A New Lodge In Staffordshire.

A NEW LODGE IN STAFFORDSHIRE ,

FOE several years many members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Staffordshire have desired to see a central Lodge of Installed Masters established . At the last meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge , at Lichfield , an informal meeting was held , and a small Committee appointed to convene a meeting of Installed Masters'for the formation of such a Lodge . It is'thought . that

considerable advantage to the best interests of Freemasonry in Staffordshire would follow from a periodical meeting of 'the Installed Masters , giving opportunities for free interchange of opinion , which no existing organization supplies . Deviations from the " Emulation" standard of ritual ( adopted under the late P . G . M . ) might be discussed and corrected ; while if the

Lodge prospered , probably occasion might be found for the development of interest in the literature and antiquities of Masonry by visits and addresses from selected Brethren . The meeting was held at the Swan Hotel ; Stafford , on Saturday , 9 th inst ., when there was a large attendance of Brethren throughout the Province .

The chair was taken by Lieut .-Col . Bindley Deputy Prov . Grand . Master P . G . Deacon England , who , in opening the proceedings , said the chief object of that meeting was to-get a consenus of opinion whether or not it was desirable to form a Past Masters' Lodge . For himself , individually , he thought it would be a most excellent thing , which would facilitate very

considerably the work of the Province . It was written that " in a multitude of councellors there is wisdom , " and it was for them that day to make any suggestions they might think good . If , in their wisdom , they decided that a Lodge should be formed , the formula would be a secondary matter altogether . Eeferring to

the proposal that the Lodge , if formed , should be called " The Foster Gough Lodge of Installed Masters , " as a memorial of the late Provincial Grand Master and his work in the Province , he remarked that no one had more at heart . the interests of Masonry than the late Col . Foster Gough , and it was peculiarly fitting that they should honour his memory in this-way .

The ^ Secretary Bro . J . T . Marson P . M . 726 then read a list of those who had up to that time given in their names as Founders .

The Chairman formally proposed that the Lodge be formed , under the title of " The Foster Gough Lodge of Installed Masters . " Bro . J . Bodenham , in seconding the motion , said it was a great satisfaction to him to think that they were about to create a permanent memorial of their late Provincial Grand Master ,

whose work m the Province certainly deserved recognition at their hands . He could not imagine a memorial which would have been more after Col . Gough ' s own heart than this . He knew from his own lips that , had he lived , a Lodge of this kind would have been established some years ago . The resolution was carried with absolute unanimity .

Some discussion followed on a suggestion contained in the circular convening the meeting , that there should be three meetings annually , to be held at Stafford , as the most suitable centre , on the last Saturday in January , April , and October . Bro . W . E . Blair and several other Brethren urged that January was an unsuitable month , owing to the number of installations which took place during that month .

Bro . G . C . Kent suggested that the question of dates should be left over until after the Lodge had been formed . No day would suit everyone , so they could only try and fix days which would suit the greatest number . It was eventually decided that there should be three meetings , and that alterations in the dates will be made as may be found desirable

. With regard to the venue , Bro . Bodenham said the original suggestion was that the Lodge should be held at Stafford , as the most central place , but since they had met that day Lieut .-Col . Walker Provincial Grand Secretary had said that he thought it probable that they could get a Warrant to specify several places , and he cordially agreed with him that if that could be done it

was desirable that they should hold the Lodge alternately at Stafford , Stoke , and Wolverhampton . He proposed that the Lodge should be held at Stafford if the Book of Constitutions only allowed one place , but that , if the regulations permit , arrangements be made for holding it alternately at Stafford , Stoke , and

Wolverhampton . Bro . Blair said there had been a feeling that if Stafford only was selected there should be two Lodges , one for the North and one for the South . The Chairman : We must be united . Bro . Blair said he agreed that it would not be well to have

two . Lieut .-Col . Walker said if they got the places actually fixed he thought they could get them named in the Warrant . Bro . Baker mentioned the fitness of Hanley for a meeting place .

A New Lodge In Staffordshire.

The Chairman pointed out that the question for the most part was one of railway convenience . There was not a Lodge in the Province that would not like to welcome the Past Masters ' Lodge , but it would hardly be possible , he thought , that more than three places could be mentioned in the Warrant .

Bro . G . C . Kent said he was clearly of opinion that the Warrant could be made to provide for a moveable Lodge from place to place , just as a Lodge could be moved from house to house . He thought they were making too much of this . In the result , it was unanimously agreed , subject to the decision of Grand ' Lodge , that the January meeting be held at Stafford , the April meeting at Stoke , and the October meeting at Wolverhampton .

Further discussion took place on points relating to the annual subscription , founders' fees , joining fees , & c . There was considerable division of opinion as to whether the founders should be simply those who had signed the petition , or already signified their wish to become founders , or whether a limit should be given for Past Masters now to become founders .

Bros . Kent and Bodenham urged the view that the . list should be left open for a time . Bro . T . E . Lowe and Bro . the Eev . E . D . Boothman took the contrary view , that the list of founders should be closed that day .

Bro . Kent pointed out that by the fundamental change made that day . in the original proposition , by which it was now hoped to hold a Lodge at Stoke , the attitude of many Past Masters in the North of the Province would probably be changed , and that they should have a further opportunity of becoming founders .

Bro . Bromley P . G . S . W . spoke in favour of the time being extended . , Lieut .-Col . Walker suggested that the list of founders should not close before the 24 th inst . On a vote being taken , it was decided by 24 votes to 18 to close the founders list from that day .

It was decided to invite the Earl of Dartmouth Provincial Grand Master to preside over the Lodge , and that in the event of his lordship finding himself unable to accede to the invitation , Lieut .-Col . Bindley be asked to preside .

Col . Bindley mentioned that it was his intention to retire in the spring , on account of his health , from the position of D . P . G . M ., but signified his willingness to do anything he could for the good of the Province , which had given him so loyal a support during his term of office .

We understand that since the meeting the Earl of Dartmouth has consented to be W . M . of the new Lodge . Col . Bindley will be I . P . M ., and the following are the Committee : —Bros . J . Bodenham 726 Chairman , Lieut .-Col . G . W . Walker 526 , T . Taylor 2149 , J . B . Ashwell 637 , J . Webberley 546 , J . F . Pepper 482 , A . Dewsbury 539 , G . C . Kent 546 , ' M . Barker 1838 , and J . T . Marson 726 Secretary . — " Stafford Advertiser . "

At a meeting of the Staffordshire Knot Lodge , held , at Stafford on the 20 th inst ., Bro . Marson Secretary of the proposed Lodge of Installed Masters , announced that 102 . brethren sent in their names as Founders , and that many more would havejbeen forthcoming but for the resolution passed limiting the Founders to those who had signified their assent not Jater than the 9 th inst .

Irish Visit To Newcastle.

IRISH VISIT TO NEWCASTLE .

A BANQUET in honour of the Irish Brethren of Lodge Israel , on a visit to Newcastle , was held on Tuesday , 12 th inst ., in the Central Masonic Hall , Newcastle , when about 150 Brethren were present . The chair was occupied by the

Worshipful Master of the Newcastle-on-Tyne Lodge , No . 24 , Bro . Jameson , who was supported by Bro . John ' Batey Worshipful Master of the visiting Lodge , Bro . Aid . Holmes , the Mayor of Newcastle Bro . John Goolden , & c .

The toasts of the Queen , and the M . W . Bro . H . E . H .. the Prince of Wales Grand Master of England and Officers of Grand Lodge , were proposed from the chair , and received with musical honours . The latter toast was coupled with the name of Bro . Canon Kynaston , who briefly replied .

Bro . Aid . Holmes proposed the Most Worshipful Gr . Master and Officers of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , which was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm . Bro . T . Gallogly responded .

Bro . George Metcalf gave the health of the Eight Hon . Bro . Sir Matthew White Eidley , Bart ., M . P ., Prov . Grand Master of Northumberland , Bro . Aid . E . H . Holmes , J . P ., P . G . D . Eng . Dep Prov . Grand Master , and Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge .

Bro . Holmes , in replying , expressed the regret of Sir Matthew at not being able to be present that evening , as he would have liked to have been . Sir Matthew had sent a very