Halifax Freemasons' Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

two lodges entered into occupation of their new hall . Since then the lodge ha s gone on prospering , and , as stated , celebrated the jubilee of its consecration . Bro . Rhodes concluded by remarking that the lodge , like most other lodges , had done a great work in the cause of charity . This work was one of the distinguishing characteristics of Freemasonry . The toast of "The Past Masters and Officers" was proposed by Bro . SI'BNCER and responded to by Bros . C . T . RHODES and R . SYKES , S . W .

Other brethren who contributed greatly to the enjoyment of the evening were Bros . A . Robertshaw , Past Prov . G . D . ; Ehud Hanson , S . D . ; Sykes Broadbent , E . Lord , R . Potter , and several other friends . Bro . Fielding made an efficient Master of Ceremonies .

Consecration Of The Acanthus Lodge, No. 2715.

CONSECRATION OF THE ACANTHUS LODGE , No . 2715 .

The Acanthus Lodge is one of the latest additions to the roll of the Order , and the consecration took place on Tuesday , the 4 th inst ., at the Great Eastern Hotel , ( Liverpool-street . The new lodge starts under exceptionally good auspices , as it possesses a strong body of founders , many of whom are well known in the Craft , and an experienced first W . M . in Bro . William Finch , P . M . 1365 .

The Consecrating Officer was Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., assisted by Bros . Surg . Lieut .-Col . H . W . Kiallmark , J . G . D ., as S . W . ; William Shurmur , P . G . Std . Br ., as J . W . ; the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . C , as Chap . ; Henry Sadler , G . Tyler , as D . C . ; and J . Tollworthy , P . M . 2625 and 1769 , as I . G .

The founders are the following : Bros . William Finch , P . M . ; VV . A Finch , P . M . ; W . F . Fenton-Jones , Charles Steel , P . M . ; VV . R . Jeff ray , P . M . ; W . Bramham , P . M . ; J . J . Gordon , P . M . ; J . Brooker Ward , J . M . Bathgate , E . Chubb , R . Evans , P . M . ; C G . Diamond , H . H . Finch , Ashton Gill , R . G . Stamp , H . Cooper , P . M . ; H . H . Cooper , W . M . ; VV . N . Walker , P . M . ; and R . A . Osman .

The visitors present were : Bros . Jno . Fenton-Jones , J . P ., 14 S ; S . R . Wilson , P . M . 1209 , P . P . J . G . D , Kent ; Letchmore Livermore , P . M . 244 , P . P . G . P . Jersey ; S . Jacobs , P . M . 1327 and 239 6 , P . P . G . P . Herts ; VV . Banks , W . M . 1365 ; Lamble , P . M . ; S . J . Cross , P . M . 2242 ; J . H . Milton , P . M . 2511 ; A . Rusby , W . M . 2511 ; J , Tollworthy , P . M . 2625 and 1769 ; W . D . Church , P . M . 1365 ; W . Blackburn , P . M , 1365 ; D . Campbell , P . M . 1365 ; VV . H . Caton , P . M . 1365 ; J . W .

Martindale , W . M . 1685 ; E . G . Cormack , P . M . 1540 ; Alex . Jardine , P . M . 2029 ; W . L . Barker , W . M . 1607 ; J . Richmond , P . M . 22 ; Vincent Larner , P . M . 157 ; W . J . Kirkpatrick , 1334 ; T . H . Beach , 1563 ; H . Livermore , 244 ; G . A . Fisher , 901 ; W . J . Clark , 1531 ; W . J . Davenport , 239 6 ; J . Staal , 193 ; H . J . Allardyce , 813 ; G . T . Bagnall , 2374 ; E . Chubb , 2029 ; W . Oxtoby , 1209 ; W . H . Webb , 1851 ; H . M . Newlyn , 180 ; E . Peacock , 1278 ; W . Cameron , 554 ; VV . Fisher , 2411 ; H . J . Baynton , 2063 ; H . Greene , 1365 ; and R . T . West , 1744 .

Lodge having been opened in the Three Degrees and a hymn sung , the CONSECRATING OFFICER addressed the brethren in a few appropriate words , observing that his first duty was to apologise for the non-attendance of the G . Sec , Bro . E . Letchworth , who was to have performed the ceremony , but he was unavoidably absent , as he had to attend the funeral of a very old friend , and as he ( Bro . Richardson ) had been asked to act upon a

very short notice , he hoped they would forgive any shortcomings on his part . He then explained the origin and objects of the lodge , which had taken a very appropriate name , and his earnest wish was , that it would be an ornament to Masonry and a tower of strength in the Craft . The Consecrating Officer next called upon the Chaplain for the benefit of prayer . The D . C , Bro . HENRY SADLER , G . Tyler , read the warrant for the new lodge , and the fouunders signified their approval of the officers named in the warrant .

The Chaplain , Bro . J . S . BROWNRIGG , P . G . C , delivered a very eloquent oration on the nature and principles of the Order and , in very emphatic terms , urged the founders to exercise the greatest caution as to who they admitted as initiates and joining members . The Acanthus Lodge was then solemnly consecrated and dedicated . The Consecrating Officer next inducted into the chair the Worshipful

Master designate , Bro . William Finch , P . M . 1365 , who appointed the following as his officers ; Bros . VV . Bramham , P . M ., acting l . P . M . ; VV , A , Finch , P . M ., S . W . ; VV . F . Fenton-Jones , J . VV . ; Charles Steel , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . R . Jeff ray , P . M ., Sec . ; J . J . Gordon , P . M ., S . D . ; J . Brooker Ward , J . D . ; J . M . Bathgate , I . G . ; C . G . Diamond , D . C ; Robert Evans , P . M . ; A . H . Finch and Ashton Gill , Stwds . ; and E , Mallett , P . M ., Tyler .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTF . R rose , and in eulogistic terms , referred to the great work done that day by the Consecrating Officer , Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., who had proved a very able substitute in the absence of the G . Sec , and he moved that a very hearty vote of thanks be accorded to him and the other Consecrating Ollicers , which was carried with acclamation . Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , P . G . D ., acknowledged the vote , and

expressed the pleasure it had afforded himself and colleagues to be present . Propositions were received for two initiates and three joining members . The lodge was then closed , and an excellent banquet followed . " The Queen and the Craft" having been duly honoured , The WORSHIPFUL MASTER gave "The M . W . Grand Master , " and

referred in feeling terms to the accident to H . R . H . the Prince of VVales , and his great popularity in the Craft . In proposing "The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the WORSHIPFUL MASTER stated that if he talked for half-an-hour he could not speak too well of them , and they had had a splendid specimen that day of what some of the Grand Officers were made of , and he associated with the toast the name of Bro . Surg .-Lieut .-Col . Henry VV . Kiallmark , J . G . D .

Bro . KIALLMARK , who was enthusiastically received , responded . He thanked the W . M . for the eulogistic way in which he had proposed the toast , and the brethren for the hearty manner it had been received . The Craft was ever dear to the Grand Officers , who were delighted to see new lod ges consecrated . Daily they found new lodges springing up in all parts of the country , which showed that the Craft was very popul . u * , and the oftener Grand Officers were present on such occasions the better they were pleased .

Consecration Of The Acanthus Lodge, No. 2715.

The W . M . stated that it was with great pleasure he submitted the toast of "The Consecrating Officers , " which was the toast of the evening . It was not in hi s power to express adequately in words the thanks due to Bro Frank Richardson , P . G . D . —who was a splendid substitute for the Grand Secretary— and the other Consecrating Officers for their great services to the lodge , which owed them its birth . Perhaps many of them present had seen the beautiful ceremony of consecration for the first time , and as a

Mason of 27 years' standing , he had only seen it worked three times . The oration of Bro . Brownrigg , P . G . C , was eloquence itself , and his earnest words would long be remembered . It was an especial pleasure to him to see his old friend , Bro . W . Shurmur , P . G . Std . Br ., as one of the Consecrating Officers . He was well-known to many of the founders and visitors , and no one was more respected in Masonry or business in all parts of London and Essex . The W . M . also referred to the efficient services

rendered by Bro . Sadler , Grand Tyler , as Director of Ceremonies , and said that he was ever ready to assist anyone in the Craft who desired Masonic knowledge . In concluding , he stated that it gave him much additional pleasure to couple with the toast the name of Bro . Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chaplain . The toast was received with great enthusiasm .

Bro . Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGG , P . G . Chaplain , responded . He said'that he was extremely sorry that neither the Grand Secretary nor Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D . —who had not been able to stop for the banquet—was there to acknowledge the toast . It was always a great pleasure for Grand Officers to take part in a consecration of a new lodge . It was 3 6 years ago

since he took part in his first consecration ceremony , but Masonry had made great strides since . The Grand Lodge were always willing to grant warrants for new lodges if they were satisfied that there was great need for a lodge . He hoped the founders would not leave their mother lodges , and he again urged them to be very careful as to the character of those who sought to join the Acanthus Lodge .

After repeated calls , Bro . SHURMUR , P . G . Std . Br ., on rising , had a hearty reception . He said it was a great pleasure to him to take part in the consecration of a lodge in which many of the founders were his personal friends . He congratulated the members on their choice of W . M ., as in Bro . Finch they had a good Mason and friend , and under his guidance the lodge would prosper . He also congratulated them on the name of the lodge , which was very appropriate , and he thanked them for their cordiality .

In proposing " The Health of the W . M ., Bro . W . Finch , " Bro . Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGG , P . G . C , stated that the gavel was for the moment in his hands , and there was no more important office , either for the present or the future , than the first Master of a new lodge , as they looked back to him as the first Master and , as a good man , hoped to follow him , and bethought he was well adapted for his office . The W . M . had made his son S . W . ; he did not know if he had any grandchildren , but if so , they might hope to see his grandson some day in the chair .

The VV . M ., Bro . VV . FINCH , who was received with much warmth , stated that the most difficult part of his duty that evening was to respond to the toast . It was a great honour to be installed as first Master , and he was proud of his position . He hoped that nothing would be wanting on his

part to make it a successful and hospitable lodge . The founders were mutual friends , and they did not intend to make it a large lodge , but a good one , and he felt it would be a success . He asked them to take well to heart the warning words of Bro . Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . C , as to the character of those they proposed as initiates .

In giving the toast of " The Visitors , " the W . M . said that nearly 50 had honoured them with their presence . They were all worthy and many of them distinguished in the Craft , and personal friends of his . He hoped all their guests had been well entertained , and that they would come again . He joined with the toast the names of Bros . J . Fenton-Jones , J . P ., Walter Banks , VV . M . 1365 ; J . Tollworthy , P . M . ; S . R . Wilson , P . M . ; Letchmore Livermore , P . M . ; S . J . Cross , P . M . ; and J . H . Milton , P . M .

Bro . J . FENTON -J ONES , J . P ., said he felt it a great honour to have to respond to the toast but he was a very modest and nervous man . He had known the VV . M . for 25 years and never saw him look si ) well , and he congratulated him on being the first VV . M . He felt sure that the visitors had all thoroughly enjoyed themselves both in the lodge room and at the

banqueting table . The S . W ., who vvas well-known as a splendid man of business , was the son of the W . M ., and would , he thought , be a great man in the lodge . He was proud the W . M . had given his ( Bro . Fenton-Jones ) son the collar of J . W . and he hoped he would go forward and be a success in the lodge .

Bro . WALTER BANKS , W . M . 1365 , also acknowledged the toast , and said that he was gratified to have had the privilege of being there , because he owed a deep debt of gratitude to the VV . M ., who was Preceptor to the Clapton Lodge of Instruction , and he was second to none as a Preceptor , for what he had done for the lodge of instruction . He ( Bro . Banks ) was only a young member of eight years , but he felt sure the future of the new lodge was good , and that it would be a great success .

Bros . S . R . WILSON , P . M . ; J . TOLLWORTHY , P . M . ; LETCHMORE LIVERMORE , P . M . ; S . J . C ROSS , P . M . ; and J . H . MILTON , P . M ., also responded in some good speeches . The toast of " The Officers of the Lodge " followed , and was responded to in very appropriate terms by Bros . VV . A . FINCH , S . W . ; FENTON - J ONES , J . VV . ; GORDON , S . D . ; and WARD , J . D .

"The treasurer and Secretary having been honoured , the Tyler ' s toast closed a very happy and successful gathering , for which the VV . M . is to be congratulated . The excellent musical arrangements were most ably carried out by Bro . VV . F . Fenton-Jones , R . A . M ., assisted by Miss Edith Hensler , R . A . M ., and Bros . Harry Greene , Robert Ganthony , VV . H . Webb , H . J . Baynton , and Mr . George Burgess .

The W . M ., Bro . Wm . Finch , was initiated in the Clapton Lodge , No . 1365 , of which he is a Past Master and Father . He is Preceptor and Treasurer of the lodge of instruction connected with the Clapton Lodge , which offices he has held for the last 16 years , and as a slight return for his great services , he was in January last presented with a handsome silver tea and coffee service and tray . He is Treasurer to the Clapton Masonic

Association , a very important body , which has sent up to the three Institutions during the last 15 years yearly £ 1500 . He is a Life-Governor of ih ; Old People and the Girls' Institutions . From what we know of Bro . Finch , WHO is very enthusiastic , and h is the highest interests of Freem wu . iry at rietrt , we have no doubt the Acanthus Lodge will prosper and hold its own under his ruling .