Prov. G. Lodge Norths And Hunts.

rather the exercise of Masonic toleration and charity to all . An anthem was sung after Bro . Sanders' oration , and the other regular programme of consecration completed , the Provincial Grand Master concluding the ceremony with the final benediction .

Then followed work of a moro general character , the election of a Provincial Grand Treasurer , the appointment of Officers for the year , the reception of the Treasurer ' s report , and the consideration of the recommendations of tbo Charity Committee being each in tarn attended to .

Three grants—amounting to £ G 5—were made from the Charity Fund of the Province , aud intimation given that in addition to tho Easton Lodge , recently consecrated , the Province was to have another addition at an early date , aud yet another was suggested in the immediate future . Iu tho one case it was intimated the Grand Maater had

granted tho warrant prayed for , in the other it was expected tho application for a charter would be well supported . Provincial Grand Lodge was subsequently closed , and a banqnot followed , at which the Provincial- chief also presided . The usual loyal toasts having been

disposed of , tho President gave that of fche Grand Officers . They wero gratified in having with them that evening a large assemblage of Grand Officers , among them being Brother Sandeman Past Deputy District Grand Master Bengal , Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke Grand Secretary ,

Robert Grey President of the Board of Benevolence , Frank Richardson ( who had so efficiently acted that day as Director of Ceremonies ) , and others . He assured them all that the brethren heartily thanked them for coming that day , and they could but hope they would come again

on many future occasions . Lord Euston felt thero was not one brother among the Grand Officers but would williD g ] y givo U P any personal engagement if they considered their presence was needed in support of Freemasonry in any part of the kingdom . He hoped those who had

attended that day had been pleased with what they had seen . Bro . Sandeman ' s name * being coupled with the toast , ho replied . He was told that peace and harmony should always prevail at Masouic meetings . He felt he ran no risk of disturbing the harmony existing among the Grand

Officers when ho said they had all derived a great amount of pleasure in being present that day . The hall they had assisted to consecrate was a handsome and capacious one , and did great credit to the Masons of Northampton . The Grand Officers could only endorse the hope that

Freemasonry would so prosper in tho town in years to come as to necessitate a larger building at no very distant date . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke felt great gratification and pleasure in submitting the next toast—the health of the noble Brother who presided over the Province . He had known

the district for many years and had also known another noble Brother who had ruled over it . Unfortunately tbe many other engagements and calls abroad of that nobleman had prevented his attention to fche work , and attendance at the meetings of

the Province as often as was desirable , and as a consequence the counties of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire had suffered , from a Masonic point of view . When the Prince of Wales appointed the Earl of Euston to fche rulership there were perhaps some in the neighbourhood who felt

he was too young a man , and far too young a Mason , to assume such responsibilities , but he had proved himself most energetic , and he thought the Masons of the Province would now agree that the appointment of the Earl of

Huston as Masonic chief was a happy and successful one . He was really a model Provincial Grand Master , regularly attending the meetings of his Province , and paying visits to the various Lodges therein . Indeed , he did much by personal activit y to promote the welfare of the various •Lod ges under his charge . The Earl of Euston acknowledged

the compliments that had been showered upon him . ^ He thought perhaps a few of the remarks made by the Grand secretary were deserved . For instance , Bro . Clerke had said he was a young Mason—that was unquestionably the iact , but what he lacked in ape he strnvfi t , n mnl-p amnnrla

± oiMn other ways . He went into Freemasonry with tho desiro of learning what Freemasonry really was , and once jvithin its portals he had been drawn forward with a desire o do all that lay iu his power to promote its interests . oen His

^ Royal Highness tho Prince of Wales was good ^ enough to honour him with the appointment of provincial Grand Master , he had certainly thonght 'ore inagt ^ e many { a t | 10 p roviQce who had worked < u * d for it i Q years gone by , and who had won tho

Prov. G. Lodge Norths And Hunts.

right to receive the honour conferred on him . Having been appointed , however , b © determined fco do hia best to justify the selection , and with that object endeavoured to do all thafc lay in his power to advance the welfare of the district . So long as the members of the Province were

willing to have him he would prove himself ready to attend to their work and interests . He recognised the great responsibility that attached to the head of such a Province as theirs , and hoped those who sought advice afc his bands would equally recognise the necessity of following out the

advice given . He felt Masonry in the Province waa established on a firm and substantial basis , and he impressed on them the necessity of only admitting men who could work for the good of the Order in years to come . They should never work on the principle of letting in small or

undesirable members simply because their Lodges were in need of funds , neither should they admit men who desired to come in just for the sake of meeting lively companions and enjoying jolly evenings . He felt the Hall thoy had jnsfc

consecrated was au acquisition to the Province , and should always look upon the meeting of that day as an event in the history of the district . Other toasts followed , the meeting not breaking up until the necessities of the train service made departure imperative .

Durham Provincial Grand Lodge.

DURHAM PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE .

THE annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham was held on the 30 fch ult ., in the Borough Hall , at Stockton , and was exceedingly successful , there being a very large attendance of brethren from all parts oi the Province . Excellent arrangements had been made by

the Officers of the four Stockton Lodges for the reception and entertainment of the visiting brethren . Brother Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., Rt . Wor . Provincial Grand Master presided , and was supported by the V . W . Canon Tristram D . P . G . M . and most of the retiring Officers of the

Prov . Grand Lodge , two or three only being unavoidably absent . The members of the thirty odd Lodges sat under the banners of their respective Lodges , and received the R . W . P . G . M . aud his Officers with tho honours due to them . The Lodge having been opened in due form , the reports of

the Lodge , Benevolent , Charities , and Educational Funds were read and formally adopted . They were generally of a satisfactory character , bufc an appeal was made for increased pecuniary help in order thafc the Province mi ght have increased voting power on the London Masouic Charities . The R . W . P . G . M . then addressed the brethren and

congratulated them on the satisfactory progress which Freemasonry was making in the Province . He had great pleasure in acceding to thc wishes of the Lodges of South Shields that next year ' s Provincial Grand Lodge should be held in that town . The R . W . P . G . M . then invested the following Officers : —

1 Bro . Eev . Canon Tristram , D . D . ... Deputy Grand Master Frank Stobart 375 ... ... Senior Warden W , M . Watson 509 ... ... Junior Warden Rev . J . R . Shorfct 2352 ... ... Inu ,-Rev . T . Newsome 2019 J Chaplains H . A . Massinsherd 1379 .. Treasurer

A . Rhagg 48 ... ... ... Registrar R . Hudson 2039 ... ... Secretary E . Millbarn 2019 *) „ . _ , James Rose 940 j Senlor Deaoona T . Earthing 1962 ... ... 7 T . _ J . B . N . Jordison 509 > Jatuor Dea 0 ODB J . Barn 2101 ... ... ... Sap . of Works VV . Logan 124 and 2135 ... Dir . of Cers . T . Dann 124 ... ... ... Dep . Dir . of Cers . Jno . M . Taylor 1862 ... ... Assist . Dir . of Cera .

Thomas Bowman 1418 ... ... Sword Bearer B . S . Beckw-ith 1230 ... ... * „ , , W . Mitford 111 ] Stand ^ Bearers J . Tate 1970 ... ... ... Organist J . R . Patfcison 94 ... ... Assist . Secretary J . OatleU 21 Pursuivant JI . Golcier 1119 ... ... Assist . Pursuivant W . Hardy J . Joel ... F . S . Cowper ... ... ... _ , 7 D . Cameron f Stewards T . R . Shortt ... R . Tally ... ... ... J

Thomas Grieve ... ... Tylor After the close of the Lodge , the brethren dined together at the Masonic Hall .