Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

G D . W . Yorkshire ; J . W . Burgess P . P . G . P . ; H . L . Rocca , P . P . J . G . D . E . Lancashire- 1 Andrew P . P . G . D C . ; Rev . VV . R . Clayton , P . P . G . C . E . Lancashire ; John W-a ' PG Md . Rr . ; I . K . Newell , P . P . S . G . W . ; Dr . J . P . Bail , y , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . T allow P . P . G 1 ' . ; W . Launhlin . P . I . G . W . ; S G . Sinclair , M . P ., P S . G . W . ; I ' S . Beaufor-, P . P I . G . W . ; J . B . McKenzie . P . P . S . G . D . ; R Hulton , P . S . G . W . h-t Lancashire : R . F .. o ' e , P . P . G T . ; J . H . Barron P . P . G . D . ; H . H . Smith , PP \ GDI \ : Edward Pierpcint , P . . S . G . W . ; W . Whiteside , P . P . S . G . D . ; R .-bt .

Wylie , P . G D . ol England ; j . D . Murray . P . P . G . D . C . ; T . Forrester , P . G . Std . Br . of England : I . C Gillman , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Tutton , P . P . G . D . C ; Edmund Johnston . P . P . A . G D . C . Cheshire ; R . VV . Worrall . P . P . G . S . B . Cheshire ; W . C . Erwin , P . P . A . G . Sec . ; ] . W . Mycork , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; J . V . Earle , P . P . G . P . ; Jas . Piatt , P . P . S . G . D . ; T . Buxton , P . P . G . Reg . ; J . C . Hunter , P . P . G . P . Cheshire and

Wales ; Richard Newhouse , P . G . Sec . Cheshire ; H . Bagot , P . P . G . S . of W . ; T . Schofield , P . P . G . D . ; H . W . Johnston , P . P . G . D . ; B . Taylor , P . P . G . T . East Lancashire ; Rev . T . S . Spencer , P . P . G . C ; J . Lunt , P . P . G . D . C ; John Orr , P . P . G . D . ; John Settle , P . P . G . D . C Derry ; S . E . Ibbs , P . P . G . S . B . ; John Hayes , P . P . G . S . B . ; Rev . H . G . Vernon , P . P . G . Chap . ; Geo . Broadbent , P . P . G . D . of C . j R . Martm , P . P . G . T . ; and others . After his lordship had taken the chair the usual Prov . Grand honours were accorded to him , as well as to the Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . T . Salter , P . P . S . G . D ., & c .

Upon the roll of lodges being called it was found that 84 lodges were represented out of the 85 , the only absentee being the Rowley Lodge , No . 105 , Lancaster . The minutes of the last Provincial Grand Lodge meeting , held at Wi ^ an , were confirmed , on the motion of Bro . R . WYLIE , P . S . G . VV . and P . G . D . of England .

The accounts of the Prov . Grand Treas ., which were submitted by Bro . R . FOOTE , P . P . G . T ., in the absence through illness of Bro . R . A . Davies , Prov . G . f ., stated that there was a total balance in hand of £ 1012 15 s . 8 d . The disbursements to the Chaiitable Institutions included £ 105 to the West

Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution ; £ 105 to the Fund of Benevolence ; ^ , 210 to the Hamer Benevolent Fund ; £ 2 iotothe Alpass Benevolent Institution ; £ 210 to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ; and ; rj 3 ° 5 hy Charity Committee to widows and members of lodges of the province . The fees paid in amounted 10 ^ 630 lis .

The report was adopted , on the motion ol Bro . R . MARTIN , P . P . G . T ., seconded by Bro . R . FOOTE , P . P . G . T . The PROV . G . SECRETARY presented his annual report , which stated that Masonry in the province continued to prosper , but , at the same time , there were several points which called for the special attention of Masters and those united with them in the well-ruling and governing of the lodges . He

reminded them that mere numbers did not conduce so much to the welfare of Masonry as the character of the candidate . The lodge returns had been made and the dues paid by all the lodges for the past year , but he found there was a large number of members " in arrear " in many lodges , there being no fewer than 114 in this position in connection with one lodge . If the tone of Masonry was to be preserved , too much care could not be

exercised . After referring to two articles in the Book of Constitutions bearing upon Masonic points , and to the position of honorary members ol the lodges , he said that in some parts of the province lodges did not realise the importance of united action in regard to the voting strength at the Charity elections . When each lodge had the privilege of electing a member of the Charity Committee , which had the disposal , of the votes of the province , it

seemed only just and reasonable to expect that lodges which elected such members should place their own lodge votes at the disposal of the Committee . There were , however , several lodges which gave their votes for other candidates than those selected by the Charity Committee , and this was scarcely equitable . The Prov . Grand Secretary then spoke of the present satisfactory position of the lodges consecrated in 1886 , and stated that

during the present year warrants had been granted for three new lodges , viz ., Anfield , 2215 , Liverpool ; Egerton , 2215 , Swinton ; and the Lathom , 2229 , Liverpool ; the P . G . M . having consented to become the first VV . M . ol the last named , which was intended only to consist of Present and Past Grand Officers . In connection with the Jubilee contributions to the Masonic Charities , he begged to report that returns had been received so far from 20 lodges ,

which had contributed upwards of £ 1027 , an average of more than ^ 50 per lodge . If the remaining 65 lodges , which had not yet made their returns came up to the same average , over £ 4000 would be the result . This , with the grants paid from Prov . Grand Lodge funds , would equal ^ 5000—a very worthy Jubilee offering . It a jewel of the character of the Charity jewel given for services rendered to Royal Masonic Institutions were

sanction and presented to brethren eminent for their services to local Masonic Institutions , it would , he thought , be highly appreciated , and be productive of great benefit to such Charities . During the year grants had been made by the Committee of Benevolence to 18 petitioners , amounting to £ 305 . The Educational Institution had expended . £ 166 . 3 , an increase of £ 319 over 1886 ; the Hamer Fund annuities had been increased to £ d < $ forthe

year ; the Alpass annuities were now £ no . In conclusion , Bro . Goodacre said the Prov . Grand Lodge had a considerable number of votes in the local Charities , and whereas the London votes had been placed at the disposal of the Charity Committee , no provision had been made for the disposal of the local ones . It would be well if a small Committee were appointed to consider and report on the subject .

The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER had one word to say with regard to the Centenary of the Girls' School next year in London . He had every reason to believe that H . R . H . the Grand Master of England would consent to preside on that occasion-- ( applause)—while he himself had been asked to act as Chairman of the Committee . ( Applause . ) Whatever other provinces might do , he felt perfectly convinced that the Province of West Lancashire would stand very hi gh . ( Hear , hear , and loud applause . )

The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER subsequently announced that he would confer past rank upon certain brethren in the province as a Jubilee honour . By command of H . R . H . the Grand Master of England and the Grand Lodge , a certain number of P . P . G . Officers were allowed to be created in each province , and he hoped when the list was read out , it would be seen that they had done their best to distribute the honours as equally and as impartially as possible . The P . G . M . then made the following appointments : —

Bro . D . Jones , 10 70 ... ... ... P . P . G . D . „ J . Williams , 1182 ... ... ... P . P . G . D . „ E . Johnston . 175 6 ... ... ... P . PG . D . „ H . Marshall , 1387 ... ... ... P . P . G . D . „ W . Brassey , 823 ... ... ... P . P . G . D , „ R . B . Preston , 333 ... ... ... P . P . G . S . of W .

„ K . crieney , 2155 •••... ... P . P . G . S . of VV . „ N . H . Hacking , 121 3 ... ... ... P . P . G . S . of W . „ H . M . Molyneux , 155 ... ... ... P . P . G . D . C . „ Dr . Settle , 1225 •••... ... P . PG . D . C . „ J . Sumner , 113 . „ ,,. , „ P . P . G . D . C ,

Bro . C . P . Richards , 1021 ... ... ... P . P . G . D . C . „ T . K . Hughes . 1013 ... ... ... P . P . G . D . D . C . „ J . C . Lunt , 1086 ... ... ... P . P . G . D . D . C . „ I ' . Whitehead . 1313 ... ... ... P . P . G . D . D . C . „ W . H . Wakefield , 1588 ... ... ... P . P . G . S . B . „ T . Fozzard , 1035 ... ... ... P . P . G . S . B . „ R . Bee , 314 ... ... ... ... P . P . G . Std . Br . „ W . Riding , 1256 ... ... ... P . P . G . Std . Br . „ W . Duff , 1561 ... ... ... ... P . P . G . Std . Br . „ G . A . VV . Phillips , 667 ... ... ... P . P . G . O . „ G . L . Campbell , 1335 ... ... ... P . P . G . O . Bro . T . SALTER , P . P . S . G . D ., proposed , and Bro . T . FORRESTER , P . G ,

Std . Br . of Eng ., Mayor of Chorley , seconded , the appointment of Bro . D . M . F . Gaskin , 8 97 , as Prov . G . Treas ., in succession to Bro . R . A . Davies . Bro . A . Bainton , 121 3 , was also nominated by Bro . Andrew , and upon a vote being taken , the first named was elected by an overwhelming majority . The PROV . GRAND MASTER reappointed Bro , Lord Stanley of Preston as Deputy Prov . Grand Master , explaining that his lordship ' s absence was caused by his official attendance upon her Majesty at Balmoral , The Prov . Grand Master then appointed and invested the followingofficers : —

Bro . W . E . M . Tomlinson , 1561 ... ,,. Prov . S . G . W . „ Col . R . A . ffarington , 1335 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . F . G . M'Nally , M . A ., 995 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ J . J . Lambert , 13 S 7 ... " .,, ... Prov . G . Reg . „ VV . Goodacre , 155 ( re-appointed ) ... .,. Prov . G . Sec . „ D . M . F . Gaskin , 897 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . .. Maior Ormsbv . O ^ o Prov . S . G . D .

„ C . Bargery , 1756 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ E . T . Everett , 11 4 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ H . James , 203 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ W . C . Freeman , 1354 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ W . H . Robinson , 148 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ J . C . Mather , 1 345 ... ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . „ J . R . Bottomley , 16 75 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . ,, VV . Troughton , 343 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . .. D . lackson . 6 TX 1 „ „ , - , , „

,, R . Bowker , 1021 ... ... ' j rrov . U . Std . Urs ,, R . Burgess , 1609 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ D . Cangley , 249 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ E . L . Littler , 1730 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ J . J . Ramsey , 12 99 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst

„ Dr . Martin , 1814 „ T . F . Hill , 220 „ F . H . Clark , 1398 ... ... ... I D r > c . J S . H . Hartley . 86 ... f -Prov . G . Stwds .

„ I . Turner , 594 „ J . H . Bradshaw , 1 32 ^ „ P . Bali ' ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . „ VV . H . Ball ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Tyler . Jubilee Charity jewels were bestowed by the P . G . M . upon Bros . J . J . Lambert , J . D . Murray , and Crosby .

On the proposition of Bro . R . MARTIN , P . P . G . T ., seconded by Bro . WYLIE , P . P . S . G . VV ., a slight alteration was made in By-law 17 of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution .

Bro . R . MARTIN , in accordance with a notice of motion , proposed " That the votes to which the Prov . Grand Lodge are entitled by virtue of its payments to the several local Charitable Institutions—viz ., the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution—the Hamer Benevolent Fund , and the Alpass Benevolent Institution , be at no time utilised except by special resolution of Provincial Grand Lodge . "

Bro . WYLIE moved as an amendment that all words after "Alpass Benevolent Institution " be omitted , and that the following be inserted instead , "be left in the hands of the Charity Committee of the Province . " The resolution was accepted as amended . Five Past Masters were elected members of the West Lancashire Hamer Benevolent Fund , and Bros . R . Foote and H . H . Smith were

reelected Treasurer and Secretary respectively . The annual report relating to the fund showed that the support given to the Charity during the past 12 months had exceeded that of any previous year . The increase was mainly owing to the very generous grants made b y " Prov . Grand Lodge at the last annual meeting , the income from all sources being £ 619 is . 2 d ., as against X ' 529 os . 4 d . last year . The amount received from subscriotions and donations

was £ 534 13 s ., compared with £ 246 15 s . last year . The number of contributing lodges this year had been 39 , as against 52 last year . There were now seven annuitants on the fund , against five last year . The present capital of the fund amounted to £ 2930 16 s . id ., as against £ 2457 12 s . 7 d . last years , howing an increase of £ 473 3 s . 6 d . The Provincial Grand Lodge was alterwards closed in due form . PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER .

At the conclusion of the Provincial Grand Lodge the brethren belonging to the Grand Royal Arch Degree adjourned to the Conservative Club , where the R . W . P . Supt ., the Earl of Lathom , presided over the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter , supported by Comps . R . Wy lie ,

as H ., and J . S . Beaufort , J ., and a good number of companions . The first business was the consideration of the alteration of the by-laws , in order to bring them into conformity with those of the Craft ; but on the motion of Comp . R . WYLIE , the matter was referred to a special meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter to be called for that purpose . The following

othcers were appointed and invested for the ensuing year : — Comp . Lord Stanley of Preston ... ... Prov . G . H . „ Rev . Thomas B . Spencer , M . A . ... ... Prov . G . J . „ VV . Goodacre ... ,., ... Prov . G . S . E . „ R . Foote ... ,., ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ Spencer Wallhead ... ,,. ... Prov . G . Reg . „ H . Marshall ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Soj . „

„ J . A . Orr ... ... ... ... Prov . G . 1 st A-g-„ J . C . Lunt ... ... ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . 3-,, J . Mossop ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ J . W . Burgess ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ G . L . Campbell ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ T . W . Beeslev ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C

„ W . W . Wilde ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ C . E . Hindley ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ P . Ball ., ..„ ......Prov . G . Janitory