Correspondence.

Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ] R . M . I . FOR BOYS "COMMUTATION SCHEME . "

To the Editor of the "Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , Having seen a list of the donations from the Province of West Yorkshire for a considerable amount towards the Pension Commutation Fund , I should like to suggest through your columns that the London

subscriptions might be published in some way to further the object in view . I am sure , from visits paid lately to several lodges , that the idea is not made known , because it has not even been mentioned , either in the lodges or by the brethren . In confirmation of this , on shewing the list to-day to a friend—a P . M . —he said that he had not heard of it , although he had not missed

a meeting of his lodge , but he would take care that it was brought on at their next meeting . I also think that the sums so subscribed mi ght be added to lodges ' subscriptions , this being a donation to the Institution . The time is getting short , and , it being necessary to get the amount quickly , the latter suggestion might induce many who have not already voted a donation to at once do so . —I am , yours fraternall y , GEORGE GARDNER .

P . M ., & c . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will you allow me to correct an error which appeared in your issue of last Saturday , relating to contributions to the Pension Indemnity Fund .

The Province of West Yorkshire has 75 lodges on its roll , and the brethren determined unanimously to adopt the scheme for raising £ 2500 for Bro . Binckes on his retirement , the quota would thus at £ 2 ios . per lodge be . £ 187 ios . However , to give the scheme a good start , they determined to send up £ 200 , which sum has

now been paid , and we fully expect to have a surplus to hand to the Boys' School . Whilst on the subject allow me to mention the fact , that lodges in some provinces , and , I believe , in London also , are hesitating to contribute , stating as their reason that the ^ 2500 should be invested for Bro . Binckes , or

used to purchase a life annuity for him . Surely this could be satisfactorily arranged . I regret trespassing on your space at such length , but I feel very strongly the necessity for a speedy completion of this important matter in the interest of the Boys' School . —I am , yours faithfully , HENRY SMITH .

March 1 Sth . ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , My attention has been called to the resume of my remarks in your last issue in the report of the meeting of the Albion Lodge , No . 9 . By an error perfectly obvious to those " who know , "

but misleading to those who " do not know , " I am made to apply to the " Committee which conducts the Inquiry , " observations which referred to the " Provisional Management Committee . " In justice to the latter body pray oblige me with insertion of this correction . —Yours faithfully and fraternally ,

FREDERICK BINCKES . London , 19 th March . LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND MASONIC

CALENDAR . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Please permit me to correct a sli ght error in the very flattering notice you have so kindl y given of

the Leicestershire and Rutland Masonic Calendar for 1890 . There have been onl y two editors . It was started b y

Bro . S . S . Partridge , P . A . G . D . C . England , the present Deputy Grand Master of the province , in 18 73 , and continued by him for 14 years , since which time I have undertaken it . —I am , yours fraternall y , B . A . SMITH . March 19 th .

A LODGE PRESENTATION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Much as I dislike re-opening this matter after "Also West Yorkshire ' s" display of temper in your issue of 22 nd ult ., yet it is my duty to others , as well as myself , to do so .

If your correspondent thinks it " clever " to wilfully misquote my letter , and then appeal to limited Masonic knowledge everywhere to join in a sneer at the Craft , well , he is not an enviable Mason or an ordinaril y prudent man . I used the word "fools" advisedly , nine-tenths of your readers would see that it was a mere literary

Correspondence.

contrast , and readily pardon it . " Solomon s rebels ' could only be invented by a brother who is not distinguished for the selection of felicitous , not to say even clear language ; it cannot be found in my letter of the nth ult . But what has his rambling communication to do with either my letter or the point at issue ?

And now for the raisou detre of this communication , my last on this subject . " Also West Yorkshire , " under cover of his anonymity , and with all the outward signs of truth and honour , imputes to the P . M . and Treasurer ( his colleague , he says ) a direct contradiction of my own statement . He goes further , and publicly and

shamefully impugns the veracity of a junior brother who is known to be truthfulness and honour , if these virtues may be found in any man . And then he invites me to inquire of the P . M . and Treasurer as to whether we are not both guilty of falsehood . Well , Bro . Editor , I took little notice of that invitation , but last Thursday , in passing along the

principal street , I was called back by the P . M . referred to , to explain what I should quite have expected him to mention at the first opportunity . He assured me that not only was he entirely guiltless of the slightest connection with this correspondence , but in the strongest terms repudiated the sentiments and expressions of your correspondent concerning me . Further comment

is unnecessary . In my letter of nth February , 40 th line read" knows " in place of "records . "—probably a printer ' s error . — I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours truly and fraternally , J . RAMSDEN RILEY .

OLD OLAVIANS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will you kindly allow me , through the medium of your paper , to ask those brethren who may be willing to assist in the formation of a lodee

to be composed of the above to communicate with—Yours fraternally , E . W . ROACH . 71 , Cricketfield-road , Lower Clapton .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

HlWflM W 8 KBS & -

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Belgrave Lodge ( No . 749 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleetstreet , on Wednesday , the 12 th inst ., Bro . H . VV . L . Hobbs , W . M ., presiding , supported by the following officers and brethren : Bros . Triggs , S . VV . ; Austin , J . W . j Henry Garrod , P . M ., Sec ; Turnpenny , S . D . ; Brand , I . D .

Banks , I . G . ; Jeffreys , Org . ; Weeks , I . P . M . ; Joseph W . Hobbs , P . M . ; Coltart , P . M . ; Parsons , P . M . ; Elliott , P . M . ; Groves , P . M . ; Hall , P . M . ; Leech , P . M . ; Land , P . M . 742 ; E . H . Moselley , F . Taylor , E . Barnes , Jackson , Constantine Doresa , Woodward , Boyle , H . Hexter , and otheis . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the previous

meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Crygierwas passed to the Degree of F . C . by the VV . M ., who also presented and explained the working tools . Bro . Corbett was raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M . The ballot was then taken for Mr . Stephen Gilbert Southcombe , which proving in his favour , he was duly initiated by the W . M . in the most impressive manner .

I he lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting hall . The after-dinner toasts were given with the usual fervour and loyalty . During the evening Bros . Boyle , Hexter , Garrod , Barnes , and Parsons enlivened the company with some line singing . The VV . M . is going up as Steward at the forthcoming Boys' Festival with a handsome list of over X ' 50 .

Islington Lodge ( No . 1471 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 13 th inst ., at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , when there were present Bros . S . Napper , W . M . j H . Hunt , I . P . M . j J . M . Scarlett , S . W . ; H . B . Harding , J . W . ; J . L . Mather , P . A . G . D . C , Treas . ; E . Blinkhorn , Sec ; C . M . Coxon , S . D . ; R . Loomes , J . D . ; A . Cox , I . G . j J . A . Blount ,

Stwd . j G . Couchman , Tylei j D . P . Holness , P . M . j H . Cox , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . Herts ; A . C . Halestrap , P . M . ; W . Shurmur , P . M . ; C . H . Stevenson , A . Fearnhead , G . E . Walker , C . Hoist , C . Weber , VV . Taylor , J . Amand , E . J . Harrison , C . Isler , J . Goodson , F . W . VVhite , P . Faber , D . C . Ritchie , and F . Simmonds . The visitors were Bros . H . S . Trego , 1 S 39 ; R . W . Nicole , 227 S ; F .

Wadeson , 1567 ; and F . Cakebread , 117 S . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , a ballot was taken for Mr . John Goodson , a candidate for initiation , which proving unanimous in his favour , he was initiated by the W . M . into the mysteries of Freemasonry . On the proposition of Bro . D . P . Holness , P . M ., seconded by Bro . Scarlett , S . W ., the sum of £ 2 ios .

was unanimously voted from the funds of the lodge towards Bro . Binckes' Annuity Fund . The name of a candidate for initiation was submitted , and an application for assistance discussed and decided . There beinff no other business , the lodge was closed . After the dinner which followed , the usual toasts were

proposed . In replying to the toast of his health , the W . M . said if the brethren wished to see how he could do the work let them bring him plenty of it . The more he had to do the more pleased he should be . In proposing " The Health ofthe Initiate , " the W . M . said that he had been very pleased to initiate that evening

Craft Masonry.

a very worthy gentleman who had been long known to him , and one whom he believed would do credit to the Craft . Bro . Goodson replied , thanking the brethren for the kindness shown to him . For the toast of " The Visitors , " Bro . Cakebread , 117 S , said that he had been present at every meeting of the lodge for the last year or more , and he fully endorsed the remarks

made as to the welcome extended to visitors by the Islington Lodge . Bros . Wadeson , 157 S , and R . W . Nicole , 227 S , also replied , each brother stating that it was his first visit to the lodge , and expressing pleasure at being present . "The Health of the Past Master " was proposed , and replied to by the I . P . M ., Bro . Hunt , and Bro . D . P .

Holness , the senior P . M . present , who asked indulgence from the brethren on behalf of Bro . Mather , P . M ., whose health necessitated his leaving early . They sympathised with him on the illness he had passed through , and were delighted to see him once more amongst them . The prestige the lodge had attained was due in a great measure to the example that had been set by Bro . Mather as the first

Master of the lodge . Personally , Bro . Holness said he had not been able to attend as regularly as he wished , but his interest in the lodge was unabated , and he trusted many years would elapse ere he ceased his attendance . Bros . Shurmur , P . M . ; Halestrap , P . M . ; and Cox , P . M ., also replied . Replying for "The Treasurer and Secretary , " Bro . E .

Blinkhorn , P . M ., Sec , made one of his usual interesting little speeches , dealing principally with the steady growth of the Benevolent Fund of the lodge . He was pleased to see the work of the lodge generally so well done . The lodge now occupied a good position in the Craft , and he hoped the brethren would be careful that good men only were introduced to the lodge—men who were prepared to support the Charities and uphold the principles of

Freemasonry . The toast of " The Officers " having been given and responded to , the proceedings were closed with the Tyler ' s toast and the singing of " Auld Lang Syne . " Many brethren assisted to enliven the evening , songs being contributed by Bros . Stevenson , Amand , Shurmur , P . M . ; Holness , P . M . j Halestrap , P . M . ; Isler , and others .

Southgate Lodge ( No . 1950 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 6 th inst ., at the Railway Hotel , New Southgate , Bro . VV . Lewis , VV . M ., in the chair . There was a large assemblage of the brethren of the lodge , also a goodly number of visitors . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , when a ballot was taken for Mr . T . E . Davis , who ,

being elected , was duly initiated . The installation of the W . M . elect , Bro . Samuel Stretch , jun ., S . W ., was then proceeded with , and he afterwards appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . W . Lewis , I . P . M . ; Phipos , S . W . j Duok , J . W . j Lefebre , Treas . j A . Trewinnard , Sec . j Newman , S . D . j VV . T . Windsor , J . D . j Gilmore , I . G . j Cooke , D . C . j A . H . Thompson and Wade , Stwds . j

and Simpson , lyler . ihe manner in which the new VV . M . invested his officers made it apparent at once that he was well up in Masonic work , and the officers of the lodge have every promise of having plenty of work during the next 12 months . During his year of office the I . P . M . has

done much good for the lodge , and the brethren showed their appreciation of his services by presenting him , at the hands of the VV . M ., with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel . The lodge was closed , after which the brethren sat down to a banquet , at which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and heartily responded to .

Honor Oak Lodge ( No . 1986 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge took place at the White Swan Hotel , Upper Norwood , on Wednesday , the 12 th inst . The members present included Bros . Augustus Darch , VV . M . ; H . Hooper , I . P . M . ; G . Mordey , S . VV ., VV . M . elect ; B . Forster , J . W . j VV . Hopekirk , P . M ., P . G . P ., Treas . ; J . VV . Hartley , P . M ., Sec ; J . Andrews , S . D . ; R . Lockhart

Lawson , J . D . ; W . VV . Arter , I . G . ; T . K . Baldock , Org . ; E . Singleton , Steward j J . Hammond , P . M . ; G . R . Langley , P . M . ; H . Keeble , J . Lloyd , and many others . Visitors : Bros . J . Mills , 1765 ; Hy . Dickey , P . M . 1 744 j G . VV . Knight , P . M . 1507 ; J . W . Ramsay ; W . A . Scurrah , P . P . G . S . of VV . Middlesex ; A . C . Wood , S . W . 720 ; J . Marchand , 1572 ; J . Harding , 30 ; F . Blake ,

21 S 2 ; B . Bnckdale , P . M . 1623 ; C . Norwood , 1790 ; G . Benedetti , 1155 j W . Poole , 1572 ; VV . M . Stiles , W . M . 19 S 7 ; H . H . Jones , 15 S 6 ; D . Jonas , 15 SG ; T . G . Craddock , 72 ; T . Pilkington , 15 S 6 ; C . Arnold , P . M . 1579 ; C . Wise , P . M . 115 S ; and W . W . Lee , 1897 . The formal opening of the _ lodge was immediately tollowed by the reading and confirmation of the minutes . Bro .

Britten was passed to the Second Degree by the VV . M ., who then installed his successor , Bro . George Mordey , W . M . elect , in an impressive manner . The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . B . Forster , S . W . j Joseph Andrews , J . W . j W . Hopekirk , P . M ., P . G . P ., Treas . j J . VV . Hartley , P . M ., Sec ; R . Lockhart Lawson , S . D . j J . Lloyd , J . D . j W . VV . Arter , I . G . j E .

Singleton , D . C . j J . Hammond , P . M ., and Hy . Keeble , Stewards ; T . K . Baldock , Org . ; and C . Sheppard , Tyler . The Installing Master , Bro . A . Darch , I . P . M ., delivered the usual addresses to the Master , Wardens , and brethren , and was presented with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel and a Past Master ' s collar by the VV . M ., who referred in eulogistic terms to Bro . Darch ' s energetic and zealous

services on behalf of the lodge . The I . P . M . briefly , but heartily , acknowledged the gift and the kind remarks accompanying it . Mr . VVm . Williams was unanimously approved by ballot , and regularly initiated by the W . M ., Bro . Mordey . Lodge was then closed , and the brethren afterwards par took of a substantial repast .

The usual toast list was subsequently honoured . Owing to the lateness of the hour , the speeches were necessarily brief but to the point . Bro . Hopekirk , P . G . P ., in acknowledging the heartiness with which the toast of "The Grand Officers" had been received , said he took it as a great honour and privilege to

return thanks on that occasion . The Grand Officers of the present had been chosen for their hi gh position from the great industry they had shown in connection with the furtherance ot the principles of the Craft , and the Grand Officers of the past were unanimous in their desire to uphold and carry out the duties of Masonry . Bro . A . Darch , I . P . M ., in proposing " The Health of the