Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE .

The annual Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Tuesday , the 2 nd inst ., at Exeter . The business commenced with a meeting of the Committee of Petitions at the Fteemasons' Hall , Gandy-street , at noon . Bro . W . G . Rogers , D . P . G . M ., Chairman of the Committee , presided . There were also present Bros , the Rev . W . Whittley , P . G . D . of England , and P . P . S . G . W ., the London Representative of the Committee ; J . Brewer , Prov . G . Sec ; J . B . Cover , P . P . A . G . D . C , the Hon . Sec . of the Committee ; D . Cross , Prov . G . Treas . ; and the following representatives of the lodges : —

Bros , John Stacker , P . P . G . T ., 39 ; R . Pengelley , P . P . A . G . D . C , 70 ; M . Emdon , Prov . J . G . D ., 105 ; W . L . Cocks , 106 ; S . Jones , P . P . J . G . W ., 112 ; H . J . Tretheway , 159 ; Rev . T . W . Lemon , P . P . G . Chap ., 1 S 9 ; H . Welch , P . P . G . P ., 202 ; VV Browning , P . P . G . D . C , 223 ; R . Cavvsey , P . P . J . G . D ., 230 ; T . W . Atherton , 24 S ; Major G . C . Davie , P . P . J . G . W ., 251 ; G . Merrifield , P . P . G . S . of Wks ., 282 ; J . S . Kersteman , P . P . G . R ., 303 ; W . Taylor , 32 S ; Rev . F . King , P . P . G . Chap ., 421 ; H . D . Thomas , P . P . S . G . D ., 444 ; H . F . Ascott , 4 S 9 ; A . P . Reece , 494 ; G . Alexander

656 ; G . C . Searle , 710 ; J . S . Swann , P . P . G . S . B ., 647 ; C . Watson , 954 ; H . Cole , P . P . S . G . D ., 1091 ; E . AitUen-Davies , P . P . G . S . of Wks ., 1099 ; T . Ford , P . G . Sec , 1125 ; W . Vicarv , P . P . G . R ., 1138 ; G . Evans , P . P . S . G . D ., 11 S 1 ; W . Powell , P . G . Stwd ., 1205 ; A . " J . Watts , 1212 ; j . R . Lord , P . P . G . S . B ., 1247 ; E . T . Fulford , P . P . G . T ., 1254 ; S . B . Harvey , 1255 ; W . E . Warren , P . P . G . O ., 1358 ; John Lane , 1402 ; G . t > . Avant , 1443 ; J . G . Kevern , 1550 ; R . Hambly , 18 S 5 ; and James Griffin , P . P . J . G . D ., 2025 .

The SECRETARY reported that the number of votes received fro m the province had been 817 boys ' , 230 girls ' , 566 men ' s , and 600 widows' votes , an increase over last year of 39 boys' votes and 56 widows' votes , and a decrease of 208 girls' and 22 men's votes . The total number of votes was 2213 , a decrease of 135 votes ; but there was a loss of about 230 girls' votes from there having been no election in April , all the candidates being entered .

The real voting power of the province was 3100 votes ; of these the committee got about 2400 . The balance ( say 700 ) were lost in various ways , many brethren disposing of their own votes outside the county , whilst many other votes were lost through the want of interest or attention . Five lodges —328 , Torquay ; 494 , Axminster ; 1138 , Newton Abbot ; 1332 , Crediton ; and i 486 , Kingsbridge—and one chapter—444 , Starcross—had not sent in their votes .

The London Representative , the Rev . WILLIAM WHITTLEY , reported that when he entered on the work the province owed 4435 votes . In October , 18 S 6 , there were 649 votes repaid . In February last the claim of Bro . Matier was met by the payment of £ 21 to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution in lieu ol 365 votes . In April last , owing to the Committee of the Girls' Institution making as many vacancies as there were candidates , no

girls' votes were issued . This was a great loss to Devon , inaamuch as there were no votes to help to liquidate the debt . For the election of boys in the same month , 400 votes were received from the province and 70 from other sources , so that 470 votes were then repaid . At the election for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution in May last there were received from the province 1161 votes , viz ., 562 mens' and 597 widows ' . From other

sources 45 votes , so that 1206 votes were repaid , making a total of 26 90 votes repaid , leaving a balance against Devon of 1745 . The thanks of the committee were due to the lodges , chapters , and subscribers for their ready response to the appeal made for their voles by the London representative in March last , when a circular letter was sent to every known subscriber in the province . The number of votes received in April and May last was

exceedingly gratifying , and if that concentration of strength in behalf of the province were continued , Devon would be greatly benefited . Their representative took that opportunity of announcing his intention to act as Steward on benalf of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys at the next annual Festival in 1888 , on which occasion the R . W . the Prov . Grand M ? ster , Lord

Viscount Ebrington , had kindly consented to preside . Their representative ventuied to believe that the Prov . G . L ., the lodges , and the brethren of the province would entrust him with a list worthy of Devon and of the year of the P . G . Master ' s presidency , and thus secure to the province greatl y increased voting power .

There were four petitions for relief . The first three petitioners were a brother from Lodge 4 8 9 , residing at Appledore , aged 49 , who had been four years a Mason ; a widow aged 38 , who resided at Newton Abbot , and whose husband was a member of Lodge 1 443 , and had been 12 years a Mason ; a widow aged 45 , who resided at Devonport , and whose husband was a member of Lodge 12 T 2 , and had been a Mason 18 years . In each

of these cases . £ 5 was voted to the applicant , and a further sum of ^ 5 each recommended to be given by the Provincial Grand Lodge . The fourth case was that of a brother aged 57 , a member of Lodge 39 , who had been 10 years a Ma ; on , and resided at Exeter . Ten pounds was recommended to be granted to hiin . After deducting these grants about /' no balance

remained . Of this it was recommended that 100 guineas should be given to the Boys' School , as shown in the Committee ' s report , and it was suggested to recommend that five guineas should be given to Bro . Blanchard , Prov . G . Tyler , to enable him , by a change of scene , to recruit his health . This closed the business of the Committee , and the brethren adjourned to the Rougement Hotel .

Ihe Provincial Grand Lodge was opened at 1 . 30 by Bro . W . C . Rogers , D . P . G . M . The attendance was very large , not fewer than 600 brethren being present . Bro . Viscount Ebrington , P . G . M ., arrived about two p . m ., coming tt ' -ai ght from his Parliamentary duties , to which he was obliged to return directly the lodge business was over , and thus could not attend the banquet . Among those brethren present

were—Bros . W . J . Hughan , P . S . G . D . England ; Rev . W . Whittley , P . P . S . G . W ., who officiated as Prov . S . G . W . ; A . Brickwood Hutchings , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . T . King- , P . G . W . of Wilts and Prov . G . Chaplain of Devon ; the whole of the brethren present at the Committee of Petitions and the following Prov . G . Officers : Bros . W Derry P . P . S . G . W . ; A . Bodley , 39 , P . P . G . D . C ; T , Parkhouse , 1125 , P . P . A . G . D . C Dr . W . Langley Pope , 1138 , P . P . G . Chap . ; W . H . Webb , 14 S 6 , P . J . G . D . ; F 1212 Bartlett

Hooper , , P . P . G . D . C ; H . , 710 , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; D . Box , 156 , P . P . G Re ? ' . S ^ Co ? P , ' 5- P-P . J . G . D . ; S . Jew , 105 , P . P . G . T . ; T . Freeman , 106 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; W . Oram , 421 , P . P . A . G D . C . ; J . P . Heath , 39 , P . P . A . G . D . C . W . H . Discombe , 1443 , P . P . A G . D . C . ; H . Bishop Stark , 106 , P . P . G . O .: Maior J . Shanks , P . P . J . G . W . ; T . Goodall , 1550 , P . P . G . O . ; W . L . Friend , 144 .-5 , PP . A . G . D . C ; J . B . Price , 202 , P . P . GS . B . ; ] . Constable , 797 , P . P . G J . H . L . Brewster , 39 , P . P . G . R . ; F . R . Tomes , 2 S 2 , P . P . G . D C . ; J . Dodge , 1402 PPGT PPhilli 22

.... ; J . . ps , 3 . P . P . G . D C ; J . M . Hifley , 223 , P . P . A . G . D . C : I O'ven , 113 ^ , P . P . G . S . B . ; A . Roberts , P . M . 372 , 39 : W . Oliis . 189 , P . S . G . D . ; W . P . dsley , 2254 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; W . J . Standury , P . M . 1099 ; J . Lynn , 230 ; P . P . G . S - Vi c A M ° y sey , 223 , P . i > S . G . D . j H . W . Hooper , 444 , P . P . G R . ; W . F . Quicke , ? V , ; r ? - ; H " K W , llav ' 4 > P . P . J . G . D . ; J . U . Valentine , 303 , P . G ^ U . C J . C Yelland , 39 . P . P . A . G . D . C ; T . Hine , 372 , P . P . G . Std . Br . / f ^ Lake , . 13 5 P . P . S . G . D . ; W . Bennett-Maye , 7 , 0 , P . P . G . D . C ; W . Vicary , 1138 , P . PIG . R H , Foid , 11 S 1 , P . P . J . G . W . ; S . G , Loveless , 494 , P . P . J . G . D . ; C J . Harland , 328

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.

P . P . J . G . D . ; Rev . R . Swansborougb , 1181 , P . P . G . C . ; J . R . Chanter , 251 , P . P . J . G D G . R . Barrett , 2025 , P . P . S . G . D . ; R . Cawsey , 230 , P . P . S . G . D . ; E . T . Fulford , i « , " P . P . G . Treas . ; S . Jones , 112 , P . P . J . G . W . ; and J . W . Cornish , 223 , P . P . G . T . ° ' The Committee's report included also the recommendations which it had resolved upon at its previous meeting , and which were unanimously adopted by Provincial Grand Lodge .

The Secretary reported lhat there were 2638 members in the province against 2604 the previous year , an increase . of 34 . The Treasurer ' s report was very satisfactory , and gave the balance as previously stated to the Committee of Petitions .

The Committee of Petitions reported that the number of votes received this year had been satisfactory although five lodges and one chapter had not sent in their votes . The Committee called attention to the fact that many lodges in the province forgot the existence of the great Charities . The disproportion between the annual amount drawn from them ( nearl y /' 1200 ) and the amount subscribed to them ( less than £ 400 ) was not

creditable to Devon . In accordance with the by-laws of the Provincial Grand Lodge , the Committee recommended lhat 100 guineas , the balance of the funds available , should be given to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . Bro . Henry Stocker was unanimously elected Prov . G . Treasurer for the ensuing year . Bros . W . A . Gregor }' , 1254 , and E . T . Fulford were elected the Auditors .

The brethren then adjourned , and proceeded in procession in full regalia with band and banners , to attend Divine service at the Cathedral . About 600 members took part in the procession , which was the largest ever seen in the province , with the exception of the one on the occasion of the Prince of Wales ' s opening of the Plymouth Guildhall . The nave of the Cathedral was crowded .

The preacher was Bro . the Rev . T . KING , vicar of Southmolton . Mr . Wood p layed the National Anthem on the organ at the close of the service , and an inspiriting voluntary while the brethren marched out of the Cathedral . The band headed the procession back to the Rougemont Hotel , the route being lined with spectators .

At the hotel the motion by Bro . LYNN , 230— " That at every annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge the W . M . of each lodge shall report to the Provincial Grand Lodge the number of members in his lodge , the number initiated during the year , the number of votes to Masonic Charities held by the lodge and its membsrs , and the amount voted from the lod ge funds to the different Charities during the year "—was negatived .

Bro . J STOCKER pointed out that at present there were only four annuitants on the Fortescue Fund , whilst its annual income was sufficient to maintain six , if not seven . He gave notice that if there was not an increase of annuitants during the year he should move at the next annual meeting that the matter be enquired into . The Prov . Grand Master invested the following officers : —

Bro . W . G . Rogers , 112 ... ... ... Dep . Prov . G . M . „ The Hon . R . M . W . Dawson , 218 9 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . ,, J . Brewer , 251 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . F . King , 1 iS 1 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Rev . R . R . Tyacke , 180 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap .

„ H . Stocker , 39 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . S . Whidborne , 1443 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Major G . C . Davie , 251 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ T . Andrew , 124 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . ,, T . Ford , jun ., 1125 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ J . Y . Avery ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ R . Woodgates-Tucker , 847 ... ... Prov . J . G . D .

„ R , Hambly , 1855 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . ot W . „ R . Jerman , 39 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ B . B . S . Richards , 2 S 2 ... ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . „ E . Bishop , 106 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ Capt . Every , 666 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . B . „ H . Mortimore , 159 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ W . Wakeham , 328 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ R . Pike , 230 ,,. ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . Bovey , 797 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ R . Lose , jun . ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ T . C . Lewarne , 223

„ G . C . Searle , 248 " u , ^ t ° V , „„„ t-Prov . G . Stwds . „ W . J . Stanbury , 10 99 ... ... ... f

„ L . E . Bearne , 1138 ... ... ... | „ A . T . Blarney , 1402 ... .,. ... J „ P . L . Blanchard ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . In the evening over 120 of the brethren dined together in the new banqueting room at the Rougemont Hotel , the D . P . G . M . presiding . Bro . T . W . Hussey proved , as usual , an admirable caterer . The usual toasting followed , and a very pleasant evening was passed .

The Anglo-American Banquet In York.

THE ANGLO-AMERICAN BANQUET IN YORK .

Resuming the thread of our report of the reception of the American Pilgrims in York , which broke off at the banquet in the Guildhall , presided over by the Lord Mayor , we proceed to give the speeches on the occasion . The LORD MAYOR proposed the successive toasts of "The Queen , " and " The President of the United States , '' ' both of which were most enthusiastically received , the Ouarlette giving " God Save the Queen , " and " Hail Columbia . "

The LORD MAYOR said : I feel it a high honour to be here , and I am sure that our American brethren will join heartily in the toast 1 am about to propose . _ This year Englishmen have had the pleasure of celebrating the 50 th year of her Majesty ' s reign —( applause)—and the feeling of rejoicing has been re-echoed from distant lands , am quite sure that the United States will be as true as any other country . ( Applause- ^ There have been many signs of union between the two countries—the old and the ne \

—and it will be uppermost in the minds of some of our good and generous w r hearted Knight Templars from America who will remember the telegrams which na passed between the President of the United States and her Majesty the Queen—( l ° , applause)—on great and important occasions . I am pleased to see the Union Jac < old England and the star-spangled banner placed together in this hall . ( e Applause ) I feel that the interests of the two countries are identical , and I am s you will join with me with perfect enthusiasm in wishing prosperity and long life gracious Queen . / Applause . )

The toast having been drunk with musical honours , , . ur The LORD MAYOR rose and said : Brethren , I have now to ask you to nil J glasses to the biim and respond to the toast 1 have the honour to propose . It's , j of the President of the United States . ( Loud applause . ) Whilst sitting in tnis ntry > our American brethren must still regard with pride the President of their great cou ( Applause . ) It is pleasing to remember that it is 100 years since the great consti _ , [„ of America took its hold , and since that time it has made strides which are emm