Royal Arch.

Thomas William Tew , J . P ., Grand Superintendent , presided , and he was numerously supported by tho Prov . Grand Officers Present and Past ; also Companions from the following Chapters , viz .: —61 , 139 , 154 , 208 , 242 , 258 , 264 , 265 , 275 , 289 , 290 , 302 , 304 , 30 G , 307 , 380 , 387 , 448 , 458 , 495 , 521 , G 00 , 603 , G 52 , 750 , 827 , 837 , 904 , 1001 ,

1019 , 1042 , 1214 , 1283 , 1513 . Apologies for absence were received from the following Provincial Grand Officers ,

Comps . J . E . D . Darling P . Z . 139 P . G . Sword Bearer , AVm . Greaves P . Z . 289 , P . G . A . D . C , J . K , Welsman P . Z . GOO , and John Gerrard P . Z . 154 P . G . Stewards . Comp . Alfred Stott Z . and Officers of the Perseverance Chaptor , No . 275 , opened the Chapter at 3 * 15 , and at 3 * 30 Comp .

Thomas William Tew , J . P ., and his Officers entered and opened Grand Chapter . After preliminaries , the minutes of the meeting held at Harrogate , on Wednesday , 1 st May 1889 , were presented for confirmation , read , and confirmed . The roll of Chapters and Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers was called . The Grand Superintendent then delivered the following address : —

PRINCIPALS AND COMPANIONS , —Afc the most agreeable and satisfactory meeting afc the Queen Hotel , Harrogate , on First of May , nnder the auspices of Chapter 1001 , I received two invitations for this , the November Convocation , viz .: "De Grey and Ripon" 837 , " Ripon and Perseverance " 275 , Huddersfield , and I exercised my

prerogative in favour of the latter , being more accessible to tho majority of Companions , particularly afc this usually inclement season ; and I am snre tho representatives of the Ripon Chapter , viz .: Companions Tupman and Pickersgill will acquiesce . It is wifch much regret we hear of the continued nnd serious illness of

Companions Reverend W . C . Lukis and R . E . Collinson , of their Chapter . This is the forty-ninth meeting of this Grand Chapter , the seventh in Huddersfield , and the fourth under the banner of "Perseverance" Chapter . I am glad to observe "Prosperity" 290 , and "Truth" 521 , well represented . Theso three Huddersfield

Chapters have an aggregate of 120 members on their rolls , 38 of whom are P . Z . 's . As members of fche Craft , on 10 th November fchey assembled to take part in celebrating the Centenary Festival of " Harmony " Lodge , No . 275 , in solemn service afc the Parish Church , Huddersfield , so kindly placed at their disposal by the Vicar—where

upwards of 400 brethren were present , having marched in procession from this Hall . I hope that the hearts of the brethren wore filled with gratitude to the Mosfc High , for the privilege of assembling in His Holy Temple , and listening to an eloquent sermon delivered by Companion Reverend P . F . J . Pearce , M . A .

May the blessed words—Health , Peace , and Good-will—abound in onr hearts , and be wafted over the surface of the globe end promote fche happiness of all , and so join mankind together by tho indissoluble links of friendship—Peace and Harmony . May the second Centennial of Lodge 275 bo as remarkable as this ono , nofc only in

the external circumstances of the numerical attendance , but for dovontness and sincerity . Our Treasnrer has given no'ice of his intention to move that this Prov . G . Chaptor contribute towards tho rent aud expenses of the offices of Prov . G . Lodge , where tho business of this Grand Chapter is carried on , and 1 hope yon will an * reo

to support the proposition . Thero is also notice by Companion William Watson , Hon . Librarian : "That each Chapter bo invited to supply a photographic copy of its Charter , " to bo placed in suitable books in our Library , in tho samo manner as the Lodge warrants , thoro being 70 out of tho 74 already received ; in this

motion I also heartily concur . Ho and I feel grateful for your money contribution to thc Library , which—I am glad to say—is from timo to timo gathering rare and valuable Masonic Works , and I trust , in time , will bo in possession of as largo and interesting a collection as thafc of tho Qnatuor Corocafci—or even Grand

Lodge itself . In conclusion , I have only to say we have 37 Chapters on tho roll , with 1189 members * 101 Companions were exalted in 1888 ; on tho other hand , there are figures I commend fco tho serious consideration of tho 330 present aud pasfc Principals , as they suggest most serious and anxious thoughts for tho continued

prosperity of _ the Chapters ; as many as 30 Companions have resigned official connection with tho Chapters , 15 more were excluded , and G 3 remained iu arrears . Two Chapters are ia a weak and exhausted condition—certainly an effort should bo made to prevent these Chapters lapsing altogether . With theso fow and

somewhat common . place observations and sincere wishes for tho continued prosperity of Itoyal Arch Masonry in West Yorkshire , I beg yen fco accept tho thanks of your Superintendent , and Ihe present aud pasfc Provincial Officers , for your loyalty aud devotion to ourselves and the affa ' rs of this Convocation , aud for the kind reception accorded to us this afternoon .

Comp . Henry Oxley Prov . G . Treasurer , pursuant to notice , moved , and Comp . Alfred Stott Z . 275 seconded , and it was resolved :

That a contribution of twelve pounds ( £ 12 O . i OJ ) por annum be undo from tho funds of Provincial Grand Chapter towards the rent and other expenses of tho offices of Piovinrisil Grand Lodi-o in Wakefield . "

Com p . William Watson , pnrsu . iut to notice , moved , Comp . William Harrop seconded , and it was rer . olved : " That each Chapter in this Province be invited to supply a

photographic copy of ita Cbaiter on a similar plan to those obtained from Ciaft Ledges ( aha 12 in . by lOin .. carbon prows ** , unmounted ) , fcj bo sent enclosed in stout paatebuird subc fursufotv . to K . Comp William Watson . 28 East Parade . Leeds . "

Royal Arch.

Comp . Mason delivered the mystical lectnre in his usual able manner . Invitations to hold the annnal meeting in May 1890 were received from the following Companions , viz .: —Comp . Wm . Gaukroger P . Z . 61 , to meet under tho banner of Sincerity Chapter at Halifax ; Comp . Arthur Tupman Z . 837 , to meet nnder the banner of

Marquess of Ripon Chapter at Ripon ; and Comp . Wm . Watson P . Z . 304 , to meet under the joint banners of Chapters 289 , 304 , 306 , and 1042 , at Leeds . The P . Grand Superintendent thanked tho Companions for their cordial invitations , and said ho would shortly make his decision known . It was then moved by Comp . Richard Carter Prov . G . H ., and seconded by Comp . Georgo Brooke Prov . G . J ., and resolved :

" That a hearty vote of thanks be given to the Z . and Companions of Chapter Perseverance , 275 , for their excellent arrangements for fche comfort of the Companions . " Provincial Grand Chapter was shortly afterwards closed . Tea was provided at the Queen ' s Hotel , tho Provincial Grand Superintendent presiding over about 50 Companions t

Prov. Grand Chapter Of Essex.

PROV . GRAND CHAPTER OF ESSEX .

ON Thursday , 21 st inst ., the Grand Superintendent of tbe Province of Essex , Comp . P . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Registrar , held his annual Provincial Grand Chapter , under the banner of the Francis White Chapter , No . 1437 , at Romford , and the proceedings throughout were most successful . Tho Provincial Grand Chanter was

opened in the Romford Public Hall shortly after 5 o'clock , the Grand Superintendent being supported by Comp . E . J . Barron P . Z . and Treasnrer 214 , acting Prov . G . H ., and Comp . Alfred Welch P . Z . 51 P . P . G . J ., acting Prov . G . J ., several distinguished Grand Officers , and most of the other

Provincial Grand Officers of the year , while there was a good attendance of Past Officers and Companions from the Chapters in the Province . The minutes of the last Provincial Grand Chapter ( held at Chelmsford ) having been read and confirmed , the Provincial Scribe E . Comp . Railing

read letters from several Companions , regretting their inability to be present , including Comps . Lord Brooke , M . P ., Col . Shadwell H . Gierke Grand Scribo E ., Thomas Fenn , E . Letelnvorth , R . Clowes P . Z . 51 P . P . G . R ,, & o . The roll of Chapters was then called ancl it was found

that all the six comprising the Province wero duly represented . The annual returns showed an increase in tho number of contributing members ; tho Auditors reported a balance in the hands of the Provincial Grand Treasurer of

£ 21 odd . Tho Grand Superintendent briefly addressed the Companions , congratulating them upon the satisfactory condition of the Province . Progress thore . bad been , which , though not of an extensive character , was steady and

assured , and therefore more lasting . Ho announced that the meeting next year would bo at Southend . On tho motion of Comp . thc Rov . Thomas Cochrane , seconded by Comp . Fred . Wood ,, tho Companions unanimously

reelected , for the sixth time , Comp . Andrew Durrant P . Z . and Treasurer 276 , as Provincial Grand Treasurer . Tho Provincial Grand Officers were then appointed and invested , as follow : —

Comp . Rev . Thos . Cochrane Z . 1437 ... II . G . H . Finch U . 2005 ... J . Thos . J . Railing P . Z . 51 ... S . B . F . B . Pa-jeZ . 214 ... ... S . N . A . Mead Z . 276 ... ... Registrar G . Harrison I . P . Z . 51 ... Sojourner 11 . J . Warren U . 1437 ... 1 st A . S „ , \ G . R . Dawson H . 1000 ... 2 nd A . Soj . T . G . Mills Z . 51 ... ... Sword Bearer It . G . Kellett J . 270 .. Standard Bearer A . Lucking P . Z . and S . E . 1000 D . of C . R . Jennings 1437 ... ... Organist A . W . Martin ... ... Janitor

The sum of five guineas having been voted io the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , the Grand Superintendent proposed a heart y vote of ( hanks to the Principals aud Companions of the Fx * ancis White Chapter for the excellent

( irraugetnonts they had made for the meeting , whieh was unanimousl y carried . The Grand Superintendent then , in feeling terms , referred to the fact that they had been

deprived , at the opening of their proceedings , of the presence of their Provincial Grand H ., Comp . Merritt , who was prevented from attending by thc suddc : i death of his father .

Ho proposed that thc Provincial Graud S . E . he requested