Scotland.

There was no business save that arising from the minutes , so that the meeting proved a very short one . Bro . F . W . Crispie , 1091 ( E . C ) , who was introduced to the lodge as a visiting brother , made a few remarks , in which he said that he had visited lodges in every part of the world . . 4

Queensland.

Queensland .

BRISBANE . St . John , Biarra , Lodge ( No . 758 , S . C ) . —The annual installation of officers of this lodge took place on Tuesday , the 23 rd July , at Esk . In consequence of the recent floods , a great many members who reside in the country could not be present . However , 17 members of the lodge attended the ceremony . Bro . Barnes , acting

D . G . M ., was the Installing Officer , and he was supported by Bros . Peter Brown , Macgregor , and Donald ( the lastnamed being one of the oldest Masons in Queensland ) . Bro . the Rev . J . F . Leighton was installed as " Master for the ensuing year , and Bros . J . B . O . Evans and G . C . Taylor as S . W . and J . W . respectively . Before the lodge was closed , Bro . Peter Brown rose and said that he had been requested , on behalf of the members

of the lodge , to present to the retiring Master , Bro . Pryde , a handsome Masonic jewel , and in the course of his speech acknowledged the services of the recipient in the establishment of the lodge at Esk . Bro . Brown also referred to the time when he and Bro . Pryde had held office together in the Caledonian Lodge . Bro . Pryde acknowledged the presentation in suitable terms .

At the banquet which followed 22 brethren out of 40 prepared for sat down . The jewel presented to Bro . Pryde was subscribed to by about 40 Masons , a great many of whom had been initiated by him .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The Committee of Management of this Institution held their regular monthly meeting at Freemasons ' Hall , on Wednesday , the nth inst . Bro . Jabez Hogg occupied the chair , and there were also present Bros . Saml . Brooks , James Brett , Wm . Clarke , J . Newton , G . Bolton , W . B . Daniell , C . J .

Perceval , A . H . Tattershall , Henry Garrod , W . Pierpoint , B . E . Blasby , Wm . Smith , John H . Matthews , Chas . Daniel , G . E . Fairchild , H . Cox , Alex . Mullord , Charles Lacey , Hugh Cotter , W . J . Murlis , Joseph Freeman , A . Durrant , T . Cubitt , J . S . Cumberland , C . F . Hogard , C . Kempton , Clifford Probyn , S . Haslip , W . Masters , C . G . Dilley , L . G . Gordon Robbins ,

Chas . E . Keyser , H . M . Hobbs , Alex , Forsyth , John Roberts , W . J . Crutch , W . Belchamber , W . A . Scurrah , John E . Dawson , Geo . Mickley , J . Strugnell , R . T . Fennell , J . A . White , W . H . Making , E . M . Money , and James Terry , Sec . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and verified , the SECRETARY reported the death of one male and one female annuitant .

The Warden s report for the past month was read . Bro . J . S . CUMBERLAND ' motion that a Committee be appointed lo enquire into the working of the Secretary ' s office , was then discussed , and a Committee was duly appointed . We hope to give the names of those nominated to serve on the Committee , and a

fuller report of the proceedings , in our next . Four petitions were then taken into considerationthree men and one woman , those of two males and one widow being accepted , and one male deferred . The report of Mr . Smith , the accountant , upon the manner in which the accounts was kept , was read .

The Girls' School And The Vestry Of St. Mary's, Battersea.

THE GIRLS' SCHOOL AND THE VESTRY OF ST . MARY'S , BATTERSEA .

Bro . Frank Richardson , on behalf of Lord Lei gh , Lord Carnarvon , Lord Lathom , and Bro . Rucker , " trustees of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , succeeded , on Wednesday , the nth inst ., at the High Court of Justice , Chancery division , in obtaining an interim injunction , extending over next Wednesday , against the Vestry of St . Mary , Battersea , for their proposed

blocking up of the side gate leading to the Institution in building the bridge over the railway , thus preventing access to the building . The defendants , according to the statement of counsel , are about to erect girders , and make the road not according to the agreement made in 188 7 , and this interferes with- the access to the Institution provided by the agreement . ^

Drury Lane Theatre.

DRURY LANE THEATRE .

Bro . Augustus Harris announces the re-opening of Drury Lane with a new play by himself and Henry Hamilton , entitled "The Royal Oak , " on Monday , the 23 rd inst . It was ori ginally announced for the 21 st ., but that evening is now to be devoted to a private view ( if an assembly of over 1000 can be called private ) of the new decorations , which are said to have been

carried out with all that lavish expenditure of taste as well as money which Bro . Harris so well knows how to use in equal proportions . We have not yet been Jet into the secret of the plot and story , except that it deals with the period of Charles II ., and that all the resources of the National Theatre will be forthcoming to produce a spectacle such as has not been seen even on that stage .

The Masonic Charities Of West Lancashire.

THE MASONIC CHARITIES OF WEST LANCASHIRE .

Bro . Jos . H . Tyson , P . M . 1182 , & c , has published in pamphlet form a record of the past work and present position of the Masonic Charities of West Lancashire . The report is accompanied with a very exhaustive table of figures , showing the donations of the different lodges towards the three Institutions in existence in the

country , and the benefits derived . The pamphlet should be studied by all who are interested in local efforts in this direction . It may be obtained from Bro . Tyson , Alder Hey , ¦ Fletcher-grove , Edge-lane , Liverpool , at 2 d . each , post free . Although the report is addressed to the brethren of the province , we make no apology

for giving it a wider circulation in the pages of the Freemason , believing it will be of use to those who are interested in similar Institutions in other provinces . The Masonic Charities of this province have now attained a magnitude and importance which claim increased attention and consideration while their

progress in the past , and the large and important work of their future , entitle them to a better and more general acquaintance and understanding on the part of the whole of the brethren of the province . It is hoped that this epitome of the past work will prove interesting and instructive , as showing the total

funds provided by the brethren of the Province ; also , what has been done in this matter by each lodge , as well as the benefits extended by the three principal Charities of this province ( apart from other local working and the Metropolitan Charities ) . This summary shows the lodges with which recipients

of aid were associated , with the total grants for each lodge . It is hoped this will be productive of good to the whole of the Institutions , and , by securing increased support , enable them in future more completely to carry out their excellent work . The figures will show that in many cases the

respective lodges do not seem to have made efforts in support of the Charities in proportion to the aid that has been rendered on behalf of such lodges ; and as there can be little doubt that there will be a vast work for our local Charities in the future , it is to be hoped that such lodges will eagerly emulate the noble

example of others who have done so well , and thus put actively forward those grand principles which are so amply illustrated in connection with the Craft . This is not in any sense intended to present comparisons that might be objectionable ; it is merel y an epitome of all the figures of the past ( just as they

chance to run ) which have from time to time been issued in usual form ; and in now reviewing what has been done , we may be able to arrive at conclusions to aid us in the work of the future , particularly if it should happen that , with the increasing demands upon it , the

Educational Institution , which has hitherto been able to elect all children that were really eligible , should have to restrict the number to be elected , and elect only a portion of the candidates , according to votes recorded

These figures may help lodges to see what should be done to increase the income , and to see where it fairly should be increased , with the view of electing all , rather than letting any children have to wait ; and lodges who may see that they have not in the past done all they should , may readily take up the cause in the

future , so that every child may still be elected . The tables which accompany this are carried to the end of 1888 , from the formation of each Charity . The entire figures have been compiled from the best and most authentic records that are obtainable , and are as complete and accurate as it is possible to get them .

Some doubts having been expressed as to whether the Liverpool portion of the province was doing its duty in support of the Charities , the writer was led to divide the tables into two sections in order to show this point . In such division all lodges outside of Liverpool and its immediate suburbs have been placed in the

outer section , thus giving , to the end of 1888 , 43 lodges to Liverpool , and 49 lodges to the outer section ( taking Lodge No . 2290 as the last ) . The Educational Institution ( established 1850 ) , for the education and clothing of children of deceased Freemasons , recently amended to include , in certain

cases , the maintenance also of children . The figures in this case are not as complete as were intended , it being found to be impossible now to get some of the details as desired , or to obtain the reports for some portion of the period . If any brethren in the province could kindly send in

copies of the reports for 1850 to 1856 , they would greatly oblige by so doing . The sub-division of the province , as already named , shows that from the year 1850 to 1888 the Liverpool lodges have provided funds to the extent of . £ 18 , 162 7 s . iod ., and the benefits to that section have

been ; 612 , 971 16 s . 9 d . During the same period the outer section of the province ( 49 lodges ) has provided the sum of . £ 5268 us . iod ., while the sum of ^ 5863 ios . 4 d . has been granted for children on account of the same lodges .

Taking separately the later portion—the last nine years of the time ( 1880 to 1888 , inclusive)—it will be seen that Liverpool has supplied ^ 7282 12 s . iod . ; and the payments for children have been . £ 7954 9 s . iod . ; while the outer section has provided onl y . £ 2755 13 s . 9 d . ; and has had , for children , grants amounting to . £ 4502 16 s . 9 d . ; showing that while the demands on the Institution on account of the outer section , are

The Masonic Charities Of West Lancashire.

increasing very much , the subscriptions and donations are on a smaller scale . It is to be hoped that the im portance of the work will , in this respect , lead to j decided improvement . In the detailed account some notable instances win be found of liberal donations , & c , from lodges , whi ] 0

the claims on their behalf have , so far , been compara . tively small , or in some cases none at all , particularly No . 1380 ( though , of course , it does not follow that they may not have more claims in the future ) , and there can be little doubt that such lodges will continue in their good work .

On the other hand , it will be seen that a number of lodges may fairly be expected to do much to improve their position . The nearest obtainable account of the total recei pts of the Institution is ^ 3 8 , 782 12 s . 9 d ., of which about ; £ i 8 , 8 35 7 - 'd . has been disbursed for aid to children while there remains a capital of . £ 20 , 308 18 s . The in '

terest received on the capital of this Institution has been . £ 13 , 816 18 s . 7 d . The entire working expenses ( being merely printing , stationery , stamps , & c . ) for the whole period cf 39 years have been only . £ 1355 5 s . 4 d . Prior to 1876 , fees were paid to this Institution , on

account of each lodge , through the Prov . G . Lod geup to that date such fees amounted to ^ 2114 11 s . 6 d . ' viz .: on account of Liverpool lodges , £ 1472 15 s . 6 d . ' and the outer section , , £ 641 16 s . Since that time there have , instead , been sundry special grants from Prov . G . Lodge , amounting in all to ^ 1417 ios . ( an average of

. £ 118 2 s . 6 d . per year ) . There have been difficulties in the way of obtaining particulars of the total fees to Prov . G . Lodge for the full period since 18 75 ( when the fees from lodges to the Institution ceased ) , and only those for the last six years have been compiled ; these give to Liverpool . £ 2191 5 s ., and to the outer section

£ 1445 ios . ; taking the grants from Prov . G . Lod ge from 18 7 6 in the same proportion , they would be about equal to £ 70 17 s . 6 d . per year for Liverpool , and £ 47 5 s . per year for the outer section . The Hamer Institution , established in 1874 , for annuities to aged Freemasons , has made very pleasing

progress . The amount obtained in the first year is only recorded in a lump sum ( £ 281 9 s . ) , the details of which cannot now be traced ; nearly the whole ( if not all ) of this is

supposed to be from Liverpool brethren , but it is not included in the amount named as from Liverpool . In other of the earlier years there are also receipts amounting to . £ 56 12 s . included in the accounts , of which particulars , as to the lodges they were from ,

cannot now be obtained . For this Institution ( apart from the sums alread y named ) it will be seen that Liverpool has provided the sum of . £ 1701 17 s . 5 d ., and the outer section £ 413 ios . 6 d . The interest on capital has amounted to . £ 6 7 8 8 s . 8 d . ; the annuities paid ou amount to £ 479 3 s . 2 d . The capital of the Institut

tion at the close of the period named was . £ 303 2 12 s . 4 d . The total working expenses ( consisting of printing , stationery , stamps , & c . ) for the ' 15 years being only . £ 191 gs . 4 d . In the Liverpool section it will be seen that , with the exception of three of the youngest lodges , all have

done something , though some but little , particularly one of the oldest lodges ; while in the outer section many of the lodges have done very little , and 11 lodges have not done anything at all . The Alpass Institution , established in 1886 , for annuities to widows of Freemasons . The object of this Institution has so commended it to the brethren as

to ensure very considerable success during its short existence ; but the number of candidates for its benefits show the urgent need of increased support . Apart from the sum of . £ 44 2 s . which has yet to be correctly placed ( in respect to the lodges it is from ) it will be seen that in the support from the two sections

of the province there is but little difference , Liverpool supplying . £ 1035 ios . 8 d ., theoutersection . £ 1061 193 . 3 d ., the latter being , so far , the largest of the two , thoug h the annual figures show that since the first year Liver- ; pool is each year doing more than the outer section . The figures are : —

1886 . 188 7 . 18 S 8 . £ s . d . £ s . d . £ s . d . Liverpool 508 7 6 325 . 0 o 202 3 l . Outer Section ... 6 7 8 6 9 243 3 o 140 9 " The interest received on capital has been . £ 110 9 s . 6 a . ] the annuities paid out have amounted to . £ 232 ios . i

the capital of the Institution being . £ 2273 7 s . id . ; '' total working expenses for the three years have been £ HS 4 - 4 d- _ It is only fair to remember that the working of tneso . Charities is carried out by brethren , without any c ° to the Institutions for their constant labours in '"

cause . Owing to the need of being as brief as possibly much that might have been said is necessarily oniittCi and I now leave the figures as prepared , with thes notes thereon , to the kind consideration of the brethren hoping the work may not be without some good resu to the Charities . J . H . TYSON , P . M . 11 S 2 . Liverpool , August , 1889 .

The thirty-second annual autumn show of the Brig » . Horticultural Society was opened on Wednesday at ^ Royal Pavilion , Brighton . The entries were far above ^ average , and the exhibits of finer quality . Indeed ) ^ show was generally conceded to be the best on record- . | ]( , the evening the grounds were specially illuminated , attendance was very good .