Berkshire.

BERKSHIRE .

THE Brethren of the Province assembled in considerable numbers on Tuesday , 14 th inst ., in the old county town of Abingdon , which is not only one of the strongholds of Masonry in this part of the country , but is also the home of the able and much respected Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bro . John T . Morland , who , since the lamented decease of the Duke of

Clarence , has been in charge of this Province , directing its affairs with an efficiency which has given the greatest satisfaction to all . The large attendance on this occasion may be taken as a deserving compliment to Bro . Morland , inasmuch as Abingdon is on a branch line , and somewhat inaccessible from certain parts

of the Province . The majority of the Brethren reached Abingdon at about two o ' clock , and were received with much cordiality by the Officers and Brethren of the Abbey Lodge , who had hospitably provided light refreshments for the visitors in a spacious room adjoining the Council Chamber . The Board of General

Purposes assembled at 2-30 , and audited the annual accounts , and an hour later the Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in due form in the handsome Council Chamber , which , like the apartment where refreshments were served , contains portraits of many distinguished men who , in various ways , have held important positions in connection with this ancient borough .

The P . G . Secretary Bro . J . W . Martin , of Eeading , first called over the list of Lodges in the Province , when it appeared that the whole of them were represented . The roll of Provincial Grand Officers having been called over , the minutes of the annual Provincial Grand Lodge , held at

Eeading last year , were taken as read , the same having been printed and circulated throughout the Province . The P . G . Secretary presented the annual financial statement , which showed a balance in hand of £ 139 odd , this being an increase on last year ' s balance . Bro . Martin mentioned that the Masonic Calendar account yielded a slight balance in favour of the

Province , an increased number of copies having been disposed of during the past year . There was a balance of £ 78 9 s 2 d on the charity fund account . Bro . Tomkins remarked upon the very satisfactory character of the finance report , and moved its adoption , which was seconded by Bro . Kirchhoffer , and unanimously adopted .

The P . G . Secretary read a circular which had been received from the Charity Association of the Masonic Province for North and East Yorkshire , relating to the Boys School , and objecting to a sacrifice of the property by its sale in the event of the School being removed to another site . A discussion on the subject

ensued , the Brethren taking part in it including the Deputy P . G . Master , the P . G . Secretary , Eev . A . W . N . Deacon , and Bros . Tomkins , Kirchhoffer , Stephens , Ferguson , D'Almaine , and E . Margrett , the latter being a member of the Board of Management of the Institution in question .

Bro . Margrett explained that a committee had been deputed to consider the matter , and draw up a report , and while this was being done the Yorkshire Association referred to had sent out to the various Masonic Provinces the circular which had been read

It should be distinctly understood that at present the Board of Management of the Boys School were not committed to any particular course , although a strong opinion prevailed that it was desirable that the School should be removed to a more suitable and commodious site . There was certainly no intention of selling the premises at a sacrifice , or at anything like the price named in the Yorkshire circular .

Eventually Bro . Tomkins proposed , and Bro . Ferguson seconded , a resolution expressing the confidence felt by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Berkshire that the Board of Management of the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys would use the powers entrusted to them for the best interests of the School and the Craft . This was unanimously agreed to .

The P . G . Secretary presented his report of the Lodges in the Province , of which it appeared there were fifteen , embracing 635 members and 177 Past Masters . Last year 27 Brethren joined , and the initiations numbered 88 . There had been 98 regular Lodges and nine Lodges of emergency held during the twelve months .

Bro . Margrett Secretary to the Provincial Charity Committee also presented an interesting report , recording the particulars of the success achieved for the candidate whose case was taken up by this Province at the last election to the Eoyal Masonic

Benevolent Institution . As many as 4 , 000 odd votes were given for the candidate , who was returned tenth on the poll out of sixty-four applicants . This satisfactory result had been attained in a large measure by the kind assistance of Bro . Keyser , of Aldermaston Court , and the Brethren of the Bucks Province .

The leport was unanimously adopted , on the proposal of Bro . Home , seconded by Bro . Gnsbrook . Various sums were then voted to the different Lodges in the Province for the several Charitable Institutions of the Order . Bio . H . D'Almaine , in complimentary terms , proposed the re-election of Bro . Charles Stephens , of Eeading , as Provincial

Berkshire.

Grand Treasurer , which was seconded by Bro . Fenton , and carried unanimously . Bro . Stephens , in reply , said it gave him great pleasure to again accept the office , which he had had the pleasure of holding for the past fifteen years . The Deputy P . G . Master then invested Bros . E . C . Broquet

I . P . M . 209 , W . J . Maurice I . P . M . 414 , W . Boany W . M . 414 , Stephen Knight jun . S . D . 574 , and G . D . Leslie I . P . M . 1887 with a Provincial Charity jewel ; C . E . Keyser W . M . 574 , C . Slaughter P . M . 1101 and C . O . Burgess W . M . 2460 with the Charity bar ; and W . Ferguson P . M . 1101 and C . Batting W . M . 1566 with the tri-coloured ribbon .

The Deputy Prov . G . M . said he thought all the Brethren would agree with him that the above was a very satisfactory list of Stewards who had served at two or more of the festivals held in behalf of the Charitable Institutions of the Order . The following Brethren were appointed and invested as Provincial Officers for the ensuing twelve months :.

—Bro . G . H . Morland - - - - Senior Warden W . J . Maurice - Junior Warden SSS'fiS & ia : : : }<*•**» ¦ Charles Stephens - Treasurer J . W . Martin .... Secretary

F . Kedge ----- Registrar E . W . Ridley .... Senior Deacon H . S . Hanington ... - Junior Deacon F . Foxley ----- Superintendent of Works J . J . Gale ----- Director of Ceremonies C Batting ----- Assist . Dir . of Ceremonies

Lieut .-Col . E . Molyneux - - - Sword Bearer I . " Marshal - " - ' I . " ) Standard Bearers J . Kick ----- Organist F . J . Lawes - Assistant Secretary J . Robertson .... Pursuivant

O . E . Paterson - Assistant Pursuivant W . Bonny - - - - - wSefr 1 I I I Stewards J . H . Wilson - - - - J W . Hemmings ... - Tyler .

The Deputy P . G . Master explained that in celebration of the 21 st anniversary of the appointment of H . E . H . the Prince of Wales as Grand Master of the Order , the Grand Lodge had sanctioned that Past Grand rank should be conferred upon a certain number of Brethren in recognition of distinguished services rendered to the Craft . The Province of Berks was entitled to appoint one Brother to such rank , and in considering

who was most entitled to the honour , he felt no difficulty in coming to a decision , and he had the pleasure of announcing that , by the authority of the Grand Lodge of England , he now conferred upon their energetic and much respected Provincial Grand Secretary ( Bro . Martin ) past' rank as Provincial Grand Senior Warden . This announcement was received by the Brethren with loud applause , and Bro . Martin , who suitably acknowledged the compliment , was warmly congratulated .

The Provincial Grand Lodge business shortly afterwards terminated , and , on the -kind invitation of the Deputy P . G . M . the Brethren adjourned to the delightful grounds adjoining Bro . Morland's residence , where they were photographed in a group . A well-served dinner was subsequently provided by Mr . H . W . Gough , of the Crown and Thistle Hotel , beneath a spacious marquee . An excellent selection of music was rendered by a

string band stationed on the lawn . The Deputy P . G . Master presided , and the customary toasts were proposed and responded to . The Worshipful Master and Officers of the Abbey Lodge were warmly thanked for the admirable arrangements made for the reception of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and the hearty thanks of the Brethren generally were tendered to Bro . Morland for having placed his pleasant . grounds at the service of the company after the Lodge business .

The annual gathering was favoured with glorious weather , and the return journeys made in the cool of the evening by road and rail , were much enjoyed . Altogether the P . G . Lodge was as attractive and successful as any that has been held for some years . — " Eeading Mercury . "

Hampshire And Isle Of Wight.

HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT .

T ) Y command of Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Prov . G . M ., the

I ) annual meeting of the Provincial Lodge will be held at Fareham , on Tuesday , 11 th August , when Lodge will be opened at the Town Hall at 2-45 , and be close tyled at 3-15 p . m . The ordinary business of the Province will be transacted , and Officers appointed and invested , after which a banquet will take place at the Bed Lion Hotel , the price of tickets being 3 s 6 d each , exclusive of wine .

Application will be made for a reduction of railway fares on the production of the summons at the Booking Offices , while other information may be had of the Assistant Prov . G . Sec . Bro . G . F . Lancaster , Admiralty Cottage , Forfcon , Gosport .