The Past Year In The West.

THE PAST YEAR IN THE WEST .

THE Craft in Devon and Cornwall , and so in the adjoining counties , has been most active during the past year , and on the whole it has proved a most prosperous time , both , in what is termed Graft Masonry and the higher degrees . The charities have been well supported for local purposes , and fairly well for the central Institutions , but it is undeniable that the educational

funds as raised , managed , and distributed by each separate Province , as in Devon , Cornwall , and Dorset , are increasing in popularity year by year , not only because of their local arrangement , but the costs are practically nil , and the benefits widely

distributed through the neighbourhoods from which the subscriptions are obtained . By these means about twenty-five children are being educated and partly maintained in the three counties named , and many are also assisted subsequently for their advancement in life .

The first festival of the year was for the Boyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and was held under the chairmanship of Lord Dungarvan Prov . G . M . of Somerset , by which the sum of £ 14 , 000 was raised . Dorset sent up 100 guineas , and Somerset obtained £ 246 15 s . The second was for the Girls , when the very

popular Deputy Grand Master the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe presided . His lordship ' s Province sent up over £ 700 , over onehalf being obtained by Bro . E . D . Anderton Prov . G . Secretary of Cornwall , who was one of the Stewards , the others also doing admirably . Somerset forwarded £ 37 16 s . The total for all

England was over £ 16 , 000 . The final festival was for the Boys . Bro . J . Taylor , J . P . ( Torquay ) , as Steward , secured some £ 150 , and Bro . F . B . Westlake ( Plymouth ) over £ 50 . Dorset was represented by £ 210 and Somerset by £ 50 . The large amount of £ 19 , 000 was raised .

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Barnstaple , presided over by Lord Ebrington Prov . G . M . was a successful meeting . After many years of valuable service Bro . W . D . Bogers has retired from the office of Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . Major G . C . Davie P . A . G . D . C . of England being appointed to succeed him , and Bro .

John Brewer has again become Prov . Grand Secretary . Newton Abbot had the honour of receiving the Mark Provincial Grand Lodge , which was presided over by the Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote , Bart ., C . B . ( the Prov . G . M . ) , Captain G . S . Strode-Lowe , of Plymouth , being again the D . Prov . G . M ., and Brother Henry Stocker ( of Exeter ) the Prov . G . Sec . The Prov . Grand

E . A . Chapter was held at Exeter , but the degree is not so prosperous just now as it used to be , in proportion to the increase of membership generally . Knight Templary in Devon has taken a new lease under the genial rule of Major G . C . Davie , J . P ., who has just been installed as the new Prov . Prior , in succession to the Eev . Dr . Lemon , who resigned that office .

The fraternity in Cornwall has been busy through 1895 . The Prov . G . Lodge was convened at Saltash for the first time , and was a great success . The Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe presided , and was once more supported by the veteran Craftsman Sir Charles B . G . Sawle P . G . W . of England the D . Prov . G . M . Brother E . D . Anderton again consented to act as Prov . G . Sec . The Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe was earlier in the year at

The Past Year In The West.

Liskeard to lay the foundation-stone of the Cottage Hospital , with full Masonic honours . The donor , Brother Passmore Edwards , also took part , ably supported by the Mayor , Bro . W . H . Stanton , and other dignitaries . Later on the jubilee of the Lodge at Liskeard was celebrated , fifty years having passed since its inauguration in August 1845 . The members wisely

determined to free their handsome Masonic Hall from debt as the best form of commemoration , so on the day fixed the deeds were duly presented to the W . M . free from all encumbrance . They likewise presented a handsome gold watch and an illuminated testimonal to Bro . E . A . Courtney Prov . S . G . W . of Cornwall , so long the indefatigable Secretary of the Lodge . An address on the history of the Craft for the last fifty years was

read from Brother W . J . Hughan P . S . G . D . of England , thus completing a most enjoyable gathering . Mark Masonry is still as prosperous as ever , with Bro . Sir Charles Sawle as Prov . G . M . and Bro . W . J . Johns as Prov . Grand Secretary . The Cornish Lodge , London , is well supported by Cornish Brethren , and Cornishmen , the present W . M . being Bro . John Leach Barrett ( some time since a resident of Truro ) , Dr . Curnow is the S . W ., and the Eev . Canon Shuttleworth the J . W .

Bro . J . B . Gover P . M . and Secretary of the Lodge St . John , No . 70 , Plymouth , in recognition of his great services for over forty years , was presented by the members with his portrait , and Mrs . Gover with a tea and coffee service—honours well deserved .

The Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe presided at the annual Festival of the Grand Lodge of England in April ( as Deputy Grand Master , in the unavoidable absence of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ) , about 600 being present . Brother John Lane , in recognition of his invaluable work , " Masonic Eecords , 1717-1894 , " was appointed to the rank of P . A . G . D . C . by his Eoyal

Highness the Prince of Wales , G . M ., and as P . A . G . D . C . in the Grand Chapter . Bro . William Lake P . M . 131 , Truro , so long a resident of that city , but during recent years editor of the " Freemason , " London , was invested as Assistant Grand Secretary , and is now chief clerk in the office of the Grand Secretary . These compliments are much appreciated by the local Craft . — " Western Morning News . "

Field-Marshal Lord Eoberts Senior Grand Warden of England , and one of the founders of the National Artillery Lodge , No . 2578 , which is to be consecrated at the Criterion , on the 15 th inst ., will act for the first twelve months as Immediate Past Master to Lieutenant-Colonel J . T . Eitchie , E . A ., the first Master of the Lodge .

On New Year ' s eve , at the Victoria Hall , Weston-super-Mare , the members of the St . Kew Lodge gave their annual treat to the aged poor of the town , when upwards of 350 accepted

tbe invitation and thoroughly enjoyed Masonic hospitalities . A " high tea " having been partaken of , with selections by the Grosvenor Quintet Band at intervals , a miscellaneous programme was gone through , including a minstrel entertainment .

Ad00302

RoyalMasonicInstitutionforGirls, ST . JOHN'S MILL , LONDON , S . W . OFFICES-5 FREEMASONS' HALL , GREAT QUEEN S T R E E ' . T , W . C . Chief Patroness—HEE MAJESTY THE QUEEN . Grand Patron and President -H . E . H . THE PEINCE OF WALES , K . Gr ., & c , M . W . G . M . Grand Patroness—H . E . H . THE PEINCESS OF WALES . Bankers -LONDON & WESTMINSTEE BANK , LTD . ( BLOOMSBCJET BBANCH ) , HIGH HOLBORN , LONDON , W . O . 1830 Girls have been provided with Education , Clothing , and Maintenance , the fall number of Girls now receiving its benefits being 269 . The Names of Brethren willing to serve as Stewards at the 108 th Anniversary Festival , which will take place on Wednesday , 13 th May 1896 , are earnestly solicited . THERIGHTHON.THEEARLOFYARBOROUGH R . W . PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF LINCOLNSHIRE IN THE CHAIR . F . E . W . HEDGES , Secretary , 5 EBEEMASONS' HALL , LONDON , W . C .