Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

remained stationary . From 1885 progress was resumed , and at the end of 18 95 we had 12 lodges . We now come to the present year , 1896 . We have , as i have said , reached our quarter of a century as a province , and it was suggested that we should mark this 25 th year in some peculiar and special way . Weil , brethren , I think we have so distinguished it . This pro \ ince has been honoured by the selection of your Prov . Grand Master as Chairman of the Mark Benevo .

lent Festival . Determined to make that Festival a success , you have thrown all your energies into the work and by your generosity and enthusiasm placed me in the proud position of presiding at a Festival where the largest sum ever subscribed to the Mark Benevolent Fund was announced . That fact alone I think sufficiently emphasises our 25 th birthday , and to you the Charity Stewards of the lodges and to those others whose persevering—I may say untiring—labours

produced this splendid result , 1 owe and tender grateful thanks . It was through their efforts that the really excellent claims of the Mark Benevolent Fund were brought to the notice of the brethren in this province , and to those charitable appeals you , my friends , nobly and generously responded . 18 9 6 stands out as a " record " year in relation to this Fund , and will ever be remembered by me with gratitude and pride . There is another circumstance , moreover , which has

rendered this year conspicuous in our annals ; in that we have added two new lodges to our roll . Both , I have good reason to believe , have supplied long-felt wants ; both have been inaugurated under most favourable circumstances , and both are in strong , capable , and experienced hands . Their future success is , I feel confident , assured , and their example will , I doubt not , be emulated in other directions . Brethren , it is cheering to me to be able to speak so encouragingly of the progress

and success of our Order in West Yorkshire . We have worked well ; we have done well ; we have made our mark ; but we are not without our drawbacks and our sorrows . The lives of communities , as of individuals , are chequered . We mourn this year the loss of several good and faithful brethren from our midst . Amongst these I may name Bro . Joseph Brooks Parkin and Bro . tienry France . The former , an active citizen to the day of his death , a former Mayor of ancient

Ripon , was a Past Master and prominent supporter of Prince Leopold Lodge , and held the ofiice of Senior Grand Deacon in Provincial Grand Lodge . The latter , Masonically speaking , was a veteran . Having passed his three score years and ten , nay , having very nearly approached his four score years , Bro . France has recently gone through much physical pain and discomfort , yet was he always cheery and pleasant . He has been in his day and generation a pillar of Masonic

strength , and a distinguished Mark Mason , and many younger brethren in this city owe much to Bro . France for friendly and encouraging Masonic help and tuition in time of need , and for sound and disinterested counsel at perhaps a critical period . Both these our good brethren , after active and industrious lives , have been called by the Great Overseer to submit their work for inspection . That that work will meet with acceptance we hope and believe , and the memory

of their genial and unselfish careers will , 1 doubt not , long remain with those who survive to mourn their loss . Others there are , less conspicuous perhaps , but not less exemplary , of whom I may name Bros . Ingleby and Tempeley , both of the Old York Lodge , Bradford , and both , had they been spared , capable of fully illustrating Masonic devotion and Masonic worth . And now , brethren , there is nothing more , I think , for me to do except to thank you for your hearty

salutations and your attendance here to-day . Your loyalty and attachment to our Order are well known to , and thoroughly appreciated by , me . They are only equalled by your munificent Charity , a Charity which will , I hope , be returned in blessings four-fold upon all of you . This , I may mention , is the fourth time Provincial Grand Lodge has met in Wakefield . The first was in 18 S 5 , when , I believe , Bro . Thornton was in the chair ; the second time was in 18 S 8 , when Bro . Thomas Howden filled that important post ; and the third was in the year of our Past

Prov . Grand Treasurer , Bro . Herbert Green . Since that time , as you all know , Bro . Matthewman , our Prov . Grand Secretary , has occupied that position , and now you see it filled ably and worthily by his successor , Bro . W . H . Kingswell . I am sure you will all unite with me in wishing prosperity to Integrity Lodge and a successful year to its new Worshipful Master . The Prov . Grand Master ' s address was most attentively listened to , and it was evident from the many expressions which it evoked that his references awoke echoes of sympathy in the breasts of many .

The next business was the investiture of Bro . F . Bateman , P . M . 352 , as Prov . S . G . D . in the room of Bro . J . B . Parkin , who held that office at the time of his death .

On Bro . Bateman being presented to the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . MASON said that as he was wishful that the honour so deservedly won by Bro . Parkin should be continued in Prince Leopold Lodge , he had selected Bro . Bateman , knowing him to be a good and true brother and one who would prove a worthy successor to their recently-deceased friend . Bro . Mason then invested Bro . Bateman with the collar of his office , and the newly-appointed Prov . S . G . Deacon took his place in Provincial Grand Lodge .

Bro . G . H . PARKE , P . M ., J . G . W ., then rose , as President of the Board , lo present to the Provincial Grand Master the thanks of all the Stewards for presiding so successfully at the late Benevolent Festival . The vote of thanks , couched in graceful terms , was in the form of a beautiful address on vellum , illuminated in colours , and handsomely framed . Bro . Parke said that Bro . Mason ' s great triumph in London last July proved to his mind two

things—first , how deeply the brethren of West Yorkshire esteemed and respected their Piovincial Grand Master , and , secondly , how fully and completely they appreciated the excellent charitable Institution , which had been so well and economically organised by the executive of that increasingly popular Degree . After going into figures and particulars of the Festival , Bro . Parke said that , as President of the Board of Stewards , the gratifying

duty of presenting that testimonial devolved upon him . It afforded him the utmost pleasure to do that , and he was quite sure Bro . Mason would value their little recognition , not for its intrinsic worth , but because it showed how gratefully the Board acknowledged his able advocacy of their Charity and his strenuous and effective support . After reading it , Bro . Parke handed the address over to Bro . Mason , with the hope that he might long be spared to see it hung beneath his roof .

Bro . MASON thanked the Board of Stewards , and was especially grateful to Bro . Parke for the kind and graceful manner in which hehad discharged the duty devolving upon him . He , however , must say that the great success of the Festival was not due so much to his efforts as to the energy and devotion of two brethren , viz ., Bro . Parke himself , the Chairman of the Charity Committee , and Bro . Matthewman , their Provincial Grand

Secretary . It was with them the credit mainly rested , for they not only worked hard themselves , but they contrived to infuse their own spirit into others , and thus bring about a combination of loyal help and generous support , which produced the result of which he was so proud . This remark was warmly received by the brethren , and Bro . Mason , continuing , said that that cheer

showed that , like himself , they , the brethren of the province , recognised to whom they were indebted for tbe Festival ' s success . It had been a success , and he was proud of it , and he hoped the Charily would continue to flourish and cany on the gocd work it was so well calcu ' ated to effect . As to that very handiome address , it should hang upon the walls of his own room , and

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

daily remind him of the loyalty of his province and the disinterested conduct of the brethren . Bro . J BARKER , Deputy P . G . M ., next addressed the meeting . After thanking the brethren for their salutation and giving utterance to the pleasure it gave him to visit the Lodge of Integrity , Wakefield , and to see how by the efforts of one or two the present position of success had been

reached , Bro . Barker complimented the province upon the record which they had established in relation to the Mark Benevolent Fund . He said the Prov . Grand Master had left him little to add , but there was one thing he would mention ; it had relation to arrears . He would like to see their financial year close without a single instance of this kind , and if that were done they would add another and a most creditable record to their list . It

was by no means impossible , for last year there was really only one lod ge in that condition and he thought if W . Ms , and Treasurers gave timel y and kindly attention to getting in subscriptions they could achieve this most desirable object . Bro . Barker expressed the gratification which the progress of the Mark Degree in West Yorkshire had given him , but would remind the founders of new lodges that with them rested serious responsibilities . It was their duty by example and precept to see that a high Masonic standard

was maintained in their lodges ; judiciously so to regulate the affairs that no improper person should gain admission '; carefully to keep up with due solemnity the observance of the ritual ; and to strike the key-note of friendl y emulation amongst the brethren throughout the province . Bro . Barker next spoke of the very excellent accommodation which Integrity Lodge had provided for their comfort that day , and proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Bro . W . H . Kingswell and his lodge for their kindness and forethought . This was seconded by Bro . W . E . SMITHIES , and carried by acclamation .

Bro . KINGSWELL thanked the brethren and declared that he was proud that his lodge had been honoured by the visit of Provincial Grand Lodge . Invitations of a most cordial character for the privilege of entertaining Provincial Grand Lodge at the annual meeting in May were proffered by Bro . T . Rowbotham , W . M ., on the part of Britannia Lodge , Sheffield , and Bro . W . S . Milligan , W . M . elect Fearnley , Halifax .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER thanked the brethren and intimated that the invitations would be considered and communications made , but so far as he could at present see he thought the invitation of Sheffield would be accepted . This concluded the business and Provincial Grand Lodge was closed .

There was tea in the handsome dining room downstairs , of which 40 brethren partook . The Prov . Grand Master presided , and a very pleasant evening was spent .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Somerset.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF SOMERSET .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Thursday , the 22 nd ult ., at Keynsham , at the local head-quarters , the Lamb and Lark Hotel , under the presidency of the P . G . M ., Bro . R . C . Else , who was supported by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Col . Long . The following P . G . Officers were appointed for the ensuing year :

Bro . A . J . Gray , P . M . 119 ... ... .. Prov . S . G . W . „ H . Humphries ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ S . J . Lewis , W . M . 119 ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ W . E . Perrett , P . M . 102 ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ G . W . Wiltshire , W . M . 155 ... ... Prov . J . G . O . ,, Rev . Thomas ( ve-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Radway ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ R . Knight , P . M . 348 ... ... ... Prov . G . R . of M . „ T . F . Elworthy ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ F . E . Pearse , M . D ., 155 ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ H . Davies , W . M . 191 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ A . W . Moore , P . M . 155 ... ... Prov . G . I . of W . „ E . Fuller , 177 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . , 1 T . Bampfield ( re-appointed ) ,.. ... Prov . G . S . B . „ T . G . Coggan ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ R . H . Shrapnell , 11 9 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . n T . Colemitt ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ A . Holborn , 11 9 ... ... , „)„ .-, c . , „ .. . II T . J . Jeffries , 119 j Prov . G . Stewards „ A . G . Salter ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

Consecration Of The Star Lodge Of Mark Master Masons, No, 499.

CONSECRATION OF THE STAR LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS , No , 499 .

The consecration of the Star Lodge , No . 499 , held at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , E . G ., on the 30 th ult ., attracted a goodly number of Mark Masons , who had an opportunity of witnessing a most impressive rendering of the ritual . Prior to the consecration , a Iodge was opened by Bros . H . J . Mcfarlane , P . M .: R . J . Wishart , P . M . ; Captain E . M-

Money , P . M . ; J . D . Vicary , P . M . ; and W . Kipps , P . M . ; when 10 brethren were advanced to the Degree of Mark Master Masons . The Star Lodge thus starts with a strong roll of members , and officered as it is by experienced brethren , under Bro . Major Woolmer Williams , should prove a valuable acquisition to Mark Masonry in the Metropolis .

The Consecrating Officer , Bro . C . Fitzgerald Matier , P . G . W ., Grand Secretary , was assisted by Bros . Major Gordon Miller , P . G . Treas ., as S . W .: Major Walter E . Williams , G . S . D ., as J . W . ; Rev . V . P . Wyatt , G . Chap ., as Chaplain ; Major C . W . Carrell , G . D . C , as D . C . ; and

Dr . A . Stewart Brown , P . G . D ., as I . G . The brethren present included—Bros . Mai . Woolmer Williams , W . M . designate ; G . S . Elliott , S . W . designate i N . Churcher , J . W . designate ; E . Apelt , P . M . 450 ; W . H . Toye , P . M . i ? 3 i H ' Massey , P . M . 22 ; P . F . Matier , M . O . 406 ; A . E . Kipps , 332 ; W . K'PP ' F-M-334 ; J . D . Vicary , P . M . 451 ; T . Pritchard , l . G . 451 ; H . J . Macfarlane , P . M . ; R . J . Wishart , P . M . ; H . Harris , C . Meirshoff , T . Tucker , E . Fox , P-