Freemasonry In West Lancashire.

FREEMASONRY IN WEST LANCASHIRE .

INSTALLATION OF LORD SKELMERSDALE , as R . W . P . G . M .

The imposing Masonic ceremonial which took place at the Town Hall , Liverpool , on Thursday the 27 th ult ., was not only

a striking evidence of the vitality and progress of Freemasonry in the Province , but also proved that the respect for Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , who

was then installed R . W . P . G . M . for the

Western Division of thc County of Lancaster , was both deep-seated and universal . Not only was the gathering the most numerous which has ever been held in the Provinces , aud about twice thc numerical

strength of any ever seen in W . Lancashire ; but the attendance of thc " purpled " of this ancl neighbouring provinces , and the representation of leaders in thc Craft Lodges werc such as to lean additional importance

to a meeting "which must long be remembered in Liverpool . The appointment by the M . W . G . M . of Lord Skelmersdale to this important office wns singularly wise , and certainly thc most popular which could

have been made , because his lordship has not only done much for thc Order throughout tlie province , but he has done all in a manner which reflected the highest honour upon him as a nobleman and a Mason .

To give an additional eclat to the imposing ceremonial , his Worship the Mayor , Bro . C . * Edward Samuelson , P . P . J . G . D ., Cheshire , in the most handsome and fraternal spirit , placed the magnificent suite of reception ,

entertaining , and ball rooms at thc disposal of the Prov . Grand Lodge for the transaction of their interesting business , thereby investing the meeting with a thoroughly town ' s importance . Bro . Major Lc Gendre

N . Starkie , R . W . P . G . M . for the Eastern Division of the County of Lancaster , was chosen by the Marquis of Ripon to perform thc ceremony of installation , and the wisdom of the selection was abundantly

proved by the really admirable manner in which thc work was done . The larger ball room was utilised for thc purpose of holding thc lodge , and it is due to Bro . Samuelson , who was assisted by thc

ExMayor , Bro . J . Pearson , S . D ., 6 So , to say that the arrangements were as complete and satisfactory as could have been expected under the circumstances . There were upwards of joo brethren present , and

amongst these there were representatives from every lodge in the province—numbering upwards of 60—visitors from the neighbouring provinces of Cheshire , East Lancashire , Staffordshire , & c , and several

from London , as well as more distant parts of thc kingdom . Thc rapid strides made by the Order in this province of late years has been something extraordinary ; but thc meeting of last Thursday , accompanied as

it was by a ceremonial which must have impressed even the oldest Mason , will doubtless give an impetus and freshened vigour to tlie progress of Masonry throughout the whole province .

lllh MAYORS BREAKFAST . Preparatory to the day ' s business , his worship the Mayor , Bro . Samuelson , entertained about 70 of the Provincial Grand Officers and other brethren to a recherche

breakfast in theBanquetting Hall . Amongst those who sat down to breakfast , as well as others who afterwards appeared in lodge , werc thc following . *—Bros . Lord Skelmersdale . P . G . M .: Lord

Freemasonry In West Lancashire.

de Tabley , P . G . M . of Cheshire ; Hon . Frederick Stanley , M . P ., Prov . D . G . M . ; Lord Lindsay , Prov . S . G . W . and P . G . M . Aberdeen ; Major Wilson Prov . G . J . W . ; Rev . J . F . Goggin , rector of Rufford ; Prov .

G . C . ; T . Armstrong , Prov . G . Treas . ; T . Wylie , Prov . G . R . ; H . S . Alpass , Prov . G . S . ; James Pickering , Prov . J . G . D . ; Rowson , Prov . G . Sup . Works ; George Broadbridge , Prov . G . Dir . Cer . ; J . M .

Johnston , P . G . C . S . ; W . Doyle , P . G . S . ; Robert Sharrock , Prov . G . S . B . ; J . Skeaf , Prov . G . O . ; J . Baxendale , P . G . Purs . ; C . J . Banister , P . G . S . B . of Eng . ; J . G . Hess , P . P . G . J . W . ; J . Mawdesley , P . P . G . Registrar ;

S . E . Ibbs , P . P . G . S . B . ; Lieut-Col . Thomas Birchall , P . P . G . J . W . ; Captain Mott , S . G . W . of Westmoreland and Cumberland ; Samuel Brabner , P . P . S . G . W ., West Lancashire ; Major Lc Gendre N . Starkie , Prov . G . M . of

East Lancashire and P . G . M . of England ; W . Bulley , P . P . J . G . D ., Cheshire ; W . Romaine Callendar , D . P . G . M ., East Lane , and P . G . D ., England ; Edward Samuelson , P . P . J . G . D ., Cheshire ; Rev . Henry George

Vernon , M . A ., P . P . G . C , Cheshire and West Lancashire ; Gilbert Greenall , P . G . W . Eng . ; W . Laidlaw , P . P . G . S . Works of West Lane ; P . Maddox , P . P . G . S . of Works ; Henry Bulley , P . P . J . G . W ., Cheshire ; John Crossley ,

P . P . G . D ., West Yorkshire : J I-I . Johnston , P . P . G . S .. Cheshire ; G . P . Brockbank , Prov . S . G . D ., East Lane . ; W . Howells , P . G . S . W . and P . G . Treasurer of Staffordshire ; Rev . Thomas Henry , P . P . G . Chaplain ,

Staffordshire ; J . J . Lambert , P . P . G . S . D ., East Lane ; Austin Shellard , P . P . G . D . C , East Lane . ; J . T . Rca , P . P . G . Sup . Works , West Cheshire ; T . G . Gibbon , P . P . G . W ., East Lane . ; Geo . Mellor , P . G . S . W ., East . Lane .

John Bowes , P . Prov . G . Reg ., Cumberland and Westmoreland ; Edwd . Friend , P . J . G . D ., Cheshire ; Cornelius Sherlock , P . P . G . R . of West Lancashire ; Samuel White , P . P . G . P ., West Lancashire ; Rev . C . W . Spencer

Stanhope , P . G . Chaplain , Cheshire and Oxford ; Frederick Binckes , P . M . Grand Steward ' s Lodge , and Oxfordshire , Secretary Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; R . Wentworth Little , Prov . G . S . Middlesex ,

Secretary Royal Masonic Institution foi Girls ; George Kenning , P . G . D ., Middlesex ; J . Pearson ( ex-mayor ) , S . D . 6 S 0 R . Young , VV . M . 13 S 4 ; E . H . Griffiths

P . O . Sec ., Cheshire ; II . R . Edwards , P . P . G Reg . ; T . Piatt , P . P . J . G . D ., Cheslrre ; J . V Piatt , P . P . J . G . W ., Cheshire ; J . Peters , P . S G . D ., North Wales ; J . T . Bourne , & c .

His Worship the Mayor presided , supported on the right by Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , and on thc left by Bro . Lord de Tabley . After Breakfast , which was provided by Mr . liberie , of thc Alexandra Hotel , Dale-street .

The Mayor said , my Lords and brethren , you will at once understand that a large number of brethren arc anxiously awaiting us in another room , and , therefore , I will not now ask you to listen to any set

speeches , 111 proposing the few toasts to which it will be my duty , privilege , and pleasure to call your attention . As loyal

men and good Masons wc must first drink the health of " Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen . " ( Cheers . ) Brethren , I give you " The Oueen and the Craft . " and in

coupling the Craft with the toast you will appreciate my intentions when you recollect thc position which our royal brother , the Prince of Wales , holds in the Order , and the interest he has from time to time taken

in its progress and welfare . ( Loud cheers . ) The Mayor said , I have now to propose the health of a distinguished brother , without whom we could not have well proceeded with the business of thc clay , I

Freemasonry In West Lancashire.

allude to the R . W . P . G . M . for East Lancashire . ( Cheers . ) Major Starkie ' s father , I believe , was connected with this province since the year 1827 , and therefore you can readily understand that his son will take

all the greater interest in perpetuating the work which was so ably begun by his father . ( Hear , hear . ) It is a very high compliment indeed , that has been paid to Major Starkie , which he doubtless fully

appreciates , to be appointed by the M . W . G . M . of England to act as his deputy on this occasion . ( Loud cheers . ) We are at all

times very glad to see our brethren from the adjoining provinces ; and I must ask you to unite with me in now drinking the health of the R . W . P . G . M . for East

Lancashire , Major Starkie . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Major Starkie , after thanking the Mayor and brethren , for the kind and cordial manner in which thc toast had been proposed and responded to , said , it

was his chief desire to do all he could to be of any service to thc Craft in any capacity in which he feit he could serve his brethren . ( Hear . ) It was a great pleasure to come amongst them , and all

the more so because West Lancashire was his mother province , and hc was a member of the lodge from which thc P . G . M . rose into office . ( Cheers . ) Hc hoped that the commission entrusted to him ( that of

installing Lord Skelmersdale ) would be carried out successfully and satisfactorily , because his lordship , he ( Bro . Starkie ) was

certain , would prove an admirable and worthy successor to the late P . G . M ., and because hc felt that the present appointment was in entire accordance with the

feelings of the whole of the brethren in that important province . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) The Mayor : I have now to propose a toast which I am certain has only to be

named to meet with a most cordial reception . We are assembled to-day by command of the R . W . P . G . M .-designate of

West Lancashire , and we are here to do him honour to the fullest extent . ( Cheers . ) I believe we find to-day that upon no previous occasion has such a number of Masons

assembled together than wc will see in the great room of this Town Hall . ( Cheers . ) It affords me thc greatest pleasure as an old Mason , to contribute in anydegree to the success of this meeting . I now give you the

"Health of thc Rt . Hon . and Rt . Worshipful Lord Skelmersdale . '" ( Loud cheers . ) I am sure that thc Marquess of Ripon , in selecting this distinguished nobleman to fill thc office of his representative in this

division of thc county has given satisfaction to every onc who has had the honour of knowing him . In giving you the health and long life of Lord Skelmersdale , I must express the hope , in which you will cordially

join , that hc may continue to reign over this province in the manner in which he has already done during the few months he has already held the position into which he will be formally installed to-day . ( Loud and nrolonfed cheerinir ) .

1 ^ ^ j , Lord Skelmersdale said , hc must thank the Mayor most heartily for the kind manner and flattering terms in which he had proposed his health , and he would also

express his obligations to thc brethren for thc cordial manner in which the toast had been received . He earnestly hoped that he would be able to fill the station to which

he had been appointed by Lord Kipon , in a manner as satisfactory as that in which thc duties had been performed by his predecessor . The Mayor said , it now gave great pleasure , having first seen the light in Cheshire ,