Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Lancashire.

Thomas Wylie , P . G : Reg . ; Landless , P . G . Hd . ; T . Dodgson , Z . 995 ; T . Armstrong , P . P . G . Soj . ; R . Pearson , H . 993 ; E . Meugens , P . Z . 31 ; W . Doyle , H . 249 ; T . Clark , P . Z . 673 ; J . R . Goepel , P . Z . 86 ; J . Case , P . Z . 99 . ) 5 J- Crossley , J . 703 ; W . Mossop , P . Z .

148 ; C . Fryer , P . Z . 113 ; S . Rowbottom , P . Prov . G . S . N . ; W . C . DeeJey , P . Z . 18 c ; E . Kyle , J . 220 ; D . Jones , P . Z , 216 ; J . Sooth , John Pemberton , P . Z . 1094 ; J . C . Lunt , Z . 1086 ; Thomas Chesworth , P . Z . 1086 ; George Turner , P . Z . 824 ; P . M . Larson , P . Z . 220 ;

Joseph Skeaf , P . G . Org ., H . 216 ; J . Gnskell , P . Z . 178 ; Robert Wylie , P . Prov . G . D . of C . ; Rev . Philip Hains , J . T . Callow , H . 673 ; E . Harbord , P . G . Std . Cheshire ; W . Archer , P Z . 1086 ; J . Hocken , P . Z . 220 ; J . Lamb , P . Z . 17 8 ; J . Lunt , Z . ; 241 ; A . C . Mott , P . G . S . N . and others .

After the Provincial Grand Chapter had been opened in solemn form , according to ancient ritual Em . Comp . H . S . Alpass , P . G . S . E ., read the minutes of the last convocation , which was held at Preston , and , being found correct , were confirmed unanimously without discussion .

E . Cornp . Hamer , P . G . Treas ., presented the accounts for the year , which showed a balance in hand of £ 46 14 s . 2 d , against . £ 40 8 s . nd ., last year . The accounts had been duly audited by Comps . G . Turner , Z . 86 ; J . MacKune , Z . 216 ; and J . C . Lunt , Z . 1086 , and were

unanimously approved , on the motion of Comp . A . C . Mott , seconded by Comp . G . Turner . On the motion of Comp Robert Wylie , seconded by Comp . A . C . Mott , Comp Hamer was cordially re-elected Treasurer ; and Comp .

Hamer , in acknowledging the compliment , said he had intended resigning the office this year , but still he would endeavour for one year more to justify the confidence that had been reposed in him , and endeavour to perform the duties of his office to the complete satisfaction of the

companions . Comp . Peter Ball was unanimousl y re-elected P . G . Janitor for the ensuing year . The following officers were appointed and invested by the Most Excellent Superintendent , viz ., Comps . : —

Thomas Wylie Prov . G . H . E . Meugens Prov . G . J . H . S . Alpass Prov . G . S . E . J . R . Kellett Smith Prov . G . S . N .-W . C . Deeley Prov . G . P . S . J . R . Goepel Prov . G . 1 st Ast-S .

R . Landless Prov . G . 2 nd Ast . S . Charles Hill Prov . G . Reg . Mossop Prov . G . Std . B . Fryer Prov . G . Std . B . T . Dodgson Prov . G . D . of C J . Skeaf Prov . G . Organist . Simpson Prov . G . Steward .

The M . E . P . G . Superintendent said , having appointed his officers for the ensuing- year , he wished to say a few words to the companions , whom he thanked for their hearty support on that 1 occasion . It was extremely gratifying to him to learn that Royal Arch Freemasonry was

progressing in the province , and exerting itself to promote the great ends which the noble science was intended to advance . It had been suggested that after the convocation of the Provincial Grand Chapter , a Provincial Grand Lodge should be held , with a view to opening , in Masonic form ,

1 ' the elegant building in which they were then assembled ; but it was found that there was no precedent for and no ceremony proper to such an I occasion , and it was hardly right to create such a precedent , therefore the suggestion was declined . At the same time he could not resist saying a

I few words expressive of thanks to Comp . [ Leader , the owner of the spacious buildings in [ which they met that day , for the energy with j which he had brought the construction of the I buildings to a conclusion , and of congratulation on the success with which the design had been carried out . The room in which they were

; assembled would be as handsome a room as any n the division , and they must all rejoice to see Freemasonry holding such a firm place in the hearts of Masons as to induce them to erect such a building , and to provide so handsome , commodious , and convenient place of meeting as that . His hope ' was that such an excellent

Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Lancashire.

example as had been set in Wigan might be followed throughout this great province , and that they mig ht be truly able to say no province could excel West Lancashire for its thorough and hearty exemplification of the great principles of Free-Masonry—brotherly love , relief and truth .

Comp . T . Wylie , P . G . H ., gave notice that at the next convocation he should move that fen

per cent , of the annual income of Prov . Grand Chapter be set apart as a fund for the support of the Masonic Charities . On the motion of Comp . Robert Wylie , seconded by Comp . T . Armstrong , the votes of the province were appropriated , tosrether with

£ 5 , towards securing the election of an old companion to the benefits of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons . After the transaction of some formal business , the P . G . Chapter was closed in ancient and solemn form , after which the companions

banquetted together , under the presidency of the M . E . P . G . Superintendent . In the course of the evening , his lordship referred to the approaching completion of the new Masonic Hall in Liverpool , and expressed a hope that the Masons of the district would be honoured with the presence of the M . W . G . M . of England , the

Marquess of Ripon , on the occasion of the consecration . He also expected that the gathering at the opening of the hall would be , one of the most distinguished and influential which had ever been held in the northern part of England . After a very pleasant meeting , the companions separated about seven o ' clock .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of East Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF EAST LANCASHIRE .

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Chapter was held at the Nottingham Castle Inn , Denton , on Wednesday , the 8 th ult ., under the auspices of the Chapter of Faith , No . 210 . The Prov . G . Chapter was opened in ancient and solemn form at half-past 3 o ' clock in the

afternoon , when there were present , Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie , M . E . Prov . G . Supt . ; Comps . J . L . Hine , Prov . G . 2 nd Principal ; J . A . Birch , Prov . G . 3 rd Principal ; John Tunnah , Prov . G . S . E . ; Thomas Entwisle , Prov . G . S . N . ; Isaac W . Petty , Prov . G . Principal S . ; Henry

Maiden , P . Prov . G . Pnn . S . ; Jas . Hall , Prov G . ist A . S . ; C . Sutcliffe , Prov . G . 2 nd A . S . ; W . Ashworth , P . Prov . G . 1 st A . S . ; John Higginbottom , P . Prov . G . Reg . ; Ellis Jones , Prov . G . Sword Bearer ; C . M . Jones , P . Prov . G . Standard Bearer ; Herod Turner , P . Prov . G .

Standard Bearer ; Robert Whittaker , Prov . G . D . of C . ; J . W . Taylor and Jas . Newton , Prov . G . Stewards ; and representatives from 19 of the 35 Chapters in the province . Letters of apology were read from such of the Prov . G . Officers as were absent . The minutes

of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The Prov . G . Treasurer ' s accounts for the past year were presented and confirmed . Comp . G . P . Brockbank was unanimously

re-elected Prov . G . Treasurer for the ensuing year . The Prov . G . Superintendent appointed and invested the following companions as Prov . G . Officers : —

J . L . Hine Prov . G . 2 nd P . J . A . Birch Prov . G . 3 rd P . John Tunnah Prov . Scribe E . Major T . G . Parker Prov . Scribe N . Jno . G . Hind Prov . G . P . S . Jas Graham Prov . G . ist A . S Ralph Landless Prov . G . 2 nd A . D

Thomas Chorlton Prov . G . Reg . Marshall Taylor Prov . G . S . W . Edwin Sleigh Prov . Standard B Robert Whittaker Prov . G . D . of C J . W . Taylor Prov . G . Org . A . Mcllquham Prov . G . Stewards

Jas . Woolfenden Prov . G . „ Fred Higginbottom Prov . G . „ Comps . H . Maiden and Robert Whittaker were appointed auditors of the Prov . G . Treasurer ' s accounts for the ensuing year . A grant of £ 5 js . was made to the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Benevolent Fund .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of East Lancashire.

Some other formal business was transacted , and the Frov . G . Chapter was closed . About eighty companions afterwards partook of an excellent banquet at the Nottingham Castle Tnn , under the presidency of the M . E . Prov . G . Superintendent .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Leicestershire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF LEICESTERSHIRE .

A special meeting of the Prov . G . Chapter took place at Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , on Thursday , the 23 rd ult ., for the purpose of installing the Principals of subordinate chapters . The Prov . G . Chapter was opened by the P . G . Supt ., Comp . W . Kelly , Z ., assisted by Comp .

E . Stretton , as H ., and the Rev . John Denton , J ., after which the Principals of the Chapter of Fortitude , Leicester , No . 279 , were installed as follows : —Comps . E . J . Crow , Z . ; S . Perkin , H . ; and W . Sculthorpe , J . ; and at the same time Comps . H . Deane , Z . ; and T . C . Duncombe ,

H ., of the De Mowbray Chapter , Melton Mowbray , No . 1130 , were also installed . The regular meeting of the Fortitude Chapter was then held when the officers elected at the last meeting were invested , and Bro . E . J . Mason was exalted to the degree of R . A . j the ceremony being

admirably rendered by the M . E . Z ., who had just previously been installed . Comp . Sculthorpe gave the historical , Comp . J . W . Moore , H ., the symbolical lecture , whilst the explanation of the signs was given by the M . E . Z ., and of the words

by Comp . Toller , who also acted as P . S . The Treasurer ' s account , showing a considerable balance in hand , was adopted , and the Chapter having been closed , the companions adjourned to the banquet , when a very pleasant evening was spent , under the presidency of the M . E . Z .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Leicester And Rutland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF LEICESTER AND RUTLAND .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Leicester and Rutland was held , under the auspices of the Fowke Lodge , No . 19 , at the Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday evening , the 23 th ultimo . From a concurrence of circumstances the attendance of the brethren

was not so numerous as on previous occasions , and several of the nominees for office were unavoidably absent . The reports received from the several lodges in the province were highly satisfactory , and from the number of Derby brethren advanced in tho

Fowke Lodge during the year , there is every probability that Mark Masonry will extend its ramifications into a neighbouring county before long . The following brethren were appointed officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge : —

Rev . J . Spittal D . Prov . G . M . The Right Hon . Earl Ferrers Prov . G . S . W . S . S . Partridge Prov . G . J . W . Rev . W . Langley Prov . G . Chaplain . Rev . H . E . Von Stiirmer ... Prov . G . Chaplain . J . E . Duncombe Prov . G . M . O . F . L Baines Prov . G . S . O .

G . Toller , jun Prov . G . J . O . C . Stretton Prov . G . Treas . J . M . MacAllister Prov . G . Sec . R . A . Barber Prov . G . R . M . J . G . Tippetts Prov . G . S . D . R . B . Smith Prov . G . J . D .

J . B . Hall Prov . G . D . C . F . Amatt Prov . G . S . of W . R . Waite Prov . G . S . B . W . T . Rowlelt Prov . G . Organist . J . T . Thorpe Prov . G . I . G . G . W . Statham , Alfred Childs ,

and T . A . W ykes Prov . G . Stewards . On the business of the Fowke Lodge being resumed , Bro . S . S . Partridge , P . M ., proceeded to instal Bro . J . M . MacAllister into the chair of Adoniram , and the W . M . appointed his officers as follows : —

W . Weare , I . P . M . ; G . Toller , jun ., S . W . ; C . Stretton , G . S ., J . W . ; Rev . H . E . Von Stiirmer , Chaplain ; W . Sculthorpe , M . O . ; R . A . Barber , S . O ; W . T . Rowlett , J . O . ; F . J . Baines , Secretary ; J . Garner , Treasurer , - J . B . Hall , R . M . ; G . W . Statham , S . D . ; T . A . Wykes , J . D . : J , T . Thorpe , M . C . j S . Tibbutt ,