Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire.

ing of the Centenary Council of this School in London , on Monday afternoon last , and has secured one corner of the stained glass memorial window for the Coat of Arms of our Prov . Grand Chapter . May 1 mention this 3 rd of May is the sSth anniversary of the Prov . Grand S . E . ' s initiation into Masonry , he having been initiated this day , 18 52 , into Lod ° -e of Hope , Bradford . Exalted 22 nd May , 1 S 54 , in Chapter Charity , attached to Hopl Lodge , and was Z . in 1 S 60 . He joined Moravian Chapter , Shipley , and became Z . therein in 1859 . Joined and assisted to revive Wakefield Chapter in 1 SC 3 , and

became Z . in 1 S 64 , and finally became a founder , in 1 S 75 , of Scarborough Chapter , No . 1214 . Such services and many others entitle him to our felicitations on this fresh mark of confidence reposed in him . May we record upon our minutes an expression of congratulation and our respect and love towards him personally . Another good and Royal Arch Mason , who on Monday next , I believe , becomes 77 years of age , deserves our good wishes—Comp . Robert Craig . He has done very much for Royal Arch Masonry in Leeds , and was on the 30 th of April presented with his portrait in the rooms of the Philanthropic Lodge . May Jehovah grant him many years of health and life

to enjoy this recognition of the esteem in which he is held by every one of us . I have now touched upon matters of immediate interest to the companions of this Provincial Grand Chapter . I have pointed out to you the progress and strength of our chapters , and their weaknesses . I ask you to make the strong ones stronger , and the weaker ones strong . To look beneath the symbols and allegories of this beautiful Degree , and to discover the imperishable truths beyond them . To hold firm and fast the ^ complete doctrines of Jehovah , and to show that this our Order is a fraternity united in the fellowship of peace , the title of brotherhood , the token of hospitality , and the tradition of our faith .

The balance sheet , which showed a balance of £ 229 is . Sd ., was received and adopted . Moved by Comp . OXLEY , Prov . G . Treas ., seconded by Comp . C LEEVES , Prov . G . Reg ., and resolved , " That Comp . John Edward Wordsworth , P . Z . 904 , be elected Prov . Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year . " The Grand Superintendent then appointed and invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows :

Comp . Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., P . Z . 1042 ... ... Prov . G . H . „ R . Kelley , P . Z . 258 ... ... •••Prov . G . J .. „ H . Smith , P . Z . 38 7 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ F . Whiteley , P . Z . 61 ... ... •••Prov . G . S . N . „ 1 . E . Wordsworth , 904 ... ... •¦•Prov . G . Treas .

„ J . Gerrard , P . Z . 154 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ T . Richards , P . Z . 208 ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ G . Hill , P . Z . 304 ... ... ... •••Prov . ist A . G . S . „ E . Lee , P . Z . 265 ... ... ... •••Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . .. 1 . Hev . P . Z . 187 ... ... ... •••Prov . G . S . B .

„ H . C . Pickersgill , P . Z . 8 37 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ J . R . Welsman , P . Z . 600 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ S . Denton , P . Z . 26 4 ... ... ¦••Prov . A . G . D . C . „ T . A . Marsh , J . 1001 ... ... — Prov . G . Org . „ H . G . E . Green , P . Z . 101 9 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E .

„ J . Thrippleton , P . Z . 306 ... ... ... ^ " t ^ o f , P ' o 4 Q '" '" - f Prov . G . Stewards . „ H . T . Gardiner , P . Z . 458 ... ... ... C „ J . Jenkin , P . Z . 904 ... ... „¦) „ S . Barrand , Janitor 304 ... ••••••Prov . G . Janitor .

Moved by the GRAND SUPERINTENDENT , seconded by Comp . WM . WATSON , P . Z . 304 , P . P . G . Soj ., and resolved , " That a grant of £$ be made to the Library Fund . " The Prov . G . S . E . stated that there were 1000 men ' s and widows' voting papers still uncollected , and urged Charity Members and companions to send them in without delay to the Prov . G . Secretary .

Moved by the G . SCRIBE E ., seconded by the GRAND SUPERINTENDENT , and resolved , " That the best thanks of this Grand Chapter be given to the companions of Chapter 304 for the use of the Masonic Hall , and to the Z . ' s and companions of the four Leeds Chapters , viz ., 28 9 , 304 , 306 , and 1042 , for their excellent arrangements and liberal entertainment . " The M . E . Z . 's acknowledged the vote of thanks on behalf of their respective chapters .

Moved by Comp . J . D . KAY , P . Z . 289 , P . P . G . J ., seconded by Comp . J . C . MALCOLM , P . Z . 304 , P . P . G . Reg ., and resolved , "That this Grand Chapter desires to record its appreciation of the hig h honour accorded to this province in the election of Comp . Hy . Smith , G . S . E ., to the Treasurership of the R . M . I , for Girls . " Prov . G . Chapter was then closed . Tea was provided in the dining room , and was partaken of by S 8 companions , the Prov . G . H . presiding .

National Great Priory.

NATIONAL GREAT PRIORY .

A special meeting of Convent General was held on Friday , the 18 th ult ., at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queen-street , when several notices of motion were g iven for alterations in and additions to the Convent General statutes , and a special meeting of Convent General was arranged to be held on the 9 th inst ., immediately after the business of the Great Priory meeting Rxed for that date . The meeting of National Great Priory was first held , the following sir knights being present :

Sir Knights Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , V . E . Great Sub-Prior ; Capt . N . G . Philips , Rev . E . Moore , M . A ., K . C . T . ; Capt . C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds , C . J . Banister , C . Fendelow , Rev . T . W . Lemon , D . D ., Major J . Woodall Woodall , VV . W . B . Beach , M . P ., W . A . F . Powell , Lieut .-Col . J . R . Bramble , V . E . Prov . Priors ; Rev . VVilliam Mortimer Heath , Prelate ; F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Chancellor ; Right Hon . Viscount Valentia , Constable ; General R . S . SimondsT as Marshal ; Ralph Clutton , Treas . ; Raymond H . Thrupp , Registrar ; VV . Tinkler , K . C . T ., Vice-Chancellor ; Geo . Cooper ,

Sub-Marshal ; Rev . E . Y . Nepean , Almoner and Chaplain ; Major Geo . Lambert , Warden of Regalia ; Abraham Clegg , Herald ; Col . F . Gadsden , Standard Bearer ( Beauceant ); Lieut .-Col . J oseph Hartley , D . L ., LL . D ., Standard Bearer ( Vexillum Belli ); R . Loveland Loveland , J . P ., as Great Prior's Banner Bearer ; VV . J . Beck , Great Prior ' s Banner Bearer ; Hy . Maddison , Aide-de-Camp ; Geo . Mickley , M . A ., M . B ., Aide-de-Camp ; A . S . Knight Prescott , Dep . Sur .-Geri ., Chamberlain ; J . R . Fitzjames Claridge , as Captain of Guards ; C . F . Matier , K . C . T . ( Scotland ) , Sword

Bearer ; VV . Ganz , Organist ; J . Lambert Sim , K . C . T ., Rev J . S . Brownrigg , M . A ., Rev . J . N . Palmer , E . Ashworth , Ralph Gooding , M . D ., Hamon le Strange , J . E . Le Feuvre , Baron dc Ferrieres , Henry Thomas , Reg . Young , W . J . Thomson , B . W . Rowsnn , Col . Chas . Harding , Major J . R . Pearson , Chas . H . Driver , J . S . Cumberland , J . C . Norman , Lieut .-Col . A . " B . Cook , T . VV . Coffin , Edward Pierpoint , Frank Richardson , Henry Lovegrove , H . Lees Hollingworth , John Chynsweth , Horatio Ward , E . Letchworth , S . G . Kirchhoiter , M . A .. C . VV . Radway , John Tomkins , Belgrave

Ninnis , Sir G . D . Harris , A . A . Czaraccki , V . W . Driver , George Graveley , Capt . F . J , Stohwasser , R . Lawrence Thornton , R . A . Gowan , Harr ^ Tipper , L . G . Gordon Robbins , the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , H . Carman , Henry Holbmok , George H . Brown , J . Du Pre , Wm . Taylor , John Chapman , Georg-e VV . Page , VV . Pattrick , G . S . VVoodwark , Hu > rii W . H . Elwes , Alexander Mitchell , Edward Armitage , Bushell Annington , H . E . Cousans , F . Newman . Gordon Miller , VV . G . A . Gilbert , Richard Eve , F . VV . Wright ,

Walter Buckler Lethhn'dge , Frederick Lawrance , Euerene Monteiuus , Charles Belton , J . Call Weddell , M . D ., A ' H . Bateman , George R . Cob ' ham , J . B . Blaclca , H . B . Brown , | ohn Hal' . iwell , J . VV . Kenyon , John G . Christian , C . Morton Challender , J . G . Sinclair , Robert VV . Bourne , T . A . R . Liltledale , Thomas Chorlton , James MacLaren , Joseph Clafton , F . W . Lean , S . Mitchell , F . VV . Molesworth , R . G . Brook , S . G . Fairtlough , F . F . Schnitgcr , Henry Maddison , Col . William Long , Thomas R . Alter , the Rev . VV . Trevor Parkins , W . E . Morrison , T . B . Whytehead , j . L . Atherton , and others .

National Great Priory.

Sir Knig ht Col . Shadwell H . Clerke presided in the absence of the Earl of Lathom , who was in attendance at the Queen ' s Drawing Room . About 120 members were present . After the reading of the minutes , the following report was presented : " Very High and Eminent Great Prior , —Your Council begs to report that a

special meeting of Convent General was held in London on Friday , the 18 th inst ., when several notices of motion were given for alterations in and additions to the Convent General statutes . The special meeting of Convent Genera ) to consider the proposed alterations and additions will be held on the 9 th of May , immediately after the business of the Great Priory meeting is concluded .

" Arrangements hare been made for the holding of the present and the future meetings of Great Priory at the Mark Masons' Hall in Great Queen-street , London , which it is expected will be found more central and convenient for the members of the Order generally than the hotel in Cannon-street . "The Treasurer has drawn the attention of your Council to the growing insufficiency of the General Fund to bear the permanent increase in the expenses , which cannot probably be lessened in the future , and to the necessity of adopting some steps to place the financial affairs of the Order on a satisfactory footing ; for the of

and as there is at present a capital sum of ^ 1600 invested Fund Benevolence , the interest of which (^ 60 ) has hitherto been found sufficient for the demands upon it , your Council is of opinion that , without calling on the Order for an increase in the fees , or resorting to the investments of former years , the gross sum of 3 s . 6 d . paid annually for members of a preceptory might be allotted to the General Fund instead of being divided as hitherto between it and the Benevolent Fund in the proportion oi 2 s . 6 d . and is . This proposal , if adopted , will necessitate an alteration in Sec . 117 of the Great Priory statutes , and notice is hereby given to amend it accordingly .

" Your Council is further of opinion that the sum of 100 guineas , voted in 188 7 to the Imperial Institute , should have been debited to the Benevolent Fund instead of to the General Fund , and that the error so made should be rectified , and it recommends that the same be now done accordingly . "B y order of the Council . " FRED . A . PHILBRICK , " Chancellor .

" 24 th April , 1890 . " A recommendation was moved by Sir Knight RALPH CLUTTON to carry out Paragraph 3 on agenda paper , which was carried unanimously . The recommendation in next paragraph , moved by Sir Knight RALPH CLUTTON , and seconded by Sir Kni g ht RAYMOND THRUPP , was carried unanimously . Paragraph 4 was moved by Sir Knight RALPH CLUTTON , and also carried unanimously .

An amendment was made with regard to Paragraph 2 by Sir Kni ght J CHAPMAN , P . P . G . Reg . Devon , in anticipation of a motion being made and carried in Convent General to give voting powers to the actual Constable Marshal of Preceptories— "That the report of the Council be adopted , with the exception of the second paragraph dealing with the future meetings of Great Priory , and that the Council be instructed to suggest the desirability of recommending the holding of Great Priory and Convent General alternatel y in York , Manchester , Bristol , and London . " Sir Knig ht R . W . BOURNE seconded .

This amendment was ruled out of order , on the suggestion of the Chancellor , Sir Kni ght F . A . PHILBRICK , Q . C , on the ground that to remove the meetings of Great Priory from London required an alteration of the statutes , of which notice should be given . Sir Knight Ralph Clutton was re-elected Treasurer . The officers were appointed for the ensuing year as follows : Sir Knight The Rev . j . N . Palmer ... ... G . Prelate .

E . A . Philbrick , Q . C . ... ... G . Chancellor . „ The Right Hon . the Earl of Euston ... G . Constable . „ Col . W . Long ... ... G . Marshal . „ Ralph Clutton ... ... G . Treasurer . „ Raymond H . Thrupp ... ... G . Registrar . „ W . Tinkler ... ... ... G . Vice-Chancellor .

„ George Cooper ... ... G . Sub-Marshal . ,, The Rev . W . Trevor Parkins ... G . Almoner and Chaplain . „ Major George Lambert ... ... G . Warden of Regalia . „ Lieut .-Col . H . S . Brownrigg ... G . Herald . „ J . . Atherton ... ... G . Std . Br . ( Beauceant ) . „ Rudolph G . Glover ... ... G . Std . Br . ( Vexillum Belli ) . ,, H . E . Cousans ... ... G . Prior ' s Banner Bearer . „ John Tomkins ... ... G . 1 st Aide-de-Camp .

„ James McLaren ... ... G . 2 nd Aide-de-Camp . ,, CharJes Belton ... ... G . Chamberlain . „ Major F . Newman ... ... G . Captain of Guards . „ E . Aitken Davies ... ... G . Captain of Guards . „ Captain F . J . Stohwasser ... G . S . B . The members of the Council were appointed and elected , and the members of the Grand Master ' s Council were also elected . The alms were collected , and Great Priory closed .

Special Convent General.

SPECIAL CONVENT GENERAL .

A meeting of the Covent General was held directly after the Great Priory , Sir Knig ht Col . Shadwell H . Clerke again presiding . The notices of motion proposed by Sir Knight Col . Shadwell H . Clerke at the meeting on the 18 th ult . were all carried , the result being that the minimum fee for candidates is reduced from £ 5 5 - to ^ 3 3 s ., and the clause requiring a term of service of two years as a Master Mason has been reduced to a minimum service of 12 months , the Royal Arch qualification still to remain . The other propositions were

To alter the law as to rank and precedence , so as to restore past rank after service of 12 months in any office in Great Priory , or in a private preceptory , and to enable the insignia thereof to be worn accordingly as was formerl y the case . To alter clause" Constitutions of Great Priories , " page 18 , so as to restore membership of Great Priory , with voting powers , to the actual Constables and Marshals or Preceptories .

To alter clause " Insignia , page 23 , so as to enable officers of Great Priory and Provincial Priories to wear the former marks of distinction on their sashes three and one white stripes respectively . To grant an indemnity for any acts of the two Great Priories which may have from time to time been done by them , and which may appear to have , in any decree , exceeded the powers vested in them by Convent General .

To authorise Great Priories to grant permission for the subscribing members of a preceptory which can prove uninterrupted existence for 100 years to wear a centenary jewel commemorative of the fact . The design of the jewel to be approved by the Great Priory granting such permission .

Of the motions proposed by Sir Kni ght ROYDS , and seconded b y Sir Knight J CHAPMAN , the first as to past rank and precedence having " been carried in three of Sir Knight Col . Shadwell H . Clerke ' s motions were dropped , and the others , proposing to revert to the former names and titles , were , after some discussion , withdrawn ,