Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

cere his sorrow was . Bro . Alpass was a great prop to Freemasonry , and they all sincerely mourned his loss . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Col . S TANLEY , M . P ., D . P . G . M ., proposed a vote of condolence with the widow of the late Bro . Alpass . Their deceased brother , as their R . W . Master had said , was a great prop to Freemasonry in the province ; but it had pleased the Great Architect of the Universe to call him from

amono-st them , and to place him among the more finished stones of that edifice to which they all aspired to form a part ; and he had left behind him , he ventured to say , not one who had ever harboured an unkindly thought or feeling against him . ( Hear , hear . ) Wherever he went his urbanity , his courtesy of manner , and his uniform kindliness of heart made him as welcome to all lodges as he was to his mother lodge . He begged to propose that a heartfelt vote of condolence be passed in favour of the widow of Bro .

Alpass . Bro . the Rev . T . B . SPENCER , P . P . G . Chap ., vicar of St . James ' , Preston , in seconding the motion , said that Bro . Alpass , as a Mason , was heart and soul in that cause , and whenever he could advance the interests of the Order he always did so . Personally , he ( the speaker ) had lost a friend in Bro . Alpass ' s death , and he was sure they all felt the same . The motion was then unanimously agreed to .

The Charities Committee having been elected , Bro . . _ .. PIERPOINT , P . P . G . S . D ., moved that the sum of ioo guineas be voted from the Provincial Grand Lodge Fund to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons , which was agreed to . Bro . PIERPOINT then moved that the sum of 200 guineas be voted from the Charities Fund to the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution ,

which was seconded by Bro . G . BROADBRIDGE ( Liverpool ) , who said that the West Lancashire Educational Institution was doing a great work quite independently of all other charities . B y the recent alteration of the bye-laws they had been enabled to take certain of their children , and not only educate but support them , and they hoped before long to do that to a much larger extent with the children they already had on the foundation . The motion was agreed to with acclamation .

Bro . J . B . M'KENZIE , P . P . G . S . D ., moved , " That the sum of 100 guineas be voted from the Provincial Grand Lodge Fund towards the Lathom testimonial portrait to be placed in the chief lodge-room of the Masonic Hall , Liverpool . " Bro . M'Kenzie in submitting the motion said it had been thought desirable that they should in some measure perpetuate the name of one who had done so much for Freemasonry in the province and throughout the world , and he was sure it only required that this motion should be mentioned to meet with ready acceptance . ( Applause . )

Bro . R . MARTIN cordially seconded the motion , which was put by Bro . Col . STANLEY , D . G . M ., and carried unanimously . Bro . HENRY A . TOBIAS , P . P . G . Supt . of Works , proposed that 50 guineas be voted from the Charity Fund of the province to the Hamer Benevolent Fund , in the name of the R . W . Prov . G . Master of West Lancashire , which was also agreed to .

On the motion of Bro . J . HOULDING , P . P . G . R ., it was resolved that a sum not exceeding ^ 15 be voted from the funds of Prov . Gran d Lodge towards the assistance of William Reginald Roberts , son of the late Bro . William Roberts , of the Everton Lodge , No . 823 . Bro . R . MARTIN , P . G . Treas ., read the report of the Hamer Benevolent Fund , which stated that a greater measure of support had been accorded . to

the fund during this year , the income from donations and subscriptions being more than double the amount contributed in the previous year . The Committee , while being very grateful for this additional help , still felt that the Charity was not supported in the province as it should be ; in proof of which it was only necessary to state that , although the number of contributing lodges had materially increased , the words " no return " appeared even

now against the names of at least two-thirds of the lodges and chapters in the province . During the year just closed a special appeal had been sent to every lodge and chapter asking for aid , and pointing out the claims which this Charity had upon the sympathies of the brethren of this province , and the likelihood in the perhaps immediate future of large demands being made upon its resources in relieving the necessities of those for whose benefit the

fund exists . The Committee rejoiced in the great success which continued to attend the operations of the sister Charity , and in the increased advantages which were now being extended to those upon its foundation ; and the Committee of the fund expressed the belief that the great work which was being done for the young by the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution might proportionately be done for the aged and distressed

( though of course not upon the same lines ) by the Hamer Benevolent Fund , if adequate support were given to it , and the province would thus become almost , if not altogether , independent of the London Institutions , making the great , important , and influential Province of West Lancashire self-supporting with regard to Masonic Charity . The funds of the Hamer Institution now amounted to £ 1700 16 s ., as against £ 1442 19 s . Sd . last year ,

showin ° - an increase of £ 257 16 s . 4 a . In conclusion , the Committee desired most cordially to thank all who had worked for and contributed to the fund during the year , and hoped for their continued and , when possible , increased support in the future ; to those who had not hitherto contributed , the Committee again appealed , and asked for their kind consideration , so that the of lod

words " no return" which followed the names so many ges and chapters might soon altogether disappear from the reports of the fund . The report was adopted , and officers for the ensuing year were appointed . A sub-committee was appointed to make arrangements for securing an office in Liverpool for the use of the Prov . G . Secretary . The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed . dined at the Victoria Halland

The brethren , after business , , , in the absence of the P . G . M . and D . G . M ., the chair was taken by the P . G . S . W . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , and a choice programme of music was provided by Bros . H . J . Nicholls , D . Williams , J . T . Jones , and O . J . Rowlands , under the direction of Bro . J . P . Bryan , P . G . Org .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Cheshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF CHESHIRE .

The meeting of the above Grand Lodge was held on the 29 th ult . at Birkenhead , under the banner of the Joppa Lodge , Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton , Deputy Grand Master of England , and the Right Worship ful Grand Mark Master Mason of Cheshire , presiding . The usual Provincial Grand Lodge business was transacted , after wh ich the Provincial Grand Treasurer's accounts were passed , and the election of Provincial Grand Treasurer and Tyler proceeded with .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Cheshire.

The R . W . Provincial Grand Master appointed the following officers for the ensuing year : Bro . Rev . C . W . Spencer Stanhope ... ... D . Prov . G . M . „ George Morgan ... ... ... prov . G . S . W . „ George K . Benson ... ... ... prov . G . J . W . „ Dr . Young ... ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O .

„ T . Emmott Skidmore ... ... ... Prov . G . S . O . „ Timothy Webster . . . ... ... Prov . G . J . O . „ Rev . J . W . Newell Tanner ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Fredk . K . Stevenson ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Richard Newhouse ... ... ... p rov . G . Sec . „ J . Matthew Jones ... ... ... Prov . G . R . of M .

„ William Roberts ... ... ... p . G . S . D . „ William Parker ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D . „ Ernest Brassey ... ... ... Prov . G . L of W . „ N . Robertson ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ G . Wynne ... ... ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C . „ William M . Wylde ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ R . R . Martin . . . . . . ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br .

„ T . H . Kirk ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ Hugh D . Roberts ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ W . G . Cronan ... ... ..., n r c 1 „ William Frinchett ... ... _ j I rov . G . Stwds . „ David Baynes ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . The lodge was closed , and the brethren sat down to a banquet , presided over by the Right Worshipful Grand Master , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and cordially responded to .

Reopening Of A Masonic Hall At Leeds.

REOPENING OF A MASONIC HALL AT LEEDS .

The brethren of the Philanthropic Lodge , No . 304 , assembled on thc evening of the 24 th ult ., for the purpose of reopening their Masonic Hall , which has been closed for some months , and undergone a thorough redecoration . The hall is one of the best in Yorkshire . The lodge room is a double square , measuring 88 ft . long by 44 ft . wide . It is divided into five bays by

broad arches resting on light pillars , with foliated capitals and corbelled bases . The roof is a wagon-shaped groined vaulting , springing from capitals of pillars which are 24 ft . Irom the floor , the total height in the centre being 40 ft . The cast bay , which is divided from the rest by a broader arch supported from the floor by two tiers of double pillars , is richer in character and different in construction from the other bays . It is

ornamented with ten Gothic arches , six of which are on the east wall , and two on each of the north and south returns . From the cornice above these arches the roof is coved , being divided by ribs springing from the cornice to the main arch . In the bays on the south side four lancet-headed windows have been opened out , and these are glazed with quairies of tinted cathedral glass in lead . On the north side are the entrances and fireplaces . The

upper wall of the west end is divided by one large central and two smaller pointed arches , which are ornamented with simple tracery , and rest upon pillars corresponding with those on the north and south sides . The polychromatic decorations are in the mediaeval style , carried out in strict accordance with the architecture of the room , and are rather suggestive of highclass church work , a characteristic made more striking by the amount of symbolic ornament used ,

The general effect is at the same time richly ornate , and also bright , cheerful , and warm . The dado is of dark chocolate colour , and immediately above it , and below the string course , the space is filled with a diapering and indented border , in low-toned greens . The string course and walls above , up to the ribs of roof arches , are painted a warm stone colour . Upon the string course a running ornament in dark red has been introduced , and

at intervals occur a series ot tablets in blue . On these are inscribed in gold : " Obedience , " " Fidelity , " " Truth , " " Honour , " « Virtue , " and " Charity " ( each of which it is the ambition of all true Masons to practise ) . Above this , to the height of the capitals of pillars , the walls are marked out by a simple form of the ancient "brick pattern , " symbolising Masonry , surmounted with a band and cresting of elaborate design and colour . Round

the windows is a border of pleasing character . A special feature of the ornamentation of the opposite side , and , indeed , of the general scheme of decoration , is the lancet-headed triangular medallions , with their ornamental borders . These medallions enclose trefoils , on which are painted on quaintly figured blue and red grounds , in monochrome and gold , the winged emblems of the four Evangelists . The pillars supporting arches are painted in a low-toned

blue , and are encircled at tops and bases with ornamental bands of gold and black ; the foliated capitals and corbels are in stone colour , richly relieved with gilding . The ribs of roof and arches are painted a light oak colour , with enrichments of gold . The spandrels of arches are filled with chastelydesigned conventional scroll-work in tones of red , green , blue , and gold , and the alternate spaces are painted a cobalt blue , dotted with golden stars . The

central part of the roof is divided into panels , in which are effectively introduced the Masonic colours of blue and crimson . In the middle is a quartrefoil within a circle containing the letter " G " in pure white upon a deep crimson ground , with radiations of gold . Another quartrefoil contains interlaced triangles , and between these are the ventilators , to which are suspended the two handsome wrought sun chandeliers which light this

magnificent room . The soffits of the broad arches at the east and west ends of the room are painted a light tone of Venetian red , with ornamental margins of green . The decorations consist of a series of 12 ground quartrefoils , alternating with panels containing conventional ornament ; within the quartrefoils upon the east arch are depicted the signs of the Zodiac in light tints , freely and vigorously drawn in semi-naturalesque character . The narrow arches

springing from double pillars are ornamented with zigzag margins , with a running pattern in the centre . At the west end the three arches are connected by a figured band , and at the top of the central arch are represented a crescent moon and stars in gold on azure ground . Above this is a circle containing a golden pentalpha on a purple field . The spandrels contain foliated ornaments of similar character to those of the side arches .

The eastern bay , architecturally lending itself to a richer treatment , has been emphasised by the decorators in the ornamentation , and cannot fail to be the centre of attraction ( not only from the character of the tried and honoured brethren who will occupy that exalted position , but also from the especial richness of the mural decorations ) . It is approached by a semicircular dais of two steps covered with a blue carpet , the edges of the steps