At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar.

lion Act , 18 91 , the scope of the fund has been enlarged , so as to include the maintenance and clothing of children when occasion requires . Bro . E . Fox Thomas , P . G . St . B ., Provisional Grand Charity Representative , presented his toth Half-yearly Report , in which it was stated that during the

last 17 years 595 out of 623 girls entered have passed the Cambridge Local Examinations . It is an interesting fact connected with the preparation of these examinations that the whole of the permanent resident teachers are ex-pupils . Of the boys—8 34 have passed , 224 with honours , and there have been 85 distinctions . The remainder of the business consisted of considering the grants to be made .

© © © There was a very large gathering of Freemasons at Ramsgate on Wednesday , June 13 th , when Earl Amherst , who for over forty-five years has filled the position of Provincial Grand Alaster , was the recipient of a handsome

presentation , which took the form of an album containing 3 , oco signatures . A sum of money was also raised , but at the request of Earl Amherst this was devoted to the purchase of an " Amherst" perpetual presentation to the Alasonic Boys' School . The Congregational Hall had been converted

into a temporary temple , where the presentation was duly made , but previous to this the brethren were received by the Mayor and Corporation , the Mayor ( who is himself a Mason ) cordially welcoming the brethren of the Craft . After attending divine service at St . George ' s Church , a banquet was held at the Victoria Pavilion , thus closing the day ' s proceedings .

© © © The special summer meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nottinghamshire was held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall , Retford , on June 14 th . In the absence of the Provincial Grand Alaster , His Grace the Duke of Portland ( P . G . W . ) , who is abroad , the chair was occupied by the

Deputy Provincial Grand Alaster , the Rev . H . T . Hayman Vicar of Echvinstowe , and Past Grand Chaplain . The acceptance by the Provincial Grand Lodge of the invitation to visit Retford gave great satisfaction to the brethren of the Vernon Lodge , who by courtesy of the Mayor , Alderman

S . Pegler , P . Prov . J . G . W ., P . A . G . D . C , met by dispensation in the Council Chamber , W . Bro . J . Fainnaner in the chair , and after the despatch of business , welcomed the Prov . Grand Lodge . With the exception of three , all the Craft lodges of the province were represented , the

visitors including the Provincial Grand Officers . It was unanimously decided to nominate W . Bro . L . Rockley , P . Prov . G . Purst ., for the Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , upon which the province is unrepresented . The banquet was held at the Criterion

{ Bro . Geo . Lowe ' s ) , under the presidency of the W . M . of the Vernon Lodge , over sixty brethren being present . The local arrangements were admirably carried out by the W . AL and officers of the Vernon Lodge .

© « 5 > © The connection between Freemasonry and Education was recently emphasised by the establishment in Alanchester of the old Mancunians Lodge , tounded by Old Boys of the Grammar School . A more important instance of the favour in which education is held by the Craft in the Province of

East Lancashire is shown at Bury , where a Past Provincial Grand Warden is erecting , at a cost of £ 5 , , a new Central Hall attached to the Grammar School of the borough in Tenterden Street . Lord Stanley , the Provincial Grand Alaster , has promised to lay the foundation stone of the hall with

Alasonic formalities on Monday , the 25 th of this month . It is expected that his Lordship will be attended by a large contingent of the officers so recently invested by him . Further , it is hoped that he may have the assistance of his cousinthe Earl of LathomProvincial Grand Alaster of West

, , Lancashire , and his brother , the Hon . Arthur Stanley , ALP ., Provincial Grand Alaster of the Isle of Alan . The generous donor modestly desires that his name may not be mentioned in connection with the gift , and has made it a condition that it is not to be inscribed on the stone .

The Salopian Magazine ( or June contains a description of the ceremony of laying the first stone of the column erected in honour of Lord Hill , which took place on Tuesday , December 27 , 1814 . It states that the ceremony was performed according to Alasonic rule by the Salopian Lodge of

Freemasons , under the auspices of their Right Worshipful Alaster , the respected chief magistrate , Richard Phillips , Esq ., assisted by the brethren from other lodges . The Salopian Lodge and the deputies from other lodges assembled at the Town Hall at 11 o ' clock , whence they proceeded , decorated

with the various insignia of their different orders , and accompanied by a band of music , to the place of the intended memorial , where , having arrived , they thrice marched round it in solemn procession , and on the Alaster of the Salopian Lodge arriving the third time opposite the stone appropriated for the formal operation they halted .

© © © Bro . the Rev . James Matthews ( chaplain to the lodge ) then advanced to the platform and delivered a most admirable prayer in a truly impressive manner . Space does not permit to give the whole , but the following is quoted in the

magazine : — "We thank thee , O Lord , that he ( Lord Hill ) has returned in safety to his friends and family after the many arduous conflicts in which he has been engaged during the tremendous revolutions of the late eventful war . May his venerable father and f .-imily continue in prosperity , and

himself long live to enjoy the merited honours and rewards conferred on him by his prince and grateful country . Alay the youth of the noble families and gentry of this kind , for ages yet to come , whenever they shall view this stately monument , call to mind the honoured person to whom it is

dedicated , and , while they revere his memory , may imitate his virtuous example by being ever ready to defend the cause of truth , of justice , of loyalty and of true patriotism . Continue , we implore Thee , O Lord , Thy mercy and protection to the United Kingdom ot Great Britain and Ireland . May

its arts and industry , its agriculture and commerce flourish ; and may the losses of a widely extended and long protracted war be speedily retrieved . "

© © © The New Palace Steamers announce that their full service will commence on 23 rd inst ., and on the 24 th inst . the " Koh-i-Noor" will run from Tilbury to Southend , Margate Ramsgate , Deal and Dover , and back . Special trains from

Fenchurch Street and St . Pancras , calling at intermediate stations to Tilbury . On Saturdays the " Koh-i-Noor" will make two trips to Alargate and back . The " Husband ' s Boat" to Alargate , which has become so popular , will leave Tilbury at 4 . 5 p . m ., special express trains from Fenchurch

Street at 3 . 25 p . m ., St . Pancras , 2 . 45 p . m . The " Royal Sovereign" will run daily ( except Fridays in June ) to Southend , Margate and Ramsgate , and back—leaving Old Swan Pier at 9 a . m . weekdays ; Sundays 9 20 a . m .

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