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Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BERKS AND BUCKS. ← Page 2 of 2 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BERKS AND BUCKS. Page 2 of 2 Article FREEMASONRY IN HAMPSHIRE. Page 1 of 2 →
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Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.
year at Aylesbury , where he hoped there would be a good assemblage of the brethren . They would be glad to visit more distant towns in the province ; but for the fact of the access to them being somewhat difficult , and occupying some considerable time , circumstances which were likely to operate atrain-t a sufficiently large attendance of the brethren . ( Hear , hear . )
Bro . Chas . Stephens was then re-elected Prov . Grand Treasurer , on the motion of the P . G . MASTER , seconded by the D . P . G . MASTER . Sir Daniel expressed the warm thanks ol the brethren to Bro . Stephens for the admirable manner in which he had kept the accounts of the Provincial Grand Lodge . ( Applause . )
Bro . STEPHENS acknowledged the compliment , and observed that it would afford him much pleasure to do his best to perform the duties of the office to their satisfaction . ( Applause . ) The P . G . Master then invested the following brethren with the Provincial Charity jewel : Bros . M . J . Withers , W . M . 414 ; S . Wheeler , jun ., P . M . 414 ; Rev . F . W . Harnett , 840 ; H . S . Harrington , J . W . 574 ; G . Saxbv , W . M . 945 ; J . E . Danks , P . M . 1101 : W . W . Ridley , P . M . noi ; H . Arrowsmith , S . W . 1566 ; Henry King , W . M . 1639 ; and VV . Atkins , P . M .
1770 . The P . G . Master then appointed and invested the Prov . Grand Officers for the coming year as follows : — Bro . G . W . Dixon , 209 and 591 .,, ... Prov . G . S . W . „ VV . G . Flan * gan , 1101 and 2043 ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . J . Atkins , 574 .,. ... ... Prov . G . Chap .
„ Rev . H .. F . Oliver , 1894 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ C . Stephens , 414 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ W . H . Belcher , 574 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ R . Bradley , 414 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ L . Cooper , 1410 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ M . J . Withers , 414 ... ,.. ... Prov . G . J . D .
„ J . W . Thorpe , 17 S 7 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ C . Luker , 1770 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ G . Stratton , 591 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C . „ F . Manley , 771 ,,. .,, ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ S . Johnson , 948 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ S . Dyer , 1887 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br .
„ J . R . Hayward , 414 ... ... ,,. Prov . G . Org . „ J . H . Hawkes , 1 toi ... ... .,, Prov . G . A . Sec . „ W . E . Beal , 1566 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ C . J . Hawkes , 414 ... ... ... " l „ T . K . R . Fowler , 414 ... ... ... |
„ D . Webb , 1894 ... ... ,.. ! „ j , , „ A . W . Parry , 414 ... \ Pt 0 V' G * Stwds * „ L . N . Simons , 591 „ A . Mayne , 591 ... ... ... J „ W . Hemmings , 414 ,,. .,, ... Prov . G . Tyler .
The newly-appointed Prov . Grand Officers having taken their places amidst the applause of the brethren , Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in due form . During the proceedings Bro . Tirbutt , Past Prov . G . Organist , efficiently presided at the organ . The banquet took place in the Old Town Hall , the caterer being Bro . Flanagan , ol the Great Western Hotel , whose arrangements were most satisfactory . The Prov . Grand Master presided , and the Provincial Grand Senior ano Junior Wardens respectively occupied the vice-chairs .
On the introduction ol dessert the toasts of " The Oueen and the Craft , " and "The M . W . the Grand Master of England , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " were proposed and honoured . In giving the toast of " The M . W . the Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon ; the R . W . the D . G . M ., the Earl of Lathom ; and the Grand Officers of England , Present and Past , " Sir DANIEL said he was sure that all ihe brethren present would lully sympathise with the Pro Grand Master ,
who started that day for Ireland to enter upon his duties as Lord Lieutenant . ( Hear , hear . ; Lord Carnarvon might almost be described as a native of Reading , so closely was he associated with the surrounding district , and he was sure that every Mason present heartily wished the noble Earl health and success in the arduous task he had undertaken . ( Hear , and applause . ) The Earl of Lathom had also been exalted to a high post , and they all wished him health and happiness .
The PROV . GRAND TREASURER proposed "The Health of the Provincial Grand Master , " remarking that Sir Daniel Gooch had presided over the province for many years , and conducted the business of it in a manner that had given the greatest gratification and satisfaction to all of them . ( Hear , hear . )
The PROV . GRAND MASTER , in acknowledging the compliment , observed that since he had had the honour of presiding over this province Masonry had considerably increased in the two counties , and during the latter part of last year they had the pleasure of consecrating a new lodge in that town . He was not at all anxious to see Masonry spread too rapidly , and it was not desirable that they should seek to swell their numbers unless
they could bring the right sort of men into their lodges . ( Hear , hear . ) He had always held that to be an important point , and was glad to say that it had been well observed in that province , and he hoped further that it would continue to be the standard that would guide them . ( Hear , and applause . ) In conclusion , Sir Daniel said that he hoped they would all be
spared to meet in Provincial Grand Lodge for many years to come . ( Applause . ) The PROV . GRAND MASTER then proposed "The Health of the V . W . the D . P . G . M . ; the Past D . P . G . Masters ; and the Past Grand Officers of the Province , " associating with the toast the nameof Bro . FOUNTAINE , who responded .
The P . G . MASTER next proposed the toast of" The Masonic Charities , " to which Bro . F . BINCKES , Secretary to the Masonic Boys' School , eloquentl y replied , and appealed to the brethren to contribute liberally to the hind required for furnishing the new School buildings , which had been erected through the munificence of the Craft . "The Health of the Senior and Junior . Grand Wardens" was then i ]'** and Bros . DIXON and FLANAGAN severally returned thanks .
1 he P . G . MASTER proposed " The Health ot thc Worshipful Masters ?" Officers of the Reading Lodges , " for whom Bro . M . J . WITHERS , W . M . of the Union Lodge , responded . ., * L ' P * G- MASTER then dwelt upon the valuable services rendered by
R K ° ' Treasurer , Bro . Stephens , and the Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . j '" Bradley , and proposed their health , which was drunk with much cordiality , and Bros . STEPHENS and BRADLEY suitably returned thanks . to the toast of " The Provinrial Grand Stewards " Bro . Do RAN WEBB responded .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.
The Tyler ' s toast was then given , and the company separated . A choice selection of music was rendered during the afternoon hy Bros . H . O Crane , A . Rowley . A . G . Bailey , and R . Grice ( from Oxford ) , under the direction ol the Provincial Grand Organisi , Bro . H . L . C . Harris .
Freemasonry In Hampshire.
FREEMASONRY IN HAMPSHIRE .
Perhaps in no province in the country , taking the population into consideration , has Freemasonry made more rapid strides of late years than in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight . This is owing in no small measure to the zeal and ability wilh which the experienced Mason who is at the head of the province has discharged his duties , and to the loyal support which he has received from his Deputies and from successive provincial officers .
In 110 part of the province has the ancient Craft progressed so much as in Portsmouth , the largest town in the province , and where , a few years since , Bro . H . R . H . the Dukeof Connaught took part in the consecration of the Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar Lodge , of which Bros , their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales , Grand Master , who has also visited that lod g ^ , and the Dukeof Connaught are honorary members , and of which that gallant
naval officer , Bro . Captain Lord Charles Beresford , was it first VV . M . The first records of the Province of Hampshire go back to 1770 , when Bro . Thomas Dunckerley was Provincial Grand Master . No record of that brother ' s appointment to rule over the province exists in the archives of the Grand Lodge ; his name is the only one attached to the warrant of the Hengist Lodge , No . 195 , Bournemouth , which dates November 23 rd , 1770 .
In 1776 Bro . Lord Charles Montague was Provincial Grand Master , and was followed by Bro . Captain Henry Pascal , in 1784 . Two years alter Bro . Thomas Dunckerley was re-appointed Prov . Grand Master , and continued in that office for ten years ( 1796 ) . when Bro . Colonel Sherborne Stewart succeeded him . In 1820 Bro . Sir W . C . De Crespigny . Bart ., M . P ., occupied the chair , and twelve years afterwards ( 1832 ) Bro . John S .
Penleaze , M . P ., became Provincial " Grand Master . In 1840 , Bro . Sir Lucius Curtis , Bart ., Admiral of the Fleet , was installed into the chair , and occupied the position until his death in 186 9 , when Bro . W . VV . B . Beach , M . P ., who in 1838 filled the office of Provincial Grand Senior Warden , was made and is still Provincial Grand Master . It was not until 1813 that the Isle of Wight was for the first time formed into a province under patent
of H . R . H . George , Prince of Wales . Sir L . T . Worsley Holmes , Bart ., was then appointed Provincial Grand Master . In 1827 Bro . Lord Yarborough followed , and in 1 S 47 Bro . John Simeon succeeded , and was followed by Bro . T . W . Fleming , in 1852 . In 1868 the Isle of Wight was re-united to Hampshire , and has remained so since . Bro . J . Grierson , in 1793 , was appointed Deputy Provincial Grand Master . In 1832 , Bro . Sir
J . P . Milbanke , Bart ., succeeded , and was followed five years afterwards by Bro . Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis , Bart ., who in 1834 was Provincial Grand Senior Warden , and in 1840 was made Provincial Grand Master . In 1 843 ihe Deputy Grand Mastership was held by Bro . C . E . Deacon , of the Royal Gloucester Lodge , No . 130 , and in 1 S 70 by Bro . J . R . Stebbing , of the same lodge , who was Prov . Grand Senior Warden in 1 S 49 , ar | d
filled the office oi Provincial Grand Secretary ol Hampshire lrom 1842 to 1850 . in 1 S 75 Bro . Hickman was made Deputy Provincial Grand Master , previous to this he occupied the Senior Warden ' s chair in the province in 1869 , hnving for nine previous and for three succeeding years officiated as Prov . Grand Secretary . On the decease ol Bro . Hickman , the latter part
01 last year , Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre was appointed to the office . Bro . Le Feuvre was Prov . Senior Grand Warden in 18 S 1 , and for twelve years was a most efficient and hardworking Provincial Grand Secretary . All ol the last lour named brethren hail from the same lodge , the Royal Gloucester , No . 130 .
There are no less than 43 lodges , including the Social FYiendship , No . 497 , a military lodge , belonging to the Royal Irish Fusiliers ( 89 th Regi « ment ) , now stationed at Portsmouth , in the Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight , under the ruling ol vhe Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Bro . W . VV . Bramston Beach , M . P . Portsmouth can boast of 12 lodges ; Southampton , five ; Aldershot , three ; Gosport . Winchester ,
Havant , and Ryde two each ; Alton , Andover , Basingstoke , Bournemouth , Fareham , Lymington , Petersfield , Ringwood , Shirley , Woolston , C > -wes , Newport , Sandown , Shanklin , and Ventnor one lodge each . Thus Hamp . shire alone has 36 lodges , and the Isle of Wight seven . The oldest lodge in the province is the Medina , No . 35 , at Cowes , Isle of Wight , the date of warrant being February 17 th , 1732 . The youngest lodge is the St . Clair ,
No . 2074 , Portsmouth ; date of warrant , Novemher nth , 1884 . In the Provincial Grand Chapter , M . E . Comp . Sir Lucius Curtis , Bart ., was Grand Superintendent in 1846 , and was followed by the present Most Excellent Superintendent , Comp . VV . VV . B . Beach , MP . During that time there have been eight Second Principals , namely — 1846 , Comp . H . Clark ; 1 S 47 , Comp . W . Minchin ; 18 . 50 , Comp . Major F . C . Robb ; 1857 , Comp . 1 . N . Firman ; 1865 , Comp . C . E .
Deacon ; 1872 , Comp . J . R . Stebbing ( who was also Scribe E . from 1846 until 1865 ); 1876 , Comp . W . Hickman ( who was Third Principal in 1865 , and Scribe E . lrom 1 S 66 , until he was promoted in 1 : 865 ); 1 S 85 , Comp . J . E . Le Feuvre , who in 1870 was appointed Sword Bearer , and in 1876 was made Scribe E ., which office he held until this year . There are 20 chapters —18 in Hampshire and two in the Isle of Wight . Portsmouth again heads
the list with five chapters , Southampton follows with four , Aldershot two , Basingstoke , Fareham , Gosport , Havant , Lymington , Winch- ster , Woolston , Newport , and Ryde one each . The oldeii chaner belongs to the Royal Gloucester , Southampton , and dates October , 291 b , 1818 ; the records ot this chapter are , however , continuous lrom its constitution in October , 1784 . A centenary warrant will shortl y be granted to its members . Connected with the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons ,
with Most VVorshiplul Bro . the Rev . Canon Portal , Past G . M . M . England , as Provincial Grand Mark Master , and Bro . R . Loveland Loveland as Deputy Prov . G . M . M ., Hampshire has nine lodges , and the Isle of Wight two . Portsmouth leads with two lodges , and then Winchester , Havant , Aldershot , Southampton , Bournemouth , Basingstoke , Gosport , Cowes , and Sandown have one each . The oldest Mark lodge is the Phosnix , No . 2 , which dates back from July 7 th , 1856 . There is alsoa so-called Time Immemorial Mark lodge , the Albany , at Newport , Isle of Wight .
In this province several other Degrees are worked . Theie is the Atk Mariners , who meet at Havant , No . 62 ; Southampton , No . 63 ; and Gos poit , No . 305 . The Rose Croix have four chapters , dating from July 13 th , 1858 . Roya I Naval Chapter , No . 9 , Portsmouth , while another is held at Bournemouth I one at Southampton , and one at Ryde , Isle of Wight .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.
year at Aylesbury , where he hoped there would be a good assemblage of the brethren . They would be glad to visit more distant towns in the province ; but for the fact of the access to them being somewhat difficult , and occupying some considerable time , circumstances which were likely to operate atrain-t a sufficiently large attendance of the brethren . ( Hear , hear . )
Bro . Chas . Stephens was then re-elected Prov . Grand Treasurer , on the motion of the P . G . MASTER , seconded by the D . P . G . MASTER . Sir Daniel expressed the warm thanks ol the brethren to Bro . Stephens for the admirable manner in which he had kept the accounts of the Provincial Grand Lodge . ( Applause . )
Bro . STEPHENS acknowledged the compliment , and observed that it would afford him much pleasure to do his best to perform the duties of the office to their satisfaction . ( Applause . ) The P . G . Master then invested the following brethren with the Provincial Charity jewel : Bros . M . J . Withers , W . M . 414 ; S . Wheeler , jun ., P . M . 414 ; Rev . F . W . Harnett , 840 ; H . S . Harrington , J . W . 574 ; G . Saxbv , W . M . 945 ; J . E . Danks , P . M . 1101 : W . W . Ridley , P . M . noi ; H . Arrowsmith , S . W . 1566 ; Henry King , W . M . 1639 ; and VV . Atkins , P . M .
1770 . The P . G . Master then appointed and invested the Prov . Grand Officers for the coming year as follows : — Bro . G . W . Dixon , 209 and 591 .,, ... Prov . G . S . W . „ VV . G . Flan * gan , 1101 and 2043 ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . J . Atkins , 574 .,. ... ... Prov . G . Chap .
„ Rev . H .. F . Oliver , 1894 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ C . Stephens , 414 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ W . H . Belcher , 574 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ R . Bradley , 414 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ L . Cooper , 1410 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ M . J . Withers , 414 ... ,.. ... Prov . G . J . D .
„ J . W . Thorpe , 17 S 7 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ C . Luker , 1770 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ G . Stratton , 591 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C . „ F . Manley , 771 ,,. .,, ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ S . Johnson , 948 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ S . Dyer , 1887 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br .
„ J . R . Hayward , 414 ... ... ,,. Prov . G . Org . „ J . H . Hawkes , 1 toi ... ... .,, Prov . G . A . Sec . „ W . E . Beal , 1566 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ C . J . Hawkes , 414 ... ... ... " l „ T . K . R . Fowler , 414 ... ... ... |
„ D . Webb , 1894 ... ... ,.. ! „ j , , „ A . W . Parry , 414 ... \ Pt 0 V' G * Stwds * „ L . N . Simons , 591 „ A . Mayne , 591 ... ... ... J „ W . Hemmings , 414 ,,. .,, ... Prov . G . Tyler .
The newly-appointed Prov . Grand Officers having taken their places amidst the applause of the brethren , Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in due form . During the proceedings Bro . Tirbutt , Past Prov . G . Organist , efficiently presided at the organ . The banquet took place in the Old Town Hall , the caterer being Bro . Flanagan , ol the Great Western Hotel , whose arrangements were most satisfactory . The Prov . Grand Master presided , and the Provincial Grand Senior ano Junior Wardens respectively occupied the vice-chairs .
On the introduction ol dessert the toasts of " The Oueen and the Craft , " and "The M . W . the Grand Master of England , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " were proposed and honoured . In giving the toast of " The M . W . the Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon ; the R . W . the D . G . M ., the Earl of Lathom ; and the Grand Officers of England , Present and Past , " Sir DANIEL said he was sure that all ihe brethren present would lully sympathise with the Pro Grand Master ,
who started that day for Ireland to enter upon his duties as Lord Lieutenant . ( Hear , hear . ; Lord Carnarvon might almost be described as a native of Reading , so closely was he associated with the surrounding district , and he was sure that every Mason present heartily wished the noble Earl health and success in the arduous task he had undertaken . ( Hear , and applause . ) The Earl of Lathom had also been exalted to a high post , and they all wished him health and happiness .
The PROV . GRAND TREASURER proposed "The Health of the Provincial Grand Master , " remarking that Sir Daniel Gooch had presided over the province for many years , and conducted the business of it in a manner that had given the greatest gratification and satisfaction to all of them . ( Hear , hear . )
The PROV . GRAND MASTER , in acknowledging the compliment , observed that since he had had the honour of presiding over this province Masonry had considerably increased in the two counties , and during the latter part of last year they had the pleasure of consecrating a new lodge in that town . He was not at all anxious to see Masonry spread too rapidly , and it was not desirable that they should seek to swell their numbers unless
they could bring the right sort of men into their lodges . ( Hear , hear . ) He had always held that to be an important point , and was glad to say that it had been well observed in that province , and he hoped further that it would continue to be the standard that would guide them . ( Hear , and applause . ) In conclusion , Sir Daniel said that he hoped they would all be
spared to meet in Provincial Grand Lodge for many years to come . ( Applause . ) The PROV . GRAND MASTER then proposed "The Health of the V . W . the D . P . G . M . ; the Past D . P . G . Masters ; and the Past Grand Officers of the Province , " associating with the toast the nameof Bro . FOUNTAINE , who responded .
The P . G . MASTER next proposed the toast of" The Masonic Charities , " to which Bro . F . BINCKES , Secretary to the Masonic Boys' School , eloquentl y replied , and appealed to the brethren to contribute liberally to the hind required for furnishing the new School buildings , which had been erected through the munificence of the Craft . "The Health of the Senior and Junior . Grand Wardens" was then i ]'** and Bros . DIXON and FLANAGAN severally returned thanks .
1 he P . G . MASTER proposed " The Health ot thc Worshipful Masters ?" Officers of the Reading Lodges , " for whom Bro . M . J . WITHERS , W . M . of the Union Lodge , responded . ., * L ' P * G- MASTER then dwelt upon the valuable services rendered by
R K ° ' Treasurer , Bro . Stephens , and the Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . j '" Bradley , and proposed their health , which was drunk with much cordiality , and Bros . STEPHENS and BRADLEY suitably returned thanks . to the toast of " The Provinrial Grand Stewards " Bro . Do RAN WEBB responded .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.
The Tyler ' s toast was then given , and the company separated . A choice selection of music was rendered during the afternoon hy Bros . H . O Crane , A . Rowley . A . G . Bailey , and R . Grice ( from Oxford ) , under the direction ol the Provincial Grand Organisi , Bro . H . L . C . Harris .
Freemasonry In Hampshire.
FREEMASONRY IN HAMPSHIRE .
Perhaps in no province in the country , taking the population into consideration , has Freemasonry made more rapid strides of late years than in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight . This is owing in no small measure to the zeal and ability wilh which the experienced Mason who is at the head of the province has discharged his duties , and to the loyal support which he has received from his Deputies and from successive provincial officers .
In 110 part of the province has the ancient Craft progressed so much as in Portsmouth , the largest town in the province , and where , a few years since , Bro . H . R . H . the Dukeof Connaught took part in the consecration of the Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar Lodge , of which Bros , their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales , Grand Master , who has also visited that lod g ^ , and the Dukeof Connaught are honorary members , and of which that gallant
naval officer , Bro . Captain Lord Charles Beresford , was it first VV . M . The first records of the Province of Hampshire go back to 1770 , when Bro . Thomas Dunckerley was Provincial Grand Master . No record of that brother ' s appointment to rule over the province exists in the archives of the Grand Lodge ; his name is the only one attached to the warrant of the Hengist Lodge , No . 195 , Bournemouth , which dates November 23 rd , 1770 .
In 1776 Bro . Lord Charles Montague was Provincial Grand Master , and was followed by Bro . Captain Henry Pascal , in 1784 . Two years alter Bro . Thomas Dunckerley was re-appointed Prov . Grand Master , and continued in that office for ten years ( 1796 ) . when Bro . Colonel Sherborne Stewart succeeded him . In 1820 Bro . Sir W . C . De Crespigny . Bart ., M . P ., occupied the chair , and twelve years afterwards ( 1832 ) Bro . John S .
Penleaze , M . P ., became Provincial " Grand Master . In 1840 , Bro . Sir Lucius Curtis , Bart ., Admiral of the Fleet , was installed into the chair , and occupied the position until his death in 186 9 , when Bro . W . VV . B . Beach , M . P ., who in 1838 filled the office of Provincial Grand Senior Warden , was made and is still Provincial Grand Master . It was not until 1813 that the Isle of Wight was for the first time formed into a province under patent
of H . R . H . George , Prince of Wales . Sir L . T . Worsley Holmes , Bart ., was then appointed Provincial Grand Master . In 1827 Bro . Lord Yarborough followed , and in 1 S 47 Bro . John Simeon succeeded , and was followed by Bro . T . W . Fleming , in 1852 . In 1868 the Isle of Wight was re-united to Hampshire , and has remained so since . Bro . J . Grierson , in 1793 , was appointed Deputy Provincial Grand Master . In 1832 , Bro . Sir
J . P . Milbanke , Bart ., succeeded , and was followed five years afterwards by Bro . Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis , Bart ., who in 1834 was Provincial Grand Senior Warden , and in 1840 was made Provincial Grand Master . In 1 843 ihe Deputy Grand Mastership was held by Bro . C . E . Deacon , of the Royal Gloucester Lodge , No . 130 , and in 1 S 70 by Bro . J . R . Stebbing , of the same lodge , who was Prov . Grand Senior Warden in 1 S 49 , ar | d
filled the office oi Provincial Grand Secretary ol Hampshire lrom 1842 to 1850 . in 1 S 75 Bro . Hickman was made Deputy Provincial Grand Master , previous to this he occupied the Senior Warden ' s chair in the province in 1869 , hnving for nine previous and for three succeeding years officiated as Prov . Grand Secretary . On the decease ol Bro . Hickman , the latter part
01 last year , Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre was appointed to the office . Bro . Le Feuvre was Prov . Senior Grand Warden in 18 S 1 , and for twelve years was a most efficient and hardworking Provincial Grand Secretary . All ol the last lour named brethren hail from the same lodge , the Royal Gloucester , No . 130 .
There are no less than 43 lodges , including the Social FYiendship , No . 497 , a military lodge , belonging to the Royal Irish Fusiliers ( 89 th Regi « ment ) , now stationed at Portsmouth , in the Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight , under the ruling ol vhe Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Bro . W . VV . Bramston Beach , M . P . Portsmouth can boast of 12 lodges ; Southampton , five ; Aldershot , three ; Gosport . Winchester ,
Havant , and Ryde two each ; Alton , Andover , Basingstoke , Bournemouth , Fareham , Lymington , Petersfield , Ringwood , Shirley , Woolston , C > -wes , Newport , Sandown , Shanklin , and Ventnor one lodge each . Thus Hamp . shire alone has 36 lodges , and the Isle of Wight seven . The oldest lodge in the province is the Medina , No . 35 , at Cowes , Isle of Wight , the date of warrant being February 17 th , 1732 . The youngest lodge is the St . Clair ,
No . 2074 , Portsmouth ; date of warrant , Novemher nth , 1884 . In the Provincial Grand Chapter , M . E . Comp . Sir Lucius Curtis , Bart ., was Grand Superintendent in 1846 , and was followed by the present Most Excellent Superintendent , Comp . VV . VV . B . Beach , MP . During that time there have been eight Second Principals , namely — 1846 , Comp . H . Clark ; 1 S 47 , Comp . W . Minchin ; 18 . 50 , Comp . Major F . C . Robb ; 1857 , Comp . 1 . N . Firman ; 1865 , Comp . C . E .
Deacon ; 1872 , Comp . J . R . Stebbing ( who was also Scribe E . from 1846 until 1865 ); 1876 , Comp . W . Hickman ( who was Third Principal in 1865 , and Scribe E . lrom 1 S 66 , until he was promoted in 1 : 865 ); 1 S 85 , Comp . J . E . Le Feuvre , who in 1870 was appointed Sword Bearer , and in 1876 was made Scribe E ., which office he held until this year . There are 20 chapters —18 in Hampshire and two in the Isle of Wight . Portsmouth again heads
the list with five chapters , Southampton follows with four , Aldershot two , Basingstoke , Fareham , Gosport , Havant , Lymington , Winch- ster , Woolston , Newport , and Ryde one each . The oldeii chaner belongs to the Royal Gloucester , Southampton , and dates October , 291 b , 1818 ; the records ot this chapter are , however , continuous lrom its constitution in October , 1784 . A centenary warrant will shortl y be granted to its members . Connected with the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons ,
with Most VVorshiplul Bro . the Rev . Canon Portal , Past G . M . M . England , as Provincial Grand Mark Master , and Bro . R . Loveland Loveland as Deputy Prov . G . M . M ., Hampshire has nine lodges , and the Isle of Wight two . Portsmouth leads with two lodges , and then Winchester , Havant , Aldershot , Southampton , Bournemouth , Basingstoke , Gosport , Cowes , and Sandown have one each . The oldest Mark lodge is the Phosnix , No . 2 , which dates back from July 7 th , 1856 . There is alsoa so-called Time Immemorial Mark lodge , the Albany , at Newport , Isle of Wight .
In this province several other Degrees are worked . Theie is the Atk Mariners , who meet at Havant , No . 62 ; Southampton , No . 63 ; and Gos poit , No . 305 . The Rose Croix have four chapters , dating from July 13 th , 1858 . Roya I Naval Chapter , No . 9 , Portsmouth , while another is held at Bournemouth I one at Southampton , and one at Ryde , Isle of Wight .