Provincial Grand Chapter Of Devonshire.

F . B . Westlake , 50 ; John Du Pre , 50 ; R . S . Johns , 59 ; W . Allsford , 2021 ; Harry Skinner , 282 ; W . H . Botterill , 1265 ; Maj . Tracey , 1247 ; G . S . Bridgman , I 3 S 8 ; VA Powell , 1205 ; E . Tout , 70 ; W . E . Warren , 1358 ; Maj . Jos . Matthews , 2 S 2 ; J . H . Warren , 1284 ; Rev . T . C . Lewis , 70 j Rev . W . E . Windle , 710 ; G . Merrifield , 2 S 2 ; R . Pike , 230 ; J . R . Dugdile , and G . Bray , 202 . M . E . Zs . or P . Zs .: Comps . "W . F . Weston , 70 ; J . Simpson , 1284 ; H . B .

Langmaid , 202 ; G . W . Hancock , 202 ; C . Philp , 1247 ; C . Emmett , 1358 ; J . Bassett , 230 ; N . Radmore , 159 ; W . Wingate , 328 ; J . Shapter , 303 ; W . Thomas , 156 ; P . Hannaford , 223 ; G . F . Bromley , 230 ; T . S . Eyre , 1247 ; J . G . Keverne , 1247 ; J . J . Facey , 1205 ; T . Kerslake , 2 S 2 ; W . H . Williams , 159 ; A . Hope , 112 ; H . Jerman , 112 ; H . Mann , 106 ; W . T . Gill , 2 S 2 ; R , R . Rodd , 105 ; A . II . Whidden , 202 ; G . Perkins , 1205 ; W . H . Dillon , 1099 ; and T . 1 . Green , 1205 .

The Installing Officer was Comp . W . Wither Bramston Biach , M P ., Third Grand Principal of England and Grand Superintendent of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , and the ceremony was moat impressively performed . Comp . Sir Stafford Northcote , having been installed as Grand Superintendent , appointed and invested the Officers of Prov . Grand Chipter for

the ensuing year as follows : Comp . G . C . Davie , 251 ... ... ... Prov . G . H . „ J . Lane , 32 S ... ... ... Prov . GJ . „ J . Stocker , 112 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . ,, J . Sampson , 444 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ J . H . Blackell , 1099 ... ... ... Pr < 5 v . G . Treas . f

,, H . Jerman , 112 ... ... ... rov . u . Keg . „ J . Joliffe , 954 ... ... ... Prov . P . G . S .. „ J . Munday , 1125 ... ... ... Prov . ist A . G . S . , „ J . Shapter , 303 ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . ,, Jno . Bray . 202 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

„ C . Philp , 12 47 ... ... ... " * ) 1 , C . A . Nicholson , 159 .. ... ... > Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ W . T . Gill , 2 S 2 ... ... .. J ,, J . R . Lord , 1247 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ C . Emmett , 1 358 ... ... ... " ) 22 iiJ

„ j . Hoyten , 3 ... ... ... > rcov . . a . j .. us . „ W . King , 70 ... ... ... J „ W . Ridge , 1284 . ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ H . Reynolds , 2025 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ H . Shooter , 112 ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . The election of Comp . Blackell as Prov . G . Treasurer was proposed by

Comp . ALLSFORD , and seconded by Comp . H . STOCKER , and agreed to unanimously . Comps . J . R . Lord and J . W . Cornish were appointed Auditors of the Prov . G . Treasurer's accounts . The Prov . G . S . E ., Comp . J . STOCKER , presented his report of the returns of chapters in the province , showing a total number of 888

subscribing members , an increase of 16 over the previous year , and the amount paid in dues and fees ^ 39 . 2 s ., an excess of £ 1 4 s . 61 . over the previous year . The names of 63 companions were removed from the register during the year by death , resignation , or exclusion , and 73 new members were admitted by exaltation and six by joining . The number of Past First Principals returned was 301 .

The sum of £ 5 5 s . was voted to the Widows' Fund of tha Province , on the motion of Comp . ALLSFORD , and . £ 30 to the Boys' Institution ( to be placed on the list of the Prov . G . H ., who is going up as a Steward ) , on thc proposition of Comp . WESTLAKE . At the conclusion of the business , tbe G . SUPERINTENDENT proposed a cordial vote of thanks to Comp . Beach for his kindness in coming down and

acting as Installing Officer . Comp . DAVIE , seconding the motion , observed that everybody who had much to do with Masonry knew how invaluable had been the services ol Comp . Beach to Freemasonry in England . If he was not the " Father of the House of Commons , " he was certainly the " Father of Freemasonry " at the present time . > ( Applause . )

Comp . BEACH returned thanks . He stated that 20 years ago he came into Devonshire to install Lord Ebrington as Prov . Grand Master . He had now discharged a similar most pleasant office in Masonry , for he was fully convinced his friend , Sir Stafford Northcote , would preside over that Prov . Grand Chapter with the same ability that he had displayed in the other Degrees of Freemasonry . ( Applause . ) He ( Comp . Beach ) was fully rewarded for his trouble by the excellent attendance and the great interest shown in the province in the event . ( Applause . )

The PROV . G . S . E . said they had now parted company with Comp . W . G . Rogers , who for the long period of 22 years had been the Second Principal of the province , and for many years was Prov . G . S . E . Hc was a perfect worker in the Degree in his younger days , and it must be matier of regret that he had been obliged to sever his connection with them . He ( Comp . J . Stocker ) wished to move a resolution expressing their appreciation of Comp . Rogers' services , and that it be recorded on the minutes . This was seconded by Comp . LORD .

The G . SUPERINTENDENT having cordially endorsed the motion , it was unanimously agreed to . The Prov . Grand Chapter was then closed . Many of the companions afterwards dined together at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel . The Grand Superintendent , Sir Stafford Northcote , M . P .,

presided , and gave the loyal toasts . Comp . WESTLAKE responded for "The Officers of Grand Chapter . " He said he ft lc that Devonshire was honoured by his being made an officer of Grand Chapier immediately following a similar office conferred upon Comp . John Stocker , and as representing Devonshire he felt very proud of the honour .

Comp . DAVIE said the very pleasing task fell upon him of proposing the toast of the evening— " The Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote , Bart ., C . B ., M . P ., Grand Superintendent of Devon . " ( Applause . ) Two years ago Sir Stafford Northcote was installed Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire Freemasons , and they felt it would be beneficial that he should also rule in this supreme Degree , so closely were they allied together . They were clannish in Devonshire , and were , therefore , all the more glad to be ruled b

over y oneof the good old Devonshire stock . ( Applause . ) They were delighted to welcome him as their Grand Superintendent , for they knew in Sir Stafford they had one who would take an interest in all they did , and place Masonry only second to his more public duties . ( Applause . ) Comp . Sir STAFFORD NORTHCOTE , in reply , said hc would endeavour to merit in some way the eulogies of Comp . Davie . If he failed it would be

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Devonshire.

entirely his own fault , for he had had sufficient experience of Devonshire Freemasonry to know that he could count most confidently on the cordial and lojal support of his brother Freemasons . It was a source of pride to him that he had been called upon to preside over the destinies of Freemasonry in that province , and no one more sincerely and earnestly desired the prosperity-of the Order than he did . ( Applause . ) He concluded by

proposing " The Health of the Installing Officer , Comp . Beach . " ( Applause . ) They had seen the ability with which he discharged his duties , and they knew the estimation in which he was held in Misonic circles throughout the country . Personally he had known their distinguished guest for the last r 3 or 20 years in a more stormy atmosphere . Comp . Beach was " the father" of that insignificant body , the House of Commons —( laughter

and applause )—and one of its most popular and justly respected members —respected by men of every shade of political opinion . ( Applause . ) Comp . BEACH , in reply , said he had come among them with the greatest feelings of pleasure , and was very grateful for the way in which they hid received him . He could not claim to bs , like their Grand Superintendent , a Devonshire man , but he did the next best thing—he came to Devonshire

and got a wife . ( Laughler and applause . ) Therefore , he could not say h 3 was totally unconnected with the province . Since he was appointed to the high position of Third Grand Principal he had felt it his duty to perform many offices with regard to Royal Arch Masonry . He had bsen to the extremity of Wales and into far Northumberland to install Grand Superintendents , and it was pleasant to see Freemasonry carried out in different

provinces and in different manners , but always with the same good feeling prevailing . It had been a great pleasure to him during a long Masonic life to do what he could for the benefit of the Order . He had hardly joined the Order before he became a Steward of the Boys' School , and was thus brought into contact with the great benefit Freemasonry was conferring , and he was glad that in the Royal Arch Freemasons they could find further scope for their energies .

Comp . SACH proposed " The Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past . " Comps . HOYTEN and J . W . CORNISH responded . Comp . CORNISH expressed a hope that more Masons would proceed to this sublime Degree , and suggested that the meetings of the chapters should

be put upon the Craft circulars . ( Applause . ) Comp . J . KINTON BOND gave the toast of " The Most Excellent the Earl of Mount Edgecurnbe " Grand Superintendent , and ths Prov Grand Chapter of Cornwall , " and Comp . Major Rendle was called upon to acknowledge the toast . Comp . FORTESCUE proposed " The Visitors , " which toast was heartily received .

Comp . J MASON , P . G . Std . Br ., responded , and said he visited the province a quarter of a century ago , and he should be always glad to come among them to plead the cause of the Old People ' s Institution . ( Applause . ) Some excellent songs were sung by Comps . J . Richards and Major Rendle . Comp . Wingate gave a beautiful violin solo , and Comp . Beach , M . P ., a recitation .

Consecration Of The King's Court Lodge, No. 2689.

CONSECRATION OF THE KING'S COURT LODGE , No . 2689 .

On the 2 nd inst ., the consecration of the abave lodge look place at Gillingham , in the presence of a numerous gathering of provincial brethren from the immediate neighbourhood . The idea of promoting a local lodge was mooted some little time ago by several prominent local brethren , who felt that it was very desirable and distinctly more convenient to have a lodge of their own , than to have to travel some miles to attend a neighbouring lodge ,

The next step was to secure a site for a lodge room , and in doing so no little difficulty was experienced . Eventually the old malthouse , which formed part of the Pine * iix Hotel premises , was offered by Mr . G . B . Matthews , and readily accepted by the Committee as being admirably situated for the purpose The designs for the lodge room and appurtenances were drawn up by Bro . Miles , Hants , and the work has been carried out by Messrs . J . New and W . H . Hodder , of Shaftesbury , to ths entire satisfaction of ths founders

and architect . 1 he furniture is of a very handsome character , being of carved oak , in the Jacobean style . A beautiful banner was presented by the Friendship and Sincerity Lodge , Shaftesbury , to their Gillingham brethren . It is thoroughly illustrative of the newly-consecrated King ' s Court Lodge . There are four coats-of-arms painted on it , representing four kings who occupied the King ' s Court Palace , and surmounting them is King John ' s crown , the banner being otherwise adorned with Masonic emblems , and the motto— " Usque slat Fortttna Doiniis . "

Owing to the large number of brethren attending the ceremony , it was found necessory to requisition the Drill Hall , which was specially fitted up for the occasion .

To mark the inauguration of the lodge , the bells of the parish church rang peals throughout lhe day . The consecration took place at one o ' clock , the Prov . G . M ., Bro . Montagu J . Guest , performing the ceremony . Immediately alter , the W . M . designate , Bro . P . J . Gavin , P . M ., P . J . G . D ., was duly installed in the chair by Bro . Harry Strange , assisted by Bro . Miles .

Thc music at the consecration and installation ceremonies was rendered by the well-known Westminster Ouartette . The lodge starts with 16 founcTers , and it is expected that ' t will number 30 members within three months . The following were the officers elected : Bros . P . J . Gavin , P . J . G . D .,

W . M . ; A . T . Manger , S . W . ; J . McElpatrick , J . W . ; Rev . E . Borradaile , Chap . ; E . R . Down , Treas . ; Harry Strange , P . P . G . b . B ., Sec ; J . H . Wadman , S . D . ; G . J . Stickland , J D . ; J . W . Gray , D . C . , * J . Ley , P . P . J . G . D ., Org . ; G . H . Auston , I . G . ; J . H . Ayles , H . J . Phillips , and H . Raines , Stwds . ; and J . Stickland , Tyler .

At four o ' clock the members and brethren formed a procession to the church , each wearing his regalia and orders , the procession being headed by two Tylers wilh drawn swords of office . The service was of a special character , the Rev . Bro . Rowland Hill , Prov . G . Chap ., Vicar of Lyme Regis , preaching the sermon . The Westminster Singers assisted the full choir , and in addition gave a fine rendering of the anthem , " B ; hold how good and joyful a thing it is , brethren , to dwell together in unity , " Psalm exxxiii . A collection was taken in aid of the Masonic Charities . The furniture and banner were manufactured b y Bros . George Ksnning and Son .