Straits Settlements.

Straits Settlements .

SINGAPORE . Zetland-in-the-East Lodge ( No . 508 ) . — The installation meeting of this lodge was held on the 27 th December last . The following are the officers for the ensuing year : Bros . J . Motion , VV . M . ; S . R . Robinson , S . VV . j C VV . Banks , J . W . j S . Behr , Treas . ; E . M . Lyon , Sec . ; T . Jones , S . D . ; VV . Makepeace , J . D . ; C . Bean , I . G . ; and J . Lannon , Tyler .

TAIPENG-PERAK . Perak Jubilee Lodge ( No . 2225 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on the Sth January . The following are the officers for the ensuing year : Bros . C . R . Hanson , W . M . ; H . W . C . Leech , S . W . ; R . D . Hewett , J . W . ; W . Thorpe , Sec . ; J . VV . Dando , S . D . ; M . E . Holmes , J . D . ; F . F . Thorold , I . G . ; and Dickson , Tyler .

SINGAPORE . Preceptory and Priory of Star of the East ( No . 47 ) . —The installation conclave was held on Saturday , the 25 th ult ., when Sir Knights G . Thompson and J . P . Joaquim installed Sir Knight G . A . Derrick as

Preceptor and Prior . I he other officers are bir Knights S . R . Robinson , Constable ; J . D . Stuart , Marshal ; G . Thompson , Sub-Marshal ; E . A . Thomson , Recorder ; J . S . Robertson , C . of the G . j J . F . Vincent and F . J . Griffen , Heralds j and R . O . Norris , O . G .

South Africa.

South Africa .

LAYING A MEMORIAL STONE .

The ceremony of laying the memorial stone of the chancel of the Cathedral Church of St . George and St . Michael , in the diocese of Grahamstown , Cape Colony , on Wednesday , the 29 th January , by his Excellency Sir H . B . Loch , G . C . M . G ., K . C . B . ; assisted by the Bishop and clergy , and the brethren of Grahamstown , under the banner of the Albany Lodge , No . 389 , and Bros . A . Will , W . M ., and C . T . W . Monet ,

P . D . G . W ., D . of C . The lodge was opened , when the W . M . and brethren of the St . Andrew ' s Lodge ( S . C . ) were received with honours . Other visitors then entered . The members of St . John ' s Lodge ( E . C . ) were also received with honours .

The SECRETARY read the summons convening the meeting , and the sanction of the D . G . Master to the proceedings . The brethren then adjourned to the cathedral . On arrival at the cathedral the choristers headed the procession , singing Hymn 215 , followed by the

clergy and Bishop , Mayor and Town Council , the Governor , Sir S . Shipperd , Sir G . Sprigg , and others , who were followed by the Masonic body . After the Bishop , clergy , and others had taken their positions on the platform , the Masonic procession was inverted , the W . M . 's and P . M . ' s stepping on to the platform , and

thebrethren formed hollow square at the foot of the steps . The clerical ceremony was conducted by the Bishop , and the Masonic ceremonial was opened by Bro . MONET , as follows : Know all ye who are assembled here that we appear before you clothed as true and perfect Masons , and , although we act under our own

duly constituted authorities , we strictly obey the laws of the country we live in ; indeed , to so high an eminence has the credit of our Craft been advanced that in every age monarchs themselves have been promoters of the art , and have not thought it derogatory to their dignity to exchange the sceptre for the trowel , have

patronised our mysteries , and joined in our assemblies . As Masons we are possessors of many great and valuable secrets which have been handed down to us by our predecessors from the remotest ages , and it is our duty in our turn to transmit them to our successors pure and unsullied , but let me assure all of you that in those secrets

there is nothing which is incompatible with our civil , moral , or relig ious duties . From time immemorial it has been the established custom of our Craft to assist in the erection of public buildings destined for the benefit of mankind , or to the honour and glory of the Great Architect of the Universe . No matter under

what creed or sect , His worship is to be considered , and as the first step we always take in any undertaking is to implore the Divine assistance , I shall now call upon all of you to join our District Grand Chaplain in an appeal to the Throne of Grace . The D . G . C : " O Almighty Lord God , Architect and

Creator of the Universe , who , though the heavens and earth cannot contain Thee , yet vouchsafest to have with Thy people a house wherein they may call upon Th y Holy Name , behold we beseech Thee , bless this place with Th y heavenly favour and grace , and as Thou didst permit King Solomon to build Thee an house , so grant

to us , Thy servants , that this our handiwork , begun in Thy Holy Name , may be finished to Thy praise and glory through Christ our Lord . Amen . " The Architect presented plans to the W . M ., who presented them to the Governor , saying , " Is it your Excellency's will and pleasure that the memorial-stone of this chancel be laid ? "

The D . G . C . read vhe Latin inscription on stone . The Very Rev . the Dean deposited the usual records in the cavity , and presented the Governor with a silver trowel especially engraved for the occasion . The GOVERNOR spread cement , saying " As the cement is spread with this trowel , so may brotherl y love and harmony be spread amongst the future worshippers here . " The D . G . C . read Isaiah xxviii ., v . 16—17 . The J . W . applied the plumb to face of stone and

South Africa.

found the stone plumb and prepared true and truly by the Craftsmen . The S . W . applied the level , and found the stone level , and craftsmen had laboured skilfully . The W . M . applied the square , and found stone plumb , level , and square , duly prepared and truly laid , and that the crattsmen had worked well .

The Worshipful Master presented the mallet to the GOVERNOR , who said : " May this undertaking be completed by the craftsmen according to the grand plan , in peace , harmony , and brotherly love / ' giving three knocks . The W . M . strewed the stone with corn , which is

a symbol of the resurrection . The D . G . C .: St . Paul says— " The sower sows a simple grain of corn , no matter of what kind , which at its proper season rises to light , clothed in verdure , so also is the resurrection of the dead . " The W . M . sprinkled the stone with wine—symbol

of joy and cheerfulness . The D . G . C . : Thus David speaking of the Divine beneficence says— " He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle , and herbs for the service of man , that he may bring forth food out of the earth , and wine that maketh glad the heart of man , and oil to make his

face shine , and bread , which strengthens man ' s heart . " The W . M . anointed the stone with oil . The D . G . C : " Oil is the emblem of peace and harmony , and may brotherly love and goodwill dwell amongst the future congregation of this church until

time shall be no more . " The WORSHIPFUL MASTER presented the plans to the architect , saying , " May the G . A . of the Universe enable you to accomplish the speedy completion of your work . "

The Bishop gave the second prayer . The DIR . of CERS . said : " Brethren , in remembrance of the symbolical foundation stone which you have all seen laid in our lodge , I call upon you to form procession , and follow me round the stone which has just been laid , and to contribute our assistance towards raising the superstructure thereon . "

The choir meanwhile sang the offertory hymns , and the offerings of the public were collected . The procession of the brethren being ended , the D . of C . placed the offertory dish in the hands of the Bishop , saying , " My Lord , ojir work is completed . " The ceremony was conducted by the clergy , and the brethren returned to the lodge in the same order of

procession . The lodge was then closed . The sum collected was £ 552 18 s . . .+

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . THE REV . P . H . ERNEST BRETTE , D . D ., P . G . D .

Very general and sincere regret will be felt at the unexpected news of the death , on Sunday last , of Bro . the Rev . Dr . P . H . E . Brette , P . G . D . England . Our deceased brother was known far and wide in the educational world as a man of the highest culture and great scholarly attainments . On completing his academic

career at the University of Paris , he came over to this country , where , firstly at Cheltenham , and afterwards at Christ ' s Hospital , he won the highest distinction as a teacher of the French language . So important , indeed , were the services he rendered to the cause of education in this capacity , that some few years ago he was

presented by the President of the French Republic with a valuable gold medal , set with brilliants , in recognition of the important work he had done . He had also acted as French Examiner at the University of London andfor Eton and Harrow and several other of our public schools . At Christ ' s Hospital , especially , where he had been the

Head French Master for upwards of a quarter of a century , he was beloved b y the boys who came under his charge , and respected by his colleagues , and in the course of the sermon which was delivered in the Hall , on Sunday evening last , his old pupil , Bro . the Rev . R . Lee , M . A ., the Head Master , referred in eloquent and

affecting terms to the loss which the school had that day sustained b y his death . In Masonry , till within the last few years when his health had begun to fail , our late brother had taken an active and conspicuous part in the duties of the lodge , chapter , and conclave . He was initiated in the Royal Union Lodge , No . 246 ,

Cheltenham , on the 16 th April , 1863 , and exalted to the R . A . Degree in the Panmure Chapter , No . 720 , on the 10 th November , 18 73 . He was a founder and W . M . in 18 75 of the Thames Valley Lodge , No . 1460 , Halliford , and on resigning the office of Treasurer , to which he was subsequently elected , and which he

continued to hold for several years , he was presented by the members with a valuable silver cup in recognition of his services . He was also a founder and P . M . of the Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 , a founder and P . Z . of the Aldersgate Chapter , P . Z . of the Royal Middlesex Chapter , No . 1 194 , and a

P . Prov . G . Chaplain and P . Prov . G . J . of Middlesex . In 1887 , on the occasion of the Masonic celebration of the Queen ' s Jubilee in the Royal Albert Hall , he was one of the brethren on whom his Royal Highness the Grand Master was pleased to confer brevet rank as Grand Officer , and was made a Past Grand Deacon of

England , the rank of Past G . Asst . Sojourner in Supreme Grand Chapter being conferred on him at the Quarterl y Convocation next ensuing . He was also P . M . of St . Mark ' s Lodge , No . 1 , of Mark Master Masons , and Past Grand Chaplain of the Mark Grand Lodge ; a Past Grand Hi gh Prelate of the Order of Rome and Red Cross of Constantine ; a member of the

Obituary.

United Orders of the Temple and Malta ; while in the Ancient and Accepted Rite he had taken the 31 ° and was a Past M . W . S . of the Palestine Chapter of Rose Croix , No . 29 . But the particular field of duty in which he had mostly distinguished himself was in connection with our Masonic Institutions , of all three of which he had

qualified as Vice-President , and for which he had served in all soine 14 Festival Stewardship namely , six for the Girls' School , four for the Boys' School , and four for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . He had also done his utmost to encourage the stud y of the French language in our Schools , and for many years

past had regularly given prizes to the children who had shown the greatest proficiency in that branch of their studies . He had , indeed , a deep sense of the responsibility which a man undertakes when he enters our Society , and in all the many parts he had filled—and filled with such marked distinction—he had always most

conscientiously striven to perform his duty . That he was , as we have said , a man of great scholarly attainments is evidenced by the important positions to which at various times he was appointed , and the respect in which he was universally held b y all with whom he came in contact professionally . His sense of

duty is shown by the fact that as recently as the Thursday preceding his death he was at his post , and only consented to take rest at the earnest solicitation of his medical advisers ; while his worth as a man is exemplified b y the sincere and deep grief with which the announcement of his death has been received by

his brother masters , by his pupils , by his family and friends , and last , but not least , by his brethren in Masonry . To the relatives who in him have lost their wisest counsellor and their truest and kindest friend , we respectfully offer our sincerestsympathy . The funeral will take place to-day ( Friday ) ct Old Charlton Cemetery at 4 . 45 . .

BRO . JOHN MACLEAN , P . M ., P . Z . Bro . John Maclean , -whose death it is our painful duty to announce , was almost as well-known in Metropolitan Masonic circles as in the dramatic profession , of which he was so bri ght an ornament . He was initiated in the Dalhousie Lodge , No . S 60 , in October , 1872 , and remained a subscribing member till 18 75 . In

18 74 , he joined the Asaph Lodge , No . 1319 , and , after holding the various minor offices , was elected and installed W . M . in 188 3 . He was exalted in April , 18 79 , in the Asaph Chapter , and in 1886 was installed in the chair of First Principal , He was a Life Govenorof all our Institutions and had served once as a Steward for the Girls' School . But it was as a Preceptor that Bro .

Maclean was best known and his services as an interpreter of our ritual were mostly appreciated , while as an agreeable companion and one read y to do a good turn to please anyone of his associates , there could scarcel y have been found his equal . Bro , Maclean was only 55 years of age at the time of his death , which occurred somewhat suddenly on Saturday last .

BRO . CAPT . ARTHUR EDWARD BUNN , P . M . This brother died at 12 , Hereford-gardens , W ., on the 2 nd inst ., aged 32 . He was initiated in the Sir Francis Burdett Lodge , No . 1503 , nth April , 188 3 , and having served the minor offices , was elected Master of the lodge in October , 1888 , and installed in the following month . Last November he impressivel y

installed his successor , and was presented with a Past Master ' s jewel in recognition of his services . In his speech of acknowledgement he expressed a hope that he should live many years to wear it . Alas , he never attended any Masonic function again . He was taken suddenly ill a few days after the lod ge meeting , and

never left his home alive . Bro . Capt . Bunn was exalted in the Sir Francis Burdett Chapter , No . 1503 , June 25 th , 1885 , and held the office of ist A . S . at the time of his death . He also served as Steward to the R . M . I . for Boys , 188 9 . He took an active interest in the Volunteer service , and was gazetted Captain on the

14 th March , 1885 , in the 2 nd London R . V ., in which regiment he was held in hi gh esteem by all ranks . He was by profession a solicitor . In the various circles in which he mixed he was universally respected . Naturall y of a modest , retiring disposition , yet under the influences of pleasurable excitement he displayed qualities of a genial , courteous , and amiable character . Had he lived

it was his intention to have entered other Degrees of Masonry , where , no doubt , he would have won golden opinions from all those with whom he was brought in contact . He was unmarried , but we offer our condolence to the members of his family upon the premature death of one who in every station of life has distinguished himself so well . Rcquiescat in pace .

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