Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

BRO . SIR J B . MONCKTON entered upon his 69 th year on Friday last . ART IN THE CITY . —The exhibition at the Guildhall Art Gallery of the works of the principal living British artists will be closed to-morrow ( Saturday ) . It has proved a great attraction , nearly 200 , 000 visitors having passed through the turnstiles . H . M . THE QUEEN went to Frogmore on the 12 th instant , accompanied by hec Royal Highness Princess Henry of Battenberg . Their Serene Hignesses Prince and Princess Henry of Reuss arrived . Major-General Sir John McNeill received the Prince and Princess at the railway station .

THE ALDERMAN NEXT in rotation for the civic chair is Bro . Alderman Frank Green , who served as Sheriff in 1897-8 . He was born at Maidstone in 1 S 35 , 3 is a leading member of the firm of Frank Green and Co ., paper merchants , of Upper Thames-Street . He has been a member of the Corporation for the past 21 years .

BRO . COLONEL T . DAVIES SEWELL is , with one exception , the senior of the Corporation officials with respect to length of service , going straight from the City of London School to the Guildhall in 1 S 45 . Twenty-two years later he was appointed clerk of the Chamberlain ' s Court , a post he has occupied ever since . THE PRINTING of companies' prospectuses , plans , illustrations of industrial works , Masonic work of all description , & c , produced with rapidity . Fast machinery and

every modern appliance for the production of large quantities at short notice . Freemason Printing Works , 16 and iCa , Great Queen-street , London , W . C . BELLE STEAMER TRIPS . —The Coast Development Company , Limited , are now running one of the Belle steamers for a daylight trip to the Mouse lightship , or elsewhere , leaving Fresh Wharf , London Bridge , at 11 . 30 a . m ., calling at Greenwich , Woolwich , Gravesend , and Southend , and arriving at London Bridge at 7 . 30 p . m . The return fare for the complete trip is 4 s . 6 d .

AT THE RECENT prize distribution at King's College , London , the gold medal for architectural history , with £ 3 in books , was won by Mr . Harry Prince , only son of Bro . Prince , of Kensington ; while the silver medal for architectural history , with £ 2 in books and three certificates of distinction in building construction , were won by Mr . Gilbert Henry Lovegrove , A . K . C ., only son of Bro . H . Lovegrove , P . G . S . B .

IN LODGE PERSEVERANCE , NO . 164 , Sidmouth , on Wednesday in last week , Bto . F . W . Mitchell was installed W . M . bv Bro . J . A . Orchard , P . P . G . D . C . from Honiton . The visiting brethren were Bros . F . W . Mitchell , S 47 ; H . Key , S . W ., W . D . Hurd , F . J . Luxton , and S . J . Vincent , S 47 ; G . F . Blight , Sec . 372 ; W . J . Pidsley , l . P . M . ; and H . Atkin , J . W . ( Budleigh Salterton ) . After the installation , the annual banquet was held at the Royal York Hotel .

MR . W . EMERSON , the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects , calls attention to the necessity for official control over architecture in our towns and cities , and suggests that a committee of control with high powers should be formed of the best men amongst our Royal Academicians , Royal Institute of Architects , and other artistic societies , and that the view of a majority of such a council should be final in all schemes , Rublic or private , which affect the ornato publico . For London , he adds , a Government linistry of Fine Arts ought to be appointed .

MASONIC PRESENTATIONS AT BUSBY . —At the usual monthly meeting of the Lodge St . John , No . 45 S , Busby , which was held on the 3 rd inst . in Bro . John M'Guffie ' s Hall , Bros . A . Wilson and M . Steel were made the recipients of handsome presents from the members of the lodge . Bro . R . Clark , R . W . M ., occupied the chair , an 1 , in presenting Bro . Wilson with a costlv jewel , referred to the good services Bro . Wilson had rendered the lodge . Bro . B . Crann presented Bro . Steel with a handsome marble timepiece . Bros . Wilson and Steel suitably replied .

THE ANNUAL MEETING of the Royal Order of Scotland Provincial Grand Lodge of London was held on the 4 th inst ., at 33 , Golden-square . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , in the chair . Present : V . W . Bros . Frank Richardson , Deputy P . G . M . ; Richard Clowes , P . P . G . B . B ., as Senior Warden ; Henry Lovegrove , P . P . G . B . B ., as Junior Warden ; C . F . Matier , Grand Secretary ; Charles Belton , Treasurer ; Col . Clifford Probyn , as Sword Bearer ; and others . At the close of the proceedings , the members dined at the Cafe Royal ( where Major C . W . Carroll

joined them ) , under the genial presidency of Bro . F . Richardson . BRO . MALCOLM NICCOL has been appointed Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand . The retirement of Bro . the Rev . W . Ronaldson , on account of his advanced age , was intimated at the annual communication of the Grand Lodge on Friday , and Bro . Niccol has since been selected to fill the vacancy . Bro . Niccol was of the leaders in the formation of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand 10 years ago , and has held several offices under Grand Lodge , including the highest office the New Zealand Grand Lodge can confer , viz ., that of Grand Master of New Zealand .

AT THE RECENT St . John festival of Lodge St . Andrew , No . 1151 , at Tywardreath , Bro . F . Lukes was installed the W . M . by Bro . Boxer , the retiring W . M . The officers invested by the W . M , were Bros . Boxer , l . P . M . ; Fry , S . W . ; Hancock . J . W . ; Rundell , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., Sec . ; Trethewey , Chap . ; Kitt , P . M ., Treas . j Brenton , S . D . ; J . Lawry , J . D . ; W . G . Lawry , I . G . ; G . White , D . C . ; Blackmore , 0 < g . ; F . Searle and Barton , Stwds . ; and Trembeth , Tyler . The annual banquet was held at the Royal Hotel , Par Station , representatives being present ^ from the lodges of the neighbourhood . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were g iven , and a very pleasant evening was spent .

LEGENDS have more lives than even a cat . The story of the " Lady Freemason " has formed the subject of hilarity to two or three generations of brethren of the myotic Craft , but it still lives and flourishes , and appears at intervals with fresh adornments . At least half-a-dozen dames are credited with being the " one and only , " and no doubt each claim is as valid as the other . Remin i scences of the venerable tale v >;< - * rc / . ve I

by the sale at Christie ' s , on the 9 th instant , of a small enamelled gold Masonic ring , which was said to have belonged to the Hon . Mrs . Atdworth , who is allege I 11 hivj been initiated into the terrible mysteries . The compiler of the catalogue stit-d that she was Mi .-s St . Leger when she berame a Frt-emasun , and was ph itograp ' i-: 1 -v . th tn : ring on her finger . The price realised was . £ 12 . Biograpny Portraits ui ch : Hoi . Mrs . Aldworth can be obtained at iC and 16 a , Great Queen-street , W . C , p ic ; oJ .

CYCLISTS' GUIDE TO NORTH-EASTKKN ENGLAND . —This little work , published by the North-Eastern Railway Company , provides a . good descriptive cycling guide to the North of England , the Lake districts , and the South of Scotland , togetn ,. r with a series of suggested cycling tours . An excellent map is given with the book in addition to about 100 illustrations . It is edited by Mr . R . T . Lang , a name familiar with cyclists in connection with various guides and road books previously written by him . It will be

remembered that the North-Eastern Company were the first to recognise that the railway and the cycle combined made touring perfection , and for this end the cycling tours were framed , and expensive vans constructed that no damage can result to the machine ; a big advantage this last . Just now , when everyone is thinking where to go for the holidays , this little guide will be of great use . It is obtainable from the Railway Company , and all bookstalls at the nominal charge of threepence .

THE B IRKDECK BUILDING SOCIETY . —The 49 th , annual meeting of the society was held on Thursday , the 5 th instant , Mr . George Grosvenor presiding . The report showed that the business during the past year had been of a satisfactory character , the total receipts having exceeded £ iS , ooo , 030 . The result of the year ' s working shuwed a surplus piofit 01 ^ * 33 , 509 , out of which amount the directors had added £ 25 , 000 to the permanent guarantee fund , the balance being carried to the temporary reserve fund , which at the close of the year stood at £ . 75 . 493 . The iGth triennial bonus had

been apportioned to all unadvanced shares , viz .: 7 s . fid . per share per annum to all "B" shares ; 5 s . per share per annum to all " A " shares issued between the period December 31 st , iS 7 o , and December 31 st , 1 S 93 ; and 2 s . 6 J . per share per annum to all " A " shares issued after the latter date . Tho ^ e sunii , with the bonus previously set aside , were only payable to members holding shares that had been in existence for

10 years and upwards , and upon which the instalments had been regularly paid . The register of shareholders contained the names of 14 , 612 members , and besides these there were 20 , 201 current accounts and 54 , 440 deposit accounts , making a total number of b ' 9 , 253 members and depositors . The number of shares in existence at the close of the year was G 7 , S 3 < j . The directors , it was added , had every reason to be satisfied with the position which the society now occupied . The report and accounts were adopted .

Masonic And General Tidings.

THE AMERICAN hospital ship Maine sailed on the 12 th inst . for service in Chinese waters . BRO . R . F . GOULD , P . G . D ., has been unanimously re-elected to the Chairmanship of Committee , Junior Army and Navy Club . THE BAND of the 2 nd Life Guards will play in the Green Park next Sunday evening , and that of the Scots Guards in Hyde Park . THE ZEBRA presented to the Queen has arrived at Windsor , and has been domiciled in the Royal grounds at Frogmore .

A PORTRAIT of Bro . Earl Carrington , L . C . C , is being painted by Mr . Daniel Wehrschmidt for presentation to the National Liberal Club . DOWN TO last Thursday £ 323 , 000 had been subscribed towards the Mansion House Fund for the Indian famine sufferers , and Bro . the Lord Mayor was able to send £ 10 , 000 more to the Viceroy of India for purposes of relief . ORPHAN WORKING SCHOOL . —The summer fete and sports will be held at the Senior School , Maitland-park , Haverstock-hill , to-morrow ( Saturday ) . To commence at three o ' clock . Tea will be provided . No person can be admitted without a ticket .

AT A SUPPER given on the nth instant at the Mansion House to the C . I . V . draft , which sailed for South Africa on Thursday , Bro . the Lord Mayor annnounced that at the Buckingham Palace garden party the Queen had commissioned him to wish them in her name , " God speed , and a safe return . " ON MONDAY NEXT the Duke and Duchess ot York will open the new Highgate Hill Infirmary . Their Royal Highnesses will leave York House about half-oast three in the afternoon , driving through Tottenham Court-road , Upper-street , Islington , and Holloway-road , arriving at the infirmary at about half-past four .

SUMMER HEADGEAR for the troops at Aldershot has now been issued . The hat is of khaki linen , very light and neat , with a broad brim , stiffened by rows of stitching . The crown is carried well above the head , and is ventilated by means of perforations on either side , and is lined with gauze . The men appreciate fully the advantages of the hat .

THE MANSION HOUSE WAR FUND amounted on the 12 th instant to £ 979 , 250 . No fewer than 1625 widows of officers and men ( with their children ) havi been r-ilievsd and placed on the lists for permanent orovision . At the same time SS 4 cases of other relatives have been dealt with . The Patriotic r / uni has been enabled to place widows much more promptly on regular allowances .

ANNOUNCEMENTS have been issued by the Midland an ! Great Northern Riilwiy Companies that on and after Monday next the amount of luggage which passengers travelling between stations on their systems will be allowed to carry free of charge will be increased to—First class , 1501 b . ; third class , ioolb . Etcess luggage bsyond the above weights will be charged for on the advertised scale hitherto in oasration , but no excess charge will be made unless amounting to 6 d . or upwards . Facilities for the collection , conveyance in advance , and delivery of passengers' lug ^ aje at is . per package , will remain in operation on both railways .

THE KING OF SWEDEN AND NORWAY / P . G . M ., who initiated our M . W . G . M . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , into Masonry in Stockholm , and the Queen and Prince Eugene of Sweden and Norway , honoured Bro . Henry Wright , P . G . S . B ., by signing in his collection of autographs , which he was permitted to put before them on a Sunday afternoon during their recent visit at Grove House . RoehamDton . The Khelive Bro . the Sirdar , Sir Reginald Wingate , K . C . B ., D . S . O .. P . G . W ., and Sir Rennell Rodd , K . C . B .. signed in it last week at Buckingham Palace . General Sir Wm . Gatacre ,

K . C . B ., D . S . O ., since his return , and General Sir George White , V . G ., K . C . V . O ., & -. i " Mark Twain . " Miss Marie Corelli , Mr . Cecil Rhodes , Mr . Swinburne , Right Hon . W . E . Leeky , M . P ., Mr . Andrew Lang , the Pope and Cardinals at the Vatican , Mdme . Calve , Signora Duse . the Archbishop of Canterbury , the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland , the Pro Grand Master , the Deoutv Grand Master and Countess of Warwick , and the Maharaja the Gaekwar of Baroda are amongst recent persons of note who have signed in this book . Bros . Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener did so before they went to South Africa .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES presided at Marlboroug h Hous ; on the 12 th instant over a numerously attended meeting of the general committee which has been formed to promote a national memorial to the late Duke of Westminster . Amongst those present were the Archbishop of York , the Duke of Fife ( Hon . Treasurer ) , Earl Cadogan , the Earl of Coventry , the Earl of Lichfield , the Earl of Wemyss , Earl Percy , M . P ., Viscount Cobham , the Bishop of London ( Chairman of the Executive Committee )! the Bishoo of Hereford , Lord Brassey , Lord Wantage , Lo'd Windsor , the Hon . F . Leveson-Gower , the Rieht Hon . Sir John Kennawav . M . P ., the Right Hon . G . j . Shaw-Lefevre , Colonel Sir Nigel Kingscote , Sir C . E . Howard Vincent , M . P ., Sir Richard

Nicholron , Sir Robert Hunter , hir Ernest Clarke , and others . The Bishnp of London explain d that after careful consideration it was concluded that , as the Duke was Lord High Steward of Westminster , there was no place mote fitting for a memorial of him [ han Westminster Abbey . After consultation with the Dean and Chapter , and with the concurrence of the Duchess , it was decided to recommend that the memorial should take the form of filling the rose window in the south transept and the 12 lights heloiv it with stained glass of a more satisfactory character and more harmonious colouring than that which is now there . It was proposed , with the concurrence of the Abbey authorities , that the work should be executed under the general direction of Mr . Badley , A . R . A .

THE ANNUAL SUMMER OUTING of the Temple Lodge , No . 101 , was favoured with delightful weather on the 3 rd instant , when , under the generalship of the popular W . M ., bro . VV . A . Perry , supported by his officers , the indefatigable Secretary , Bros . E . S . Lardner , the Treasurer , Frank Williams , and T . W . Chapman , S . D ., together with a gcoilly array of Past Masters , ladies , and friends , numbering S 7 , assembled at Paddinnton Marion , and after presenting a bouquet of choice flivvers to Mrs . Perry , the wife ot the W . M ., soon made themselves comfortable in saloon carriages en route for

Rt-adirig . On reaching the river side the party was grouped in front of a camera , and adjured by the photographer to "keep steady . " The steam launch England was then boarded , and a substantial lunch thoroughly enjoyed . The afternoon passed away all too quickly amid the beautiful scenery of the river , enlivened by song and music ( a piano being on board ) . Ices , tea , cigars , and champagne were provided , and each lady was the recipient of a box containing a bottle of perfume , the gift of the W . M . On

arriving at Maidenhead the company sat down to a banquet atSki ' ndle ' s Hotel , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were presented and honoured in due form . A splendid musical programme was provided under the directorship of the Oreanist of the lodge , Bro . Sidney Hill , assisted by Miss Minnie Chamberlain , Mrs . Walker , Miss Hurst , Bros . James Budd , and Walter Evans . At 9 . 30 p . m . carriages were waiting to drive the party to Taplow Station , and the train landed them at Paddington , an ideal day having been spent , thanks tothu weather and Bro . Perry .

BRAVERY REWARDED . —H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Prior of the Order of the Hospital of St . John of Jerusalem in England , on the nth instant presented , at Marlborough House , the medals and certificates of honour awarded by the chapter during the past year , and the service medals recently granted for conspicuous services to the ambulance department . Miss itone Milestone ( medical practitioner , London ) was awarded a silver medal for bravery and presence of mind displayed at the Belgrave Hospital for Children , when , at imminent personal risk , she endeavoured to save a

nurse whose dress had been set on fire by the breaking of a spirit lamp . Thomas Prince Millward ( police constable , Liverpool ) obtained a similar award for descending into a man-hole at Liverpool and rescuing a man named Harver , enveloped in flames through the upsetting of a paint pot on a hand-lamp . Sam Dakin ( Inspector , Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway , Halifax Station ) was given a silver medal for rescuing a nun who had fallen on to the rails at Halifax Station , in a

dense fog , just asa train rfas approaching . Henry Pond Thomas ( late Gunner R . H . A . now ticket collector , Metropolitan Railway ) was given a bronze medal ; and Thomas Clark ( porter , Furness Railway , Kirby Station , a similar reward for saving persons on the railway ; Enoch Lusty ( A . B ., H . M . S . Excellent , Whale Island , Portsmonth ) received a certificate of honour ; and Herbert Livick ( late Sergeant , Military Police , now caretaker , Aldeishot ; and Corporal Michael Charles Hickey ( Army Reservist , Royal Welsh Fusiliers ) were similarly rewarded lor a ; ts partaking of the same character .