Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.

P . G . M . said he understood that there had been some little soreness in the province with reference to the place at which the Prov . Grand Lodge was held ; he understood lhat some of the East Suffolk lodges felt they had been rather slighted . He assured them that he had no such intention . He desired , as far as possible , to consult the wishes of the various lodges , bul he wished it to be understood that it vvas a prerogative of the Prov .

Grand Master to decide upon the place at which Prov . Grand Lodge should be held , and he could not allow brethren to question that prerogative . He did not think t ere ought to be any soreness in the matter . Prov . Grand Lodges had been held in East Suffolk several years in succession , and bethought it was almost time they came on the other side of the county . Addressing the Prov . Grand Officers , Lord Henniker reminded

them that the purple was in every case given in recognition of distinguished service in the cause of Masonry . It was a most difficult matter to properly apportion the several offices , and there were times when he should be glad if it were in his power to confer higher offices on some of the brethren whom it was his privilege to invest . This vvas particularly the case with reference to the present Prov . G . Purst ., vvho had done excellent vvork forthe Craft , but

he hoped all the brethren vvho had been invested vvould look upon the honour as a recognition of their services by the Prov . G Lodge . In conclusion , the P . G . M . proposed a vote of thanks to the Stour Valley Lodge for the way in which they had entertained the Prov . G . Lodge , to the Prov . G . Chaplain for his excellent sermon , and to Bro . Grimwade for his past services as Secretary to the Suffolk Masonic Charity Association .

The D . P . G . M . seconded , and Bro . W . P . l . PHILLIPS seconded the motion , which vvas carried unanimously . The Prov . G . Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Rose and Crown Hotel , where a first-class banquet was served in admirable style by Bro . George .

The Prov . G . M . presided , but vvas obliged to leave before the toasts were reached in order to resume his duties as Lord-in-Waiting on her Majesty the Queen . The D . P . G . M . then took the chair , and in felicitous terms proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . Bro . W . BOBY responded for " The Grand Officers . "

In proposing "The R . W . the Prov . G . M . /' the D . P . G . M . spoke of his lordship as one who vvas anxious to discharge his duty to the Craft , and as one who was permanently fitted for the high position he held as head of the

province . The D . P . G . M . next proposed " The Masonic Charities . " Charity , he said , was the distinguishing mark and characterislic of Freemasonry . They had present wilh them that evening representatives of two of the great

Masonic Institutions , in the persons of Bro . ferry and Bro . Binckes , men who had devoted their lives lo that great cause . Referring to the recent Centenary of the Girls' School , he said the collection which was made on that occasion , amounting to ^ 50 , 500 , was a thing altogether without precedent in the history of Charitable Institutions .

Bro . TERRY , whose name was coupled vvith the toast , responded in an excellent practical speech , in vvhich he congratulated the province upon the fact that during the past 12 months it had sent up as much as much as Xnoo towards the Masonic Charities . He replied at some length to some

anonymous charges which had recenlly been made with reference to the administration of the Charities , and contended that the more closely their affairs were scrutinised the more thoroughly convinced the whole Craft would be that the funds at the disposal of the Charities were wisely and economically administered .

Bro . BINCKS , responding on behalf of "The Visitors , " whose health was proposed by the D . P . G . M ., congratulated the province on its continued and increasing prosperity , and referring to the recent Festival of the Boys ' School , complimented the Stour Valley Lodge upon the large muster by vvhich it was on that occasion represented , and upon the handsome pecuniary support which the W . M ., Bro . Dr . Mason , was able to give towards the

funds of the Institution . He characterised the attacks which had been made on the administration of the Charity as altogether unwarranted , unwarrantable , unjustifiable , injudicious , and mendacious , and said they were in all probability started by some envious , ungracious spirits who wished to see the Institution reduced to the level of a pauper school . Other toasts followed .

The musical part of the evening s proceedings was under the superintendence of Bro . Geo . Abbott , who was assisted by Bro . Brockbank , of Norwich Cathedral , whose contributions to the programme were very much enjoyed , Bros . T . Grayston and G . E . Barwell , and others .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hertford Shire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF HERTFORD SHIRE .

The annual meeting of this province vvas held at the Town Hall , Hitchin , on Friday , the 27 th ult ,, under the banner of the Cecil Lodge , No . 449 , to celebrate the Jubilee of that lodge . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master , Bro . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., presided . Among those present

were—Bros . J . E . Dawson , P . G . S . B ., D . P . G . M . ; G . Mickley , P . S . G . W ., as P . S . G . W . ; J . Hunt , P . J . G . W . j the Rev . A . Johnson , P . G . Chap . j the Rev . G . Lilting * , P . G . Chap . ; the Rev . W . d'A . Cufton , P . G . Chap . ; P . W . Dumville , P . G . Reg . ; G . E . Lake , P . G . Sec ; T . S . Carter , P . P . G . W ., as P . G . D . C ; W . I " . Graves , P . G . S . B . ; C . A . Gompertz and D . Schmidt , P . G . Std . Brs . ; H . Holmes , A . G . Sec . ; W . Lewis , P . G . Purst . ; H . A . Hare , C . E . Saunders , J . S . Webb , and R . Townsend , P . G . Stwds . ; T . Wright , P . G . Tyler ; and I * . Thomas , Asst . P . G . Tyler .

The roll of Provincial Grand Officers vvas called . Bro . T . S . CARTER . P . G . W ., proposed , and Bro . C . E . KEYSER , P . G . W ., seconded , the re-eleciion of Bro . Sumner Knyvett , P . G . D . Eng ., as Prov . G . Treas ., which vvas carried unanimously . ' 1 he Prov . G . Master then appointed and invested the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year , viz .:

—Bro . E . C . Rogers , I . P . M . 449 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . . „ Mihill Slaughter , I . P . M . 404 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . W . Mills , Chap . 403 ... , „]„ „ , „ Rev . T . Willcox , S . VV . 1479 ... ... j Prov * G * Cha P * „ F . S . Knyvett , P . M . 404 ( re-elected ) ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . L . Wigan , W . M . 409 ... ... .,. Prov . G . Reg . „ G . E . Lake , P . M . 404 ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . Sec . „ S . H . Moore , P . M . 2054 ... ... ... p . S . G . D . „ H . A . Hare , S . W . 409 ... ... ... Prov . I . G . D .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hertford Shire.

Bro . T . G . Robinson . S . W . 504 ... ... Prov . G . S . of \ v „ ] . Terry , P . M . 1580 ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . D . C „ W . Lewis , W . M 1385 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D C

„ P . Sharpe , W . M . 869 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B „ G . Ward Verry , P . M . 15 S 0 ... ... Prov . G . Std " . Br „ R . Townsend , P . M . 1984 ... ... Prov . G . Std Br ' „ W . Williams , Org . 1580 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ' ,, H . Holmes , 1385 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec „ G . Holdsworth , VV . M . 1327 ... ... Prov . G . P urst ' „ J . Mellor , W . M . 1757 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ T . Gates , S . W . 403 ... ... ... 1

„ P . Franklin , S . W . 449 ... „ J . H . Gilbertson , I . G . 449 ... ... ! „ „ „ J . Rogers , W . M . 1984 ... ... ... r - ^ ds . „ R . T . Scarr , S . W . 2136 ...

„ W . H . Dipstale , S . D . 2218 ... ... J „ T . Wright , Tyler 403 ... .,. ... ( p „ T . Thomas , Tyler 1580 ... ... ... ) Prov * G * T ^ s . The Report of the Board of Finance was adopted .

On the motion of Bro . T . S . CARTER , P . P . G . W ., 50 guineas were voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and placed on the R VV P . G . M . ' s list , as Steward .

On the motion of Bro . G . E . LAKE , P . G . Sec , . £ 10 vvas voted to the Cecil Lodge , 449 , towards the expenses of entertaining Provincial Grand Lodge . On the motion of Bro . R . SHILLITOE , P . P . G . W ., ^ 10 was voted to the Hitchin Infirmary . . On the motion of Bro . G . E . LAKE , P . G . Sec , £ 10 was invested in Consols ; and that the Provincial Grand Calendar be continued . The brethren , to the number of 70 , afterwards adjourned to the Sun Hotel , and partook of a capital banquet , provided by Mr . Logsden .

Consecration Of St. Nicholas Lodge, No. 2259.

CONSECRATION OF ST . NICHOLAS LODGE , No . 2259 .

On Wednesday , the 25 th ult ., the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire held an Emergency Lodge at Thorne , for the purpose of consecrating the St . Nicholas Lodge , No . 2259 , on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England , and also for the installation ot the W . M . designate , Bro . Geo . Dove , J . P . ^ P . M ., P . P . G . D . of Lincolnshire . The lodge is held in the Peace Hall , Thorne , and the room which the promoters have secured has

been handsomely decorated , the furniture and appointments generally being of a very excellent character . The R . W . the Prov . Grand Master of West Yorkshire , Bro . T . VV . Tew , P . G . D . of England , J . P ., of Carleton Lodge , Pontefract , presided over the Provincial Grand Lodge , being supported by two other officers of the Grand Lodge of England , viz ., Bro . Henry Smith , P . G . D . of England , Deputy P . G . M . of VVest Yorkshire , and Bro . M . C . Peck , G . Std . ' Br . of England , P . G . S . for North and East Yorkshire .

There was a large gathering of brethren present , the Prov . Grand Lodge of West Yorks . being very strongly represented , also the lodges of North and East Yorks , and Lincolnshire . VVhen the provincial brethren entered the lodge there were over 100 present . Representatives of lodges from 1482 , 242 , 458 , 630 , and 566 , were present in goodly numbers , while the lodges in Leeds , Hull , Huddersfield , Sheffield , Wakefield , Pontefract , York , and many other towns were represented .

At the commencement of the proceedings the P . G . M . announced , amid loud cheers , that he had received a telegram from H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , expressing a hope that the new lodge of St . Nicholas , of Thorne , would prove a thorough success . The R . W . P . G . M . then consecrated the new lodge in a very impressive and able manner , and delivered the following oration : —

Brethren , —It becomes the office I hive now the honour to occupy in West Yorkshire , on the conclusion of the ceremonial of the consecration of the Lodge of St . Nicholas , No . 2259 , on the toll of the Grand Lodge of England , to make some observations customary to such occasions , on Freemasonry , and the duties of Freemasons , and the working * of this lodge . VVe have happily met together , in Masonic conclave , in a somewhat remo ' . e corner , geographically , of West Yorkshire , to establish a community of

Freemasons at I harne . You are well aware that there has been a lodge at Doncaster , Saint George ' s , No . 242 , since 17 S 9 , and another at Goole , N 0 . 45 S , The Aire and Calder , since 1 S 39 , and No . 1482 , at Crowle , in the Isle of Axholme , in the Province of Lincolnshire , established in 1874 ; but in this wide and sparsely populated district , bounded by the rivers Dun , Ouse , and Trent , of 61 , 000 acres , I am not aware , until now , of any effort being made , of a determined character , to establish , on a sound basis , a lodge

whereinFreemasonscouldasserobletogetherin "Peace , Love , and Unity , " to discharge the duties of Masonry , according * to the forms of the Order , and the laws of the Grand Lodge and of the Province of West Yorkshire . This may be a matter for reflection , because here lived Cornelius Vermayden , the Zealander , when he came in 1626 with his Flemish workmen , in the reign of Charles I ., to drain—which he did in a remarkable manner—these levels of Thorne and Hatfield Chase , and at Fishlake , the other side of the river Dun , le

there was a settlement of these Flemish people . Of this remarkable vvork and peop , De la Pryme has left us , in his account , a marvellous record of the reclamation of wet lands to civilization , and fit for the occupations of agricultural industry and the habitation of man ; for when Leland came to Thorne , in the reign of Henry VIII ., he passed from Thorne to the Isle of Axholme in a boat , and the high tidal waters of the ocean oveiflovved Thorne and Hatfield Chase . If these Flemish settlers were not a clubable

set of men , certainly Thorne is now reaping the benefit of their labours , and increasing in prosperity and population ; and by the advantages of good roads and railways has . at last , felt the necessity of a lodg * e , where "just , perfec * , and upright men " can meet together for mutual help and agreeable fellowship . There were some fears that a lodge here might interfere with the Masonic gatherings of the existing lodges at Doncaster , Goole , and Crowle . An interchange of opinions took place between these

lodges , and the promoters of the Thorne Lodg * e and myself . This led to some correspondence . A petition was received from certain residents at Thorne on 17 th ^""'^ V *' 1888 , for the consideration of the M . W . the Grand Master , for a lodge to be held in Thorne . It was supported by earnest Masons , who gave ample assurances that their vva every prospect of having a good and successful lodge at Thorne . The chief dimeity was—Would this lodge draw away members from the lodges in proximity to l . " " and so weaken them in some material way ? It would have been a lamentable cl r ™

stance had any insuperable difficulty arisen on this point , especially between the "j , and Crowle lodges . On the iSth April , 1 and my officers of West Yorkshire met rn promoters ot this lodge here at Thorne . These dilliculties were discussed * " e meeting and by-laws of the new lodge also were suggested ; communications * * made to Crowle Lodge ; and here I wish to acknowledge in the most earnest and ( u . manner , the couitesy of R . W . Bro . Smyth , the Provincial Grand Master of u"c ° shire , and the W . M . of the Crowle Lodge , Bro . Henry G . Bellerby , in helping , w ^ York Iiromnfcprs- In cmnnfK nu /» r Ili ^^ p annrphpnuinni- nnr ] ' , n fl , A pn / l annuieSCing . ' ^

, handsomest manner possible , to the establishment of a lodge at Thorne . St . Ge org ^ Lodge , and the Aire and Ca'der Lodge , likewise approved , and thus with the g ^ _ feeling , fellowship , anJ approbation of the three contiguous lodges , the P " 3 . recommended by me , through the Grand Secretary in London , and in due c ° . „ wanant was granted by the M . W . the Grand Master of England for a lodge in 1 " °