Opening Of The New Masonic Temple, Hounslow, Middlesex.

Bro . C . A . Walter , in proposing " The Prov . Grand Master , " said all united in giving him a hearty welcome . This was the third time he had greeted him in Hounslow . The lirst , when he came to seek their support for Parliament ; the second , when he consecrated the Roll Call Lodge , 2523 ; and the third , that night . They looked upon the building

as their freehold . They hoped to see the P . G . M . again soon , and that before long Prov . Grand Lodge would be held at their own home . The P . G . M ., in reply , congratulated them on the commodiousness of the new building , for , having had time to go

through , he found it far exceeded what he had expected . It was a great acquisition to Masonry in that part of Middlesex , and hoped it would be well supported from every point of

view , the province was very much hampered by its curious limitations . Overtures had been made to reduce the ten mile radius from Freemasons' Hall , but had not succeeded , but believed a different mood now prevailed . It would be a great advantage if they could have all the area of Middlesex outside the six mile limit , which would make the province

far more workable . He proposed to approach Grand Lodge and say that , hearing there was a proposition for a revision , he should like to propose on behalf of the province that the area should be increased in the direction of the metropolis . All would have to be consulted , including those that would

be transferred . They had had an excellent meeting that day , because , in Freemasonry , autocracy and democracy reigned supreme . The Master was supreme in the lodge , but outside all were on a footing of equality , this was one of the mainsprings of Freemasonry .

Bro . A . Burnett Brown briefly replied for the Prov . Grand Officers . " The Visitors" and Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .

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A Chicago attorney , having been enticed into a spurious Masonic lodge , under the impression that he would be entitled to recognition among the brotherhood the world over , has haled into court the man who fleeced him . A Chicago paper says : " According to evidence submitted in the Harrison Street police court yesterday , there is an organized band of

swindlers in Chicago who obtain money from unsuspecting victims under the pretence of initiating them into the Masonic Order . Attorney Peter G . Raff , after being laughed at by his friends yesterday , caused the arrest of Meyer Samson , who , he claims , induced him to part with $ 20 to join the ' Hall of

Justin lodge , No . 204 , A . F . & A . M ., ' but investigation failed to reveal any Masonic lodge by that name , and Raff then procured the warrant for Samson's arrest . The Masonic fraternity is interested in the prosecution of Samson . " The Grand Lodge of Kansas has by legislative

pronouncement declared the sale , gift , or printing or use of cipher rituals or secret work , to be a violation against the Constitutions , and an offence against the body of Masonry .

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Liberator Relief Fund.

LIBERATOR RELIEF FUND .

I am aware that a few people have thought this Fund should have been finished some time since , at least when our rough original estimate of its needs came to be realised . But that was clearly because they did not know the facts . If they will kindly take the trouble to read this column , I feel sure they will quickly arrive at another conclusion .

It was impossible to forecast the actual requirements of the Fund . Much has been accomplished . That 3000 destitute or semi-destitute cases have received assistance , and that nearly 1000 of these who were seventy years of age and upwards have been made annuitants and receive their

half-yearly grants as long as they live and are in need , is , indeed , something to be devoutly thankful for . But the simple fact that during the past twelve months more than lift } ' new cases have applied for help , most of them as pitiable as any that had been previously dealt with , is sufficient to

show that the Fund cannot yet be closed . Moreover , a fresh and careful survey of the many hundreds of cases that still remain upon our books has convinced the committee that much still remains to be clone if they would truly carry out its original beneficent purpose .

THE OUTLOOK . There are now 3170 cases registered , of whom no fewer than 6 33 have died since the Fund was started . Of the survivors there are still 659 annuitants , seventy years of age and upwards , whose half-yearly grant is assured to them , but in many cases is felt to be miserably insufficient . Much

better than nothing , undoubtedly ! But how meagre the help has been compared with the heavy loss sustained , is seen in the last report , which shows that the average of the 2161 grants made during the year was less than £ 3 10 s . apieceor £ y a yearwhilst many of the recipients had been

, , accustomed to receive £ 25 , ^ 50 , and in some cases more than ; £ ioo per annum , in the way of interest , from the various companies of the Balfour group . Then there are over 350 cases that are sixty years of age and under seventy , most of them greatly afflicted , and

needing the help quite as much as the annuitants , but ivho have yel lo be provided for . From the foregoing it is , I think , clearly apparent that another ten or twenty thousand pounds are urgently needed to complete this Good Samaritan effort .

SOME TYPICAL NKW CASES . An ex-corn-storekeeper ( age sixty-five ) , who lost ^ 300 in the " Liberator " Building Society , and had only received one quarter ' s dividend when the crash came . His rector writes : — " I have known applicant for more than ten years , and

can testify to the perfect respectability of his character . " He has worked for thirty-five years at the corn stores , which are now given up , and he is so afflicted with rheumatic gout that he is unable to obtain another situation . His wife is seventy-three years of age and nearly blind .

" Trusting that this application may receive favourable consideration , " Believe me , " Yours faithfully , & c . " An architectural draughtsman ( age sixty ) , who lost all his

savings in one of the Balfour group of companies , was at the time of the " Liberator" crash employed in the City , but soon after lost his situation through the death of his employer , and has ever since had a hard struggle to live , through affliction , and his constant failure to obtain more

than occasional work , and many others which space prevents our giving in detail . The last Report , just issued , giving many distressing instances will be gladly forwarded post free by the Secretary .

Cheques and P . O . ' s should be made payable to the " Liberator" Relief Fund , crossed the " London City and Midland Bank , " and sent to the Secretary , Rev . J . STOCKWELL WATTS , 16 , Farringdon Street , London , E . C .