Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somersetshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SOMERSETSHIRE .

Tire members of the Weston-super-Mare Lodge , St . Kew , No . 1222 , had the honour on Thursday , the nth inst ., of receiving the members of Provincial Grand Lodge . The occasion was an eventful one in the local annals of Freemasonry , there not having been so large and

distinguished a gathering in Weston of " the brethren of the mystic tie " since the laying of the foundation stone of the West of England Sanatorium , by the R . W . the P . G . M . cf Somersetshire , the Earl of Carnarvon . The members of the St . Kew , justly proud of thc honour of entertaining so august a body , determined to give their brethren in the Craft a truly fraternal welcome , and a reception befitting

their Masonic dignity . The ordinary lodge-room being too small , the Town HaU was engaged , the hiU itself being fitted up for the lodge , and the various offices furnished for the reception of the D . P . G . M . and the Provincial Grand Officers . Thc arrangement of the hall for the business of the lodge was most effective and comfortable . The throne was situated on the platform , surmounted by

a canopy curtained with crimson drapery with golden Masonic emblem in the centre . A flight of steps led from the floor of the hall to the foot of the throne , stove and greenhouse plants being effectively grouped on each side . Both steps and dais were covered with crimson carpet of fleur dc lis pattern . The room was also decorated with plants , and the banners of the various lodges added

much to thc general effect . Conspicuous among these latter was a very handsomely worked one belonging to St . Kew Lodge , representing the Saint in the act of imparting instruction . A portion of the lower end of the hall was screened , and formed a reception and clothing room for the general body of brethren . It had been confidently hoped that the Provincial Grand

Master himself would have been in attendance , but this hope at the last moment was doomed to disappointment , a letter being received from the noble earl conveying the unwelcome intelligence that he was confined to his room at Pixton-park , his Somersetshire seat , by an attack of the gout . In his absence , therefore , the V . W . L ) . P . G . M ,, Bro . R . C . Else , presided , and thc gratification of the bre .

thren was much increased by the presence of the most popular P . P . G . M ., Bro . Col . A . W . Adair . The following brethren recorded their names : —Bros . J . J . Knox-Fit teller , P . G . Chaplain ; B . Cox , P . M . 1222 , P . G . Treas ., pro tern . ; J . C . Hunt , P . G . Sec , pro tem . ; S . Toms , P . G . S . D . ; Newington Bridges , P . G . J . D . ; and J . Tompsctt , W . M . 814 . P . G . S . We have arranged the names as the members

were arranged , in Prov . Grand Lodge under their resp-ctive banners , with the exception of those wearing purple , or the Provincial Grand Officers , who were seated right and left of the D . P . G . M . The lodges are in the order of their senority : —Bros . Philip Braham , W . M ., F . J . Brown , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W ., T . B . Moutrie , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W ., Capt . Pe-cl Floyd , P . M ., and H . L . Brown , of Royal Cumberland

Lodge , No . 41 , Bath j Col . England , W . M ., Cannings Collins , I . P . M ., J . L . Stothert , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W ., Gen . Doherty , P . M ., an 1 Otto Sondermann , S . W ., of Royal Sussex Lodge , No . 33 , Bath j J . C . Small , W . M ., James Leaker , P . M ., P . G . J . D ., J . R . Treliving , J . W ., Rev . F . P . Scale , P . G . C , C . Ricks , P . P . G . J . W ., and J . Rich , of Perpetual Friendship Lodge , No . 133 , Bridgwater j

W . Adams , W . M ., A . Villar , P . P . G . S . W ., F . Haynes , Secretary , L . H . Bonn , Thomas Meyler , P . P . G . R ., W . Bidgood , H . Allen , G . Straw-bridge , F . T . Elworth , and A . Lewis , of of Unanimity and Sincerity Lodge , No . 261 , Taunton ; Rev . W . J . Mooney , Chap ., and John Butler , P . M ., of Love and Honour Locge , No . 28 *; , Shepton Mallet ; B . S . Fisher , W . M ., Robert Brodie , I . ' p . M ., F . Vizard ,

P . P . G . S . W ., J . B . Marwood , P . P . G . J . W ., H . SI . Kcmmis , S . W ., J . T . Dunsford , Secretary , Rev . J . C . Lyons , Chap ., W . Kellaway , J . Matthews , E . Strode , F . A . E . Withers . W . Hickman , and W . Woodward , P . G . Tyler , of Rural Philanthropic Lodge , No . 291 , Highbridge ; R . f . Damon , W . M ., F . Cox , P . M ., W . Cox , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W ., f . K . Farley , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D ., W . S . Gillard , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D .,

Dorset , H . T . E Igar , S . W ., A . E . Price , J . D ., James Harvey , aud C . H . Penny , of Brotherly Love Lodge , No . 320 , Yeovil ; Edward E . Phillips , P . M ., anil H . C . Hopkins , P . M ., of Honour Lodge , No . - ( 79 , Bath ; L . E . Newnham , W . M ., and J . H . Holloway , P . P . G . A . D . C .,, of Benevolent Lodge , No . 446 , Wells ; F . W . Wood , I . P . M . . A . S . Baily , and H . Hawkin , of Pilgrims Lodge , No . 772

Glastonbury , J . Thompsett , VV . M ., E . W . Combes , J . W ., GSummers , P . P . G . D . C , J . Burdge , jun ., P . P . G . J . D „ of Parrett and Axe Lodge , No . 814 , Crewkerne ; Lawson Howes , W . M ., " James Tuckey , S . W ., Jesse Hayward , J . W ., W . E . Reeves , ' P . M ., P . P . G . O ., W . H . Dill , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., and W . H . Young , of Royal Albert Edward Lodge , No . 906 , Weston , Bath ; T . Gullick , S . W ., A . R . Baily , P . M ., John

Baily , P . M ., and Alfred dayman , P . M ., of Royal Somerset Lodge , No . 973 , Frome ; J . Stewart Boyd , W . M ., Rev . C . Winter , Chaplain , and J . E . Haynes , of Royal Clarence Lodge , No . 976 , Bruton ; John Hughes , W . M ., and A . Sargent , of Nyanza Lodge , No . 1197 , llminster ; T . J . Scoones , W . M ., J . E . Jcffcrics , I . P . M ., and W . Reece , of Agriculture Lodge , No . ' 199 , Congresbury ; E . S .

Blundell , W . M ., S . Lewis , I . P . M ., J . J . E . Willmott , S . W ., W , E . Perrett , J . W . ; P . M . ' s General Munbee , P . P . G . S . W ., B . Cox , Sidney Jones , P . G . A . D . C , W . M . Forty ( Sec ) , P . M . 201 , and P . P . G . Supt . Works , Joseph P . James , W . A , Scott , P . M . 610 , and P . P . G . S . W . Bristol ; Felix Thomas , Treas ., G . Yates , S . D ., E . T . Dew , J . D ., Ernest E . Baker , I . G ., G . Gibbons , S . E . Baker , A . Wickenden , W . L .

Gaskell , W . B . Frampton , Capt-in Spooner , Alfred Howell , J . R . Britton , George E . Alford , F . W . Wicksteed , J . Tytherleigh , S . Norton , G . H . Perrett , H . Hyssett , and W . Cousins , of St . Kew Lodge , No . 1222 , Weston-super-Mare ; Capt . W . Long . l . P . M ., P . M . H 99 , and P . P . G . S . B ., of Coleridge Lodge , No . 1750 , Clevedon ; T . W . Hardwick , W . M ., C . E . Daniel , I . P . M ., John B . Halford , P . M ., Robt .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somersetshire.

Compton , and E . G . Grubb , of Eldon Lodge , No . i 7 ^ 5 , Portishead ; R . W . Thomas , W . M ., W . Roberts , J . W ., and A . W . Campbell , S . D ., of St . Keyna Lodge , No . 1133 , Keynsham . Visiting brethren : R . M . Worlock , P . G . Sec ., Bristol ; J . R . Shorland , 610 , P . G . S . W . Bristol ; H . Grath

471 , P . G . S . W . Monmouth ; W . Blundell , 858 ; Gabriel Williams , 686 ; G . Glossop , P . M . 887 ; H . . M . Tainsh , 482 . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened shortly after twelve o ' clock . The Provincial Grand Officers entered in

procession , and were received with the customary honours by the assembled brethren . Thc D . P . G . M . took his seat on the throne , supported on the right by Bro . General Munbee , and on the left by the P . P . G . M ., Col . Adair . The D . P . G . M . expressed his regret at the absence of the P . G . M ., and read a letter of apology from the noble Earl assigning illness as the cause cf his absencr , and sending

his " Hearty good wishes " to the brethren . The lodge was opened in due form , and with prayer by the P . G . Chaplain , Rev . J . J . Knox-Fletcher . The office of P . G . Secretary being vacant by the death of Bro . Prideaux , his place was supplied by Bro . J . C . Hunt . The P . G . Treasurer , Bro . E . T . Payne , was absent on account of illness , and Bro . B . Cox ' acted fcr him , submitting tbe accounts .

These showed a total income of £ 240 3 ? . 2 d ., including a balance from last acccunt of £ 75 3 s . 8 d . ; the lodge dues amounted to £ « o 6 13 s . 6 d . The amount subscribed for the Masonic Charities was £ 52 ios . The account closed with a balance in hand of £ 69 ios . $ d . The accounts were unanimously passed , and upon the motion of Bro . Munbee , seconded by the P . G . J . W ., Bro . Payne was re-elected P . G . Treasurer by acclamation .

The various offices having been declared vacant thc appointment and investment of new officers were proceeded with , collars being bestowed upon the following : — Bro . Capt . Long , P . M . 1199 and 1750 Prov . G . S . W . „ E . S . Blundell , W . M . 1222 ... Prov . G . J . W . the Rev . J . C . Lyons , 291 ... j ' „ E . T . Payne ( Bro . Cox received the collar for him ) Prov . G . Treas .

„ A . R . Baily , 973 Prov . G . Reg . „ J . C . Hunt , 291 Prov . G . Sec . „ R . Brodie , 291 Prov . G . S . D . „ I . E . leff . rits , 1199 Prov . G . J . D . „ C . E . Daniel , 1755 Prov . G . S . of W

„ H . C . Hopkins , 379 Prov . G . D . C . „ R . | . Damon , 329 Prov . G . A . D . C . „ I . Butltr , 28 s Prov . G . S . B .

„ L . H . Bonn , 2 O 1 Prov . G . O . „ A . Sargent , 1197 Prov . G . P . „ F . U . Wood , 291 : ... Prov . G . A . P .

„ W . Woodward Prov . G . Tyler . „ A . J . Salter ( Bath ) Prov . G . A . Tylcr . Bros . J . S . Boyd , 97 6 ; J . Tuckey , * ) 006 ; U . S . Brown , 41 ; F . T . f „ „ Cl , f ., ' . , , « r ,- n .. r Prov . G . Stewards , Elworthy , 26 i ; W , b . Perrett , I 1222 ; and W . Reece , 1199 ... ) In bestowing the Senior Warden ' s collar upon Captain

Long , who received a most cordial greeting , the D . P . G . M . informed him that it was given by the P . G . M . to mark his appreciation of the services he had rendered to the province as the chief promoter and first Master of the Coleridge Lodge at Clevedon . The collar of J . W . was given to Bro . E . S . Blundell , as the W . M . cf St . Kew , the receiving lodge .

Upon the motion of the D . P . G . M ., a sum of £ 50 was unanimously voted to thc widow of Bro . F . R . Prideaux , the late P . G . Secretary . Bro . J . L . Stothert , in the absence of the Treasurer , proposrcl that a sum of fifty-two guineas be paid to the Girls' School , in order to constitute the lodge a Vice-Patron of the Institution . Bro . C . R . Davy seconded the motion , which was carried . The D . P ,

G . M . said the Treasurer had ascertained that £ 21 more would be needed , but this must be deferred . The sum of £ 21 was , upon the motion of Bro . Reeves , seconded by Bro . Moutrie , voted to the widow of Bro . E . S . Appleby . The P . G . Secretary read the report of thc Charity Organisation Committee of the Province , which stated that the whole of the twenty-two lodges had appointed

delegates , who performed their duties in the most efficient manner . The very gratifying statement was made that from the date of its inception to the present time the Committee had succeeded in carrying every case it had taken in hand . The report was received and adopted , upon the motion of Bro . Newington Bridges , seconded by Bro . Marwood . Bros . J . L . Stothert and Gen . Munbee spoke

very highly of the efforts of the D . P . G . M . to promote the success of the scheme , and a cordial vote of thanks was passed to him for his zealous labours . The alms collected at the lodge , amounting to £ 6 os . 8 d ., were , upon the proposition of Bro . J . J . E . Willmott , seconded by Bro . C . R . Davy , voted to the West of England Sanatorium .

At thc close of the Prov . Grand Lodge the brethren adjourned to the Old Assembly Room , Railway Hotel , where the banquet took place . The menn was that of a high-class dinner , served a la Russe . The viands were of the choicest , the service was as efficient and satisfactory as it could well be , and the wines were of the best vintages . Great credit is due to Bro . J . R . Britton , as well as to Mrs .

Britton , for the excellence of their entertainment . The D . P . G . M . presided , being s-upported by some of the more distinguished brethien . Due honour having been paid to " The Queen and tbe Craft , " and " The Prince of Wales , as Grand Master , " " The Pio Grand Master and Officers of Grand Lodge " were toasted .

Bros . Col . Adair and Rev . C . R . Davy responded , Ihe last-named brother expressing a hope that the much respected D . P . G . M . of this province ( Bro . Else ) would before long be elected a member of Grand Lodge—a hope that evoked a hearty " hear , hear , " from every one present . In proposing " The Health of the P . G . M ,, " the D . P .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somersetshire.

G . M . again adverted to the cause of his absence , and stated that his lordship requested him to assure the brethren that nothing but the distinct and positive orders of his physician would have kept him away . In very warm terms the D . P . G . M . proposed " The Health of thc late much beloved P . G . M ., Col . Adair , " who suitably responded , ancl proposed that of " The D . P .

G . M . and the rest of the P . G . Officers , Present and Past . " He traced the rise of the D . P . G . M . from the time when he accepted the collar of Assistant Secretary , and testifying to his unwearied labours in the cause of Masonry he reechoed the wish expressed by Bro . Davy . Acknowledging the services he received from the officers when he occupied the post of P . G . M ., he mentioned that it was twenty-six

years since he received the collar of the P . G . J . D . The D . P . G . M ., in returning thanks , assured the brethren that if any honour were conferred upon him he should consider it as bestowed upon the province . Reviewing the past year , he congiatulateci the brethren of Taunton upon the dedication of the Masonic Hall , the effect of which would , he saiel , elevate the tone of Masonry , and said that

nothing tended more to contradict the idea that Masons were mere " knife and fork i-nen " than the establishment of these halls , and the promotion of the cause of charity . The other events were the consecration of thc Keynsham Lodge and thc death of the P . G . Secretary , to both of which he alluded . The P . G S . Warden ( Bro . Captain Long ) , Bro . W . A .

Scott ( in the absence of the P . G . J . W . ) , and Bro . General Munbee responded . Bro . Grath , of the Province of Monmouth , replied for " Tne Visiting- Brethren , " as did also Bros . Worlock and Shorland . Bro . J . L . Stothert submitted the toast of " The Masonic Charities , " referring 10 the success which attended their

candidates at elections , and acknowledging the co-operation of thc Provinces of Bristol and Monmouth . Bro . Bridges responded , and thanked the Somerset Charity Association for the assistance given to him in securing- the election of a London candidate . He promised in future not only to place his votes in thc hand of the D . P . G . M ., but to represent the province as Steward for the Boys' School the

festival after next . In proposing' -The Health ofthe W . M ., Officers , and Brethren of St . Kew , " the D . P . G . M . said he did not remember an occasion when the arrangements were more complete , more satisfactory , or more comfortably carried out than they were in the Town Hall , and the reception at the hospitable board was mnst handsome .

In the absence of the W . M ., who was obliged to leave , the toast was responded to by the I . P . M ., Bro . Sidney Lewis , and likewise by Bro . W . M . Forty and Bro . Willmott . Bro . Vjllj , the I . P . M . of Taunton , in replying for the Masters and brethren of other lodges , said thc hopes the

brethren at 'launton entertained in providing a Masonic Hall had been more than realised , since the tone of Masonry had been raised ancl ihe number of members increased . The experiment he thought should encourage the brethren in other towns to follow their example . " The I lost and Hostess , " with thanks for the dinner , was proposed , and the Tyler ' s toast completed the programme .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Northumberland & Durham.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF NORTHUMBERLAND & DURHAM .

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Mark Lodge was held at the Town Hall , Alnwick , on Thursday , the nth inst ., presided over by Bro . Canon Tristram , LL . D ., F . R . S ., the R . W . Prov . G . M . M . M ., supported by

Bros . T . Y . Strachan , D . Prov . G . M . M . M . ; Capt . Forbes , of Berwick , P . G . S . W . ; Fisher , of Hartlepool , P . G . J . W . ; Rev . W . G . Cooley , P . G . Chap . ; and a large number of Prov . G . Officers . Satisfactory accounts were given of the position of the various lodges , and £ 21 was voted to the educational branch of the Benevolent Fund .

On the motion of Bro . Rev . G . Selby Thomson , P . P . G . Chap ., it was resolved with acclamation to again submit the name of Bro . Canon Tristram for re-election as Prov . G . M . M . M . The following officers were appointed for the ensuing j ear : — Bro . T . Y . Strachan Prov . D . G . M . M . M .

„ W . Cockburn Prov . G . S . W . „ Jeno . Jcnson Prov . G . J . W . „ 11 . 11 . Blrir Prov . G . M . O . „ Jno . W . Bowey Prov . G . S . O . „ W . T . Tate Prov . G . J . O . „ Rev . G . R . Bulmen ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ R . H . Holmes Prov . G . Treas .

„ W . J . Watson Prov . G . Reg . M ,, T . ( . Armstrong Prov . G . Sec . ,, R . L . Armstrong Prov . G . A . Sec . „ T . Twizell Prov . G . S . D .

„ Christ . Hopper Prov . G . J . D . „ Edwd . Hudson Prov . G . D . C . ,, Luke Armstrong , M . D Prov . G . ins . Vf . „ J . W . Moors Prov . G . Org .

„ Adam Robertson ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ Richd . Lorke Prov . G . Std . Br . „ W . Biandt Prov . G . I . G . Bros . J . Wood and J . S . B . Bell ... Prov . G . Stewards . A banquet vvas afterwarls held at the White Swan Inn , presided over by the R . W . Prov . G . M . M . M .

Bro . John Hervey , for many years Past Grand Sesretary of fhe Grand Lodge of England , has been induced by his failing health lo resign his oflice . Bro . Hervey is known and respected in America as well as England , and Iris retirement will be universally regretted .- ^ -Tke Keustone , Philadelphia ,