Gloucestershire.

which the annual holiday , provided by the meeting of Prov . G . Lodge , gave him , and especially in the present instance , where the members had been the recipients , at the hands of the local Lodge , of hospitality which could not be surpassed . Replying to the invitations which had been extended by the various Lodges for

his presence with them , Sir Michael remarked that he was willing to enter into an agreement with Bro . J . B . Winterbotham . The Provincial Grand Secretary was addicted to that , unprofitable pursuit—politics—and had also no inconsiderable influence with the misguided electorate . In three years hence circumstances

would no doubt arise which would relieve him ( the speaker ) of the , duties and responsibilities in which he was at present engaged . Being then a free man , he would undertake , in company with Bro . Winterbotham , the visits to the various Lodges in the Province from which in former years he had derived so great a measure of enjoyment . He congratulated the

Province on the fact that two Lodges had been started during his occupancy of the Provincial Grand Master ' s office , and that another at Nailsworth was about to be instituted ; and the fact that no less than 2 , 500 guineas was to be contributed from its members to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys was one the Province might well take pride in .

The Prov . Grand Master also proposed the toast of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bro . R . V . Vassar-Smith , and Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge , present and past , and the Brother named acknowledged the high compliments paid to himself and the other Officers .

The Lodges of the Province was proposed by Bro . Vassar-Smith , special reference being made to the hospitable reception accorded that day by the St . George . In the absence of the W . M . Bro . Banaster , the " Father of the Lodge , " Bro . F . W . Moore responded .

Bro . Major-Gen . Vizard proposed the Masonic Charities , and the list was closed by the toast , from the chair , of the Visitors , for whom Bro . Lucy responded .

East Lancashire.

EAST LANCASHIRE .

THE annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Wednesday , 18 th ult ., in the Philips Hall , Bury . Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie Provincial Grand Master presided , and there were also present a large number of members of Provincial rank , headed by Capt . C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds P . G . D . Deputy of the Province . The total number present was

about 500 . The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened , the roll was called . It appeared that of the 113 Lodges in the Province all were represented save one . Two new Lodges—one at Radcliffe and the other at Oldham—had been formed during the year , and the returns of membership , exclusive of these , which , as yet , have made no returns , show that there are 4 , 611 subscribing members in East Lancashire .

Brother J . Hardcastle ( Bolton ) P . G . Treasurer presented the financial statement , which set forth that the year was commenced with a balance in hand of £ 509 . Contributions of Lodges and other sources of income produced £ 688 , and dividends from investments £ 86 , making a total of £ 1 , 284 . There had been voted in donations : to the East Lancashire

» Systematic , & c , Institution , £ 50 ; to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Male Fund 50 guineas , and Widows ' Fund 50 guineas ; and to the East Lancashire Systematic Institution income of annuity Fund , £ 23 . After the payment of salaries , cost of charity elections , office expenses , & c , there remained a balance in hand of £ 509 . The financial statement was adopted .

The proceedings of the Charity Committee were approved , on the motion oi Brother C . D . Cheetham P . P . G . W . Chairman , seconded by Bro . J . T . Hooper P . P . G . Treasurer Vice-Chairman . Bro . Cheetham made a statement with reference to the approaching Centenary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , over which the Prince of Wales Grand Master has

consented to preside . He said that at the present moment 3 , 270 Brethren had qualified as Stewards , and he hoped the total subcriptions which would be announced at the Festival would reach £ 100 , 000 . He urged that tbe Freemasons of East Lancashire should spare no pains to contribute a substantial amount to that expected total . He had originally given notice

of motion that a grant of 200 guineas be made to the Institution for Boys from the funds of the Province on the occasion of the Festival , but w ith the consent of the Provincial Grand Master and the members of the Charity Committee , he now moved that the amount of the grant be 250 guineas . The Provincial Chapter

of Arch Masons bad voted 50 guineas , and 200 guineas had been voted by the East Lancashire Systematic Committee , and if the meeting would allow him to alter his rt solution , as he proposed , 500 guineas would be sent from tbat Province towards tbe Boys School Centenary Fund . Bro . J . T . Hooper seconded the motion . 'Ihe Piovincial Grand Master said the Freemasons of East

East Lancashire.

Lancashire had derived a great many benefits from the Institution , but at the same time they had rendered it noble support . The second highest personage in the land had identified himself with the approaching Festival , and he ( Colonel Starkie ) felt certain that that great Province would manifest the charitable disposition by which it' had always been characterised by subscribing a liberal amount . The resolution was carried unanimously .

Brother Alcock St . John Lodge , No . 191 , Bury , was elected Provincial Grand Treasurer . Brother Edmund Ashwortli P . G . D . was elected a Trustee of Provincial Grand Lodge , in succession to the late Brother James Heelis .

Before Provincial Grand Lodge was closed a collection was taken in aid of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution , which realised upwards of £ 25 . The following Brethren were appointed the Provincial Officers for the year :

Bro . James Kenyon , M . P . - - - Senior Warden W . Forrest - - - - - Junior Warden S;:5:S:£2S?h ::)Cha^s H . Lycett - - - - - Registrar P . W . Broadbent ... - Deputy Registrar ¦

J . Newton ( re-appointed ) - - Secretary C . S . Wilson - - - - 1 J . W . G . Coombs - - - - > Senior Deacons W . Jones - - - - - ) T . J . Hutchinson I S . Mamelok - - - - > Junior Deacons 0 . 0 . Crompton - - - - )

S . Mills -- --- Superintendent of Work * W . Packman ... - Director of Ceremonies J . Whittaker .... Deputy Dir . of Cers . W . Siddell - - - - - ) H . T . Grundy - - - - >¦ Assist . Dir . of Cers . W . B . Ackerman - - - - i T . H Sleigh - - - - I Sword Bearers J . Robinson - - - - I

5 ; - ?? .. i „ - - - - ( standard Bearers W . H . Mitchell - - - - ) S . Lord -- --- Organist W . Potts -- - -- Assistant Secretary

J . P . Green .... Pursuivant J . R . Meanock .... Assistant Pursuivant W . Spencer - - - - \ 3 . Olive - - - - -

S ^^\ \ ' ' ~ I Stewards R . K . Roberts - - - - f H . Scott J . Bailey - - - - - ) E . H . Flower ... . Tyler .

After the business , the Brethren adjourned to the Town Hall , where a banquet was provided . Colonel Le Gendre Starkie presided , and he was supported by Captain Beswicke-Royds on the one hand , and Bro . J . Kenyon , M . P ., on the other . Colonel Starkie , who expressed himself as highly satisfied with the arrangements made for the function , left the Town Hall

about eight o ' clock to catch a train for Manchester . The chair was thereupon taken by Bro . J . Kenyon , M . P ., who presided during the remainder of the evening . Vocal music was rendered at intervals by a glee party , consisting of the following : — Bros . W . Kershaw , S . R . Walker , A . S . Kinnell , and J . Grimshaw ( Manchester ) . Bro . W . B . Bell was the accompanist .

Wiltshire.

WILTSHIRE .

ON Wednesday , 18 th ult ., Lord Radnor presided over the Provincial Grand Chapter , at Salisbury , when the following Officers were invested : Comp . Edward Bentlett - - - H . E . S . Hancock - - - - J . W . E . Nicolson Browne - - - Scribe E .

E , Griffin -- --- Scribe N . G . Ll . Palmer .... Treasurer Rev . Wm . Gardener - - - Registrar H . Y . J . Johnson - - - - Principal Sojourner G . M . Wilson .... 1 st Assistant . Sojourner

James Low - - .... 2 nd Assistant Sojourner James Blackeley .... Sword Bearer P . Pleydell Goddard - - - Standard Bearer F . Leader ----- Director of Ceremonies John Chandler - Assistant Dir . of Cers . Wm . Dean ----- Janitor .

The Provincial Grand Scribe E . was unavoidably absent through illness . A luncheon was served at the White Hart Hotel .

R. M. I. Girls.

R . M . I . GIRLS .

THURSDAY , 9 th inst ., is the latest day by which Petitions for the October election of the Girls School must reach the office . It IB , however , very desirable that they should be received as much before that date as possible .