Consecration Of The Aire And Calder Chapter, No. 458, At Goole.

Several brethren of the Aire and Calder Lodge were then duly proposed as companions , and a vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Comp . Mason for his eloquent and instructive address , as well as for the able and efficient manner in which he had performed the duties of Consecrating Principal . In replying , Comp . MASON expressed his gratitude , and incidentally

alluded to the necessity of taking steps to form a Masonic library in the province . He believed that in delaying action in the matter they were making a mistake , and referred to the excellent library at Bath which had

been enriched by a liberal bequest . Americans were come over and purchasing their most valuable MSS . and books , and they were gradually losing valuable works which they would not be able to recover , and which they would have to cross the water to examine .

Comp . TEW , the Prov . Grand Supt ., said the matter would be probably referred to by him at the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge at Skepton , on Wednesday . They could not do everything at once , but a scheme was in progress for collecting valuable MSS ., & rc , at their prov . secretarial at Wakefield , where any member of the province would be able to have ready access to them .

At the festive gathering subsequently held , Comp . E . T . CLARK , Z ., presided , and , after proposing the loyal toasts , gave that of " The Provincial Grand Officers , " to which Comp . TEW replied , and remarked he felt great pleasure in being present at the consecration of a chapter in a rising town

like Goole . He referred to the excellent manner in which the chapter had been furnished . In conclusion , he proposed "The Health of the Consecrating Principal , " reiterating the sentiments he had expressed in open chapter .

Comp . MASON feelingly replied to the toast , which was drunk with enthusiasm , and said it behoved them all to do their work as well and earnestly in their day and generation as they could , for life after all was

short and rapidly passed away . He gave "The Health of Comp . H . Smith , the Prov . Scribe E ., " remarking that it was his birthday that day—( loud cheers )—and drew attention to the eminent services he had rendered to the Craft in its several Degrees .

Comp . SMITH responded , drawing attention to the increased support they gave to the chapters , and to the fact that during the 16 years he had been Scribe their number of chapters had increased from 14 to 34 . Comp . TOMLINSON proposed " Success to the Aire and Calder Chapter , " adverting to the spirited progress that was being made in Masonic matters in the West Riding .

The Three Principals replied , Comp . CLARK , Z ., pointing out the rapid progress the port of Goole was making , and remarking , that as there was no doubt the town would become a very important one in time , he felt some pride in having been honoured with the appointment of First

Principal . They acknowledged No . 495 ( Wakefield ) as their mother chapter , and were very sensible of the acknowledgments under which they rested to the distinguished companions who ruled that prosperous chapter . Comp . HIN-D gave "The Visiting Companions , " to which Comp . SLACK suitably responded . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Comp . Dayson , P . P . G . Organist .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Northumberland And Durham.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Alnwick , on Wednesday , the 30 th ult . Before the lodge the Alnwick brethren arranged to show their visiting brethren some of the beauties of Hulme Park , and provided brakes for that purpose . Several of the brethren availed themselves of the privilege . The lodge was opened by the R . W . Prov . G . M . M ., Bro . the Rev . Canon H . B . Tristram , D . D ., F . R . S ., assisted by Bro . T . Y . Strachan , D . P . G . M ., there were also present :

Bros . C . S . Lane , P . G . D ., Prov . G . S . W . ; R . A . Luck , Prov . G . J . W . ; George Carter , Prov . G . M . O . ; Thos . Bradley , Prov . G . S . O . ; Wm . Coxon , Prov . G . J . O . ; Rev . E . L . Murrett . P . P . G . J . W ., Prov . G . Chap . ; R . Thompson , Prov . G . R . of M . ; D . Sinclair , Prov . G . Sec ; A . Robertson , Prov . G . S . D . ; M . Corbitt , Prcv . G . I . of

W . ; A . S . Fowler , Prov . G . D . C . ; Robert Hudson , Prov . G . Swd . Br . ; J . S . B . Bell , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; T . J . Armstrong , P . P . G . J . W . ; John Wood , P . P . G . S . O . ; R . B . Reed , G . Std . Br ., P . P . G . S . W . ; Fred Maddison , P . P . G . J . W . ; Lieut .-Col . Addison Potter , C . B . ; John Strachan , Adam Wonlar , P . P . G . O . ; J . C . Moor , M . O . 124 ; and a large number of brethren .

The report of the Committee of General Purposes showed a balance in hand of ^ 12 18 s . nd ., and recommended a donation of £ 10 ios . to the Boys' School . The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , in moving the adoption of the

report , mentioned that the Provincial Grand Lodge had already subscribed 60 guineas to the Mark Benevolent Fund , 50 guineas to the Boys' School , 30 guineas to the Girls' School , and £ 10 each to the Aged Freemasons and their Widows .

The report gave the particulars of eight lodges in the province at 31 st December , 1884 . Since that time a new lodge ( the Tristram , No . 346 ) had been consecrated at Newcastle-on-Tyne , and the Dunelim , No . 356 , would he consecrated at Durham on 16 th October . The Worshipful Masters of the various lodges having given in a report of the present position of their respective lodges ,

The R . W . PROV . GRAND MASTER expressed the gratification with which he had heard so favourable an account of this important Order in his province . It was with especial pleasure he beard that the lodges were practising the Masonic virtue of Charity , and that two of them—the Hotspur ( under whose banner Provincial Grand Lodge was meeting ) and the Tristramhave subscribed to the Mark Benevolent Fund .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Northumberland And Durham.

The Prov . Grand Treasurer having been re-elected , the R . W . Prov . Grand Master appointed and invested his officers as follows : — Bro . Adam Robertson , P . M . 135 , P . P . G . S . D . ... Prov . G . S . W . „ David Sinclair , P . M . 293 , P . P . G . Sec . ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Robert Hudson . VV . M . 124 , P . P . G . S . B . ... Prov . G . M . O . „ 7 ohn Carr , P . M . 192 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . O .

„ John Strachan , W . M . 346 ... ... Prov . G . J . O . „ Rev . John Reid , M . A ., 293 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ W . E . Franklin , P . M ., T . I . ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Charles Percy , P . M . 135 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . M . „ J . Straker Wilson , J . W . 346 ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ Samuel Wilson , W . M . 250 ... ... Prov . G . S . D .

„ T . J . Johnson , W . M . 39 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D . „ James Fersruson , W . M . 135 ... ... Prov . G . I . of W . „ A . S . Fowler , P . M . 122 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ J . G . Smith , W . M . 293 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ R . Craik , W . M . 192 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ Green , 192 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ H . P . Olsen , 39 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ Wm . Atkinson , 39 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

On the motion of Bro . ADAM ROBERTSON , Prov . G . S . W ., seconded by Bro . R . B . REID , G . Std . Br ., P . P . G . S . W ., the name of the Rev . Henry Baker Tristram , D . D ., F . R . S ., Canon residentiary of Durhanj , the R . W . Prov . G . M . M ., was submitted to the M . W . G . M . M . for reappointment as Prov . Grand Master .

After the appointment of Committees and Auditors , Provincial Grand Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the White Swan , when a banquet was held , presided over by the R . W . Prov . G . M ., supported by his officers , and a large numberof the brethren pleasantly winding up a most enjoyable day and a highly satisfactory meeting .

Soiree And Presentation At The Liverpool Masonic Hall.

SOIREE AND PRESENTATION AT THE LIVERPOOL MASONIC HALL .

In continuation of the exceedingly interesting Masonic proceedings of the earlier part of Wednesday , the 30 th ult ., a grand reunion , dramatic , literary , scientific , and musical soiree , conversazione , and ball , took place at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , in the evening , in aid of the West Lancashire Hamer Benevolent Fund . Like the other Charitable Institutions of

the province which have been fostered by the brethren of the various lodges , the " Hamer " has done much good work on the lines for which it was instituted—the help of distressed Freemasons in West Lancashire—and those interested in its welfare must be glad to learn that success continues to attend the efforts of those who have so self-sacrificingly devoted themselves

to the charitable development of the scheme . The capital of the fund is now upwards of £ 2000 , of which £ 284 was received during the past year , showing a substantial increase in the liberality of the brethren . There were three annuitants on the Institution , but one has recently died , leaving two participants in the benefits of the Charity . An increase in this number is ,

however , expected at an early date , in consequence of the very severe com . vnercial depression which now exists , and these claims the Committee are doing their best to meet in the most prompt and liberal manner . The social gathering at the Masonic Hall on Wednesday evening , the 30 th ult ., was intended to give additional help in the direction of increased invested capital

and it was satisfactory to find it so successful in every sense . The presentation of a loving cup to the Earl and Countess of Lathom in celebration of their silver wedding , subscribed for by the brethren of the province , gave in . creased interest to the reunion , and all ths arrangements were admirably carried out by strongly-constituted Committees , who have had the work in

hand for a considerable period . Prominent amongst the workers must be named Bro . H . H . Smith , P . G . A . D . C , who has thrown an amount of energy into the matter which reflects the greatest credit upon him as a warm supporter of this and other Charities . The transformation made in the general appearance of the hall was exceedingly striking and artistic , and the various

items in a long and varied programme gave universal satisfaction . A collection of works of art , literary and scientific exhibits , & c , came first in the list of attractions , and this choice collection attracted much attention , and secured careful inspection throughout the evening . The contributors in this department included Messrs . Elkington and Co . ( per Bro . R . A . Davies . P . M . 1380 ); Mr . Kidson ; Bro . J . Duncan , P . P . G . D . C ; Bro . R . Washington '

P . P . G . S . D . ; Bro . S . Mattison , Davenport ( Limited ) , per Bro . Thomas Mawdesley , 1609 ; Bro . John Cobham , P . M . 1380 ; Mr . J . Cobham , jun . ; Mr . J . King ; Bro . Eastham ; Bro . Malcolm Guthrie , J . P . ; Bro . G . G . Walmsley ; Bro . G . Williams , 1609 ; Bro . J . Winsor , P . M . 241 ; Bro .

Evan J . Callow , P . M . 1094 ; Bro . Or . Hill , P . M . 1713 ; Bro . M . J . Walke ( Leicester ); Bro . T . B . Whytehead ( York ); and Bro . VV . Kelly , P . P . G . W . Leicestershire . Bros . E . Carter and A . Bucknall , assisted by " Mr . Conlon and others , added greatly to the attractiveness of the gathering by their exceedingly interesting electrical exhibition . Music also formed a

conspicuous attraction of the evening ' s programme , and the two sections of the concert were rendered in an almost irreproachable manner . The ladies and brethren who kindl y gave their services were Madame Laura Smart , Madame Edith Eborall , Miss Kate Nono , Miss Lacy E . Jones , Miss Emily Borst , Miss Annie Hallwood , Miss M . E . Cottier , Madame Emilie Young , Bros . S . Kirkham , D . J . Davies , D . Williams , E . Edwards , J . T . Jones , G .

Evans , O . J . Rowlands , Eaton Batty , J . A . Muir , and N . F . Burt . Bro . A . E . Workman presided at the harmonium , and Bro . J . Cantor most ably and indefatigably performed the duties of accompanist and musical conductor . The two programmes were largely made up of " gems" from the operas , and in each instance the selection was happily made and most admirably rendered . Bro . C . H . Green gave selections from his hi ghly attractive entertainment "An Evening with a Magician , " Bro . A . Stott' acting as