Worcestershire.

with the previous year . There had been 53 initiations , 25 joinings , and 35 resignations . The Worshipful Masters of the various Lodges submitted reports of the work done , and of the financial position of the respective Lodges , all of which were considered to be satisfactory .

The Provincial Grand Treasurer ' s statement was presented , Bro . A . B . Eowe was elected Provincial Grand Treasurer , and a hearty vote of thanks was given to the retiring Treasurer Bro . T , Arter , the Provincial Grand Master paying him a high compliment for the zealous and efficient manner in which he had performed the duties .

The report of the Charity and Benevolent Committee showed that the total amount of subscripitons to the fund for the past year was £ 653 , and the hope was expressed that each Brother in the Province would deem it his duty to subscribe . Bro . Page was unanimously re-elected Secretary to the Charity Committee . Bro . T . B . Arter reported that £ 166 4 s 6 d had been subscribed to the fund recently raised by the Lechmere Memorial Committee .

The Provincial Grand Master said it was originally intended . that a brass should be placed in the Cathedral in memory of the late Provincial Grand Master Sir Edmund Lechmere , but a difficulty had arisen , the design had been abandoned , and it had been decided to additionally subscribe to the charities . He proposed that twenty-five guineas be voted from the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge towards a Lechmere memorial donation to the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution .

The Deputy Provincial Grand Master said he should like to see the sum raised to fifty guineas , and the Provincial Grand Master concurred , but it was pointed out that the sum could not be increased without notice , and the Provincial Grand Master ' s proposition was carried , notice being given of a further proposal at the next Provincial Grand Lodge .

It was resolved that £ 20 per annum be subscribed to the Library and Museum Committee , who should be authorised to enter into an arrangement with the Worcester Masonic Buildings Company , Limited , for the use of suitable premises for the care of the library and museum . The Provincial Grand Master appointed and invested his Officers as follow : —

Bro . T . R . Arter 2034 - Senior Warden G . H . Williamson 529 - - - Junior Warden Rev . G . E . Hough 280 592 - . !„ ,,. Rev . C . 3 . Sneath 2034 - - - j * Chaplains A . Pearson 573 - Registrar A . B . Rowe 280 .... Treasurer

W . T . Page 529 .... Secretary Walter Wood 564 - - - - Senior Deacon 3 . Sbarrnan Wood 280 ... Junior Deacon H . Manley 2385 .... Superintendent of Works 3 . Attwood 564 - - - - Director of Ceremonies W . D . Richardson 498 - - - Assist . Dir . of Cers .

E . Collens 560 - - - - Sword Bearer J . Jones 252 - - - . } 3 . E . Green 1874 - - - - / Standard Bearers W . C . Bos 529 - - . Organist J . Millington 529 .... Pursuivant T . Eden 377 .... Assist _ Pursuivant G . A . Veel 529

-T . G . Chaplin 529 - A . Usher 529 - - - . ., , E . Weldin 529 - - . „ f stewards . R . E . Harlow 529 - J . E . Hogg J It was resolved to hold next Provincial Grand Lodge meeting at Moseley , under the banner of the Masefield Lodge . The Provincial Grand

Chaplain Eev . G . F . Hough , Vicar of Holy Trinity , Worcester , delivered an address , in which he congratulated the members of the Semper Fidelis Lodge upon its jubilee , and dwelt on the character , scope , and high responsibilities of the Craft . A collection was made on behalf of the Masonic Charities , amounting to £ 10 10 s , after which the Lodge was closed .

The Brethren adjourned to the Guildhall , where a banquet was provided . The Provincial Grand Master presided . In proposing the toast of the Queen aud the Craft , Bro . Godson said our beloved Queen was at present entertaining a very distinguished visitor , and it was an exceedingly anxious

moment . The Queen had great influence , and their earnest prayer was that her Majesty would be successful in maintaining peace . Freemasons were a non-political body , and their great desire was for peace . He hoped that during the next few days the prayer of the Masonic Brethren would go up to the Great Architect of the Universe for the prevention of strife .

The Provincial Senior Warden proposed the health of the Provincial Grand Master , aud referred to the good services he had for years rendered to Masonry in the Province of Worcester .

In responding , the Provincial Grand Master spoke of the able assistance rendered him by the Officers . Other toasts followed , interspersed with songs and recitations . — " Worcester Daily Times . "

Consecration.

CONSECRATION .

TRUTH CHAPTER .

THE consecration of this Chapter , No . 1458 , which has been in process of formation for several months past , was performed at the Mosley Hotel , Manchester , on Wednesday , the 16 th inst ., by Comp . Col . Le Gendre Starkie Grand Superintendent of East Lancashire . The ceremony , which was witnessed by nearly fifty Companions , was a very imposing one , the whole

programme proceeding without a single hitch from beginning to the end . The Founders were * . —Comps . Buckley Carr P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cer . 993 Z . designate , Eobert Caldwell 325 H . designate , Councillor Saml . I . Mills 325 J . designate , Herbert H . Hellewell 993 , Geo . T . O . Crocker 204 , W . H . Worsley 815 , H . G . Ward 993 , Geo . Thos . Lenard 325 , Alfred Hebden 645 , Thomas Oldham 993 , Leonard Jagger 323 , Nelson J . Stokes 581 .

That veteran in Masonic ritual Companion J . H . Sillitoe Prov . G . H . installed and addressed the three principal Officers named above , and Comp . Arthur H . Jefferis P . Z . 645 P . P . G . T . took this opportunity of saying a few words with regard to the first Principal . Having paid a well-deserved tribute to Comp .

Carr ' s connection with Eoyal Arch Masonry , into which he had personally introduced him , he said that he could also praise his work in the Craft . When he himself was installed as Worshipful Master in his mother Lodge , the De Grey andEipon , he had , in looking round for an eligible Officer to fill the post of Secretary , found one who , until then had occupied but a humble

round of the ladder . But his confidence in Comp . Carr was such that he supported his appointment , and had since watched his Masonic career , his upward progress and success , with pleasure . He was proud of his friendship , which had been of over twenty years duration , and felt sure that the Companions of the Truth Chapter had made a most judicious selection in the principal Officer , and one they would never regret .

Comp . Buckley Carr as First Principal afterwards invested and addressed the following Officers : Comps . Herbert H . Hellewell 923 S . E ., Geo . T . O . Crocker 204 S . N ., W . H . Worsley 815 Treas . and Org ., H . G . Ward 993 Prin . Soj ., Geo . T . Lenard 325 1 st Asst . Soj ., Alfred Hebden 645 2 nd Asst . Soj .

The address to the Companions generally was very effectively given by Comp . Sillitoe , and listened to in silence , gaining for him , at its conclusion , one long burst of applause . The Provincial Grand Superintendent appended a crowning apogee to the ceremony by an address , which was freighted with

generous words to the Founders . After commending their initial efforts , and praising their general work , he said no ceremony in which he had taken part had given him greater pleasure . The solemnisation of the ceremony had been rendered with decorum and propriety , accompanied by impressive musical surroundings which had added beauty to its sublime character .

Comp . Carr , on behalf of the members of the Chapter , proposed a cordial vote of thanks to the Provincial Superintendent for the honour which he had conferred upon them by his presence and performance of the ceremonial that day . He added that the remarks of Col . Starkie precluded him from making

any observations with reference to the impressive manner in which it was solemnised , but they would remember and associate with the Provincial Superintendent the personal kindness of his manner , and the solemnity of his working . They sincerely thanked him for his services , and hoped he would accept the thanks with the fervour given .

This was seconded by Comp . Mills , who expressed the greatest pleasure in being connected with the Chapter , adding that he would do all in his power to farther its interests . Comp . Starkie responded , saying he was extremely pleased to be with them , and to have performed the ceremony of

consecrating a new Chapter . He was assured that Masonry was increasing in numbers and power , which fact evinced to him that the moral influence of its teaching was guiding the members to actions which were in perfect accord with its beautiful precepts .

After the ceremony , the Companions sat down to a sumptuous banquet , which had been provided in the large and handsome dining hall of the hotel by Bro . W . E . Cattanach , Dramatic Lodge , No . 2387 . To the latter , who has only recently made his advent as a member of the Craft , and also into the hotel as proprietor , evei * y praise is due for the urbanity

of manner , and readiness with which he accommodated himself to the requirements of the day . To his better half , and likewise to the hotel staff both male and female , many thanks are due for the unstinted and eager assistance which they rendered to make the Companions comfortable , and the function generally tbe unqualified success which , on every hand , it was pronounced to be . The loyal toasts were introduced in regular order by the three Principals respectively , after which Comp . Carr proposed