Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northants And Hunts.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTHANTS AND HUNTS .

The annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Northants and Hunts assembled at Peterborough , on Thursday , the Sth inst ., under the banner of St . Peter's Lodge , No . 442 . There was a large attendance of the brethren . All necessary arrangements for the gathering were most efficiently made by Bro . Pank , W . M ., and the brethren of St . Peter ' s Lodge . The Board of Benevolence and ( he Charity Organisation Committee met at _ 2 o ' clock , at the Masonic Hall , when the usual business was transacted and grants were

made . Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Deacon ' s School , the chief room of which had bcen converted into a lodge room with the greatest taste ; the coup d ' adl , when the room was filled with the brethren , wearing their insignia , being most impressive . The Prov . G . M ., the Earl of Euston , presided , being assisted ( in the deeply regretted absence of Bro . Butler Wilkins , the Deputy Prov . G . M ., through ill-health ) by Bro . J . Marston , as Deputy P . G . M .

The Provincial Grand Officers present were—Bros . G . Butcher . P . P . S . G . W :, acting- S . W . ; J . B . Vergette , P . M . 442 , P . P . J . G . W . ; P . Royston , P . G . Chap . ; A . Cockerill , P . G . Treas . ; R . F . Winch , P . G . Reg-. ; F . G . Buckle , P . G . Sec . ; J . C . Royce , P . S G . D . ; F . B . Whitford , P . J . G . D . ; T . A . Watford , P . G . S . of Wks . ; G . Ellard , P . G . D . C ; J . J . Hart , P . A . G . D . C ; H . Hodges , P . G . S . B . ; J . L . Lovvett , P . G . Std . Br . ; G . Abbott , P . G . Std . Br . ; h . Solomon , P . G . Org . ; H . W . Giles , P . G . Purst . ; W . Dixey , P . M ., P . Prov . S . G . D ., Sec ; H . Plowman , P G . Tyler ; G . Wilk , Davison , W . H . Pentney , M . Warwick , and P . Mitchel ' , P . G . Stwds . ; and many others .

The Provincial Grand Lodge having been duly opened , the minutes of the last Provincial Grand meeting were read by the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . F . G . BUCKI . K . Bro . A . Cockerill , upon the proposition of the ACTING D . G . M ., seconded by Bro . J . KELLETT , vvas again re-elected Provincial Grand Treasurer . The Provincial Grand Master then nominated and invested the following brethren as the officers of the Prov . Grand Lodge forthe ensuing year :

Bro . G . C . Caster , P . M . 442 ¦•••••Prov . S . G . W . „ T . Paget , W . M . 455 •••¦••- Prov . J . G . W . " 5 - E ?" ! 3 ' ston ' i '" '" ) Prov . G . Chaps . „ Rev . W . S . Pratt , 1764 ... ... j ' „ A . Cockerill , P . M . 3 6 ( 1 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas .

„ F . G . Buckle , P . M . 442 ... ••••••Prov . G . bee . „ G . Wood Ingram , P . M . 373 — ••¦ Prov . G . Reg . „ T . Franks , W . M . 3 60 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ H . Manfield , S . W . 1764 ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ J . T . Reid , W . M . 737 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ G . Ellard , P . M . 360 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . frov

„ J . J . Hart , P . M . 360 ... ... ... . A . u . u . u . „ M . Heslop , W . M . 445 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ J . A . Preece I . P . M . 607 ... " •} Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ R . Moulton , W . M . 2283 ... ... i „ H . Carman , 442 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ S . Bamber , 442 ... ... •••Prov . G . Purst . „ S . Frisbv , 3 60

„ G . J . Graj' , 442 " JHY ^ - V , - - ••' . Prov . G . Stwds . „ G . H . Hobbs , 1 9 „ W . Douglas , 2380 „ J . H . Blunt , 2431 ... •¦•-J „ H . Plowman , 442 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The balance-sheet of the Masonic Benevolent and Grand Lodge Fund was presented and adopted , and other business transacted , after which Provincial Grand Lodge was closed . The banquet was held at the Grand Hotel , the Earl of Euston , D . L ., Prov . G . M ., presiding . About no brethren were present . The tables were most tastefully decorated vvith p lants and flowers , and the catering and general arrangements made by Miss Smith , the manageress , were admirable in every waygiving the greatest satisfaction .

, " The Oueen and the Craft ; " " The M . W . Grand Master the Prince of Wales ~ " and " The Pro G . M ., the Karl of Lathom , G . C . B . ; the Dep . G . M ., the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " vvere given from the chair and duly honoured , Bro . MATIER responding for the Grand Officers .

Bro . BitKLE , Prov . G . Sec , gave " The Prov . G . M ., thc Right Hon . the Karl of Euston , D . L . " Lord Euston had bcen at their head now for six or seven years , and under his lead they had attained the front rank . He had ventured three or four years ago to make a prophecy concerning the eminence vvhich Lord Euston would attain in the ranks of Masonry , and he was proud to know that his prophecy had been fulfilled . His lordship's

influence was not only felt in his own province , but extended far and wide . He vvas a brother who not only put his heart into his work but his shoulders too ; and such hearty , energetic interest in the work must make itself felt . Thc toast vvas enthusiastically honoured , and Lord EUSTON , in reply , said that as the Provincial Grand Mastership of Norths and Hunts was the first important trust committed to him in Masonry ,

the province had first place in his thoughts , and as long as he had the support of the brethren it would be his pride to do his utmost to place the province in the position vvhich he wished to see it occupy in the domain of Masonry . The brethren had done their best to help him , and he rejoiced to know that during the last three years the membership of the province had increased by well-nigh half as many again . Three new lodges had been

started , and not only had old members found them enhancing their own Masonic spirit and energy , but there had been an influx of new members in consequence . The result vvas that the province vvas growing stronger and stronger , not only in numbers , but in charitable usefulness . Four years ago they owed three or four thousand votes to the Charities . They had nowpaid them off , and had got 9011 votes towards another deserving case . The

province had paid him a great compliment by the way in which it supported him at the Girls' Festival . He appreciated their grand efforts on that occasion most heartily , fraternally , and thaiikfullv . He then passed to the next toast , " The Health 01 the Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . Butler Wilkins , " the state of whose health , they regretted to know , had prevented his presence

with them . For years Bro . Butler Wilkins had rendered great service to the province , at times when the circumstances had been exceptionally difficult , and he was glad that in recognition of those services he had been made a Grand Lodge Officer . He also asked them to drink the toast of " The Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past . " As he had thanked Past Officers for their services , so he hoped he should be able lo thank the

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northants And Hunts.

officers he had appointed that day for their services during the comingyear . Bro . A . Cockerill , their Treasurer , was most indefatigable , and had enabled them to relieve the cases which had been brought before them ~ help which was richly deserved . Bro . Cockerill was not only an excellent Treasurer , but a splendid collector . The Prov . S . G . W ., Bro . Caster , was highly respected by every member of St . Peter's Lodge ; and the Prov

J . G . W ., Bro . T . Paget , had done excellent work forthe Perseverance Lodge at Kettering . His lordship hoped that when Bro . Paget had gone through the Junior Wardenship , he would not forget he belonged to the Province of Northants and Hunts . He trusted the Provincial Grand Officers would enjoy the greatest prosperity , and live to be an honour to the Order to which they owed their fidelity .

Bro . COCKERILL , in the course of an effective speech , said he little thought when they resolved to support their Prov . Grand Master at the Girls' Festival that they would have been able to announce a contribution of 800 guineas . Notwithstanding that handsome amount , many enthusiastic brethren thought they ought to endeavour to raise that sum to 1000

guineas , and they were practically pledged to raise that sum on behalf of the province . With regard to the balance of 200 guineas , he thought he could say that the Northampton Masons would give 100 of that , another 10 guineas had already been secured , leaving go guineas for the rest of the province— -10 guineas each from nine lodges . They would thus show their practical sympathy with the great object of Masonry—Charity .

Bro . PAGET , P . J . G . W ., in his reponse , said the little he had been able to do for the Perseverance Lodge had been a real pleasure to him . He had done his best , and was always glad to do so for the noble cause of Masonry . In all good work they had to get the thin edge of the wedge in , they would easily drive home the thick end . As long as he lived he would never forget his own Province of Norths and Hunts , and should always be

delighted to do what lay in his power to promote its welfare . With regard to Bro . Cockerill's challenge , on behalf of the Perseverance Lodge , he accepted it ; and would pledge himself that the Perseverance share should be forthcoming , and more than the amount suggested if he could . The CHAIRMAN , reminding the brethren that the watchword of Freemasonry was Charity , gave " The Benevolent Institutions , " with which he

coupled the name of Bro . HEDGES , Sec . R . M . I . G ., who , in responding , thanked the province for the generous support they had given the Charity . Their Provincial Grand Master had not only presided , but also acted as Steward , and brought in a list of ^ 179 , to which he had himself contributed 50 guineas . Then the contribution of 800 guineas from the province they had guaranteed to raise to 1000 guineas .

Bro . G . C . W . FITZWILLIAM gave " The Visiting Brethren , " to vvhich Bros . PIKE , Prov . G . P . Berks and Bucks , and GRIFFIN ( Mayor of Tarnworth ) , P . M . 442 , responded . The CHAIRMAN next gave "The W . M . of St . Peter ' s Lodge and the Masters of the other Lodges of the Province , " and , speaking of the spread of Masonry , said he had hoped they would ere this time have seen another

lodge at Peterborough . He strongly urged the desirability of a new lodge on the brethren of St . Peter's , assuring them that it would be an advantage to the old lodge , and extend the usefulness and popularity of Masonry . Bro . PANK having replied , Bro . BUTCHER , W . M . 2431—the youngest lodge in the province—pointed to the experience of Masonic extension in Northampton in proof of the truth of Lord Euston ' s remarks .

The Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings , which had been very much brightened at intervals by some splendid songs from Bros . Carman , E . Howes , F . J . Hart , and others , Bro . Clarabut accompanying on the pianoforte .

Consecration Of The Telegraph Cable Lodge, No. 2470.

CONSECRATION OF THE TELEGRAPH CABLE LODGE , No . 2470 .

A very important addition to the roll of Grand Lodge was effected on Tuesday , the 30 th ult ., in the consecration of the above lodge at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , E . C . The founders and first officers of the lodge consist of the following : Bros , the Most Hon . the Marquis of Tvveeddalc , P . M . No . 1159 , W . M . ; Sir George Elliot , Bart ., Prov . G . M .

Eastern Division , South Wales , S . W . ; Major Alexander Wood , 143 , J . W . ; F . Moll , P . M . 1107 , I . P . M . ; T . A . Bullock , P . M . 101 , Treas . ; W . T . Ansell , P . M . 1159 , Sec . ; W . Hibberdine , 1237 , S . D . ; F . Weniger , W . M . 1107 , J . D . ; Dr . Wholey , 2168 , I . G . ; C . B . Barnes , P . M ., Sec . 19 , D . C ; andO . Moll , P . M . 1107 , Stwd .

The special object these brethren had in view in petitioning the M . W . Grand Master to grant a warrant for this lodge was uniting in brotherly association members and friends of the several telegraph cable companies and others interested in the advancement of submarine telegraphy and electrical science from various parts of the world , and the result so far of

their commendable efforts seem on a fair way to success . The ceremony of consecration was most impressively performed by Bro . Edward Letchworth , Grand Secretary , assisted by Bros . T . Fenn , Pres . Bd . Gen . Purps ., as S . VV . ; Joseph Parkinson , P . G . D ., as J . W . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . C , as Chap . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C ; ' and Sir George Harris , P . G . D ., as I . G .

Ihe lodge having bcen duly constituted , was opened in the Second Degree , and the Grand Secretary proceeded to install the Most Hon . the Marquis of Tvveeddalc into the chair of K . S . as the first W . M . of the lodge . The ceremony being duly performed , the W . M . appointed and invested his officers for the year- —the names of whom are given above . A Committee to frame by-laws vvas duly elected . Some 12 gentlemen were nominated for initiation and several joining members .

The business being ended , the brethren repaired to the banqueting halli where a most excellent menu was provided . The banquet was presided over by the W . M . ' On the Noble MARUUIS rising to give the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " he emphasised on how the Queen had endeared herself to all hcr subjects , and especially so to loyal Freemasons , and said she deservedly occupied the proud position of being the greatest constitutional monarch

the world had ever seen . While being unable herself to take part in Freemasonry , she afforded strength tothe Institution by the numerous members of her family vvho had become members of the Craft . The Noble MARUUIS , in proposing the toast of " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of VVales , " reminded his hearers that his Royal Highness had been a member oi the Craft for 25 years , and , notwithstanding ' innumerable public and private duties , was assiduous in his duties as a Freemason . He expressed his great pleasure and congratulations on t '