Mark Masonry.

T . A . Huband 10 - - - Master Overseer W . Margrett 243 - - - Senior Overseer J . Bruton 439 Junior Overseer Rev . Dr . Lines 340 ... Chaplain J . Balcombe 10 Treasurer

W . Parlby 243 - - - Registrar G . Norman 10 Secretary F . G . Washbourne 340 - - Senior Deacon J . L . Tickell 10 Junior Deacon A . S . Townsend 243 - - - Inspector of Works

W . R . Felcon 10 - - - Director of Ceremonies Conway Jones 439 - - - Sword Bearer Charles Rootes 243 - - Standard Bearer F . Forty 10 - - - - Organist W . L . Evans 10 - - Inner Guard G . Tan ... . Tyier .

With one exception the Lodge business was of a routine character . The reports from the various Lodges in the Province were satisfactory , and showed in each case a good financial position . The balance-sheet of Provincial Grand Lodge itself

showed a considerable sum to its credit , and this fact justified a vote made in anticipation of some " operative work " being undertaken , as proposed , on the initiation of the Craft Masons of Gloucestershire .

The Provincial Grand Master said ifc would be within the knowledge of those present that at the last meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons a Committee had been appointed wifch a view to fche undertaking of some further memorial work , and that it had been already decided by the

Committee that Gloucester Cathedral , which had been previously enriched by the gift of a reredos by the Craft , would offer the most appropriate opportunity for such a work . The Committee had had an interview that day , at the Cathedral , wifch the Dean ( Bro . Dr . Spence ) and fche Cathedral architect , Mr . Waller , with

the result that the choice of an object for the Masons' work had now practically narrowed itself to one between the opening up of the North cloister and the gift of a new pulpit for the nave of fche

Cathedral , either of which objects would be sufficiently distinctive to be suitable for the purpose . A final choice would be made when the Committee had been furnished with the details which Mr . Waller had undertaken to lay before it at an early date .

Bro . the Baron de Ferrieres followed up the statement of the Provincial Grand Master , by the proposal that P . G . Lodge vote £ 25 to be applied to such purpose as fche Committee may

ultimately decide upon , and this having been seconded , was supported by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , as representing the Hereford section , and by members of the outlying Lodges of the Province , and unanimously approved .

A suggestion made by Baron de Ferrieres , at a later stage , that Provincial Grand Lodge should take part , if practicable , in any ceremonial initiation of the undertaking , was also received with favour .

At the conclusion of the proceedings , the members of Provincial Grand Lodge dined together at the Bell , under the presidency of the Provincial Grand Master .

Glasgow Halls.

GLASGOW HALLS .

THE foundation-stone of the Glasgow Masonic Halls , which are in course of erection in West Regent Street , was laid on Saturday with full Masonic honours . The Halls , which are owned by the Glasgow Masonic Hall Company , Limited , will , when completed , form a five-storey building in red sandstone , fronting West Regent Street . The front portion will be let as

business premises , and the back portion will be used for Masonic purposes . It will contain a large hall , 65 ft . by 40 ft ., with reception-room , ladies ' -room , and cloak-room adjoining , suitable for Masonic functions ; and two Lodge Rooms for meetings of Lodgea which have no other suitable place .

The ceremony of laying the foundation-stone was most picturesque . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in St . Mark ' s Hall , Buchanan Street , at a quarter fco three , and received deputations from Grand and Provincial Grand Lodges . The deputations from the Lodges assembled in front of the Municipal

Buildings in George Square , where Acting Provincial Grand Marshal Bro . Wm . Phillips arranged the procession in the usual order , the members of the junior Lodges being in front . The band of the 1 st L . R . V . headed the procession , and the band of the 3 rd L . R . V . was in attendance on the Provincial Grand Lodge .

Arrived at the platform , Bro . John Graham , of Broadstone , Provincial Grand Master of Glasgow and Substitute Grand Master of Scotland presided , being supported on the right by the Depute Provincial Grand Master , and on the left by the Substitute Provincial Master .

Mr . J . L . Cowan , architect , on behalf of fche contractors , presented the presiding Officer with a trowel and mallet , with which he laid the foundation-stone with full Masonic honours , the band of the 3 rd L . R . V . and the Male Voice Choir taking a prominent part in the proceedings .

Glasgow Halls.

In the course of an address Bro . Graham said—Brethren , it has afforded me sincere pleasure , in response to the very kind invitation of the directors of fche Masonic Hall Company , Limited , fco lay the foundafcion-stone of their halls to-day . Ifc is customary , on the laying of foundation stones , to say something

as to the purposes for which the building being erected is to be used . All-present will be aware it is for Masonic purposes . The Brethren in this Province have long been anxious to have suitable buildings erected for their use in Glasgow ; but although about twenty years ago an attempt was made to float a small

company for fche purpose , it is only now that the Brethren are about to have their wishes fully gratified . The building will not be so pretentious as it might have been ; but I feel confident it will serve the purposes of the Brethren for some time to come . They will have a large hall capable of accommodating four to

five hundred people , with all the necessary adornments , which I trust will be a credit to this Province , and where we can receive in a proper manner Visiting Brethren from all parts of the world . There will also be various other halls and adjuncts suitable for all Masonic and even other purposes . Brethren , we

hear and read now and again objections to Freemasonry . The uninitiated , of course , know nothing about it , but let me say that Freemasonry is one of the oldest institutions in the world ; and when properly used possesses a power for good not only fco the individual Mason , but also fco fche community . Masonry is nofc a

religion , bufc I might almost call it the handmaiden of religion , for it teaches Brethren the practice of every cardinal virtue , and especially Brotherly love and charity . Besides ifc is a curious fact that the only universal language in the world is the silent symbolism of Masonry . The amount of Masonic charity

granted in Great Britain will amount to £ 60 , 000 or £ 80 , 000 a year , which , if it does nothing else , benefits the recipients and sends light and sunshire into many a lonely home . I trust all the Brethren of this district , and perhaps other districts , will

further support me in this undertaking , by assisting me in the disposal of the remaining unallocated snares of the Company , so that we may be enabled to open these halls almost , if not altogether free of debt .

The procession then marched to Blythswood Rooms , where cake and wine were served , and the Provincial Grand Lodge closed . — " Glasgow Herald . "

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