Provincial Meetings.

1329 ; Lieut . Giles , R . N ., 1906 ; Montague Pilcher ; Dr . Cock , 1597 , Prov . S . G . W . Essex ; li . Stimson , 2182 ; G . F . ' Smith , P . M . 218 ; A . Philbrick , S . D . t-yio ; \ V . P . Collins , 1206 ; U . Pierpoint , P . M . 177 ; H . Anscombe , P . M . 1 S 21 ; Col . H . Tester , 16 3 6 ; Dr . Cantrell , P . M . 1397 ; F . C . Parsons , S . W . 271 ; T . II . Gardiner . P . M . n so ; Rev . Heathcote Smith , Chap . 13 SS ; W . W ,

D'Albiac , P . M . 1466 ; R . Willard , P . M . 732 ; H . Langton , P . M . 271 ; J . Terry , S . W . 3 ' 5 ; K- W . F . Hopewell , 732 ; A . Du Pont , J . W . 1947 ; H . S . Tester , 1636 ; W . H . Cockburn , 1466 ; ' Thos . MacOuecn , P . M . 916 ; Turle Lee , 2254 ; J . A . Browne , 2264 ; ™ Dr . F . II . ¦ Hanxwell , P . M . 732 ; H . Agnilar , P . M . 135 ; J . Hinde Crouch , 1664 ; Gresham Bacon , 271 ; Freeman Gcll , 271 ; l'L . C . Miisson , S 2 ; W . Fitch , P . M . 1797 , P . P . G . D . Berks

and Bucks ; E . A . Buchanan , 1 S 29 ; W . B . Isvvorth , S . W . 163 ( 1 ; A . Olding , 271 ; J . C . Buckwell , S . W . 218 7 ; F . J . Culley , 1636 ; F . Hollands , 10 . 16 3 6 ; J . Wood , Sir ; H . G . Collins , D . of C , 1636 ; C . Wren , 315 ; W . Biolctti , J . W . 315 ; B . Drury , 315 ; G . Rawlinson , P . M . 1797 ; W . Pratt , 1797 ; H . Pearce , P . M ., 1797 ; A . F . Lamette , 271 ; Malcolm Smith , P . M ., H . Broad , and H .

W . G . Abell , Sec , of 1797 ; J . Belcher , 315 ; W . Anderson , P . M . 315 ; R . Smith , 1797 ; and Thomas Howell , 1797 . The Secretary read the names of brethren vvho had been invited , but were unable to be present , among them bcing Bros . Lord Brooke , Prov . G . M . Essex ; Thos . Fenn , President Board of General Purposes ; Rev . J . C . Martyn ,

P . G . Chap ., Deputy Prov . G . M . Suffolk ; A . M . Moyes , P . G . Std . Br ., Dep . Prov . G . M . Cambridgeshire ; W . G . Bell , W . M ., and Harnett Knott , W . M . elect , S 59 . The lodge having been opened , and thc minutes read and confirmed , a ballot vvas taken for Bros . Lord H . F . Thynn , P . G . Warden , and W . Morshcad as joining members , who were elected . A ballot vvas taken for Mr . Richard Percy

Clowes ( a son of thc W . M . elect ) as a candidate for initiation , vvhich vvas declared unanimous in his favour . The W . M . then asked the G . Registrar , Bro . F . A . Philbrick , to take the chair and perform thc ceremony of initiation , ancl Mr . Richard Percy Clowes vvas duly initiated . 'The VV . M . again took the chair , and the ordinary business vvas transacted , after vvhich the G . Secretary , Bro . Col . Shadwell H .

Clerke took the chair , and installed , in an impressive manner , and in the presence of a Board of So Installed Masters , Bro . Richard Clowes , P . M . 6 50 , P . Prov . S . G . W . Essex , as W . M . for the year , vvho appointed his officers as follows : Bros , the Right Hon . Sir W . Marriott , Q . C , M . P ., Judge Advocate-General , P . G . Steward , Prov . S . G . Warden , I . P . M . ; Very Rev . E . R . Currie , Dean of Battle , Prov .

G . Chap ., S . W . ; H . E . Price , M . D ., P . Prov . G Warden , J . W . ; Major-General Barnett Ford , P . Dist . G Deacon Bengal , Treas . ; V . P . Freeman , P . G . D ., P . Prov G . Sec , Secretary ; Dr . A . King , Mus . Bac , P . Prov . G Org ., S . D . ; C . W . Hudson , P . P . G . W ., J . D . ; C . Bam . fylde Warre , P . Prov . G . Deacon , D . C ; J . P . Slingsbj Roberts , Org . ; I . P . Knight , LG . ; R . Pidcock , Prov . G

Reg ., Lennox Browne , Prov . S . G . W . Essex , and R . Percy Clowes , Stewards . Letters vvere read from the late D . P . G . M ., Bro . Gerard Ford , P . M ., one enclosing lithograph of a letter received from H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , P . G . M ., and another offering for the acceptance of the lodge a portrait of himself in Masonic clothing . A letter vvas

read from Mrs . Ford , informing tlie brethren that her late husband had by his will bequeathed a sum of £$ o to endow the chair of the lodge . Bro . R . Clowes , W . M ., expressed his great regret at the loss the lodge had sustained by the death of their P . M ., Bro . Gerard Ford . He said he was sure the brethren vvould all unite

vvith him in acknowledging the fraternal kindness with vvhich Bro . Ford had always treated the members of the lodge , and vvould desire to join in expressing their respect and esteem for him , and sympathy vvith Mrs . Ford . He vvould therefore move that the following address be presented to her :

" To Mrs . Gerard Ford . "The members of the Earl of Sussex Lodge are deeply moved by the letters vvhich have been read to them from their late loved and respected P . M . and Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and also have to acknowledge the kind letter which accompanied the notification of the legacy to the lodire .

"They desire to thank Mrs . Ford most sincerely for the touching words vvith vvhich she has addressed them , and to assure her that the trouble the late Bro . Ford took in arranging , establishing , and acting as first W . M ., will never be forgotten by the brethren . " The wish to express their deep and heartfelt sympathy vvith Mrs . Ford in her bereavement , and hope that the

Almighty will give her strength to sustain her in her affliction ; although it is small consolation , they venture to believe that the affliction and esteem in vvhich he vvas held , so amply testified by the Masons generally throughout the province , will at all events comfort her in her hour of trial as proving that he vvho was so much beloved by her vvas thoroughly

understood and appreciated by so many others . " At this , the first meeting after his death , the brethren wish to place on record a testimony to his worth so that future generations may be able to ( ind particulars of the proceedings , and bear in remembrance Bro . Gerard Ford , who vvas the originator , principal founder , and during his life a most active member of the Earl of Sussex Lodge .

" R . CLOWES , W . M . " Royal Pavilion , Brighton , " October 26 th , 1 S 83 . " Bro . V . P . Freeman seconded the proposition , and desired to express in open lodge the fraternal regard the late Bro . Ford had shown for the brethren , and his anxiety

to gain their affection and esteem , having been associated together for so many years . Many of the acts of kindness which Bro . Ford had done had been known to him , and he could bear testimony to the increase year by year of his popularity . The resolution was unanimously adopted .

The newly-elected member for Brighton , Mr . Gerald Walter Erskine Loder , vvas proposed by Bro . the Right Hon . Sir W . T . Marriott , P . M ., as a candidate for

initiation . 'The W . M ., Bro . R . Clowes , seconded the proposition . 'The lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , where they sat down to an elegant banquet supplied by Bro . D . Mutton , whose catering gave the greatest satisfaction . 'i'he post prandial proceedings vvere of a thoroughly hearty character .

Provincial Meetings.

The W . M ., Bro . Richard Clowes , who presided , gave the customary loyal toasts , which were duly honoured . In submitting " " The Ofiicers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " he said that those vvho had been privileged to attend Grand Lodge must have felt that it was ruled by energetic and zealous ollicers . He himself regarded il a privilege to have around him so many officers of Grand Lodge , and lie heartily thanked them for tlieir kind attendance and

support . Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Registrar , in reply , said the officers of Grand Lodge took the greatest interest in thc province , and he himself vvas deeply interested in the success of the lodge . He vvas glad to see thc province and lodge were making satisfactory progress , and said the brethren should feel proud of being presided over by such a Provincial Grand Master as the Duke of Connaught .

Bro . Col . Shadwell II . Clerke , Grand Secretary , also responded . He said that , though he . felt one response was . sufficient , he was grateful for the opportunity of speaking . Paying a graceful tribute to the memory of the late Bro . Gerard Ford , Deputy Prov . G . M ., he said hc himself was interested in the lodge . He had assisted at its consecration , and had installed their I . P . M ., Bro . SirW . T . Marriott ,

ancl he had been pleased that day to install the W . M ,, Bro . Clowes . Referring to the excellent work of thc late Bros . Sir W . W . Burrell and J . H . Scott , he said the Province of Sussex vvas second to none . Their vvork vvas admirably done , and , from the reports he received from time to time from their indefatigable Prov . G . Secretary , he saw that an excellent spirit pervaded the province , and while harmony

reigned supreme the Charities were well supported . Bros . J . C . Parkinson , Ralli , and Lambe also acknowledged thc toast " , thc last-named speaking in high terms of thc excellent work in thc Craft whicii' Bro . Clowes had shown during his residence in the Essex Province . He congratulated llic Sussex Freemasons upon having so good a brother among them .

The W . M . then proposed " Thc Prov . Grand Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn , Earl of Sussex . " The Duke , hc said , vvas expected to return to England earl } ' next year , and lie was sure no lodge would give him a heartier welcome than the Earl of Sussex Lodge . In submitting the next toast , " Thc Provincial Senior

Grand Warden in Charge , thc Rt . Hon . Sir William T . Marriott , O . C , M . P ., \\ G . Steward , and Ollicers of Provincial Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " the W . M . said he experienced sorrow in thinking" of their late Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bra . Gerard Ford . Fortunately the Provincial Grand Lodge had a popular brother in charge—Sir W . T . Marriott ; and , further , all their officers were brethren who could be

relied upon in any case of emergency . Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott , on rising to respond , vvas warmly received . He thanked the brethren sincerely for the hearty manner in which they had received the toast . All vvould agree vvith the W . M . that in the late Bro . Gerard Ford they had lost one whose whole heart vvas in Freemasonry . Speaking for himself , hc said it vvas great pleasure , after

his recent rough ancl tumble life , to come within those walls ancl to be in a haven of rest . Their brotherly love cemented all their differences , ancl all experienced happiness in doing their duty to each other . He then said he had another pleasant duty to perform—to propose " The Worshipful Master . " The chair vvas , he remarked , adorned by Bro . Clowes , who was imbued vvith the true spirit of Freemasonry .

During the last two ycars ( thc lodge vvas but a young one ) , Bro . Clowes had performed his duties with great ability , and he heartily wished him success and happiness during * the coming year . Bro . R . Clowes vvas received vvith prolonged and enthusiastic applause on rising to respond . He said he felt proud of the high position in vvhich the brethren , by their

unanimous vote , had placed him . He vvas grateful to Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke for installing him , and to the many old and new friends vvho had come from all parts to welcome him in his new position . His pleasure had been further increased by seeing his eldest son initiated . He , however , expressed his sincere regret that the late Bro . Gerard Ford , vvho had asked him to assist him in founding the lodge , and

vvho had proposed that his ( Bro . Clowes ) son should be initiated , was no longer vvith them . He trusted that at the end of the year he should experience the same kind feelings that had been expressed towards him that day . Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Registrar , next proposed "The Initiate . " ' A good father , he said , ought to make a good son . Speaking as an Essex Freemason , he

bore testimony to the very hearty manner in vvhich the W . Master had supported Freemasonry in his mother province , and he believed his son vvould follow in his footsteps . He himself had a prescriptive right in proposing the toast . Not only had he installed the W . AI . in his mother lodge in Essex , but he had the pleasure of proposing the health of his son , Bro . R . Percy Clowes , vvhen he attained his majority . He

vvas his sponsor m the Inns of Court to vvhich he belonged , and had initiated him that day . The toast vvas heartily drunk , and Bro . R . Percy Clowes , on rising to respond , vvas warmly received . He had been impressed , lie said , with the ceremony of his initiaton , and felt that Freemasonry was calculated to make each one a better man . He thanked the

brethren of the Earl of Sussex Lodge for admitting him into the Fraternity . He had lost a good friend in the late Bro . Ford , who had proposed him . He trusted to merit promotion till he ultimately reached the chair of the lodge . The W . M . proposed " The Visitors . " Bro . VV . Sendall ( Mayor of Brighton ) responded . He said Bro . Marriott had spoken of the pleasure of coming to

the lodge as a haven of rest . But he asked what were his feelings ? During the late election excitement , he had endeavoured to tread a bee line and go straight , in spite of the temptation of gas lights , flaming posters , and newspaper reports . He had looked forward to that meeting with pleasure , and had been amply repaid by the hearty good feeling with which he and the other visitors had been

received . Bro . A . Welch , referring to the W . M . ' s excellent vvork in Freemasonry in Essex , said two lodges in that county sent him fraternal greetings . It was without precedent , he thought , that during one afternoon a W . M . should be

installed , and his son not only initiated , but immediately honoured vvith ollice in the lodge . Bro . W . E . Morrison ( Mayor elect of Eastbourne ) also responded . Eastbourne , he said , was interested in the welfare of its sister town , Brighton , copying what vvas good and endeavouring to profit by shortcomings whicii arose .

Provincial Meetings.

Their Mayor , Aldermen , ancl Town Cleric were all Fr . masons . I le said the Freemasons would give the Provincial Grand Lodge a hearty welcome if they held one of thoir mecliugs at Eastbourne . The W . M ., in proposing "Thc Past Master , " presented Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott with a Past Master ' s gold jewel j n

appreciation of the admirable manner in which he had carried out his duties during - the past year . Bro . Marriott , in responding , expressed his gratitude to the brethren for their kindness to him . His year of ollice had been one of pleasure and good fellowship , and he would do all he could to assist the W . M . in carrying out the duties

of his ollicc . The W . M . proposed "Thc Officers of the Lodge , " to which Bro . II . li . Prince , J . W ., thc Secretary , ancl Bro . | . P . Knight , I . G ., responded . From want of lime the W . M . brielly proposed "The Worshipful Masters of Lodges in the Province " and "Tho Joining Members" without asking for responses .

The Tyler ' s toast completed the list . The majorit y of thc company then left to catch their respective trains . Duiing the evening the musical programme , under the direction of Bros . J . P . Slingsby Roberts , Organist of lhe lodge ; Dr . Alfred King , P . P . G . O . ; and Turle Lee , was ably sustained by Miss Minnie Freeman , Master C . Steward , Bros . J . Brown , J . Gawthrop , ancl R . Grice . The dutiesot accompanist were admirably carried out by Bro . 'Turle Lee .

CANTERBURY . Royal Military Lodge ( No . 1449 ) . —The installation of Bro . VV . J . Claydon as W . M . of the above lodge took place at the Masonic Temple , on Monday , the 21 st ult ., the ceremony being impressively performed hy Bro . IT . J . Taylor , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ' The newly-installed

W . M . appointed his officers as follows .- Bros . J . Beckett , S . W . ; D . Laing , J . W . ; E . Plume , P . M ., 'Picas . ; Rev . II . M . Maugham , P . M ., Chap . ; Ii . Cockcrscll , P . M ., Sec . ; J . Naylor , S . D . ; G . Pope , J . D . ; J . Plant , P . M ., Org . ; J . H . Blamiers , P . M ., D . C ; Col . VV . IT . Deedes ,

I . G . ; and R . Blake , P . G . T ., Tyler . Besides a numerous attendance of members of the lodge , there were present Bros . T . W . Porter , W . M . 1915 ; | . S . White , W . M . 2099 ; j . T . May , W . M . 429 ; M " . 11 . Gill , W . M . 1209 ; S . Saunders , I . P . M . 1915 ; W . 0 . Kennett , P . M . 120 S ; and others .

At the close of thc meeting the brethren adjourned to the Royal Fountain Hotel , where a company of about 50 sat down to an excellent banquet . Thc usual toasts were subsequently honoured . The musical arrangements vvere entrusted to Bros . J , Plant , Rhodes , Dewhurst , ancl W . 0 . Kennett , assisted by Mr . Kenningham .

DAWLISH . Salem Lodge ( No . 1443 ) . —The installation ¦ , meeting of thc above lodge was held at the Town Hall , on the 21 st ult . The VV . M . elect , Bro . G . B . Avant , VV . M . in i 1 S 76-7 , vvas ably installed by Bro . F . C . Hallett , P . M ., P . P . j G . Std . Br . The Board of Installed Masters also included \ Bros . J . S . Whidborne , P . P . G . R . ; W . H . Discombe , P . P . !

D . G . D . C ; ILL . Friend , P . P . A . G . D . C ; J . Horsham , j H . Ruth , and J . Shapter , all of the lodge ; J . U . Valentine , 1 303 , P . P . D . G . D . C ; and G . S . Bridgman , 135 S . Thc Board of Installed Masters having been closed , tlie W . M . appointed his officers as follows : Bros . J . Shapter ,

I . P . M . ; J . F . King , S . VV . ; E . VV . Lock , J . VV . ; J . S . Whidborne , Treas . ; W . H . Discombe , Sec ; J . E . Hearn , S . D . ; D . C . Powell , J . D . ; A . G . Stevens , Chap . ; A . : Coles , Org . ; John Cole , D . C . ; C . Hatcher and R . Williams , Stewards ; G . F . Webb , I . G . j and R . G . Underbill , Tyler . The W . M . then presented Bro . Shapter with a P . M . 's jewel as a mark of appreciation of the lodge of thc

ability with vvhich he had fulfilled the duties of his ofiice . The visiting brethren , besides those already named , included Bros . S . E . Endacott , Sec . 113 S ; C . Emmett , D . C ., and J . T . Triniman , of 135 S ; and W . Thomas , 189 . The brethren afterwards adjourned to the Royal Albert Hotel , where the installation banquet vvas held , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts observed .

GATESHEAD . Lodge Of Industry ( No . 48 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge vvas held on Monday , the 28 th ult ., and vvas one of the biggest nights , both as to vvork and attendance , that has been the good fortune of this ancient lodge for a considerable period of time . Bro . Wm . Brown ,

VV . M ., presided , and vvas supported by Bros . R . B . Reed , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . ; Robt . Whitfield , P . M ., P . P . G . D . of C . j J . G . Smith , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; A . Rhagg , P . M-i W . Dalrymple , P . M . ; T . R . Jobson , as S . VV . ; VV . ; Richardson , J . VV . ; M . R . Wright , Sec . ; W . J . Jobson , , ¦ S . D . ; G . Craighill , J . D . j VV . Stafford , I . G . ; R . Fcp ' ' : xui

Org . ; W . H . Denton and A . Dodds , Stwds . ; }» f ' Curry , Tyler ; T . Cbegwidden , R . Swanson , G . C . l <*" s-J T . Bowman , R . Brason , T . W . Bagnall , H . F . Dry den , W . J . Campbell , R . C . Tate , G . Hibbert , H . Jackson , !• Lambert , VV . H . Knowles , A . Simpson , and Wm . Towers . The visitors vvere numerous and comprised Bros . '''• Watson . VV . M .. E . Turnbull . P . M .. T . Dinning , I - '" - ' : ¦

Jos . Brown , S . D ., J . A . Stelling , VV . J . Scott , V > om 3 * Purvis , J . VV ., and J . M . Bruce , J . D ., all of 4811 J oSCP . ¦ : Cook , P . M . 4 S 1 and 1342 ; W . R . Gibson , VV . M- > 7 ' ; G . N . Patterson , S . W ., T . R . Short , J . W ., C . Kemnso " ' and R . Stewart , I . G ., all of 424 ; W . C . Foster , VV . i • A . T . Atchson , P . M ., C . Roope , P . M ., G . Fish , b . . - W . E . Harker , J . VV ., and A . P . Farthing , I . G ., all of 24 < IT . Spittle , P . M ., Wm . Cooper , P . M ., J . Taylor , J- vv- < and H . Thomas , all of 1342 ; G . L . Davis , 406 ; L- . ' -j Lardler , Stwd . 1 G 64 ; T . R . Jobson , J . W . 1 C 64 ; VV . ^ '; ; 240 ; VV . G . Reynolds , S . W . 2260 ; J . Lascelles , 54 ; ¦¦ T . IT . Baby , 16 7 6 ; I . Appleyard , 413 ; D . Levvars , 54 '

and others . , , iy 'The ballot was taken for Mr . J . K . Sinton , who wa ^ elected , and being in attendance was initiated by the v • and the J . W . explained the working tools . Bro- J- ^ Bowman was passed by Bro . Win . Dalrymp le , I . l , '' V n the acting S . VV . described the tools . Bro . Hug 1 ' J . y j . j , vvas raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M- by tll ^ . 0 In * tIic j 'The proceedings closed after many good wishes ^^ y . j visiting brethren . An adjournment vvas made to tne ,

ment board , and a pleasant evening followed . , ^ uf 1 Bro . R . B . Reed , P . M ., in proposing " U'e ¦ " . -,. ;„„ ; the W . M ., " treated the brethren to an excellentawi ^ t )|( . on tiie antiquity and the continuance of the lot 8 ] ian , reS roll of Grand Lodge under varied circumstances ai ^ oi enumeration during the period of more than ii