Widnes Examiner. — 1887-11-12 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

MASONIC BANQUET AND PRESENTA TION AT NEWTON.  The brethren of the Makerfield Lodge, No. 2,155, of Freemasons, held their first anniversary since its consecration at their Masonic Rooms, the Pied BUll Hotel, Newton, on Tuesday .evening, under the presidency of their W.M. Brother R Brierley. The lodge was opened in masonic form, and a candidate was initiated by the W.M. A hoard of instal masters was formed, and Brother Henry. Stones was installed W.M. for the ensuing year by Brother W. Goodall,P.G.S.. B.Prov.G.Sec.. who was supported by Brother Murray. P.Prov., D. of C.; W. 11. Robinson, Prov., D. of C.; Brother D. M. 'F. Gaskin, Prey. G.Treas.: Brother R. Brierley, P. Prim, G. S. of W.; and a numerous retinue of past masters from neighbouring towns. After the W.M. was installed in solemn form he proceeded to invest his officers far the ensuing year, as follows :—J.P.M. Brother Richard Brierley; S.W., Brother James Blundell: J.W., Brother James 'Lambert; Treas., Brother S. Hewitt; Secretary, Brother J. Adams; SD, Brother P. Hall (whose investiture was deferred through Brother Hall's illness) ; J.D., Bro. Peter Garton; J.G. Brother E. L. Bent; Stewards, Brothers T. Ormand and E. Fairclongly; organist Brother C. E. Arnott ; and Tyler, Brother John Devereux. The Installing Master ('Brother Goodacre) then gave the usual charge to the W.M., officers, and brethren; and the lodge afterwards proceeded .to elect Brother Daniel,' P.M., as its representative, on the Masonic Charities Committee. The eports of the treasurer and audiItors were deferred to a future meeting. An interesting presentation then took place ; this consisting of the presentation to the Immediate Past 'Master (Brother Brierley) of the " Jewel " of 'his office. The " Jewel " was of an extremely pretty description, being in the form of a medal, containing a design of the Makerfield crest, enclosed in a scroll, upon the latter being the words, Founder, Ashtonin-Makerfield Lodge, 2,155." On the reverse side was engraved the sentence, "Presented to Brother R. Brierley, P.M., first W.M. of the ledge, Newtonle-Willows. Nov. 15th, 1887." The " Jewel" was attached to a ribbop. above which were the masonic emblems, and the whole were encloeedi in a handsome case. The presentation was made by the W.M., who spoke very highly of Brother Brierley's services as tha founder of that lodge and as its first W.M.—Brother Brierley acknowledged the gift in appropriate terms.---The lodge was then closed in Masonic form.  The members subsequently commemorated the festival of St. John by holdibg a banquet in the large room of the Pied Bull Hotel. The repast, provided ty Mr H. J. Bond. was ot a first-class character. The W.M., Brother Stone, was supported by the Grand Provincial Officers and others, and about fifty gentlemen sat down. The usual loyal toasts were honoured with tpusical accompaniments. The W.M. proposed "The healths of the Hon. the Earl of Camarvon, W.M., Provincial Grand Master, and the rest of the Grand Officers\ present and past ; " and Brother Goodacre responded. The W.M. also gave 'The healths of the Earl of Lathom, Deputy Grand Master. Provincial Grand Masters, and the Provincial Grand Officers, past and present ; " and this was responded to by Brother D. M. F. Gaskin. The "Masonic Charities" was proposed by the W.M., and ably responded to by Brother Murray. The toast of the evening, "The health of the was given by Brother R. Brierley, and responded to by Brother Henry Stones, W.M. The W.M. next gave "The health of the I.P.M. (Brother Brierley)," and the latter, in responding, thanked the members of the lodge for their attendance and support during the year, and hoped they would give the same attention and care to thee W.M. for the ensuing year. The toast of "The healths of the Officers of the Lodge" was next given, and responded to; after which Brother Brierley, 1.P.M., proposed "The visiting brethren," of whom there was a goodly representation, and Brothers Rigby, McLellan, and others responded. The concluding toast was "All poor and distressed Masons," and this was appropriately honoured. The proceedings Were interspersed with musical selections efficiently rendered by Brothers W. H. Young, W. D. Burdis, Evans, and others.  At the Warwickshire Assizes, on Thursday, Thomas Payne, labourer, was sentenced to death for die murder of his sister-in-law, Charlotte Taylor, at Coventry, in August last. " Marriage," says ohn Seiden, "is a desperate thing: the frogs in ,Esop were extremely wise; they had a great mind to some water, but they would not leap into the well, because they could not get out again."  r4.'  .  A Uts,,t,.