Vegetarian Masonry.

a Lodge , to take steps towards making application for a Warrant for the foundation of Lodges , at the meetings of which the consumption and use of Fish , Flesh , Fowl , Alcohol and Tobacco should be excluded . It is not at present proposed to open the Lodges to non-vegetarians . Members

need not be total abstainers from alcohol , or non-smokers , but must subscribe to the above condition as a permanent rule . It is desirable to get the application signed as numerously as possible by Brethren willing to become Founders , and to have a good list of names of those who

wish to become Initiates . All friends interested in the matter are invited to communicate with Bro . J . C . Matthews , i Gray ' s Inn Square , W . C ., who will be pleased to supply enquirers with any further information , such as the proposed fees , & c . — " Vegetarian . "

East Lancashire.

EAST LANCASHIRE .

rinHE annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of I East Lancashire was held on the 17 th inst ., in the Queen Street Schools , Oldham . Bro . C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds Deputy Provincial Grand Master presided , and Brother Abraham Clegg P . P . S . G . W . acted as his deputy . There was a large attendance .

Before proceeding with the business of the meeting ,, the Acting Provincial G . M . said he desired in a few words to give expression to their sense of the loss which the Province had sustained by the death of Colonel Starkie , the late Provincial Grand -Master . As they were aware , he loved Freemasony

not only 00 account of its mystic rites , and its ritual , but principally on account of its charities . He was the founder of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Benevolent Institution , and he supported that Institution to the very best of his ability . When he was installed in the high office which

he held , in 1870 , the number of Lodges in the Province was ninety-one ; now , when he was called away , he left the Province with 113 Lodges , and nearly 5 , 000 subscribing members . Those figures furnished sufficient evidence that in having had Colonel Starkie to preside over them they had

had . the right man in the right place . Whatever he undertook , whether as a member of their Order , or in connection with other positions which he filled , he carried through thoroughly and well . Those who were present at the Provincial meeting held at the Hulme Town Hall at the close

of last year , when Colonel Starkie proposed a vote of condolence with the family of the late Earl of Lathom Provincial Grand Master of the adjoining Province , little

though that at the next meeting they held Colonel Starkie would himself be the subject of such a vote . He moved that a letter of condolence be sent to his widow , and that its terms be entered upon the minutes of Provincial Grand Lodge .

Brother W . Goldthorpe P . P . G . Registrar seconded the motion , observing that he was one of those who were fortunate enough to receive a Provincial appointment when the late Colonel Starkie was installed in 1870 . The Brethren signified acceptance of the resolution by rising in their places .

The roll of Lodges was called , and it appeared that all were represented save two . Brother W . Alcock Prov . G . Treasurer presented the financial statement , which showed that there had been voted to Masonic Charitable Institutions during the year / 440 ,

including a grant to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys of 250 guineas . There remained a balance in the bank of £ 23 6 . It was , he said , a gratifying circumstance that no Lodge in the Province was behindhand with its contributions : ' "' ¦

Upon the motion of Brother Beswick ( Bolton ) , seconded by Brother W . A . Boyer ( Manchester ) , the accounts were adoped . Brother C . D . Cheetham P . P . S . G . W . moved the adoption of the proceedings of the Charity Committee , and ,

referring to the loss in voting power which the Province sustained consequent upon the neglect of some Lodges to send their voting papers to the Provincial Grand Secretary , asked that this might be remedied in the future . Brother J . T . Hooper P . P . G . T . seconded the motion , which was passed .

Brother Hollingworth proposed that Brother John Chadwick , Friendship Lodge , No . 277 , Oldham , be elected Prov . G . Treasurer for the ensuing year . Brother F . W . Lean P . P . G . D . seconded the motion , which was carried unanimously . The Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year were then invested , as follow : —

East Lancashire.

Bro . . James B . Flatt 1868 - - - Senior Wardin S . F . Simons 1534 - Junior Warden Rev . W . H . Healey 344 - - - ) „ , , . Rev . J . Alker 2702 - - - - f Cha ? lams J . Chadwick 277 - Treasurer W . F . Farringfcon 1633 - - - Registrar . W . A . Boyer 2544 - - - - Deputy Registrar

James Newton .... Secretary Joseph Braddock 277 - - - " j A . H . Smith 2322 - - - - i Senior Deacons F . R . Cooper 1035 - - - - \ J . Green 467 - - - - ) J . M . H . Blarney 163 - - - i- Junior Deacons B . Derham 1723 - - - -

R . Peacock 2341 - Superintendent of Works A . 0 . Wi ' son 633 - - - - Director of Ceremonies R . Halstead ... . Deputv Dir . of Cers . Edwyn A . Smith 2363 - - ) J . H . Isherwood 367 - - - > Assistant Dirs . of Cers . Henry Hindle 345 - - - - ) John Hulley 268 ... - Sword Bearer

I . M . Moss 1101 .... Deputy Sword Bearer N . Dumville 2156 - - - - ) Q . , , „ J . Shuttlevvorth 286 - - - l staadard Bearers J . H . Greenwood 2287 - - - Organist E . H . Flower 999 - - - - Assistant Secretary Thomas Threfall 1773 - - - Pursuivant

G . W . Davios 1459 - - - - Assistant Pursuivant A . Collinge - - - - - \ S . Davies - J . K . Buckley - - . „ , . J . Broadbent - - - Y Stewards J . Hilton - J . Grime - - - - - E . Roberts - - - - - Tyler .

A collection was taken in aid of the East Lancashire Masonic Charities , which realised upwards of £ 18 . Before the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed the Brethren stood while the Dead March from "Saul" was played , as a mark of respect to the memory of Colonel Starkie .

West Lancashire.

WEST LANCASHIRE .

1 THE official summons for attendance at the Provincial . Grand Lodge which it to be held at Preston , on Thursday , the ist June , has just been issued . The Right . Hon . - the Earl of Lathom will be installed as Provincial Grand Master , in succession to his father , whose death with- : drew from the Craft one of its most distinguished and most popular adherents .

The Provincial Grand Master-designate was born in 186 4 , and succeeded his lamented father last year . He was educated at Eton , and retired from the Royal Horse Guards with the rank of major , in 18 97 . In 1889 he was married to Lady Wilma Pleydell Bouverie , daughter of the fifth Earl of Radnor .

Staffordshire.

STAFFORDSHIRE .

THE Earl of Dartmouth Provincial Grand Master presided over a Prov . Grand Lodge held in the Wretham Road Masonic Rooms , Handsworth , on the 9 th inst ., when a large and distinguished company was present , among them being Bro . Lieutenant-Colonel G . Walton Walker D . P . G . M .

The Earl of Dartmouth and the Provincial Grand Officers present and past entered the hall in procession , and having opened the Lodge , the Prov . Grand Master was saluted according to ancient form , after which the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and other Brethren entitled to the

honour were also saluted . The summons convening the meeting having been read , the minutes of the last annual meetijig , held at Stafford in May 1 S 98 , and of the meeting held at Stoke in February 18 99 , were read and confirmed .

The roll of Lodges in the Province was then called , from which it would appear that there are thirty-two Lodges with 1 , 763 members , the Menturia , No . 418 , coining first with 119 members , the St . Matthew , No . 589 , being a good second , with in .

The attendance was very gratifying , nearly all the Lodges being represented , some having from thirty-five to thirtyseven members present , the announcement of the numbers being received with Masonic applause . The Treasurer ' s account , which showed a handsome

balance , was adopted , and the Treasurer , Bro . Newnham , was re-elected by acclamation on the proposition of the Prov . G . M ., who warmly expressed the thanks of P . G . Lodge ,

and the general indebtedness of the Province to its Treasurer . The Prov . G . Master then addressed the Lodge , bearing especially on the gratifying prosperity and advancement of Freemasonry in the Province ; adverting also to the cause of