Worcestershire.

WORCESTERSHIRE ,

THE annual meeting in connection with the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire took place on Thursday , 12 th inst ., at the Shire Hall , Worcester . Owing to the lamented death of Sir Edmund Lechmere , Bart ., M . P ., who was for 16 years the head of the Province , the

Prince of Wales Grand Master of England appointed Bro . A . F . Godson , M . P ., P . G . D . Eng . D . P . G . M . as Provincial Grand Master of Worcestershire , aud the appointment being popular , there was

an exceptionally large attendance of Brethren from the various Lodges in the Province , and also from the neighbouring Provinces , to witness the installation ceremony by the Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master of England the Earl of Lathom .

Among those present were Brother E . Letchworth Grand Secretary , Sir Michael Hicks-Beach P . G . M . Gloucestershire , the Hon . Sir W . T . Marriott S . G . D ., A . S . Tomkins J . G . D ., W . H . Eylands A . G . D . C , J . S . Cumberland D . G . Swd . B ., H . Tipper A . G . P ., H . Sadler G . T ., W . Jackson , M . P ., P . G . M . West Eiding

Yorkshire , J . T . Collins D . P . G . M . Warwickshire , Colonel Bindley D . P . G . M . Staffordshire , H . C . Beddow D . P . G . M . Herefordshire , E . G . Venables D . P . G . M . Salop , E . Vassar Smith D . P . G . M . Gloucesters ., G . Beach P . G . Secretary Warwicks ., J .

McLeod Secretary of E . M . I . Boys , F . E . W . Hedges Secretary of E . M . I . Girls , J . Mason E . M . Benevt . L , H . Smith D . P . G . M . West Yorks , F . Bodenham P . P . G . W ., 0 . Moore P . G . M . Nova Scotia , A . Green P . G . P ., G . Taylor P . G . Std . B ., & c .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened by the Provincial Grand Master Designate Bro . A . F . Godson , M . P ., after which he was saluted according to ancient custom . The muster roll of the Lodges was called , after which the Provincial Grand Treasurer ' s accounts were submitted and adopted .

Apologies for non-attendance were received from the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe D . G . M ., Lord Eoberts of Candahar S . G . W ., Lord Barnard J . G . W ., the Dean of Gloucester , Sir F . Seager Hunt S . G . D ., Sir Albert Woods G . D . C , the Earl of Euston ,

Lord Onslow P . G . M . Surrey , the Marquess of Hertfort P . G . M ., Lord Leigh P . G . M . Warwick , Lord Dartmouth P . G . M-. Staffordshire , Sir J . Bayley P . G . M . Hereford , Sir Offley Wakeman P . G . M . Salop , Baron de Ferriers P . G . D . England , and a number of other distinguished Brethren .

On the motion of Bro . W . E . Walker seconded by Bro . Eev . W . J . Down , Bro . Arter was re-elected Provincial Grand Treasurer .

The Provincial Grand Master reported that Masonry was still flourishing in the Province , the total number of members being 555 , an increase of 22 as compared with the number in the previous year . The report was considered to be satisfactory . On the proposition of the Provincial Grand Master , it was

decided that the Benevolent Committee be amalgamated with the Charity Committee . The Secretary of the Provincial Charity Organisation Committee reported an increase of £ 38 17 s in the charity funds as compared with the previous year . Brother Guy

Pritchard tendered his resignation as Secretary of the Committee . It was accepted with regret , and a vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Pritchard for his services . Bro . W . T . Page was elected to the vacant office .

The Provincial Grand Master announced that Lady Lechmere had presented to the Provincial Grand Lodge , for the use of the Provincial Grand Master for all time to come , the collar , jewels , and other Masonic clothing belonging to the late Sir Edmund Lechmere , M . P . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Lady Lechmere .

The Lechmere Memorial Committee submitted the following report to the Provincial Grand Lodge : ( 1 ) "Than a memorial window be placed in St . John ' s Chapel , Worcester Cathedral" ; ( 2 ) " That the amount be divided between the Masonic Boys and

Girls Schools , in the name of the Lechmere Memorial , for the purchase of votes in perpetuity , and that a memorial brass be placed in St . John ' s Chapel , Worcester Cathedral . " In discussion it was stated that about £ 210 had been subscribed . The second clause was eventually carried unanimously .

The Provincial Grand Master having retired , the Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master the Earl of Lathom entered the hall , accompanied by several Officers present and past . The Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master took the chair , and the Brethren sang the hymn , " Hail ! Eternal , by whose aid . "

The Pro Grand Master and the many other Grand Officers and Provincial Grand Masters having been saluted , his lordship addressed tho Provincial Grand Lo , ige upon the subject of the installation . He said it was with pleasure he attended thab day to perform the ceremony of installing the Eight Worshipful Bro .

Godson as Provincial Grand Master of Worcestershire . He had done excellent work , and was well worthy of the appointment conferred upon him by the Prince of Wales the Grand Master of England . He could not forget the fact that the appointment was in consequence of the death of Sir E . Lechmere , who had so well and ably performed the duties of his high office . It was

Worcestershire.

now nearly 17 years since he had the pleasure ot installing the late Sir Edmund Lechmere to the high office of Provincial Grand Master . During that long period they had lost by death a large number of Brethren , but it was gratifying to know that others had joined the ranks and were continuing the good work .

The arrival of the Eight Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Designate having been announced , he was directed to send in his patent , which was presented by the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies to the Pro Grand Master , who , havin ° * examined ib , directed a deputation of seven Past Masters , two

Past Provincial Grand Wardens , and the Provincial Senior and Junior Deacons to retire with the Grand Director of Ceremonies , and introduce the Provincial Grand Master . A procession was formed , and the deputation entered the Lodge , Bros . E . P . Hill and J . Fitzgerald , two senior Past Masters , presenting the

Provincial Grand Master Designate . The patent having beeu read , the ceremony of the installation was performed by the Pro Grand Master , who invested the Provincial Grand Master with the apron , chain , and jewel of office . During the ceremony the anthem , " Be thou faithful unto death , " was beautifully rendered .

The Provincial Grand Master said he appreciated the honour the Grand Master of England had conferred upon him , and his best efforts would be made to follow in the footsteps of his late distinguished predecessor . He had been Deputy Provincial Grand Master 13 years all but two days , consequently he had had some experience , and with the assistance of the Brethren he trusted their work would go on satisfactorily .

The Provincial Grand Master appointed the following Brethren as his Officers * .

Bro . Lieutenant-Colonel Warner Ottley - Deputy T . E . Lucy 529 - - - Senior Warden T . F . Higgs 252 .... Junior Warden Rev . A . G . Maitland 252 - - - Chaplain C . Mytton 560 .... Registrar

T . R . Arter .... Treasurer G . Taylor ..... Secretary H . E . Hallam 2034 - - - Senior Deacon T . F . Bland 1874 - - - - Junior Deacon J . H . White 529 .... Superintendent of Works

Waldron 573 .... Director of Ceremonies J . Attwood 584 .... Assist . Dir . of Ceremonies J . H . L . Thompson 1204 - - - Sword Bearer Hanson 252 .... ) Scan . lard Bearers " »¦» " «»'" ** " »

Shipley 498 - - - ) ~ - » W . C Box 529 - - - - Organist F . H . Lloyd 573 - - - - Pursuivant Evan Foster 377 ... .. Assistant Pursuivant J . J . Steward 280 - - - - \

J . J . Wood 280 - EMaxey 280 - - - - [ Stovvatd 8 # J . C . Grieve 529 - - - - j R . Westwood 529 - S . Farr 529 - - - -

The Brethren afterwards adjourned to the Guildhall , where a banquet was provided . The usual Masonic toasts were observed . The Pro Grand Master , in responding to the toast of the Grand Officers of England , said it had fallen to his lot to instal

twenty-four Provincial Grand Masters . He was glad the Prince of Wales , as the Grand Master of England , had appointed Bro . Godson as the Provincial Grand Master of Worcestershire . He was fully convinced that he would worthily discharge the duties of his high office , and that his selection met wibh the approval of

the Brethren of the Province . Masonry was making progress , not only iu that Province , but also in those adjoining . As Freemasons they prided themselves upon their charities , and it was their duty to see that they were not imposed upon . There were a large number of applicants for Masonry , and it was the duty of

the Brethren who took upon themselves the responsibility of proposing them that they should first make diligent inquiries into their characters , in order that only good and true men should be admitted into the Craft . His lordship afterwards proposed the health of the Provincial Grand Master . Several other toasts followed , which were interspersed with appropriate music . — " Birmingham Gazette . "

We have received a photo of a very pretty Charity box designed by our old friend Bro . F . T . C . Keeble Pa-st Master of the Great City Lodge , No . 1426 , for presentation to both the local Lodges in Inverness , where Brother Koeble has resided for of the

some years past . We are pleased to hear that the effect boxes on the Benevolent Funds of the Lodges has been very good , as we are convinced the donor is especially gratified at such a result , his efforts on behalf of the poor aud distressed having been of a most enthusiastic nature . The box is triangular in shape ,

with three carved pillars ; on one panel there is the name ana number of the Lodge , on another the inscription " Brotherly Love , Belief and Truth , " and on the third " Charity , like her sister Mercy , blesses him who gives as well as him vvno receives . "