Prov. Grand Lodge Of S Ussex.

in the Province is hardly desirable ttfc present . I have to thank the brefclien of the Province for the manner in which they supported me at the Annual Festival of the Royal Masonic Institntion for Girls . Coming after that splendid meeting at Covent Garden Theatre , at which the Deputy

Grand Master presided , on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , whore such a large sum waa collected , and he was well assisted by tbe brethren of this Province , I waa glad to find that there wns another large

snm forwarded to the Secretary of the Institution , whose interest I had specially to plead , and that I was supported at the Festival by so many Stewards from this Province . Tho report of the Charities Committee is most gratifying to me and creditable to my Province , particularly when I consider the number of my subscribing members .

Iu reference to the proposal to form a Masonic Temple and Club at Brighton , ib is a matter which has my cordial snpport . I think it is most desirable , as , however well calculated the Royal Pavilion , in which we are now assembled , may be for Masonic purposes , it would add very

much to the dignity of the Order to meet in a , hoine appropriated to the Craft , and the proposed site appears to offer every convenience . At thc present , I understand , so few replies have been received thafc it is impossible to proceed , but such a large amount has heen promised by tho

brethren , in reply to the 1 , 200 circulars issued , that I venture to hope a sufficient amount will yet be subscribed . I understand that at present only a few Brethren have expressed disapproval of the scheme , and feel quite sure that if a large majority decide to purchase the building all

will work harmoniously together . I have only , in conclusion , fco thank my Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the attention be has given to the affairs of fche Province .

I am well instructed in all that takes place , and feel much gratified at the manner iu which the proceedings are conducted , and rely upon the Brethren to cordially support me in maintaining thc dignity and honour of the Craft . The Officers for the ensuing year were appointed and invested as follow : —

Bro . J . P . Slingsby Roberta P . M . 1466 Senior Warden H . Langton P . M . 271 ... ... Jnnior Warden Roe . P . Crick W . M . 851 ,., )„ , , . Rev . J . A . Rivington W . M . 56 .., j P laina J . M . Reed P . M . 732 ... ... Treasurer T . P . Harker P . M . 732 ... ... Registrar V . P . Freeman P . M . 315 732 ... Secretary E . S . Medoalf P . M . 1947 ... Senior Deacon J . C . Buckwell S . W . 1707 ... Junior Doaeou A . J . Howard P . M . 1110 ... Supt . of Wor '< s R . T . Davison P . M . 1184 ... Dir . of Cers . E . G . Whittle P . M . 811 ... Assist . Dir . of Corn J . Burnett P . M . 1141 ... ... Sword Bearer

J . Billiughnrst P . M . 1821 ... ) 0 , , , „ Geo . Wilson P . M . 1303 1619 ... \ St ™^ bearers A . S . Cooke W . M . 315 ... ... Organist B . Barfield P . M . 1821 ... ... Assist . Secretary P . Plowman P . M . 40 ... ... Pursuivant It . B . Higham P . M . 1829 ... Assist . Pursuivant l \ V . Paxton P . M . 56 ... ... ' ) J . H . Every P . M . 311 ] A . M . Brookfield P . M . 341 ... ! „ , Thos . McQueen P . M . 916 ... j btevvilr ^ W . B . Isworfch P . M . 1636 ....

Thomas Bnrne P . M . 1726 ... J H . H . Hughes ... ... Tyler The Lodge having been closed in due fonn , fche brethren sat down to an elegant banquet in tho Banqueting Room . Bro . H . R . H . the Duke of Cannaught Provincial Grand

Master presided , and was supported by the Deputy Prov . Grand Masfcer Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C ., M . P ., Bro . Alderman J . Ewart ( Mayor of Brighton ) , and tho Officers of

Grand Lodge . Opening the toasfc list , tho Provincial Grand Master proposed the Queen and the Craffc , which was warmly received . In submitting the M . W . Grand Master H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ho said it had been a source of

regret to his Royal brother that he had not been amongst the brethren so much as he could have wished , but he hoped next year would see him again taking a leading part in the Craft . The Provincial Grand Master next proposed the M . W . Pro Grand Master the Right Hon . the Earl of

Lathom , the K . W . Deputy Grand Master the Right Hon . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , and Officers of Grand Lod "a Present and Past . He said the brethren owed a debt of

gratitude to the Officers of Grand Lodge , for never hud Officers taken greater interest than they had in the Craft . He specially alluded to the tact aud good feeling with which the Earl of Lathom had carried out his duties . Thoy were

Prov. Grand Lodge Of S Ussex.

honoured that evening by the presence of several Grand Officers , and greatly appreciated their company . He was personally grateful to Colonel Money for the manner in which he frequently supported him . Bro . Colonel Money

said the Grand Officers had good examples before them in the Earl of Lathom and the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe . They were all pleased to' do their utmost to assist Lodges in the Provinces , and those were indeed fortunate who

visited the Sussex Province . Tho Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C ., M . P . ) nexfc submitted fche M . W . Provincial Grand Master H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught . In proposing the toasfc , he said his only difficulty was that iu

the presence of his Royal Highness he could not speak of him as he would if he were absent . He would , however , say that their Provincial Grand Master was honoured and loved by every Mason in the Province . He had , at great inconvenience , visited the Lodge , and train arrangements

had not made his return fco Portsmouth easy . Bufc for his many engagemeuts , his Royal Highness wonld be offcener amongst them . The brethren heartily welcomed him and fully appreciated his visit to them . His Royal Highness the Duke , on rising to respond , was greeted wifch

enthusiastic and prolonged applause . He said he felt deeply indebted to the brethren for the very cordial manner in which they had received the toast . His friend Sir William Marriott had echoed his sentiments as to his wish to be with them of tener . Whatever temporary discomforts

he had experienced had been counterbalanced b y the great pleasnre he felt in visiting the Provincial Grand Lodge . He was glad to find the Province in a flourishing condition . He had every reason to believe the now Lodge at Eastbourne would be successful , and he had , that evening ,

signed the warrant for the new Lodge afc Uckfield . The brethren had expressed a wish to have a Temple and Club of their own , and the movement had his warmest sympathy . No one was more jealous than he was of the good name of the Province , and as long as he was their Grand Master he

would do his utmost to promote the interests of Freemasonry in the Province . He then proposed the D . P . G . M . the Rig ht Hon . Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C ., M . P ., Past Graud Steward . He said few Provincial Grand Masters had such a Deputy as he had in Sir William Marriott , one in

whom he had complete confidence . He thanked him for the manner in which he had supported and assisted him , and believed few Masons were more popular . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , who was warmly received , said he felt unworthy of the kind words with which the toast

had been proposed , for when he thought of his predecessorsthe lato Bros . Gerard Ford and John Henderson Scotthe felt that his work fell short of whafc they had done . His duties had been made easy by the holp he had received from the Provincial Grand Officers , and particularly from

Bro . Freeman , who had carried out the duties of his office as Proviucial Grand Secretary in a perfect manner . Alluding to the new Lodges , he said he looked forward with confidence to thoir success , and hoped they would bo able to meet nexfc year and congratulate themselves upon

tho increased prosperity of the Province . Bro . J . Ewarfc ( Mayor of Brighton ) submitted fche Prov . Senior Grand Warden Brother J . P . Slingsby Roberts , fche Proviucial Grand Junior Warden Brother H . Langton , and Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge

Present and Past . Judging from the excellence of the work shown during the afternoon , he said the Lodge must be congratulated upon its ablo Officers . It had been said thafc "imitation is the siueerest form of flattery , " and he

was sure that if the Present Officers imitated those who had retired from office , tho working of the Province would be admirable , and in conformity with the wishes of the Provincial Grand Masfcer . Bros . Roberts and Lane-ton

bad proved themselves good citizens , and were , if possible , better as Masons . Bro . J . P . Slingsby Roberts , in responding , said the Provincial Grand Officers fully appreciated the high trust imposed upon them , and hoped

to transmit fcheir collars to their successors as pure aud unsullied as they received fchem . Brother H . Langton also acknowledged tho toasfc , and said he would do his utmost to worthily carry out the dnfcies of his office .

The Provincial Grand Master proposed the Visitor * , to whom , he said , they gave a . hearty welcome . Bro . Colonel Somerville Burney aud Bro . G . W . Loder , M . P ., briefly responded . The latter remarked thafc his Lodge , fche Earl of Sussex , was named after the Proviucial Graud Masfcer , and the brethren would bo proud to welcome hia Royal