West Yorkshire.

members of the family . " He said : In moving this resolution I am deeply conscious of the utter insufficiency of any words of mine adequately to express our high estimation of the noble character of our late Grand Superintendent , and the deep sorrow with which his death has filled our hearts . Companion Tew may

without any exaggeration be said to have been one of those who are " the salt of the earth . " A man of the highest culture and mental attainments and of unblemished character , he was fitted to adorn , and did adorn , every sphere of life in which he moved . Blessed with a competency of this world ' s goods , he also

possessed what , alas ! does not always accompany the means , viz ., a tender heart and a generous disposition , which prompted him to employ his wealth in alleviating the distress and promoting the'happiness of all with whom he came in contact . Such being his disposition , he naturally threw himself " heart and soul" into

Masonry , and the world indeed saw in him " one to whom the burdened heart might pour forth its sorrows , to whom the distressed might prefer their suit , whose heart was guided by justice , and whose hand was extended by benevolence . " He not only subscribed liberally to the Masonic Charities , but Comp .

Tew did not content himself with giving of his means , he gave , what was even more valuable , his time and talents ungrudgingly to Masonry , and was never wearied in working for its welfare . Our esteemed Companion Henry Smith could , I am sure , bear witness to this , whilst the admirable addresses given

from time to time by our late Grand Superintendent will ever remain testimonies as well to his cultured and well stored mind as to his great zeal for the Craft . Companions , as time rolls on no doubt the place of Companion Tew will be filled by some worthy man , and the poignancy of our

grief will be assuaged , but I hope and believe that so long as life endures many of us will bear within our breasts a loving memory of Companion Tew . Comp . G . H . Parke Z . 154 , seconded the resolution , which was carried .

Comp . Henry Covvbrough P . Z . 1042 Prov . G . Treasurer presented his balance sheet , and stated that the balance in Messrs . Leatham , Tew and Co . ' s bank to the credit of Provincial Grand Chapter now stood at £ 213 12 s 9 d , being about £ 11 less

than they started the year with , but this was accounted for by the vote of £ 52 10 s to the Boys School . He moved that it be received and adopted . This was seconded by the Prov . Grand "Registrar , and carried .

The retiring Treasurer then , in complimentary terms , proposed Comp . John Dyson P . Z . 306 , as his successor . This was seconded by Comp . John Richardson P . Z . 1001 , and on the motion being put , Comp . Dyson was declared to be unanimously elected .

The Acting Grand Superintendent then appointed and invested the following Officers for the ensuing year : Comp . Henry Smith 302 - - - H . John Shaw 139 - - - - J . Captain H . G . E . Green 154 - - Scribe E .

Joe Booth Whiteley 290 - - Scribe N . John Dyson 306 ( elected ) - - Treasurer Harold Thomas 296 - - - Eegistrar John Cass , J . P ., 302 - - - Deputy Eegistrar John Eichardson 1001 - - - Principal Sojourner . Geo . T . Schofield , J . P ., 337 - - 1 st Assistant Sojourner

T . Ibbetson Walker 448 - - - 2 nd Assistant Sojourner Francis Fleming 61 Sword Bearer Dr . W . F . Watts 208 - - - Deputy Sword Bearer William Cockcroft 307 - - - Standard Bearer Eev . Canon W . S . Turnbull 1462 - ) A . , „ , , , ^ Wm . Edward Smithies 1283 - - f Assist . Standard Bearers

Tom Tomlinson 289 - - - Director of Ceremonies Thomas Heaton 265 - - - > J . Kenworthy Blakey 1214 - - ' Assist . Dirs . of Ceremonies Arthur William Oration 1513 - - J Jeremiah Dunnill 1019 - - Organist

Alfred Leach 495 - - - Assistant Scribe E . P . Bancroft Coward 904 - - ) Wm . Aked Stattor 153 - - - L . , Theo . Bates 308 - - - - Stewards

Thomas Norfolk 600 - - - ) Thomas Chester 904 - - - Janitor . Comp . Malcolm P . Z . 304 P . P . G . Regr . moved , Comp . John - Shaw P . Z . 139 Prov . G . J . seconded , and it was resolved , that a

hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Comp . Edward Haigh Z ., and the Companions of Prosperity Chapter , No . 290 , for their kind invitation and for the excellent arrangements made for the comfort of the Companions .

There being no invitation for the November meeting ( when it is expected that the new Grand Superintendent ' s Installation would take place ) , Provincial Grand Chapter was closed .

We congratulate , as we are sure our readers will , Bro . Charles Christmas Piper P . M . The Abbey Lodge , No . 2080 , upon his election , on Wednesday last , as Chairman for the Westminster Vestry , St . Maigaiet ' s and St . John ' s united , whereby he is , under the new Act , dcfacto a Justice of the Peace for

West Yorkshire.

London . The Westminster Vestry displayed acumen and discretion in their selection , for Bro . Piper has devoted many years to Parochial administration , has been Chairman of the Finance Committee , and a zealous Guardian of the Poor for St John ' s , sitting in the St . George ' s Union . For tact and

discernment in matters pertaining to local requirements , and with a consideration for the ratepayer , few can equal him . He has the best wishes from all Westminster , and his many friends outside for good health to enable him to attend and carry out this not unenviable preferment , as we know he will do , with impartialit y zeal and judgment .

Rufford Lodge.

RUFFORO LODGE

IN Nottingham , on Thursday of last week , a ceremony was performed which will remain memorable in the annals of Freemasonry . From all parts of the Province members had assembled to participate in the Consecration of the Rufford

Lodge , No . 2553 . Apart from those holding distinguished rank in the county , there were present no fewer than six Officers of Grand Lodge , including Brother Edward Letchworth Grand Secretary .

The gathering lacked one feature only . To the great regret of all , his Grace the Duke of St . Albans the Provincial Grand Master of Notts , was unable to be present . It was one of the largest meetings which upon an occasion of interest has taken place at the Masonic Hall of late years .

Upon the 21 st of February iast the warrant was issued for the formation of the new Lodge , the founders being Bros . Fred W . Chapman , A . Lawson P . P . G . T ., J . Sulley , Augustus J .

Barber , Enoch Hind P . G . T ., Geo . Chapman P . P . G . D ., Henry J . Mellors , Thos . Hallam , Nathan Ashurst P . P . G . D . ( Derbyshire ) , Wm . Thompson Mather , W . W . Randall , Bingley Shaw , Charles Smith , Samuel Stevens , and John James Turner .

Provincial Grand Lodge was opened at 3 " 30 . In the unavoidable absence of the Provincial Grand Master Brother Lieut .-Col . Newton D . P . G . M . and J . D . of Grand Lodge , presided . His Honour Judge Mastermau P . G . J . W . officiated as the acting Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and Bro . the Rev . A .

J . L . Dobbin P . P . G . S . W . 402 , acted as Grand Senior Warden . These Officers were accompanied by the following from Grand Lodge , in addition to the Grand Secretary Bro . Balfour Cockburn Prov . G . M . for Guernsey and Alderney , J . Parkinson P . G . D ., Knyvett P . G . D ., and J . H . Matthews P . D . G . D . C .

After other business had been disposed of , the ceremony of consecrating the new Lodge was entered upon , the principal Office devolving upon the Grand Secretary of the Order , who was assisted by Bro . Jas . H . Matthews , together with the Rev . H . T . Hayman P . G . C ., and the Provincial Grand Officers of Notts .

The installation of Bro . Fredk . William Chapman as the first Master of the new Lodge was performed by Bro . George Chapman P . P . G . D . The appointment and investment of Officers succeeded , Bro . Nathan Ashurst P . M . P . P . G . D . ( Derbyshire ) acting throughout as Director of Ceremonies .

A banquet followed the consecration ceremony , and for this excellent arrangements had been made . The customary toasts were honoured .

The Grand Secretary , replying to that of the Consecrating Officer , congratulated those assembled upon the interesting and unique circumstances connected with the gathering . — " Nottingham Guardian . "

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

WE regret to announce the somewhat sudden death of Bro . Ponard P . M . La France Lodge , No . 2060 , for very many years caterer of the Queen ' s Guard , St . James ' s Palace , where he died after only a few hours' illness . He was well known to the military officers and Royalties , and greatly respected . His

funeral obsequies was attended by his son , Bro . Ernest Ponard W . M . Royal Kensington Lodge , No . 1627 , his father ' s mother Lodge , and by many friends , Masonic and otherwise . Several wreaths were sent as tokens of regard ; Bro . Eugene Delacoste

P . M . 1627 and Bro . St . Clair P . M . 2060 sent very choice exotic wreaths . Bro . W . Bellamy P . M . 1627 , Bro . J . E . Shand P . M . 1563 , and numerous others were at the cemetery , and witnessed the interment . We desire to add our sympathy to that of others

towards his son and family circle . AFTER an illness extending over four months , Bro . Edward Rush , of Chester , passed away on the 4 th , at the age of

fifty-five , the cause of death being heart disease . Bro . Rush was an active Freemason , being Treasurer and a P . M . of the Lodge of Independence , 721 . He was well known among his Brethren of the Cheshire and North Wales Provinces , being a frequent visitor at Bangor , Wrexham , and elsewhere .