At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar.

We have recently come across an Eastern exchange which has a leading article entitled " The Masonic Sweep . " We have heard of the Masonic loafer , and similar undesirable specimens of the Order , but it would seem as if a lower level still had been reached , until it was discovered that a Masonic

sweepstake was referred to . This is an excrescence on the Craft , little known in this country , but Avell known in India , where the possible result of the Derby excites much more interest even than the incidence of the purple . Certain zealous brethren in the presidency towns issue books of

tickets and circulate them broadcast all over the country to lodge secretaries , with a promise of a ten per cent , commission on all takings . The several District Grand Masters have condemned the unmasonic character of these proceedings , but it is quite evident that our Indian brethren require to be reminded that free and accepted Masonry may be speculative , but it certainly is not speculating .

Bro . R . Norman has just entered on his fifty-seventh year of office as Tyler of the Apollo Lodge at Beccles , Suffolk . This , we think , must be a record in unbroken continuity of semce . © © © A warrant for a new Kentish lodge , to meet at Maidstone

, has been granted , to be limited to installed Masters of the different lodges of the district , on the lines of the Jubilee Masters' Lodge of London , the Foster Gougli Lodge of Stafford , and other representative bodies already working in some of the other provinces .

© © © On July ioth , the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress gave a reception and conversazione at the Mansion House to the members of the Masonic Lodges and Chapters to which the Lord Mayor belongs . In all about 1 , 100 ladies and gentlemen accepted the invitation .

Manica Lodge, No. 2678.

Manica Lodge , No . 2678 .

THE Ninth Installation Meeting of the Manica Lodge , No . 2678 , Umtali , Eastern Rhodesia , took place on Thursday , 21 st June , at the Freemasons' Hall , Umtali , when Bro . John Sime was installed W . M . For this small town—on the outskirts of the British Empire , on the borders of

Portuguese East Africa and the most Eastern lodge in Southern Africa—there was a goodly muster of brethren , numbering thirty-three . Among the eight installed Masters

Photo hi / . Vein , VuitaU , lUwtletia . OFFICKlfS . MK . AIBKHS AND VISITORS AT INSTALLATION Ml ' . KTIXC , JUNK ^ lsr .

present was W . Bro the Rt . Rev . Bishop Gaul , Bishop of Mashonaland , W . Bro . A . McDowall , the retiring W . M ., acted as Installing Master , and carried out the duties in the impressive and eloquent manner that has characterised his work during the past year . The following Brethren

were appointed as officers for the ensuing year , and were duly invested : Bros . F . A . Yates , S . W . ; P . B . Snashall , J . W . ; Rev . R . Wodehouse , Chaplain ; A . McDowall , I . P . M . and Treasurer ; H . Picton Miles , Sec . ; W . M . Wilkie , S . D . ;

J . A . Methuen , J . D . ; T . B . Hulley , P . M ., D . C . ; A . S . Coutts , Organist ; F . A . Sword , I . G . ; and H . C . Davis , Tyler . During the meeting , W . Bro . T . B . Hulley , the first W . M . of the Lodge , was presented by the retiring W . M . with a P . M . ' s Collar , Apron and Gauntlets , as a token of

the esteem from the Brethren of the Lodge , and W . Bro . A . McDowall , the retiring W . M ., was presented with a handsome P . M . ' s Jewel . The installation was celebrated by a

Masonic Ball , in the spacious Volunteer Drill Hall , and in consequence the usual Toasts after labour were brief , but none the less heartily proposed and received by the Brethren . The ball was most successful in every way . The elaborate decorations of the hall with the local palms and other foliage

helping , with the dresses of the ladies , and the regalia of the brethren present , to make a very pretty and refreshing scene . About one hundred and thirty brethren and guests joined in the dancing , which was kept up till about 2 a . m .