Provincial Grand Chapter Of Cheshire.

to find an improvement in the balance-sheet . It was better than last year , and showed that progress was taking place by the addition of companions joining the chapters in the province . Their Masonic education , so to speak , was not considered to be completed in the Craft lodge , and he therefore recommended brethren to take the higher degree in the Royal Arch Chapter . He was glad to know the officers of the various chapters were showing more interest in their work , and he relied on their performing the duties appertaining to their offices efficiently , and thereby setting a good

example to those in subordinate positions in the chapters to which they severally belonged , and also encouraging a laudable ambition to excel each other in the supreme Degree . He thanked all the officers for their loyal support during the past year , and trusted to have a continuance of their help during the ensuing year . Having a substantial balance in the bank they would be employing it to a good purpose by devoting a portion of the fund to the local ' Charitable Institutions , and acting upon this suggestion , a sum of five guineas was unanimously voted to the Cheshire Educational Institution , and a similar amount to the Cheshire Benevolent Institution .

On the proposition of Comp . J . E . STEWARD , seconded by Comp . H . POWELL J ONES , Comp . William Shepherd , P . Z ., & c . 287 , was unanimously elected Prov . G . Treasurer for the ensuing year . Comp . WILLIAM S HEPHERD , in a few appropriate words , thanked the proposer and the seconder , and the companions for the honour conferred upon him . Comps . George Ibeson , T . M . Lockwood , and T . A . Annett were elected Auditors .

The following were appointed Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year : Comp . H . Gordon Small ... ... ... Prov . G . H . „ William Booth ... ... ... Prov . G . J . „ Richard Newhouse ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ Walter Newton ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ A . Walker ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . .. Joseph Robv ... ... Prov . G . P . S .

„ Henry Nash ... ... ... Prov . ist A . G . S . „ W . J . Nash ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . „ William Shepherd ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . .. R . H . Whatham ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

„ Hugh Pemberton ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br .

1 Thomas Brown ... ... - ) Prov . A . G . Std . Brs . „ James White ... ... ... ) „ J . E . Steward ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C .

„ F . A . Smith ... ... ... ) „ George Wildgoose ... ... ... ^ Prov . A . G . D . of Cs . „ Thomas Thorniley ... ... ... J

„ Edmund Edmundson ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . Ferguson .,. ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ A . Huxley ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

On the motion of Comp . JAMES COOKSON , the sum of £ 5 was voted towards the expenses of Prov . Grand Chapter . At the conclusion of the meeting , the company adjourned to the Florist Hotel , Shaw Heath , where a first-class banquet was provided by Comp . William Slack , the host , IK of the principal officers and companions

supporting the Grand Superintendent , who presided . The usual loyal and other toasts were submitted and honoured . The proceedings terminated shortly after nine o ' clock with the singing of the National Anthem . The meeting with its after-prcceedings was pronounced to be one of the most successful Provincial Chapters held since the Hon . A . de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., was appointed Grand Superintendent , and augurs well for the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge appointed to be held in Stockport in the year 1900 , when we are quite sure Earl Egerton of Tatton , the Prov . Grand Master of Cheshire , will receive a most cordial and hearty welcome .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lion and Lamb Lodge , No . 192 . A meeting of the above lodge was held at the Cannon-street Hotel on Thursday , the sth inst ., when there were present Bros . J . G . Robeson , W . M . ; T . Stokes , S . W . j A . N-rgusson , J . W . ; T . Cohu , P . M ., Treas . ; H . Legge , P . M ., Sec . ; A . J . Rippin , J . D . ; R . F . Roche , I . G . j J . Smith , P . M ., D . of C . j William Baker , I . P . M . ; G . Couchman . Tyler j Hughes , P . M . j Abbott , P . M . ; Bayley , Francis , Collins , R . W . lones , Davies , Cowderoy , Meets , Lloyd , Williams , Farr , Bamford , Thomson , Lockett , Blaxtan . Bassett , Purbrook , Hipwell , Welch , Fishleigh . Ward , Dixon , S . Rippin , ¦

Leach , and Brough . Visitors : Bros . Ci . W . i-peth , f . A . u . u . l ,. ; , - - nar-ow , Ojj Key , izSSj Griffiths , 1347 i and Stubington , 1 S 97 . The lodge havingbeen opened , the minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed . Bros Jones and Davies were raised and Bro . Bamford pissed . A ballot wis unanimous for Bro . W . H . Brough as a joining member , also for Mr . Richard Leach , who was

initiated . A letter was read from the widow of a deceased number of the lodge askmg for assistance , and the sum of 20 guineas was unanimously voted on her behalf . The Secretary read a letter from Bro . Rev . T . Selby Henrey , Chaplain , stating that he found it impossible to be present on the evening the lodge was accustomed to meet , and resinning his membership of the lodge . This was accepted with much regret . Two candidates were proposed for initiation at the next mseting , and the lodge was

closed . Friendship and Unity Lodge , No . 1271 . A large gathering of brethren assembled at the Town Hall , Bradford-on-Avon , on the 2 nd inst ,, on the occasion of the installation of the W . M . of the above lodge for the ensuing year . The officers and brethren of the lodge present were : Bros L . Williams , W . M . , * J . Goodall , l . P . M . j G . W . Rose , S . W . j J . Genders , J . W . j w N ( •' wh « . lr . r . h-. D . i las . Sparks , Treas ., * W . Cray , Secj R . J . Parker ,

ID- A Wallinnton , D . Cj J . E . Case , I . G . j A . Lonestreet , urg . j jas . Sir and /!^ Hanucock , Stwds . jC . VV B Bryant , P . M , W . E . Taylor , P . M . j W . C . Dotesio . J . McLean , S . Howard , VV . R . Harding , C . J . Watkins , G . H . Bartlett , and Jas . Rose . Visitors : Bros . RH . Cowing , W . M . 632 ; H . M . llington , Gj 2 , P . G . O . j F . M . Garlick , P . M . 632 ; ) . II . Aplin , Asst . Sec . 632 ; H . White , li-vi r , „ . H . R . Itishon . P . M . G 12 ; G . LI . Palmer , 632 , P . P . b . G . W . j _ Geo .

Snailum P M . Ci- ** T . Ablott , 632 ; li . Morel , C 32 j G . N . White , 632 j Wm . Harding , Oi ( . Lansdown 632 ¦ j . E . Bush J . D 2 G 44 ; Cha Hayter , 2644 ; W . Spackman , 2 * 044 ! «¦ »• Uiion , 2 fi 44 J , A . VV . Jolliffe , 2644 j . &• Lowther , W . M . -. fuj- G Childe . Ireas . 2 G 44 ; H . H . Hobbs , G j A . li . Winslow , 2705 J G . J . K-rinirtoi WM 2705 ; J . t Foreman , W . M . 147 S J G . B Crees , P . M . 147 S i G . ILUarVlet " P-M . J , 90 G , W ^ „ ° ? 4 Ba

Craft Masonry.

The usual business of the lodge having been transacted , Bro . G . W . Rose , S . W ., the W . M . elect , was duly presented to the Installing Master by Bros . C . W . B . Bryant and A . Willington . The ceremony of install ition having been carried out by Bro . G . LI . Palmer , P . M . 632 , P . P . S . G . W ., the VV . M . proceeded to invest his officers in the following * order : Bros . J . Genders . S . W . ; W . Crav , J . W . j W . N . C . Wheeler , Chap . ; J . Sparks , Treas ; A . Wallington , D . C ; W . Merrick , jun ., Secj R . J . Parker , S . D . ; A . Longstreet , J . D . ; J . E . Case , Org . ; C . G . Watkins ,

I . G . ; Dotesio and Nicholls , Stwds . ; and Tom Moore , Tyler . On the presentation of the several collars the officers were aporopriately addressed by the W . M . The installation ceremony vvas then concluded by Bro . H . Bevir , P . M ., P . G . Sec , suitably delivering the usual admonitions to the newly-elected W . M ., officers , and brethren of the lodge . The I . P . M ., Bro . Williams , then rose and presented a handsome banner to the W . M . on behalf of Lodge of Friendship and Unity , to mark the closing of his year of office . The banner , which had been a conspicuous feature to all present , bore a

suitable Masonic design , beautifully painted on pale blue silk . The W . M . proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Bro . Williams for his handsome gift , which was seconded by Bro . J . Sparkes , who remarked that Bro . Williams ' s generous gift most fittingly marked the -ioth birthday of the Iodge . Duriner the proceedings several anthems , & c , were sung by a choir of brethren , Bro . H . Millington presiding at the organ . The W . M . having warmly thanked the Installing Master for his services and the visiting brethren for their attendance , the proceedings terminated . The alms-bag having been circulated disclosed the sum of £ 1 13 s .

The brethren then adjourned to the New Bear Hotel , where an excellent banquet was prepared by Host Harman , and much enjoyed by about 50 brethren who sat down under the presidency of the W . M . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were subsequently given , and the harmony of the evening was enhanced by the vocal efforts of several brethren . Bro . H . Millington presided at the pianoforte .

Marquess of Ripon Lodge , No . 1489 . The above lodge held its annual meeting for the installation of a new Worshipful Master on the Gth instant , at the Holborn Restaurant . This lodge is the only lodge in London which bears the name of the Marquess of Ripon , who , under that title , was Grand Master at the time the warrant of the lodge was granted . There is only one other Iodge on the roll of Grand Lodge with the same name , and the locus ol that lodee is Darlineton . The latter is the elder of the two , and it took its title in the vear

( 1 S 71 ) that Earl de Grey and Ripon , who became Grand Master in 1 S 70 , was raised in the peerage to a marquisate . ln 1 SG 2 , when he \« as Deputy Grand Master to Thomas , fourth Earl of Zetland , another lodge in London , the De Grey and Ripon Lodge , was named after him , and a lodge with the same title was previously , in 1 S 60 , consecrated at Ripon . In 1 S 67 , another De Grey and Ripon Iodge was formed at Greenheys , Manchester . There is amther at Leeds which bears the Marquis ' s former nam ; of Goderich , in which he sat as M . P . for Hull , for Huddersfield , and for the West Riding .

These are the only five lodges on the roll of Grand Lodge of which his lordship may be said to be the godfather . The lodge , which met on Friday , was consecrated on May 27 th , 1 S 74 , and the Marquess of Ripon resigned the Grand Mastership on September 2 nd of that year . Tbe lodge was called on the Gth for 3 . 45 , as there were no less than four brethren to be raised to the Third Degree before the installation ceremony was performed . Bro . Thomas V . Mills , W . M ., presided , and among other brethren who attended during the evening were Bros . Horace A . Huntley , I . P . M . ; F . Arthur

King , S . W . j J . T . Goddard , J . W . j J , E . Walford , P . M ., Treas . j Edwin George , P . M ., Sec . ; A . F . Hardyment , S . D . ; A . Harmmnd , D . C . ; W . J . Scrivener , I . G . ; John E . Brittan , Org . ; W . G . Symmons and E . H . Raynham , Stwds . ; R . VV . Huntley , P . M . j J . W . Sparrow , P . M . ; R . J . Campbell , P . M . ; C . H . Fisher , P . M . ; Thomas Rose , W . G . Brown , Ralph Woodman , J . Dale Cook , C . Feist , Edward J . Heron , W . H . Brock , Francis _ E . George , W . Hayes , W . G . Pinhorn , Georee Manning * , lacob Keizer , David Corre , A . Green . Thomas Adams .

Charles T . Pannell , C . Coleman , and D . Jacobs . The following visitors were present : Bros . B . Stocker , P . M . 754 ; H . Bathurst , 618 ( S . C . ) j A . Jenson , P . M . 21 S 1 : G . Schneider , 2427 ; A . M . Genese , P . M . 1415 ; J . H . Sansom , P . M . 136 4 j H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 1928 ; F . Morgan , P . M . 2362 ; H . Siliis , P . M . 2362 ; H . E . Everson , 2394 ; Thomas H . Harden , 1339 j James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . J C . Cornish , 193 ; J . C . Emery , LP . M . 1 950 ; J . W . Barclay , 2306 j W . H . Bathurst , S . W . 410 j J . R . McGie . I . G . 24 S 4 j G . Ferdeman , 26 99 ; W . J .

Harris , P . M . 1321 J E . H . Alexander , J . D . 2675 ; S . H . Tilley , 1588 ; C . Smith , 170 j and A . E . Hughes , P . M . 179 . Bros . T . Rose , R . Woodman , and W . G . Brown were raised to the Third Degree , the fourth candidate for that honour—Bro . T . Thorp—not putting in an appearance . Afterwards Bro . Edwin George , P . M ., Sec , and Preceptor of the lodge of instruction attached to the lodge , installed Bro . J . F . Goddard , J . W . and W . M . elect , as Master of the lodge . Bro . R . J . Campbell , P . M ., acted as D C . Bro . Thomas V . Mills was invested with the collar of I P . M . The following brethren were invested as

officers of the lodge : Bros . F . A . King , S . W . j A . F . Hardyment , J . W . ; J . E . Walford , P . M ., Treas ( 26 th year ); Edwin George , P . M ., Sec . ( 20 years Preceptor of the lodge of instruction ); W . J . Scrivener , S . D . ; A . Hammond , J . D . ; E . H . Raynham , I . G . j W . G . Symmons , D . of C . j John Brittan , Org . ; W . G . Manning and F . E . George , Stewards ; and David Legg , P . M ., Tyler . VVhen Bro . George had delivered the addresses , the Worshipful Master presented to Bro . Mills , I . P . M ., a handsome jewel of a Past Master , complimenting

him at the same time on his admirable conduct of the duties of W . M . during the past year . Bro . Mills acknowledged the gift , and said he had been supported by the assistance and sympathy of the P . Ms ., officers , and brethren of the lodge ; his year had been the happiest of his life , and he should always take the deepest interest in the Iodge . The report of the Audit Committee was then adopted ; five guineas were voted to a member in distress , and 10 guineas to the list of Bro . Edwin George , P . M ., who had undertaken the lodge Stewardship for the next Festival of the Royal Masonic

Benevolent Institution . A vote of thanks to Bro . George for performing the installation ceremony was ordered to be entered on the minutes , and the lodge was then closed . The brethren afterwards banqueted together , and honoured the usual toasts , the proposal of which was interspersed with singing by Bros . Tom Powley , W . J . Sparrow , P . M ., Will Edwards , W . J . Harris , P . M ., li . T . Heron , and David Jacobs , under the direction of Bro . John Brittan , Org . Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., responded to the toast which included "The Grand Oflicers , " and he expressed the hope that before very long the Marquess of Rioon Lodee might number Grand Oflicers among its members .

Bro . Mills , I . P . M ., proposed "The W . M ., " and expressed his own personal feelings with regard to the most admirable manner in which Bro . Goddard had discharged his duties that evening . He had exceeded his ( Bro . Mills ) expectations . Bro . Goddard had been one of the most regular attendants for many years past , and he heartily desired to fill his position as VV . M . properly . For many years they had had good and true men as W . Masters , ind Bro . Goddard was a further illustration of the fact . The Marquess of Ripon Lodge had not gone back one iota , and as loner as he was

associated with it the prouder he should feel of his membership . He exhorted the young members to attend the lodge of instruction , which met every Monday evening at seven o ' clock at Weavers' Arms , London Wall , so that they might fill office with credit to themselves and the lodge . He prayed of them to make the lodge one of the best in the metropolis for sound good fellowship and brotherly love . Bro . Goddard , VV . M ., in acknowledging the toast , which was drunk with enthusiasm , said he regretted he was no speaker , because he could not return thanks so

well as he would like . He should certainly try to carry out his work efficiently . The position of W . M . was a very difficult one , but he had not lightly undertaken it . There was always much to do in the Marquis of Ripon Lodge , and during his year he should give every attention to the work . Bro . Mills , LP . M ., replying to the toast of "The I . P . M ., " in proposing which Bro . Goddard , W . M ., said he could not speak too much of the way in which Bro . Mills had done his work , said he was more than delighted that he left the chair in better

health than he found it ; but he left it with some regret because he had bsen in it long enough to like it . Although he was now a fossil he hoped he would be a living fossil and not a museum fossil , lt seemed only a few weeks that he had been in the chair , and he could hardly realise that it was 10 years sicca he started for that office . The jewel the brethren had presented to him he should cherish as an heirloom to hand down to his son . In the Marquess of Ripon Lodge he had been am ing brethren of the right sort , men who werc brethren from the heart . Masonic meetings he thought desirable .