Provincial Grand Lodge Of Essex.

The PROVINCIAL G RAND MASTER proposed "The Queen'' and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . " He referred , in felicitous terms to the recent marriage of the Princess Louise of Wales . He said he should be very sorry to say anything disparaging to any foreigner , but he was sure it vvas a matter of satisfaction

to every Englishman that her Royal Highness had become affianced and married to one of their own flesh and blood . He did not want to enter into politics , but he was quite sure the nation would not begrudge the Prince of Wales any sum of money within reason to enable him to carry out those duties vvhich he discharged so ably , and to the satisfaction of every member of the community .

The P . G . M . next proposed "ThePro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " Lord Lathom kindly promised sonic months ago that he would be with them on that occasion , but since then he had met vvith a sad bereavement , in which he was sure he would receive the earnest

sympathy of every member of the province . Lord Henniker had also recently suffered a family bereavement , and Lord Hertford and other officers who had promised to come had been prevented by . the postponement of the naval review . He coupled vvith the toast the name of the Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C , D . P . G . M . of Suffolk .

Bro . the Rev . C . J . MARTYN responded , and expressed his pleasure at meeting Bro . Pickard , vvho passed and raised him , and also , he believed , passed and raised the Prov . G . M ., Lord Brooke . They had assembled that day under the hospitable roof of one vvho had endeared himself to the whole Province of Essex , and they had among them many distinguished Masons , one of whom , Bro . Col . Burney , vvas the founder of the Unity Lodge at Colchester . On behalf of the Grand Officers he thanked them very heartily for the reception they had given to the toast , and

before sitting down he asked them to drink what was emphatically the toast of the evening , "The He ilth of the Prov . Grand Master of Essex , Lord Brooke . " A good many years ago he had the honour of being asked to consecrate the Rosslyn Lodge , and he was proud and happy to see the progress the Iodge had made , but little did he anticipate then that he should ever see under the auspices of the Rosslyn Lodge such a magnificent gathering as they had seen that day . The toast was drunk with exeat enthusiasm .

Bro . LORD BROOKE , in response , thanked the brethren for the way in vvhich they had received the toast , and said he felt that they had done him a great honour by meeting under his roof . He was glad to feel that the proceedings had passed off without one note of discord , but he need not say that harmony vvas one of the first principles of Freemasonry . With regard to the election of P . G . Treasurer , he said he thought it vvas perfectly right that the office should be open to election ,

and he felt sure that Bro . Durrant , vvho had filled the office for some time with pleasure to himself and with great benefit to the province , would be glad to see the honour conferred upon such a worthy Mason as Bro . Sadler . He vvas glad to know that although they vvere not a rich province—for agriculture , vvhich was their mainstay in Essex , had been sorely hit of late—the brethren had come forward vvhen necessity arose and generously supported the Charities vvhich the Freemasons had founded and maintained . It was satisfactory to think that not

only in our own country but in every part of the world Freemasonry was increasing . There vvere now about 600 lodges abroad connected with English Freemasonry , and when he vvas in India and . in Egypt he received the greatest hospitality and good fellowship from brethren in those countries . In conclusion his lordship expressed the hope that the principles of Freemasonry would continue to spread throughout the country , that every Freemason would ever be loyal to the Queen and the Craft , and that he might for many years have the honour to occupy the proud position of Prov . Grand Master of Essex .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER next proposed "The Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and coupled vvith the toast the name of Bro . Lennox Browne , who vvas a most excellent Mason , and had evinced a deep interest in the Masonic Charities as well as in the work of the Craft generally . Bro . LENNOX BROWNE said he vvas exceedingly sorry that the Deputy Prov . Grand Master vvas not present to respond for the toast , because he vvas sure if he

had been there he would have given them some ideas vvhich they could have carried away vvith them , and which would have been of great value to them in their future Masonic life . He expressed himself as very proud that the brethren of the Province of Essex had done him the honour of consecrating a Iodge which bore his name . Freemasons , if they acted up to their professions , were loyal and charitable •he

did not say that all loyal men vvere Masons , but he never knew a Mason who was not loyal , and vvith regard to the Charities , he challenged anyone to point to any body of men who had done more for the support of charitable institutions than the Freemasons had done for the three great Masonic Charities . As lono- as he was connected vvith the Province of Essex , he should endeavour to carry out the principles of Freemasonry .

The P . G . M . proposed " The Visitors , " and coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Pickard , who deservedly occupied a most prominent place in Masonrv . Bro . PICKARD , in response , referred in complimentary terms to the manner in which the proceedings of the Prov . Grand Lodge had been conducted , and expressed a hope that in some of the smaller towns in his own Province of Oxfordshire Freemasonry vvould be more widely appreciated than it vvas at the present time .

The P . G . M . proposed " lhe W . M . ' s of the lodges of the Province of Essex , " and coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Clapham , of the Rosslyn Lodge , a lodge named after a nobleman vvho vvas well-known as a distinguished Mason both in Scotland and in England . The other toasts were "The Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . Railing , " and " P G . D . of C , Bro . Lucking , " both of whom responded .

Finally , Bro . LENNOX BROWNE proposed " The Health of Lad y Brooke , " which vvas , of course , most cordiall y received . After the banquet the gardens vvere beautifull y illuminated with variegated lights and Chinese lanterns , and a short concert , which vvas graced with the presence of Lady Brooke , vvas given in front of the house by talented and wellknown artistes . The whole of the musical arrangements vvere under the direction

of Bro . Chas . Clark . Bro . N . Hewlett vvas the accompanist . At dusk there vvas a display of fireworks , culminating in an effective set piece of " Welcome to the Freemasons . " Altogether , the meeting was a complete success . Everything passed off admirably , and the cheers which were given for Lord Brooke and his charming wife before the brethren left the park were of the heartiest description . Special trains conveyed the visitors to Witham and Bishops Stortford , and a most enjoyable day vvas brought to a happy conclusion . Bro . Spalding , photographer , of Chelmsford , vvas successful in taking one or two good groups of the brethren on the lawn .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somersetshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SOMERSETSHIRE .

Friday , the 2 nd inst ., was an eventful occasion in the local annals of Freemasonry , the members of the St . Kew Lodge , No . 1222— -Weston-super-Marehaving the honour of receiving the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Somerset . There has not been so large and distinguished a gathering in Westonof the Cratt since

super-Mare the laying of the foundation-stone of the West of England sanatorium by the P . G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon . Naturall y proud of the honour of entertaining so august a body , the members of St . Kew Lod <* -e determined to give their brethren in the Craft a truly fraternal welcome and ° a reception worthy of their Masonic dignity . The lodge room at the Masonic Hall

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somersetshire.

being too small , the Town Hall was engaged , the hall itself being fitted up for n lodge , and the various offices furnished for the reception of the P . G . M . and tl Provincial Grand Officers . The hall was arranged in a most effective and comfortable manner for the business of the lodge . The throne was situated on the platform , surmounted by canopy curtained with crimson drapery , with golden Masonic emblem in the centre ' . A flight of steps led from the floor of the hall to the foot of the throne , stove and greenhouse plants vvere effectively grouped on each side , and the steps and dal ¦ were covered with crimson carpet . The walls of the hall were also tastefully decorated , the portraits of the M . W . G . M ., the Prince of Wales , the Prov . G . M the Earl of Carnarvon , and the D . P . G . M ., Bro . R . C . Else , being displayed anil adorned vvith trophies of flags , and the beauty of the general effect was nmc i , enhanced by the banners of the various lodges , that belonging to St . Kew , repre senting the Saint in the act of imparting instruction , occupying a consp icuous position . A portion of the lower end of the hall was screened , and formed •) convenient reception and clothing room for the general body of brethren .

The Prov . G . Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro G . M . uj England , presided , and the following brethren recorded their names : Bros . R r Else , D . P . G . M . ; J . A . Lloyd , P . G . C . Eng . ; C L . F . Edwards , P . G . Treas •' T G . Williams , P . G . Reg . ; A . L . Wade , P . S . G . D . ; John Hughes . P . G . S . B- ' s ' J . Lewis , P . G . Std . Br . ; T . E . Willon , P . G . Stwd . ; A . J . Salter , P . G . T yler •S Bigwood , P . A . G . Tyler ; B . C Board , P . G . S . B . ; J . P . Green , R . Kni ght P G

Purst . ; R . P . Floyd , P . P . G . Reg . ; T . Pashley , P . P . S . G . W . ; Edmund White ' P . S . G . W . ; John Rubie , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Cook , jun ., P . P . J . G . W . ; C . Symo ns ' P . P . G . S . B . ; Robert Knight , P . G . P . ; F . T . Elworthy , P . P . S . G . W . ; E V Wade , P . P . J . G . W . ; R . J . Damon , P . P . G . D . C ; W . Cox , P . P . G . R . ; John Tompsett , Past Prov . J . G . D . ; James Knight , P . P . G . Standard Bearer ; E 1 Hill , P . P . G . Purst . ; J . Hayward , P . P . S . G . W . ; Lawson Howes , P . P . A . G . D c " T . G . Vincent , P . P . G . D . C ; W . Long , P . P . S . G . W . ; A . de Courcy Lyons '

P . P . G . D . ; W . E . Perrett , P . P . G . D . C ; B . Cox , P . P . G . P . ; E . E . Baker , P . P . J . GD R . Cripps , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; P . Harris , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . W . Page , P . P . S . G \ V ' W . Rice , P . P . G . D . ; E . J . Grubb , P . P . G . P . ; A . J . Gray , P . A . G . D . C . ; J . Hughes ' P . S . G . D . ; W . T . Abbot , P . P . J . G . D . ; R . R . Hutchings , P . P . G . O . ; L . G . Derrick ' P . P . G . D . C ; and others .

The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened , the Provincial Grand Officers entered in procession , and vvere received with the customary honours by the assembled brethren . The P . G . M . took his seat on the throne , supported by Bro . R . C . Else , D . P . G . M ., and the P . G . Officers . His lordship arrived late owing to the train being delayed .

Letters of apology for absence were read from Bros . W . H . F . Powell , P G M Bristol ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec . ; Col . J . R . Bramble , D . P . G . M . Bristol-Vassar-Smith , D . P . G . M . Gloucester ; Gulliford Hopkins , P . S . G . W . ; J . fi ! Marwood , J . L . Stothert , W . Ransford , T . Ringer , Dr . Weatherley , and A . Steevens .

Bro . Major Long acted as P . S . G . W ., in the absence of Bro . Gulliford Hopkins , and Bro . E . F . Wade acted as P . J . G . W ., in place of the late lamented Bro . Sumner Toms . The P . G . SECRETARY read the roll of lodges , and it was found that all were represented .

The P . G . TREASURER read a statement of the accounts , from which it appeared that there vvas a balance of ^ 93 us . 1 id . in favour of the province . The accounts were adopted . Bro . C . L . Fry Edwards was re-elected P . G . Treasurer , on the motion of Bio . G . W . RODWAY , seconded by Bro . E . WHITE . Bro . EDWARDS having returned thanks , the report of the Charity Organisation Committee was adopted , as also the revised by-laws of the province .

The various offices having been declared vacant , the appointment and investment of new officers vvas proceeded with , collars being bestowed upon the following :

Bro . G . E . Alford , P . M . 1222 "' ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ A . Duckett , P . M . 291 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . F . A . Byrde ... ... ... ... ) „ F . W . Macdonald , W . M . 379 ... ... _ j Prov . G . Chaps . „ E . M . Fuller , P . M . 53 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ C . L . F . Edwards ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . C . Hunt ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ F . H . Warren , P . M . 1197 and 1953 ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ L . Ashcroft , P . M . 1296 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ G . B . Laffon , P . M . 135 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ S . Spill , P . M . 973 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ S . W . Bewsey P . M . 437 ., ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ Dr . F . S . Pearse , P . M . 261 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ W . P . Bennett , P . M . 2038 ... ... ... ) n „ „ , , „ ii B . F . Wood , P . M . 1 , 97 j Prov . G . Std . brs . „ W . E . Sparrow , P . M . 906 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ T . C Manning , P . M . 285 . ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ T . E . Wilton , P . M . 41 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ A . J . Salter , Tyler 53 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . „ S . Bigwood , Tyler 41 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Ty ler The PROV . GRAND MASTER then said : 1 lind that the next business is one of

those melancholy resolutions which it is one ' s pleasure and sorrow to agree to , and I am sure there will be no dissentient voice in this large—this unusually largeand representative gathering here to-day , but that we shall be actuated by the same feelings and desire to express those feelings in the same words . I have to ask you to agree vvith me in a resolution to this effect— " That this Prov . Grand Lodge desires to express its grief at the lamented death of the late Brigadier-General Adair , and its sympathy with the bereaved members of his family . " We all knew our late

brother well . He had our sincere regard and esteem , and I believe I may add Masonic affection . I can only say that during the many years it was my good fortune to know him I esteemed him as a friend , and I knew I had in him one of the most reliable of Masons . He was called away in the full strength of his lifc ' - No one anticipated his death vvas so near . When I last met him it seemed to nic that his life was as good ancl as sound as any ordinary man of his age . He was called away almost at an hour ' s notice , and it has left one wide feeling of regret amongst his Masonic friends .

The D . P . G . M . seconded the motion , and said he had been associated with Bro . Adair for more than 20 years in several Masonic offices . He had received fro '" him nothing but kindness , courtesy , and support on every possible occasion . Th eV had lost a link from the Masonic chain in Somerset which he felt could not be replaced . The shortening of the chain , however , ought to bind those together who vvere left .

The proposition having been carried , a similar resolution vvas proposed by u- ^ P . G . M . with respect to Bro . S . Toms , on whom , he said , he had the honour t " months ago of bestowing the collar of P . J . G . W . The proposal vvas seconded b y Bro . DUCKETT , and supported by Bro . C L- ' '• EDWARDS , the latter referring to the fact that Bro . Toms vvas the lirst Co "" )' Councillor who had been taken from them .

This was also carried . , On the proposition of Bro . C . L . F . EDWARDS , it was decided that the sum . ° •£ 100 , now on deposit vvith the Wilts and Dorset Banking Company , be invested m Consols . . On the proposition of Bro . S . R . BASKETT , the following resolution was £ *' to ; " That this Provincial Grand Lodge is of opinion that it is desirable to ba