , and Westoe and Harton villages had their

blinds closely drawn , the manifestion of public sorrow and sympathy being very gmeral . The procession was a very imposing one . Itwas headed by over 40 members of the borough police , who , in the unavoidable absence of Chief Constable Morant , were in charge of Inspectors Murray , Burton , and Castling . Then came a very large number of brethren , including , besides the members of local lodgrn , many Past and Present Provincial G . Officers . Amongst them were Bros . J . AndersonW . M . 240 ; W . Allon , W . M . 1970 ; C . E . Walton , W . M . 2418 ;

, R . Hudson , P . G . S . B . England , Prov . G . Sec ; F . H . Bennett , P . P . J . G . W . ; T . C . Moor , P . P . I . G . W . ; J . Joel , P . P . J . G . W . ; C T . Johnson , P . G . D . of C ; R . Stewart , P-G . Treas . jT . Coulson , P . P . S . G . W . ; E . Lautesach , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; G . W . Hudson , P . P . G . S . of W . N . and E . Yorks ; J . D . Todd , P . P . G . S . B . ; R . Farmer P . A . G . D . C ; C . F . Sutcliffe , P . P . G . T . ; W . E . Moffett , P . P . S . G . D . ;

J . Scdcole , P . P . G . T . ; T . Robinson , W . M . 1119 ; J- Robinson , P . P . J . G . W . ; M . J . Wheatley , R . Hauxwell , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Hunter , and J . Heppell , Prov . G . Sec . ( Mark ) . Bro . Canon Tristram , it may be mentioned , wrote Bro . Heppell expressing his sorrow that it was not in his power to attend the funeral , for two reasons—first , because he was unable to walk more than a few yards , his recovery from his accident being very slow and tedious ; and , secondly , because he was on

Obituary.

duty at the Cathedral . Bro . Thos . Purvis , P . D . G . M . ( Mark ) , was also unable to attend through illness . After the Masonic brethren came the hearse and mourning carriages , the pall-bearers consisting of officers of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade , namely , Captains G . R . Potts , Geo . Robson , W . J . Buckland , and J , Page , and Deputy Captains Grimes and Newby , whe were all in uniform . The chief mourners were Mr . A . V . Mabane ( son ) , Mr . John Mabane ( brother ) , Bro .

C . R . Toomer ( son-in-law ) , Mr . CF . Shotton ( brother-in-law ) , Mr . John Shotton , and Mr . R . W . Graham . There were over 40 carriages following . The members of the Corporation present were the Mayor ( Bro . Councillor T . D . Marshall , P . P . G . Reg . ); the Town Clerk ( Mr . J . M . Hayton ) , Aldermen Wardle , Rennoldson , Bro . Smith , J . R . Lawson , and Imrie ; many members and officers of the Town Council , and also of the Societies with which our brother had been connected

together with the members of South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade in uniform , the rear of the procession being brought up by a large number of the public . On arrival at Harton Churchyard the cortege was met by the Rev . Canon Savage , vicar of South Shields , who conducted the service in the church and at the graveside in an impressive manner . On its conclusion the Freemasons' choir , under Bro . L . Winstone , sang the hymn , " Days and moments quickly flying , " and the service concluded .

BRO . ROBERT FENDICK , No . 103 . On Tuesday afternoon the funeral of the late Bro . Robert Fendick took place , the interment being at Arno ' s Vale Cemetery , Bristal . The deceased brother , it will be remembered , was one of the oldest and best-known medical practitioners in Bristol , and the esteem in which he was held was shown by the presence at the preliminary service in All Saint' Church ( city ) , and at the

graveside by gentlemen representing all phases of professional , commercial , and official life in Bristo ' . The cortege left the residence of the deceased brother at 11 . 30 , and proceeded to the church of All Saints ' , which was filled with an exceedingly large congregation . The coffin was met at the door by the Rev . H . W . Boustead , who was attended by the full choir , and the impressive service was joined in with reverence by all [ present . The mourners were Mr . George Fendick ( son ) , Mr .

Robert Fendick ( nephew ) , Mr . W . J . Sanders , Mr . H . Gngg , Mr . W . Lyne Fear , the Rev . T . K . Allen , Mr . J . Pitman , Mr . F . W Tricks , Mr . F . W . Waite , and Mr . W . E . Perham ; and others present included Messrs . A . Bailey , R . C . Smart , R . H . Carpenter ( Junior Warden All Saints' ) , J . H . Dix , J . Curtis ( Senior Warden All Saints' ) , J . Gerrish , Edwards , C . J . Hill , E . T . Bullock , H . Dodge ( representing officials of Barton Regis Workhouse ) , W . A . Pitt

H . J . Spear , Hy . Anstey , J . Coulthard , Arthur Lee , and Dr . Gloag . The late Bro . Fendick had for many years taken a keen interest in Freemasonry , and he was the "father" of the Beaufort Lodge , No . 103 . The services he had rendered to this and other lodges was testified to by the presence of many prominent local brethren , though ill-health and other causes prevented many from attending the funeral . The W . M . of the Beaufort Lodge , Bro . R . Harford , was prevented from

attending by an important engagement out of town ; but amongst those who were at the service at All Saints' and at the graveside were the following members of the Beaufort Lodge : Bros . W . J . Cullimore , P . M ., P . S . G . W ., Treas . ; A . E . Bowden , I . P . M . ; Dr . E . H : Cook , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Edward Cook , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; E . H . Vowles , P . M . ; Alfred Hiley , P . M . ; D . Howell Jones , Sec . ; J . W ; Belsten , J . Harford , F . Hayman , F . G . Tricks , W . C . Hall , F . C .

Fawn , and F . W . Waite . Other lodges were represented by Bros . H . W . Parsley , P . M . ; E . J . Grubb , P . M . 68 , P . P . S . G . D . ; C . J . Hill , P . M . 2257 ; W . Pearce , P . M . 6 to ; H . Anstey , P . M . 326 ; and M . H . Clarke , P . M . 1750 . The service at All Saints' and also at the graveside was conducted by the Rev . H . W . Boustead . The coffin , which was of English oak , with brass fittings , bore the following inscription : " Robert Fendick , died January 5 th , 1899 , aged 82 . " A number of beautiful floral tributes covered the coffin .

BRO . BENJAMIN C . CURTIS . Bro . Benjamin C . Curtis , P . M . 1472 , P . M ., P . M . and Sec . Zodiac , and P . Z . 1472 , R . A ., died on the 31 st December last , at his residence , the Lord Bexley

Hotel , Bexley Heath , Kent , of blood-poisoning , at the early age of 39 years , leaving behind him a wife and seven children to mourn his loss . Bro . Curiis for many years held a responsible position at the Chemical , or Product Works , attached to the Gas Works at Beckton ( Gas Light and Coke Company ) , which position hc resigned in June last to take up his hotel work at Bexley . He was

initiated into Masonry in the Henley Lodge , No . 1472 , some 11 years ago , and filled the chair as W . M . on March 7 th , 18 93 . He was a founder and first W . M . of the Zodiac Lodge , held at the Denmark Hotel , East Ham" E ., and was its Secretary at the time of his death . He filled the First P rincipal ' s chair in the Henley Chapter twice . He was Secretary for many years and Asst . Preceptor of the Henley Lodgeof Instruction , and was a founder and Secretary of the Henley Masonic Benevolent Association . He served the office of Steward to two of the

Charities , and was a Life Governor to both . The deceased was buried in the family grave at Barking , Essex , on Wednesday , the 4 th inst . The funeral was a most imposing and impressive spectacle . The cortege left the hotel at 12 a . m . and consisted of an open hearse , drawn by four horses , containing the body of the deceased in a polished oak coffin with solid brass fittings . The coffin was covered wilh beautiful wreaths , and a number decorated the sides and roof of the the hearse . Then came two mourning coaches with the male relatives of the

deceased , and these were followed by 19 private broughams , containing members of the Bexley Heath , Henley , and other local lodges , and inhabitants of Bexley and Woolwich . Ten more carriages joined the cortege at North Woolwich , and 12 more at East Ham , until at Barking there were no less than 42 private carriages in the line , beside at least a dozen other conveyances . There were over 1000 people in the church and yard , and our deceased brother was laid to rest amid deep manifestations of . grief and regret , the brethren dropping their sprigs

of acacia on the coliin lid . On returning to the Henly Lodge house , the Three Crowns Hotel , North Woolwich , the brethren and visitors present partook of high tea provided by Bro . Walter Richardson and his amiable wife , and under the presidency of Bro . J . Savage , P . M ., the memory of the deceased was drunk in solemn silence . Bro . Curtis had played in the Essex cricket team , and was a line bat and bowler . He was also a memberof the East Ham School Board for many years . Some 39 beautiful wreaths were sent in b y brethren ,

friends , various cricket clubs , and neighbours , and among the brethren present were Bros . C . Jolly , P . M . and Sec 1472 , P . M . and Sec . 2184 , P . P . A . G . D . C . Essex ; C . H . Canning , P . M . and Treas . 1472 , P . M . and Treas . 2184 , P . P . J . G . D . Essex j Dr . W . Vance , P . M ., A . T . Ives , P . M ., J . Savage , P . M ., A . Knight , P . M ., C . Powling , P . M ., J . Delo , P . M ,, W . Turvey , P . M ., T . Lait , S . W ., S . Bow , S . Evans , E . Hornsey , F . Andrew , Jos . Andrew , W . Dodge , C . Hefford , D . Ross , T . Welsh , R . Alabaster , E . Dawson , and A . Burton , of 1472 ; W . Long , S . W ., and Nicholls ,

of 700 ; G . Sidders , W . M ., G . Dale , I . P . M ., J . Day , P . M ., H . Lait , J . D ., W . Henshaw , I . G ., B . Thomas , Treas ., C . Thompson , Stwd ., F . Sturton , J . Benson , H . Drake , H . Wilson , C . Wilkinson , G . Smith , j . Smith , W . Byford , J . Byford , E . Byford , Manning , Tyleman , Stillwell , Berry , Lewis , I Jaggers , Stewart , Moore , Baker , Spencer , and Brayes , of the Zodiac Lodge ; and many others whose names we could not obtain . It was a great undertaking , and splendidly carried out by Messrs . S . J . Farrer and Sons , of Bedford House , North Woolwich .