Sussex.

East and West sat side by side in the Craft . ( In explanation of . this remark it should be stated that Bro . J . S . Eastes P . G . D . D . P . G . M . Kent , and Bro . Fred West P . G . D . D . P . G . M . Surrey , were placed next to each other at the table : )

Bro . J . C . Parkinson P . G . D . acknowledged the compliment , saying that the Province of Sussex was well know for its hospitality , and the Visitors were thankful for the kind

reception accorded them . The Officers of Grand Lodge were nothing if not . critical , and he would congratulate H . R . H . upon the excellent manner in which the work was carried on in his Province .

Bro . Dr . Irwin Scott Prov . Grand Steward returned thanks for the complimentary remarks made by H . R . H . with reference to those who had undertaken the arrangements of the day . The Brethren theri adjourned to the Great Hall , which

was converted into the Lodge Room for the occasion ; The platform was gaily decorated with flowers , and the banners of the thirty-three Lodges of the Province , ranged round the hall , made a brave show . The Grand Lodge was held under the banners of the South Saxon , No . 311 , and the Pelham , No . 1303 , Lodges , of which Bros . W . Flint and F . R . Bruce are the Masters .

The Brethren being assembled the Provincial Grand Master , attended by his Officers , walked in procession to the hall , and formally opened the Lodge , after prayer had been offered by the Prov . Grand Chaplain . H . R . H . and his Officers were saluted in due form .

The minutes of the last annual meeting , which was held at Brighton , were read and their correctness confirmed . The roll of the . Lodges was called , and it was found that all the Lodges were well represented . Bro . J . M . Reed Provincial Grand Treasurer presented the reports of the Board of

Finance , and the Charities Committee , both of which highly satisfactory documents were received and adopted , upon the proposition of Bro . Hawes and Rev . Crick . The Provincial' Grand Master then addressed the meeting as follows :

Brethren of Sussex : —It is with great pleasure I attend here to-day to hold the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge in the celebrated town of Lewes , the antiquity of which is exemplified by the remains of the Castle , the ruins of tho Priory , and other associations which are a matter of history . I was also pleased to

note your handsome and convenient Temple , of which the foundation stone was laid more than one hundred years ago , and a second stone , laid within the memory of many of you , was the commencement of the handsome building since erected , which I understand is practically free of charges and dedicated to the

purposes of Freemasonry for ever . This is the only town in the Province which hitherto has had a building specially appropriated as such . I am also more glad to be here because I was unable

to attend any of your Centenary celebrations . I should have rejoiced to participate in your festivities , but the claims of my profession prevented me . I was glad to hear that all went well , and that you had most successful meetings .

Since we last met a Warrant has been granted for a new Lodge ab Hastings , which was consecrated by the Very Rev . the Dean of Battle in February last . I am glad to find that , although they have had twelve initiations , this has not in any way affected the other Lodges in the town . The Derwent has had twelve

initiations , and , as regards numbers , stands first in the Province . It is also pleasant to know that the addition of the Royal Connaught Lodge to the town of Eastbourne has not interfered with the other Lodges , as they all have a fair share of initiates and joining members . With regard to the other Lodges , they

all seem prosperous : only two have been without an initiate , but they have both had joining members , so that the increase in numbers ,. after deducting resignations , & c , amounts to 116—a larger addition than has ever been made in any one year in this Province .

In the Report of the Board of Finance and of General Purposes , it is satisfactory to find that , after all outgoings , and the donation of one hundred guineas to the Freemasons Boys School , there is a satisfactory balance . I am informed that all the returns have been received and the fees paid . I must ,

however , say I wish I could have heard that there were no arrears of subscriptions . It is nob kind to a Brother who , from circumstances , is unable to pay , to keep him on the books , thus increasing his indebtedness . He should be invited to resign at once , if he cannot pay . His arrears would then be small , and

could be paid at any time to clear himself , and thus enable him to rejoin the Lodge if approved by the Brethren . With regard to those who can pay but will not , they do not deserve any sympathy ; they should be warned , and , if necessary , after due formalities , excluded from the Lodge . I find that there are

Sussex.

eighty-eight Brethren in arrears , owing to the Provincial Grand Lodge £ 21 9 s 6 d , representing annual subscriptions of ' more than £ 800 , and I am afraid that some of the Lodges pay for everyone , even if in arrears . There are thirteen Lodges which do not return any members in arrear ; seven return one , four return

two , one returns three , one returns four , two return five , one returns seven , one returns eight , one returns eleven , one returns thirteen , and one returns seventeen . I may say that each of these last five has a Past Master for Secretary . I shall be pleased to hear next year that the number of Brethren in arrear has been reduced .

The year has been rather an eventful one in Freemasonry ; first , the sudden and distressing death of the wife of our Pro Grand Master , with whom we all sympathised , and to whom I directed the Provincial Grand Secretary to write a letter of condolence , the reply to which you have heard read . Next I must allude to the magnificent meeting at the Albert Hall , at

which you have heard , from the report from our Provincial Grand Treasurer , the amount contributed by this Province was most satisfactory , and although some other . Provinces sent more this year in proportion to the number of Lodges and members , yet taking the last seven years , and adding up the total , you will find Sussex in the foremost rank . Lastly , we have to condole with our Most Worshipful Grand Master in the unfortunate accident

which laid him prostrate for so many weeks , and compelled him to give up many of his engagements . I am sure that we must all be pleased to find that he is restored to his active vigour again . The Grand Lodge sent him a message of sympathy , and I did not think it necessary that it should be formally repeated by the Provincial Grand Lodge , feeling sure that he will believe that the Province over which I preside is loyal to the backbone .

I congratulate our Brother , the Mayor of Lewes , on having such a handsome building in which to receive us . I thank him very much for his kindness in placing the room at our disposal for this splendid meeting , and I am glad they have not been compelled to sacrifice the handsome and interesting staircase

which formed one of the glories of the old building . I trust good use is made of the cellars in which the -martyrs were corifined before they were sacrificed to the superstitions of the age . I hope the town may continue to prosper , and never regret that we are not still in the old feudal times .

I have had a letter from the W . M . of the Eoyal Connaught Lodge , asking me , as I allowed the Lodge to be called after me , if I would hold the next meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge at Eastbourne under their banner , but I think I must remember the west end of the Province , before I can again attend at Eastbourne ,

and cannot at present make any fixture for next . year . It is a source of gratification to me thab , without making any special prominent effort , the Province of Sussex continues a steady and uninterrupted prosperous course , and I am glad to find that an office in Grand Lodge has been bestowed upon our very worthy Brother Dr . Alfred King , whom I congratulate most sincerely .

I must express my satisfaction that the Brethren m the small town of East Grinstead have been able to build a Masonic Hall , which I hope and understand is to be specially dedicated to the purposes of Freemasonry , and the principal share in which has been borne by one of my Prov . Grand Officers Bro . J . F . Budd-Budd , who presented the ground and has contributed

handsomely to the cost of the building . I wish more Brethren with means were willing to assist our cause in a similar manner . I was sorry my professional engagements prevented me from laying the foundation stone , but I was well and worthily represented by my Deputy Prov . Grand Master , who reports that all was done satisfactorily and in order .

I cannot conclude without again thanking you for your attendance to-day , and for the attention which I find is paid to the details of the several Lodges , both as regards the business and performance of the various ceremonies , which I am assured are , as a rule , all that can be desired . I suppose there are some drones in the hive , but the busy bees are well represented , and I am supported in every possible manner by the great majority of the Brethren , as is shown by the number present .

At the conclusion of the address the following were appointed and invested by His Royal Highness : Bro . Rev . J . Puttick .... Senior Warden 0 . H . Haine .... Junior Warden ¦ Rev . Seymour Penzer - - ) ¦ _ , , . Rev . F . W . Pawson - - . Chaplains

J . M . Reed ..... Treasurer F . W . Hotham - - - - Registrar V . P . Freeman - - - - Secretary B . I . Scott - - . - - - 1 e T . C . T . Naylor - - - - 1 Senior Deacons ' W , 0 . Blaker - ' - ' - - ) , . „

A . . O . Routh .... j-Junior Deacons T . Bullock ----- Superintendent of Works Albion Russell .... Director of Ceremonies E . M . Ffennell - - - - Assistant Dir . of Cers . T . H . Challis - - - - Deputy Dir . of Cers . W . Flint - - - - . Sword Bearer