Mark Masonry.

instance one of the representatives of the Lodge in question explained thafc he had just undertaken the duties of Secretary , bufc had nofc yet had the whole of the papers transferred to his charge . He hoped , however , to be

in a position in another week to comply with the requirements of the Prov . Grand Lodge . This announcement was received with enthusiasm . The total number of members on fche Register now stands at 707 , Avhile to this

has to be added the list not yefc to hand . The Treasurer's Financial Statement showed that the Receipts ( including balance in hand afc last meeting ) amounted to £ 158 17 s lOd : the balance in favour of Prov .

Grand Lodge , after all expenses had been defrayed , now stands at £ 94 . < 12 s 2 d , an increase of £ 17 8 s 7 d over thafc of lasfc year . There is also a balance iu hand to fche credit of the Benevolent Fund , instituted especially

for the relief of distressed Mark Master Masons of the Province , amounting to £ 22 5 s 8 d . The Report was nnanimouslv adopted , and it was ordered to be entered on

the minutes . The Depufcy Provincial Grand Master now explained that the time had arrived when the Provincial Grand Master should be nominated for a further term

of service . Sir Francis Burdett during the long period he had been at their head had so zealously exerted himself that he felt assured the brethren one and all desired he should still retain the reins of government . Sir Francis Burdett said he had now held the office of Provincial Mark

Master for eighteen years , and if he were again elected for a further term of three years some among them might think he was monopolising the office . Still , at the same time , he greatly appreciated the compliment , and if they should re-elect him he would continue to do the best

in his power for their welfare and comfort . Bro . Charles Hammerton Provincial Grand Treasurer was thanked for his services during the past year , and re-elected for the

ensuing twelve months . After Bro . Hammerton had gracefully acknowledged the compliment , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master was confirmed in his appointment and the Provincial Grand Officers invested , as follow : —

Bro . L . G . G . Robbins . - - Senior Warden A . J . Bristow - - - Junior Warden Philip Dakers - - - M . O . J . L . Mather ¦ ¦ - S . O . J . W . Hobbs ¦ - - J . O . Rev . J . Hutcbins - - " | Ch nli * Rev . Cooper-Smith - - J W . A . Scnrrab - - - Registrar W . G . Brighten - - - Secretary T . P . Staley - - Senior Deacon J . Larkin - - - Junior Deacon

W . Fisher - - - Superintendent of Works H . M . Appleton - - - Director of Ceremonies C . Slater - - - Asst . Director of Cers . C . Fountaine - - - Sword Bearer A . G . Fidler - - - Standard Bearer H . H . Shirley - - ¦ Organist D . Fergnson - - - Inner Guard P . Saillurd - - - ^ — Clare - - - - j — Tyler - - " a .. i W . / Potter - . . > Stewards

F . K . Hales - - - | Colonel Bircham - - - J J . Gilbert .... Tyler The next business was to appoint a Steward on behalf of

the Mark Benevolent Fund , and on application being made as to whether any brother present ; would offer his services , the new Senior Warden Bro . L . G . G . Robbins responded . The Provincial Grand Lodge then voted £ 10 10 s from its funds to head Bro . Robbius ' s list . This

grant Avas liberally supplemented later m the evening , and Bro . Robbins , though only undertaking the functions at the eleventh hour , Avas enabled to take up £ 30 on Wednesday . Bros . J . M . Klenck , P . Dakers , H . White and

P . A . Scratohley Avere the four members added to the regular officers AVIIO will form the Committee for General Purposes . This completing the business , Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Avas closed . The banquet Avas Avell served and

the Avines did credit both to " mine host " and to the " selectees . " On the removal of fche cloth Sir Francis Burdett , Avho Avas in capital health and spirits , gave the Loyal toasts Avith his accustomed geniality . With the

toast of the Deputy Grand Master and the rest of the Grand Mark Officers Avas associated the name of Bro . C . F . Hogard , Avho iu the course of his reply expressed his

gratification thafc the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex would be represented on Wednesday , the 25 th instant , Avhen the Deputy Graud Master the Marquess of Hertford would

Mark Masonry.

preside at the Mark Benevolent Fund Festival . On behalf of the Grand Officers generally he thanked those present for the cordiality with which they had received the toast . Capt . Stewart proposed the health of the

Provincial Grand Master , and in responding Sir Francis said that though perhaps he , to some extent , had suggested that ifc Avas desirable he should retire in favour of some younger

man , he felt equal to a good amount of Avork yefc . He had experienced greafc pleasure in being present on that occasion , and as long as he had health and strength he should continue to take an interest in Masonic work .

The next toast Avas a combined one , it included the Depufcy Graud Master , the Treasurer , and the Secretary . After full honour had been done it , the three brethren referred to rose to reply . Bro . Davidson expressed the gratification he

and his confreres had experienced by the heartiness with Avhich the brethren had received them . He trusted they might all be spared to meet on future occasions . It was the rule that they should alternate their meetings—one year

in Surrey , the next in Middlesex ; ib would be the turn of Middlesex next time , and he hoped they might have an equally satisfactory gathering . Bro . Hammerton took a retrospective glance , and related some particulars as

to the relative cost of the entertainments of pasfc years with that of the present . Bro . Brighten said that with respect to the disbursements of their funds they had been especially careful , and as a result , although at one

period of their history they were in debt , they were now in much better circumstances . Their Provincial Grand Lodge was well appointed ,, and there was a goodly balance in hand . He trusted this happy state would long

continue . To the toast given in honour of the Mark Benevolent , Fund Bro . Robbins replied , and cordially thanked thoSe Avho had contributed to his list . For the Visitors Bro . Morgan replied , and shortly afterwards tho Tyler closed the proceedings .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmoreland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORELAND .

rpHE annual Grand Mark Lodge of the Province of Cum-- * - berland and Westmoreland , Avas held at Maryport , on Wednesday , the 18 th inst ., under the banner of the Whit-Avell Lodge , No . 151 . In the absence of the P . G . Master , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Colonel F . R . Sewell

presided ; wifch Bro . J . Nicholson P . M . P . G . S . D of England as D . P . G . M . The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in due form , Bro . Gardiner P . G . Treasurer read a statement of the accounts for the year , which sboAved a good balance to the credit of the Province .

On the motion of the P . G . M . in fche chair , supported by Bro . Collin , the Earl of Bective was unanimously nominated as Grand Master of the Province for the ensuing

three years . Bro . James Gardiner was again elected P . G . Treasurer ; and the folloAving brethren were then appointed and invested the Grand Officers for the year ,

.: — Rev . E . M . Rice P . M . 282 - . Senior Warden J . Dickinson P . M . 151 - - Junior- Warden Bryce Craig P . M . 216 - - M . O . J . Eden P . M . 282 - - - J . O .

Rev . James Anderson Chap . 213 - Chaplain J . Gardiner P . M . 151 ( elected ) - Treasnrer E . B . Penrice P . M . 151 . - Registrar G . Dairyrnple P . M . 21 ( 5 - - Secretary Dr . James I . Lace W . M . 216 - Senior Deacon

I Thomas Brakenridge W . M . 213 - Jnnior Deacon J . H . Braithwaite 195 - - Inspector of Works James Black W . M . 229 - - Director of Ceremonies W . Carlyle 282 - - - Asst . Director of Cers . Sergeant . Major Lockyer 60 - Sword Bearer John Jenkinson 282 - - Standard Bearer J . Smith Organist 151 - - Organist

J . Kendall S . W . 151 - - I . G . Quarter-Master Wright 60 - " ) W . D . P . Field J . W . 213 - f Clu _ * " Stowards

Dr . J . F . Muir Registrar 213 - C Thomas Atkinson J . W . 229 - ) John Gordon Tyler 216 - - Tyler Bros . Nicholson , Collin , Atkinson , and Cray were

elected to serve on the Committee of General Purposes . Ifc was agreed that ten guineas be voted to Bro . Gardiner ' s Stewardship on behalf of tho Mark Benevolent Fund ; and ! ten guineas AVUS unanimously voted to the Royal Masonic I Benevolent Institution . Ifc Avas carried , as a recommendation to the R . W . P . G . M ., that tkc next annual Prov . G . Lodge