Prov. Grand Lodge Of Surrey.

which is thoroughly representative of the Province , if brethren would more loyally support them than heretofore . You will agree with me , Brethren , I am sore , when I say , that without loyalty to the cause continued action becomes useless . I must appeal to Secretaries of Lodges , and more especially to Scribes of Chapters , to assist the

work of tho Province by conforming to the spirit of the Rules of the Provinco with respeot to returns . Some are absolutely useless and are hardly creditable to the experienced Masons who send them in . Without proper information , the Rulers of the Province cannot succeed , and the want of it on the present ocoasion has

been to the detriment of some brethren who would otherwise have been promoted . I am glad to find that several Lodges have Lodges of Instruction attached , which are of great assistance to the proper working of the ceremonies . I must urge upon Masters of Lodges the desirability of punctuality . There are some Lodges

in which this appears to be of no object , and the consequenoe is that the ceremonies suffer , and comfort of visitors at the subsequent banquet is impaired . I would urge Lodges not to try and do too much on one evening , especially on installation nights , when , if the Installation ceremony is fully and properly rendered , it is a good

evening ' s work . Onr muster roll is rapidly increasing , bnfc from what I have seen during the past year I must seriously call your attention once more to the fact , and remind you that however zealous you may be to bring candidates forward , you are not promoting the best interests of tho Craft by introducing those

whose position in life does not warrant the necessary expenses of Masonry . Oar noble Craft is not a benefit society , but it will soon become one unless a better discrimination is displayed in admitting members . I have to thank you for the kind support you have always loyally accorded me , and I can assure

you it very much assists me m carrying out my somewhat arduous duties , especially under the present circumstances . I trust that as long as I take any part in the ruling of this Province , that the same assistance will be extended to me . The resolution which I ask you to adopt and allow to be entered on the minutes , and copy sent to Mrs . Brownrigg , is : —

" That thiB assembly of the members of Provincial Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Chapter , desire to express to Mrs . Brownrigg and her family their sympathy with them in the great loss they have sustained by the death of the late General Studholme Brownrigg , C . B ., P . G . M ., and P . G . Superintendent of this Province ,

and at the same time to testify to the great debt of gratitude this Province owes to him for his invaluable service to the cause of Masonry for a period of 18 years , during which time the Lodges increased from 10 to 34 , and the Chapters from 5 to 12 ; and further

this assembly wish to mark their appreciation of hia advocacy and encouragement of the principles of Masonry , and the valuable assistance he rendered as ruler of the Province to the groat Masonic Institutions . "

Bro . West then formally proposed the resolution , which was seconded by Bro . H . J . P . Daraas , and received the cordial assent of Prov . G . Lodge . Bro . Charles Greenwood Prov . G . Secretary drew the attention of tho Masters and Secretaries of the various Lodges to tho desirability of

their being prompt in making their annual returns . Much difficulty was entailed where this neglect prevailed . Shortly afterwards Prov . Grand Lodge was closed . The brethren then repaired to the Church of St . John , Caterham Valley , where a short service was held ; the sermon being

preached by the Rev . E . A . Chichester Prov . G . Chaplain . Subsequently a banquet was served , and the after prooeedings wero of an essentially agreeable character . A full toast list was honoured , and the brethren of the entertaining Lodge were congratulated on the success that bad attended their ciforts to entertain Provincial Grand Lodge .

Prov. G. Lodge Berks And Bucks.

PROV . G . LODGE BERKS AND BUCKS .

IN the unavoidable absence , through indisposition , of the Prov . G . M . Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart , the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Berks and Bucks held their annual meeting in the Assembly Booms ,

. Reading , on Thursday , the 11 th inst ., under the presidency of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master the Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg . Tho brethren were summoned for one o ' clock , when Prov . Grand Lodge was opened bv Bro . the Rev .

J . S . Browngg , P . G . C ., assisted by Bro . John Tomkius P . P . S . G . W . and a fair attendance of Present aud Pa / . l TroT . G . Officers . After P . G . Lodge had been formally opened

the Deputy Provincial Grand Master expressed great regret , which ho was ourc was felt by all the brethren , that their esteemed Provincial Grand Master Sir Daniel Gooch

was unable to attend , owing to the stale of his health . Sir Daniel had not been well for some time , and it was nndesirable that lie should overtax his strength by under , taking duties which involved a certain amount of { 0 \] a >

well as pleasure . They all entertained the hope that Sir Daniel's ailment was merely of a temporary character , and that when they next assembled they would have the advantage of his presidency , According to custom , the ixruutes of

Prov. G. Lodge Berks And Bucks.

the last annual Prov . Grand Lodge , held at High Wycombe , on the 25 th June 1888 , had been printed and circulated ; these wero taken as read and unanimously adopted .

Bro . Bradley Past Grand Sword Bearer of England Prov . Grand Secretary , read letters he had received ; these included communications from Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., Prov . Grand Master Middlesex , Colonel Shadwoll Clerke Grand Secretary , Bro . F . West Deputy Prov .

Grand Master Surrey , Bro . F . Binckes , & c . The list of Lodges in the Province was then called ; nearly all were represented ; while the roll of Provincial Grand Officers was also adequately answered . The Treasurer ' s financial statement and the report of the Charity Committee were presented , and adopted ; while sums of money were voted to several Lodges in the Province , to be applied to aid the Masonic Charities . A lengthy discussion ensued in reference to the working of the

Charity Committee . It seemed to be the desire of many of the brethren that , the Lodges in the two counties having so materially increased , the time had arrived when

the Province should be divided . The Provincial Grand Secretary gave his report upon the condition of the several Lodges . From this it appeared there were 899 members and 221 Past Masters . During the past year 158 regular Lodges and 12 Lodges of emergency had been held , and during the same period there had been 33 joining members and 63 initiations . The increase in the membership

during the 12 months had been about 70 . A new Lodge ( the George Gardner ) was consecrated , at Datchet , by tho Deputy Provincial Grand Master , on the 13 th May , tho number of the Lodge being 2309 . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master congratulated tho brethren upon the progress which Masonry had made in tho Province during the past year , as shown by the gratifying report iust read by the Provincial Grand Secretary . Tho

Deputy Provincial Grand Master also alluded to tho satisfactory state of the finances , and the valuable services of the Prov . Grand Treasurer , Bro . Charles Stephens , whose re-election he proposed with much pleasure . Bro . E . L . Shepherd P . M . P . J . G . W . seconded the motion , which was unanimousl y agreed to . The D . P . G . M . then investod the following with the Provincial Charity jewel : Bros . John W . Martin P . M ., Maurice Wheeler P . M ., CharlesE . Belcher

P . M ., Charles Stephens P . M . ( with bars ); and M . J . Withers P . M . ( with ribbon ) . The following officors were appointed for the ensuing year : — Bro . E . Margrett 1101 ... ... Senior Warden E . H . Cox 1639 ... ... Junior Warden Rev . R . Williams 574 ... Chaplain Chas . Stephens 414 ... ... Treasurer G . II . Charsley 1894 ... ... Registrar

R . Bradley 414 ... ,.. Secretary T . T . Fountaine 948 ... ... S . D . J . W . U . Thompson 2228 ... J . D . J . E . Sydenham 2043 ... Supt . of Works W . Sherwood 414 ... ... D . C . M . H . Palmer 574 ... ... A . D . C . Raymond Tucker 1899 ,,. Sword Bearer Maurice Wheeler 915 .,.- > „ . i i r , au atJJOlU

Chas . A . Bennett 1787 ... S " "" " ° G . F . Slade 1887 ... ... Assist . Sec . T . Page 771 ... ... Parst . Chas . Slaughter 1101 ... ... Asst . Purat . J . T . Dodd 414 ... ...- ) B . W . Bennett 2043 ,.. / „ . A . Turner 1894 ... ,., f Stewards . Stnbbington 2043 ... , „) W . Hommings ... ,., Tyler

After some few other matters had received attention , tho Provincial Grand Lodge was closed . The arrangements for the refreshment of the inner man had been entrusted to Bro . Flanagan , of the Great Western Hotel . As a

caterer , Bro . Flanagan ha 3 deservedly acquired a high reputation . He furnishes his tables in no niggardly spirit , and a general feeling of regret was expressed that a larger proportion of those who attended Prov . G . Lodge

did not avail themselves of the opportunity Brother Flangan offered them . After the toast , the Queen and the Craft , had been honoured , tho Deputy Prov . G . M . proposed the health of the Grand Master of England . H . R . H . tho

Prince of Wales was not merely a Grand Master in name , but in deed , and there was no detail connected with his high office of which ho was not cognizant . Indeed , the Prince took a deep and active interest in everything that

concerned the welfare of the Graf * , and this was a circumstance which must be highly gratifying and satisfactory to freemasons . With tho next toast , the Pro G . M . the Earl of Carnarvon , the Deputy Grand Master the Eavl of Lathom ,