Masonic Notes.

" a nightmare " for so many years . A Finance Committee , of nine brethren , which made a point of consuming ; £ i 45 worth of refreshment at a sitting , must have suffered a good deal from " nightmare , " and "

nightmare " lies heavily on people vvho are affected with it . Bro . Binckes , being a man of weight , would sit or lie heavily on whatsoever or whomsoever he sat or lay upon . Argal , Bro . Binckes is " a nightmare . "

* * * We are sorry if the connecting link between Bro . Binckes as " a nig htmare " and the capacity of the late Finance Committee of the Boys' School for refreshing

itself is not as apparent as it should be . But the responsibility is vvith School , whose extraordinary compound of a little knowledge with much ignorance we have been endeavouring to analyse . * * *

Bro . Frank Richardson , who is with Col . Shadwell Clerke at Aix-les-Bains , writes to say that the Grand Secretary is benefiting greatly by the bath treatment . He even hints that his restoration is so far advanced that there may be a chance of his joining the

festivities at the " Cercle " before his return . Whether this is so or not , all good Masons will be g lad to hear that our worthy brother is getting on so well , and will join with us in hoping that he may return to his duties in complete health and vigour .

The usual summons has been issued by command of Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton , Prov . G . Master , for the annual meeting of the Prov . G . Lodge of Cheshire , to

be held at Hyde , on the 18 th September next . On this occasion a motion vvill be made for the grant of a sum of 50 guineas (^ 52 ios . ) to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys .

It appears from an extract from a private letter from a prominent Mason at Johnstown , which appears in the Masonic Chronicle of Columbus , Ohio , for July , that the Masonic Hall at Johnstown withstood the floods which destroyed that city , and was the means of

saving about 150 people of al ! classes , and reli g ions , & c . Among the incidents vvhich occurred is one which , even under the terrible circumstances of the moment , must have been somewhat ludicrous . One Denny Mitchell , a Roman Catholic and a tough citizen , floated

into the hail , clad only in the wristband of his shirt , nearly every one else being in apparently the same plight . He and the others obtained from the chests and wardrobes in the hall whatever they could find in the way of garments , and on the Sunday following the

catastrophe , when these people were rescued , Denny Mitchell turned out in the Hig h Priest ' s robe , remarking , as he went out , that he vvas the " only Mick initiated into the Masonic lodge during the flood . " It

is added that the various lodges in Johnstown have held no meetings since the flood , but that they have not lost heart , and vvill recommence shortly . * * *

Our readers vvill be glad to hear that Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon has given a site for the erection of a parish reading and coffee room at Burghclere , near Newbury , as a memorial to the late Bro . Canon Portal , who , many years ago , vvas presented to

the rectory of Burghclere by his lordship . The late Canon is chiefly knovvn among Masons for his services to the Craft generally , and , in particular , to the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons , but he accomplished during his career a great deal of most useful

work outside Masonry , and especially amongst the poor . It is not generally known that our late brother took a leading part in the establishment of penny banks , the object of vvhich is to encourage thrift

among the poorer classes . It is all the more satisfactory , therefore , to hear that the fund for the erection of the Burghclere Memorial to his worth has alread y reached to between £ * , 00 and X 600 .

The Committee on the address delivered b y Bro . E . C . Blackmar , G . Master , at the annual meeting of G . L . of Iowa , in Sioux City , in June last , disapproved of his idea of establishing a Masonic Home , and instead of acceding to his request for a Committee to consider and report

upon such a scheme , passed a resolution to the effect" That the Grand Lodge of Iowa is now , and always has been , favourable to the proper dispensation of Masonic Charity ; that the needy widows and orphans of deceased Masons should be well cared for b y the

surviving members . But it considers the present method of caring for such widows and orphans , that is , by the lodges of which their deceased husbands and fathers

vvere members , is preferable to building a widows' and orphans' home . " The latter plan mi ght provide for a few , but the present is less costly , and sufficient for the purpose .

Masonic Notes.

There are , according to the latest returns , 213 lodges under the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin , and the number of subscribing members in the jurisdiction is 13 , 38 7 .

The receipts for the past year were $ 6672 , and the disbursements amounted to $ 4060 . Bro . Myron Reed remains G . Master for the current year , and Bro . John W . Laflin , G . Secretary .

* Ht * t * The Masonic Home of Missouri , vvhich is situated in Forest Park , in the suburbs of St . Louis , was formally dedicated on the 15 th June last . The Home is a fine

large residence vvith 15 acres of ground attached , and cost $ 40 , 000 , of which 815 , 000 have been paid , while payment of the remainder falls due in December . * * *

Sir Knight James L . Fleming , G . C , presided at the 28 th annual conclave of the Grand Commandery of Georgia , held at Columbus , on the Sth and 9 th May . There are only eig ht subordinate commanderies in the jurisdiction , but they appear to have been all of them

represented on the occasion , and the proceedings passed off satisfactorily . The number of subscribing members is only 423 , but the statement of accounts showed a fair

balance on the rig ht side . Sir Knight A . G . Howard vvas elected and installed Grand Commander for the ensuing year , while Sir Knig ht Samuel P . Hamilton remains at his post as Grand Recorder .

At the recent annual meeting , early in June last , of Grand Lodge of New York , Bro . Frank R . Lawrence , to whom the brethren in that State are so deeply indebted for his services in freeing Grand Lodge from

debt , vvas re-elected Grand Master for the ensuing year , but he declined the honour in a brief speech , of which the following is the opening portion . " I appreciate from the bottom of my heart the supreme honour which you so kindly confer , yet I feel that the time has arrived

when I should retire from the station in vvhich your favour so long has retained me , and with the utmost regret , and certainly vvith no want of appreciation of

your more than kindness , I beg that you will permit me to decline further service . " Under the circumstances a new Grand Master vvas elected in the person of Bro . John W . Vrooman .

We learn from the statistics presented at this annual communication that there are 718 lodges in the jurisdiction of the G . Lodge of New York , the total number of subscribing members being 74 , 065 , or more than 100 members per lodge . The general receipts for

the past year amounted to !*> 66 , i 0 7 , and the general fund to $ gj , j 20 , the disbursements being ! iJ 6 o , o 6 o . The hall and asylum receipts vvere $ 186 , 468 , the total fund * * i 2 i 6 , 555 , and the disbursements $ 7 6 , 000 , the balance

in hand being $ 139 , 655 . These figures speak well for the vvork done by New York under Bro . Frank R . Lawrence , now Past G . Master . * * *

Our readers will probably have noticed that in our report last week of the District Grand Lodgeof Queensland , circular letters were laid on the table from the District Grand Lodges of Auckland , Wellington , and Westland , against the movement now on foot in the

Colony for the establishment of a Grand Lodge of New Zealand . This is most important , as it shows that there is very far from being unanimity among our New Zealand brethren in behalf of the Grand Lodge . These three districts comprise amongst them 44 out of the 85

English lodges in the colony , taking the official Grand Lodge Calendar for 188 9 as our guide . The District Grand Lodge Westland ( South Island ) has 7 lodges , the District Grand Lodge Auckland ( North Island ) , 19 lodges , and the District Grand Lodge Wellington

( North Island ) , 18 lodges . Nothing , of course , vvas said at the meeting of the District Grand Lodge of Queensland as to how the Scotch and Irish lodges are affected , but from what vve have heard , the movement finds greater favour vvith them than among those of English constitution .

The summons has been issued for the annual meeting of the Prov . G . Lodge of Worcestershire , to be held at the Town Hall , Stourport , under the banner of the Vernon Lodge , No . 560 , on Wednesday , the nth prox . In addition to the regular business to be

transacted , resolutions will be moved to vote 10 guineas from the Prov . G . Lodge Benevolent Fund to the Boys ' School , and five guineas towards the testimonial fund which is being raised to commemorate the services of the late Bro . Nott , Prov . G . Secretary of Wiltshire , and

Secretary to the Charity Organisation of the Associated Provinces . The brethren will also go in procession to attend Divine service in St . Michael ' s Church , where the sermon vvill be preached by Bro . the Rev . J . W . Willshaw , Prov . G . Chaplain , the offertory being devoted to charitable purposes .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDasonrp . provincial flfceetings . DATCHET . George Gardner Lodge ( No . 2309 ) .- _ ' •*•„ , third regular meeting of this young lodge was held at the Village Hall , on Saturday , the 17 th inst ., when there were present Bros . G . Gardner , W . M . j W . B . Fendick , S W . A . Skinner , J . W . j R . P . Laundy , S . D . j R . De ' nniV

J . U . j h . B . Lox , Ireas . j ( J . P . Bellerby , Sec ; [ j Perdue , D . C , acting I . G . j A . Hewer , Stwd . j Stanley ! Mansfield , W . Hanham , A . Druce , and J . Corp . Visitors-Bros . Wells , W . M . 15 C 3 j Hartaud , 1305 j W . A . Dowli ' S . W . 2012 ; W . Clowes , B . Kenyon , 2012 ; Chapman 2190 j J . Slater , 2012 ; T . Rosenberger , 2021 j L . Lee ' H . S . Pulman , and Ellis , Tyler . * '

The minutes of the previous meeting being read , Bros Broderick and Rosenberger , the latter b y request , were passed , and Mr . Louis Lee and Mr . H . S . Pulman were initiated . Bros . Wm . H . Stanley-Mansfield , William H . Hanham , James Corp , Arthur Hewer , A . Druce , and ] . Slater , 2012 , were raised . The by-laws were read and

adopted , and the Provincial Charity Fund taken into consideration , and it was resolved , on the suggestion of the W . M ., to contribute in the same manner as the other lod * res in the province . The lodge was closed after a very hard afternoon's vvork , and the brethren retired to a repast at the Manor Hotel .

After the usual toasts had been given , a very enjoyable evening was spent . The way this lodge is progressing bids fair to place it among- the most important lodges in thc province . On this occasion eight candidates were initiated and two gentlemen proposed for the next meeting .

ERITH . St . John and St . Paul Lodge ( No . 615 ) . —The installation meeting of the above lodge took place on the 14 th inst ., at the Schools , Erith Avenue , and was well attended . Bro . H . King , W . M ., opened the lodge , and the minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed ,

proceeded to the ceremony , and in due course Bro . C . Watkins , S . W . and W . M . elect , vvas placed in the chair . He appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . G . Letton , S . W . j G . R . Cashfield , J . W . j G . W . Mitchell , P . M ., P . G . Stwd ., Treas . j H . King , I . P . M ., Sec . ; A . C . Doddrell , J . D . j W . T . Doddrell , I . G . j and W .

Lardner , Tyler . Bro . King then recited the charges admirably , and so concluded the ceremony . He was presented with a valuable Past Master ' s jewel for services rendered to the lodge , and as a mark of the esteem of the brethren , for which he returned thanks . Bro . Mitchell vvas re-elected

to serve on the Provincial Charity Committee , and the lodge vvas then closed . The banquet vvas partaken of at the Prince of Wales Hotel , and was well served and elegantly appointed . Among the other brethren present vvere Bros . J . Aillud ,

P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . j R . W . Bilby , P . M . j W . T . Doddrell , P . M . j T . Caster , A . Gifford , W . Willingale , W . H . Keeble , and G . Dyes , members of the lodge , * F . Binckes , P . G . S . B . Eng ., Sec . Boys' School , * T . Clibbon , W . M . 20 j W . G . Stidolph , W . M . 167 Sj G . Brown , P . M . 140 ; G . H . Campbell , A . W . Jackson , C . Gordon , and J . G .

Roberts , of 913 j H . A . Pettifer , A . J . Mitchell , and H . J . Roberts , of 700 j A . Anderson , 1702 ; J . Horton , 1524 ; G . T . Fannan , 117 ; C . Jolly , P . M . and Sec . 1472 . Sec . 21 S 4 J and others . The toasts of " The Queen and Craft Masonry , " " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " and "The Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . Pro G . M .. " having been

honoured , Bro . Binckes responded for that of "The Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " saying that he wished there had been some onc present who vvas more able to do justice to so important a toast than himself , but he did not think much need be sw about it , for it needed no higher praise than was every oa )

shown by its excellent work ; he would , however , express * wish that some day in the future its ranks vvould be reenjj ' . from among the Past Masters of the St . John and St . "J Lodge . There was an old French proverb vvhich saiu ^ things come to those who wait , " and he trusted to see ranks of the Grand Officers recruited from that lodge . The toast of " The Right Hon . the Earl Amherst , *•* . »• P . G . M . Kent , and Bro . Eastes , D . P . G . M ., and the rest " the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " having »

drunk with enthusiasm , . „*|*|] C The Immediate Past Master proposed the toast or * j W . M . " He said he was going to repeat that steieoc ) H _ phrase , "the W . M . has entrusted me with the gave , j Well , the W . M . had , and , as they knew , he was a »' propose their W . M . 's health . It was vvith a certain 1 aii ^ ^ of regret , mingled vvith pleasure , that he proposed | . ^ . . . . . . M « .. * - f „ .-n- « f- t-U ,, fi . > f fl . ot- l . Q l . irl rrr . no fll t * nil "*' l tlie , uuiiui i iivici in

I . UUIU . 5 > ... « . y „ ay , .. o . v . u .. > - ....- » o fe (] aH and was now relegated to the realms of the aepy' \' i felt a little commiseration for the troubles that their esc ^ VV . M . would have to encounter . He trusted w ^ differences vvould be sunk-, and that their W . M . wou ^ ^ a pleasant and successful year of office . He " ' tunity efficient staff of officers , and whenever the oPI ^ g occurred for him to show his abilities he felt sure j ^ ^ be of such a nature as to merit the approbation 0

thren , and the testimony of a good conscience . *( | atio " The Worshipful Master said it vvas with some * ^ |; j | ld [ y that he rose to respond to the toast , which had beei cn t . ; put by the I . P . M ., and so heartily received by * * „ a Jl 11 It seemed only a little time ago that he rose to res ^ * , <; initiate to the toast of his health ; but from the 11 ^ 1 , 3 d was nrooosed bv Bro . Bilbv . and accepted by tne * > , | 1 ( , „ ,

always thanked Bro . Bilby for introducing h « " , ' . . | d for accepting him as a brother and a Mason J a ^^ ol always be his high endeavour to make hunse' mony 0 their preference , to maintain the honour anu . ^ alia the lodge , and study , as far as possible , tne )] e ^ happiness of the brethren . Their I . P . M . had sa" ; Ve || , it he ( Bro . Watkins ) vvould be a credit to the Lrai