Opening Of A New Masonic Hall At Norwich.

chairs , and adorned with tapestry curtains , and , as in the case of all the landings , has for its floor covering a green cork carpet . THE OPENING CEREMONY .

Headed by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master ( Bro . Hamon le Strange ) , the large company which had assembled proceeded at six o ' clock to the Temple . Here the R . W . P . G . M . was presented with a silver gilt key by the architect ( Bro . A . C . Havers ) , and the door having been unlocked , the company entered .

W . BRO . JAMES E . H . WATSON , P . M ., P . Z ., P . P . A . G . D . C ., P . P . G . TREAS ., CHAIRMAN OF DIRECTORS . The chairman of the direct irs ( Bro . J . E . H . Watson ) presented the gavel lo the R . W . P . G . M ., and requested him to take the chair . Prayer was then offered bv the P . G . Chaplain ( the Rev . Eliott Drake Briscoe ) , and later the

chairman of the directors read a statement relating to the building scheme . Bro . Hamon le Strange , having expressed regret that Lord Suffield , president of the association , was unable to be present , with fitting solemnity dedicated the temple to the service of Freemasonry . He then unveiled a memorial tablet

bearing the names of the president of the association and the directors , the secretary , the builder and the architect . The temple was then declared open for Masonic purposes . Bro . Sir Charles Oilman proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Hamon le Strangeand said this was a memorable occasion

, in the history of Freemasonry in Norfolk . It had long been felt that Masonic meetings should be held with more appropriate surroundings than had hitherto been available , and now this desire had been gratified . Bro . Hamon le Strange , in response , said it was very

satisfactory that Norfolk Masons at last had a home worthy of the Craft . The company , to the number of 120 , subsequently sat down to a banquet , served by the steward ( Bro . Brett ) . In proposing the toast of " The King and the Craft , "

Bro . Hamon le Strange said that when recently he was a guest at Sandringham the King inquired as to the condition of Freemasonry in Norfolk , and as a message to the Craft His Majesty wished it to be known that he continued to take the deepest interest in its welfare , although he was no longer its working head . The toast was received with the greatest enthusiasm .

Bro . Hamon le Strange proposed the health of the President of the Association , Lord Suffield , and stated that he had received a second telegram from him conveying hearty good wishes to the brethren and for the success of the new

enterprise . With the consent of the brethren , he intended to send a suitable reply to Lord Suffield . The health of the Chairman and other toasts followed , and in response to an appeal for additional support to the building fund , shares were taken up by the brethren to the amount of . £ 305 . The proceedings were concluded by a

vocal and instrumental concert . Bro . Watson , the Chairman of the Board of Directors , has taken a great interest in the scheme for the erection of the new building , and by his tact and business ability has pioneered the same to a successful issue . He is a most enthusiastic member of the Craft , and during a long Masonic career has done much good work in the province .

lNTiSHlOR VIEW OF TEMI'LE .