Provincial Grand Chapter Of Northumberland.

The Grand Superintendent , Comp . Sir M . W . RIDLEY , B irt-, M . P . expressed his satisfaction at the continued prosperity of Royal Arch Masonry in the province , and hoped that harmonious working would long continue . He was glad that by their investment that day ihey were contributing a litlle to the success of the new central Masonic Tcmfle , in which they held their provincial convocation for the first time . ( Applause . )

The Grand Superintendent then invested the following as the cfhcers for the ensuing year : Comp . W . Mures Lyon ... ... ... Prov . G . H . „ John S ' rachan ... ... ... Prov . G . J . , T . J . Armstrong ... ... ... Prov . G . R .

„ G . £ . Macarthy ( re-elected ) ... ... Prov . G . Treas . T . Purvis ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G S . E . „ Geo . Blair ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . ,, J . Hammond ... ... ... P . ov . G . P . S . Richard Harris ... ... ... Prov . G . ist A . S .

„ Walter Bell ... ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . S . „ J . A . Forbes ... ... ... Prov . G S . B . „ Cohen ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br .

,, George Spain ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ William Robson ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ Jacob Barker ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ Henry Rochester ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E .

„ Joshua Curry ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . The next annual Prov . Grand Chapter was fixed to be held at Newcastle , under the banner of St . Peter ' s Chapter , No . 4 S 1 .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Sussex

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF SUSSEX

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held in Brighton , on Thursday , the 29 th ult . Bro . E . R . Currie , D . D ., Dean of Battle , P . G . C , Deputy P . G . M ., presided , in the unavoidable absence of H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , P . G . M . Among the visitors present were Bros . C . F . Matier , G . Sec , and Gerald W . E . Loder , M . P .

The financial position of the Provincial Grand Lodge was reported as satisfactory . During the past 3 ear a portrait ol the Dukeof Connaught , subscribed for by the Sussex brethren , has been placed on the walls of Grand Mark Lodge . The following Provincial Grand Officers were invested for the ensuing

year : Bro . F . W . Holham ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ J . Wood ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ E . Mitchell ... ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ C . R . Foster ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . ,, J . A . Skinner ... ... ... Prov . J . G O . „ Rev . W . 'Wakeford ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ J . Tickle ... ... ... ... Prov . G . R . of M „ W . Wright ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ J . H . Ewart ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . , r G . W . Willcck ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ J . Martin ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W „ A . Lloyd ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ A . H . Tester ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ C . Fox Goode ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ W . Potter ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br , „ J . B . Guy ... ... ... ... Piov . G . Org . ,, G . Fowler ... ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G .

„ J . R . Thornton .- ¦' ) " ^ - H ^ es f Prov . G . Stewards . ,, v . B . Sutton ... ... ... I „ W . Gates ... ... ... ... J Bro . Jos . Farncombe , W . M . 484 , was le-elected Provincial Grand 1 reasurer . The olher business was of a formal character . Later on the brethren dined at the Old Ship Hotel .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

It is very gratifying to note the increasing interest which in these days the Mark Degree is exciting . When we contrast the vitality of the present wilh the almost pulseless condition of the Order some time ago , it is clear that , either through appreciatian of-itsown intiinsic worth or through the energetic action of its admirers , it has received an impetus which seems to

gather strength year by year . Doubtless both influences have been at work ; hence the highly satisfactory result . This improved condition of affairs is very marked in the provinces , and nowhere more than in West Yorkshire . In the very interesting retrospect of the past 25 years given by Bro . C . Letch Mason , P . G . M . for West Yorkshire , it will be seen the province over

which he so ably presides has recently made very substantial progress , I ' rorh Bro . Mason ' s address—given bslow—we ( ind that West Yorkshire has just completed its quarter of a century ' s existence as a province . Commencing in 1871 with six lodges , it now numbers 14 , and its muster roll has increased from less than 120 to over 400 . This may not be deemed very

extraordinary advancement , yet it must be regarded as satisfactory . It is not , however , for the increase in the number of its Ldges or in the total of 1 s membershi p only lhat the province deserves to be commended , but for 'he harmony which pervades the lodges , and the spirit of emulation , goodnatured emulation , which seems to actuate the brethren .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

There was an earnest tone abaut the half-yearly meeiing of Saturday last , which must have been as gratifying to the Provincial Grand Masier as it was -mcouraging to aU his well-wishers , and we congratulate Bro . Mason upon the organisation and the esprit de corps which his province displays . The meeting took place at Wakclield , undsr the banner of Integrity Lodge , No . 110 . Besides his Diputy , Bro . John Barker , the Prjv . G . Mailer was supported

by—Bros . W . E . Smithies , W . M . 493 , P . P . S . G . W ., as Prov . S . G . W . ; G . H . Parke , P . M . no , P . G . S ., Prov . J . G . W . ; Wm . J . Morris , P . M . 58 , Prov . G . M O . ; Wm . Flockton , P . M . nr , P . P . S . G . O ., as Prov . S G . O . ; G . Wragg , P . M . 53 , Prov . J . G . O . ; Rev . J . L . Brereton , M . A ., Prov . G . Chaplain ; T . Ro ' wrtshaw , P . M . 58 , Prov . Grand Treasurer ; \\ l . A . Statter , P . M . no , Prov . Grand Registrar ; Joseph Matthewman , P . M . no , Prov . Grand Sfcrctary ; W . R . Massie , P . M . 127 . P . P . S . G . O , as Prov . S . G . D . ; W . C . Fox , M . O . 53

Prov . J . G . D . ; G . H . demons , P . M . 374 . Prov . G I . of W . ; A . Leach , P . M . no , P . P . G . D . C , as Prov . G . D . C . ; A . Wilson , P . M . 4 S 7 , Prov . G . S . B . ; Wm . Cockcrott , W . M . 501 , P . P . G . Std . Br ., as Prov . G . Std . Br . ; J . Dunnill , Org . no , Prov . G . Org . ; J . Martin , 110 , as Prov . G . I . G . ; J . W . Smith , Sec . 374 , and John Reed ; P . M . 39 8 , Prov . G . Stewards ; G . Hallas , W . M . 14 , and T . Rowbotham , W . M . 53 , as Prov . G . Stewards ; and J . H . Newton , in , Prov . G . Tyler . Amongst the P . P . G . Officers

were—Bros . C . Woollons , P . M . no , and J . H . Gration , P . M . 127 , P . G . Wardens ; Dr . Jacob , J . P ., P-JI . 352 , E . J . Massie , P . M . 127 , T . Norfolk , P . M . ( T . I . ) , and J . A . Thornton , P . M . no , P . G . Overseers ; H . G . E . Green , P . M . no , P . G . I ' reas . ; W . Langbridge , P . M . 39 S , P . G . Reg . ; J . J . Martin , P . M . no and A . Gill , P . M . 137 , P . G . Deacons ; T . B . Wilson , P . M . 457 , P . G . D . of C . ; T . Tomlinson , P . M . in , P . G . S . B . ; and Geo . Cirbcrr , M . O . no , P . G . Org . There were also amongst others :

Bro . Geo . Martin , W . M ., J . Clifford , J . W ., W . II . F . Schiitte , I . G ., Edwin Fouldes , W . Lawson , and Wm . Laycock , of Old York ( IM . ); A . E . Dalzell , W . M ., Stwd ., Milligan , S . W ., W . M . elect , G . Patchett , P . M ., and Jas . Milligan , S . O ., of 58 ; W . H . Kingswell , W . M ., F . Stafford , ] . W ., B . F . Glover , S . D ., V / . Fennell , J . D ., W . N . Pearson , F . Massie , and H . Gillott , of no ; T . Pickles . S . W . 127 ; J . Naylor , J . W . J . H . Dyson , S . O ., and Joe Sykes , 137 ; C . A . Phillips , W . M ., and A . G . Mabin , J . W ., of 457 ; and Henry Smith , P . D . G . M . ( Crafr ) .

The Worshipful Master of Integrity Lodge , No . no , Bro . W . H . Kingswell , in whose very capable hands all arrangements were left , was read y with his officers to receive the Prov . G . and Master and his numerous following at 330 . When all were seated , Bro . Mason opened Provincial Grand Lo Jge , the Prov . G . Chap . Bro . Rev . J . L . Brereton offering solemn prayer .

After the Prov . G . Mas' . er and his Deputy had received the salutations of the brethren , the roll of lodges was called . All were represented . There was an unusually long Hit of apologies , and several Prov . G . Officers were unable to be present . Amongst these were Bros , the Right Hon . W . Lawies Jackson , M . P ., J . G . W . Eng ., Prov . S . G . W . ; H . S . H ildswor . h , F . Smitn , M . J . Dodworth , J . W . Monckman , R . Hodgson , T . Myers , T . G . Howell , Tudor Trevor , P . P . G . Sec . ; and many others .

The Prov . G . Sec , Bro . J OSKI-II MATTHEWMAN , P . M , presented thc minutes of the annual meeting held at Huddertfuld , on tne 2 id May last . On the motion of Bro . Dr . J ACOU , J . P ., seconded by Bro . A . GILL , the minutes were taken as read and confirmed .

The PROV . GRANIJ MASTER then addressed the meeting . He said : Brethren , —The year 1 S 96 is one which , in its relition to the history of our Order in West Yorkshire , ought , certainly , to be marked with a white stone . Not only does it complete the 25 years of our existence as a province , but , as I shall be able to show you , it has been in other respect-, remarkable , as well as exceptionally prosperous . I shall not on this occasion go into particulars as to the formation of the Grand Mark Lodge , nor shall I attempt to show the antiquity of Mark Masonry ; but 1 shall confine myself to-diy to a retrospect of the past

quarter of a century and make a few comments thereon . It was in 1871 that the formation of tnis province took place . At that time , as many of you are doubtless aware , there were seven Mark lodges existing in West Yorkshire . Six of these united and on the 2 nd of August of that year were constituted a province . This important event took place at Halifax , the meeting for the purpose being under the banner of Fearnley Lodge , No . 58 , of which Bro . Thomas Perkinton , the first Prov . G . Master for West Yorkshire , was a member . The then Prov . G . Master for Lancashire . R . W . Bro . W . Romaine

Callender , with a large number of his ofiicers , attended to represent the M . W . Grand Master , Bro . Rev . Geo . Raymond Portal , M . A ., to constitute the province and to install its lirst Prov . Grand Master . There was a large gathering , 46 of whom have recorded their names in the attendance book . Immediately after installation the Prov . Grand Master appointed his Deputy . The first Deputy Prov . Grand Master for West Yorkshire was Bro . John Wordsworth , who was at the time W . M . of Integrity Lodge , No . no , under whose banner we meet to-day .

The first S . G . W . was Bro . Henry Matthews , W . M . of Britannia Lodge , No . 53 , Sheffield , and the first J . G . W . was Bro . Robert Vickerman Allison , W . M . of the Copley Lodge , No . m , Leeds . Of the four brethren I have named three no longer remain amongst us , but one , Bro . Allison , I am glad to say still survives and I had the pleasure of meeting him in lodge only the other day . At that time , brethren , I was not myself a Mark Mason , though my good Deputy , Bro . John Barker , 1 believe was , and great changes have , of course , taken place during

the passing of those 25 years ; in fact , it that historic roll was called to-day 1 fear there would be many who would fail to answer when their names were uttered , In running my eye over the list I came upon one name well known within the portals ot Integrity Lodge—I refer to Bro . Charles Woollons . Bro . Woollons signed that book as J . W . of his lodge , and to his honour bi itsaid in all the vicissitudes of fortune through which Integrity has passed Bro . Woollons has ever been staunch in support of his lodge and regular in his attendance at its meetings ,

Moribund , at Morley , through the influence of Bro . Woollons , Bro . H . France , whose recent death we all deplore , and others , Integrity Lodge was in April , 1876 ^ removed to Wakefield . It is now , lam pleased to say , prosperous and flourishing , and promises to take rank amongst the foremost in the province . Bro . Perkinton held the office of Prov . Grand Master until 18 77 , a period of six years . Bro . John Wordsworth , who had been his Deputy during that time , succeeded him . Bro . Wordsworth died in 1883 , and in the April ot that year—the meeting of

Prov . Grand Lodge took place on the day of Bro . Wordsworth's funeral—I was nominated for recommendation to the M . W . G . Master , Lord Henniker , as his successor . H . R . H . the Prince of VVales , on becoming head of our O .-der in i 836 , confirmed me in that position , and you in your goodness have continued , at the expiration of each period of three years , to show renewed confidence in me by again and again witn one consent , selecting me for re-appointment . Brethren ,

I am proud to possess your confidence and grateful for the evidences of your goodwill , and so long as my services are of use to you and the province , so long am I ready and willing to put them at your disposal . Commencing with six lodges in August , 1871 , the province added one other to its roll the same year , viz ., Truth Lodge , No . 137 , Hudderalield . In 18 74 Old York , Bradford , joined , and then , so far as the num ' ier of its lodges went , the province for some years