Freemasonry In West Lancashire.

to * have sitting on his left the P . G . M . for that Province . ( Cheers . ) Their lamented friend and distinguished brother , the late Viscount Combermere , did all in his power to promote Masonry , not only in his own

province , but throughout the length and breadth of the land . ( Hear , hear . ) A more worthy successor to that nobleman could not have been appointed than Lord de Tabley . ( Cheers . ) The Freemasons of Cheshire

had proved this clearly by the manner in which the business of their lodges had been conducted , and by the admirable way in which his lordship had presided over and directed them in the proper

conduct of their affairs . ( Hear . ) Very much depended upon the head of a department in the conduct of business in Freemasonry , as in other matters , and the Cheshire

Masons in this respect recognized Lord de Tabley as one of the first Masons in the country . ( Cheers . ) He gave them " The Health of the Right Hon . Lord de Tabley , P . G . M . of Cheshire . " ( Cheers . )

Lord de Tabley , in reply said , he should always do his best to serve the interests of Masonry in the district over which he presided , and it would always be his

endeavour to promote a reciprocal good feeling between his own and the brethren of the adjoining provinces . It gave him great pleasure to respond to the invitation to assist at the installation of Lord

Skelmersdale , because he wished to do honour to his noble brother , to the Mayor of this ancient borough , to whose hospitality they were greatly indebted for some measure

of the success which was attending that meeting ; and because he wished to testify by his presence how earnestly he desired the harmonious working of Masonry in both provinces . ( Loud cheers . )

Lord de Tabley , in proposing health , long life , and happiness , to Bro . Samuelson , Mayor of Liverpool , referred in special terms of praise to his great kindness in

having placed the fine suite of rooms of the Town Hall at the disposal of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and for his munificent hospitality that morning .

The Mayor , in response , said that with the exception of his worthy predecessor ( Bro . J . Pearson ) it was many years since a Mason occupied that chair , and since the hospitality of that board had been extended

to the Alasonic Fraternity . He had had great pleasure in issuing invitations to as many brethren as could conveniently assemble in that room to join him in that little festivity .

The Provincial Grand Lodge Officers then retired to clothe for the Ceremony of Installation .

Shortly after eleven o ' clock the Craft lodges began to assemble in the large ballroom of the Town Hall , and about twelve o ' clock every available seat was occupied . The W . M . ' s chair was occupied by Bro . A .

Fletcher , W . M . 32 ; the P . M . ' s chair being filled by Bro . J . Fowler , W . M . 86 ; the S . W . ' s by Bro . XV . Sumner , W . M . 113 ; the J . W . ' s by Bro . XV . Sharp , W . M . 148 . Amongst the other principals of the lodges

present were Bros . J . Beesley , W . M . 21 G ; G . Rigby Smith , S . W . 21 G ; J . W . Baker , P . M 241 ; G . Turner , P . M . 86 ; J . K . Smith , P . M . 249 ; j . R . Goepel , P . M . 155 and 843 ; J . Sellars , W . M . 1 299 ; J . Clegg , S . W .

1 299 ; I . May , W . M . 1 393 - T . Berry , S . D 1393 ; W . Jones , W . M . 220 ; J . T . Callow W . M . 673 ; J I . Nelson , P . M . 671 ; C H Hill , P . M . 724 ; S . Forrest , P . M . 241 ; Rev

P . Haines , C . 249 ; P . Macmuldrow , J . W . 1299 ; R . Bennett , Sec . 1 299 ; R . Wilson , P . M . 241 ; S . Haynes , P . M . 823 ; J . Holland , W . M . 823 ; Wyld , W . M . 1403 ; J . Sharpe ,

Freemasonry In West Lancashire.

J . . 823 ; T . Ashmore , P . M . 823 ; R . Danson , W . M . 1 094 ; P . B . Gee , W . M . 126 4 ; E . Hughes , W . M . 249 ; T . Ashmore , P . M . 249 ; R . Radcliffe , P . M . 346 ; J . Pemberton , P . M . 1264 ; J . Parsons , W . M .

203 ; H . James , I . P . M . 203 ; C . Bromley , P . M . 203 ; W . Boulton , S . W . 823 ; D . Campbell , 216 ; J . Ball , Sec . 673 , J . Lloyd , J . . 249 ; W . Worrall , jun . 477 ; H . Williams , P . M . 249 ; J . Corbett , W . M . 1032 ;

H . Tattersall , W . M . 730 ; W . Wood , W . M . 1250 ; W . Wither , P . M . 667 ; J . Devaynes , P . M . 667 ; M . Jones , P . M . 249 ; W . Jones , W . M . 220 ; J . Worthington , S . W . 220 ; G . Owen , W . M . 706 ; W . J . Newman , J . W .

786 ; A . Wink-up , P . M . 667 ; J . Porter , P . M . 667 ; T . K . Hughes , P . M . 1013 ; C Humphries , J . W . 1013 ; J . Thornton , P . M . § 71 ' F - J- Jeffrey . I-G . 1094 ; W . Shortis , W . M . 724 ; R . Cain , P . M . 724 ; J . W .

Ballard , J . W . 724 ; W . B . Tellett , Sec . 220 ; A . Hart , S . 724 5 J * Blood , J . W . 67 s ; T . Clark , P . M . 673 ; M . Hart , 724 ; J . Jackson , P . M . 148 ; J . Banning , P . M . 823 ; T . Shaw , S . D . 823 ; S . Cookson , P . M . 1182 ; T .

Nevett , I . P . M . 113 ; J . Halton , S . W . 241 ; W . Harrison , P . M . 897 ; W . Richardson , P . M . 148 ; W . Pugh , W . M . 1182 ; W . Williams , S . W . 1182 ; J . Edgington , J . W .

1182 ; J . B . Forshaw , Treas . 1403 ; J . Wood , Treas . 1094 ; W . Archer , P . M . 1086 ; W . J . Morris , I . G . 1350 ; R . Washington , S . D . 1094 ; J . Fryer , P . M . 292 ; J . Dodd , P . M . 600 ; J . Prescott , W . M . 5 S 0 ; G .

Ladmore , P . M . 673 ; E . Pierpoint , P . M . 680 ; T . Milligan , P . M . 178 ; J . T . Birchall , P . M . 86 ; S . Morris , P . M . 86 ; J . Lofthouse , W . M . 930 ; S . Topham , Chap . 1350 ; T . G . Blain , P . M . 32 ; C . Leedham , P . M . 220 ; J . Lamb , P . M , 178 ; P . M . Larsen , P . M . 594 ; G . Peet ,

I . G . 241 ; G . G . Walmsley , 192 ; E . Kyle , S . W . 673 ; R . Pearson , P . M . 99 s * , J . Case , P . M . 995 ; W . M . Clindley , J . . ; J . Healing , P . M . 1264 ; J . Matthews , W . M .

995 ; W . A . Wilson , P . M . 203 ; G . Hutchin , 241 ; I . de Frece , 594 ; H . Pearson , P . M . 249 ; G . F . Robinson , W . M . 1375 ; G . Morgan , P . M . 1035 ; G- Sculthorpe , W . M . 1035 ; T . Foz / . ard , P . M . 1035 * J- l - Newell ,

P . M . 1035 ! J- ] ¦ Bunting , P . M . 1035 ; J . R . Cook , W . M . 17 S ; li . Ramson , 249 ; C Leighton , S . W . 1325 ; R . Ing , W . M . 594 ; W . Woods , P . M . 1182 ; R . Abram , P . M . 1086 ; R . Collings , Sec . 249 ; J . Sillitoe ,

P . M . 605 ; J . Horbury , P . M . 1325 ; J . Rigbv , W . M . 1070 ; J . Cobham , P . M . 241 ;

J . P . McArthur , W . M . 1086 ; II . M . Molynenx , P . M . 823 ; F . P . Poole , W . M . 343 ; T . Chesworth , P . M ., and Treas . 724 ; P . B . Forshaw , S . D . 140 3 ; & c , & c . Thc Craft Lodge having been opened in

the third degree , the arrival of the P . G . Lodge was announced about half-past twelve o ' clock , and the whole of the brethren standing , received the imposing assembly of officers in due form with solemn music . . After the salutation with

the royal sign , Bro . Major Starkie , Prov * . G . M ., East Lancashire , then ascended the throne , and having appointed Bro . E . Samuelson , P . P . J . G . D ., as P . G . Senior Warden , fro . lent ., and Bro . Major Wilson ,

as P . G . Junior Warden , he proceeded to open the Prov . Grand Lodge according to ancient form , solemn prayer being offered by Bro . J . F . Goggin , P . G . C . Bro . J . Skeaf ' s anthem , " Behold how good , " was

then sung with striking effect by Bros . Haswell , Evans , Yeatman , Busfield , T . J . Hughes , D . Saunders , W . Smith , and II . Ashmore , Bro . Skeaf , P . G . O ., presiding at

tlie harmonium . The roll of the lodges was read by the Prov . G . Secretary , when it appeared that every one within the province was represented , more than one by upwards of fifty brethren .

Freemasonry In West Lancashire.

Bro . Starkie , P . G . M ., addressing the brethren , said they were all aware that they were assembled that day to inaugurate a new reign ; but while they were gathered to welcome their new Master , they ought

to remember with gratitude the kindness , fraternal love and affection which had been displayed by their deceased P . G . M ., Sir Thomas G . Fermor-Hesketh —( hear , hear ) —who had been an active ruler in that

large and influential province , and who was known to many of them as an excellent Mason . Under his rule , the province flourished very greatly , and Masonry had made rapid strides . He was courteous ,

kind , and affable , and ready at all times to use his best efforts to promote the interests of the Craft . Turning to the business of thc day , Bro . Starkie said that every one must feel genuine

satisfaction at the appointment of Lord Skelmersdale , whose selection had elicited the loudest acclamations from all the brethren in the province ; and a feeling of gratitude must be cherished by every

one that such an appointment had been made in one of thc greatest provinces in the country . Lord Skelmersdalc ' s connection with the Craft had already borne its fruit , and there was no doubt

that that fruit would ripen more and more bountifully , and that his rule would tend to the increase of Masonry

in this province . Bro . Starkie concluded by saying he thought thc brethren fortunate in having such an election and selection of a brother made to rule over so

wealthy , intelligent , and influential a province as that of West Lancashire . The P . G . Secretary then read the patent of the appointment by the M . W . G . M ., after which Lord Skelmersdale was presented

for installation by Bros . Colonel Birchall , and Captain A . C . Mott ; thc former congratulating the brethren of the province in having an excellent nobleman and able Mason as his lordship appointed to rule over them .

Before proceeding with the ceremony Bro . Starkie , P . G . M ., congratulated Lord Skelmersdale in having received thc appointment , said thc position he was about to assume was one either for good

or for evil , and the Order in this province would either prosper or retrograde , according to the activity or hikewarmness shown by him in connection with his office .

Freemasonry , like all other social institutions , could not stand still , and hc had no doubt that under his ( Lord Skelmersdalc ' s ) rule the Craft would greatly prosper , as it had done under other auspices in the past .

Bro . Lord Skelmersdale—the ancient charges usually given to W . M . ' s of Craft Lodges having previously been read to him by the Prov . Grand Secretary—then advanced to tlie pedestal and took thc solemn obligations , after which he was installed with acclamation in the chair of

the Provincial Grand Master for West Lancashire . The newly-installed P . G . M ., addressing the large assembly , said he could honestly assure the brethren that it was with the

most solemn feelings that he had taken his place in that chair , and he could only say that it was his wish and intention to act up to the obligations he had taken , and endeavour to rule over that province in a

way which would prove satisfactory to every brother under his control . Bro . thc Right Hon . Frederick Stanley was then

duly installed the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , according to ancient form , by Bro . Starkie . After the minutes of the previous P . G .