Provincial Grand Lodge Of Leicestershire And Rutland.

of 1007- C . L . Ferneley , S . W ., and E . F . Knight , S . D ., of 1130 ; W . Keep . P M P P I G W ., C . K . Morris , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W ., and H . Beckenbach , of 126 c . ' W . E . Lattimer , W . M ., W . H . Pick , I . P . M ., J . Healey , P . M ., H . R . Maynard . ' P . M . 25 , J . W ., G . A . Smith , S . D ., T . W . Hall , I . G ., W . Bowles , Steward , and \ S . Perkins , of 1330 ; A . Ferguson , W . M ., H . Howe , I . P . M ., ] . Harrison , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., S . Knight , P . M ., P . P . A . G . P ., R . B . Starkey , P . M ., P . P . A .

G P . W . W . Vincent , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., J . G . Bower , P . M ., P . P . A . G . P ., A . Chambers , S . W ., Rev . J . W . Willson , P . P . G . C , J . W ., G . J . B . Woolley , Sec , F . W . Billson , J . D ., G . O . Marshall , Org ., G . E . Barton , I . G-., W . Walters and E . Lester , Stewards , J . W . Beazley , G . Gibbons , J . Hawkes , J . Hings , F . Seale , J . W . Watts , G . Scampton , P . Shearer , H . Perry , W . Sheen , G . E . Tovey , D . Garrett , H . Mansfield , J . Hallam , J . Berridge , T . H . Inglesant , J . Cuningham , A . E . Biggs , j . F . G . Knight , and J . H . Kellett , of 1391 ; the Rev . C . Henton Wood , M . A .,

P . M ., Sec , P . P . S . G . W ., P . P . G . Sec , and T . Carter , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., of 1560 ; A , Green , W . AL . J . Johnson , I . P . M ., F . B . Wilmer , P . M ., Sec , P . P . G . S . of W ., G jessop , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., A . F . Rawson , D . C , the Rev . H . J . Mason , P . M . 1146 , P . P . G . Chap . Dorset , B . A . Shires , and J . Exton , Tyler , of 202 S ; E . R . Fox , and W . H . Aysom , of 2081 ; R . P . Keates , S . W ., and W . F . Carnley , I . G ., of 2424 ; and many members of Lodge No . 2429 , which are included in the names mentioned above . Visitors : Bros . F . R . W . Hedges , P . M . 1900 , P . G . Std . Br . JEng ., See . R . M . I , for Girls , and T . W . Page , 299 .

Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from a large number of brethren , including Bros . W . Kelly , P . P . G . M . ; W . J . Hughan , P . S . G . I ) . Kng . ; M . G . Phillips , P . S . G . D . Eng . ; ) . M . McLeod , Sec . R . M . I . for Boys ; T . B . Whytehead , P . G . S . B . Eng . ; G . Oliver , Prov . G . Treas . ; W . Vial , P . P . S . G . W . ; and many others .

The minutes of the meetings held during the year were confirmed and signed , and the roll of Prov . Grand Officers and lodges called over . Bro . G . Oliver was again unanimously elected Prov . G . Treas . The annual report referred specially to the addition of two lodges to the province by the consecration of the Grace Dieu Lodge , No . 2428 , at

Coalville , and the Lodge of Research , No . 2429 , Leicester , both of which are making great progress , and promise a very successful career . The report of the Prov . G . Registrar showed a considerable increase in the numerical strength of the various lodges , and a total membership in June last of 716 for the whole province .

The statement of accounts , submitted by the Prov . G . Treas ., showed a credit balance of £ 53 12 s . id . on the General Fund Account , and of £ " 59 14 s . 6 d . on the Charity Fund Account . Bro . John Harrison , P . P . G . Std . Br ., was unanimously elected Charity Steward for the year . The following brethren were then appointed and invested as Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year : Bro . S . S . Patridge , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ... ... D . P . G . M .

„ B . A . Smith , M . A ., P . M . 523 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ | oseph Healey , P . M . 1130 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . H . S . Biggs , B . A ., J . D . 523 , I . G . 2429 ... " •Prov , G > ch ,, Rev . H . T . Mason , M . A ., 202 S ... ... J v

„ A . W . Tuck , P . M . 1265 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Edward Holmes , l . P . M . 279 , S . W . 2429 ... Prov . G . Sec . ,, Carl f . owenstein , P . M . 1007 ... ... Prov . S . G . D . ,, Andrew Fergusson , W . M . 139 1 ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ G . Dean Orchard , W . M . 779 ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ C . ] . Wilkinson , P . M . 1301 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ Henry Howe . l . P . M . run ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C .

,, C . ISennion , W . M . 279 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . : ; W ^ $ : $ : Z £ ::: - . -J pn . v . G . std . * .. ,, A . Lawrence , l . P . M . 523 , S . W . 1330 ... Prov . G . Org . ,, | . Raven , l . P . M . 1007 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . ,, ' I . H . Gilbert , l . P . M . 50 ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst .

,, Charles Lakin , Sec . 279 ... ... " ] ,, T . B . Neale , W . M . 523 ... ... I " J ; ' Ji ; Kn ^ - s-n . > < 3 ° Prov . G . Stwds . „ A . Chambers , S . W . 1391 ... ... f ,, W . H . Stayncs . W . M . 20 S 1 ... ... | „ R . P . Keates , S . W . 242 S ... ... J

,, James Tanser , Tyler 279 ... ... Prov . G . lyler . Invitations to hold the next annual meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge under their banner were received from Bros . C . Bennion , W . M . 279 , and W . E . Lattimer , W . M . 1330 . Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed , and a large number of the brethren attended the banquet , which was held immediately afterwards , under the presidency of Bro . S . S . Partridge , D . P . G . M ., in the unavoidable absence of the Prov . Grand Master .

Special credit is due to the W . M ., Past Masters , and officers of the Commercial Lodge for the praiseworthy manner in which they carried out the necessary details , both for the annual meeting and the banquet .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Somerset.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF SOMERSET .

The annual meeting of the above Prov . Grand Chapter was held on Friday , the 27 th ult ., at the Town Hall , Wells , under the banner of the Avalon Chapter , No . 446 , when there was a large gathering of the companions of the province . The handsome Council Chamber was arranged with taste , and evoked great praise from the visitors . The Provincial Grand Chapter was opened by Comp . R . C . Else , P . G . Std . Br . England , Grand Superintendent , assisted by Comps . W . Long , P . G . H ., and E . White

P . G . j . ' 1 he roll of the chapters was called by the P . G . S . E ., Comp . E . Noke , and all , with one exception , were represented , among those present being—Comps . J . A . Bright , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . ; E . A . Crosse , H . ; J . M . Atkins , P . Z . P . P . A . G . D . C . ; M . H . Clarke , M . E . Z . 1760 ; E . F . Wade , P . Z . 44 6 ; W . Reece , P . Z . 1750 , P . P . G . S . B . ; G . E . Alford , P . Z . 1222 ; John Phillis , 285 , P . P . G . O . ;

W . Rice , an , P . P . G . P . S . ; C L . Thomas , M . E . Z . 291 ; W . H . Webb , P . S 1222 ; F . B . Georpe . A . S . 44 6 ; E . C . Davies , 44 6 ; H . W . Livett , P . Z . 446 ; II . B . ffarington , P . Z . 1222 ; F . N . Blackmore , P . Z . 1222 ; T . C . Manning , 28 s , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; R . Norton , J . 446 ; W . Leaker , P . S . 446 ; H . L . Barnwell , S . N . 412 ; j Cornwall , P . Z . 446 ; A . McWilliam , P . Z . 446 ; G . H . Bartlett , P . Z . 41 ; John Welch . D . C . 44 6 ; S . Bigwood , 41 ; A . J . Salter , 53 ; H . B . Crouch , M . E . Z . 446 ; L . H . Ruegg , and others .

The minutes of the last Prov . Grand Chapter were read and approved , and the Treasurer ' s accounts , showing a substantial balance in hand , were passed , and it was decided to invest £ " 100 in suitable and approved securities in the names of the Three Principals and the Treasurer . All offices were then declared vacant , and all below the rank of P . G .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Somerset.

Principal retired , while the Second and Third Principals for the ensuing year—Comps . W . Long as H . and A . T . Perkins as J . —were invested and installed . The companions were then re-admitted , and Comp . B . H . Watts was

re-elected Treasurer with acclamation , and the following officers were appointed and invested : Comp . E . Noke ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ H . B . ffarington ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ J . H . Macfarlane ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ G . A . Perrin ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ H . B . Crouch , ... ... ... Prov . 1 st A . G . S . „ B . C . Board ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S .

„ T . R . Gill ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ M . H . Clarke ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . ,, E . A . Crosse ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ R . Norton ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, J . Robinson ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . ,, A . J . Salter ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . ,, E . Bidgood ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Janitor . Comp . HADDON , on behalf of Comp . T . Meyler , who was unavoidably

absent , proposed , after due notice , " That a sum of £ " 10 be granted from the funds of Provincial Grand Chapter to the widow of the late E . Comp . Robert Courzins , late of Chapter of Sincerity , No . 261 , who was Grand Janitor of this Province from the year 1 S 80 to 1886 . "

After discussion , the motion was withdrawn , and the matter left to the Three Principals and the Treasurer to deal with as they considered expedient . This concluding the business on the agenda , alms were collected , and amounted to £ 1 16 s ., which were voted to the Wells Nursing Institution , and handed to Comp . Crosse .

The Prov . Grand Chapter was then closed , and the companions subsequently sat down to a dinner at the Swan Hotel , under the presidency of the M . E . Z . of the Avalon Chapter , Comp . H . B . Crouch .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

A meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , Huddersfield , on Monday , the 16 th ultimo , under the banner of the Lodge of Truth , No . 137 , when there were present—Bros . Charles Letch Mason , P . G . M . ; John Barker , P . P . G . W ., D . P . G . M . ; H . S . Hoidsworth , P . S . G . W . ; G . H . Parke , P . J . G . W . ; Reuben Williamson , J . W . Monckman , T . Whittaker , and W . F . Wilkinson , P . P . G . Wardens ; E . Billington , asP . G . M . O . j W . Flockton , P . S . G . O . j Chas . Woollons , as P . J . G . O . ; W . F . Tomlinson , G . Marshall , and A . Gill , P . P . G . Overseers ; G . F . Carr , P . G .

Treas . ; Henry Oxley , P . P . G . Treas . ; A . E . Kirkham , P . G . Reg . ; Joseph Matthewman , as P . G . Sec . ; C . Nicholson , as P . S . G . D . ; R . Hodgson , P . J . G . D . ; H . King . P . G . D . C . ; V . G . S . Dearden , P . A . G . D . C . ; J . J . Martin , P . G . S . B . ; S . Jacob , P . G . Std . Br . ; John Brook , as P . G . Org . ; T . Robertshaw , P . G . I . G . ; W . S . Blackburn and W . Cockroft , P . G . Stewards ; J . H . Newton , P . G . Tyler ; and many brethren from the lodges in the province . The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in due form . The Prov . Grand Master and the Deputy Prov . Grand Master were saluted according to ancient form .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER returned thanks , and then delivered the following address :

Brethren , —I am well pleased once more to hold our provincial gathering under the banner of the Lodge of Truth , No . 137 . The last time we met here was in May , 1888 . At the same time , I should like to congratulate the members of the lodge , and more especially the W . M . ; Bro . Smithies , the Past Masters and Officers of the lodge , on the greater interest manifested and the greater zeal displayed in the working of the lodge . We may rest assured of this , my brethren , that lodges will not prosper or the Order thrive unless each will take his individual share in

trying to work successfully . There has been a decided increase in the number of members , and , I believe , good and true men have been added to the roll who will do credit to the Order and advance the prosperity of the lodge . Since our last gather , ing at Bradford , our Sheffield brethren have lost one of their active Past Masters , Bro . Eyre , P . M . ft was a pleasure to me to know Bro . Eyre , and I sincerely sympathise—and I think I may say we all sympathise—with our Sheffield brethren in the loss they have sustained . The Mark Benevolent Festival was

held on the 26 th July last , under the presidency of Bro . Col . Gerard Noel Money , C . B ., Prov . G . Master of Surrey , and resulted in the sum of £ 2166 16 s . 6 d . being collected—London had 58 Stewards , £ 688 15 s . ; the provinces 92 Stewards , £ 1478 4 s . West Yorkshire was represented by six Stewards—Bro . F . Cleeves , of Lodge No . 53 j Bros . H . S . Hoidsworth and Richard Hodgson , of Lodge No . 58 ; Bro . Parke , of Lodge No . 110 ; and Bros . Smithies and Howell , of Lodge No . 137 ; who together sent up the sum of £ 73 10 s . As you well know , in the

Mark Benevolent Fund one-third goes to the Educational Fund , one-third to the Annuity Fund , and the remaining one-third for relief . West Yorkshire has three children in the Educational Fund . I have pointed out on more than one occasion that the whole of our subscriptions go for the benefit of the Charity , and that nothing is spent on erecting or keeping in repair any fabric . The Charity deserves well of you , my brethren , and , considering the delay that sometimes arises in getting on the larger Charities of the Craft , I am sorry our Mark friends do not make more

use of it . At our last meeting we had to regret the resignation of our old friend , Bro . Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., as Deputy ; to-day we lose the services of Bro . Trevor , who has removed to Cheltenham , and , therefore , unable to discharge any longer the duties appertaining to the office of Provincial Grand Secretary . 1 am sure Bro . Trevor will carry with him to Cheltenham the hearty good wishes of the Masons of West Yorkshire , and a sincere wish that his health will be preserved for many years to come . Brethren , this retirement of Bro . Trevoi has given us

the anxiety of selecting a successor who will be thoroughly acceptable to the province . The Provincial Grand Secretary should be one who the rulers of the province are in easy touch with , and accessible when emergency requires . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master and myself have gone carefully into the matter , and we have decided to appoint Bro . Joseph Matthewman , of the Integrity Lodge , No . 110 , and now resident at Horsforth , near Leeds . Bro . Matthewman is thoroughly

conversant with the duties of the office , and we believe that he will discharge the duties thereof to his own honour and to the full satisfaction of the brethren of the province . Bro . Trevor has kindly undertaken to read a paper to-day to you , and 1 shall not , therefore , detain you longer , further than thanking you most heartily for your warm reception of Provincial Grand Lodge , and the brethren of Truth Lodge , No . 237 , for the preparations they have made for our comfort .

Ihe DKI ' PROV . GRAND MVSTKR congratulated the Truth Lodge on its excellent progress , and intimated that he had visited alread y many of the lodges since his appointment , and hoped shortly , if the brethren would give him timely notice , to complete the list . He was greatly pleased with the reception he had met with , and highly satisfied with the working he had