Provincial Grand Lodge Of East Lancashire.

Right Worshipful Sir , the brethren respectfully beg your acceptance of this address , together with the accompanying silver plate , as a memento of your government of the province , and the balance of the subscriptions received , amounting to £ 400 , will be handed over to the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and

Benevolent Institution as the nucleus of a fund hereafter to be known as the " Starkie Annuity Fund , " -which will be a permanent monument of the esteem of the brethren for you as Provincial Grand Master . —Signed , on behalf of the province , GEORGE MELLOR , Worshipful Dep . Prov . Grand Master . — J CHADWICK , Provincial Grand Sec .

Bro . J . W . MACLURE , M . P ., speaking in support of the presentation , said he should never forget the installation of the P . G . M ., 21 years ago , which had produced a lasting- impression on his mind . Bro . Starkie had conducted the affairs of the province irl a way which could not have been equalled . His rule had been one of good for Masonic Institutions , and nothing in the history of the Starkie family would be more appreciated than

the Masonic testimonial presented to him that day . Col . Starkie and the Starkie family had rendered giant services to the cause of Freemasonry ancl to the welfare of the county of Lancashire generally . There was not a blot upon the escutcheon of their house . Bro . Maclure then announced that he would g ive 50 guineas to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Freeemasons' Widows , and £ vo to thc new Starkie Annuity Fund .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER , who was received with prolonged applause , said that occasion would mark an epoch in his life . The testimonial was an unexpected tribute of affection on the part of a bod ) ' of men for whom he had the highest esteem , and hc should hand it down as an heirloom to thc members of his family for generations . lie could not adequately express

his feelings , nor give a suitable reply to thc kind words which had been addressed to him . Some years ago they had presented him with a testimonial , which was as highly prized as the one now before him would be . Such expressions of their kind feelings towards him filled him with the deepest emotion . He could only thank them again and again for what they

had done . During the 21 years that he had ruled over them they had had a prosperous time , and Freemasonry had flourished , which was not due to himself but to their exertions . While other Institutions in this and other countries had changed , and some had passed away , Freemasonry had flourislfed , and side by side with it had grown beneficent institutions such

as hospitals of various kinds ancl numerous charitable organisations . His father had had the privilege of reigning over the brethren of West Lanes , for nearly 30 years , and during that time established a Charitable Institution in connection with the Order , and though he ( Bro . Starkie ) did not establish the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Benevolent and Educational Institution , he did claim to take some merit for establishing- a local Institution which

had been and would be of great benefit to them and to those who should come after them . After paying a meed of praise to the grand principles upon which FYeemasonry is founded , Bro . Starkie strongly urged the brethren not to admit any man to their lodges whom they would not admit to their own houses . He desired to express his deep regret at the death of a great and earnest Freemason , Bro . Peter Royle , a man of good sterlingqualities and a true brother .

Three Auditors of the Prov . Grand Lodge accounts were then elected , and the report of the Charity Committee was read and adopted . Bro . CRAIG-ROYLE , on behalf of the Committee , presented a cheque to the Prov . Grand Master for ^ 100 , the proceeds of the Masonic garden party at Old Trafford in July last , to be handed over to thc funds of the East Lancashire Charitable Institution .

Bro . Col . STARKIE , in thanking Bro . Jeffrey and the Committee for thc handsome result of their exertions , said he deeply regretted that he had been unable to attend , though he was very efficiently represented by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Mellor .

Bro . J . TERRY , Sec . R . M . B . I ., thanked the Provincial Grand Lodge for thc gift of 100 guineas to thc Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and urged its claims upon individual members of the Craft as well as upon lodges generally . The Jubilee of thc Institution would be celebrated next year , when they hoped to raise a special offering .

Bro . MARTIN 1 HOMAS announced that the entertainment given bv the Minnehaha Minstrels last year resulted in ^ 271 being raised for the East Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , ancl they hoped to exceed that sum at an entertainment to be given on February I 2 th , which it was proposed to be divided between the East Lancashire ancl the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institutions . Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed , and a Court of Governors was held .

Consecration Of The Tristram Lodge, No. 2415, At Shildon.

CONSECRATION OF THE TRISTRAM LODGE , No . 2415 , AT SHILDON .

A ncw lodge named the Tristram Lodge , No . 2415 , has been consecrated at the Masonic Hall , Shildon , under most auspicious circumstances . The ceremony was performed by the R . W . the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart . There were present Bros , the Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., D . P . G . M . ; C . S . Lane , P . S . G . W . ; E . Nixey ,

P . J . G . W ., * the Rev . W . Bowker , P . G . Chaplain ; thc Rev . W . Coulton , P . G . Chaplain ; J . R . Cutter , Treasurer ; T . D . Alarshall , Reg . ; J . Robson Patison , acting Secretary ; G . W . Patterson , P . S . G . D . ; A . Peters , P . J . G . D . ; H . Lamb , P . J . G . D . ; W . A . Priestley , P . G . S . of W . ; W . Logan , P . G . D . C ; T . Dunn , P . D . G . D . C . ; J . Smith

P . G . S . B . ; J . J . Wilson , P . G . Std . Br . ; G . Wanless , P . G . Std . Br . ; W . Swales , Org . ; M . A . Lax , Purst . ; and F . Grieves , P . G . Tyler . The P . G . Stewards present were Bros . C . T . Seaman , 2104 ; W . H . McLean ,

1274 ; Tulley , 1121 ; and Harrison , 1379 . Amongst the Past Provincial Grand Officers were Bros . T . G . Mabane , P . P . S . G . D . ; R . W . Halfnight , P . P . G . Treas . ; R . Singleton , P . P . J . G . D . ; E . Miiburn , P . P . S . G . D . ; B . Boulton , P . P . G . Treas . ; and fi . Cowper , P . P . G . Stwd . Bros . Whitehead , Nutton , and Leatham , of the Durham Cathedral choir , rendered the beautiful anthems and chants used during the ceremony .

Consecration Of The Tristram Lodge, No. 2415, At Shildon.

The Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . R . Hudson , was unavoidably absent on the occasion , and his duties were ably discharged by Bro . J . Robson Pattison , P . A . G . Sec . The warrant for the new lodge was read by Bro . T . D . MARSHALL , P . G . Reg ., and Bro . the Rev . W . BOWKER , P . G . Chap ,, delivered an oration .

The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with , and Bro . John Reed , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., was afterwards appointed to the position of W . M . of the new lodge , and invested the following as his officers : Bros . John Barnet , S . W . ; E . H . Mutimer , J . W . ; Thomas Thompson , Treas . ; Samuel Fielden , S . D . ; G . R . Brown , J . D . ; T . W . Richardson , Sec ; Jeremiah Addison , I . G . ; and Thomas Dunn , I . P . M ., D . D . of C . The ceremony was very ably performed , and the occasion was one of exceptional interest .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Warwickshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF WARWICKSHIRE .

A meeting of the above Prov . Grand Chapter was held at tho Chapter of Rectitude , No . 502 , Rugby , on the 4 th inst ., when Comp . J . T . Collins , Acting" GrandSuperintendent , presided , supported by Comps . A . Fridlander , as Prov . G . H ., and C . F . Rowe , as Prov . G . J . Great regret was expressed at the absence of Lord Leigh , Grand J ., who was unable to be present on account of ill-health .

After thc appointment of officers , Comp . Worrall , Prov . G . J ., was presented by thc Prov . Grand Chapter with a beautiful jewel of his office after having acted as Prov . G . S . E . for 25 years . The following inscription was on the jewel : "To Ex . Comp . Worrall , a slight acknowledgment by the

Prov . Grand Chapter of Warwickshire of the many and valuable services he has rendered to the chapter , and of the ability with which he has discharged the varied duties of Prov . Grand Scribe E . during the long period of 25 years . Dec . 4 , 1 S 91 . "

The new Grand Scribe E . for the province is Comp . F . G . Swinden , 2 /( Temple-street , Birmingham , who is a P . Z . of the Howe Chapter , No . 5 S 7 , and a P . M . of the Leigh Lodge , No . S 87 , and P . P . S . G . D . of the province ,

Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

A convocation of the above Prov . Grand Chapter was held in the Freemasons' Hall , St . John ' s-place , Halifax , on Friday , the 13 th ult ., under the banner of Sincerity Chapter , No . 61 . Among those present were—Comps . Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., Past G . S ., acting GrandSuperintendent ; J . L . Atherton , Prov . G . H . ; Thos . R . Vaux , Prov . G . I ., * C . L . Mason , P . P . G . H . ; Wm .

Harrop , P . P . G . J . ; William Gaukroger , P . P . G . J . ; Frederick Laxton , P . P . G . J . ; T . Bateman Fox , J . P ., P . P . G . J . ; Henry Smith , P . G . P . S . of England , Prov . G . S . E . ; G . H . Radcliffe . Prov . G . S . N . ; Mark Newsome , J . P ., P . Prov . G . S . N . James Bedford , P . Prov . G . S . N . ; Thos . Harrison , P . P . G . Treas ., as Prov . G . Treas . ; George Marshall , P . Prov . G . Treas . ; Henry Oxley , P . Prov . G . Treas . ; Aulay Macaulay , Prov . G . Re £ r . ; Frederick Cleeves , P . Prov . G . Reg . ; Wm . Henry Milnes , as Prov . G . Prin . Soj . j Alfred Robertshaw , as Prov . G . ist Asst . Soj . ; John Thrippleton , Prov . G .

2 nd Asst . Soj ; Hugh S . Holdsworth , P . Prov . G . Soj . ; C . T . R -odes , P . Prov . G . Soj . ; Thos . Riley , P . Prov . G . Soj . ; James Jenkin , Prov . G . S . B ., * Paul Bellitzay , as P . G . Std . Br . ; Richard Jessop , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; F . VV . Turner , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Robert H . Armitage , P . G . D . C ; W . F . Smithson , P . G . Std . Br . England , P . P . G . D . C . ; A . Scarth , P . G . Org . ; Herbert G . E . Green . P . A . G . S . E . ; Cornelius Wheawill , P . G . Stwd . ; Harold Thomas , as P . G . Stwd . ; Wm . Bingham , P . G . Stwd . ; Wm . Haigh , P . G . Stwd . ; Joseph Sagar , as P . G . Janitor ; also representatives from the various chapters in the province .

Comp . Rev . Dr . T . C . Smyth , acting Grand Superintendent , and Prov . Grand Officers having entered , the Provincial Grand Chapter was opened . The minutes of the meeting held at Keighley , on Wednesday , 6 th May , 1891 , were presented for confirmation , when it was moved , seconded , and resolved " That they be taken as read and confirmed . "

The following letter was read from Comp . Thos . William Tew , J . P ., Grand Superintendent , and on the motion of the ACTING GRAND SUPERINTENDENT , seconded by the Prov . GRAND J ., it was resolved that it be entered on the minutes : The Grange , Carlton , Pontefract , 7 th November , 1 S 91 . My Dear Companions ,

Vou will be sorry , I am sure , to hear that I am unable , in consequence of illness , to preside as usual in your Provincial Grand Chapter . I have suffered much and am still suffering , but ^ I have not abandoned all hope under Providence of some day being again permitted to be once more amongst my R . A . companions . I beg to express my thanks to Principal H . for his consideration and courtesy in arranging that E . C . Dr . Smyth should take my place on this occasion .

To the Principals and companions of Sincerity , No . 61 , I tender my hearty acknowledgments for their kind reception of Prov . Grand Chapter , and for the excellent arrangements which have been made for its comfort and convenience . We have visited Halifax already five times , viz ., in 1 S 60 , 1 S 65 , 1 S 71 , 1 S 74 , and 1 SS 0 , and I don ' t doubt on this the sixth occasion the good old town will again give us a hearty Yorkshire welcome .

To you all I offer my fraternal regards and the expression of my earnest desire for peace and good will , not in the present only , but also in the future . I am extremely gratified to see from the agenda paper that you intend to support the Jubilee Festival of the Benevolent Institution by purchasing the permanent right to present an old man for its benefits , and I take it as a very high compliment to myself that you wish to associate my name with so excellent and charitable an object . Companions , receive the assurance of warmest esteem , and believe me ,

Faithfully and fraternally yours , THOMAS WILLIAM TEW . Comp . Henry Smith , Prov . G . Scribe . The ACTING GRAND SUPERINTENDENT then delivered the following address :

Excellent Companions , —I feel assured that one subject is prominent in the minds of us all on the present occasion , the protracted and serious indisposition of our beloved GrandSuperintendent , one sentiment of true and heartfelt sorrow , that the familiar form so seldom absent from Masonic assemblies such as this , should be with us to-day only in memory and not in reality . Few of those who hold , or have held , his exalted position in our venerable Order , have devoted themselves so unsparingly to the faithful discharge of the onerous dnties which such a position involves ; and few ,