Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And Isle Of Wight.

of some authority to whom they could refer . Bro . Ellis then referred to Bro . Rastrick ' s long career in Masonry , and to thefactthat for some generations his family had rendered good services to Masonry in general and the province in particular .

Bro . Major HOOPER , P . M ., seconded . Bro . R . EVE , P . P . G . W ., proposed Bro . R . Loveland Loveland , P . M . of Sandown Lodge . He disputed ' lhc claims of Portsmouth to any territorial rig ht to the office of Treasurer any more than the Isle of Wight . Bro . Loveland had exhibited great zeal not only in the district but in the province as well .

Bro . F . NEWMAN , P . P . G . S . W ., seconded the motion . The election was then proceeded with , and Bro . Rastrick was elected by a very large majority , the result being received with hearty and continuous applause . The Prov . Grand Master then invested Bro . Rastrick with the collar and

badge of office . Bro . RASTRICK returned thanks for the honour conferred upon him by the election , and pledged himself to carry out the duties of his office with credit to himself and with satisfaction to the province .

Bro . J . R . HAYMAN asked permission to withdraw for the present his notice of motion that the sum of 1000 guineas be expended out of the funds of the Prov . Grand Lodge in the purchase of a perpetual presentation to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . The Prov . Grand Master assented to the withdrawal .

Bro . R . EVE proposed that as the P . G . M . would preside at , the next festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , the sum of 100 guineas be presented from the Prov . Grand Lodge funds to the Institution on that

. Bro . FRANCIS , P . M . S 04 , said that on making some enquires he found that the Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight had subscribed only ; £ SSi to the Girls' School as compared with ^ , " 2177 to the Boys' School and -A 5 S 6 to the Benevolent Institution ; and while they had but four boys

there were twelve girls from that province in the Masonic School . He thought therefore that to some extent they owed a debt to the Girls' School , and he moved as an amendment that the sum of 250 guineas be presented on the occasion of the Prov . Grand Master presiding at the festival in question .

Bro . EVE said with pleasure he would withdraw his resolution and second that of Bro . Francis . This was carried unanimously , and The PROV . GRAND MASTER expressed his thanks to the brethren for the compliment paid to him . The Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Durham.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF DURHAM .

CONSECRATION OF THE NORMAN CHAPTER , No .

1334-The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter was held at the Masonic Hall , Durham City , on the 2 nd inst ., when there was a large attendance of provincial and chapter principals and companions of the Order , and the most Honourable the Marquess of Londonderry , K . G ., the Prov . Grand Superintendent consecrated the Norman Chapter , it being the

third his Lordship has consecrated during his term of office . The Provincial Grand Chapter was opened by the following Grand officers : —Comps . B . Levy , acting Z . ; H . J . Turnbuli , H . ; and J . S . Wilson , J . The other officers assisting were Comps . R . Hudson , S . E . ; R . Candlish , S . N . ; Laidler , P . S . ; C . R . Fry and F . Maddison , A . S . ; W . Richardson , W . G .

The Prov . Grand Superintendent was received in due form , and the minutes of last Grand Chapter having been read and confirmed , the several chapters in the province reported as follows : 4 S , Gateshead ; So , 94 , Sunderland ; 111 , Darlington ; 124 , Durham ; 240 , South Shields ; 509 , Stockton ; 531 , Hartlepool ; 7 63 , West Hartlepool . The reports made were generally satisfactory .

The PROV . GRAND SUPERINTENDENT , addressingthc assembled chapter , said this was the second time it had been his pleasure and satisfaction to attend the Prov . Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masonry in this province , and he was happy to find , since the last time he had the pleasure of addressing them , that one of the things which he had referred to upon that occasion had been remedied . He regretted to say that they had , since that period ,

lost two very excellent members , one well known to all of them , and he need not refer to him further than to say he was his predecessor in the province , and not only had Craft Masonry , but Royal Arch Masonry received a great blow when he was removed from their midst . They had also to lament the loss of their brother Freemason and Royal Arch Mason , Comp . Crookcs , who so long , so faithfully , and so energetically performed the duties

of S . E . He was happy to find , from the reports which their S . E . ( Comp . Hudson ) had put into his hands , that the whole of the annual returns of the chapters had been sent in . They had at the present moment 12 chapters in the province , with an aggregate of something like 400 members . There did not appear to be any previous data to show the progress of the Order during the last twenty years ; but in 1866 the Prov . Grand Chapter was

resuscitated ; then there were only eight chapters , while at present the number was 12 . During the year of his office as Prov . Grand Superintendent of RoyaljArch Masonry of Durham he had had the pleasure of consecrating two chapters , one at Jarrow and the other at Gateshead , and he firmly hoped that the consecration of these chapters would lend to create a stimulus

on the banks of the Tync in favour of Koyal Arch Masonry . According to the reports which he had received from the S . E ., as far as he could understand the chapters were all working well and harmoniously together . He hoped that they mig ht continue to meet from year to year , and that they should be able to have the same unanimity of feeling that they had had , and which should always exist in Royal Arch Masonry . ( Applause ) .

The PROV . GRAND SUPERINTENDENT next read a letter from the Treasurer of the chapter ( Comp . the Rev . Canon Cundill ) regretting his inability to attend as he was confined to his house through a sharp attack of illness , and also expressing the opinion that there would be a manifest advantage in the office of Treasurer of the Prov . Grand Chapter being held by the same companion who occupied the position of Prov . Grand Treasurer in the Craft . He ( Canon Cundill ) was therefore anxious to resign thelreasurership , and he should feel obliged by his ( the P . G . Supt . ) kindly informing the chapter of

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Durham.

this at its meeting . The Prov . Grand Superintendent was sure there would be a . general feeling of regret in losing the services of their Prov . Grand Treasurer . The appointment of his successor remained for the chapter to decide whom they would elect .

Comp . J OSEPH DODDS , M . P ., had much pleasure in proposing that the cordial thanks of the Prov . Grand Chapter be communicated to Comp . the Rev . John Cundill for the services he had rendered for so many years to the Prov . Grand Chapter . Comp . W . BRIGNALL seconded .

The Prov . Grand Superintendent ( the Marquess of LONDONDERRY ) spoke in the highest terms of esteem of Comp . Cundill , and he could bear witness to the kind expressions which had been uttered by Comps . Dodds and Brignall in reference to the many virtues which Comp . Cundill possessed , and no one was more pleased than himself to put this vote of thanks to Comp . Cundill to the meeting . The motion was carried with acclamation .

Comp . B . HUDSON , G . S . E ., then read the statement of accounts , which showed a balance in hand after all expenditure was met of £ 45 is . 7 d . He proposed that the sum of ten guineas be given to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , which was seconded by Comp . J . Bailey , of Darlingtan , and carried . Comp . C . S . Lane , of Hartlepool , proposed that ten guineas be given to the Durham Masonic Educational Fundwhich was

, seconded by Comp . M . Corbett , of Gateshead , and carried . Comp . R . Hudson moved , and Comp . M . Corbett seconded , that ten guineas be given to the Masonic Boys' School , to be applied to the Preparatory School . After some remarks from Comp . J . Dodds , M . P ., the motion was carried . Comp . R . LEVY , of Sunderland , proposed , and Comp . J HUNTER , of

Hartlepool , seconded , that Comp . Babington Boulton , of Darlington , be elected P . G . Treasurer , which was carried unanimousl y , and Comp . Boulton acknowledged the honour conferred upon him . The Prov . Grand Supt . then proceeded to appoint and invest the Grand Chapter officers for the ensuing year as follows :

Bro . A . S . Fowler ... ... ... Prov . G . H . „ R . A . Luck ... ... ... ... Prov . G . J . „ R . Hudson ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ T . Bradley ... ... ... ... p rov . G . S . N . „ John Hunter ... ... ... ... p . G . P . S . „ G . J . Wilson ... ... ... ... Prov . G . A . P . S . „ M . Frampton ... ... ... ... Prov . G . A . P . S . „ G . Twizell ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ T . Coulson ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ S . Fenny ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br „ G . Porteous ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ E . Hudson ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ B . Boulton ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . Curry ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor

I he business of the Prov . Grand Chapter being over , the consecration of the Norman Chapter , No . 1334 , was then proceeded with by the Prov . Grand Superintendent . The ceremony was very beautifully and impressively rendered . The musical portion of the ceremony was rendered by Comps . Walker , Whitehead , Nutton , and Hauxwell ; Comp . Richardson being Organist . The petition for and charter of the new chapter were read

by Comp . R . Hudson , P . G . S . E ., and Comp . B . Levy , at the request of the Worshipful the Prov . Grand Superintendent gave the address to the companions in a most impressive manner . The new chapter was then consecrated by the Marquess of Londonderry in asolemn manner , who he afterwards declared the chapter constituted . The prayer was offered by the P . G . J ., Comp .

Luck , and the installation of the Three Principals of the chapter then took place . The Principals were installed by Comps . B . Levy , H . J . Turnbuli , R . Hudson , W . Coxon , and A . S . Fowler as follows : Comps . Geo . Greenwell , Z . ; George Bailes , H . ; and Josh . H . Barker , J . The chapter officers were invested as follows : Comps . R . Hauxwell , S . E . ; D . Whitehead , S . N . ; W . Gray , P . S . ; J . F . Hiller and Sewell , Asst . Sojs . ; J . Laidler , P . Z ., Treas . ; and J . Carter , Janitor . The chapter was afterwards closed in due form and the proceedings terminated .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Hampshire And Isle Of Wight.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT .

I he annual meeting of this Grand Chapter was held at the National School Room , Bishopstoke , on Friday week immediately after the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge as reported in another column . There were over 100 brethren present , and M . E . Comp . Beach , M . P ., Grand Superintendent , presided , the principal chairs being occupied by M . E . Comp . Hickman , H ., and R . Eve , acting J .

Comp . M . E . FROST resigned his position of Treasurer of the province . Comp . R . J . RASTRICK . in very graceful terms proposed Comp . R . R . Loveland Loveland , P . Z ., as Treasurer . This appeared to give great gratification amongst the brethren , as Comps . Rastrick and Loveland were the two contestants for the office of Provincial Grand Treasurer when the former was elected .

Bro . ELLIS rose ( amidst much applause as he was Comp . Rastrick ' s proposer ) and seconded Comp . Loveland . The result of the election was unanimous , and Comp . Loveland returned thanks . The Grand Superintendent then invested the following companions as officers of Grand Chapter for the ensuing year :

Comp . W . Hickman , 130 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . H . „ Ucv . J . N . Palmer , 175 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . „ George Rake , 4 S 7 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ Major G . Douglas , 1331 ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ Michael Emanuel , 130 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . S . J . Brickwood , 342 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . A . S . „ R . Loveland Loveland ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas .

T . Good , 1776 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . J . A . Elvcrstone , 804 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ John Lind , 1428 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ Geo . Pearman , 487 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . J- Biggs > l 3 , ° •••... •••... Prov . G . Janitor . „ J . Exell , 487 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . The chapter was then closed and the brethren adjourned to the Railway Hotel and partook of a banquet served by Comp . Glasspool .