Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hertfordshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF HERTFORDSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge took place at Bishop ' s Stortford , on Friday , the 28 th ult ., the chair being occupied , as usual , by Bro . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Prov . G . M ., who was supported by his officers and the representatives of the lodges to the number of about a hundred .

The minutes of the previous annual meeting having been read and confirmed , and the rolls of Prov . Grand Officers and lodges called over , the brethreh unanimously re-elected Bro . F . Sumner Knyvett , P . G . D , P . P . G . W ., to the office of Prov . G . Treasurer .

The Prov . G . M . appointed the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year : Bro . E . D . Agnew , P . M . 409 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ A . H . Boucher , P . M . 403 ... ... Prov . J . G . W .

„ Rev . H . Izod Rogers , P . M . 403 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ F . Sumner Knyvett , P . M , 404 ( elected ) ... Prov . G . Treas . ,. C . J . Ward , P . M . 2086 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Charles Bullock , P . M . 504 ... ... Prov . G . Sec .

„ J . W . Duvall , P . M . 404 ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ C . H . Phillips , P . M . 15 S 0 ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ J . S . Brunskill , P . M . 2136 ... ... Prov . G . S . of Wks „ James Terry , P . M . 2372 ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ G . A . Seaward , P . M . 409 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ A . F . Smith , P . M . 1479 ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

„ C . li . Everett , P . M . 869 ... •••} p ,. „ .. r KZ . A n « . 'I H . E . Smith , P . M . 1327 j Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ H . L . Frost , Org . 19 S 4 ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, Alfred Prudames , P . M . 504 ... ... Prov . Asst . G . Sec „ R . W . Rolfe , S . W . 1757 ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ J . Miller , P . M . 2136 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst .

„ W . Verini , P . M . 404 ... ... ... } „ W . D . Watford , P . M . 2054 ... ... | „ Jno . Beak , I . P . M . 2136 ... ... I p fi « , . „ S . H . Wright , P . M . 2331 f ° ' ° - btwd : " „ H . Monson , P . M . 2353 ... ... | „ F . H . Mansell , P . M . 2518 ... ... J ,, J . Percival , Tyler 404 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . „ A . Pavitt , Tyler 504 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Tyler . The following sums were then voted unanimously : ^ 52 ios . to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , lo be placed on the list of Bro . Charles E . Keyser , P . G . D ., P . P . G . W ., as Steward ; . £ 10 to the Stortford

Lodge No . 409 , towards the expense of entertaining Prov . G . Lodge ; and . £ 10 ios . to be divided equally between the Bishop s Stortford Hospital and the Nursing Institution . The motion to continue the publication of the Calendar was agreed to , and the report of the Hertfordshire Masonic Charity Committee read and adopted . Provincial Grand Lodge was closed , and thc brethren dined together , under the presidency of the Prov . G . M .

Consecration Of The Rolle Lodge, No. 2759.

CONSECRATION OF THE ROLLE LODGE , No . 2759 .

Bro . Sir Stafford Northcote , P . G . M ., on thc ylh inst . consecrated the above lodge at the Masonic Hall , Exmouth . Over 100 brethren were present , and the P . G . M . was assisted by Bros . G . C . Davie , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . j G . S . Strode , P . S . G . W . ; P . Maury Deas , P . J . G . W . ; R . Peek , P . G . Chap . Eng . j John Stocker , P . G . Sec ; and J . R . Lord , P . G . D . ofC

Bro . Perry , having been installed W . M . by the P . G . M ., appointed Bros . G . Ellelt , S . W . ; R . C . W . Graves , J . W . ; H . Bridle , J . S . ; J . T . Foster , I . P . M . ; G . Maynard , Chap . ; E . W . Allen , D . C ; G . J . Allen , A . D . C ; J . E . Brooks , Sec ; H . W . Crews , I . G . j G . A . C . Drake , Treas . ; G . Matthew , S . D . ; H . Peters , J . D . * , E . J . Salter , Stwd . ; and W . Blake , P . M ., Tyler . The following were also amongst the brethren who attended :

Bros . Major Joseph Matthews , P . M . 282 , P . P . S . G . W ., acting W . M . ; Wm , Allsford , 202 , P . P . G . Tyler ; J . W . R . Lord , 1247 , P . P . G . Tyler and P . G . D . C ; Tom P . Welby , 847 , P . G . Stwd , ; W . Vigors Harris , 230 , P . P . G . W . ; W . Pearse , 39 , P . Dist . S . G . W . Malta ; VV . T . Blake , P . M . 106 ; G . J . Shapcott , 1254 , P . G . Org . ; W . A . Gregory , 1254 , P . P . G . T . ; Alx . C . A . Higerty , 106 , 213 97 P . P . J . G . W . Berks ; T . W . Perry , 856 , P . P . G . Reg . Cornwall ; W . Pidsley ,

, 1254 , 37- ' , P . P-A . G . D . C ; Fred Magric , W . M . 106 ; Wm , Stenlake , P . M . and Sec . 223 , P . G . S . B , ; T . Freeman , 106 , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; E . Bishop , 10 C , P . P . A . D . C . ; II . L . Friend , 1443 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; C G . Withell , P . M . 70 and 2025 , Treas ., P . P . G . D . ; G . Dunsterville , P . M . 189 , P . S . G . D . ; R . W . J . Smart , 48 9 and 251 , P . P . G . C . ; ] . C . Palmer , 372 , P . P . S . G . W . ; A , T . Blarney , 1402 , P . P . J .

G . D , ; John Moass , 1284 , P . P . G . S . of Wks . ; W . Haymes , 206 , P . P . G . P .,- E . T Fulford , 1254 , P . P . G . T . ; Edwd . W . Hellier , P . M . 847 ; F . W . Mitchell , P . M S 47 ; C . Jefferies , W . M . 2189 ; H . Lamacraft , W . M . 12 S 4 ; A . J . Rowe , I . P . M . 1284 ; C . W . Leyman , P . M . 372 ; G . Coombes , P . M . 372 ; J . L . Towning , P . M . 372 j W . G . H . Ruth , P . M . 1443 ; and G . Allen , P . M . 106 .

The musical arrangements were in the hands of Bro . F . J . Shapcott , Prov . G . Org . A banquet was subsequently held .

MASONIC HAM ., AI . SHKSHOT . —The competition forthe design of a new Masonic Hall at Aldershot has now been decided . Sixteen designs weresent in , and the assessor was Mr . Edwin O . Sachs , who awarded the first premium to the design entitled " Labour and Refreshment , " recommending the author to be commissioned to erect the building with certain modifications . The Board of Directors have approved of his report . The assessar further reported that no second premium could be awarded , as no one design showed sufficient sup ; riority over the remainder to merit this distinclion . On opening the sealed envelopes , the authors ot the selected design were found to be Messrs . Clarence T . Coggin , A . R . I . B . A ., and Thos , Wallis , of 15 , Yo ; ( -.-buildings , Adelphi , London , E . C .

Ireland.

Ireland .

LURGAN FREEMASONS' EALL

LAYING THE FOUNDATION-STONE . Wednesday , the 9 th inst ., may truly be given the distinction of a redletter day in the annals of Lurgan Freemasonry , for not only does it mark the culmination of the hopes entertained for many years by local members of the Craft , but it must ever be regarded as the dawn of a new era for Masonry in this district . To Irish Freemasons generally Lurgan occupies

a distinguished position by reason of its long association with the Craft . Unfortunately , the records of its introduction here have been lost , but the fact that one of the local lodges has been working in the town uninterruptedly for a period of over 150 years—as shown by the carefully-preserved charter and minutes of lodge meetings—is of itself sufficient to prove that Lurgan was one of the centres in Ireland in which Masonry first took root ,

and this is confirmed by the additional fact—of which there is unquestionable evidence—that Masonry flourished in Lurgan for years before the institution of the Grand Lodge of Ireland . The existing records show that the principles of the Craft have for ages been steadily and consistently upheld by the foremost and best of our citizens , who have from time immemorial been associated with the Order , and that the lessons of loyalty ,

chanty , and brotherly love which they inculcate have been of advantage to the individual and beneficial to the community . Freemasonry is flourishing in Lurgan . The membership of its three lodges is being steadily increased , and the necessity for a suitable home for the Craft among-us is being daily made more apparent . Such a home the new Freemasons' Hall will provide for many years to come . The building will occupy a handsome and

accessible site on Windsor Avenue , well within 100 yards of our main thoroughfare . The plans as prepared by Bro . Godfrey W . Ferguson , P . M . P . P . R . C , of Royal Avenue , Belfast , exhibit a structure of very chaste design , with a gable frontage to the avenue , supported by an octagonal tower , having a pretty bell-shaped roof . The ground floor of the building will contain a spacious dining-room , 40 by 22 feet , with service room

kitchen , pantries , kc , in the rear , while commodious cloak-rooms and lavatories will be located behind the tower . This latter will enclose a staircase leading to the upper floor , on which will be situated the lodge-room , ante-rooms , Secretary ' s office , and strong room for Masonic records and other documents . The building will be heated with hot water on the latest

and most appioved principle , a chamber at the rear being provided for the apparatus , while adequate provision has been made for thorough ventilation . The materials used in construction will be Laganvale pressed brick with red sandstone facings , and in the hands of the capable contractor , Bro . Thomas McMillen , Ormeau-avenue , Belfast , it is expected that the hall will be ready for dedication in about six months .

For the purposes of Wednesday ' s ceremony , a special communication of the Prov . G . Lodge of Armagh was convened , and the lodge meeting was attended not only by the full strength of the Provincial Officers , but also by seven of the principal Oflicers of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , and representative Officers from the Provinces of Down and Antrim . Bro . Sir James

Creed Meredith , the R . W . Deputy G . Master of Ireland , presided , with R . W . Bro . R . Keating Clay , G . Treas ., as S . G . W ., and W . Bro . W . J . Chetwode Crawley , P . G . D ., actingJ . G . W . ; all the brethren appearing in full-dress aprons , the Officers of the Prov . G . Lodge and the warrant officers of subordinate lodges wearing in addition the collars and jewels of their respective offices .

After the usual instructions and cautions from the chair , the lodge was " called off , " and the Prov . G . D . of C , Bro . R . H . Forsythe , Lurgan ( who was assisted by Bro . Alexander Lutton , P . G . D . of C , Down ) , formed a

procession . There was a large attendance of representatives of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , the Provincial Grand Lodges of Antrim , Down , and Armagh , and the subordinate lodges , among those present being—Bros . Sir James Creed Meredith , LL . D ., G . M . of Ireland ; the Rev . B . Gibson , G . C . G . L . I , ; Robert Keating Clay , G . C . G . L . I . ; Right Rev . Dr . Welland , P . G . C . G . L . I . ; J . M . Lowry , G . D . C . G . L . I . ; G . Scriven , G . S . B . G . L . I . ; W .

J . Chetwode Crawley , LL . D ., G . Sec . G . L . I . ; Sydney Jackson , D . P . G . M . Armagh ; W . Hamilton , P . G . S . j James Malcolm , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . R . Scanlon , H . P . 119 , P . G . C . Down ; A . A . Lutton , P . M ., P . K ., P . G . D . C . Down , H . K . T . ; Thomas Bradshaw , P . G . S . Down ; R . M . Logan , G . I . Armagh j T . A . Finch , G . S . B . Armagh ; R . H . Forsythe , P . D . D . C Armagh ; T . Faloon , P . P . S . G . D . Armagh ; W . Spence , C . E ., G . S . of W . ; Rev . James Wilson ,

P . G . C . Armagh ; Geo . Priestly , P . S . G . W . ; Jas . Taylor , P . P . S . G . W . ; R . W . D . Montgomery , P . P . S . G . W . Antrim ; R . J . Hilton , 30 , D . P . G . M . Antrim ; G . F . Watt , P . S . T . Armagh ; William Taylor , P . P . S . G . W . Armagh ; J . H . Glendinning , P . M ., Rep . G . L . I . Armagh ; T . D . Gibson , R . M ., P . P . G . D . C . Armagh ; W . H . Campbell , S . W . 24 ; S . A . Lynn , P . M ., P . K . 24 ; William Simmons , W . M ., R . A . C . 119 ; J- H . Turkington , R . A . C . 24 ; William Martin , 24 ; W .

J . Allen , 203 ; John Malcomson , P . M . 151 , R . A . C ; Louis Richardson , P . M . 151 , R . A . C . ; W . J . Allen , S . D . 151 ; Albert Malcomson , S . W . 151 ; James Johnston , P . M . 134 ; William Rusk , I . G . 24 ; William Jones , 24 ; Dr . Pedlow , J . W . 134 ; S . Agnew , M . D ., P . M . 134 , P . K ., H . K . T . ; Francis Watson , P . M . 134 ; Thos . McMillen , 109 ; John Long , P . M . 24 ; E . Reynolds , R . A . C . 24 ; Hugh Watson , P . M . 134 ; Thomas Elliott , P . M . 24 j J . E . Lonsdale , LG . 151 ; J . S .

Dennison , 151 ; Rev . M . A . Holden , P . M . 219 ; R . A . Waddeil , R . A . C . 24 ; H . Maxwell , 151 ; Godfrey VV . Ferguson , P . M ., P . G . R . C ; Thomas Ross , P . M . 24 ; Samuel Charles , R . A . C . 24 ; S . C Robinson , P . M . 151 , R . A . C . ; Adam Boyd , P . M ., P . P . S . B . ; George Smyth , 7 81 ; Thomas Farley , P . M . 789 , P . K . ; Samuel Campbell , P . M . 24 , R . A . C ; F . W . Pollock , 93 ; Thomas Byron , P . M . 24 ; W . H . Hall , 24 ; W . H . Redmond , 24 ; W . D . Fitzgerald , 216 ; William Douie , 24 ; J . A . Thompson , P . M . 151 , P . K . ; C , J . Collins , 82 ; | . W .

Hamilton , P . M . 134 ; W . R . McCauley , W . M . 24 ; Rev . C . W . Kennedy , 24 ; A . Mcllwaine , J . W . 24 ; J . Harrison , P . M . 151 , R . A . C ; George Seyton , 24 , R . A . C ; James McCrory , 24 ; James E . Faloon , P . M . 24 , R . A . C ; A . Hewitt , 151 , Captain G . W . Greer , 134 ; H . F . Lee , 409 ; D . Drennan , 151 ; John Eyfe , 24 ; Samuel VVilson , P . M . 219 ; T . S . Morrison , P . M . 212 ; W . Livingston , P . M ., P . K . 24 ; Albert E . Jones , J . W . 82 ; John T . Ross , R . A . C . 24 ; Robt . Campbell , P . M . 151 , P . K ., H . K . T . ; Robert Rice , P . M . 178 ; C . A . Robinson , J . D . 352 ; and D . Jackson , 7 89 .