Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.

example . Always present at the commencement of all ceremonies , always genial at the banquet and throwing a charm over the whole meeting that few men could have done . At the present time Lady Burdett would be supported in her affliction by many expressions of condolence and sympathy ,

but from the way in which the late Prov . Grand Master loved this province there was no expression of condolence that would come to her that would be more acceptable than the resolution which they now proposed to pass . He therefore begged with all sincerity of feeling to second the motion put before Prov . Grand Lod ^ e .

Bro . D . W . PEARSE , P . P . G . Reg ., said that as the Secretary of the Burdett Lodge , it would not perhaps be out of p lace if he endorsed the remarks so well spoken by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master and the Prov . J . G . W . The brethren of the Burdett Lodge felt the loss of the Prov . Grand Master as a member of the lodge as well as the ruler of the province . The motion having been unanimously carried ,

The DEPUTY PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER in charge said he wished to tell the brethren that by his direction a beautiful wreath was sent to Cheshamplace before the funeral , as coming from the brethren of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex . The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed , and , as the brethren dispersed , the Dead March in ' * Saul" was played by Bro . W . T . Peat , Prov . Grand Organist .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northants And Hunts.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTHANTS AND HUNTS .

The annual meeting of the above Prov . Grand Lodge took place at Stamford on Thursday , the gth inst , under the banner of the Merit Lodge , No . 466 , Stamford . The arrangements made by the W . M ., Bro . J . C . Royce , Secretary , and the brethren were all that could be desired , and the proceedings of the day were of a most satisfactory and enthusiastic character . The Board of Benevolence and Charity Organisation

Committee met at the George Hotel , when the usual business was transacted , and several grants made . The Provincial Grand Lodge was afterwards opened , and was presided over by Bro . the Rig ht Hon . the Earl of Euston , D . L ., Prov . Grand Master , who was assisted by Bro . Butler Wilkins , Dep . Prov . Grand Master .

The Provincial Grand Lodge having been duly opened , the minutes of the last Provincial Grand meeting were read by the Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . F . G . BUCKLE . Bro . A . Cockerill , upon the proposition of Bro . B UTLER WILKINS , seconded by Bro . T . W . HARRISON , was again re-elected Provincial Grand Treasurer , and duly invested . The Provincial Grand Master then nominated the following brethren as the officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge for the ensuing year :

Bro . E . P . Monckton , P . M . 466 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ J . Clayson , W . M . 360 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . P . Royston , 442 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ R . F . Winch , P . M . 607 ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ F . G . Buckle , P . M . 442 ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ ] . C . Royce , P . M . 466 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ F . B . Whitford , S . W . 23 S 0 ... ... Prov . J . G . D .

„ T . A . Watford , W . M . 466 ... ... Prov . U . b . ot VV . „ G . Ellard , P . M . 360 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . J . Hart , P . M . 3 60 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . of C . „ H . Hodges , Treas . 1764 , P . P . G . Stwd . ... Prov . G . S . B .

„ J . L . Loweth , J . D . 466 ... ... -1 Prov G . Std . Brs . „ G . Abbott , W . M . 455 ¦•• - -3 „ E . Solomon , 442 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ H . W . Giles , Sec . 445 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst .

,, G . F . Ii . Wilkinson , 360 „ W . H . Pontile )' , 442 ... " A . F . Mulliner , 23 80 ... I Prov . G . Stwds . ,, A . G . Davison , 373

„ M . Warwick , 1704 „ P . Mitchell , 607 ... ... ... J „ H . Plowman , 442 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . Each officer was invested by the Prov . Grand Master with his insignia of

office . Bro . A . Cockerill , 3 60 , was appointed Steward to the Girls' School Festival next year . The balance-sheet of the Masonic Benevolent and Provincial Grand Lodge Fund was presented and adopted . Bros . G . Ellard and F . G . Buckle were again appointed as Stewards to watch the interest of the province with respect to the Charities . The PROV . GRAND MASTER congratulated the lodge on having done so

well during the past year . He was pleased to be able to announce that they had succeeded on the first occasion in getting a Stamford brother elected as a recipient of the fund of the Masonic Benevolent Institution . He thanked the oliicers who had backed him up so well during the year , and was pleased that a warrant had been issued for the formation of another lodge at Kingsley Park , Northampton . He assured the brethren it was his wish to

do all he could to promote Freemasonry in that province , and in the country generally , and he was glad to have such good officers to assist him in doing so . He announced that the Peterborough Lodge had invited them lo hold the next annual meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge at Peterborough , and that had been decided upon . He had been asked to take the chair at the Festival of the Girls' School next year , and he hoped the province would do what it could to assist him in taking up a good round sum towards the funds .

The brethren subsequently sat down to a banquet at the George Hotel , the chair being taken by the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , who was supported by Bro . Butler Wilkins , D . P . G . M ., Bro . the Rev . P . Royston , and the newly-invested Prov . Grand Officers . An excellent banquet was served by Miss Hawkins , the manageress of the hotel .

At the conclusion of the banquet , the PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER gave the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " which was followed b y that of " The M . W . the Grand Master of England , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., " the Provincial Grand Master expressing his sorrow at the loss their Grand Master had suffered during the year . The toasts were musically honoured .

" 'l'he M . W . Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom ; the D . G . M ., the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe ; and the Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " was also submitted from the chair . Both oliicers were spoken highly of by the PROVINCIALGRAND MASTER , and he said they had to thank the Earl of Lathom for the good and sound advice he was able to give them . While

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northants And Hunts.

they had officers such as they had at the head of affairs Freemasonry would prosper , and he heartily proposed their healths . Bro . F . G . BUCKLE gave " The Provincial Grand Master , the Ri ght Hon . the Earl of Euston , D . L . " He spoke in terms of great praise of the manner in which his lordship fulfilled his office , and said the province under

his guidance was in a better condition and position than it had ever been in the past . He hoped the Provincial Grand Master might long be spared to preside over that province , and that his efforts to promote Freemasonry might be followed up with continued success . The toast was most enthusiastically received .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER , in reply , thanked the brethren for the manner in which they had received the toast . It had been his endeavour to learn all he could in connection with the Craft , so that if any defect arose he might be able to cope with it , but he was pleased to say that during the five years he had held office there had been no serious defection of any kind . The work in the province was going on slowly but steadily , and he

was happy to see the increase they had made . He hoped that in the course of time the province , instead of being one of the smallest in point of numbers , would become equal to any other province in the country . It was his ambition to make it so , and he hoped they would help him all they could . During the five years he had presided over the province three new lod ges had been consecrated , and another would soon be formed at Kingsley Park ,

Northampton . He also hoped that another lodge would be formed in Peterborough , as the lodge in that town now numbered nearly 90 members , and there was then but little chance of promotion . If a new lodge was formed out of the old one , he hoped the old officers would do what they could to support it . He thanked the members of the Stamford Lodge for the hospitality they had shown that day , and for the excellent arrangements

made throughout . The Prov . Grand Lodge of that day had been largel y attended , and everything had passed off well . He hoped the Stamford Lodge and Chapter would go on increasing in strength . The PROV . GRAND MASTER then submitted the toast of " The Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Butler Wilkins , P . G . Std . Br . " He said the Deputy Prov . Grand Master ' s work in the province was well known to

them , and for some years he had the whole of the work on his shoulders , and had acquitted himself admirably . He thanked him for the great assistance he had given him in carrying out the duties of his office , and said he did not think there was another province in England possessed of a better Deputy Grand Master . The toast was accorded a most hearty reception .

The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , in reply , thanked the brethren for the manner they had received the toast , and then said it was 16 years since he was presented to the brethren by the Duke of Manchester , the then Provincial Grand Master , in the very room in which they were assembled . The retrospective view came vividly before him , and he missed many of the

brothers who were present at that time . He spoke of the pleasure he felt at the progress the province had made , and was making , under the guidance of their Provincial Grand Master , who was most attentive to the duties of his office , and who left very little for him to do as deputy , and he hoped that progress would still go on increasing .

"The Grand Officers of the Province , Present and Past , was next submitted by the PROV . GRAND MASTER , and the manner in which they had carried out their duties was remarked upon with great satisfaction . He trusted the officers invested that day would still carry on the good work , and in advancing Bro . Monckton to the office of Prov . Senior Grand Warden he felt he was advancing a brother who had shown himself thoroughly capable in every work he undertook . He was pleased he had such an array of good officers , and coupled the name of Bro . Monckton with the toast .

Bro . E . P . MONCKTON , in the course of his reply , said he hoped the officers invested that day would rise to a sense of their duty , and would do what they could for the benefit of the Craft generally . Whatever services he had rendered had been given willingly and for the good of the Craft . They had a good leader to serve under , and he hoped they would support him in every way they could in the future , and so promote the welfare of the Order .

Bro . COCKERILL proposed " The Masonic Charities , " which was duly acknowledged . The remaining toasts were " The Visiting Brethren , " " The W . M . and Brethren of the Entertaining Lodge and the other Lodges in the Province , " and the Tyler ' s toast . Songs were sung at intervals , and a most pleasant evening was spent .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held on the 6 th inst ., at the Royal Public Rooms , Exeter , the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Viscount Ebrington , M . P ., presiding , the Deputy P . G . M ., Bro . W . G . Roger * , 112 , and a large number of brethren being also present . Provincial Grand Lodge was opened , Bro . the Rev . J . Henning acting as P . G . Chaplain .

The Prov . G . Sec , Bro . DAVIE , presented a report , which showed the strength of the province to be : Lodges , 52 ; members , 3254 , an increase ot 192 members over the previous year . There had been 244 initiations , an increase ol 2 z ; « 8 members were reported in arrears , an increase of 01 ,

The PROV . GRAND MASTER said lodges would do well either to get ' " the arrears , or to get rid of the members . The PROV . GRAND TREASURER reported a small balance in hand . Bro . F . POLLARD presented the report of the Fortescue Annuity Fund . The Governors reported that since the last Provincial Grand Lodge a

Tavistock a vacancy had arisen by the death of Bro . George Curzon , j > There would be several applicants for the annuity , and the Governors # on the province the necessity of further donations and subscriptions in or that the number of annuitants might be permanently increased . The report having been moved and seconded , . Bro . E . II . SIIORTO said he believed there was scarcely a brother in .. .. . . . 1 r 1 : r nnlv tni . fund if only

province who would not be ready and willing to support this matter was properl y submitted to them . He ventured to say further there were hundreds of brethren who hardly knew of the existence 0 admirable institution . He thought he could substantiate that by p ° " ^ to the splendid success which had attended the kindred movement 11 ^ province for the Devon Masonic Educational Fund . That was supp ^ by a large body of regular subscribers ; there were 50 subscribers 1 ^ lodge ; and he did not see why , in time , the Annuitant Fund S ' ,, . rhat , similarl y supported . He therefore moved this rider to the report :