Hampshire And Isle Of Wight.

whom he knew in the present , and he hardly knew how to thank them ; he could only say he entertained towards them feelings of affectionate regard . Brother Eve had alluded to many circumstances that had occurred during his long progress in Freemasonry . Fifty years was certainly a long

time to look back upon , but he could say that in his early years he was prompted by a desire to promote the best interests of their great Order . His sphere at first was restricted to Oxfordshire , where he filled many offices , and did a fair amount of Masonic work . He was then

transferred , Masomcally speaking , to his own Province , and the Brethren who wished him to preside over it were so many that no doubt the Grand Master felt it incumbent upon him to meet the wish they expressed . At that time the Isle of Wight was a separate Province from Hampshire , but a

vacancy occurring , the Grand Master wished him to take the Grand Mastership of the Island as well as of Hampshire . He knew there was some feeling against the change at the time , because the Brethren of the Island , being Masonically independent , did not like being attached to the county . He ,

however , could only obey the mandate of the Grand Master , and his advisers , who had always recommended that Provinces should not be too small . He did his best to carry out their wishes , and to rule over Hampshire and the Isle of Wight combined . He had tried to exercise his rule

independently and fairly , and he trusted the Isle of Wight Brethren had no reason to complain that their claims had been unfairly considered . During his rule he had had many questions to decide , some of a very difficult character , and he had acted to the best of his judgment and ability . He

could not have discharged his duty so well had he not been supported by able Officers . He had had several Deputy Provincial Grand Masters to assist him . First , there was Brother Deacon , who was Deputy for his predecessor ; next came a very old and highly esteemed Freemason , Bro .

Stebbing , whose name was a household word . ; next came Bro . Hickman , and after him Bro . Le Feuvre , to whose merits Bro . Eve had done justice . It would have been impossible for him to rule over the Province unless he had been assisted by his Officers and the Brethren of the Craft

generally , and it was in the belief that he had met with their approval that he accepted the album as a testimony of their regard and affection . He should ever treasure it as a memorial of the kindliness they entertained towards him on that occasion . He assured them it would remain a red-letter

day in his Masonic existence . The Provincial Grand Secretary then read a communication from the Grand Secretary , authorising the selection of six Brethren to receive Past Provincial rank in honour of the Diamond Jubilee .

The Provincial Grand Master said that in exercise of the power thus conferred on him , he had made certain selections . The following were then called forward : and received the

insignia of Provincial rank : Bros . John Brickwood 342 and C . E . Pinnock 151 Senior Wardens , John Adams 35 g Registrar , C . J . Whitting ig 5 and H . J . Thatcher 8 g 4 Senior Deacons , W . Smith Parsons 804 Junior Deacon .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed in due form . The Brethren afterwards dined together in the Banquet Hall , Bro . Clovvser catering in first-class style . The

Provincial Grand Master presided . A feature of the postprandial proceedings was the choice singing of the Wykeham Glee Quartette— -Messrs . A . Gardiner , W . S . Blandford , A . Brown , and J . Munden . — " Hampshire Independent . "

Ad00403

IR , 0 "Y \^ : iL , Masonic Institution for Girls . The noth ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY , THE ISTH MAY i 8 g 8 , R . W . BRO . SIR REGINALD HANSON , BART ., M . P ., LL . D . Past Grand Warden , Patron , Treasurer of the Institution , IN THE CHAIR . Brethren willing to act as Stewards are earnestly solicited to send in their names to the Secretary , as early as convenient . Stewards are much needed , and their services will be gratefully received . F . B . W . HEDGES , Secretary . Office—5 Freemasons' Hall , London , W . O .

East Lancashire.

EAST LANCASHIRE .

THE Provincial Grand Chapter held its annual meeting on Tuesday , 29 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Cooper Street , Manchester . The chair was taken by Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie Prov . G . Superintendent , and there were present Captain C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds , and about 120 other members of the Degree ' .

Upon the roll being called it was found that all the Chapters in the Province were represented . Colonel Starkie referred to the recent death of Comp . James Heelis , of Manchester , a prominent member of the Masonic body , and moved that a letter of condolence should be sent to the members of his famly . Captain Beswicke-Royds seconded the motion , which was passed .

The Provincial Grand Treasurer Comp . J . Pollitt submitted the financial statement , which showed a balance in the bank of £ 117 . The accounts having been adopted , Comp . W . Brooks moved , and Comp . C . D . Cheetham seconded , the election of Comp . Nathan Heywood ( Manchester ) as Provincial Grand Treasurer . The motion was carried unanimously . Comps . Brooks and G . W . Davies were elected Auditors .

The Provincial Grand Superintendent invested the Officers of the Provincial Grand Chapter for the ensuing year , as follow : Comp . Capt . C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds ' - H . Buckley Carr - - - -J . James Newton .... Scribe K .

Dr . Thomas Foreman - - - Scribe N . N . Heywood - - - - Treasurer 3 . S . Scott .... Begistrar H . Lycett .... Deputy Registrar A . Bowen .... Principal Sojourner

3 . Hardcastle - 1 st Assistant Sojourner Allen Sbaw .... 2 nd Assistant Sojourner 3 . Pollard - - - - ) „ , _ R . Hudson - - - - 1 Sword Bearers

S . Mamelok - - - - 1 S . E . Simon - - - - \ Standard Bearers J . Halden - . - - ' 0 . H . Arnold - - - - 1 R . Wardle - - - . I _ . , . „ S Staton ... 1 Erectors of Ceremonies H . B . Brown - - - - ' W . H . Worsley - - - - Organist E . H . Flower .... Janitor .

Upon the motion of Comp . C . D . Cheetham , seconded by Comp . J . T . Hooper , a grant of £ 10 was made to the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution . Comp . Cheetham then moved that a grant of £ 21 be made to the funds of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ,

which this year celebrates its centenary . Captain Beswicke-Royds seconded the motion . Comp . Walter Newton proposed as an amendment that the amount of the grant be increased to 50 guineas . The amendment was seconded by Comp . J . T . Hooper , and , upon a show of hands , adopted by a large majority .

The business of the meeting was shortly afterwards concluded . In the evening there was a banquet at the Masonic Hall .

Staffordshire.

STAFFORDSHIRE .

A SPECIAL meeting of this Province was held at the Victoria Hotel , Wolverhampton , on Thursday , 31 st ult ., under the presidency of the Earl of Dartmouth Prov . G . Master , who was supported by his Deputy Colonel Bindley , and a large number of influential local Brethren . The Earl of Dartmouth explained that the meeting was

summoned to form a Board of Stewards for the Province of Staffordshire to support the Centenary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and urged the Staffordshire

Brethren to give their heartiest support to the Festival , as , in consequence of the removal of the schools from London to a country site , a very large amount of money was immediately required for the Institution .

It was resolved to form a Provincial Board of Stewards in connection with the Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Association , the Committee to consist of the Officers of the Association , and those Brethren who have signified their intention to serve as Steward ; Bro . H . Percy Smith acting as Honorary Secretary to the Board .

Donations were announced of 100 guineas from the Earl of Dartmouth , 100 guineas from Lord Burton , 250 guineas from Bro . W . H . Bailey Past Grand Treasurer of England , 100 guineas from Provincial Grand Lodge , and