Prov. Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE .

rg ^ HE Proviaoi . il Graud Lodgo of Devonshire of the JL ancient and honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons was held on the loth instant , at the lifiwombe Hotel , Ufracombo . The largo billiard-room was utilised for the occasion , it having been gob ready through

the kindness of Mr . Grover , tho manager . A large number of Worshipful Masters , Past Masters , Wardens , and others came iuto the town by the first train , and , it is needless to state , not a few made it an occasion for devoting what

time they had at their disposal to enjoying the natural beauties of the place . Bro . Lord Ebrington Provincial Grand Master was expected to attend , but at tho last moment he was prevented , and his place was occupied b y

the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bro . W . G . Rogers . The Lodgo having been opened at 3 o ' clock , and the Prov . Grand Master ' s absence explained , the minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge , held at Exeter , on the 2 nd day of

August last , and of the special Provincial Grand Lodge , held at Plymouth on 28 th December last , were read and confirmed . The Provincial Grand Secretary Bro . G . C . Davie read hia report , which stated that all Lodges in the

Province had made their annual returns , showing a large increase in the number of Masons . Bro . Henry Stocker P . G . Treasurer presented his report , showing a balance in band of £ 204 . The report of the Fortescuo Annuity Fund

was received and adopted . The report of the Committee of Petitions , who met previously at 1215 , was received and adopted . It recommended various sums to be voted , amounting to over £ 200 , including 120 guinens to the

Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , to be placed on the list of Bros . John Brewer and the Rev . W . Whittley , who are representing the Province at the forthcoming Annual Festival , over which Lord Ebrington will preside , in London . Bro . Lord was elected Treasurer for the ensuing

year , and Bros . Cornish and Browning were appointed to audit the accounts for the same period . The following Provincial Grand Officers were then appointed and invested : —

Bro . W . G . Rogers 122 - - Deputy Master Major Tracey , R . A ., 124 V - Senior Warden Rev . T . Lemon , M . A ., 189 - Junior Warden Rev . R . Tyacke 1181 - - > ni _ , . Rev . R . Cheans 2189 - - ) P , ains

— Lord .... Treasurer C . G . Barnett 1135 - - Registrar G . C . Davie i 51 - - - Secretary G . C . S-arle 248 - - - " ) c __;_ „ uomui

B . S . Fisher 444 - - -J " **"'"» T . C . Lewarn 223 - - ) -,. „ A . J . Blainey 1402 - - j Junior DeE ! cons S . Moas 1284 ... Snnprint . Rnrlpnt . / if Wnrlra

J . i-iiflbrd 2025 - - - Director of Ceremonies C . Watson 954 - - - DepntvD . C . W . Stanbnryl 099 - - Asst . D . C . Major L . Bearne 1138 - - Sword Bearer J . P . Rogers 70 - - - ) 0 i _ . _ , U oareis

J . W . Ford 1091 - - - j ^ "UU"I *> — Hoarder 105 - - - Organist — Yeo 1753 ... Assistant Secretary — Lose ian . 1847 - - - Pursuivant

J . Kingdon 421 - - - Assistant Pursuivant H . Shooter 112 - - - Tyler J . Algar 39 - - . " "i H . M . Imbert-Terry 112 - - 1 A . P . Reece 494 - . - \ „ , J . Drennan 710 - - - h Stewards

Captain Ivimy 1135 - - I W . Adams 1181 - - -J Bro . Binckes , having requested permission of the acting R . W . P . G . M ., before the closing of Provincial Grand Lodge ,

stated that he attended thai , day with the full concurrence of Lord Ebrington , his object being to afford any information required , or to answer any inquiry as to the recently extensivel y issued circular—calumnious , libellous , and

anonymous—the allegations in which are so monstrous as to carry with them thei : own refutation . Were lie conscious of foundation for any such charges against the Institution , or its management , he should not have the

hardihood to present himself before that large assembl y of the Devon brethren . They were aware that their Provincial Grand Master would preside at the forthcoming

Anniversary festival , and on the eve of that event his anxiety was to clear any doubt or misappreheusion which may possibly have been raised in their minds .

At 5 o ' clock a banquet was held in the Ufracombo Mote ] , win re a mos recherche- repast was put up by the manager ( Mr . Grover ) . Tho chair was occupied by the Deputy IVov .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.

Grand Master Bro . W . G . Rogers . After the banquet the usual Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Arrangements were made whereby Brothers who ohoso could

remain at Ufracombo over to the next day . The number of Brothers at the Lodge was about 250 , and the business transacted for the day was of a very satisfactory character .

Opening Of A New Masonic Hall.

OPENING OF A NEW MASONIC HALL .

ON Tuesday , the 12 th insfc ., the ceremony of opening , consecrating , and dedicating the new Masonic Hall , in Stramore-road , Gilford , was performed in the presence of a large assemblage of Freemasons . The new hall , which is in connection with the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down , is a comfortable aud most substantial building . It has been erected to afford accommodation for the

rapidly increasing membors of the Craft residing in Gilford and its immediate neighbourhood . The premises , whioh are both spaoions and attractivo in appearance , reflect the highest credit upon the Masonio body , aud bear ample testimony to its increasing popularity . Provious to tho opening ceremony the brethren assembled in the

Gilford Temperance Hall , whero they were met by the following Officers of the new Lodge : —Bros . William Livingston W . M ., John Kirke S . W ., Ross Livingston J . W ., W . G . W . Flynn S . D ., W . Wrey J . D ., and VV . J . Davidson I . G . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( Bro . Leslie J . Thompson ) having opened the Lodge in the first degree

Bro . M'Calmont , G . D . C ., marshalled the brethren in order of procession aud they proceeded to the uew hall , where the grand honours were given . Bro . Wm . Livingston W . M . rose and addressed the Acting Provincial Grand Master as follows : —The brethren of Loyal Lodge , N <> . 145 , being animated with a desire to promote the honour and

interest of tho Craft , have erected a Masonic Hall for their convenience and accommodation . They are desirous that the same should be examined by the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge , and if it should meet their approbation , that it be solemnly dedicated to Masonio purposes , agreeably to ancient form and usage . The

architect , Bro . W . J . M'Keown , C . E ., and the builder , Bro . Gafiin , then approached the pedestal , and the former addressed the Provincial Grand Master , who replied . The Lodge was then uncovered , and a processiou marched around . The Grand Chaplain , Bro . Rev .

A . Byrne , gave the consecration prayer , to which the brethren responded , and joined in singing the following ode , which was continued during the procession , excepting at intervals of dedication : — Genius of Masonry descend ,

And with thee bring thy spotless train , Constant our sacred rites attend , While we adoro Thy peaceful reign . The Provincial Grand Master poured corn upon the Lodge , saying :

Invoking the blessing and favour of the all-merciful and graciouB Creator , of whose free and universal bounty this corn is the significant emblem , I consecrate this hall to Freemasonry . The grand honours haviug beon given the following verse was sung : —

Bring with thee virtue , brightest maid ; Bring love , bring truth , bring friendship here ; While social mirth shall lend her aid To soothe the wrinkled brow of care .

The Provincial Grand Master sprinkled wine upon the Lodgo , say-I ing : —In the name of the Holy Saints John , I do solemnly dedicate I this hail to religion , virtue , aud science . The grand honours were I twice given , and the following was sung : —

Bring chanty with goodness crowned Encircled in thy heavenly robe ! Diffuse thy blessings all around , To every corner of the globe .

Tho Grand Master then sprinkled oil upon the Lodge , saying : —In the name of the whole Fraternity I do solemnly dedicate this hall to universal benevolence . The grand honours were thrice given , and the following was sung : —

To Heaven ' s High Architect all praise , All praise , all gratitude be given . Who designed the human soul to raise By mystic secrets sprung from Heaven . The Provincial Grand Chaplain then mado the Invocation : —And

may the Lord , the Giver of every gocd and perfect gift , bless the brethren here assembled in all their lawful undertakings , and grant to each one of them , in needful supply , the corn of nourishment , the wine of refreshment , and the oil of joy . Amen . Au oration haviug been delivered by Bro . Rev . A . L . Ford , Chaplain of Nelson Lodge ,

: . \ o . 18 , the ceremony vva 3 concluded . The following resolution , j which , was proposed by Bro . Rev . A . Byrne , and seconded by Bro . I Captain L'Estrauge , was passed unanimously : — " That the Proviu-| cial Grand Lodge of Down have , with feelings of uumingled sorrow , ! heard of tho demise of our Worshipful Brother Samuel Oldham ,

: Deputy Grand Secretary and I reasuror of the Grand Lodge of Free \ and Accepted Masons of Ireland ; that iu him wo all times found a : brother whose ripe understanding , indepeudent jndgmeut , and : never-fading courtesy rendered his advice invaluable , his information impartial , his friendship a pleasure , and his services to ti _ j Order

inestimable , and that our Secretary be directed to couvey to hia family our most heartfelt , sincere , and fraternal sympathy with them in their bereavement . After the closing of the Lodge the brethren repaired to Stramore House , where a most enjoyable lnncheou had been provided .

Ar00603

DEATH . WOBKKhL . —On the Sth June , afc ( JO Wiltshire Road . JJrixfcon , S . W . Oir . wir . Ks , sou of liro . \ Vir , i , iA . u VfoiiRihu , I'M . and Hoc . No . 76 t > . Aged three years . mil \ -h \ w iiioiiUr ..