Middlesex.

MIDDLESEX .

THE Annual Convocation of the Provincial Grand Chapter was held on Saturday , the 10 th inst ., at the Town Hall , Twickenham , when a numerous body of Principals and Companions assembled . Those who were present had also the pleasure of taking part in an

interesting ceremony , as advantage was taken of the occasion to instal Lord George Francis Hamilton , M . P ., as Grand Superintendent of the Province . The proceedings commenced at half past three o ' clock , when Comp .

Raymond Henry Thrupp Second Provincial Graud Principal in Charge presided , aud was supported by Col . Noel Mouey Provincial Grand Superintendent of Surrey as H ., aud the Rev . S . T . H . Saunders as J . Among

those present were the rollowing ; Comps . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Third Grand Principal , E . Letchworth Grand Secretary , W . Mason Stiles Grand Treasurer , Frank Richardson G . D . C ., W . R . Shutt P . P . G . T ., J . G . Garson P . P . G . J ., J . Gordon Langton G . S . N ., J . W . Hay

P . G . R ., F . W . Levander P . P G . T ., A . Toulmm jun . P . G . A . S ., A . C . A . Higerty P . G . A . S ., H . Higgins P . D . C ., E . Hopwood P . G . S . B ., R . W . Forge P . G . P . S ., W . A .

Scurrah P . G . S ., W . Taylor P . G . W ., E . A . Francis P . A . S ., Dr . J . Beresford Ryley P . G . J ., C . Watkms P . A . S ., G . L . Wingate P . A . S ., Geo . R . Langley P . G . T .,

H . M . Williams P . D . C ., W . G . Kentish P . G . Std . B ., A . H . Scurrah P . G . S . B ., S . W . S . Burridge P . A . S ., C . Veal P . A . S ., J . P . Houghton P . G . S . N ., D . W . Pearn P . G . S . N ., R . W . Bilby P . G . R ., T . C . Austin P . G . D . C , W . J .

Porter P . G . D . C , J . T . Briggs P . G . P . S ., T . W . Ockenden P . G . D . C , H . Hooper P . G . Sword B . ; M . E Zs . A . H . Trehearne 1293 , N . J . Hankim 1603 , W . H . Glynn Smith 1691 ; P . Zs . E . Holt 1237 , J . W . Hinton 1503

J . M . Siedwell 946 , A . Marvin 382 , Chas . Fraser 1293 , H . H . Boom 91 , Astley T . Nieglue S . N . 1691 , W . VV . Lee H . 1524 , Richard Poore H . 1423 , Alfred Collins D . C . 1423 , A . J . Oliver H . 1549 , Stephen Richardson S . N . 1293 , F . Chapman 2 nd A . S . 946 , Orlton Cooper 1928 , David Urquhart 10 , J . R . Marvin 22 , & c . The Provincial Grand Chapter having been opened '

the minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The Auditors' report and accounts , showing a substantial balance , were presented and accepted . Comp .

Thrupp then vacated the chair , which was taken by Comp . W . W . B . Beach , who proceeded to appoint a deputation of Past Principals to retire with the D . C . to introduce the Grand Superintendent Designate . Lord George Hamilton having been placed in front of the

pedestal , the Patent of Appointment from the M . E . G . Z . was read . In a highly impressive address the Installing

Officer enlarged upon the duties of the . local chief , pointing out the responsibilities of the appointment , and the effect that he would have upon the Province . The Superintendent Designate having replied that he would conscientiously undertake the duties of the office , was

then obligated and installed in the Principal ' s chair . The Prov . G . Superintendent appointed Comps . R . H . Thrupp and Frederick Mead as Second and Third

Principals respectively . Comp . Frank Richardson then proclaimed the rank and tities of the Grand Superintendent , who was saluted by the Companions passing in procession before him .

In the course of his subsequent address to the Comps . Lord George said that when heheaid his name had been

mentioned in the highest quarters for the appointment of Provincial Grand Superintendent he felt considerable reluctance to accept it , as he was quite aware of his own shortcomings and was of opinion that no one should occupy a position unless he was perfectly qualified for it .

However , after due reflection he considered that he could rely upon those excellent Companions with whom he was already well acquainted for assistance ; and in their mutual position as Principals he felt tbey would be able to perform the duties in a satisfactory manner .

He should ever bear in mind the impressive address of the Installing Z . and endeavour to maintain the high Masonic chaiacter of the Province . The ceremony in which they had taken part that day was one that tended to promote the best and highest interests of the Craft ,

which he hoped in the future he would be able still further to promote . Hearty applause greeted the Grand Superintendent as he resumed his seat .

Middlesex.

Comp . Bilby proposed and Comp . Shutt seconded , that Comp . Oliver should be Grand Treasurer of the Province for the ensuing year , and there being no other nomination he was declared duly elected . The following Officers were also appointed and invested :

Comp . Wm . Henry Lee - - Scribe E . Dr . Matthew - - - Scribe N . W . H . Glynn Smith - - Begistrar N J . Hakim - - - Principal Sojourner A . H . Trehearne - - - 1 st Assistant

E . Holt ... - - 2 nd Assistant A . Marvin - - - Sword Bearer J . Barnes ... Standard Bearer W . Hislop ... Director of Ceremonies B . Poore .... Assistant Dir . of Cers . Kobert Morgan - - - Organist .

Upon the proposition of the second and third G . Ps . Comp . Gilbert was re-elected Janitor . The Grand Scribe E . then called over the Roll of Chapters in the Province , when all but one were found

to be represented . Comps . Scurrah , Wilkin and Bilby were elected to the Audit Committee , and a vote of thanks was accorded to Past Treasurer Comp . Geo . R . Langley for his management of the accounts .

Comp . Thrupp proposed a cordial vote of thanks to the Strawberry Hill Chapter for the management of the day , aud to Comp . Forge for his valuable services . This was seconded by Comp . Mead and carried . The Grand Superintendent then proposed that the thanks of the convocation should be offered to W . W . B .

Beach G . H . for his assistance in acting as Installing Z . He said Comp . Beach had attained the highest ranks in Freemasonry by his unceasing and indefatigable

efforts , and certainly no one had contributed more than he to the success of the Order . They were specially honoured by his presence there that day and everybody must have been impressed by his able rendering of the ceremony .

Comp . Dr . J . Beresford Ryley seconded , and the proposition was carried with acclamation . Comp . Beach , in acknowledging the compliment , said that he was always glad to fulfil any duty that lay

in his power to perform , if it tended to advance the interests in the Craft . He congratulated the Province in having so highly esteemed a Mason as Lord George Hamilton for their Grand Superintendent , and wished him a happy and prosperous reign .

The business of the day being finished , the Grand Chapter was closed in solemn form and the Companions adjourned to the banquet room , where an excellent dinner was served by Comp . H . Barton of the King ' s

Head Hotel , Twickenham . Upon its termination the usual Loyal toasts were honoured , the G . Superintendent referring in kindly terms to the death of the Czar and the ready sympathy shown by the M . E . G . Z . in his hurried journey to Livadia to console the grief-stricken

widow . In proposing the Grand Officers Lord George said that one of the charms of Freemasonry was the sense

of jollity that obtained after the labours of the day were over . He could therefore speak with greater freedom than he could otherwise do . He greatly regretted that

an admirable Chairman of Quarter Sessions , a highly esteemed Master of Hounds , and for a long period he had been in the fore front of Freemasonry . In his youth he had taken great inteiest in athletics , and was the greatest sprint runner of his day . In his absence he would ? iti to

can upon uomp . JranK cnarason respond , he w as as good a Companion as could be found in the ranks of the Order . That Companion bore testimony to the zeal and hard work of the Grand Officers in furthering the interests of the Craft ; he had great pleasure in attending the ceremony , and in seeing the admirable manner in which ComDanion Beach had installed the Grand

Superintendent . Comp . Col . Noel Money then rose and said he had the great privilege to propose the health of their Grand Superintendent . It had given him great pleasure to assist at the ceremony of the Installation . He felt he

Comp . Beach had been obliged to leave , and he had thanked him for coming up from the country for this duty . He was a real good fellow , and a very remarkable man . He had been many years M . P . for Bristol , he was