Peovincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

PEOVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WEST LANCASHIRE .

DEDICATION" OF THE LIVERPOOL MASONIC HALL . No larger gathering of the Alasonic Fraternity has ever taken place in Liverpool than that which was witnessed at the Alasonic Hall , in Hope-street , on the 7 th instant , when the Provincial Grand Lodge of the AVestern Division

of Lancashire held its annual meeting . The interest attaching to thc annual gathering of the Lodges in the province was greatly increased on this occasion by the fact that Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , R . AV . P . G . M ., had expressed his intention of dedicating the New

Alasonic Hall , erected at a cost of upwards of £ 4 , 000 , to the purposes of " pure Freemasonry . " The rarity of the ceremony , the popularity of the P . G . AI ., and the great increase in the members of the Order in this part of the country , were doubtless a few of the reasons which

induced the extraoi-dinary gathering on this occasion , a gathering which even '' the oldest inhabitant" has never seen equalled . The province now embraces upwards of 70 lodges , several of them numbering more than 200 members each ; and as all the lodges , with two

exceptions , were represented on tins occasion , the meeting was one of peculiar importance . There were upwards 500 in thc large hall at one part of the proceedings , but probably more than 100 had to leave , being unable to obtain admission , so great was the crush for places .

Before giving an outline of the long day s proceedings , it will be well to give our readers a brief description of the handsome hall , which was dedicated on this occasion . The design for the new hall is of Italian character , ami was selected in competition . The front to

Hopestreet is of white stone , and set back from the line of the stieet . The principal entrance in the centre of the front , is approached by a broad flight of steps , and protected by a spacious projecting porch , flanked by columns and pilasters with carved capitals . The basement is devoted

to two club-rooms , each 25 feet by 20 feet , with anterooms , storerooms , wine cellars , ifcc . ; a corridor , 10 feet wide , running from the front to rear . The ground floor consists of library , 25 feet by 20 feet , and committee room of similar dimensions , each with anteroom adjoining ; house

steward ' s office ; principal and second staircase . Lavatories are placed on this and all other floors of the building . The lodge room is placed on tho back , and is 51 fee '; 6 inches long , by 30 feet wide . This is approached from the entrance by a corridor , 10 feet wide , and has prepiv . ation ,

ante , and paraphernalia rooms attached . An organ gallery is placed on the east side of the lodge room . On the first floor is the chapter room , 51 ft . Gin ., fronting Hope-street , with three anterooms . The hall is a noble apartment , 51 feet G inches long , 30 feet wide , and 25 feet high ,

having cloak room , serving and dressing rooms attached , and a spacious ladies gallery , capable of accommodating 100 persons . The upper floor is devoted to kitchen purposes , and is connected with the various floors by means of a lift . The principal and several of the smaller rooms are

wanned by a most powerful hot-water apparatus , patented hy Air . B . Harlow , Alacelesfield , and admirably arranged by his Liverpool representative , Air . J . B . Gibson , general and consulting hot-water engineer , Queen ' s-road . Bro . Richard Danson , P . M . of The Temple Lodge , 1094 , was the architect ; and the solo contractor

was Bro . Joshua Henshaw , and the sub-contractors —Alessrs . Nicholson and Ayre for carpentry work ; Air . James Leslie for masonry ; Mr . T . Jones for slating and p lastering * Air . Crosby for plumbing , painting and glazing ; and Brother Bucknall for gaslitting •and Brother Pemberton for the principal glass work .

Amongst those present at the inauguration festival of the new hall were Brothers—Lord Skelmersdale , P . G . AI . ; Hon . F . Stanley , D . P . G . A 1 . * Sir James Ramsden , G . S . AV . ; John Prescott , G . J . W . ; Rev . J . F . Goggin , P . G . C . ; T . Armstrong , P . G . Treas . ; Chas . II . Hill , P . G . R . ; H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec . ; Fl Pierpoint , P . G . S . D . ; AV . Doyle , P . G . J . D . ; J . Baxen-

Peovincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

dale , P . G . Sup . AVorks ; G . de la Perrclle , P . G . D . of Cer . ; G . Broadbridge , P . G . Assist . D . of Cer . ; R . Landlus , P . G . S . B . ; J . Skeaf , P . G . Org . , E . Pearson , P . G . Purs . ; S . Johnson , G . Owen , T . A . Lowe , J . R . Goepel , W . Turley , Stewards ; Gilbert Greenhall , ALP ., P . P . S . G . AA \ ; S . P .

Brabner , P . P . S . G . AV . ; H . R . Edwards , P . P . G . R . ; J . Alaudsley , P . P . G . R , and P . P . G . Sec . ; B . Rowsou , P . P . G . S . of AVorks ; T . AV ylie , P . J . G . W . ; J . W . J . Fowler , P . P . G . A . D . C . ; E . Sharrock , P . P . G . S . B . ; C . Sherlock , P . P . G . H . ; P . Aladdox , P . P . G . T . of AVorks : S . E . Ibbs , P . P . G . S . B . ; J .

T . Bourne , P . P . G . J . AV . ; R . Wylie , P . P . G . S . D ., P . P . G . D . of AVorks ; Eev . Henry G . Vernon , P . P . G . C . AV ., Lan . and Cheshire ; W . Laidlaw , P . P . G . S . of Works ; Alex . Stoddart , P . M ., 32 ; Peter Ball , G . Tyler ; AVm . Henry Ball , Assistant P . G . Tyler .

Amongst the distinguished visitors were : — Bros . J . Bowes , P . P . G . Reg . Dumb , and West . ; C . Banister , P . G . S . B . of England ; F . Binckes , P . G . Steward of London ; W . Eardley , P . P . G . D . of Cer . Chesh . ; G . Lofthouse , P . G . A . D . of Cer ., E . Lan . ; H . Cook , P . P . G . Ee ? . Cumb . and AVest . ; J .

Daniel Aloore , AI . D ., P . G . S . B . England ; Jas . Tories , P . G . S . AV . Cumb . and West . ; J . Salmon , P . G . S . D . Cheshire ; J . Banning , P . P . G . Org . Cumb . and AA est , ; R . C . Mellor , P . P . J . G . D . AVest ., North AVales , and Shrop . , AVm . Bulley , P . J . G . AV . Cheshire ; J . P . Piatt , P . P . J . G . AV .

Cheshire ; R . W . AA ' orrall , P . G . S . B . Cheshire ; F . Iv . Stevenson , P . P . G . S . P .. Cheshire ; E . Friend , P . P . J G . D . Cheshire ; J . B . Lambert , P . P . S . G . D . E . Lan . ; J . Terry , Sec . R . AI . Benevolent Inst ., P . G . D . of Cer ., Herts ; E . Dodgson , W . M . 995 P . P . G . S . B . Cumb . and AVest .

Amongst the AVorshi pful Alasters present were : — Bros . AV . Sephton , 10 SG ; E . Hooker , 1225 ; J . E . Edgington , 1182 ; E . Blundell , 484 ; J . Ismay , 21 G ; J . S . Dixon , 12 G 4 ; P . Alacmuldrow , 1299 ; O . R . Edmondson , 1061 ; E .

AVashiiigton , 1094 ; AV . Cottrell , S 23 : C . Leighton , 1325 ; E . Lister , GS 0 ; AV . AL Chudley , 241 ; AV . Heald , 1353 ; T . C . Bush , 703 ; G . E . Stopford Taylor , 7 SG ; AA . Welbourne , 343 ; S . Cragg , 333 ; C . B . Wolmers , 178 ; J . Poole , 32 ; P . AL Neill , 203 , T . A . Collinson , 1350 ; E . O . E .

Eothwell , 135 G ; J . Davison , 724 ; J . AA ells , 580 ; J . F . Iloffgaard , 1253 ; II . Scott , 8 G ; J . Hayes , 249 ; S . Taylor , 13 S 7 ; J . Harding , 314 ; T . Caranach . 1213 , C . Humphries . 1013 ; J . Evans , 220 ; J . N . Davies , 125 G ; W . C . Edge , 1403 ; H . E . Collingworth , G 13 ; J . F . Roberts ,

1313 ; H . Nelson , 1505 , P . AI . G 73 ; AL Coreless , G 73 , -ie . The Past Alasters present were : — Bros . Dr . J . Kellett Smith , 249 and 1094 ; J . Kenyon , 1013 ; G . Cornfield , 1225 ; T . Chuck , 1013 ; AV . Yates , 484 ; W . Cross , 484 ; W . D . Eowse , 594 ; , T . AVray , 1001 ; C . Leedham , 220 ;

R . R . Alartin , 1094 ; J . AI'Kune , 21 G ; R . Dauson , 1094 ; E . Simpson , 2 * 51 ; AA " . Bowden , 1213 ; J . Lunt , 1086 ; W . Sharp , 148 ; J . AV . Baker , _ 20 and 241 ; AA . Harrison , S 97 ; A \" . S . Hawkins , 1250 ; AV . Richardson , 148 ; J . AV . Rigbv , P . M . and W . AI ., 730 ; J . Rigby , 1070 ; W . S ,

Blackhurst , 1070 ; P . M . Larsen , 594 ; J , Pemberfon , 12 G 4 ; IT . Pearson , 249 ; T . Leighton , 1325 ; T . Clark , G 73 ; E . Pearson , G 73 ; G . Turner , PAL , -6 ; P . B . Gee , 12 G 4 ; J . Parsons , 203 ; W . AVoods , 1182 ; J . AV . Williams , 1182 ; W . Pugh 1182 ; P . R , Thorn , 1182 ; D . AV .

Finney , 148 ; J . P . AI'Arthur , 108 G ; S . Wylde , 1403 ; F . Jackson , 580 ; J . J . Eose , 249 ; G . Remington , 995 ; J . Jones , 594 ; J . Bolton , GG 7 ; G . Sculthorpe , 1035 ; AV . Shortis , 724 ; J . C . Lunt , 1086 , AV . Archer , 10 SG ; R . Young , 1384 ; G . Morgan , 1035 ; T . Fozzard , 1035 ; G .

Blundell , 7 SG ; H Jlagot , 1021 ; H . AVilliams , 249 ; J . W . Sergeant , 203 ; AV A . Clayton , 364 ; J . Healing , 12 G 4 ; R . Cam , 724 : N . II . Hacking , 1213 ; A . Davies , 1264 ; W . Stediford , 724 ; J . T . Callow , G 73 ; J . T . Hall , SG ; T . K . Hughes ,

1013 ; S . Wyldo , 1403 ; E . Kyle , G 73 ; J . Thornton , G 73 ; J . \ V . Fowler , SG ; J . llocken , G 73 ; T . Ashmore , 823 ; T . Dodgson , 995 ; J . Case , 995 ; AV . J . Lunt , 823 ; II . Jones , 220 ; AV . C . Connell , 137 , ifcc .

The other names which deserve to be mentioned are Brothers : — J . Bell , S . AV ., 135 G , H . Jackson , S . AV ., 1393 ;

Peovincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

W . G . Beale , Org ., 594 , 135 G , & c . ; W . Forster , J . Deacon , 249 ; J . Houlding , Sec , 823 ; T . Roberts , J . AA " ., 673 , J . Burgess , 8 . D ., 1325 ; E . T . Taylor , J . AV ., 1021 ; A . Vaughan , J . G .,

1182 ; D . Jackson , J . G ., 673 ; AV . Burnett , S . D ., 1013 ; H . Firth , J . G . GG 7 ; P . B . Forshaw , S . AV ., 1403 ; G . Gould , S . D ., 1403 ; J . Little , J . G ., 1225 ; F . J . Hunt , S . W ., 113 ; H . Ashmon , S . W ., li 25 : D . ATilkiiis , J . D ., 14 S ; J . AV .

Ballard , S . W ., 724 ; T . Day , S . AV . 1013 ; F . W . N . Johnson , S . D ., 1213 ; R . AVilliams , S . AA ., 1213 ; J . C . Robinson , J . G ., 249 ; Thc Rev . J . R . Jenkins , Chap ., 216 ; The Eev . J . Dunning , Chap ., 1225 ; J . Sergeant , J . AV ., 580 ; AV . Healing , J . W ., 1094 ; J . AVorsley , S . AV ., 314 ; E . Alvres , J . AV ., 314 ; J . Lecomte , S . D ., 594 ; A . Bucknall , S . 667 ; T . Ockleshow , S . AV ., 6 G 7 ; T . C . Jones , J . D ., 241 ; E . Johnson , S . AV ., 203 ; J . Lloyd , 249 ; W . Vaughan , S . D ,. 724 : AV .

Brown , Treas ., 1182 ; T . B . Myers , S . W ., 1182 ; E . Alartin , Jun ., J . AA ' ., 1182 ; J . E . Jackson , S . W ., 667 ; H . AA ' yatt , S . AV ., J 473 ; T . AV . AVills , J . D ., 1473 ; T . Large , J . D ., 1373 ; T . Shaw , S . AV ., 823 ; F . Knight ., J . AV . 1325 ; J . Armstrong , J . G ., 148 ; Schofield , S . AV ., 1387 ; J . Taylor ,

S . W ., 1051 ; AV . II . Holt , J . W ., 786 ; AL Williamson , Tyler , 1393 , Ac . ; R . Eoberts , S . S ., 1356 ; R . Collings , Sec , 249 ; J . Townsend , J . AV ., 113 ; A . Vandyke , 241 ; A . C . Aloore , S . AV ., 216 ; C . Alatthews , J . AV ., 178 ; II . P . Burton , S . AV ., 333 ; E . Ford , Jun ., J . D ., 1380 ; J . AVhite , J . D ., 13 S 4 ; E . Brown , S . W ., 241 and

1380 ; J . Dale , S ., 1505 ; P . AV . Oglesbv , S ., 823 ; E . P . France , J . AV ., 594 ; W . J . AloVrow , Sec , 897 ; P . J . Edelston , S . AA ., 1250 ; J . Brown , S . AA ^ ., 1070 ; J . A . Nicholson , J . W ., 1070 ; T . Atkinson . J . AA ' ., 281 ; II . Longman , J . AA ., 1051 ; F . Haworth , Org ., 1013 ; II .

Johns , S . AV ., 147 G ; AV . S . Watson , J . G ., 1496 ; C . D . Turton , 823 ; E . llamson , 249 ; E . AV . Braithwaite , J . AV ., 147 G ; AV . S . Can * , J . AA ., 1353 ; J . Acton , S . AV ., 1353 ; E . Brook , S . AA ' ., 703 ; J . AV . Alvcock , J . AA ' ., 703 ; K . Croft , J . D ., 1505 ; AA ' . Alatthews , J . D ., 721 ; AA ' . Roberts ,

J . AA ' ., 1264 ; J . Goodman , J . AV ., 1403 ; S . Nickson , S . D ., 135 G ; J . Williams , Sec , 1182 ; G . Fowler , J . AA ' ., 216 ; L . Pleake , J . G ., 1035 ; C . A . Bamicvman , Sec , 1061 ; AL Mather , J . W ., 1061 ; AV . Newsome , Sec , 13 S 4 ; W . Hughes , S . W ., 292 ; T . Grieve , J . D ., 1398 ; IL Alorris , J . AV ., 1505 ; T . Home , J . AV ., 1356 ; AV . B . Ackersley , Sec , 680 ; J . Wood . Treas ., 1094 ;

Jno . Capel ! , D . C , I 5 G 5 ; John Hughes , S . AV ., 220 ; John Griffiths , Sec , 1264 ; J . Simpkiii , J . W ., 484 ; H . Burrows , J . D ., 673 ; AVm . Jones , S . W ., 1299 ; C . E . AVright , J . AA ., 1354 ; John Hall , Sec , 1354 ; Thos . Davies , S . D ., 1182 ; AVm . Tyrer , J . AV ., 86 ; AV . E . Cattel ] , Sec , •594 , AIcKenzie ( Freemason J , Ac .

DEDICATION OF THE HALL . The craft lodge was opened shortly after twelve o ' ch . ck by Bro . J . Poole , AA . M . 32 , the position of P . AI . being occupied by Bro . H . Scott , AV . AI . 8 G . The members of the P . G . Lodge assembled in the meantime in the double committee room , and after being marshalled in the corridor , proceeded to the great hall in the following order : —

Provincial Grand Piii . uviant . Provincial Grand Organist . Provincial Past Grantl Sword Hearers . Provincial Past Grand Assistant Director of Ceremonies . Provincial Past Grand Director of Ceremonies . Provincial Past Grand Superintendent of Works . Provincial fast Grand Deacons . f The Cornucopia with ]

P . G . | corn , borne by the Master j P . G . Steward . ¦{ ofa Lodge . Two ewers ]¦ Steward , with wine and oil , borne | 1 liy Alasters of Lodges . j

Architect with Plans . Provincial Grand Superintendent of AVorks . Vice-Chairman and Secretary of the Alasonic Hall Committee . The Trustees of the Masonic Hall . Past Provincial Grand Eegistrar .

Provincial Grand Secretary . Provincial Grand Eegistrar carrying tho Seal . Provincial Grand Treasurer . Past Provincial Grand Chaplains .