Essex.

ESSEX .

THE Right Hon . the Earl of Warwick and Brooke is decidedly one of our most earnest and zealous Provincial Grand Masters , and for many weeks past our columns have recorded some of the principal Masonic events at which he has assisted . The great event of the year in any

Province is the holding of its Grand Lodge , and naturally there is considerable emulation among the various Lodges as to which shall have the honour of entertaining the Provincial Master and other distinguished Masons . Of course different localities are selected each year , so as to afford the Brethren

an opportunity of attending Provincial Grand Lodge , as it could hardly be expected that members residing at distant places could always make it convenient to appear , though , to their credit be it said , it is but seldom any of the Lodges are unrepresented .

This year the lot fell , in Essex , for the first time to the Tilbury Lodge , No . 2006 , and thereupon Bro * . P . C . Walker W . M . and his Officers , among whom we must especially mention Bros . A . J . Dudgeon P . P . S . G . D ., Joseph Bruton P . P . G . D . C ., and A . T . Brickwell S . W ., determined to give

the Brethren a right royal reception . One of the large baggage sheds had courteously been placed at their disposal by the Tilbury Dock Company , and this was transformed by Messrs . Piggott , Brothers and Co ., of Bishopsgate Street , into one of the most charming and convenient Lodge rooms

that it is possible to conceive . The great space rendered it cool and comfortable , in spite of the sultry summer day . The walls were covered with red and white drapery in alternate horizontal stripes ; from the roof were suspended the flags of all nations—emblematic of the universality of Freemasonry ;

while the standards of the various Lodges , under which the Brethren were ranged , were placed at intervals . A dais was reserved at the east end for the present and past Provincial Officers , and when the Brethren had assembled a scene was presented that will be long remembered . The date selected

was Wednesday , the 26 th ult ., when special trains brought down members from all parts of Essex , who expressed their delight at the preparations made for their convenience . All

being in readiness , the Earl of Warwick entered with his Officers , and naturally received an enthusiastic welcome . The Provincial Grand Lodge was them formally opened for the dispatch of business .

In the unavoidable absence of Col . Lockwood , Bro . Richard Clowes P . G . Std Br . was requested to act as Deputy Grand Master , and he , after the minutes had been taken as read , asked permission to address the assembly . He felt sure that what he was about to say would be received with pleasure

by the Brethren . It would be noticed in the Report of the Board of General Purposes that they regarded the selection of the Earl of Warwick to fill the high position of Deputy Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England as the most important event of their Masonic year , and they

considered that this event should be marked in some special manner at that meeting . The appointment had been received with the greatest gratification by the entire Province , and he was requested by the Lodge to- present an address to his Lordship , that had been prepared and signed by 2 , 200 of the Brethren of Essex . The address was in the following terms :

ANCIENT EEATEBNITY OP EREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE PROVINCE OP ESSEX . To THE RIGHT HON . THE EARL OP WARWICK AND BROOKE DEPUTY GRAND MASTER OP ENGLAND PROVINCIAL GBAND MASTER OP ESSEX .

The Brethren of the Province of Essex , over whom you have ruled so wisely and well for the past sixteen years , desire to take this , the first opportunity they have had , of warmly congratulating your lordship upon the distinction lately conferred upon you by H . R . H . the Grand Blaster , in appointing you Deputy Grand Master of England .

They feel sure that in this high position your lordship will bring to bear that strong sense of duty , perfect tact , and unfailing courtesy , which have endeared you to the Brethren of your Province , and has conduced to make it one of the Masonic strongholds in the country . That T . G . A . O . T . U . may long bless and preserve your lordship is the earnest prayer of every Brother of the Province of Essex .

Signed , on behalf of 2 , 200 Brethren of Essex , A . B . M . LOCKWOOD , COLONEL , D . P . G . M THOS . J . BALLING , Prov . G . Secretary .

Tilbury , 26 th July 1899 . The presentation was beautifully illuminated and arranged as an album , the cover of which bore the coronet and cypher of the Earl .

Lord Warwick , in returning thanks , said he could truthfully and honestly say that he had not the slighest conception that anything so gratifying to his feelings was in contemplation , and for that reason it came with additional force . He had been treated for so many years with the

Essex.

greatest kindness and loyalty by all the Brethren in the Province that it was always a pleasure to be among them . He had no idea that the Grand Master was about to confer so great a distinction upon him , but he hoped to be able to carry out his duties and responsibilites in such a manner as

to gain their approbation . He would ever value the address , so kindly worded and presented , as one of his most precious possessions and he thanked them exceedingly for the great kindness that had prompted the Brethren to present him with this spontaneous expression of their feelings towards him .

Bro . Thos . J . Railing Provincial Grand Secretary then called over the roll of Lodges , when it was found that every one of the forty-four was represented . The principal business was the election of Provincial Grand Treasurer , for which distinction two Brethren were

nominated . Bro . John Glass P . P . G . S . of W . proposed , and Bro . Nathaniel Fortescue P . P . G . T . seconded , Bro . Thomas Plomer Trounce I . P . M . 453 ; and Bro . William Gower P . P . G . T . proposed , and Bro . William Shurmur P . P . G . T . seconded , Bro . Charles James Smith P . M . 2504 for the post . The Provincial Grand Master therefore nominated the following Brethren to act as Scrutineers of the votes given

for the candidates : —Frederick Wood P . P . S . G . W ., W . B . Heagerty P . P . G . R ., G . H . Finch P . P . J . G . W ., and J . H . JohnsonP . P . S . G . D . The result of the ballot was subsequently announced ; Bro . Trounce receiving 116 ' votes , and Bro . Smith 4 8 . Lord Warwick therefore declared Bro . Trounce to be elected .

Bro . John J . C . Turner P . P . S . G . W . Chairman of the Board of General Purposes , proposed that the report of that body should be received and adopted , but suggested that it should be amended to the extent of a grant of five guineas to the Tilbury Cottage Hospital . This was seconded by Bro . Dr . W . E . Dring P . P . S . G . W ., and carried unanimously .

The Provincial Grand Secretary then read the report of the Charity Committee , which stated that the work in this respect had been very heavy during the past year . The Province had adopted eight candidates for assistance , and had secured the election of two Boys , one Girl , one Widow and

one Brother to the various Masonic Institutions . There were however still two Girls and one Widow to be elected . During the year thay had given generous support to the Masonic Charities : —eight Stewards had supported the Benevolent Institution with / 450 ; fourteen Stewards had taken up - £ 660

at the Girls School Festival ; and seven Stewards had added £ 242 to the Boys School , making a total of £ " 1 , 352 . The Committee thanked the Province for their loyal support , and

concluded by deploring the death of Bro . Francis White , who always rendered such valuable assistance . Bro . Railing proposed that the report be accepted and entered on the minutes ; this was seconded by Bro . Clowes , and adopted .

The Provincial Grand Master then addressed the Brethren . It would be unnecessary to detain them for any length of time , but there were a few points to which he desired to draw attention . He heartily congratulated the Province upon the great progress that had been made in

Freemasonry . Five new Lodges had been added to the Roll during the year , but the additions had not been made without great discrimination before recommending the Grand Master to issue Warrants for them . The Brethren might therefore be assured that they were all good Lodges , which would

maintain the dignity of the Province . He considered it was a subject for congratulation that one of those Lodges bore the name of Bro . Albert Lucking , who had been for so many

years the object of their respect and regard . During the past fifteen years the Province had largely increased , and had nearly doubled the number of Freemasons , so they were enabled to render considerable assistance to the Charities .

Thus they had sent no less than £ 4 , 000 to the Boys Centenary Festival ; £ 1 , 225 had been subscribed during the present year , while at the recent Girls Festival the Province of Essex had headed the list of amounts collected . . He cordially thanked the Brethren who had so kindly supported him at the recent

Grand Mark Festival , at which he presided . With regard to the election of Treasurer , he thought it would be best to follow the old custom that had prevailed for some years , viz : that the suburban and country Lodges should take it in turns to nominate a Brother for the post , and so avoid a contested

election . Though the Brethren had not thought it desirable in the present instance , he considered it far better to arrive at an unanimous decision , but of course they were exercising

their just rights , and he only threw out the suggestion for future action . He was very glad that the Grand Master had put his foot down firmly with regard to wearing Masonic regalia upon occasions where the general public were admitted ,