Hertfordshire.

there were some which had not been represented at either . During the year they had secured the election of five candidates to the Institutions , polling over 23 , 000 votes ; it was indeed a great undertaking to get this large number of votes together , and he considered it hardly fair when , a case having

been taken up by the Province , neither the recommending Lodge or the friends appeared to take the slighest further interest in its success ; in May last a recommending Lodge helped with thirty-four votes , and the candidate herself ( an old lady ) secured eight—which as they were well aware was

very insignificant compared with the large number actually required . For October next there were already two girl candidates approved by the Institution , and it would require great and united efforts to secure their election . Since 1890 , when he undertook the position of Charity Secretary of the

Province , they had secured the election of twenty-eight candidates , and as theirs was but a small Province he considered it very wonderful they were able to carry their candidates so readily . If they succeeded this year with the two girls

already referred to it would mean thirty cases in ten years , and as each pupil elected to one of the Schools meant £ 300 or £ 400 , and each old Annuitant a very large sum they would see what a great amount Hertfordshire received from the Institutions .

The Provincial Grand Master felt that the thanks of the Province were due to Bro . Keyser for all that he had done . The principles on which the Charity Committee worked were

now known throughout the Province , and that in great measure had enabled them to carry all their candidates on the first application , which was a very great thing to boast of .

The Prov . G . Secretary reported a total of 889 members in the Province ; and drew attention to a practice in some of the Lodges of having more than the regulation number of Officers , by the appointment of "Assistants . " Especially was this the case in connection with Assistant Directors of

Ceremonies , and as this was contrary to the Constitutions of Grand Lodge he suggested that a notice from the Prov . G . M . as to its illegality would be the means of putting , an end to the

practice . The Prov . G . M . endorsed what the Secretary had ; s ; aid in this direction , and hoped the Lodges under his rule would adhere to the regulations of the Craft in the future .

The Grand Lodge was then closed , and a number of the Brethren repaired to the Sun Hotel , where the annual Festival of the Province was celebrated .

Suffolk.

SUFFOLK .

THE following - Provincial Grand Officers were appointed at the annual meeting , held on the 13 th , and reported elsewhere : Bro . A . Gibb 114 ..... Senior Warden 0 . L . Oxborrow 376 .... Junior Warden Eev . W . B . Fletcher 376 - - - | _ . , . Rev . S . J . S . Banks 2371 - - - O ^ P ^ ns

Philip J . Jolly 305 - - - . Treasurer F . G . Mayhew 1452 - - . . Registrar N . Tracy 376 - - . . . Secretary F . Spashett 71 - Senior Deacon 0 . 0 . Vincent 1823 .... Junior Deacon T . T . Shillitoe 1008 - - - . Superintendent o £ Works

J . M . Franks 376 - - - - Director of Ceremonies Alma Cocks 959 .... Assistant Dir . of Cars . G . Andrews 388 .... Sword Bearer G . W . Senton 225 - - - - ) _ . , , „ R . S . Joy 1224 .... j Standard Bearers

J . Price 376 - . . . . Organist Harry Cockrell 225 . . . . Assistan t Secretary H . Bis 1663 - - . . . Pursuivant J . Durrant 1631 .... Assistant Pursuivant E . Hills 959 - . . . 1

H . C . Ranee 225 . . . . y Stewards J . Stringer 2371 . j B . W . Syer 876 * - ' * Tyler ,

Durham.

DURHAM .

A FTER the lapse of several years , the annual meeting of the Province of Durham in to be held in the Cathedral city this year , and the gathering , it is anticipated , will be one of the largest and most successful held in the Province .

A meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Old Elvet , Durham , on Wednesday evening , under the presidency of Bro . R . Hudson Provincial Grand Secretary , when the arrangements tor the Provincial meeting were advanced a . further stage ,

Durham.

and a Committee , embracing representatives of the Lodges in the city , was appointed for the purpose of completingthe same . The Committee consists of Bro . J . Rickerby W . M . of the Marquis of Granby Lodge , Bro . T . J . R . Hindmarsh W . M . of the Norman Lodge , Bro . S . Fenny P . M .,

and Bro . J . Smith P . M . Marquis of Granby Lodge , Bro . T . Laidler P . M . Norman Lodge , Bro . G . S . Shaw P . M . Norman Lodge , with Bro . R . Flauxwell P . M . of the Norman Lodge as Secretary . Through the kindness of the Rev . Dr . Plummer , Master of Durham University , and W . M . of Universities

Lodge , the Provincial meeting will be held in the Lecture Hall , Palace Green , and the subsequent banquet will take place in the Castle Hall . The Prov . Grand Master Sir

Hedworth Williamson , Bart , and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master the Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., F . R . S ., as well as other distinguished members of the Province , will be present on the occasion . The date fixed is the 25 th September .

It is quite cheering to see the name of our old , friend Bro . F . Binckes , formerly Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , as among those attending a present day meeting of the Craft . He was among the Grand Officers who supported Lord Henniker on the occasion of the meeting

of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Suffolk , on the 13 th inst ., and is locally reported as having delivered a stirring speech in speaking of the Masonic Charities . Those who knew , Bro .

Binckes when he was a prominent figure in the Craft , can well recognise the appropriateness of the description of the utterances of " Our Hercules" in connection with his beloved theme of the Masonic Charities .

The Woodrow Lodge of Instruction , No . 1708 , has ceased work for the summer , the next meeting being fixed for Monday , 1 st October , at the regular meeting place : Brother Rudderforth ' s ( Stone ' s ) Restaurant , 24 Panton Street , Haymarket , S . W .

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