Consecration Of The Borough Of Islington Lodge, No. 2861.

f ul ceremcn es cne could sit and listen to , and their hearts were permeated with gratitude to Installing Master E . Letchworth and Bros . Rev . J . S . Brownrigg and Frank Richardson , three brethren conspicuous for their work , although others , if called on as Grand Officers , would doubtless have performed the duties as satisfactorily . He was sure the oration , as delivered by Bro . Brownrigg , ought to be read by all brethren interested in municipal affairs ,

and hoped all municipal brethren present would take it to heart . He had known Bro . Frank Richardson longer than he liked to say , and whenever he had done any duties in Masonry he was always absolutely perfect . As regarded Bro . E . Letchworth , he knew he had the confidence of all Masons , but he did not know until that night any Mason who was capable of doing work in such a polished

and intellectual way as Bro . Edward Letchworth did it ; and the memory of it would go down to posterity . It gave him great pleasure at this juncture to ask Bro . Letchworth to accept the founder ' s jewel . Bro . E . LETCHWORTH , G . Sec , briefly and forcibly replied , expressing the pleasure it had afforded all the Grand Officers to be present , and said that he saw a good future before the lodge , especially in connection with

municipal matters . He never lost an opportunity of acknowledging the services ot Bro . Frank Richardson , and to thank the W . M . for taking the chair at the last meeting . He had known Bro . Crump for many many years . He thanked them for the very beautiful jewel , which he regarded as a charming memento of a most interesting occasion .

Bro . JOHN SMITIIERS then proposed " The Health of the W . M ., " remarking on the great appropriateness in his doing so , as they had been side by side ever since his initiation , on which occasion Bro . Crump was in the chair , owing to the W . M . ' s illness . He had occupied every office in their mother lodge , and in his hands as Treasurer the accounts greatly improved . Bro . CRUMP , in reply , said that in starting a new lodge there was always

a certain amount of detail and anxiety . AH the officers and he were connected and associated " in another place , " and were sure of harmony and success . He and his brother Secretary both could plead being young in their offices . He hoped that the principles underlying the institution of this particular lodge would be copied by other municipalities in London , its inception had caused some comment in the Borough . He had been asked

whether Masonry would not take the sting out of their official speeches ; well , it might , and he hoped that there being less acrimony public life might become more agreeable and make them moderate , charitable , and kind , which he trusted would be the tone of the Borough from this year , as he believed in the dignity of public affairs as much as in that of Masonic affairs . No institution in the land can compare with Masonic aspirations and deeds .

J 3 ro . ALEX . GRANT said that he thought the idea of the teing of the lodge was a step in the right direction , as it gave them the opportunity , as public men , of seeing more of one another than they otherwise might , and he was proud to be one of those taking part in its inception . In proposing "The Officers of the Lodge , " the W . M . observed that they would have the help of two good officers in the persons , of Bros . Geo . Samuel Elliott and Major Wenborn , the latter of whom could teach him ( the

W . M . ) many a lesson as he had seen by his work in the Council Chamber . Bro . Wenborn , we may mention , was the originator of the Co unty Council Lodge . The Tyler ' s toast being given , a memorable Masonic occasion terminated . The Consecrating Officers were Bros . E . Letchworth , as W . M . ; W . Vaughan Morgan , P . G . Treas ., S . W . ; Thos . Hy . Gardiner , J . W . ; J . S . Brownrigg , Chap , j Frank Richardson , D . C . ; and W . H . C . Crump , I . G .: and eight founders signed the book .

Presentation To The Sheriffs Elect.

PRESENTATION TO THE SHERIFFS ELECT .

The presentation of a chain and badge of office to Bro . Sheriff Elect Brooks Marshall , J . P ., took place at the St . Bride's Institute on Monday last , Sir EDWARD LAWSON , Bart ., presiding , said the inscription was as follows : " Presented to Horace Brooks Marshall , Esq ., M . A ., J . P ., & c , by his civic and personal friends on the occasion of his election as Sheriff of the City of London , igoi-2 , as

a token of their esteem and regard . September 23 rd , 1901 . " He had also to ask Mrs . Marshall to accept a diamond brooch bearing the following inscription " Presented to Mrs . Horace B . Marshall on the occasion of the presentation of Shrieval chain and badge to her husband . September 23 rd , 1901 . " This was accompanied by an illuminated album containing the names of the contributors to the fund . In handing these presents to the recipients , he might be permitted

to say that all wished that the Sheriff ' s civic honours might not stop there , but that in the fulness of time he might achieve the highest position it was possible for a citizen to attain , confident as they were that , if that should be so , he would be fully worthy of it , and would maintain the position with infinite dignity and credit . With regard to Mrs . Marshall , all must be aware how much a man in the

position of Sheriff , with responsibilities and hard work always pressing upon him , owed to her who gave peace , happiness , and sympathy in his own home . ( Cheers . ) In that respect he had no doubt that Mr . Marshall had all that his heart could desire , Sir Edward then placed the chain on the Sheriff-Elect ' s shoulders , and concluded by wishing him health , comfort , prosperity , and every possible good .

Bro . Alderman and Sheriff elect Bell ' s numerous friends met at the Institute of Chartered Accountants on Monday last , Dr . EDWIN FRKSHFIKI . D presiding . In making the presentation , he said that all present were personal friends of Mr . Alderman Bell , and most of them were citizens of the ward of Coleman-street . They had met for the purpose of giving their Alderman a tribute of the respect in which they held him , and in thus conferring an honour upon him they were

conferring an honour upon themselves . He looked upon the Alderman as an able representative of the devoted class of citizens who had carried on the work of their great City throughout so many ages . In the case of the Alderman , they were particularly indebted to him because he came forward and accepted the aldermanic gown of the ward at a critical time . He had watched the career of the Alderman since the first day he became a member of the Court of Common

Council . As a Common Councilman he occupied the different important chairs which had to be filled by those who did their duty on the Council , and afterwards he donned the aldermanic gown in the circumstances alluded to . They all knew how well , conscientiously and disinterestedly , he h ; id discharged his duties . Now , it was particularly pleasing that they should be

called upon to welcome him as a Sheriff-elect at this particular time . They knew full well that , if it pleased God to preserve the life of the King , Mr . Alderman Bell would have the satisfaction of being one of the Sheriffs during the Coronation year . ( Cheers . ) They were particularly glad that that honour should have fallen upon the Alderman of Coleman-street , and even more glad

Presentation To The Sheriffs Elect.

that it should have fallen to Mr . Bell ' s lot . ( Hear , hear . ) It was his duty that day to ask Mr . Bel ! to accept at their hands the chain and badge which was usually worn by the Sheriffs during their year of office , and thereafter as Aldermen . Most of them remembered the meeting at which it was determined to form a small committee to arrange for the presentation . He himself was asked to

accept the position of chairman , and , whilst he thought that there were others who had more right to occupy that position , he was very pleased to be able to show thus publicly the deep respect he entertained for the Alderman . The real work , perhaps , had fallen on a few , and amongst them he would mention the two hon . secretaries , and Mr . Lonsdale , the designer of the gift . ( Hear , hear . ) Dr . Freshfield th en read the illuminated address which accompanied the chain .

Consecration Of The United Service Lodge Of Royal Ark Mariners, No. 489.

CONSECRATION OF THE UNITED SERVICE LODGE OF ROYAL ARK MARINERS , No . 489 .

The consecration of the above lodge took place at Mark Masons' Hill , W . C , on Wednesday , the 25 th instant . A Royal Ark Mariners Lodge was opened at five p . m . by Bro . j . Percy White , P . G . N . 364 , and eight brethren were elevated to the Degree . Bro . C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec , then took the chair , and assisted by the following

Grand Officers : Bros . Chas . Belton , as S . J . ; C . Carroll , as S . S . ; Rev . C . E . J . Wright , as Chap . ; J . Tower , as D . of C . ; W . Ki ' pps , as G . Org . ; H . Thorpe , as Guard ; and E . Mills , as W ., performed the consecration ceremony with due solemnity , a very interesting oration , on the principles of the Degree , being ably given by Bro . Rev . C . E . L . Wright .

A Board of Installed Commanders was then formed , and Bro . Vice-Admiral W . H . C . St . Clair was duly enthroned as W . C . N , by the Grand Secretary in his usual able and impressive manner , after which the following officers were invested : Bros . J . Percy White , P . C . N ., as I . P . C . N . ; Capt . N . ( . Hopkins , R . E ., Sen . J . ; C . E . L . Wright , P . C . N ., as S . S . ; Rear-Admiral H . Campbell , Treas . ; John Maitland , Scribe ; Lieut-Col . N . Newnham-Davis , D . of C . ; W . F . Trydell , S . D . ; E . j . Walker , J . D . ; J . Bampton , Guard ; T . Owen Hutchinson , Org . ; and G . F . Beetham , Stwd .

A very hearty vote of thanks was given to the Grand Officers for their kind assistance , and honorary membership of the lodge was conferred upon them . A handsome commemoration jewel was presented to the G . Secretary by the founders . A vote of thanks was given to Bro . J . Percy White for so ably performing the ceremony of elevation ; also to Bro . J . Maitland for his valuable services as Secretary to the founders .

A Committee , consisting of the W . C . N ., I . P . C . N ., and Scribe , was appointed - to draw up and submit for approval the by-laws for the governing of the lodge . The whole of the founders were present , except one , who was unavoidably absent , two are serving their King and country in South Africa , and one in Malta . Letters of congratulation from the brethren in South Africa and a cablegram from Malta were received . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren dined together at Freemasons ' Tavern , where the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . ODGER EVA , 318 . . The funeral of Bro . Odger Eva , borough surveyor , Helston , Cornwall , took place on Thursday afternoon , the igth instant , and was largely attended . Our departed brother was for nearly 30 years a member of Helston Volunteer Company , holding for many years the rank of colour-sergeant . For a long time one of the best shots in the battalion , he won many valuable prizes at the annual

competitions . He was S . D . of the True and Faithful Lodge , No . 318 , meeting at the Masonic Hall , Helston . Great sympathy and respect were shown ; blinds were drawn and shutters closed along the line of the cortege , as well as in other parts of the town . A detachment of Volunteers , without arms , under the command of Capt . Pengilly and Sergeant-Instructor Keats , marched in front of the hearse . The mourning carriage contained Messrs . A . and T . Tredinnick ,

nephews ; Mr . J . Roberts , and E . C . Truscott . The maces , draped with crape , were borne before the Mayor ( Mr . G . Beringer ) , Mr . E . P . Kendall , Aldermen A . E . Radcliffe , T . Taylor , and Councillors J . O . Eva , J . James , A , R . Thomas , F . W . Jeffery , J . Toy , H . Toy , R . G . Rapsun , W . Harris , D . H . Thomas , H . T . Antnony ( assistant town clerk ) , Dr . We . wne ( medical officer of health ) , J . Hendy ( borough accountant ) , W . E . Oats and R . H . Cade ( borough auditors ) . Then followed a large contingent of Freemasons and friends , including Messrs . W . Blackwell , P .

Perring , J . Trenoweth , T . Bragg , W . Coombe , T . Munday , N . Hocking , E . Jory , J . Bassett , J . Lander , W . Edwards , S . R . Harris , W . Trezise , E . D-nstan , T . Bath , E . Quintrell , W . Came , W . Staple , and T . Prisk . The coffin was of unpolished oak with brass mountings , and on it were placed two beautiful wreaths — " With the Mayor ' s deepest sympathy" was on the card , and •' With deepest sympathy to an old friend from John and Madam Roberts , Maenherne . " Rev . W . F . C . Rogers , vicar of Sithney , officiated . By the passing away of our brother the Craft loses a valuable worker , and Helston a useful townsman .

DEATH OF BRO . E . T . E . BESLEY , K . C . Bro . E , Thomas Edmunds Besley , K . C , we regret to learn , died on the iSth instant at his residence , Sydenbam-hill . The ' deceased was the son of Air . Thomas Besley , formerly thc proprietor of the Devonshire Chronicle and E . celer News , and one of his uncles , Bro . Alderman Besley , served the office of Lord Mayor in the year 1 SG 9-70 . Bro . Besley received his education at thc Exeter

Free Grammar School , and on coming to London joined the Parliamentary stall of the Morning Chronicle , subsequently representing the Times in the gallery from 1 S 54 to ' 1864 . He was called to the Bir in 1 S 59 , and thenceforward practised at the Central Criminal Court and on the Home and South-Eastern Circuits . Even in those early days Bro . Besley was considered a clever advocate regarding criminal law , while in after years he enjoyed great eminence in the

department of the profession he made peculiarly his own . Bro . Bdslcy , wha was in his 76 th year , was on thu livery of the Fishmongers' Company and a director of the Lambeth Waterworks and of several gas companies . Mrny members ot the Bar attended the interment of the mortal remains of our late brother , on the 2 ist instant . It may be mentioned that Bro . Besley was one of the selected candidates on the occasion of the appointment of the present Town Clerk in 1 S 65 , and that he frequently acted as the Vacation Judge at the Frid

City of London Court in the absence of Mr . Commissioner Kerr . On ' )' . at the County of London Sessions , Bro . McConnell , K . C , the chairman , paid ¦>• touching tribute to the lite Bro . Besley , stating that all wha were associated wit " him at the Bar had learned to value him as a friend and as a distinguisnea member of the profession . Mr . Grain afterwards spoke for the Bir , andcordialiy endorsed the chairman ' s eulogy . Bro . Besley was a Mason of nearly 4 ° y l ? standing , having been initiated in 1863 in the Grenadiers Lodge , No . Go . « continued a subscribing-member until 1893 , but owing , no doubt , to the deman of his profession he never seems to have aspired to officii .