Provincial Grand Lodge Of Wiltshire.

account showed an amount invested in 2 : } per cent , stock of £ 415 17 s ., being an addition of ^ 80 13 s . 2 d . For the first time since the formation of this fund , a grant of £ 20 had been made from it during the past 12 months . The report of the Provincial Benevolent Fund and Charity Organisation Committee vvas as follows : . The Committee must commence their report by placing on record their sense of the great loss which the province has sustained by the death of the late Bro . William Nott , of Craft known and

Devizes . His untiring efforts to promote the best interests of the vvere appreciated , not only in this province , but beyond it . He had filled the office of S . G . W . in the province , and had acted as the Secretary of the Committee from the tune of its formation . The Committee have conveyed to the widow and family of the late Bro . Nott their high appreciation of his merits , and the assurance of their sympathy with them in the blow which has fallen upon them . The Committee believe that our brother ' s memory will loner be cherished in the province , and that the best testimony of the brethren to his merit will be to continue in his spirit the excellent work in which he took so great an

interest . BENEVOLENT FUND . —For the first time since the formation of the fund a claim has been made upon it . In the month of May last the Committee considered a petition presented by a member of the Lodge of Loyalty , No . 1533 , asking for assistance from this fund . The petition vvas supported by the lodge , and a grant of / , 2 o vvas made to the petitioner , and vvas applied by the W . M . of the lodge in payment of a part of the

passage money of the petitioner and his family to one of the Colonies . It may be of interest to state that the Board of Benevolence of Grand Lodge also made a grant to the petitioner , so that he had every opportunity of making a fair start in his new home . The Committee asks this Provincial Grand Lodge to confirm the grant of £ 20 made by them out of the funds . The Treasurer holds £ 415 17 s . Consols on account of this fund , besides the cash balance of £ 7 8 5 s . 3 d ., s ^ own by this year ' s accounts as being in his hands . The Committee note with much satisfaction that the fund is now receiving support

from every lodire m the province . CHARITY ORGANISATION . —The late Bro . Nott vvas the Secretary of the " Western Provinces Charity Association , " comprising the Provinces of Bristol , Gloucester , Leicester and Rutland , Monmouth , Somerset , South Wales ( Eastern Division ) , Wilts , and Worcester . The work of the Association is considerable , and of much importance , and the Committee think that all the provinces comprised in the Association are to be congratulated on having secured the help of Bro . R . V . Vassar-Smith , D . P . G . M . of Gloucestershire , as

Hon . Secretary of the Association . His experience of the work and his high standing in the Craft are guarantees of the continued success of the objects of the Association . The Committee , at their meeting in March , adopted the case of Florence Louise Gauntlett , daughter of the late Bro . Charles Gauntlett , of Trowbridge , P . M . 632 , P . P . G . Supt . of Works . The child ' s name vvas placed in the list of candidates for the October election , vvhen 3197 votes vvere polled for her ; her admission to the School was not , however ,

secured , but she will no doubt be elected next April . The Committee think it well to report that tlie province has been asked to take up , or at any rate to assist , the case of a candidate for the Girls' School from Lodge 1533 , and also a petition from the widow of a late member of Lodge 147 S for the benefits of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . In view of these calls , the Committee trust to receive the continued hearty co-operation and support of the province in their ivork .

Bro . VV . H . Burt , of Devizes , P . M . 663 , P . P . G . S . B ., took up a Stewardship this year at the Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , with a total subscription list of £ i 6 S . The Committee have , naturally , been much interested in what has been taking place in relation to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and are pleased that Bro . H . Bevir ,

the acting Charity Secretary , has been serving on the Provisional Committee of the Institution . This Committee think that the Subscribers of the Institution should lend their aid to the efforts which are being made by the Provisional Committee to carry out the recommendations of the Investigation Committee , and to place the affairs of the Institution in such order that it may command the continued good wishes and support of the Craft .

The Committee , following the usual practice , append a table of the votes entrusted to them for the past three years : 1 SS 7 . iSSS . 1 SS 9 .

Ordinary Votes—Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 6 37 652 620 Girls 472 597 624 Royal Masonic Institution for Aged Freemasons ... ... 223 243 243 Royal Masonic Institution for Aged Widows ... ... 21 S 250 262 Extra Votes—For Boys and Girls ... ... 240 11 C 227

1790 1 S 5 S 197 6 The Committee again notice with satisfaction an increase in the numbers of votes entrusted to them . Signed on behalf of the Committee , GABRIEL GOLDNEY , Dep . P . G . M .,

Beechfield , Corsham , Chairman of the Committee . November , 1 SS 9 . In his address , the DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER thought the report and various accounts on the whole vvere satisfactory , and proposed that a donation of 20 guineas should be given to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and 10 Guineas to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . He regretted the absence of

the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Lord Methuen , and hoped that his voyage to the Cape would return him home very much benefited in health . It vvas in conjunction with Bro . Lord Methuen that the late Bro . Sir Daniel Gooch , whose death he vvas sure they would all greatly deplore , did so much to resuscitate the Prov . Grand Lodge of Wilts some 36 years ago , which , prior to that time , had sunk into abeyance . He suggested that the Prov . Grand Secretary should send Lady Gooch a letter of

condolence from the Prov . Grand Lodge of Wilts , offering her all the sympathy a Masonic mind could give her . Another great loss they had sustained vvas that of Bro . W . Nott , of Devizes , for many years Secretary not only to the Provincial Charity Committee , but also to the Western Provinces Charity Association , consisting of seven other provinces with which Wiltshire was connected , but he vvas pleased to state that the valuable help of Bro . R . V . Vassar-Smith , Deputy P . G .

Master of Gloucestershire , had been secured as Hon . Secretary of the Associated Provinces , and that the provincial work since Bro . Nott ' s death had been ably performed by Bro . Harry Bevir . He expressed his delight at meeting so many brethren that day , and while congratulating them upon the appearance of the room in which the Provincial Grand Lodge vvas being held , made special reference to the noble building their' Bro . W . R . Brown , S . W . of the receiving lodge had given to the town of Trowbridge . The Deputy Provincial Grand

Master alluded to what had taken place in relation to the Boys ' School since the last meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge , and said he felt much pleased that Bro . Bevir , the Prov . G . Secretary of the Province , had been serving on the Provisional Committee . He added that all the members of the Craft would be glad to see the School put upon a better footing , so that more satisfactory results should be obtained from the expenditure , and hoped that it might be found practicable in the future to impart some technical instruction to the boys .

Sir GABRIEL GOLDNEY concluded a most interesting address by alluding with pleasure to the presence of visitors , and especially thanked the Provincial Grand Master of Hants for the kind compliment conveyed in his visit , assuring him of a hearty welcome in a province with which he was connected and his famil y known so well .

The D . P . G . M . then appointed and invested his Prov . Grand Officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . Rev . J . A . Lloyd , 1533 , P . G . Chap . Eng . ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ G . Ll . Palmer , 632 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . ,, W . Humphrvs , 663 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ F . H . Goldney , 626 , P . G . D . Eng , P . P . S . G . W . ( re-elected ) Prov . G . Treas . „ J . H . Foley , 632 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Harry Bevir , 355 ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Sec .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Wiltshire.

Bro . C . N . P . Phipps , 2227 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ W . R . Brown , 632 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ T . S . Hill , 632 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ J . Chandler , 355 , P . P . S . G . W . ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . D . C .

„ F . Kelland , 632 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ T . C . Hopkins , 66 3 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ H . Millington , 632 ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ ] . Pocock , 632 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst .

„ J . W . Jones , 632 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . " ? 5 f , } Prov . G . Stwds . „ Read , 147 8 ... ... ... ... j „ J . Savory , 35 s ( re-appointed ) ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . „ W . Dean , 355 ••¦ ¦¦• — — Prov . A . G . Tyler .

Upon the proposition of Bro . LLOYD , seconded by Bro . J AMES SPARKS , P . P . G . Reg , an alteration was made in the by-laws , by striking out so much of the by-law relating to fees as prescribed the payment of a fee of 3 s . 6 d . for a certificate of an appointment to any office in Provincial Grand Lodge . Bro . HENRY C . TOMBS , P . G . D . Eng ., had given notice of his intention to move the following resolutions :

" That a lodge which does not subscribe to the P . G . Lodge Benevolent Fund shall not be entitled to participate in its benefits . " " That no petition from any member of such lodge for a grant from such fund shall be received or entertained . " " That the following be instructions to the Charity Organisation Association for the province : — ' That no petition shall be entertained where it is found that the brother through whose membership the petition is made has not subscribed to , or benefited , some of the Masonic Charities . ' '

Having regard , however , to the fact that the Provincial Benevolent Fund was now receiving the support of all the lodges in the province , Bro . TOMBS , after making an explanatory statement , withdrew his propositions . The alms bag was sent round , and resulted in the sum of £ 4 . 5 s ., which , upon the proposal of Bro . G . LL . PALMER , was given to the Trowbridge Cottage Hospital .

This closed the business of the Prov . Grand Lodge , and the brethren adjourned to a banquet at the Woolpack Hotel , provided by Mrs . Barton , to which about 70 sat down , presided over by the Deputy P . G . M . On the removal of the cloth , Bro . Sir GABRIEL GOLDNEY gave the usual loyal toasts , which vvere duly honoured .

Bro . W . J . MANN proposed "The Health of the Grand Officers" in felicitous terms , emphasising particularly the eminent services rendered by Bros . W . Beach , Sir G . Goldney , the Rev . J . A . Lloyd ( whose oration at Westbury many vvould remember ) , F . H . Goldney , Tombs , Howard , and others .

Bro . BEACH acknowledged the toast , and delivered an eloquent address , his remarks on the principles of Freemasonry being greatly admired and appreciated . The toast of " The Deputy Provincial Grand Master" was entrusted to Bro . W . R . BROWN , who expressed the pleasure they all felt in seeing him once more amongst them , and in such good health .

Bro . Sir GABRIEL GOLDNEY replied in an amusing speech , " and after a few other Masonic toasts the proceedings closed . Bro . Millington presided at the organ in the lodge room , and at the pianoforte at the banquet . The last assembly of the Provincial Grand Lodge in Trowbridge vvas in November , 18 79 .

Consecration Of The Albert Victor Lodge, No. 2328.

CONSECRATION OF THE ALBERT VICTOR LODGE , No . 2328 .

On Tuesday , the 26 th ult ., a specially interesting event took place in the ancient city of York in the shape of the launch of a new lodge , the fourth in that old Masonic centre , under the designation of the Albert Victor Lodge . His Royal Highness , after whom the lodge has been called , has for some time been a resident in York , his regiment , the ioth Hussars , having been quartered there , and not only has he made many friends , but by his interest in the well-being of local institutions

and his activity in promoting all good works in the old metropolis of the North , he has won golden opinions from the inhabitants generally , who had become accustomed to look regularly for his familiar presence at the Sunday services in the Cathedral and at most public functions . In Freemasonry the Prince had shown his interest by his presence at the gathering in last May , when a Provincial Charity Fund vvas formed with so much success . Some of the York brethren con

sidered that a suitable and perpetual memorial of the historic residence of their Royal brother in York would be made by the formation of a new lodge to be named after him , and some months ago a movement vvas set on foot in such a direction with the approval of the Provincial Grand Master . His Royal Hig hness cordially approved of the scheme , and at once , not only gave permission for the naming of the lodge as vvas desired , but moreover signified his pleasure to become

an honorary member , and also appended his signature to the petition to the Grand Master asking for a warrant of constitution . The preliminaries having been arranged , the Prov . Grand Master , the Earl of Zetland , fixed the 26 th ult . as the day for the opening ceremonies , and preparations vvere made accordingly in the Freemasons' Hall , St . Saviourgate ( the property of the Eboracum Lodge , No . 1611 ) , where the founders of the new lodge have rented permanent quarters .

At three p . m . a goodly array of brethren had assembled in the lodge-room , and shortly afterwards the Deputy Provincial Grand Master entered in procession with his officers and distinguished visitors as follows : Bros . G . Simpson , P . M . 1611 ; W . B . Dyson , P . M . 1611 ; J . Marshall , P . M . 660 ; Rev . H . L . Clarke ; Rev . R . Blakeney ; W . H . Rose , P . M . 660 ; G . Chapman , W . M . 1611 ; Col . McGachen ,

P . M . 1991 ; Goldie , P . M . 660 ; S . J . Border , W . M . 236 ; W . Draper , P . M . 23 6 ; J . Blenkin , P . M . 1611 ; S . J . Dalton , I P . M . 1611 ; G . Balmford , P . M . 1611 ; J . Todd , P . M . 236 ; Peck , P . M . Prov . G . Sec ; W . H . Cooper , P . M ., acting D . of C ; T . W . Tew , Prov . G . M . West Yorkshire ; and the Hon . W . T . Orde Powlett , Dep . Prov . G . Master .

The Dep . Prov . G . M . took the chair , and proceeded to open the lodge , Bro . J . Todd , P . M ., acting as S . W . ; G . Balmford , P . M ., as J . W . ; and Bro . G . Simpson , P . M ., as I . G ., and the founders of the new lodge having been arranged in order , the Prov . Grand Secretary read the petition and warrant , and the acting Grand Master then proceeded with the ceremony of consecration , the music being rendered by a choir under the direction of Bro . W . S . Child , P . P . G . Org .

At the conclusion of the ceremony , the following oration vvas delivered by Bro . the Rev . T . CARTWRIGHT SMYTH , D . D ., Past Grand Chaplain .:

It has ever been the custom of Masons from the earliest periods to the present time to inaugurate and dedicate with solemn ceremonies lodg'es to celebrate our mystic rites , and consequently we , after the manner of our ancient breihren , have met to-day to lay the foundation of a moral edifice , based on the principles of our venerable Order—brotherly love , relief , and truth . Of course , it is impossible to do more than to touch upon a few points connected with so comprehensive a subject as that of Freemasonry within the limits of the short oration which the length of to-day's imposing ceremonial permits me

to deliver , and therefore I propose , first , to remark , in very brief terms , on the lessons which are taught through the journey of life by the different degrees of ancient Masonry ; next , to allude to the solemn obligations which the noble principles of our ancient Fraternity entail on its members ; and then to conclude with a few observations suggested by the name which is borne by the lodge which vve have met to consecrate . The neop hyte in the Order is first directed to make himself acquainted with the principles of moral truth and virtue as a sure foundation on which to " erect a superstructure , perfect in its parts ana