Knights Templar.

Aitken-Davies , i 3 ° , 10 , P . G . C . ; S . Jew , 10 , P . P . G . T . ; and P . B . Clemens , E . P . 25 . The officers invested were Sir Knights J . H . Keats , P . W . of R ., P . E . P . ; J . Du Pre , Constable ; F . Crouch , Marshal ; Rev . T . W . Lemon , Chap . ; ] . H . Keats , Treas . ; F . R . Thomas , Reg .: J . R . Wilson , ' P . G . T ., Sub-Marshal ; G . Dunsterville , P . A . D . C ,

C . of G . ; J- Leonard and A . J . Verdi , Std . Brs . ; and J . Gidley , Equerry . The annual refection was held in the evening at the Devon and Cornwall Freemasons' Club , Plymouth , and the E . P ., Sir Knight D . Cross , presided . After the refection a very pleasant evening was passed . Between the toasts , the V . E . G . Prov . Prior , the Rev . T . W . Lemon , availed himself of an opportunity to give the

sir knights an interesting account of the history of the Order from the date of its foundation in A . D . inS . From that date to the present , he said , it had continued to exist . It suffered in A . D . 1313 great persecutions from Philip the Fair of France and Pope Clement V ., also the martyrdom of the then Grand Master , Jacques de Molay , on March nth in that year . Those events had occasioned great

changes in the relations of the Order in many countries to the outer world ; but it had maintained an unbroken history to the present day . Although the machinations of the King of France and the Pope then occasioned an apparent suppression of the Order , Jacques de Molay before his death appointed his successor , and an unbroken line of Grand Masters had existed ever since .

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

Order of the Secret Monitor .

CLEVE FAST CONCLAVE ( No . S ) . —A meeting of this conclave was held on Monday , the 25 th inst ., at Mullin's Hotel , Ironmonger-lane , E . C . Present : Bros . W . J . Spratling , G . R ., as S . R . ; E . C . Mulvey , G . ; Japheth Tickle , Treas . ; L . M . Biden , Sec . ; Col . Gordon , Stwd . ; J . Thomas and J . K . Cama , V . D's . ; W . Shutt , Guarder ; Hills , and other brethren .

A letter from Bro . D . P . Cama , Past Grand Treasurer of England , P . E . Guide , was read , asking the brethren to allow him to wait another year before he occupied the S . R . ' s chair . The brethren therefore unanimously elected Bro . E . C Mulvey , Guide , to that office . A circular from the E . R . was read , stating that the ritual of the Second Degree is now ready , and might be communicated to

brethren at the discretion of the S . R . Several brethren gave in their names as candidates for admission at an emergency meeting to be held on the last Monday in May . Bro . VV . Shutt was unanimously recommended to the G . S . R . to act as Grand Steward for this conclave . The conclave being closed , the brethren sat down to a

very enjoyable dinner , provided in the hotel . During the evening , the G . R . stated that he had just issued warrant No . 14 to go to Madras , and several other conclaves were in course of formation . He also announced the approaching consecration of the Royal Sussex Conclave at Brighton on April 15 next . Bro . A . Stewart Brown is the S . R . designate , and Bros . Lamette and Buckwell the principal officers .

Ireland.

Ireland .

MASONIC CONVERSAZIONE OF THE ST . PATRICK'S LODGE , No . 77 , AT NEWRY . On Thursday , the 21 st inst ., the brethren of St . Patrick's Lodge , No . 77 , gave a most enjoyable conversazione in the Masonic Hall , Downshire-road , when there was a numerous and select attendance of the members of the Craft and their lady friends . The idea of the promoters was to commence with a

concert and literary entertainment , to be succeeded by an impromptu dance . Shortly after eight o ' clock a large company assembled in the lodge room , which had been suitably and tastefully , though simply , decorated . The first item on the programme was a pianoforte solo by Bro . William Johnson , which was executed in his

accustomed brilliant and accurate style . Then followed Bro . Robert Dempster , who was in magnificent voice , and -who gave "TheYeoman ' s Wedding , " and , as an encore , the humourous ditty , ' In a Casual Way , " which elicited much amusement and hearty applause . The greatest treat of the evening was afforded by Miss L . H . iHeather , who recited " The Gambler ' s Wife . " For

an amateur her intelligent appreciation of the dramatic exigencies of the selection was truly remarkable . There Was no rant or overstraining of effect in her management of a piece of composition , which , from its inherent artificialities , presented a hundred difficulties to the reciter . An undeniable encore resulted , to which Miss Heather acceded with a really capital interpretation of Tennyson ' s

wellknown " Clara Vere de Vere , " in which all the modulations of scorn , reproof , indignation , contempt , and expostulation were most graphically conveyed . Long sustained a Pplause was accorded the efforts . A recognised favourite with Newry audiences , Miss Rennie , was warmly received in the pretty song , " Only a Rose , " and other vocal selections , in which she was heard to much advantage , and for

which she gained the unmistakable approbation of the listeners . Mr . Reid Gibb's song , "Afterwards , " was given with great taste , and was much appreciated . Master J- Stewart gave two violin solos , and displayed considerable promise . A very taking vocal selection by J ?™ - Geo . F . Alderdice , given with all his wonted spirit and finish , was the next item . There was a unanimous

redemand , to which he responded . Bro . J . C . Nicholson ave a forcible treatment of the stirring story of "The ir ! i n , ght March t 0 Tel-el-Kebir , " and , as an encore , "The 1 'itth of November at Inkerman . " For his rendering of 'he song , " I am waiting , " Bro . Emra Holmes was recalled , and repeated the last verse . Bro . W . Rennie gave " When ° ther lips , " and was loudly encoredto which he acceded

, , ™ uch to the satisfaction of his hearers . Several comic songs by Bro . Wm . Johnson , inimitable as usual , brought Af ? ncert P ° g ramine to a conclusion , th n fhe s ' S S of tbe National Anthem , " God save wh' h if "' " the com P any adjourned to the dining room , men had been prepared for dancing , which was carried on uutil about three o ' clock .

Ireland.

A capital supper was purveyed by Mrs . Marion in firstclass style . The brethren appeared in Masonic costume—the Craft , Royal Arch , Prov . Grand Lodge of Down and Mark Grand Lodge , Knight Templars , and Ancient and Accepted Rite 31 , being all represented . It would be a good thing for Masonry if Masonic conversaziones were more general , as too little is done to interest the fair sex in the Craft , especially in the provinces .

East Indies.

East Indies .

RANGOON . —Victoria in Burmah Lodge ( No . 832 , E . C ) . —At a meeting of the above lodge , held on the nth January , in the Masonic Buildings , there were present Bros . Rev . J . Fairclough , P . G . Chap . ; W . A . Nicol , P . M . ; J . Dawson , P . M . ; A . M . Buchanan , P . M . ; Rev . Dr . J . E . Marks , P . M . ; H . Godber , P . M . ; T . N . Seymour , P . M . : B . Samuel , P . M . ; A . C Federico

P . M .. C Preston , P . M ., R . A . Spiers , P . M ., N . Burgorjee , P . M ., J . Patterson , P . M ., A . S . A . Akbar , W . M ., W . G . Thornton , G . A . Whyte , and H . A . Noetal , of 614 ( E . C ); J . VV . Olive , P . M . 1268 ( E . C . ) ; G . Bridgewater , S . C . Sookhia , E . Lewis , H . G . Whitney , P . M . Madooray Pillay , VV . H . Hooper , T . Dutton , E . A . Barron , E . J . Neal , A . O . Rainford , F . Hart , A . Cook , S . Andrews , E .

Reilly , J . Graham , B . Brierly , G . P . W . Lindop , E . T . Dover , C . Savage , J . Johnston , 93 ( E . C . ); W . Doughty and G . Wheeler , of 1906 ( E . C . ) Bro . George Bridgewater , S . W ., was duly installed as W . M . for the ensuing year by his predecessor , Bro . the Rev . J . Fairclough , D . D . G . M . After the usual ceremony , Bro . Briduewater proceeded to invest his officers , of whom

the following is a list : Bros . Rev . J . Fairclough , l . P . M . ; H . G . Whitney , S . W . ; Arthur Cook , J . W . ; J . Dawson , P . M ., D . C ; VV . A . Nicol , P . M ., Treas . ; W . H . Hooper , Sec ; Madooray Pillay , S . D . ; S . Andrews , J . D . ; J . Graham , I . G . ; and C . Savage , Org . The investiture of Bro . A . Ramford as Tyler was postponed till next month . The lodge then unanimously voted a sum of 150 rupees to

be given to Bro . Rev . Dr . J . E . Marks , towards the support of his large Orphan School . The lodge having been closed , the brethren and their guests adjourned to the banqueting hall , where a sumptuous banquet was served , the band of the B . S . R . V . R . playing during dinner . The patriotic and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

and the Chairman proposed "The District Grand Lodge of Burma , and the Sister District Grand Lodges in India . " Bro . Rev . Fairclough , in replying , referred to the pleasant nature of the present gathering , and said that all the Masons in the province regretted that they did not see more of their District Grand Master , and Col . Plant had requested him to express his regret that his public

duties prevented him from meeting the brethren as much as he desired during the past year , and he hoped he could meet them oftener during the one now entered on . The rev . brother then proposed "The Health of the present W . M ., Bro . G . Bridgewatei , " the band playing " See the conquering hero comes . " He said he heartily congratulated the brethren of Victoria Lodge on their

choice of a W . M . Since he had known Bro . Bridgewater , he had always found him a most enthusiastic Mason , and the brethren had often seen how well he was up in the work . During his own year of office , he had often called upon him to give the address or the lecture on the tracing board , and he had never been found wanting . He heartily wished Bro . Bridgewater a successful term of office , and

felt quite sure Victoria Lodge would never regret its choice . Bro . Bridgewater then rose , and in a few suitable words returned thanks to the very worshipful brother for the way in which he had proposed his health and to the brethren for the way thev had received it . The W . M . then p ' rooosed the toast of "The I . P . M .,

Bro . J . Fairclough . " He said he felt that the fact of being appointed the successor of so distinguished a Mason as Bro . Fairclough added greatly to the honour of being chosen the Master of the lodge for the ensuing year . The last speaker had said that Lodge Victoria would not regret that choice , and he could only say that he relied on the assistance of the many P . M . ' s and members of the lodge , and

with such help , and with the great affection which he entertained for Victoria Lodge , he trusted he would be able to hand it over to his successor in the same efficient condition as it had been handed over to him that evening by his predecessor . He had always tried to do his duty as a Mason , and he loved the ancient Charitable Society as a Mason should do , and his ambition had been , since he had

become a Mason six years ago , to become a ruler of the Craft—the very highest position in Masonry—to which he had that day attained , and , with the examples of his predecessors before him , he feared he would really be a bad Mason if he did not succeed in keeping the lodge in its present prosperous condition . He felt this toast would be enthusiastically responded to with full Masonic honours .

Bro . Rev . J . Fairclough suitably returned thanks . Bro . Joseph Dawson next proposed the toast of " The Present and Past Officers " in the following terms : As the oldest Past Master oE this lodge and tbe recently-appointed Director of Ceremonies , and thus a link between the Past and Present , I gladly propose this double toast . Among our present officers we have some brethren of tried

ability , who did their work mest creditably during tha past year , and have well deserved their present advancement . Among these I would include our present W . Master , Bro . Bridgewater , and Bro . Whitney , and I feel sure that the brethren appointed to office in this lodge for the first time will emulate their predecessors in working a lodge like Victoria , that can show a brilliant record of what

its officers have done in the past . This lodge was first opened , 2 S years ago , under the hiram of the late Bro . Col . Greenlaw , as a military lodge , but , like its older sister—Star of Burma—it was always cosmopolitan . Its fees and subscriptions have always been such as to encourage under its banner the high , the low , the rich and poor . It has produced in the past Masons of distinction ,

and , if its traditions be faithfully followed , it will continue to do so in the future . Its founder and his successor , Bro . Col . Duncan , were Masonic stars of the first magnitude . Both received Grand Lodge distinction , and were the first District Grand Masters of this province . To their untiring zeal and energy we owe this building in which we have our Masonic ceremonies and entertainments . To them also do we owe the rise and progress of that grand

East Indies.

benevolent institution , thc Greenlaw Masonic Orphan Society , which has done so much good in this province . Our lodge funds have been so successfully managed that our donations for benevolent purposes , as can be testified to by Bro . Rev . Dr . Marks , are second to no other lodge in the province . We are indebted to our old Past Masters , Bro . General Duncan and Bro . Henry Prince , for the

successful presentation of our address and casket to our beloved Queen on the occasion of her Jubilee . Our I . P . M ., Bro . Rev . Fairclough , we are proud to say , has been made a Past Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of England , and I feel sure I echo the wish of every lodge in the province when I say they would hail with delight his appointment as the next District Grand Master of the Province .

1 shall couple this toast with the name of Bro . Rev . Dr . Marks , who is also a Past Master of this lodge . Bro . Dr . Marks responded in a characteristic speech . Bro . Whitney proposed " The Sister Lodges . " Bro . R . A . Spiers , in responding , said : Worshipful Sir and Brethren , —I rise on behalf of Lodge Star of Burma to thank you for the very hearty manner in which you

have responded to the toast of the sister lodges . Lodge Star of Burma is always sure of a hearty welcome from her younger sister Victoria , and the cordial reception which she ( the Star ) has met with to-night proves no exception to therule . We are all pleased to see Bro . Bridgewater W . M . of this lodge ; he is also , I am proud to say , a member of the Star , and 1 speak with authority when I say that he is an

earnest , hardworking , conscientious Mason . Seeing Bro . Bridgewater sitting in the Eastern chair of this lodge makes members of the Star feel as if they had a sort of vested interest ( if I may so speak ) in this lodge and its affairs ; and while , as I said before , our welcome here has always been most hearty and cordial , still when one looks at the cheerful , kindly face which we are all so well acquainted

with , and which we all love so well , it makes us feel as if we were really members of one family . I will conclude by saying , worshipful sir , that the Star of Burmafully reciprocates the hearty reception which her representatives have met with to-night , and she wishes you , through me , a happy , successful , and prosperous year of office . Bros . Olive and Akbar also responded .

Bro . A . Cook gave "The Guests . " Bro . Preston and Mr . Miils made suitable acknowledgments . Bro . W . A . Nicol , in proposing the toast of "The Ladies , " said : Wor . Sir and Brethren , —It is most unusual , I think , to call on a married brother to give one of the last but by no means the least toasts of the evening ; such a toast

should have been assigned to bachelor brethren who have not yet taken the serious step , and are more imaginative and gallant on such a subject . Most of us have wives , sisters , and daughters , and , as Freemasons , we are enjoined to love , honour , and cherish them ; they stimulate us to excel in noble deeds , and though some have irreverently said they share our joys , double oursorrows , and treble our expenses ,

yet we cannot do without them , as I see more married brethren than bachelors in our Fraternity . I therefore ask you , brethren , to join with me in drinking to thc health of the ladies , coupling with the toast one of our bachelor brethren , Bro . Johnson , to respond . Bro . Johnson responded ; and , after the Tyler ' s toast , the party separated , after spending a most pleasant evening .

Laying The Foundation Stones Of New Masonic Hall At Sittingbourne.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONES OF NEW MASONIC HALL AT SITTINGBOURNE .

A numerous , important , and interesting gathering of thc brethren of St . Michael ' s Lodge , No . 1273 , took place at Sittingbourne , on Wednesday , the 13 th inst ., under the leadership of the W . M ., Bro . Henry Marris , for the purpose of laying the foundation stones of the new Masonic Hall about to be erected in Albany-road , Park-road , Sittingbourne , through tbe liberal instrumentality of Bro .

Charles Burley , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , P . Z . 12 7 , and P . P . G . S . B . ( Arch ) . Bro . Burley has already been a munificent supporter of Freemasonry at Sittingbourne , especially in the foundation of St . Michael ' s Royal Arch Chapter , in 1 S 83 , when he presented the whole of the furniture , & c , to the chapter , besides liberally contributing to the consecrating expenses . But the climax of Bro .

Burley s liberality to our Order , and especially to St . Michaels Lodge and its brethren , is now to be reached by the erection of the St . Michael ' s Masonic Hall , and which Bro . Burley is having built . The W . M ., Bro . Henry Marris , and the brethren of the lodge , and visitors having assembled at the site of the new hall ,

TheW . M . addressed the brethren on the object of their meeting , and the various circumstances in connection with the erection of their new Masonic Hall , and called on Bro . W . J . Harris , Senior Past Master of St . Michael ' s Lodge , and Prov . S . G . W ., to lay the first foundation stone on behalf of Bro . Charles Burley , who , greatly to the regret of the brethren , was prevented , through severe indisposition , from

being present . Previous to the commencement of the ceremony of laying the foundation stones , a prayer was offered by Bro . the Rev . VV . HENRY BOND , P . M . St . Michael ' s Lodge , and Prov . G . Chap . Bro . HARRIS , before laying the foundation stone on behalf of Bro . Burley , addressed the W . M . and brethren

, heartily congratulating them on the fact that ere long they would have a home of their own , in which at all times and on convenient occasions they could practice the working of their mystic arts and ceremonies to the edification of themselves and to the benefit of Freemasonry in general . The mortar having been spread , the stone was lowered into position under the direction of Bro . Laurance Seager ,

S . W . of the lodge , the architect and builder of the hall . Bro . Harris then tested the stone by the plumb , level , and square , and , in the name of the G . A . O . T . U ., declared the stone to be well and truly laid . Bro . HARRIS then called on Bro . Henry Marris , W . M . 1273 , to lay the second foundation stone in the name and

on behalf of the lodge , which Bro . MARRIS proceeded to do , and offered his warmest congraiulatiuns to the brethren on the hap ^ y work they were engaged in that day , and assured them the great pleasure it gave him to know that soon they would have , as Bro . Harris had said , a home of their own , in which they could meet and discharge those Masonic duties so dear to them all . He ( Bro .