A Veteran Knights Templar.

A Veteran Knights Templar .

r pHE subject of our portrait , Illustrious Bro . Sir Richard I Howard , of Greenhill House , Weymouth , deserves more at our hands than a short paragraph in ( his our January number , and it is with sincere regret that we have to chronicle his resignation as Provincial Prior of Dorset , after

having , with distinction , filled that important position since the 31 st July , 1891 , Sir Richard at that time following as Provincial Prior that most worthy Mason , John Montague Pulteney Montague .

EMINENT KXH ; HT SIR RICHARD HOWARD . Knight Templary in Dorset suffers a distinct loss by the resignation we now chronicle , and it will indeed be difficult to follow such a Prior , for Sir Richard has shown by

his zeal and interest that no sacrifice of time or ability was too great when spent in the cause of Knight Templary . Up to quite recently , the Preceptories in Dorset were regularly visited by their Provincial Prior , who thus kept himself in intimate touch with the illustrious brethren and sir knights of the province . The Knight Templars of Dorset will also miss those annual gatherings at the mansion of their

Provincial Prior , which overlooks the magnificent Bay of Weymouth , and where , at those annual banquets , everyone attending was made so truly welcome to the princely hospitality of Greenhill House . In every Degree in Masonry Sir Richard has taken an active interest and prominent part , and the valuable services

rendered by him have been constantly recognised . Sir Richard is a member of Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Rite , 32 ° , and is a Past Most Wise Sovereign of Weymouth Rose Croix Chapter , No . 4 . In the Craft , the Most Worshipful Grand Master appointed

him in 1888 to the position of Junior Grand Deacon , and the Grand Superintendent the same year appointed him to distinguished rank in Grand Chapter , Sir Richard having , previously to this , held the offices of Senior Grand Warden of Dorset and Past Master in All Souls Lodge , No . 170 ,

Weymouth , also Grand H . in Provincial Grand Chapter of Dorset and M . E . Z . of All Souls Chapter . The Mark Degree also had his sympathy and warm support , and from 1882 to 18 94 we find him filling the important post of Deputy Provincial Grand Mark Master

of Dorset . Sir Richard holds considerable voting power in all the great Masonic Charities . He is a Vice-Patron to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , a Vice-President to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , a Life Subscriber to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and a Vice-President of the Dorset Masonic Charity .

With such a Masonic record , it is not a matter of surprise to find in Sir Richard a worthy citizen , and one who has given both time and talents for the benefit of his town and all that concerns its best and truest interests . He was seven times elected Mayor of the ancient Borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis , and was for many years an Alderman

of the Borough , and is also a Justice of the Peace . Sir Richard is one of the very few still remaining whose knowledge is often sought for in matters affecting Weymouth in the olden times , and perhaps it may not be too much to say he is the authority on these matters .

On the 29 th May , 1886 , Her late Majesty Queen Victoria of honoured memory marked her appreciation of Sir Richard ' s worth by conferring upon him the honour of knighthood , and in 18 94 we find Sir Richard resigning his position as an Alderman of the Borough , and at the same time its

Mayor for the seventh time , in order to fill the honourable and responsible post of Town Clerk , the duties of which office he still continues to discharge . Although our illustrious Bro . Sir Richard Howard is retiring from the position of Provincial Prior of Dorset , we

trust it may be many years before we shall have to miss him from the Masonic gatherings in London and the pi evinces , and we pray the Most High to grant that he may enjoy a well-earned rest in his partial retirement from the more active duties of this ever-busy age .

Installation Meeting Of The Port Natal Lodge, No. 738.

Installation Meeting of the Port Natal Lodge , No . 738 .

THE installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Smith Street , Durban , Natal , on the nth December , when there was a large gathering of members and visitors . The installation ceremony was performed in an efficient manner by Bro . A . N . Scott , I . P . M ., D . G . D . of C , who also gave the customary proclamations .

Bro . T . J . Harding , P . M ., having been installed , in lucid terms explained the jewels to each officer on his investment , and the usual addresses to the Worshipful Master , Wardens , and brethren were given by Bro . W . J . Marriott , P . M ., D . G . D . The following officers were invested by the Worshipful

Master -. —Bros . T . Wallace , S . W . ; A . V . Bulslrode , J . . ; A . N . Scott , I . P . M ., Treasurer ; H . Heydeman , Secretary ; T . T . Poyntoii , S . Di ; "j . Swan-Young , J . D . ; S . H . James , P . M ., D . C . ; F . Winfield , I . G . ; P . C . Culver and S . C . Smith , Stewards ; and E . Laverach , Tyler . After the closing of the lodge the brethren adjourned to

an excellent banquet , under the genial presidency of the W . M ., where covers were laid for over 100 guests . The customary loyal toasts were given and cordially received . A musical programme was provided , and the Tyler ' s toast closed a most successful and enjoyable evening .