Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmorland.

Bro . J . MILLS , P . M . 1390 , P . P . S . G . D ., as per notice of motion , moved that an Educational Fund be established for the province . Bro . T . ATKINSON , P . M . 872 , P . P . G . D . C , seconded the motion , and it was supported by Bro . DYKES , D . P . G . M ., and several other brethren , and carried unanimously .

A Committee of 13 , with a Secretary , was appointed to carry out the work , without prejudice to the other Charitable Institutions in Masonry , and at all times to be under the government and control of the Provincial Grand Lodge . Bro . DYKES , D . P . G . M ., referred in feeling terms to the great loss The Craft had sustained in the death of the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master , and moved that a letter of condolence be sent from the province , which was seconded by Bro . Col . SEWELL , acting D . P . G . M ., and carried unanimously .

There being no more business of importance , Prov . Grand Lodge was closed , and the brethren were again formed in processional order , headed by a band of music , and marched to St . Andrew ' s Church , where an eloquent sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . T . W . Melrose , P . G . Chaplain , and a collection taken on behalf of the Masonic Charities , and the brethren afterwards marched to the Crown Hotel , where an excellent banquet was served , presided over by Bro . Dykes , supported by the Prov . Grand Officers . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

We may also add that Bro . J . M . McLeod , Sec R . M . L for Boys , had not only a hearty welcome accorded him from the chair on being elected Secretary for the Boys' School , but two Stewards were promised him for his first Festival as an evidence of the esteem in which he is held in the province of the north .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Norths And Hunts.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTHS AND HUNTS .

CONSECRATION OF A NEW MASONIC HALL AT NORTHAMPTON .

Ihe annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Norths and Hunts was held at Northampton on Thursday , the 25 th ult ., for the transaction of general business , and also for the purpose of opening and consecrating the new Masonic Hall . This building—the foundation-stone of which was laid by the Provincial Grand Master , with Masonic honours—contains every convenience for Masonic lodge meetings , both lodge room and banqueting hall being spacious and elegant .

It is also intended for use as a social club , and , therefore , the comfort of the brethren has been most assiduously studied in this direction . The decorations —more especially in the lodge room—are effective and appropriate , and their p leasing effect will be considerabl y increased when the electric li ghting arrangements are complete . The Masons of Northampton , which comprises but three lodges , are to be congratulated upon possessing a Masonic hall which would be a credit

to any town with a much larger Masonic population , and they will , doubtless , work with energy to realise the wish expressed at the consecration and dedication of the building—that it would speedily become too small for their accommodation , although that event cannot possibly happen for many years hence . The Ri ght Hon the Earl of Euston , D . L ., P . G . M ., presided , and was supported by the largest number of brethren that have assembled since his appointment . Amongst the large number present

were—Bros . Butler Wilkins , D . P . G . M . ; Hugh D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal ; Dr . Sanders , P . G . Chap . ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec . ; Robert Grey , President of the Board of Benevolence ; Frank Richardson , P . A . G . D . C ; C . F . Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ; F . H . Matthews , P . A . G . D . C ; F . Mead , P . G . S . B . ; I . J . Hart , P . G . D . C ; J . Snow , P . P . G . R . ; G . L . Michel , P . P . J . G . D . ; Edmund Roberts , P . P . S . G . W . ; H . Brown , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Kellett , P . P . S . G . W . ; A . Cockerell , P . P . J . G . D . ; J .

Marson , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Wood Ingram , P . A . G . D . C . ; W . K . Smith , P . P . G . R . ; H . T . Smith , P . S . G . W . ; J . Smith , P . P . G . R . ; G . Osborn , P . P . S . G . W . ; A . Jacob , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Knight , P . G . S . B . ; R . McAustin , P . G . S . ; H . Bulford , P . G . P . S . G . Wilcox Smith , P . P . G . Org . ; W . A . Howes , P . P . G . C . ; H . M . J . Powell , P . P . G . C . ; J . Eunson , P . P . G . S . ; J . H . Percival , P . P . J . G . W . ; Rev . E . S . Thornton , P . G . C . ; H . C . Clarabut , P . P . G . Org . ; W . Dixey , P . P . S . G . D . ; R . Payling , P . P . G . S . B . ; T . Cook , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . H . Watson , P . P . G . D . ; H . StandleyP . P . S . G . D . ; T

, Lewis , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Tucker , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . P . Dorman , P . G . Stwd . ; H . J . Atkins , P . P . S . G . W . ; A . Jones , P . P . G . R . ; G . T . Edmund , P . P . G . O . ; T . Emery , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Joweth , P . P . G . Stwd . ; R . Croft , P . P . G . O . ; F . W . Webb , W . M . 540 ; H . Thray , P . M . 540 ; T . Paget , S . D . 455 ; A . Webb , I . G . 455 ; C E . Birch , P . P . G . Org . Leicester ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; A . J . Garwood , 304 ; J . Bull , 540 ; H . Duffett , 9 S 6 ; J . H . Blunt , 725 ; F . F . Blunt , 725 ; T . Dixon , 10 S 7 ; VV . VV . Lee , J . D . 1 S 97 ; and many others .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened , and the Prov . G . M ., Grand Officers , and Prov . Grand Oflicers duly saluted . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , after which the roll of lodges was called , and the minute books of the lodges examined and signed by the Prov . Grand Master .

Bro . BUTLER WILKINS , D . P . G . M ., then rose and said it had been felt for some time past by the brethren of the province—especially those meeting in the town of Northampton—that the accommodation at their command was in no wise sufficient for their purpose , as when the old building was first erected there was but one lodge , but two others had since been added . The consequence was that those premises were in no way appropriate . The idea of a new building , he was happy to say , bad been accomplished by the brethren forming themselves into a Limited

Company , and taking shares , and by that means the building was erected . The new hall was so far completed that they had been enabled to meet there that day , and he hoped and ' trusted it met with their approval . It only remained for him to ask the Provincial Grand Master to consecrate and dedicate it for the purposes of Freemasonry , and he hoped and trusted—although they mi ght not live to see itthat in time the building would hardly be sufficient for Masonry as it would progress in the future .

Ihe PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER said the day was a red-letter day for the Masons of the town and also for the whole of the province . The other building was so small that on many occasions they had to hire another hall . He was sure in meeting there that day not only did they meet as brethren of the province .

willing to work heart and soul in the interests of Freemasonry , but they met there also with a wish to give a good start to the new hall , which they would consecrate to the Order and to Charity . He thanked them for their attendance , and would call upon them to assist him in that act towards that new building which was always done in every building consecrated to Freemasonry .

The ceremony of dedication and consecration was then impressively carried out , a very eloquent oration being delivered by Bro . Dr . SANDERS , P . G . Chap . The business of Prov . Grand Lodge was then proceeded with , Bro . A . Cockerell being unanimously elected Prov . G . Treasurer . The Prov . Grand Officers for the ensuing year were appointed and invested as follows :

Bro . G . Butcher , W . M . 1764 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ H . Robinson , W . M . 360 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . ' „ Dr . Sanders , P . G . Chap . ... - ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ A . Cockerell , 360 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . .. E . P . Monckton . W . M . A 66 ... Pr ™ C Time ,

„ F . G . Buckle , P . M . 442 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ G . C . Caster , W . M . 442 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ G . Henson , W . M . 4 SS ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ A . B . Brackenbury , Sec . 228 3 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Norths And Hunts.

Bro . John Hart , P . M . 360 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . W . Ingram , P . M . 373 ... ... ... Prov . A G . D . C . „ J . Coulbeck , W . M . 737 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ H Eunson , 19 , 1 ] Prov . G . Std . Brs „ W . Conney , 373 ... ••- ... ... ) ,. R . F . Winch , S . W . 607 ... ... ... Prov . G . P . .. T . H . Vials . 1764 . ... •¦••••... Prov . G . Onr .

„ J . Clayson , 3 60 ... ••¦ ... ... *~ | „ G . Ingram , 373 " TP °° * . , 4 I Prov . G . Stwds . „ T . Paget , 455 ... ... ... ... | „ E . Loweth , 466 „ J . Gold , 1764

„ Ayres ... ... •••... ... Prov . G . Tyler . The Treasurer ' s report and the recommendations of the Charity Committee were received and unanimously agreed to . A letter was read from the Grand Secretary announcing that His Royal Highness had been pleased to grant a warrant for a new lodge , to be held at Daventry , which will bear the number 2380 . Other business was transacted , aud the Prov . G . Lodge was formally closed .

After banquet the usual toasts were honoured , "The Queen and the Craft " being first warmly received . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER then gave " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " referring to his Royal Highness as one who worked hard in every capacity , and who took the greatest interest in every Degree of the Craft with

which he was connected . Their M . W . G . M . was one they would be sorry to lose as a ruler , for since his Royal Highness became Grand Master the Craft had increased to a great extent , owing to his ability and earnest work . His Royal Highness would be pleased to hear that Norths and Hunts was doing well , for his interest in a small province was as great as with a larger province .

In proposing " The Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER said they were honoured that day by the kindness of several Grand Officers . There were present Bro . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal , the Grand Secretary , whom they all knew and appreciated , Bro . Robert Grey , the President of the Board of Benevolence , whom he hoped would take a kindly view of the case mentioned in Prov . Grand Lodge , Bro .

Frank Richardson , who kindly assisted by acting as D . C , and Bros . Matier and Mead , who had both done good and worthy service in the Craft . To those brethren they gave hearty thanks and a right hearty welcome to the province , and as they had most of them been down before , they said " Come down again , we shall be pleased to see you , " for the brethren would have their advice from time to time . Those Grand Officers never refused to give their help , and attended at a

sacrifice to themselves , and not one of them but would give up personal amusement to be of use to any province in England , Scotland , or Ireland . The orethren ought to be proud at the number of Grand Officers present . They hoped that would not be the last visit of those distinguished brethren , and they had been p leased with their efforts and what had been done , and that they cuuld say their

hearts , whatever imperfections there might have been , were in the rig ht place . In the province they were never too proud to take a hint as to what they should do , from the highest to the lowest . He would couple the name of Bro . Sandeman , who had done good service , not only in this land , where he held a high position in the 33 ° , but in India , where Masonry flourished well , he worked hard and zealously and won the fame attached to his name .

Bro . H . D . SANDEMAN , P . D . G . M . Bengal , said it afforded him much pleasure to respond in a few words to the toast which it had pleased the Prov . G . M . to g ive in such very kind and courteous terms , and to which the brethren had responded so generously . In all Masonic meetings they were told that nothing but peace and harmony should prevail , and he should be sorry to say one word that would interfere with either , but he did not think he should be saying anything that would

provoke controversy if he said , on behalf of the Grand Officers present , that they had received a great deal of pleasure that evening at being present . They had not only witnessed the proceedings of Provincial Grand Lodge—always interesting in themselves—but thoy had also witnessed the consecration of a Masonic hall , which he thought he might call a beautilul and commodious building , and which added a great feather in the cap of Northampton Freemasons . It was saying a

great deal for a town which only comprised , he believed , three lodges , for the energy of the brethren who had been able to build a hall of which any county might justly feel proud . He did not think he was trespassing beyond the proper bounds of propriety when , on behalf of the Grand Officers , he congratulated the Provincial Grand Master and the brethren upon the magnificent hall consecrated that day . Reference had been made to the probability that , in course of time ,

the hall would not be large enough . The town began with one lodge , grew up into youth with three lodges , and now had a hall , and when they got older they mig ht find they wanted a larger hall , but by that time most of those present would have joined the majority . He congratulated them upon tne meeting , and at the same time , on behalf of his colleagues and himself , expressed their thanks , not only for having given them the privilege of being present , but also for their kind and hearty greeting .

The GRAND SECRETARY then said he felt it a very great gratification and a great pleasure to be permitted to submit the next toast in the programme—one which required no words of eulogy from him—and he could onl y wish that some brother with greater elocutionary powers had been selected to do justice to the toast . He would ask them to drink to the health of tbe noble brother wbo presided over the province . That was no doubt the toast that came nearest and

dearest to the Masons of Northampton , for it came personally home to their own hearts . He had known that province for many years , and could remember it when another noble brother ruled over it , who was an excellent man and Mason , but unfortunately other engagements in different parts of the earth prevented his attendance as often as required . Unfortunatel y that state of things did not conduce to the prosperity of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Norths

and Hunts , but when circumstances changed , and that noble brother retired from the office , then the Grand Master acting on his prerogative , selected the noble brother in the chair to succeed him . It was possible that some one or two Masons mig ht have said that the Earl of Euston was a young Mason , and therefore not quite prepared to assume so important a charge , but if such a remark was made , it was made by persons who did not know that noble brother , because

those who knew him were aware that he was a man of indomitable courage and great ability , and had a most intense feeling of love for the Craft which he had somewhat recently joined . They judged of all things by the results , and when they looked at the position of the province now and what it was a few years ago , every brother present would agree that the appointment of the Earl of Euston to the charge of the province was a most happy and fortunate one . Since the Prov . Grand Master had been in charge he had attended to every detail with the most

scrupulous exactness , had never been absent at the provincial meetings , visited the lodges and gave them the most excellent advice , and altogether was a model Prov . Grand Master . He must congratulate them all most heartily upon the present state of things . The province , although not a large one , was progressing , as they had recently added a lodge called after the Prov . Grand Master , and had heard a letter from himself read announcing the grant of another lodge , and a little bird had whispered that there mi g ht yet be a third new lodge in the province . That showed that Masonry was progressing in a marvellous manner in the pro-