Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

the Province ever lessen—of what he owed to them . He felt , however , that even if he was spared for another twenty-five years to occupy the position of Provincial Grand Master he should never be lacking in sympathy for Freemasonry in Kent . He had had a moat p leasing term of office . Only once bad he been called upon to

adjudicate on a case of rlispnte in the Province . He hoped as time went on the toast of his health would not be received with less cordiality than it had been received that night—while he was received in such a manner he should know that Freemasonry in Kent was prospering , and that he was carrying ont his duties to their

satisfaction . Lord Holmesdale then proposed the toast of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master . When on the death of the former Deputy he had had to look around for a brother to assist him in the government of the Province it was fortunate he had selected Bro . Eastes , who had proved a most valnable Deputy . They divided the work

among them . Bro . Eistes took all the blame and ho all tho credit , but he might say very little fell to the share of Bro . Eastes , while , thanks to him , very much came to his . Bro . Eastes had but one object in view—the improvement of Freemnsonrv in the Province of Kent . He hoped it would be many years before he was absent from

his proper place at or near the right hand of the Provincial Grand Master . The toast met a most enthusiastic reception . Bro . Eastes found it a very difficult matter to adequatel y acknowledge the kindness shown him during the past eleven years . Hia ohief regret was that he was not able to visit the many Lodges for which he received

invites , and which he shonld like to attend . He felt sure that if their Provincial Grand Master should feel disposed to president one of the Festivals of the Girls' School he would receive the hearty support , of

the Masons of Kent . He ( Bro . Eastes ) was very prond of his office in Grand Lodge , which be felt had been given him in consequence of his association with the Province of Kent . He hoped he might long live in the hearts of the brethren of the Province . The Provincial

Grand Master proposed the toast of the Visitors , and Col . King ITarman , M . P ., Prov . G . Master Meath responded . The brethren of Meath had lately gone through some very hard times , but their prospects were more encouraging . During the past ten years , however , they had not only increased the number of the brethreu , but also of the

Lodges , while they had resuscitated three Lodges which had lain dormant for some time . He felt sure the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master of England , would receive a degree of support from the Masons of Ireland which he wonld fully appreciate . He had been struck by one part of the day ' s proceedings in particular—the

visit of tho brethren to church . It was not the custom to attend Divine Service on suc > occasions in Ireland , bnt the lesson he had today learnt he should endeavonr to inculcate in his own Provin' e , at least . The toast of the Provincial Grand Officers was next given . The brethren mnst regret the absence of the Senior Warden of the year

from their meeting , but his duties in Ireland called him away , and his excuse for non-attendance was a good one . The Junior Grand Warden had been obliged to leave , he having a long journey before him , and the arrangements of the Sonth-Eastern Railway waiting for no man . Luckily , however , Kent had never been wanting for good

Officers , or good deputies for those unable to remain . Bro . Rev Hayman Cummings replied . The Senior Warden of the year regretted his other duties had called him away , while the brethren re . joiced that they had among them so distinguished a brother in whom to repose confidence . The Grand Officers of Kent had ever

been found first and foremost in ailing tho Provincial Grand Master , and he felt those appointed that day wonld not he exceptions to tho rule . Bros . Couplanrl and Spurrell also replied . The health of the Provincial Grand Treasurer and Provincial Grand Secretary was then proposed . Lord Holmesdale felt the brethren wero certain to

honour the toast of the Treasurer if they lightly passed over the other Officers , inasmuch as the Treasurer was their own choice . He felt , however , the brethren could not have done better than re-elect Bro . Thorpe , v . -ho had served them so well in tho past . Were they to search the Province round it was doubtful whether they would find

a more suitable brother for the post or ono who would give greater satisfaction . The proposition of Bro . Spencer ' s health as Prov . Grand Secretary had come to be a HIOSD monotonous affair . Year ' after year he had nothing fresh to say—it was always the same story —he had performed his work ably and creditably ; indeed , it would

almost become a welcome relief if Bro . Spencer would occasionall y make a mistake , in order that there might be something fresh to speak about in connection with him . The Prov . Grand Treasurer tendered his thanks . It was indeed a great honour to him to be reelected , for the tenth time , as Treasurer . Thev had that day voted

upwards of £ 430 from Provincial Grand Lodge funds in tbe cause of charit y , while during the last three years they had contributed £ 5 , 600 to the great Masonic Charitable Institutions . This

proved that not only did the Kentish brethren enjoy themselves , but that thoy also carried out the grand object of Freemasonry—relief . Bro . Spencer followed . It would be his endeavour to disappoint the Provincial Grand Mister in so far as

giving him something iv > sh to talk about by making ' a mistake or neglecting his duties . Although at all times wiping to follow the ( lU'tates of the P . G . M ., this was a matter in which h ¦ ¦? should be justified in rebelling . He hoped to long enj > y the confidence and snpport ot the Grand Lodge . Lord Holmesdale next submitted the toast of

the Charities . The Kentish brethren never neglected the toast of the Masonic Charities , ami more especially did thoy honour it when they hid among them sucli a distinguished worker on behalf of the Institutions as Bro . Binckes , the energetic Secretary of the Boys ' School . He felt , however , that the donations thev were able to make

VV ( -i ' e far more substantial evidence of their sincerity than ail y words he could nt . ter . lie should also ask the brethren to especiall y flrink the health of Bros . Adam ^ on and Russell , tht l'epre eiitativea of the Provinc- at the Elections . The task they ried

a' out was no easy one j th-y performed it most satisfactorily , iv » - Binckes said that for the last quarter ef a eentnry he had been ^ tteu . li g meetings of the brethreu iu Kent— Pro ' vi- cial Grand od ge aud otherwise . He always felt a pleasure iu being among

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

them , as he was certain of a hearty welcome . Ifc was often a difficulty with him to find words in which to appeal for recognition of the Charities , but in Kent it was different , there the difficulty was to fiud words iu which to express gratitude for what was done , not only for the Boys' School , with which he was more particularly

associated , bnt for each of the Masonio Institutions . He was pleased to hear the Provincial Grand Master had not forgotten the grand achievement of the Craft in 1883 , when he had so ably presided at the Festival of the Boys' School , and felt , it was an event which wonld never be f orgotton in connection with the cause of char ity generally .

He hoped the result of that year might not only be equalled , but that it might frequently be exceeded ; yet the honour would ever remain to Kent that its Provincial Grand Master had presided at the most successful Charity Festival ever known at that time . Speaking of the result of the present years' Festival , Bro . Binckes expressed hovt

pleased ho was to find that next to the Provinco presided over by the Chairman of the day , Kent occupied the first place , while another gratifying fact in connection with the present year was , that the Steward supported by tho largest list also came from Kent—Bro . Bolfcon , of tho Acacia Lodge , having secured that honour , with a total of

£ 132 . It appeared tobe the ambition of the Kentish Masons to take the lead among the supporters of the Institutions . There was another celebration during the present year , at which he hoped to see them occupy their usual prominent position—the corner stone of the Boys' Preparatory School was to bo laid on the 11 th August , by

tho Baroness Burdett-Coutta . Ho hoped that not only would that distinguished lady be supported by a vory large number of Masons , but also that a large amount wonld be subscribed to meet the necessary expenses of the addition which had been made

to the buildings of the Institution . Bro . Binckes desired to add his testimony to the zeal and activity displayed by the two brethren whom thi Provincial Grand Master had associated with him in the toast . It was impossible that the working of the elections could be entrusted to better hands . Bro . Adamson followed . He thought

Kent mi ght congratulate itself on the way in which the whole of their Charity arrangements were carried out . Their Provincial Grand Secretary would act as Steward on behalf of the Benevolent Institution at the Festival in February next , and would doubtless receive , as he deserved , a large amount of support from his brethren . Bro .

Russell was delighted in being associated with the toast , as he felt the brethreu were satisfied at the- way in which their wishes were carried out . It was a very difficnlt matter to decide what should be done in the way of voting at the several elections , and the difficulty was becoming greater year by year as greater

organisation was completed in tho several Provinces . It was very easy the day after the election , with the full result sheet before one , to say what should have been done , but very difficult when workingin the dark as they really were—at tho elections . He urged that all votes shonld be sent to the Prov . Committee signed , but not filled up

for any particular candidate . Neglect of this latter rule not only gave additional trouble , but frequently led to the loss of votes at a time when they wero par ticularly needed . Tho Provincial Grand Master proposed the health of the W . M . aud brethren of th « Entertaining Lodge ( Tho Freedom , No . 77 ) , wishing them every prosperity , and

thanking- them for their admirable arrangements , which had materially added to the enjoyment of those present . Ttio proceedings terminated with the Tyler ' s toast . An excellent musical programme was gone through , the arti--te 3 being Bros . W . Sexton , E . Dalzell , P . H . Cozens , and Franklin Olive , each of whom ably acquitted himself .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BERKS AND BUCKS .

rjlHE annual mooting of this Provincial Grind Lodge was held on JL Monday , tho 29 th ult ., at the Town Hall , Reading , under the presidency of Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P ., R . W . Prov . Grand Master , who was supported during the meeting by the following Provincial Officers of tho past year : —Bros . Rev . J . Studholine

Brownrigg Deputy G . Master , Rev . John Atkins Assistant Chaplain , Charles Stephens P . M . 414 Treasurer , Robert Bradley P . M . 411 Secretary , John Goddard P . M . 771 Junior Deacon , S . J . Wheeler W . M . 414 Snpt . of Works , H . L . Harris 948 Organist , G . W . Dixon P . M . 209 Assiataut Secretary , Frank Weeden W . M . 1887 Pursuivant

Harry Martin 591 , M . J . Withers 414 , T . R . Vowles 1101 , D . H . Witherington 414 , Thos . Linscott W . M . 795 Stewards , W . Hemminga Fyler , and others . Previous to the assembly of Provincial Graud Lodge the Finance Committee had met , and the accounts of the year had been audited . Provincial Grand Lod'e was opened in due form ,

and on the roll of Lodges being called over it , was found all were represented . Several letters of apology were received from Provincial Grand Officers who were unablu to attend . Tho minutes of the last annual meeting were confirmed . Report , was made as to the consecration of th . i Kendrick Lodge , No . 2013 , and

then the Financial statement of the Provincial Grand Treasurer and the report of tho Charity Committee were considered . The General Fund of the Province showed a balance carried forward of £ 77 lis 3 d , amongst the expenditure b-ing a vote of twenty-five guineas to the Charity Fund . Ttio Charity Fund itself was closed with a balance

of £ 55 2 s 6 d , this year ' s grauts from it totalling up to 115 gnineas comprised of votes of ten guinea i each to Lodge .-i 209 , 414 , 591 , 771 , 1101 and 1566 , ami of t ' we to Lodges 571 . 795 , 840 , 915 , 1110 , 150 L , 1639 , 1770 , 1787 , 1 S 94 , ai d ' 1809 . The Provincial Grand Secretary reported the number of members iu the district , a * -SOS ,

and of Past Masters as lhO , a sate of affairs which Sir Daniel G . «» ch thought they might congratulate themselves upon . Sj > . akmg « , f the newly consecrated Kendiick Lodge , In- t-aiu it was uoc a *

ptvsent a strong one , bat no doubt it would enjoy ih « same air . onni . of prospeiity as had attended the other L "i .-es iu Reading . In iho death of Bro . Mi-xhay he tell the Province had lost , a bro her who had always striven to advance the interests of Free-