Provincial Grand Chapter Of Somerset.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF SOMERSET .

The Provincial Grand Chapter of Somerset was held on Wednesday , the 25 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Taunton , under the banner of the Sincerity Chapter , No . 261 . Owing to the unfavourable weather , there was not a large attendance . The Grand Superintendent of the province , Comp . Col . Adair , presided , and all chapters in the province , with one exception , answered to the roll . The following signed the attendance book :

Comps . R . C Else , Prov . G . H . ; R . H . Watts , Prov . G . Treas . ; Col . W . Long , Prov . G . S . E . ; A . T . Salter , Prov . G . J . ; S . Bigwood , Prov . A . G . Soj . ; Francis Glover , Prov . G . D . C ; ] . A . Timmins , P . P . G . S . B . ; T . Ringer , P . G . Reg . ; J . G . Vile , P . P . G . D . of C . ; C . D , F . Edwards , P . P . G . S . B . ; and F . T . Elworthy , P . Z . ; W . Bidgood , Z . ; H . G . Crowe , H . ; T . G . Williams , J . ; W . Woodland , C . F . Flower , R . Knight , R .

U . Hartnell , C . Sutton , T . H . Chaffin , Org . ; J . Gill , P . S . ; G . C . Strawbridge , S . E . ; ] . S . Haddon , Asst . Soj . ; A . Steevens , P . Z . ; C . Baker , W . Goodland , W . Adams , P . Z ., P . P . G . D . C ; J . Showers , Treas . ; and T . Tidbury , Janitor , of 261 ; G . H . Perrott , P . S . ; H . B . Tarrington , S . E . ; and G . Glossop , H ., of 1222 ; H . F . Edgar , H ., * W . J . Nosworthy , Org . ; and H . T . Harwood , S ., of 329 ; H . Hawkins , P . Z . 201 ; J . Cornwell , A . S . 375 ; and J . M . Atkins , Z . 4415 .

The minutes of the last Provincial Grand Chapter and of a Chapter of Emergency held at Clevedon for the purpose of consecrating the Adair Chapter having been read and confirmed , all offices were declared vacant , and the Grand Superintendent then appointed and invested the following as the officers of Provincial Grand Chapter for the year ensuing :

Comp . R . C Else ... ... ... ... Prov . G . H . „ F . T . Elworthy , 261 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . „ Col . Long ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ W . Bidgood , 261 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ B . H . Watts ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas .

„ Nosworthy , 329 ... ... ... Prov . G . P . Soj . „ J . M . Atkins , 446 ... ... ... Prov . istA . G . Soj . ,, Glossop , 1222 ... ... ... Prov . 2 ndA . G . Sj . ,, Hearne ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ H . B . Crowe , 261 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . ,, Hawkins ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . ,, Glover ... ... ... ,,. Prov . G . D . C . „ T . G . Williams , 261 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ Bigwood ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

The alms collected were , on the motion of Comp . T . G . WILLIAMS , seconded by Comp . W . BIDGOOD , given to the Taunton and Somerset Hospital . The Provincial Grand Chapter was then closed , and the companions adjourned to a banquet , which was held in lhe dining hall adjoining the lodge , under the presidency of the Grand Superintendent , Comp . Col . Adair . After the banquet the usnal Masonic toasts were honoured , and thebrethren separated .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex And Surrey.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF MIDDLESEX AND SURREY .

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge took place on Saturday , the 21 st ult ., at the Greyhound Hotel , Richmond . The Prov . G . M ., R . W . Bro . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart , presided , and he was supported by Bros . F . Davidson , D . P . G . M . ; Capt . W . E , Stewart , P . S . G . W .:

H . White , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . J . Hutchins , P . G . Chap , j C . Hammerton , P . G . Treas . ; W . G . Brighten , P . G . Sec ; J . K . R . Cama , P . J . G . D . ; D . E . Biddlecombe , P . G . Org . ; J . H . Hawkins , P . G . l . G . ; J . Larkin , A . G . Fidler , and W . Vickers , P . G . Stewards ; and John Gilbert , P . G . Tyler .

Amongst other members vvho signed the attendance book were : Bros . Dr . W . H . Kempster , G . Stwd . ; G . J . Dunkerley , P . G . Org . ; J . Rhodes , P . G * Org . ; D . P . Cama , P . S . G . D . ; H . M . Appleton , P . G . S . ; T . Clark , P . S . G . D ; 1 * M . Klenck , P . G . R . g ., P . G . Sec . ; L . G . G . Robins , G . Stwd . ; C . F . Hogard , P . G * Std . Br . ; G . H . M . Bridges , P . J . G . W . ; A . H . Scurrah , Reg . 355 ; C . Fountaine . P . G . S . ; C . J . Axford , W . M . 4 ; G . Graveley , P . G . S . B . ; J . S . CumberlandP . G . O . ;

, S . C . Dibdin , P . G . O . ; F . Laurence , P . G . O . ; ] . Owens , 234 ; H . Kempton , D . C-331 ; H . E . Vickers , M . D ., 19 S ; W . W . Call , " Tyler , P . M . 357 ; R . Dakers , I . P . M . 333 ; S . P . Catterson , W . M . 234 ; J . H . Clare , W . M . 199 ; J . Barnett , jun ., S . O-315 ; J . Delves , 350 ; J . T . Briggs , G . Std . Br . ; T . Edmonston , P . M . ** T-, ; 1 . Hill , J . D . 333 ; B . R . Bryant , P . G . Std . Br . ; G . Gregory , S . W . 355 ; W . A . Scurrah , W . M . 355 ; W . M . Stiles , P . M . 355 ; H . Dickey , J . W . 355 * I- F . Saunders 13 ** ;

, E . Morbey , S . O . 355 ; W . Potter , M . O . 234 ; M . J . Rowley , J . D . 355 ; H . Burgess , W . M . 19 S ; G . Dickinson , S . D . 355 ; J . Powdrell , Org . 355 ; Dr . Ferguson , S . W . Era ; C . J . Knightley , Sec . 355 ; C Quennell , Sec . 144 ; J . L . Tamburini , C M . Braden , R . W . Byford , W . M . 350 ; W . C . Dickey , S . D . 357 ; F . Eastwood , S . W . Clapton ; P . Saillard , W . M . 144 ; J . H . Lane , 315 ; Col . Mahone , W . Tomson , W . W . Morgan , and others .

The Provincial Grand Lodge vvas opened , and the minutes of the last meeting , held on the 12 th July , 1887 , were read and confirmed . The Prov . Grand Secretary then proceeded to call the roll of the lodges , and to give particulars as to the several returns made by their respective Secretaries . Bro . Brighten's efforts in this regard had resulted most satisfactorily ; of the 33 lodges comprising the province 32 had supplied the necessary

details , while in the remaining instance one of the representatives of the Iodge in question explained that he had just undertaken the duties of Secretary , but had not yet had the whole of the papers transferred to his charge . He hoped , however , to be in a position in another week to comply wilh the requirements of the Prov . Grand Lod ge . This announcement was received with enthusiasm . The total number of members on the tegister now stands at 707 , while to this has to be added the list not yet to hand . The

Treasurer s financial statement showed that the receipts ( including balance in band at last meeting ) amounted to ^ 158 17 s . iod . ; the balance in favour of Prov . Grand Lodge , after all expenses had been defrayed , now stands at £ 94 12 s . 2 d ., an increase of £ 17 8 s . yd . over that of last year . There is also a balance in hand to the credit of the Benevolent Fund , instituted especially for the relief of distressed Mark Master Masons of the province , amounting to £ 22 5 s . Sd . The report vvas unanimously adopted , and it was ordered to be entered on the minutes .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex And Surrey.

The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER now explained that the time had arrived when the Prov . Grand Master should be nominated to a further term of service . Bro . Sir Francis Burdett during the long period he had been at their head had so zealously exerted himself that he felt assured the brethren one and all desired he should still retain the reins of government

Bro . Sir FRANCIS BURDETT said he had now held the office of Prov . G . Mark Master for 18 years , and if he were again elected for a further term of three years some among them might think he was monopolising the office . Still , at the same time , he greatly appreciated the compliment , and if they should re-elect him he vvould continue to do the best in his power for their welfare and comfort .

Bro . Charles Hammerton , Prov . G . Treas ., was thanked for his services during the past year , and re-elected for the ensuing 12 months . After Bro . HAMMERTON had gracefully acknowledged the compliment

the Deputy Prov . Grand Master vvas confirmed in his appointment , and the Prov . Grand Officers invested , as follows :

Bro . L . G . G . Robbins ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ A . J . Bristow ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Philip Dakers ... ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ J . L . Mather ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ J . W . Hobbs ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . „ Rev . J . Hutchins , ... ... ... *) D _„„ r r , " Rev . Cooper-Smith j Prov . G . Chaps . „ W . A . Scurrah ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ W . G . Brighten ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ T . P . Staley ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ J . Larkin ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ W . Fisher ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ H . M . Appleton ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ C . Slater ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . ,, C . Fountaine ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ A . G . Fidler ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ H . H . Shirley ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ D . Ferguson ... ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ P . Saillard ... ... ... .. r \

,, Clare ... ... ... ... j ;; # . F . potter ::: ::: ::: ::: \Prov G - stwds - „ F . K . Hales ... ... ... ... | „ Col . Bircham ... ... ... ... J „ J . Gilbert ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The next business was to appoint a Steward on behalf of the Mark Benevolent Fund , and on application being made as to whether any brother present would offer his services , the new P . S . G . Warden , Bro . L . G . G . Robbins responded . The Prov . G . Lodge then voted £ 10 ios . from its

funds to head Bro . Robbins' list . This grant was liberally supplemented later in the evening , and Bro . Robbins , though only undertaking the functions at the eleventh hour , was enabled to take up ^ 373 5 s . at the recent Festival .

Bros . J . M . Klenck , P . Dakers , H . White , and P . A . Scratchley were the four members added to the regular officers who will form the Committee for General Purposes . This completing lhe business , Prov . Grand Mark Lodge was closed . The banquet was well served , and the wines did credit both to " mine host" and to the " selectees . " On the removal of the cloth , Sir FRANCIS BURDETT , vvho was in capital health and spirits , gave the loyal toasts wilh his accustomed geniality .

With the toast of " The Deputy Grand Master and the rest of the Grand Mark Officers " was associated the name of Bro . C . F . HOGARD ,

who , in the course of his reply , expressed his gratification that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex vvould be represented on Wednesday , the 25 th ult ., when the Deputy Grand Master , the Marquess of Hertford , would preside at the Mark Benevolent Fund Festival . On behalf of the Grand Officers generally , he thanked those present for the cordiality with which they had received the toast .

Bro . Capt . STEWART proposed " The Health of the Provincial Grand Master , ' and , in responding , * Sir FRANCIS BURDETT said that though perhaps he , to some extent , had suggested that it vvas desirable he should retire in favour of some younger man , he felt equal to a good amount of work yet . He had experienced great pleasure in being present on that occasion , and as long as he had health and strength he should continue to take an interest in Masonic work .

The next toast was a combined one—it included " The Deputy Grand Master , the Treasurer , and the Secretary . " After full honour had been done it , the three brethren referred to rose to reply . Bro . DAVIDSON expressed the gratification he and his confreres had

experienced by the heartiness vvith which the brethren had received them . He trusted they might all be spared to meet on future occasions . It was the rule that they should alternate their meetings—one year in Surrey , the next in Middlesex ; it would be the turn of Middlesex next time , and he hoped they might have an equally satisfactory gathering .

Bro . HAMMERTON took a retrospective glance , and related some pa " ticulars as to the relative cost of the entertainments of past years with that of the present . Bro . BRIGHTEN said that vvith respect to the disbursements of their ont

funds they had been especially careful , and as a result , althoug h at - period of their history they were in debt , they were now in much better circumstances . Their Provincial Grand Lodge vvas well appointed , and there was a goodly balance in hand . He trusted this happy state would long continue .

To the toast given in honour of the Mark Benevolent Fund Bro . RoBBi ! replied , and cordially thanked those who had contributed to his list . For " The Visitors , " Bro . MORGAN replied , and shortly afterwards tne Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings . R The meeting was a most successful one , and great credit is due to Br F . C . Mouflet for the arrangements made for the comfort of the brethren , both at the Iodge and banquet .