Provincial Grand Lodge Of Leicestershire And Rutland.

The report of the Charity Committee read by Bro . B . A . SMITH , P . M . 523 , P . P . S . G . W ., stated that there had been no candidates from this province during the past year for either of the central Masonic Charities . Two claimants would , however , enter the lists during the coming year , and it was a matter of deep regret that no less than 600 votes had been lost to the province , thus seriously imperilling the chance of success of the candidates .

The Prov . G . Treasurer ' s audited accounts were presented and adopted , and Bro . Geo . Oliver , P . M . 1007 , P . P . G . P ., was unanimously re-elected Prov . G . Treasurer on the motion of The DEPUTY PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER , seconded by Bro . W . j . FREER , P . M . 1170 and 1560 , P . P . S . G . D . The Provincial Grand Master then appointed and invested the following as Provincial Grand Officers for the year : —

Bro . The Hon . F . C . R . Paulyn Hastings , P . M . 779 Prov . S . G . W . „ E . P . Steeds , P . M . 2081 , P . P . G . R . ... Prov . J . G . W . " Rev . H . W . Fitch , Chap 1265 1 Prov . G . Chaps . „ Rev . Henry S . Biggs , I . G . 523 ... ... ) „ „ , „ Geo . Oliver , P . M . 1007 ( re-elected ) ... Prov . G . Treas . „ W . 1 . Freer , P . M . 1560 , P . G . S . B . ... Prov . G . Reg . „ E . Holmes , W . M . 279 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ T . B . Laxton , P . M . 1007 , P . P . G . O . ... Prov . S . G . D . „ W . f . Curtis , P . M . 523 ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ G . W . Rawson , P . M . 2028 ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ C . J . Wilkinson , P . M . 1391 , P . P . S . G . W ., ( re-appointed ) ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ T . Jesson , P . M . 779 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ W . ' G . S . Rolleston , W . M . 1560 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . : ; ] •| : ^ P : M . 'i ^ .. . ::: ::: }•*_ . - . _•___ . „ W . Richter , 279 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ S . S . Pridmore , P . M . 50 ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ G . Green , W . M . 1330 ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ J . Adcock Barr , S . W . 50 ... ... " ) „ \ V . F . Hill , S . W . 1130 ...

" W- fi-f ^ yJ / W . 1265 Prov . G . Stwds . ., W . Alkins , Treas . 1330

„ R . R . Blackwell , J . W . 1560 „ W . H . Swingler , " W . M . 2081 ... .. J „ James Tanser , Tyler 279 ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . Bro . I . H . Thompson , P . M . 1265 , P . P . S . G . D ., was unanimously elected

as Charity Steward for the province . Letters of apology were received from Bros . W . Kelly , P . P . G . M ., W . J . Hughan , P . S . G . D . ; F . R . W . Hedges , Sec . Royaj Masonic Institution for Girls j ] . M . McLeod , Sec . Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; T . B . Whytehead , P . G . S . B . ; and many others . Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed , and the ceremony of the consecration of tbe Lodge of Research was proceeded with .

The Prov . Grand Master vacated the chair in favour of the D . P . G . M ., Bro . S . S . Partridge , P . M . 523 , 15 60 , P . A . G . D . C . England , who appointed as his officers the Provincial Grand Officers newly invested . The lodge was formally opened , and , after Bro . the Rev . F . TIBBITS , M . A ., P . P . G . C , had delivered an oration , the ceremony of consecration was continued nnd completed .

Bro . G . W , Speth , P . M . and Sec . 2076 , then took the chair , and installed Bro . J . T . ' 1 horp , P . M . 523 , P . P . S . G . W ., as W . M . The following brethren were invested as ofiicers : Bros . W . M . Williams , P . M . 279 , as S . W . ; E . Holmes , W . M . 279 , as J . W . ; S . S . Partridge , D . P . G . M ., as Treas . ; the Rev . H . S . Biegs , Prov . G . Chap ., as Sec ; W . H . Staynes , S . W . 2081 , as S . D . ; R . Pratt , M . D ., I . G . 15 60 , as J . D . ; and F . W . Billson , Stwd . 1391 , as l . G .

On ihe motion of the D . P . G . M ,, seconded by Bro . W . M . WILLIAMS , S . W ., Bros . W . Kelly , P . P . G . M . ; G . W . Speth , P . M . and Sec . 2076 ; and W . H . Barrow , Mus . Doc ., P . P . G . O ., were elected Hon . Members of the lodge . The names of joining members were proposed and seconded , and , after " Hearty good wishes " from the various lodges had becn tendered , the new lodge was closed .

The banquet which followed was presided over by the D . P . G . M . in the absence oi the P . G . M ., who was obliged to leave at the end of the consecration ceremony . In addition to the list of officers already given , the following brethren

were present : Bros . G . Toller , P . D . P . G . M . ; W . Vial , P . M . X 007 ; G . Jessop , 'P . M . 2028 and 2081 ; W . M . Williams , P . M . 279 ; the Hon . Paulyn Hastings , P . M . 779 ; W . J . New , P . M . 1130 ; G . S . Catlow , P . M . 50 ; G . Bullen , P . M . 432 ; J . Chambers , P . M . 1265 ; T . G . Charleswortb , P . M . 523 ; R . L . Gibson , P . M . 1007 ; J . G . Bower , P . M . 1391 ; W . A . Musson , P . M . 779 ; C . K . Morris , P . M . 1265 ; the Rev . Canon J . Denton , P . M . 779 ; C . E . Stretton , P . M . 279 ; W . S . Allen , 779 ; C . Oliver , P . M . 1007 ; J . T . Thorp , P . M . 523 : G . C . Oliver , P . M . 1007 ; R . Michie ,

P . M . 279 ; J . Hassall , P . M . 779 ; J . B . Waring , P . M . 523 ; R . B . Starkey , P . M . 1391 ; J . Young , P . M . 523 ; T . B . Laxton , P . M . 1007 ; B . A . Smith , P . M . 523 ; F . G . Boden , P . M . 779 ; K . J . Baines , P . M . 523 ; J . H . Marshall , P . M . 279 and 1007 ; J . Harrison , P . M . 1391 ; W . H . Barrow , P . M . 523 ; W . H . Lead , P . M . 2081 ; M . H . Lewin , P . M . 1330 ; W . H . Key , P . M . 2028 ; W . B . Smith , P . M . 279 ; W . Perry , P . M . 148 ; T . Carter , P . M . 1560 ; W . Keep , P . M . 1265 ; S . Knight , P . M . 1391 : C . Lowenstein , P . M . 1007 ; W . H . Pick , P . M . 1330 ; W . W . Vincent , P . M . 1391 ; F . B . Wilmer , P . M . 2028 ; and many others .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SUSSEX .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on the 27 th ult . The Provincial Grand Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , presided at the large and influential gathering , and was supported by the following Provincial Grand Ofiicers : Bros . Sir W . T . Maniott , Q . C , M . P ., D . P . G . M . ; Francis Bellingham , P . S . G . W . ; W . Wright , P . J . G . W . j J . Puttick , P . G . Chap . ; Phillip Crick , P . G . Chap . ; John M . Reed , P . G . Treas . ; V . P . Freeman , P . G . Sec . ; R . Willard , P . S . G . D . ;

G . B . Thompson , P . G . S . of W . ; VV . Gill , P . G . D . of C . ; George Rawlinson , P . A . G . D . of C ; J . H . Knight , P . G . S . B . ; H . R . Edwards , P . G . Std . Br . ; A . King , P . G . Org . ; D . Burfield , P . A . G . Sec ; James Terry , P . A . G . P . ; J . P . Slingsby Roberts , P . G . Stwd . ; R . Davison , P . G . S . ; Herbert , Langton , P . G . S . ; John C . Buckwell , P . G . S . ; E . S . Medcalf , P . G . S . ; and Henry H . Hughes , P . G . Tyler . There was also a large gathering of brethren of the province and visitors .

The lodge having been duly opened , and the purely formal business having been transacted , the Provincial Grand Master invested Bro . R . Willard as Prov . S . G . D ., that brother having , since the previous general meeting , being appointed to succeed the late Bro . J . Cooke in that office .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

On the motion of Bro . W . DAWES , P . P . S . G . W ., the sum of 50 guineas was voted from the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER then addressed the brethren as follows : I am glad I am able to visit you again this year , and find that Masonry has gone on in a quiet and satisfactory manner since we last met .

1 was sorry not to be able to attend the special meeting , the necessity for which we all deplored ; the sad event elicited such unanimous expressions of sympathy from all Masons . In the returns to June 30 th , although ther e has been the average number of initiations and joining members , the deaths , resignations , & c ., have accounted for all but two , so that the total number has only increased irom 1311 101313 . Since then , having been able to

recommend a petition for a new lodge at Eastbourne , the M . W . Grand Master has been pleased to grant a warrant for the Anderida Lodge , which was consecrated last week by my worthy Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and I regret I was unable to be present . Although it does not appear to me that the new lodge was absolutely necessary , it was signed by so many

and influential Masons that I felt they would be responsible for its prosperity , and wish tliem Godspeed . I have also received from the Deputy Provincial Grand Master a petition for another lodge , to be held at Uckfield , which I also find to be introduced by so many local and well known Masons that I have been able to recommend it . I trust the warrant

will be granted in due course , and the lodge launched on a prosperous career . I think now we may fairly assume that another new lodge in the province is hardly desirable at present . I have to thank the brethren of the province for the manner in which they supported me at the annual festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for the Daughters of Freemasons . Coming after that splendid meeting at Covent Garden Theatre , at which

the Deputy Grand Master presided , on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Aged Freemasons ! and Widows of Freemasons , where such a large sum was collected , and he was well assisted by the brethren of the province , I was glad to find that there was another large sum of money forwarded to the Secretary of the Institution , whose interest I had specially to plead , and that I was supported at the festival b y

so many Stewards from the province . Thc report of the Charities Committee is most gratifying to me and creditable to my province , particularly when I consider the number of my subscribing members . In reference to a proposal to form a Masonic Temple and Club at Brighton , it is a matter which has my cordial support . I think it is most desirable , as , however well calculated the Royal Pavilion in which we are now assembled

may be for Masonic purposes , it would add very much to the dignity of the Order to meet in a home appropriated to the Craft , and the proposed site appears to offer every convenience . At the present , I understand , so fewreplies have been received that it is impossible to proceed , but such a large amount has been promised by the brethren in reply to the 1200 circulars issued , that I venture to hope a sufficient amount will yet be subscribed . 1 understand that at present only a few brethren have expressed disapproval

of the scheme , and leel quite , sure , that if a large majority decide to purchase the building , all will work harmoniously together . I have only in conclusion to thank my Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the attention he has given to the affairs of thc province . I am well instructed in all that takes place , and feel much gratified at the manner in which the proceedings are conducted , and rely upon the brethren to cordially support me in maintaining the dignity and honour of the Craft . The officers for the ensuing year were appointed and invested as follows .-

Bro . j . P . Slingsby Roberts , P . M . 1466 , J . W . 2201 ... Prov . S . G . W . „ H . Langton , P . M . 271 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . " 5 " ?¦ ? " # '•W-M , 8 . w AT r "' - ] Prov . G . Chaps . „ Rev . J . A . Rivington , W . M . 56 ... ... ) * „ j . M . Reed , P . M . 732 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ T . P . Marker , P . M . 732 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ V . P . Freeman , P . M . 31 * 5 , 732 ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ B . Burfield , P . M . 1821 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ E . S . Medcalf , P . M . 1947 ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ J . C . Buckwell , P . M . 2187 , S . W . 1797 ... Prov . J . G . D . „ A . J . Howard , P . M . mo ... ... Prov . G . S . of VV . „ R . T . Davison , P . M . 1184 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ E . G . Whittle , P . M 811 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ | . Barnett , P . M . 1141 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . " h Bil i ' . S hurst ' , x ; ' l 821 , '" •" _ Prov . G . Std . Br .. „ Geo . Wilson , P . M . 1303 , 1619 ... ..... „ A . S . Cooke , W . M . 315 ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ F . Plowman , P . M . 40 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ R . B . Higham , P . M . 1829 ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ F . V . Paxton , P . M . 55 „ J . H . Every , P . M . 311 ...

„ A . M . Brookfield , P . M . 341 ••••••L Prov . G . Stwds . „ T . MacOucen , P . M . 916 ... ... [ „ W . B . rsworth , P . M . 16 3 6 ,, Thomas Burne , P . M . 1726 ... ... J „ H . H . Hughes ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The Provincial Grand Lodge having been closed , the brethren sat dmvn to an elegant banquet in the banqueting room . H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , Prov . Grand Master , presided , and was supported by the Deputy Grand Master , Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C ., M . P . ; Bro . Alderman . )• Ewart ( Mayor of Brig hton ); and the Grand Officers . Opening the toast list , the PROV . GRAND M ASTER proposed l " - Oueen and the Craft" which was warmly received .

, In submitting "The M . W . Grand Master , the Prince of Wales , tw PROV . GRAND MASTER said it had been a source of regret to his l y ' )'' brother that he had not been amongst the brethren so much as he could ha * , wished , but he hoped next year would see him again taking a Jcading p

in the Craft . r . A The PROV . GRAND MASTER next proposed "The M . W . Pro t * ra Master , thc Rig ht Hon . the Earl of Lathom ; the R . W . the Deputy Oran Master , the Rig ht Hon . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe ; and the rest 0 " Grand Officers , Present and Past . " Hc said the brethren owed a dcoi gratitude to the Grand Officers , for never had officers taken greater intei ^ than they had in the Craft . He especially alluded to the tact nnaji fpnlin . r will , wbirh thp K . it-1 nf l .-ithom had carried out his duties . ' ,

were honoured that evening by the presence of several Grand Vfoce'b '' \ greatly appreciated their company . He was personally grateful to L Money for the manner in which he frequently supported him . Bro . Colonel MONEY said the Grand Officers had good examp les W them in the Earl of Lathom and the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe . lnc