Freemasonry In Whitby.

and the Chapter No . 32 , warranted in I 7 S 3 and still on the Register as No . 312 . There are several curious and interesting details as to the

Craft during the period , the author having been diligent in his search for suitable materials , and the volume is one that should be welcomed by many brethren beyond the confines of Whitby or the Province .

I have written an Introduction for the Book because it seems to me all such efforts should be encouraged as much as possible , and 1 congratulate my friend on his debut as a Masonic Lodge Historian . Copies maybe had from Bro . George Kenning ' s well-known establishment at Great Queen-street . W . J . HUGHAN .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BERKSHIRE .

For the first time in the history of Freemasonry in Berkshire , the annual Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the town of Wokingham on Tuesday , the Cth inst , under the auspices of the Downshire Lodge , No . 2437 , founded in 1 S 92 , of which Bro . H . G . Powell is Worshipful Master . The local brethren had done their utmost to give a cordial and hospitable reception to the Provincial Grand Lodge , and it was gratifying to lind an unusually numerous attendance ,

including—Bros . J . T . Morland , D . P . G . M . ( in charge ) ; W . Ferguson , Mayor of Reading ; G . T . Phillips , Mayor of Wokingham ; the Rev . Canon Garry , the Rev . P . H . Ditchfield , the Rev . A . T . Morland , the Rev . F . F . Penruddock , the Rev . J . L . Turbutt , G . H . Morland , VV . J . Maurice , C . E . Keyser , 0 . Stephens , F . Kedge , J . W . Martin , Prov . G . Sec . E . W . Ridley , J . J . Gale , C . Batting , Lieut .-Col . E . Molynenx , J . Kick , W . Bonny , T . R . Barnby , W . Hemmings , J . O . Carter , R . C .

Mount , E . Margrett , H . Creed , S . Knight , G . H . Powell , A . H . Simpson , M . Wheeler , W . Fenton , C . W . Cox , W . Hickie , Willing , C . D . Hume , F . Morford , F . Hunt , A . C . Higerty , W . G . Flanagan , E . W . Allen , George J . Cosburn , C . F Dyson , J . Greenaway , C . Slaughter , F . A . Wells , F . f . Lawes , R . J . Bull , E Prince , T . Page , W . W . Ridley , James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; J . M McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; 1 . E . Bowen , Prov . G . Sec . Bucks ; F . E

Hedges , F . Purkiss , F . W . Buxton , Capt . E . S . Heard , J . R . F . Hutson , A . G Boutcher , John Cox , H . D'o . W . Astley , W . Tucker , F . King , D . N . Heron , E . H . Simmons , A . C . Layton , S . Budgen , Tunbridge , VV . B . Reed , C . J . Cave , T Sawyer , E . Ifould , J . F . Stevens , C . E . Paterson , A . Tupman , E . Caldecott , W White , T . Rowland Kent , W . J . Davis , W . G . Craig , J . M . Jones , T . Pettit , G Mitchell , S . Smith , A . Clarke , F . D . Backhouse , A . [ . Lawrence , A . Shepherd , T

E . Robertson , W . W . Floyer , A . J . Dalton , J . Tegg , G . W . Fortescue , C . S . Brown , R . M . Lennan , T . Wilfrid Kearton , Percy Coward , J . B . Mills , J . B . Pratt , D . Amos , S . M . Boyle , J . H . Brooks , A . Wcrrell , J . May , J . Headington , W . L . Rose , J . S . Taverner , VV . Truman , T . M . Bowles , F . J . C . Forss , H . T . Holme , A . E . Sandbach , Ryman Hall , W . J . P . Ridgeway , F . W . Lay , F . Hawkins , and many others .

After light refreshments , provided by the Downshire Lodge , had been partaken of , the brethren adjourned to the Town Hall , which had been admirably furnished and decorated . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened by Bro . J . T . Morland , the Deputy P . G . M ., and the ordinary business was proceeded with . Bro . MARTIN , P . G . Sec , called over the roll of the lodges in the

province , when it appeared that the whole of them were represented , and most of the Prov . Grand Officers , who have held office during the past year , were also present . The minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge , held at Abingdon , were duly confirmed . The annual report of the Prov . Grand Secretary upon the state of the lodges in the province was of a satisfactory character , indicating steady progress . From the statistics furnished it

appeared that the membership of the lodges in this county numbered 6 3 G , of whom no less than 1 S 4 were Past Masters , and had consequently presided over their respective lodges for one or more years . During the past 12 months nS regular lodges and seven lodges of emergency had been held , and in the same period 24 brethren had joined the various lodges , while 41 had been

initiated . The Prov . Grand Secretary announced that he had received apologies for non-attendance from a number of distinguished Masons , including Bros . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., C . T . Murdoch , M . P ., R . Eve , Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , E . Letchworth , Grand Sec , S . G . Kirchholfer , C . Belton , and others . .

The report as to the financial condition of the province , including the Charity Fund , showed a substantial balance in hand , and it was unanimously adopted , on the proposal of Bro . J . O . CARTER , seconded by Bro . BONN v . Bro . MARGRETT , Secretary to the Provincial Charity Committee , then presented an interesting report , which showed that the labours of the Charity Committee had been attended during the past year with record success , the

whole of the candidates nominated for the great Masonic Institutions having been elected . The Committee mentioned that very satisfactory reports had been received from the Boys' and Girls' Schools in reference to the progress being made by the children elected from this province . They acknowledged with gratitude the generous assistance given by Bro . Keyser , of Aldermaston Park , with votes in each of the cases promoted by the Committee ,

The report also referred to the decease of the widow of Bro . Deller , formerly of Newbury , who had been in receipt of half of her late husband's pension . During the past year the brethren of this province had subscribed upwards of , £ 800 towards the funds of the three Masonic Charitable Institutions—the Boys' and Girls' School and the Benevolent Institution .

In moving the adoption of the report , Bro . Canon GARRY said that as each successive year passed by he became more and more impressed with the importance and value of the Masonic Order as a great and noble Charitable Institution . The good work now being done in this direction was largely due to the wonderful way in which the arrangements were organised and carried out by the Provincial Charity Committee . ( Applause . )

Bro . GREENAWAY seconded the motion , which was unanimously adopted . The D . P . G . M . said he sped illy desired to impress on the younger

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berkshire.

brethren the advantage derived by sending their votes to the Charity Committee , who during the past year had taken up three cases , each of which they had carrii d on the first attempt . If , on the other hand , the brethren had gone to work in behalf of different c-jses , separately and independent ** ** , their votes would have been more or less wasted , and they might not have carried a single case .

Bro . CREED then referred in eulogistic terms to the valuable service ; rendered by Bro . Margrett , and proposed his nomination for re-election a * the representative of that province on the Board of the Royal Misonic Institution for Boys . Bro . G . I-I . MORLANIJ , Prov . S . G . W ., lully endorsed all that Bro . Creed had said , and seconded the proposal , which was unanimously agreed to .

Bro . CHARLES STEPHENS , P . G . Treas ., proposed the appointment of thc D . P . G . M . as Steward for the Centenary Festival of the Royal Misonic Institution for Boys , and that the sum of 25 guineas be voted for the Institution . ( Applause . ) Bro . STEPHEN KNIGHT seconded the motion . Bro . KEYSER , who is Treasurer of the School , submitted an amendment to the effect that the sum should be 50 guineas .

The amendment having been accepted by Bros . Stephens and Knight , the larger amount was voted . The D . P . G . M . thanked the brethren for the honour they had done him , and assured them it would give him great pleasure to represent the province on the interesting occasion in question .

Bro . KEYSER said he regarded it as a privilege and honour to be asked to propose the re-election of Bro . Charles Stephens as Prov . G . Treasurer . ( Applause . ) It was a matter of great satisfaction to all the brethren to know that Bro . Stephens ' s health had improved , and that , he had bsen ab ' e to join them at that gathering . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Stephens ha J served the province as Treasurer for many years , and was held in high esteem . ( Applause . ) Bro . MOUNT seconded the proposal , which was unanimously adopted .

Bro . STEPHENS suitably acknowledged the compliment , expressing his hope that , inasmuch as he was enjoying improved health , he would be able to do something more for the good of Masonry . ( Applause . ) The D . P . G . M . then appointed ancl invested the Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year , and took the opportunity of publicly congratulating the P . G .

Secretary ( Bro . Martin ) upon the honour recently conferred upon him by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . Master , at the Albert Hall Meeting . Bro . Morland ' s remarks were endorsed by the hearty applause of the brethren . The provincial appointments were as follows :

Bro . C . E . Keyser , W . M . 414 and P . M . * j 74 ... Prov . S . G . W . „ C . Slaughter , P . M . 1101 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . ,, Rev . P . H . Ditchfield , Chap . 24 ;; ... ... 7 n „ . ~ , „ Rev . J . L . Turbutt , Chap . 574 ... ... j Prov * G * Cha P ' „ Charles Stephens , P . M . 414 ( elected ) ... Prov . G . Treas .

„ F . \ l . Hedges , P . M . 1887 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ J . W . Martin , P . M . 414 ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ F . Purkiss , P . M . 209 720 and 74 . ' ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ H . G . Powell , W . M . 2437 ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ F . W . Buxton , P . M . 2460 and iSyi ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ T . Page , P . M . 771 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . F . Simpson , VV . M . 1566 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ Captain E . S . Herd , W . M . 1800 ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

„ J . R . F . Hutson , P . M . 1770 ... ... ) „ „ , , ,. „ A . G . Boutcher , P . M . 222 S ... ... J rov * G * Std' Mrs-„ G . T . Phillips , Org . 2437 ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ H . D ' o W . Astley , W . M . 574 ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ W . Tucker , P . M . 795 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ T . R . Barnby , P . M . 945 ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . ,, VV . Bonny , P . M . 414 ( re-appointed ) ... * ] „ F . King , W . M . 209 ... ... ... | „ D . N . Heron , 2437 and 1101 ... ... J . Prov . G . Stwds . „ W . B . Reed , not ... ... ... I

,, E . H . Simmons , 2043 ... ... ... j The D . P . G . M . then invested Bros . C . Spademan , P . M . 1770 , Joseph Howard , 374 , and G . F . Slade , P . M . 1887 , with the Provincial Charity Jewel ; C . E . Keyser , W . M . 414 and LP . M . 574 , Capt . A . Tupman , P . M . 414 , E . Margrett , W . M . nol , and E . W . Buxton , P . M . 24 G 0 , with the Charity Bar ; and E . Margrett , W . M . tioi , H . Creed , P . M . 2437 , and Rev . John Stewart , P . M . 414 , with the Tri * coloured Ribbon . A banquet was afterwards held at the Drill Hall , at which the D . P . G . M . presided . The usual toasts followed .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Buckinghamshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE .

The above Provincial Grand I . odge was held at the Masonic Hall , High Wycombe , on the Sth inst ., when there was a large attendance of brethren . Amongst those present were—Bros . Lord Addington , Prov . G . M . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , Dep . P . G . M . ; C . E , Keyser , P . G . D . ; James Stephens , D . G . D . C , Prov . S . G . W . ; J . I . Thomas ,

P . G . S . B . ; Rev . E . M . Grace , P . G . C . ; J . Is . Ilowen , P . A . G . D . C , Prov . G . Sec . ; J . Hubbard , Prov . G . S . of W . ; J . W . Burgess , P . P . G . D . ; W . Lane ; J . D . F . Tower , P . P . G . D . ; E . L . Berry , Prov . G . Stwd . ; J . Williams , P . P . G . Treas . ; Rutland , P . M . ( Mayor uf Wycombe ); J . J . Simcux , P . P . G . Org . ; Murduck , M . P . ; VV . Carlile , M . P . ; T . Jones , P . G . D ., D . D . G . M . Bengal ; and many others .

Thc Provincial Grand I . odge was opened , the P . G . M . saluted , and the minutes read and confirmed . The report of the Charity Committee , which was adopted , showed about 2000 votes owing , which had been borrowed to secure the election of a widow tothe R . M . B . I .

Bro . Rev . E . GRACE , P . G C , proposed Bro . J . J . Simcox , W . AL , P . P . G . Org ., for the ollice of P . G . Treasurer , and referred to his ivl-sonic services during the past 10 years .