Provincial Grand Chapter Of Wiltshire.

P . S ., A . J . Beaven 1 st A . S ., T . Ringer 2 nd A . S ., John Chandler P . Prov . G . H . D . O ., and other Companions of the Province , as well as by Comp . H . Wilson Prov . G . S . E . Worcestershire . The nsual routine of opening the

Chapter , calling the roll and confirming the minutes , having been finished , the report of the Charity Committee , agreed to at a meeting held that morning , was read . From this it appeared that Comp . T . S . Putcher , of the Elias de Derham Chapter , 586 , Salisbury , having offered

his services as Steward for the Royal Arch Province of Wiltshire at the Boys' School Festival next year , the Committee recommend that such offer be accepted , and that a grant of £ 21 be placed on his list . After some observations by Comps . F . H . Goldney and Rev . J . A . Lloyd , as

to the desirability of keeping a reserve in hand , in view of any extraordinary calls being made on the Province next year , with reference to Her Majesty ' s Jubilee , the Chapter on the motion of Comp . Nott , seconded by Comp . Eyres , unanimously adopted the recommendations of the

Committee . Comp . H . 0 . Tombs P . G . S . B ., on behalf of the Auditors , read their report on the Treasurer ' s accounts , which had been duly examined and found correct . Comp . H . Bevir P . G . Reg . read his report , recapitulating , as usual , the position as regards numbers and otherwise of the

Provincial Grand Chapter and its five subordinate Chapters . The number of members in the province was stated as 114 . The report was considered satisfactory , and was approved . Comp . W . Nott proposed an addition to the Provincial Bye Laws of certain fees to be payable to

the Provincial Chapter , on registering new Chapters or Bye Laws . This was seconded by Comp . H . C . Tombs , and carried unanimously , as was also a proposition made by Comp . T . S . Futcher , seconded by Comp . F . H . Goldney , that a committee consisting of H ., J ., S . E ., and

Treasurer , be appointed to consider the question of generally revising the Provincial Bye Laws , and to report thereon to the next meeting . Lord H . F . Thynne , M . E . G . Supt ., addressing the meeting , congratulated the Swindon Companions on the appearance of the Hall in which they had

assembled , which had been newly decorated . He alluded in feeling terms to the death of Comp . E . Turner Payne Prov . Grand Treasurer of the neighbouring province , who they had so often welcomed in Wiltshire . In referring to the Registrar ' s report , which was very gratifying , he said

that he hoped ere long to hear of steps being taken to inaugurate a new Chapter at Trowbridge . He thanked Comp . Maclean , on behalf of the Province , for his two successful Stewardships last year , and congratulated the Companions on the fresh Stewardship of Comp . Futcher , who he trusted

would obtain good support , so that fche position of the Province at the elections might be further improved , to the delight of the energetic Charity Secretary Companion W . Nott . The Grand Supt . then declared all offices vacant , ancl

proposed the re-election of Comp . Nott as Treasurer for the ensuing year ; this being seconded by Comp . Chandler , was carried unanimously . The Grand Supt . then appointed and invested the Officers for the ensuing year , as follow : —

Comps . Thos . H . Futcher 586 - - ¦ H . Alfred Plummer 355 ... J . Henry C . Tombs 355 ( re-appointed ) S . E . Edwin Eyres 355 - - - - S . N . William Nott 632 - - - - Treasurer

Rev . J . A . Lloyd 1533 - - - Registrar John N . Toone 1478 - - P . Sojourner Rev . A . Law 355 - - - - 1 st Assist . Sojourner

Alfred Parry 632 - . - - 2 nd do . John Chandler 355 ( re-appointed ) . D . C . W . S . Bambridge 1533 - - - Organist Jno . Savory 355 ( re-elected ) - - Janitor

The Alms Bag was sent round , the contents being devoted to the Swindon Cottage Hospital . The Prov . Grand Chapter waa then closed , and the Companions adjourned to their Annual Banquet at the Goddard Arms Hotel .

Zetland Chapter, No. 236.

ZETLAND CHAPTER , No . 236 .

THE quarterly meeting was hold on Wednesday , the 27 fch ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Buncombe Street , York . Amongst those present were Comps . M . Rooke M . E . Z ., J . Sykes Ilymer H ., J . Todd P . Z . as J ., T . B . Whytehead P . Z ., E . W . Purnell as S . E ., S . Border S . N ., J . Fairburn P . S ., H . Foster D . C , and others . Amongst the visitors

* waa Comp . Manders , from Melbourne , Australia . The business conaisted in tbe exaltation of Bro . Rev . 0 . Tindley , Free Church Minister , of York , which was done in excellent stylo by the M . E . Z . During fche evening Comp . Todd P . Z . moved , and Comp . Whytehead

Zetland Chapter, No. 236.

seconded a vote expressive of the sorrow felt by the Chapter at their loss by fcho death of Dr . Bell , the Grand Superintendent of the Province , who had so long and wisely guided their footsteps . After the close of the Chapter tho brethren met at supper , and fche usual pleasant evening was spent .

Polish National Chapter, No. 534.

POLISH NATIONAL CHAPTER , No . 534 .

THE first convocation of this Chapter for this session was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Qneen Street , on Thursday , the 28 th ult . The Companions assernb'oi at 6 p . m ., under the presidency of Comps . Dr . Corrie Jackson Z ., Dr . Jagielski H ., and Bieling J . After the minntes of the last convocation had bean read and

confirmed , the Companions proceeded to ballot for Bro . Harry Beasly Harford , of the St . James Lodge , No . 97 , Scotland , who had been proposed by Comp . Pais P . Z . S . E ., and seconded by Comp . Bieling . The result being unanimous in his favour , he was duly admitted and

exalted to fche supreme degree by the M . E . Z ., who with his Officers was au fait with the business , and went through it in the correct manner which characterises the Polish National Chapter . There were present as Visitors Comps . S . Webb , and Rosenthal 188 .

A Convocation of the North London Chapter of Improvement was held at the Alwyne Castle Tavern , St . Paul's Road , Canonbury , on Thursday . Comps . F . Brasted Z ,, J . Sfcrnp-neU H ., J . Funston J ., J . E . Sheffield S . E ., H .

Jenkins S . N ., Wm . Radoliffe P . S . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed in a creditable manner , and there was a goodly attendance of R . A . Masons . Comp . T . 0 . Edmonds is Preceptor here , and he is ever ready to impart instruction .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not neessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

A QUERY ? To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . SIR , —I enclose you two extracts from the minutes of my Mother Lodge , and respectfully ask if you or any of your numerous

correspondents will throw any light upon them , to enable me to give an explanation of their meaning ? Yours fraternally , JNSH .

EXTRACT FROM MINUTES . LODGE or SINCERITY , No . 231 . August , 1799 . "A circular letter being received from the Graud Secretary ,

" Bro . Treas ' - moved thafc the R . W . M . or any two Officers of " tho Lodge attend afc Union Hall , to make the necessary affi * " davit ; and deposit the Register . "

September , 1799 . " The Register ancl Certificate was taken up this day to the "Union Hall , and sworn to by Bro . J . 0 . Palmer , and Bro . Th - "B . Farmer , and afterwards was left with the Clerk of the " Peace for fche County of Surrey . "

[ The extracts furnished as above by our esteemed correspondent refer to tbe duty cast upon Lodges by the Act passed 12 th July 1798 against Secret Societies , from

the penalties of which , however , all Masonic Lodges were exempted on conditions that duly certified registers of members were lodged wifch Clerks of the Peace within two months after the Act was passed , and also on or before

the twenty-fifth day of March m every succeeding year . See Preston ' s " Illustrations of Masonry , " 1861 ( Seventeenth ) Edition , pp 2 G 3-5 — ED . EBEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE ] .

A HARD CASE . To the Editor of the Freemason ' s Chronicle . DEAR S IR AND BROTHER . —I have road yonr article " A Hard Case , " and hope with you that tho dear child will not be left out in the cold . I had not the pleasure of knowing Bro . Sfceng , bufc shall

nevertheless bo very glad to assist his orphan daughter . If the rules cannot possibly be departed from fco meet ; this mosfc deserving case , conld not tho child ' s admission be purchased ? If so , I shall be most happy fco give my guinea towards carrying out so truly Masonio an action , and I am sure thafc you will gladly receive donations . Yours truly and fraternally , P . M . 1076 and 1861 , P . Z .