Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CHESHIRE .

BY command of Bro . tho Right Hon . Lord de Tabley R . W . P . G . M ., the annual meeting of the brethren connected with the Province of Cheshire was hold ou Wednesday at tho Public Hall , Runcorn , for the transaction of the business of this important section of the Masonic body in this country . Amongst tho chiefs of the Order present were Bros . Hon . Wilbraham Egerton , M . P ., D . P . G . M ., F . A . Dickson P . G . J . W ., 11 . Howard P . P . G . J . D ., W . Nickton P . P . G . J . D .,

C . J . Howard P . P . G . J . W ., James Salmon P . P . G . S . D ., W . Mathews P . P . G . A . D . C , S . W . Wilkinson P . P . G . S . D ., T . Smith P . P . G . S . D ., John Wood P . P . G . Reg ., Herbert Finch P . G . D . C , G . Burrows P . P . G . J . D ., Thomas Clark P . G . S . ofW ., West Lancashire , T . Chesworth P . P . G . D . C , A E Cokayne P . P . G . S . B ., W . B . Ackerloy P . G . J . W . West Lancashire , G . H . Holden P . G . S . B ., P . Wadsworth P . P . G . A . D . C , W . S . Sutton

P . P . G . J . W ., Rov . R . Hodgson P . G . C , E . C Cooper P . P . G . S . B . East Lancashire , W . Harrison P . G . S . West Lancashire , R . 0 . Mellor P . P . G . J . D . North Wales and Salop , F . K . Stevenson P . P . G . S . B ., W . Booth P . G . S ., T . Marwood P . P . G . J . W ., R . Eardley P . P . G . D . C , E . H . Griffiths P . G . Sec , Rev . J . C . Macdona P . G . C , 11 . Williams P . P . G . A . D . C , T . A . Collitison P . P . G . D . C . West Lancashire , J .

K . Green P . G . S ., G . Barlow P . P . G . Organist , F . Jackson jnnior , P . G . Treas ., W . Fair P . G . J . D ., J . Cavanagh P . P . G . A . D . C , J . Bowes P . P . G . J . W ., J . Hibbert P . G . Reg ., H . Jackson P . G . P ., J . Tomlinson P . P . G . S . B ., Rev . J . F . Dean P . G . C , R . Beales P . P . G . J . W ., T . H . Kirk P . P . G . O ., W . Nicholls P . P . G . P ., Rev . C W . Stanhope Grand Chaplain of England , W . Greater P . P . G . P ., H . Bnlley Past G . S . B ., L . Bradley

W . M . 322 , W . S . Clayton W . M . 537 , C . P . Titherley W . M . 1350 , E . K . Ellison 1350 , F . Thompson W . M . 477 , A . K . Gardner S . W ., D . Fraser P . M . Treasurer , S . Jones P . M . Secretary , J . H . Johnston P . BI . 477 ancl 1350 , J . G . Adams P . M ., W . Bennett P . M ., J . Dutton P . M ., C Berry , W . Hopkinsou , & c . There were altogether about 400 brethren present from all parts of the Province , there being a large representation of

the W . M . ' s , P . M . ' s , and Officers connected with the various Lodges in this division . The P . G . M . was received according to ancient form , and the effect of the reception was considerably heightened by the performances of Bro . T . Batley 852 ( bandmaster of the Lancashire Hussars ) , and Bro . G . A . Batley 992 , who acted as trumpeters . Letters of apology for non-attendance were acknowledged from Bro . Colonel

Le Gendre Starkie P . P . G . M . of East Lancashire , and other distinguished brethren . On the roll of the Lodges being read by the P . G . Secretary , it was found that all were represented , tho post of honour with regard to numerical attendance being occupied by tho Ellesmere Lodge , No . 758 , which was represented by 35 brethren , the Warren Lodge , meeting at Liscard , following suit with 17 members .

The minutes of the last annual meeting at Stockport , read by the P . G . Secretary ( Bro . E . H . Griffiths ) were unanimously confirmed . The P . G . M ., who was very warmly applauded , referred to the great pleasure which it gave him to visit that part of his Province ouco more , and ho was very thankful again to express his gratitude for the prosperity which had attended the Lodges in his division

during the past year—a year which had once moro been marked by the greatest unanimity . He felt exceedingly grateful for the support which he had received from every Lodgo within the Province , and he was glad to know of the continued prosperity of the various Lodges . The large attendance of the Ellesmere Lodge , nnder whoso banner they met that day , showed how largely tho spirit of Freemasonry

actuated the brethren in that part of the Province . He could assure tho brethren that the office of P . G . M . was not a "bed of roses ;" and with regard to the appointments which he made year after year , he felt bound to state that he alone was responsible for the selections , which were carried out to tho best of tho knowledge he possessed with regard to the various brethren . After giving several hints as

to-the duties of tho various Lodges , his Lordship concluded by intimating that he would hold his next Provincial Grand Lodgo at Macclesfield . Bro . F . Jackson Prov . Grand Treasurer , in submitting his annual financial statement , said he had more than ordinary pleasure in doing so . After paying off' tho sum borrowed from the bank in order to buy a Scholarship in the Royal Masonic Institution for

Boys , there was a balance to tho credit of the Prov . Grand Lodgo of £ 214 , all expenses , except that connected with the meeting that day , having been paid , including tho amount voted for tho October elections . Only ono Lodge had neglected to pay its dues , bub threo had sent in their payments too late to bo entered . On tho whole , the payment s from fche various Lodges had been more promptly made

than in previous years , ancl he ( the Prov . Grand Treasurer ) cordially thanked the Secretaries and Treasurers for this satisfactory state of things . He again asked the responsible Officers of tho Lodges in the Province to send in their returns in good time , so as to save the Prov . Grand Treasurer the labour of sitting up till midnight on the evo of the Prov . Grand Lodgo to make up his accounts .

On the motion of the P . G . M ., seconded by Bro . J . P . Piatt P . P . G . J . W ., Bro . F . Jackson was unanimously re-elected Prov . G . Treasurer for tho ensuing year . The P . G . M . then appointed the following as his Officers for the year : —Brcs . the Hon . Wilbraham Egerton , M . P ., D . P . G . M . ( reappointed ) , George William Latham P . G . S . W ., Henry Hall P . G . J . W .,

Rev . R . Hodgson P . G . C . ( re-appointed ) , Rev . J . Gumming Macclona P . G . C , F . Jackson jun . P . G . Treasnrer ( re-elected ) , J . Hibbert P . G . R . ( re-appointed ) , E . H . Griffiths P . G . Secretary ( re-appointed ) , J . Clayton P . G . S . D ., 11 . Rigby P . G . J . D ., S . Ball P . G . S . of W . ( reappointed ) , Herbert Finch P . G . D . C ( re-appointed ) , J . K . Diwcs P . G . A . D . C , T . D . Simcock P . G . S . B ., Henry Collier P . G . Org ., H . Jackson P . G . P ., J . H . Holtaway P . G . Tyler ( re-appointed ) , ancl

Eros . W . Mellor , J . H . Salkeld , G . Moss , W . Lyon , Torkington aud Coxhill P . G . Stewards . Bro . J . P . Piatt was re-elected Chairman of the Fund of Benevolence . Charity jewels were presented to Bros . Wood , Dutton , Bennett , Holden , and Sutton . On the motion of Bro . Wood , seconded by Bro . F . A . Dickson , the sum of 100 guineas was voted from the funds of the P . G . Lodgo for the Royal Masonic Institutions for Aged Men and Women , so as to constitute the P . G . M . a Vice-Patron of each of these Charities .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

At tho close of tho business proceedings , the brethren marched in procession to the parish church , where a sermon was preached by the Rov . J . C . Macdona P . G . C A collection was made at tho close of the service , in aid of the Provincial Fund of Benevolence , and towards the funds of the National Schools , Runcorn . In the evening about 200 brethren sat down to a sumptuous

banquet iu tho National Schools , tho room being tastefully decorated for the occasion . Tho catering was entrusted to Messrs . Fisk and Fairhurst , Castle Street , Liverpool , and thoir efforts gave ample satisfaction . Bro . Lord de Tabley Prov . G . M . presided , and ho was supported by a large representation of his Officers ancl other distinguished

brethren . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were given during the evening . It is proposed to present Bro . Lord clo Tabley Prov . Grand Master with a full length portrait of himself , on the seventieth anniversary of his birthday . Tho portrait will bo subscribed for by the brethren in the Province . —Liverpool Mercury .

Dalhousie Lodge of Instruction , No . 860 . —Held afc Bro . Smyth ' s , Sisters' Tavern , Pownall-road , Dalston , on Tuesday , the 21 st inst . Bros . Brasted W . M ., Smyth S . W ., Christian J . W ., Wardeil S . D ., Williams J . D ., Clark I . G ., J . Lorkin Secretary , 0 . Lorkin acting Preceptor ; also Bros . Dallas , Gillar , Carr , Polak , Larter , and others . Lodge was opened in due form , and tho minutes

of last meeting were read and confirmed . The Lodge was opened in the second degree . Bro . Polak , a candidate for raising , was interrogated and entrusted ; the Lodgo was opened in the third and Bro . Polak was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason , the W . M . giving the traditional history . Bvo . J . Lorkin worked the third section of tho lecture , assisted by tho brethren . The Lodge was closed

to the first degree , when Bro . Smyth was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed his Officers in rotation . All Masonic business being ended , the Lodge was closod in due form . Brethren in search of Masonic knowledge will find all they require ab thia oldestablished Lodgo of Instruction , whioh meets under the able Preceptorship of Bro . P . M . Wallington .

Priory Lodge , No . 1000 . —This Lodge held its first meeting after the recess at the Terminus Hotel , Southend-on-Sea , on Thursday , the 16 fch inst . There were present Bros . G . F . Jones W . M ., G . Berry S . W ., T . F . Barrett J . W ., J . A . Wardeil P . M . and P . Z . P . P . G . D . Sec , W . D . Merritt S . D ., F . D . Grayson J . D ., W . G . Brighten P . M . and P . Z . I . G ., G . R . Dawson D . C , A . Martin Tyler , J . C Johnstone Prov . J . D . I . P . M ., A . Sucking P . M . and P . Z . Prov . G . D . of C , J . R .

Hemmann P . M . P . P . G . D ., and a good muster of members . Visitors—Bros . J . W . Wardeil J . W . 95 0 . Wood 315 , C . Floyd 1808 , T . Bertram 1817 . After tho preliminary business , the W . M . raised Bro . G . L . Wood to the third degree , and initiated Mr . J . R . Brighfcwell into the mysteries of the Order . Several propositions wore given in for joining members , aud a candidato for initiation ab tho next meeting Lodgo was then duly closed .

Islington Lodge of Instruction , No . 1471 . —At the Moorgato Tavern , Moorgate-strcct , E . G ., on 2 lst inst . Bros . Shipley W . M ., Kern S . W ., Holness J . W ., Medwin S . D ., Cotton I . G ., J . L . Mather Preceptor , C . G . Sparrow Sec , and several other brethren . Lodge was opened , and minntes of last meeting were read and

confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Button candidate . Bro . Hnnter then took tho chair , and rehearsed the ceremony of passing , Bro . Lake candidate . Bro . Korn was duly elected W . M . for the ensuing week . Lodgo was then closed , and adjourned to Tuesday next .

Kingsland Lodge of Instruction , No . 1693 . —On 20 bh instant . Bros . Edwards W . M ., Gilham S . W ., Harris J . W ., Byng Preceptor , Fenner acting Secretary , Forge S . D ., E . Woodman J . D ., Ferrer I . G . ; also Bros . Nodder , Rothschild , Pearcy , Osborn , Gardner , Gibb ,

Mendelsohn , Weeden , Morgan , Longhirst , & c . After preliminaries , the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Rothschild candidate . Lodgo was called off and on . The ceremony of passing was then rehearsed , Bro . Nodder being the candidate . Bros . Edwards , Nodder , and Morgan were elected members .

Lodge of Hospitality , No . 1697 . —The regular monthly meeting of this prosperous offshoot of Masonry was held , on the 9 th inst ., at the Royal Hotel , Waterfoot , near Manchester . Thero was a good muster of brethren , and tho degrees wero worked iu a

manner which spoke well for the devotion of the Worshipful Master and his Officers to their Masonic duties . After the Lodgo had been raised , Bro . William Rowbottom S . D . 1028 , by request of the W . M ., delivered an oration on the origin of Masonic Ritnal ancl Tradition , in the course of which lie traced the intimate connection observable

betwixt the geometric design aud symbolism of tho Great Pyramid , aud those peculiar observances by which among Masons the attributes of the Supreme Being are recognised and reverenced . At the close of the oration a most cordial vote of thanks was unanimously given , on the proposition of Bro . the Rev . A . J . Harrison , the Chaplain of the Lodge , seconded by Bro . the Rev . J . B . Phillips P . P . G . C .

There were present at the Lodge—Bros . Jas . Howorth W . M ., R , Rawlinson S . W ., J . 11 . Lord J . W ., Rev . A . J . Harrison Chaplain , W . H . Baxter Secretary , H . Pickup S . D ., J . Taylor J . D ., F . Keyto I . G ., J . Rothwell Tylor , Thos . Pilling P . M ., John Taylor P . M ., J . H . Eimondson P . M ., J . W . Taylor , and others . Visitors—Bros . Rev . J . B . Phillips P . Prov . G . C , Henry Coupe W . M . 274 , J . E . Wrig ht W . M . 286 , John Ramsbottom , P . Whitaker and others .