Prov. Grand Lodge Of Hertfordshire.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF HERTFORDSHIRE .

THE annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge was hold in tbe Shire Hall , Hertford , on the 26 th July , nnder tlie banner of the Hertford Lodge . The Right Worshipful Bro . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Provincial Grand Muster , presided , aud in addition to the following Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , there was a largo attendance of the brethren from Lodges in tho Province anil at

a distance : —Bros . F . II . Wilson lies , M . D ., D . P . G . M .. P . Shillitoe 449 S . G . W ., Kev . Lewis Deedcu G . C , George Finch 404 U C , F . Sumner Knyvett G . T ., John E . Dawsou G . S ., II . Daldei ; on J . G . D ., J . Knight Li . Supt . of Works , J . Terry G . D . C . Thu other offices were tilled by past members . The Lodgo having been duly opened , the minutes of tho Provincial Graud Lodgo held on

the 16 th July 1881 , were read and confirmed , ancl the roll of Provincial Grand Officers , and of Lodges was called . On the motion of Bro . T . S . Carter , Bro . F . Sumner Knyvett was unanimously reelected Prov . Grand Treasnrer . The following brethren wore appointed Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year , and wore duly invested in their respective offices : ¦—

Bro . F . H . "Wilson lies P . M . 404 ... D . P . G . M . J . E . Cussans W . M . 403 P . G . Senior Warden W . H . Hobson P . M . 504 P . G . Junior Warden Rev . Lewis Deedes P . M . 403 •••/¦ Dn m , „ r > i „; . „ . Rev . C . C . Ewbank 449 j P G Chaplains

F . Sumner Knyvett P . G . S . 404 ... P . G . Treasurer R . B . Croft S . W . 403 P . G . Registrar J . E . Dawson P . P . G . S . W . P . M . 404 •P . G . Secretary Frederick Levick P . M . 404 P . G . Senior Deacon W . E . Gompertz jnn . W . M . 869 ... P . G . Junior Deacon J . S . Taylor P . M . 409 P . G . Supt . Works

James Terry P . M . 1327 P . G . D . C . George F . Cook Treasurer 1580 ... P . G . A . D . C . John Fisher W . M . 1327 ... ... P . G . Sword Bearer E . R . P . Francis J . W . 403 P . G . Organist Thomas Woodman W . M . 1757 ... P . G . Pursuivant

Frank Hall Sec . 403 P . G . Asst . Pursuivant Samuel Neale , Frederick Taylor , " ') Alex . J . Small , Joseph Hunt , f T , W . J . Morris , T . D Medcalf ( P * G" Sfcewards Hertford 403 J

Thomas Wright 403 ) p „ . Charles Thomas 1580 j * * 1 ^ iera The Provincial Grand Master bronghfc under the notice of Provincial Grand Lodge the subject of the contributions to the Fund of Benelence , proposed by Bro . John M . Clabon P . G . D ., at the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge , held on the 7 th June , on which occasion the question was postponed in order that an opportunity

might be afforded to the Provincial Grand Lodges of considering whether any increase should be made to the Quarterages at present paid to Grand Lodge . After some discussion a resolution was proposed , approving the increased payment by Provincial Graud Lodges suggested by Bro . John M . Clabon , whereupon an amendment was moved , and subsequently carried , to the effect that the matter be

referred to the respective Lodges m the Province for an expression of opinion thereon , in order that the Provincial Grand Master might be in a position to communicate to Grand Lodge the feeling of the Province on the subject . The report of the Board of Finance was presented by the Provincial Grand Treasurer and adopted , and the following resolutions were passed : —( 1 ) On the motion of Brother

T . S . Carter , " That twenty guineas be voted from the funds of Provincial Grand Lodge to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . " ( 2 ) On tbe motion of Bro . J . Terry , "That £ 10 be voted to ihe Hertford Lodge towards defraying the expenses of entertaining Provincial Grand Lodge . " ( 3 ) On the motion of Brother J . E . Cussans , " That ten guineas be voted from the funds of Provincial Grand

Lodge to the General Infirmary at Hertford . ( 4 ) On the motion of Bro . F . Sumner Knyvett , " Thafc tbe sum of £ 30 be voted from Provincial Grand Lodge to refund to Bro . George Lambert tbe amount he advanced to the late Bro . Thomas Thomas , the Provincial Grand Tyler . " ( 5 ) On the motion of Bro . John E . Dawson , " That the publication of the Provincial Calendar be continued , " the usefulness

of which was strongly referred to by the Provincial Grand Master . W . Bro . James Terry Prov . Grand Director of Ceremonies moved , pursuant to notice , the desirability of establishing a Charity Organisation for the Province , which -was favourably received , and a Committee , composed of the Prov . Grand Master , Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Grand Treasnrer , Grand Secretary , and the various

Worsbipful Masters of Lodges and Principals of Chapters in the Province , was appointed to frame rules for carrying out the proposal . The Prov . Grand Lodge having been closed with the usual ceremonies , the brethren afterwards partook of an excellent banquet in the Assembly Room , the evident forethought displayed in the arrangement eliciting the heartv appreciation of the brethren .

Brother T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master , presided . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . G . T . Carter 183 , who was assisted by Bros . H . W . Scbartau 1549 , and E . J . Bell 1319 . Bro . Malcolm Heywood 403 P . P . G . O . ably presided at the pianoforte . The dinner , which was of a first-class description , was supplied by Mr . Campling , of the Dimsdale Arms , and gave gnat

satisfaction . Dinner having been served , and grace , " To Thee alone , " ( Hobbs ) snng , the Provincial Grand Master proposed " The Queen and the Craft , " saying that this to ~ st was always received with cordiality , and even enthusiasm by every assemblage of loyal Masons . He sincerely trusted that for many years to come t lie

Queen would continue to reign over a loyal and devoted people , and that a very long time would elapse before the health of their Must Worshipful Master would require to be given with the toast of : he reigning Sovereign . The toasfc was received with great applause , and -was drank , as all the succeeding toasts were , with Masonic honours , " God Save the Queen , " was snng , the company joining in

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Hertfordshire.

the chorus . The Provincial Grand Master said thafc time was going on , and as he knew that some of the brethren had to leave by an early train , he thought it was advisable to press on with the toasts , which included the health of those whom they delighted to honour . He begged therefore to propose "the Health of His Royal Highness the Prit ce of Wales , the Most Worshipful Grand Master . " He felt

convinced that , ho had only to mention tbo name of the Most Wor-. mipful Grand Master to ensure that fche tonst would be received with the enthusiasm which it , so tnnch deserved . During the period—a loug period now—he had presided over the Grand Lodge , Masonry , as they all well know , had made great strides , aud some of them also know that on the occasion of Graud Lodgo meeting to congratulate

her Majesty ou her escape from the attack of a would-be assassin , the crowd of Masons who attended was so great that many brethren from this Province were unable to obtain admission . They had heard something during the day of a proposal to increase their pay . ments and subscriptions to the Fund of Benevolence , but the large attendance on the occasion in question made ono almost fear that

they would shortly be called upon to face the question of whether it would not bo necessary to erect , a larger Masonio Hall . But he would not go into that question afc thafc time , it being one for the future rather than the present moment , but they must all rejoice at the continued prosperity whioh is marking the progress of the Craft , not only in its numbers—for an increase merely in

numbers was not tho best test of its prosperity—but in its increased efficiency , the largely increased amounts given to their Charitable Institutions , and the gocd feeling and enthusiasm that seemed to pervade all tbe brethren , from Grand Lodge to all the private Lodges . They must all hope and trust that spirit would continue and prosper still more , and that the Mosfc Worshipful Grand Master

would be spared for very many years to come to preside over a bod y whose welfare he knew His Royal Highness had very much at heart , and in whom he was very greatly interested . Ode , " Hail to thee , Albert" ( Hobbs ) —solo by Bro . G . T . Carter . The Provincial Grand Master said he had next to propose a toast -which came nearer home to them , inasmuch as they had some of the brethren present to

whom it referred . He begged to propose the Mosfc Worshipful the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , past and present . He said it was not necessary for him to say much respecting the Most Worshipful the Pro Grand Master . They all knew how efficiently the Earl of Carnarvon dis . charged the duties of the Office when it was necessary for him to

preside in the absence of the Most Worshipful Grand Master . They were acquainted with the great interest he took in the progress of the Craft , and the command of language he possessed in which to clothe his thoughts when he addressed them . They also knew the ability of the Earl of Lathom , the Deputy Grand Master , who was a true Mason , and in every respect well calculated to uphold the interests of tbe Craffc . The merits of tbe rest of the Grand Officers

were well known to those to whom he was speaking , and fchey were also acquainted with the zeal and enthusiasm they displayed , as well as the courtesy -with which they met the members of tbe various Lodges . They were honoured with the presence of the Grand Secretary , on whose shoulders mosfc of the labours of the Grand Lodge fell . It gave them very great pleasure to have this Officer

present , and he could not but remember thatou the last occasion tbe Provincial Grand Lodge met in Hertford , the Grand Secretary ' s predecessor in his office installed him as Provincial Grand Master . It must be gratifying to them all that on the next occasion of visiting Hertford they were honoured with the presence of the present Grand Secretary . Bro . Lambert , whose name was a household word

amongst them , was also present ; and Bros . Raynham Stewart and Clark , who were well known , were also present . He ( the P . G . M . ) felt sure that when such brethren came to visit them , they would give them a hearty welcome and they would be induced to come again . He coupled with the toast the name of the Grand Secretary . Song , " The Love Chnse , " ( Watson ) , by Bro . E . J . Bell . The Grand

Secretary ( Bro . Lieutenant-Colonel Shadwell H . Gierke ) , on rising to respond to the toasfc , was received with great applause . After returning his thanks for the very kind way in which the toast had beeu re > ceived , he said the Provincial Grand Master had referred to the more important Grand Lodge Officers in such a manner that it was qaite unnecessary , and would even be presumptuous , for him to say

anything abont them . He might , however , just be allowed to state that they looked up to Lord Lathom for assistance and guidance in all matters of doubt and difficulty , and it was very much in this way that they maintained the prestige of the Grand Lodge of Eng land . He was sorry that all the Grand Lodge Officers were not there on thafc occasion . The brethren of Hertfordshire would doubtless have

been very happy to . have received them all , bnt as they were nn . avoidably absent be must speak for them , and in their name assure the company that it was a very great hononr and pleasure to be present . All the Officers of Grand Lodge felt it to be a very high honour to be appointed to their respective places , and they mig ht be looked to in the future , as in the past , to put their shoulders to the

wheel to further the interests of Freemasonry . It was exceedingly gratifying to them to find that their merits were appreciated , and that they were always so cordially received . Personally , he thanked them for their cordial reception ; fcbis was the first time he had visited Hertford ; this had not arisen through the default of the Provincial Grand Master , but from the fact that his engagements

being so numerous , he had hitherto been unable to accept an invitation . He experienced a great deal of pleasure in coming to Hertford , and this partly arose from the fact that he had a personal acquaintance with many members of the Provincial Grand Lodge , whom he was happy to meet . He congratulated the Provincial Grand Master on the position he held . The Province was not large—it was

far from thafc ; but numbers , as tbe Provincial Grand Master had said , was not a test altogether of prosperity . There was in this Province a strong fraternal feeling , a bond of unity , which was unsurpassed in any Grand Lodge in England . They were fortunate in having to preside over them in this Province a gentleman who was