Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

the petition , so the warrant was granted , and the lodge duly consecrated last month . I find that the scheme proposed for the establishment of a Masonic Hall and Club at Brighton did not commend itself to a majority of the brethren , so could not be carried out , and although , no doubt , many regret it , and would like to see a special home for Freemasonry in the province , there is such ample and extraordinary accommodation in the Royal Pavilion at Brighton ,. that I do not wonder brethren are loth to leave it . The increase in the number of lodges to 30 enables me to appoint-three additional Provincial Grand Officers , and even

now I find myself unable to promote all the brethren whose names are submitted to me , or to give one appointment to each lodge . I have , however , endeavoured to select those brethren I consider most entitled to office , and postponed the consideration of other claims to a future occasion . I am glad to preside over a prosperous and united province . I wish the brethren every happiness , and am exceedingly sorry I am obliged to refuse so many invitations I receive from the various lodges . ARTHUR , P . G . M . October 21 st , 18 93 .

The minutes ofthe last annual meeting having been read and confirmed , the P . G . SECRETARY called the roll of the lodges in the province , after which the reports of the Board of Finance and Charities' Committee were received and adopted . On the motion of Bro . V . P . FREEMAN ' , Prov . G . Sec , the sum of 50 guineas was voted from the funds of the Prov . Grand Lodge to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . Among other amounts voted was the sum of £ 20 towards the Worthing Relief Fund . The following officers were appointed for the ensuing year , a ' nd invested

with the insignia of their respective offices , viz . : Bro . A . King , Mus . Doc , P . M . 271 , 2201 " ... Prov . S . G . W . „ A . M . Brookfield , M . P ., P . M . 341 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . J . A . Rivington , P . M . 56 ... ... ) p G rh „ Rev . R . Wood Loosemore , P . M . 1184 ... J " 0 V" U" U P

„ J . M . Reed , P . M . 732 ... ... ... rYov . li . Treas . „ H . J . Infield , P . M . 271 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ V . P . Freeman , P . M . 315 , 732 ... ... Prov . G . Sec " n PaXt p M ' ^ ] Prov . S . G . Ds . ,, T . Burne , P . M . 1726 ... ... ... j „ Thos . MacQueen , P . M . 916 ... ... > p , „ W . B . Isworth , P . M . 1636 ... j frov . J . Cr . Us . „ J . H . Every , P . M . 311 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W .

„ W . W . D'Albiac , P . M . 1466 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ H . Endacott , P . M . 1 947 ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . „ W . H . Caffyn , P . M . 1110 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ M . Lelew , P . M . 1821 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . " W ^ ^' ' ' ^ 19 1 Prov . G . Std . Brs . .. W . T . lordan . P . M . 1184 . ... ... S

„ ] . G . Buttifant , P . M . 1141 ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ B . Burfield , P . M . 1821 ... .. ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ H . Cheale , P . M . 1829 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . ,, G . Holman , P . M . 311 , 1303 ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst .

,, G . C . Vernon-Inkpen , P . M . 38 „ T . W . Markwick , P . M . 40 „ E . Histed , P . M . 732 ... ... ... l p fi ~ . „ R . Piper , VV . M . 851 ... ... M rov . G . 6 Uds . „ H . Pearce , P . M . 1797 ... „ W . Carless , P . M . 1842 ... A banquet afterwards took place .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF STAFFORDSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Staffordshire was held at the Borough Hall , Stafford , 011 Tuesday , the 7 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . Lieut .-Col . Bindley , Dep . Prov . G . M ., who , since the death of Bro . Col . Gough , has been in charge of the province .

There was a very large assemblage of members , considerably over 200 signing the Tyler ' s book , and all the lodges in the province being represented , from St . Martin's , Burslem , whose warrant dates from 1764 , to St . Michael ' s , Stone , which was consecrated on the 29 th of September last .

Bro . Lieut .-Col . Bindley was supported on the dais by Bros . Capt . J , D . Murray , Past G . Treas . Eng . ; J . Bodenham , P . P . S . G . W ., Past A . G . D . C . Eng , ; C . A . Newnham , P . G . Treas . ; the Rev . S . Wickham Jones , P . G . Chap , j Major G . W . Walker , P . Asst . G . Sec . ; and the Rev . O .

M . Holden , 1 5 , P . G . Chap . Jersey . Bros . W . J . Whittall , 482 , and R . Dain , 98 , occupied the S . W . and J . W . chairs respectively , and there were also present the Present and Past Officers of the Prov . Grand Lodge and Masters and Past Masters of lodges in the province .

After the Prov . Grand Lodge had been opened in Ihe customary manner , letters of apology were announced from Bros . Frank James , P . D . P . G . M . ; Lieut .-Col . E . H . Thorne , P . G . Sec . ( who wrote that he was confined to the house by a chill ) ; Fendelow , Mathias Barker , F . Frobisher , A . M'Bean , Greatbach , Walton , Newman , and other well-known members of the Craft .

The Prov . Grand Treasurer's accounts were approved and adopted , the financial position of the Provincial Grand Lod ge being very satisfactory . Bro . Lieut .-Col . BINDLEY , in addressing the lodge , expressed his warmest thanks to the brethren for assembling in such large numbers in response to

his summons . He referred to the appointment about to be made of a Prov . Grand Master in place of the late lamented Col . Gough . Speaking of the appointments which he was about to make , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master expressed his regret that he was unable to give further honours , considering the many deserving brethren who could justly claim such recognition . Unfortunately , the numberof appointments was limited , and all he could do

was to select those who seemed to have the greatest claim . No personal feeling had entered into any appointment which he had made ; but in all respects he had been guided by the desire to do what he considered best lor the Craft . He congratulated them upon the consecration of two new lodges at Walsall and Stone during the year , and also upon the harmony which existed generally throughout the province . He urged the necessity for Masters installing their successors ,

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.

which always had a grand effect upon those who followed after them , and requested that in the returns made for the compilation of the " Masonic Calendar" the Pastor Present Prov . Grand rank of the Worshipful Master and Past Master ' s should be signified . This would show the honours received by the various lodges , and would also be of assistance in the making of future appointments . He expressed great regret at the illness of Bro . Lieut .-Col . Thorne , who had been one of the most ardent ,

hardworking , and painstaking brethren in the province , and announced the resignation of the duties of Prov . Grand Secretary by Bro . Col . Thorne in consequence of the state of his health . For his past services he proposed to advance him now to the Senior Warden ' s chair . He acknowledged the services of Bro . Newnham as Treasurer , and proposed a cordial vote of thanks to him for the manner in which he had carried out these duties . The motion was seconded by Bro . PEPPER , and carried with acclamation . The D . P . G . M . appointed the following as officers of the Provincial

Grand Lodge for the ensuing year : Bro . Lieut .-Col . G . H . Thome ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ F . W . Willmore ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . " 5 * ?•W ? . ? ° l - •" 1 Prov . G . Chaps . Rev . L . C . A . Edgworth ... ... ) r

„ „ C . A . Newnham ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ ] . M . Wood ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Major G . W . Walker ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec .

" kr u ° i - I Prov . S . G . Ds . „ W . H . Howson ... ... ... ) " ^ Srlfer " .. Z Z ^ J P ™ . J . G . Ds . " „ F . Sherrett ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . VJK

„ J . Woolridge ... ... ... rrov . W .. , . „ Capt . Henry Borrough ... Prov . D . G . DC . „ T . Evans ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ G . Wilson ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

" J- % H , owson •( Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ F . Taylor ... ... ... ... ) „ J . Roper ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . Gladman ... ... ... ... Prov . Asst . G . Purst . „ W . G . Taylor ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ J . Dunbar Steen ... ... ... Prov . A ^ st . G . Sec .

„ C . J . Nevitt ... ... - ... ) " I ' c ^ u " •" "•- Prov . G . Stwds . „ PercySmith ... ... ... ... \ „ D . Mould ... ... ... ... The brethren attended Divine service at St . Mary ' s Church , the sermon being preached by Bro . the Rev . WICKHAM J ONES , Prov . G . Chap . The collection , which amounted to upwards of £ 6 , was devoted to purposes in connection with St . Mary's Parish , and the Prov . G . Chaplain's Parish of Salt .

In the evening a banquet was held in the Shire Hall , under the presidency of Bro . Lieut .-Col . Bindley , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Cheshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF CHESHIRE .

One of the most successful meetings ever held in the province took place on Wednesday , the Sth inst ., at St . George's Schools , Church-street , Hyde . Comp . the Rev . Charles William Spencer-Stanhope , M . A ., Grand Superintendent , not being able to be present , his place was ably filled by Comp . J . Salmon , Deputy , whilst Comp . John Clayton , P . P . G . Reg ., acted as Prov . G . H ., and Comp . Wm . Cartwright , P . P . G . Treas ., acted as Prov . G . J .

Comp . J . SALMON declared the Provincial Grand Chapter opened , and the business of the day was promptly commenced and got through in a most business-like fashion , with Comp . Salmon at its head . It was found that every chapter in the province was represented . Comp . RICHARD NEWHOUSE , Prov . G . S . E ., read over the roll of Provincial Grand Officers , and also read the minutes of the previous meeting , which were confirmed .

The Treasurer ' s accounts were adopted . Comp . SALMON gave a most comprehensive address , which shows at once he must have a full knowledge of all that is takingplace in the province , for although he was called upon at a moment's notice , he gave a most interesting address , and at once proceeded to invest the following officers for the ensuing year :

Comp . Capt . Fernley ... ... ... Prov . G . H . ,, Eardley ... ... ... ... Prov . G . J . ,, R . Newhouse ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ Bailey ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ J . Wild ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ H . Finch ... ... ... ... Prov . P . G . S . „ Billing ... ... ... ... Prov . istA . CS .

„ Clarke ... ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . „ W . H . Finchett ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ J . Armstrong ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ J . Goff ... ... ) „ S . Spencer ... ... ... S Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ M . Stone ... ... ... ... ) „ H . Annett ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C .

„ Wadsworth ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ A . Middleton ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . The Prov . Grand Chapter was held under the banner of the Chapter of Industry , and they had made every arrangement for the comfort of their visitors . Comp . H . FINCH proposed that a sum of 20 guineas be subscribed from the Prov . Grand Chapter to the new Benevolent Institution of Cheshire .

It was afterwards agreed to divide the amount with two chapters in the province to entitle the presiding M . E . Z . at the time as a Life Governor of the above Institution . Other business was transacted , and a most successful meeting terminated . At the banquet , where a large number gathered , the usual loyal and other toasts were given and responded to .

The pleasure of the evening was greatly enhanced by some capital vocal music by Comps . Charles Turner , Wm . Dunville , and Wm . Booth , P . P . G . D . C . ; whilst Comp . A . Middleton ably presided at the p iano .