Norths. And Hunts.

two o ' clock by the Earl of Euston , who was supported by the Deputy Prov . G . M . Bro . Butler Wilkins P . G . Std . Bearer ( England ) , and other Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , including the Recorder of Northampton ( Bro . E . P . Monckton ) .

The usual business was transacted ; amongst other things it was resolved to give twenty guineas towards the fund now being raised to erect a stained glass window in Towcester Church , in memory of the late Bro . George Osborne , of Pattishall , for many years an honoured Mason in the Province .

Bro . Alfred Cockerill was re-elected Treasurer of the Province unanimously ; and Lord Euston appointed and invested the following Brethren as Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year : C . A . Markham P . M . 1911 - Senior Warden

F . Pinney W . M . 466 - - Junior Warden Rev . W . S . Pratt Chap . 1746 - Chaplain Rev . T . Hodgson W . M . 373 - Assist . Chaplain A . Cockerill P . M . 360 - - Treasurer H . W . K . Markham Sec . 1911 - Registrar

F . G . Buckle P . M . 442 - - Secretary J . Sibley P . M . 2283 - - Senior Deacon C . E . Thorpe W . M . 360 - - Junior Deacon G . T . Hawkins J . D . 2431 - - Superintendent of Works G . Ellard P . M . 360 - - Dir . of Ceremonies

J . J . Hart P . M . 360 - - Assist . Dir . of Cers F . Billingham P . M . 2380 - - Sword Bearer F . Whitney 607 - - - 1 st Std . Bearer T . Marry S . W . 360 - - 2 nd Std . Bearer

W . Saunders Sec . 737 - - Organist J . 0 . Surman W . M . 455 - - Pursuivant W . Arkell 360 - - - \ H . I . Walker 373

-W . Elsey 442 - - - ot -, T . Hart 466 - - . f Stewards H . H . Packer 737 - R . A . Milligan 1911 - -J G . Robinson , Northampton - Tyler

Provincial Grand Lodgo was subsequently closed in ancient form , and was succeeded by a banquet , which was admirably provided by Bro . Tipler , of Franklin ' s Restaurant .

Lord Euston presided , and gave the usual Loyal toasts . He said the thanks of the Fraternity were due to Officers of Grand Lodge , who , by their services in the past , had made the work of Masonry easier and more useful to-day .

Bro . Ryland Adkms , in proposing the health of the Provincial Grand Master , said not Masons only , but those who dwell in outer darkness , know well the worth and dignity of the subject of the toast . Not Masons only , but all Englishmen who take an interest in the

movements of their time , were aware of the great and solid services rendered to Freemasonry by the Earl of Euston . It has been a great distinction of the aristocracy of England , as compared with that of other countries , that they take a greater and more active

interest in public affairs than do the aristocracies of other countries . There is no greater subject of interest in this country than that of Masonry , and no one had done more to promote good government of Freemasonry than the Earl of Euston . They were aware how , since

Lord Euston came to the headship of the Province , the number of Lodges had increased and the number of members of the Lodges ; and he had been good enough to give his support to every branch of Freemasonry . That which the Prince of Wales had clone for English

Freemasonry , Lord Euston had done for the Masonry of the Province of Norths , and Hunts . He could easily and willingly dilate on this subject , but it was a wholesome English custom not to say one-tenth of what one felt about one in his presence . Every Mason in the

Province was only too glad to have an opportunity of showing his regard and respect for the Prov . G . M . Tbey followed Lord Euston with enthusiasm and looked up to

him with the greatest respect , and were prepared to drink his health with all the fervour and heartiness which Masons could command . The toast was honoured with enthusiasm .

Lord Euston , on rising to respond , was received with quite an ovation , a manifestation of feeling which evidently much touched his lordship . He said the toast

had been proposed in too flattering terms by his friend , Bro . Ryland Adkins . He knew that Bro . Adkins could generally speak to the point and well . He did not know that he could be flowery as well as punishing . They

Norths. And Hunts.

knew it was a great pleasure to him to come amongst them all , for they always received him so kindly that he felt like coming home when he came to them . The reception they had given him was far above his deserts . Whatever he could do for them , whatever he could do

for the Craft , he would do ; and he would do his best to advance Freemasonry in the Province to the best of his ability . They could not compete with Lancashire and Yorkshire in point of numbers , but he thought the record of their Province for the past few years would compare

most favourably , in proportion to numbers , with the Provinces to which he had referred . He again thanked them , and assured them that as long as God gave him health and strength his services would be at their disposal .

Lord Euston then gave the health of the D . P . G . M . Bro . Butler Wilkins , whose name was a household word in the Freemasonry of the Province . They were heartily glad to see him again after his one absence , in the course of many years , which was caused by his illness last year .

Bro . Butler Wilkins for years bore the responsibilities and the work of the Province on his own shoulders , and did it well . They were grateful for his services , and they looked up to him with respect and affection .

Bro . Butler Wilkins was received with prolonged cheering . He could not , he said , forget that that day he entered on his twentieth year of office as Deputy . He was conscious of his own shortcomings , but he had always received the kind and cordial co-operation of the

Brethren in the Province . He then proceeded to give some excellent and practical advice as to the working of the Lodges , which was warmly appreciated by the Brethren . He also advised that when a Lodge got to a certain size a new Lodge should be started , and the result would be a benefit to old as well as new .

Lord Euston nexfc proposed the Provincial Grand Lodge Officers Present and Past , coupling with it the name of Bro . Christopher Markham Prov . G . S . W ., who briefly responded .

The Worshipful Masters of the Lodges of the Province was also given from the chair ; and Bros Thorpe ( W . M . Pomfret 360 ) , Pinney ( W . M . Merit 467 ) , and Harry Manfield ( W . M . Eleanor Cross 1764 ) responded .

Bro . Cockerill the Prov . G . Treasurer gave the Masonic Charities , and urged their claims upon the assembled Brethren as what should be Masonically nearest their hearts . The power of the Province in supporting the charities and in securing the election of

suitable candidates had greatly increased in recent years , and he attributed this in a great measure to the assiduity and energy of the Brother whom the Prov . G . M . had appointed to be the Provincial Steward of the Charities , Bro . Ellard . With the toast he coupled the name of Bro . Buckle the Prov . Grand Secretary .

Bro . Ellard Prov . D . C . described some of the ways in which the financial and voting power of the Province had increased , and alluded to the gratifying way in which they had been able to elect their candidates . On Friday

he should be able to take enough votes to make the election of their candidates a certainty and to spare a thousand votes for somebody else . Bro . Buckle also responded . The toast of the Visitors was acknowledged by Bro .

E . Naylor P . P . G . Std . B . of the Isle of Wight , and a P . Prov . G . M . of the Hampshire District of the Manchester Unity . Victoria is without a Grand Secretary , Bro . the Rev . D . Meadowcroffc ( G . Sec . for Foreign Correspondence )

fulfilling the duties for the time being . At the last Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge it was decided to reduce the salary of the Grand Secretary from

£ 600 to £ 400 a year , and thafc of the Grand Secretary for Foreign Correspondence from £ 100 to £ 50 ; a proposal to reduce that of the Assistant Secretary , from £ 250 to £ 200 a year , was negatived by a large majority .

o o o In the unavoidable absence of the Duke of Abereorn , Sir Charles Cameron presided at the dinner of the Masonic Glee Club , which was held in the Freemasons ' Hall , Dublin , on the 14 th inst .