Masonic Notes.

Bro . H . Wynford Barrow , Deputy District Grand Master in charge , and was honoured with the presence of Bro . J . W . Smith , M . W . G . M . of All Scottish Freemasonry in India and his Grand Lodge Officers . Both the presiding officer and Bro . Smith referred in enthusiastic terms to the complete harmony which had always existed

between the two Constitutions . From the reports which were presented and adopted , it would appear that English Freemasonry is in a flourishing condition , and a grant of 2000 rupees was unanimously made to the Bombay Masonic Association . Bro . Barrow subsequently announced that he had requested the permission of the Duke of Connaught , District Grand

Master , to retire from his office , and expressed his thanks to District Grand Lodge generally , and the officer he had been brought chiefly in contact with , for their uniform kindness and courtesy . Bro . I . M . Shields , whom his Royal Highness had been pleased to appoint Deputy , was installed in office , and new District Grand Officers having been appointed , the proceedings terminated .

* * * At the communication of the District Grand Lodge of Bengal on the 21 st March , a portrait of Bro . Thomas Jones , Past Deputy District Grand Master , to whom as Preceptor of the Calcutta Emulation Lodge of Improvement for 10 years the Craft in the District vvas

deeply indebted , was presented to District Grand Lodge by Bro . W . H . Fitze , P . G . D ., P . D . D . G . M ., on behalf of the subscribers , and accepted with unfeigned thanks on behalf of the District Grand Lodge by Bro . Sir H . Thoby Prinsep , Dist . G . M . In this case also , a grant of 2000 rupees vvas made to the funds of the local

Masonic Association . The reports and the District Grand Master ' s address likewise furnish ample evidence as to the general prosperity of the Craft in Bengal , and the admirable manner in which the duties are carried out by the lodges in the District . * * a

A Quarterly Communication of the District Grand Lodge of Burmah vvas held under the presidency of Bro . the Rev . J . E . Marks , Deputy Dist . Grand Master , on the 12 th March . The attendance , however , appears to have been somewhat meagre , owing to the notices of meeting having been issued so long in advance of

the appointed day , while the proceedings were merely of local interest . However , the Acting District Grand . Master was able to congratulate the lodges on the punctuality with which the returns had been sent in , and that the funds of the District Grand Lodge were in a fair condition . ~

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

A MASONIC INSURANCE SCHEME . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In reply to Bro . Lovegrove in your issue of the 14 th inst ., my scheme of Self Help is intended to be in strict accordance with the teaching of Freemasonry , viz ., a column of mutual defence and support .

It can be styled Masonic insurance if any brother so pleases , because it makes assurance " doubly sure . " I am aware of the Masonic Insurance Company of some years ago , and I know why it was not a success . In a case such as the one I am anxious to place before the Craft in general , all the expensive method of getting the business which is adopted by most offices

today would be done away with . I may say to Bro . Lovegrove and any other brother who may feel interested that I have communicated with , and laid the great part of my scheme before , the Chairman , the Vice-Chairman , and Secretary of the East Lancashire Charity Committee , and they all seem generally favourable to the working of it .

And as I know it is a matter which , if ever worked through , must first receive the sanction of the Board of General Purposes , I am endeavouring to place it upon such footing as to receive strong support when it comes before that distinguished body . Meantime , perhaps Bro . Lovegrove will excuse me saying more than I have already said , and which , in condensed form

, I will here repeat . That I believe I can demonstrate that Freemasons who care to combine can provide , at an extremely low cost of £ 4 or £$ per annum , a sum payable to their widows or families of £ 400 at their death . And further , in five years the Institution under notice vvould

be in a position to provide 60 annuities of £ 2 $ per annum each , based upon the rate of 3 per cent , interest . Such annuities would be paid out of interest and not capital , and that such annuity fund would be further increased each year so as to add 12 additional annuitants to the list .

This cannot be done in a province or district , but must be offered to all Masons five years made and subscribers to a lodge . I ask , if such a scheme as this can be shown to work , where is the reasonable objection to it ' - and does it not on the face of it show the great relief to the continued strain upon the three London Institutions now existing

Correspondence.

Probably there is no other organisation among men , with the exception of Freemasonry , which could adopt such a scheme as this and secure for it in the present a measure of success , and in the future continued support . —f am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfull y and fraternally , GEORGE BOARD . Stanley Grove , Sale , July 23 rd .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

BRADFORD . Acacia Lodge ( No . 2321 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , on Thursday , the 5 th inst ., Bro . John Last , W . M ., presided , and was supported by Bros . John Niven , I . P . M ., as S . W . ; Joseph Wilson , P . M ., P . P . G . Sti . Br ., Chap ., as J . W . ; S . A . Bailey , P . M ., Treas . ; E . P . Peterson , P . M ., Sec . ; Alf . Stephenson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , D . C ; S . A . Auty , P . M . ;

lohn Morton , S . D . ; Jas . B . Fearnley , J . D . ; A . E . Harris , I . G . ; and Hy . Holmes , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . Frank Johnson , VV . M . 974 ; Claude Taylor , S . W . 978 ; A . A . Harrison , W . M . 1545 ; and John Haley , I . P . M . 1034 . The lodge havuig been opened , the minutes of the previous regular meeting were duly confirmed , after which Bro . L R . Markham was passed to the Second Degree by the

W . M . ; Bro . Wilson , P . M ., Chap ., explained the Masonic signification of' the working tools ; the charge being given by Bro . Bailey , P . M ., Treas . Bro . Wm . S . Smith , 101 S , was proposed as a joining member , and after " Hearty good wishes " from the visitors , the lodge was closed . Refreshment having been served , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

The Worshipful Master proposed "The Visitors , " and gave them a very hearty welcome . Bro . Johnson , W . M . 974 , responded , and acknowledged with pleasure the cordial manner the toast had been received , and the hospitable way the visitors had been entertained . He referred to his presence , five years ago , at the interesting ceremony of the consecration of the lodge , and he vvas

glad to observe the progress that had been made . Bros . Harrison , W . M . 1545 , and J . Haley , I . P . M . 1034 , also responded . "The Health of the Worshipful Master" was proposed by Bro . Johnson , W . M , 974 . In responding , Bro . Last , W . M ., referred to the pleasure he had experienced in accompanying three of the members

of the lodge to the recent successful Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , at Brighton , which reflected so much credit upon the Chairman , the Provincial Grand Maf ter of West \ orkshire , who had been so ably supported by all the lodges in his province . The toast ot * ' The Past Masters of the Lodge " was proposed by Bro . John Haley , I . P . M . 1034 , and was responded

to by Bro . John Niven , I . P . M ., who , in the course of his remarks , referred to his recent visit , in company with many provincial Masons , tothe Evening Star Lodge , No . 1719 , in London , at a special emergency lodge , held in connection with the meeting of the members , of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and where it had been his privilege and pleasure to be called upon to respond for " The

Visitors . " "Success to the Royal Masonic Institutions , " was proposed by Bro . S . A . Auty , P . M ., Charity member , who made special reference to the recent successful Boys' School Festival at Brighton , and coupled with the toast the name of Bro . J . B . Fearnley , J . D ., one of the Stewards . Bro . Auty congratulated the Stewards and everyone concerned

on having achieved such a splendid result . He understood that the management of the Schools at the present time vvas all that could be desired , but he ventured to express the opinion—an opinion that was gaining ground in the provinces—that as the State has now undertaken the education of the young the money now spent upon each child in the Masonic Schools would be more usefully and more

beneficiall y employed towards the maintenance and support of the widow and remaining children of a deceased brother , rather than spent upon one child only of such family in the Institution . Bro . Auty concluded by wishing continued prosperity to all the Masonic Institutions . Bro . darnley , J . D ., responded . He stated he considered it a great honour for so young a Mason as himself to be

called upon to respond to so important a toast . It had been his privilege as a Steward to attend the Brighton Festival , and he would indeed have been sorry to have missed so great a treat . His interest in the Masonic Charities had been ten-fold increased by reason of his recent experience . He was now a Life Governor of the Bovs' School , and if the G . A . O . T . U . prospered him . he

would not be content until he was also a Lite Governor of the other two Institutions . Bro . Alfred A . Harrison , W . M . 1545 , proposed "The Officers of the Lodge , " and took the opportunity of stating that the members of the Baildon Lodge , No . 1545 , had long entertained the views enunciated by Bro . Auty , P . M ., in proposing the previous toast , and he would be glad to see some prominent members of the Order advocate the

subject in West Yorkshire until the amount now spent about one child should be utilised for the benefit of the family of which such child was a member . He was glad to propose the toast , as he knew the officers of the lodge were zealous in support of the W . M , Uro . E . P . Peterson , P . M ., Sec , responded in an able spWch . * J " heTyler ' s toast concluded a very successful meeting , the speeches having been interspersed with songs and recitations hy Bros . Sykes , Wilson , Docksey , ai . d Bowler .

HAVANT . Carnarvon Lodge ( No . 804 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge took place at Freemasons' I lall , Waterloo-road , on Tuesday , the 3 rd inst ., when there vvas a good attendance of brethren and visitors . The outgoing Master , Bro . J . M . Godfrey , inducted into the chair Bro . G . Cox , S . W ., the ceremony being performed in his usual

able and instructive manner , who appointed the following officers for the ensuing year : Bros . I , M . Godfrey , LP . M . ; VV . Hates , P . M ., S . W . ; G . Huggett , J . VV . ; E . Sprigings , P . M ., Treas . ; 11 . W . Smith Parsons , P . M ., Sec . ; C . J . Morris . S . D . ; F . Hales , J . D . j J . T . Slade , P . M ., D . C ; H . M . Smith , l . G . ; J . Bleach , Org . ; F . A , Fawcett and A . Upton , Stewards ; and W . Burrows , Tyler .

Craft Masonry.

The following members vvere also present : Bros . H . R . Trigg , P . P . G . S . of W . ; T . Francis , P . P . G . W . ; L . J . Morey , W . S . Williams , J . Hillyer . andW . W . Blake . The visitors vvere Bros . G . F . Lancaster , P . P . G . R ., Prov . A . G . Sec . ; C . Holmes , W . M . 342 ; F . Hazzard , W . M . 903 ; E . H . Buck , W . M . 21 C 3 ; T . H . Nancarrow , W . M . 2074 R . G . Pither , W . M . 206 S ; R . Waterman , W . M . 1 S 34 ;

E . Lay , P . M . 560 , P . P . G . Std . Br . Worcester ; A . J . Dunn , S . W . 342 ; C . Martin , S . W . 142 S ; W . A . Morley , 4 S 7 ; T . F . Wilton , P . P . G . Org . ; C . F . Brown , J . W . 4 S 7 ; F . Doyle , 148 ; H . W . Green , 20 GS ; G . Cook ; VV . E . Bate , 487 ; and E . Godwin , S . W . 1776 . After the lodge had been closed , the brethren adjourned to the banquet room , where 40 sat down to an excellent

repast . The usual Masonic toasts vvere heartily received and responded to , being interspersed with some capital singing by Bros . Holmes , Brown , Bate , Lancaster , and Bascombe , Bros . T . F . Wilton being the accompanist . Bro . H . W . Smith Parsons , who was unfortunately prevented from attending the lodge , met with a hearty greeting on entering

the room . Bro . J . Mew Godfrey , in the name of the _ lodge , then rose , and , in an eulogistic speech , spoke in high terms of the excellent services that had been rendered to the lodge by Bro . Smith Parsons , and presented him with a salver

and breakfast cruet , which had been subscribed for by the members of his mother lodge in recognition of his useful work itv connection with Freemasonry generally , to which Bro . Smith Parsons responded . The toast list having been completed , the meeting broke up about 10 . 30 .

PURFLEET . Tilbury Lodge ( No . 2006 } . — The summer water party of the lodge took place on Saturday , the 14 th inst . A lodge meeting vvas held at the Royal Hotel , when Bros . A . J . Constable , E . W . Standford , and J . H . Pearson were raised to the Third Degree . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . Walter Buttery , who called upon the

LP . M ., Bro . J oseph Bruton , P . P . D . G . D . C , to perform the ceremony of raising , which he carried out in a most impressive manner , according to his wonted custom for the past two years . At its conclusion the brethren proceeded for a trip down the river in the steamer Danube , round " the Mouse " Lightship . A heavy thunderstorm broke just as the

company we .-e embarking , but ultimately the weather cleared , and a pleasant afternoon vvas enjoyed . An excellent cold collation was cleverly served on board by Bro . J . E . Wingrove ,, propiietor of the Royal Hotel , Purfleet , who personally assists as well as directs on such occasions . The brethren present were Bros . Walter Battery , W . M . ;

Joseph Bruton , / . P . M . ; P . C . Walker , S . W . ; F . Clarke , J . W . ; W . L . Dudgeon , Sec ; and A . J . Dudgeon , Tceas . ; the two latter energetically working for the comfort of the visitors , amongst whom vvere Bros . Flint , W . M . 33 ; Hammond , W . M . 2184 ; H . Long , S . W . 79 ; and L . A . Richardson , S . W . 157 .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

TWICKENHAM . Era Chapter ( No . 1423 ) . —The installation meeting of this chapter vvas held at the Albany Hall , on the 14 th inst . Among those present were : Comps . W . Fisher , P . Z ., P . P . G . P . S ., M . E . Z . ; G . L . Wingate , P . Z ,, P . P . A . G . S ., as H . ; R . Bone , 11 . elect , J . ; F . Robinson , J . elect , S . N . ; Capt . T . C Walls , P . P . G . P . S ., D . G . D . C , P . Z ., S . E . ; G . S . Daunton , J . Masters , S . W . S . Burridge

and C . H . Kohler , P . P . G . Std . Br ., P . Z . The minutes of the previous convocation having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Bro . Alfred Collins , Rifle Brigade Lodge , and he being in attendance , was most impressively exalted by the M . E . Z . Comp . W . Fisher was for the second time inducted as First Principal by the S . E . TheM . E . Z . then most ably installed Comps . R . Poore as H ., and F . Robinson as 1 . The

following investitures were made : Comps . Capt . Walls , as S . E . ; G . S . Daunton , P . S . ; J . Masters , ist A . S . ; S . W . S . Harridge , 2 nd A . S . ; and A . Collins , D . C . A vote of thanks was passed to the Installing Officer . Apologies for non-attendance vvere received from Comps . Henry Higgins , P . P . G . D . C , P . Z . ; W . II . Lee , P . G . S . E ., P . Z ., and others .

A candidate for exaltation at the next chapter having been duly proposed , the chapter was closed . The banquet was exceedingly well served . A few toasts followed . The M . E . Z . was congratulated by the various speakers for the able manner in which he had carried out the labours nf the day .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

THRAPSTON . Ljlford Lodge ( No . 471 ) . —A special meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 19 th inst ., at Lilford Hall , near Oundle , under dispensation from the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Wm . Kelly , F . S . A ., F . R . H . S ., for the purpose of advancing Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Lilford to the Degree of M . M . The Lilford Lodge was

consecrated some six months since by the Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , D . L ., and is the latest addition to the Mark Provinces of Leicestershire , Northamptonshire , Derbyshire , and Rutland . The founders of the lodge unanimously elected Bro . the Hon . John Powys , son of Lord Lilford , as their first W . M ., and Lord l . iltord , having granted permission for the lodge to be named after

himself , expiessed a wish to take the Degree of M . M . as soon as his physical infirmities would allow . Accordingly , this special lodge was held as stated above . The brethren from Thrapston , Northampton , and Bradford , met at the Thorpe Station , where carriages were waiting to convey them to Lilford Hal ) . On arrival they were received by the ever genial W . M ., and in due time were conducted to the

library , which had been fitted up as a lodge room for the occasion . The various chairs were filled as follows : Bros . John Powys , W . M . ; T . P . Dorman , P . M . 245 , as I . P . M . ; Geo . Ellard , P . M . 245 , P . G . Stwd ., as S . W . ; A . E . Parsons , J . W . 434 , J . W . ; Hy . Hodges , J . W . 245 , as M . O . ; 1 . Rogers , S . O . ; G . Siddons , J . O . ; Rev . F . G . Hodgson , Chap . ; W . T . King , Treas . ; R . C . Pars , Sec . ; R . F . Winch , as R . of M . ; J . Smith , J . W . 4 and 406 , S . D ; W .