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Bro . Lieut .-Col . Wilkinson P . P . G . S . D . then presented an address on behalf of the four Masonio Lodges of Stockport , and signed by Bros . W . Gleave W . M . 104 , Geo . M'Clelland W . M . 287 , David Higson W . M . 322 , and James Broen W . M . 323 . The main part of the address was as under : —

Freemasonry has ever been identified with objects and institutions tending to promote the well-being , happiness , and prosperity of the community at large . Believing , as we do , that the Stockport Technical School , commenced with such good and hopeful intentions ,

is eminently calculated to yield the most beneficent results , we feel sure that your Lordship and the members of the Craft who have assisted you in this interesting ceremonial will always kok back with pride and satisfaction on the work that your Lordship has this day so kindly inaugurated .

The Lord Mayor , acknowledging the presentations , testified the pleasure he experienced in being present to lay the foundation-stone of a building which wonld be the cause of the greater prosperity of Stockport . Regarding the address so kindly given him by Colonel Wilkinson , he had the greatest faith in Masonry , and had been a

member of the Craft for 28 years . The more he saw of Masonry , the more he was convinced that it was one of those bonds of union between men , and an institution that destroyed prejudice , au enemy of mankind . He heartily reciprocated the warm sentiments contained in both addresses . Proceeding , then , to inaugurate the

ceremonial of the day , his Lordship spoke the following words to those assembled , in accordance with ancient usage : —Men , women , and children here assembled to-day to behold this ceremony , know all of you that we be lawful Masons , true and faithful to the laws of our country , and established of old with peace and hononr , in most

countries , to do good to our brethren , to erect magnificent structures , and to fear God , the Great Architect of the Universe . We have amongst ns , concealed from the eyes of all men , secrets which cannot be divulged , but these secrets are lawful and honourable , and not repugnant to the laws of God or man . They were entrusted in peace

and honour to Masons of ancient times , and have been faithfully transmitted to us , and it is our duty to convey them , unimpaired , to the latest posterity . Unless our Craft were good and our calling honourable we should not have lasted for so many centuries , nor should we have been honoured with the patronage of so many

illustrious men in all ages , who have ever shown themselves ready to promote onr interests and to defend ns against all adversaries . We are assembled here to-day in the presence of you all , to assist in laying in ancient form the corner-stone of this building , which we pray the Great Architect to prosper , for the promotion of godliness ,

harmony , and Brotherly Love , until time shall be no more . " Prayer was offered up by the Rev . ; R . Hodgson P . G . C , of St . Margaret ' s , Altrincham , the upper stone was raised , and a phial containing coins and records placed in the cavity by the Prov . G . T . Bro . Gibson P . G . Snpt . Works fixed the plate in position , and the workmen then

laid the cement on the upper face of the stone , this being followed by the acting Prov . Grand Master ( the Lord Mayor ) spreading the cement with the silver trowel which was prudently encased in a

handkerchief . The atone was lowered into its position with three distinct stops , the following anthem being sung meanwhile by a choir consisting of Bros . Mark Stafford ( Hyde ) alto , W . Dumville and N . Dumville ( Manchester ) tenors , George Ball ( Stockport ) bass : —

When the Temple ' s first stone was slowly descending , A stillness like death the scene reigned around ; There thousands of gazers in silence were bending ,

Till rested the ponderous mass on tbe ground . Then shouts filled the air , and joy was like madness , The Pounder alone weeping meekly apart ; Until from his lips burst flowing with gladness ,

The wish that for ever might ' Prosper the Art . " When the Temple had reared its magnificent crest , And the wealth of the world embellished its walls ; The nations drew near from the East and the West ,

Their homage to pay in its beautiful halls . Then they paused at the porch with feelings delighted , Bestowing fond looks ere they turned to depart ; As homeward they trod with voices united , They joined in full chorus— " Prosper the Art !"

The Acting Provincial Grand Master afterwards adjusted the stone on its bed by striking it on the four corners with the setting maul , and the plumb rule , level , and square were each in turn presented to him for use . Having employed them , his lordship announced that he found the corner stone to be plumbed , levelled , and squared

and he declared it so have been duly prepared and properly laid . Three taps on the stone with the mallet by the Acting Provincial Grand Master practically completed the ceremony , and subsequently corn was strewn over the stone as an emblem of plenty , wine was poured across it as a token of joy and gladness , oil was placed upon

it as a symbol of peace and unanimity , and salt was sprinkled over it in proof of hospitality and friendship . The Provincial Grand Chaplain recited a second prayer , and the ceremony was concluded by the Provincial Grand Treasurer putting money upon the stone for the refreshment of the Craftsmen .

Mr . Thomas Kay , Hon . Treasurer of the Technical School Committee , moved a vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor and the Provincial Grand Lodge for thei .: attendance , to which his lordship made reply promising tbat if thej applied to him for aid on behalf of the new ' School they would never call upon him in vain .

The Depnty Provincial Grand Master , Bro . hia Honour Horatio Lloyd , then presented to the Mayor , as a souvenir of the occasion on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge , the ebony mallet , mounted in silver , which the Loid Mayor had used for the ceremony . The

Masonic version of the National Anthem followed , and the Freemasons , re-forming int o procession , returned in reversed order to the Mechanics' Institute , where the Provincial Grand Lodge was dnly closed down . Bros . Finch and Booth were the Directors of fche

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Ceremonies , and the Committee who had charge of the Masonio arrangements for the day were , —Bros . Wilkinson 322 president , Gleave 104 vice president , Brady 322 treasurer , Brooks 323 secretary ,

Pinch 101 , Booth 104 , Balfe 104 , Bell 104 , M'Clelland 287 , Blake . hurst 287 , Taylor 287 , Higson 322 , Gould 322 , Fleming 322 , Breen 323 , Slack 323 , and Pritchard 323 .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Durham.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF DURHAM .

HHHE official circular calling tbe annual meeting of thia - *• Lodge was issued Thursday , 6 th September , by the Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . R . Hudson P . G . S . B . England . The Lodge will be held under the presidency of Sir Hedworth Williamson , Barb ., P . G . M ., in the Town Hall , Gateshead , on Tuesday , the 25 th insfc ., at 2 * 30 p . m . The Charities Committee will meet at 12 ' 45 , and the Fnnd Committee at 1 * 30 , at the same place . The banquet after the Lodge will be held in the Drill Hall , Burt Terrace , Hexham Road . Ifc is about nine years since Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham was held afc Gateshead , and in the interval the Craffc has seen many changes . Two Provincial Grand Masters have passed away—the late Bro . John Fawceefc , who was P . G . M . when the Provincial Lodge last met at Gateshead , and who , by the way , installed H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as Grand Master ; and the

late Marquess ot . Londonderry , Jt-L . r . Other conspicuous figures have also passed away from the Masonic Provincial Lodge—notably among these being the late Bro . E . D . Davis P . P . G . D . of C , and Bro . H . W . Cfookes , of Sunderland , for some years Provincial Grand Secretary . The Lodge at Gateshead—or afc least the Senior Lodge , the Industry ^ No . 48—is the oldest in the province of Durham . Its warrant dates back over 150 years , to 24 th June 1735 ; and ifc has a most interesting history , which was written briefly a few years ago by one of its distinguished Past Masters , Bro . R . B . Reed P . P . G . Treasurer .

The old Lodge possesses a good roll of Past Masters , who rank high in the Craft , among those on the list being Bros . R . J . Banning , R . B . Reed , Dr . R . P . Cook , D . Sinclair , M . Corbitt , R . Whitfield , John Wood , J . G . Smith , John Moult , William Garbitfc , Adamson Rhagg , and William Mark Pybus . The present W . M . is Bro . W . Dalrymple , and the I . P . M . Bro . E . Shewbrooks . Next to Gateshead in point of time comes the old Sunderland Lodges , the Phoenix ( 1755 ) , the Palatine , formerly the Sea Captain ' s Lodge ( 1757 ) , and the St . John ' s ( 1776 ) . Under the

banners of these centenarian Lodges have held sway many distinguished brethren , including the present Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., who was W . M . of the Palatine Lodge exactly 30 years ago ;

Bro . Benj . Levy , who was W . M . in 1857 , and is still a most excellent worker ; and only last week there died Bro . G . S . Ranson , of Sunderland , who was Master of the Palatine Lodge in 1850 . Among other notable brethren who still flourish , whose record goes far back , are Bro . Aid . Potts ,

Bro . M . Douglas , Bro . Dr . Welford , Sunderland ; Bro . G . J . Wilson , who was W . M . of the Restoration Lodge , Darlington in 1835 , over half a century ago ; Bro . Rev . John Cundill of the Lambton Lodge , for many year :, Provincial Grand Treasurer , Bro . Jos . Dodds , M . P . Stockton , who was W . M . of the Tees Lodge in 1855 ; while connected with the Marquis of Granby Lodge , Durham , Sir George Elliot , Bart ., M . P ., R . W . P . G . M . South Wales ; Bro . G . W .

Elliot , M . P . and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . the Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., Past Grand Chaplain , are joining Past Masters . Bro . Robfc . Hudson , the Provincial Grand Secretary , has a long and honourable record

of service in connection with Durham province , and has been attached during a long period to the Palatine , Williamson , Fenwick , aud Londonderry Lodges , Sunderland , of the latter of which he was the first W . M . Last year , on

the occasion of the Jubilee meeting in London , he was created a Past Grand Officer of the Grand Lodge of England by the Most Worshipful Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G . Some years having elapsed

since the last Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Gateshead , and many Masonic changes having occurred in fche interval , the meeting will be looked forward to with more

than ordinary interest by the brethren of the Province , and no doubt by many connected with tbe Province of Northumberland , whose interest and sympathy run together with those of the neighbouring province .