Installation Of The Duke Of Clarence As Prov. G.M. Of Berkshire.

The Duke of Clarence then appointed the Provincial Grand Officers as follows : — Bro . J . T . Morland , 945 ... ... ... •••Prov . D . G . M . .. S . G . Kirchhoffer , 1800 — - — - Prov . S . G . W .

„ J . T . Dodd , 414 ... - ••••••Prov . J . G . W . Rev . Canon Garry , 414 - ... - ] p rov G ch „ Rev . A . A . N . Deacon , 188 7 ... ... •••) r „ C . Stephens , 414 ... •» ¦••¦••Prov . G . Treas . „ W . Boutcher , 2228 ... ... ... •••Prov . G . Reg . T \\ r "M ^ -t-I ^ ti * _ .. Prr » v _ (\ f-tpr '

„ S . Knight , 574 ... ... - •••Prov . S . G . D . „ G . Saxby , 94 s ... ... •••- Prov . J . G . D . „ C . B . Tubbs , 2043 - — ••••- Pr ov- G-S- of W-„ W . Hickie , 1101 ... — ... •••Prov . G . D . C . „ W . G . Nottage , 771 ... ... ... •••Prov . A . G . D . C .

„ G . Milvvard , 1770 ... ... ••••••frov . Lr . b . iJ . „ John Greenfield , 79 s ... ... - 1 Prov . G . Std . Brs „ A . C . Hewett , 1566 ... ... ... -- ) „ G . H . Stubington , 2043 ... ... •¦•Prov . Asst . G . Sec „ W . Sevenoaks , 209 ... ... •••¦••Prov . G . Purst . .. R . D . Wilder , 1887 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst

„ R . L . Reed , 2043 ... ... , ... •••Prov . G . Org . „ B . W . Bennett , 2043 „ R . J . Ball , 209 „ C . D . Adkin , 94 S ... ... ... - LProv . G . Stwds .

„ Major E . A . Ball ,-1899 „ Charles Dearing , 795 „ J . T . Champion , 1887 ... ... —J „ W . Hemmings , not ... ... •••Prov . G . Tyler . Subsequently the newly-installed Provincial Grand Master

presided at a banquet , which was given in the Jubilee Hall , lent by Messrs . Sutton and Sons , who had beautifully decorated the building and its approaches with palms , ferns , cyclamens , primulas , tulips , hyacinths , and a wealth of other flowers which may have caused a momentary forgetfulness of the wintry weather prevailing outside . After the luncheon ,

The Duke of C LARENCE AND AVONDALE gave the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " which was enthusiastically received . The Duke of C ONNAUGHT , on rising to propose the next toast , vvas loudl y cheered . He said : I have been asked to propose a toast vvhich I am sure will meet with a very warm reception from all brethren here present . It is " The Health of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales . " ( Cheers . ) Brethren , I am sure that

I shall only be expressing the opinion of all of us when I assure his Royal Hi ghness lhat we appreciate most highly his coming amongst us on this interesting occasion . ( Cheers . ) We are well aware of the many and onerous rduties that are required of him ; therefore , vve all the more appreciate it when he comes amongst us as he has done to-day . It has been an occasion of great interest to us all , and especially to myself , as representing another province , and also a

distant district in the empire—I refer to Bombay . ( Hear , hear . ) It has been an especial p leasure to me to have been present to see his Royal Highness install my nephew , the Duke of Clarence and Avondale . I am sure that our Grand Master has made a most excellent choice in the appointment which he has just made . ( Hear , hear . ) His first object , as you know , is to promote the interests of the Craft . We have seen the great development of Freemasonry since his Royal Highness has been at our head , and vve thank him most warmly for the admirable

manner in which he conducts everything for the good of the Craft . ( Cheers . ) I hope he will allow me on this , the first public function I have been present at since the hig h honour was conferred upon me of giving me the rank of Past Grand Master of England , to say that it is an honour that I appreciate most hi ghly , and that I thank him for having g iven me a distinction which has only been given on rare occasions in the annals of Freemasonry . Brethren , I ask you without further preface to join with me most warmly in drinking " The Health of his Royal Highness our Grand Master . " ( Cheers . )

The Prince of WALES , in response , said : I must apologise if I cannot raise my voice , but I am suffering , as I daresay many of you are in this inclement weather , from a rather severe cold . At the same time , allow me to respond most cordially for the very kind way in which you have all received my health , and I am very much touched by the flattering terms in which my brother has proposed it . I have not forgotten that four years ago I installed him at Brighton as Provincial

Grand Master of Sussex . That was in the summer , and I remember we had remarkably fine warm weather on that occasion ; now , four years later , I have had the pleasure of installing my son —( cheers)—amidst snow and frost . Although the weather outside has been inclement , all I can say is , that my reception and his have been most warm —( cheers)—and we also , thanks to the kindness of Messrs Sutton , have this spacious room tor our banquet . Though we are here as Masons , and

not , as is generally the case here , as seed —( laughter)—still I hope that the good seed sown here to-day will take root—and that , as Freemasonry is increasing and flourishing throughout the Kingdom , I have little doubt that in this Province of Berkshire it will equally flourish and increase . I thank you very much for your kind reception of me , and I assure you of the pleasure it has given me to take part in to-day ' s ceremony , and you know well enough , that whenever time

permits I am always ready to come forward in the interests of Masonry . ( Cheers ) . Before I sit down I have to give " The Health of the Junior Provincial Grand Master . " He is naturally still young and inexperienced in Masonry , but I feel sure he will do his utmost in carrying out the duties which have been thrown upon him to-day . I ask you all to drink most cordially to his good health , with which I beg to couple " Prosperity to this Province . " ( Cheers . )

The Dukeof CLARENCE AND AVONDALE , after returning thanks for the manner in which the toast had been proposed and received , said : I assure you I consider it a very great honour indeed that has been conferred upon me to-day , an honour I shall ever remember as long as I am connected with Freemasonry , which I hope will be for many years to come . I can assure you that I will ever endeavour to discharge to the best of my ability the duties imposed upon me now in this

province which I represent , and I feel sure that I can have no better Deputy than the brother opposite , Bro . J . T . Morland . His Royal Highness then proposed "The Htalth of the Grand Officers , " coupled with the name of Lord Alcester , G . S . W ., at the same time , in the name of the brethren of the province , welcoming back from Australia Lord Carrington , Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales .

Lord ALCESTER , in the absence of the Earl of Lathom , responded on behalf of the Grand Officers , and Lord CARRINGTON , in response to loud calls , expressed the fraternal and affectionate greeting of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales to the Province of Berkshire , and its congratulations upon the honour conferred upon the

province by the selection of the illustrious Prince who had that day been appointed to rule over its destinies . Those greetings , he observed , were none the less sincere coming from 14 , 000 Masons , who constituted 180 lodges , because they came from an independent Grand Lodge . The Grand Lodge of England had wisely g iven to the Grand Lodge of New South Wales independent government ,

Installation Of The Duke Of Clarence As Prov. G.M. Of Berkshire.

but there was not a single Mason in New South Wales who signed the charter who would not sooner have cut off his hand had he thought it would in any way weaken his connection with the great old country from which they all sprang . ( Loud cheers . ) He spoke for every Mason and for every Australian when he said , in the presence of the illustrious Prince who would some day reign over England .

that his Royal Highness would have no more loyal or dutiful subjects than those who lived in the sunny land of Australia . ( Cheers . ) The English Government had wisely given self-government to the different Colonies , and worthily they deserved that trust . In like manner self-government had been given to their Masonic bodies . They were thus bound together , and he predicted

that so long as the sun continued to rise upon the earth , so long would the great English-speaking Federation , vvhich was already three times as big as Europe , and which three times exceeded the United States of North America in bulk , revenue , and population , under Queen Victoria and her successors remain one , loyal , undivided , and invincible for all time . ( Loud cheers . )

This concluded the proceedings , and the Royal party left by special train for London shortly after 3 o ' clock . The Grand Officers of the year present were : Bros , the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M . ; Lord Alcester , S . G . W . ; Lord A . Churchill J . G . W . ; Rev . Dr . Currie , G . Chap . ; Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . ; T . Fenn '

P . B . G . P ., acting G . D . of C . ; Augustus Harris , G . Treas . ; Robt . Grey , P . B . B . Sir George Harris , R . Loveland-Loveland , and W . F . Smithson , G . D ' s . ; W . G Lemon , A . G . D . of C ; T . B . Whytehead , G . S . B . ; R . J . Emmerson and R . C Sudlow , G . Std . Br . ; A . A . Pendelbury , A . G . Sec . ; D . D . Mercer , G . Purst . ; S Vallentine , A . G . Purst . ; and H . Sadler , G . Tyler .

Amongst the other Grand Officers who occupied seats on the dais and in the body of the room were ; Bros , the Duke of Connaught , P . G . M . ; Lord Carrington , P . S . G . W . ; General Laurie , G . M . Nova Scotia ; the Earl of Euston , Prov . G . M . Norths and Hunts * Colonel Foster Gough , Prov . G . M . Staffordshire ; W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., P . G . M * . Hants and Isle of Wight ; H . D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal ; Rev . C . J .

Martyn , P . G . C . ; E . Terry , H . B . Marshall , and R . Eve , P . G . Treas ' s . ; Colonel R . W . Edis , P . G . S . of W . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; Peter de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; E . Monteuuis , P . G . S . B . ; C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; F . H . Goldney P . G . D . ; Baron de Ferrieres , P . G . D . ; V . P . Freeman , P . G . D . ; Charles Belton ' P . A . G . D . of C ; James Terry , P . G . S . B . ; W . Hopekirk , P . G . Purst . ; E . M . Money , G . Stwd . ; and others .

The Insignia worn by their Royal Highnesses the Duke of Connaught and the Duke of Clarence were manufactured b y Bro . George Kenning . The Mayor and many members of the Corporation who , not

being members of the Masonic Craft , were not able to attend the banquet , were entertained privately , with over 100 other guests , at luncheon by Messrs . Sutton . Mr . Martin Sutton , the head of the firm , was specially thanked by the Prince of Wales for the excellence of the arrangements made .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Essex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF ESSEX .

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Chapter was held on Wednesday , the 26 th ult ., at Southend-on-Sea , the Grand Superintendent , Comp . F . A . Philbrick , G . Reg ., presiding . There vvere also present—Comps . the Rev . T . Cochrane , Prov . G . H . ; G . H . Finch , Prov . G . J . j T . I . Railing * P . G . S . B . England , Prov . G . S . E . ; G . R . Dawson , Prov . ist A . G . S . ; R . j . Warren ^ Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . ; A . Durrant , Prov . G . Treas . ; A . Lucking , Prov . A . G . D . C ; R .

Jennings , Prov . G . Org . ; F . Wood , P . P . G . S . N . ; J . P . Lewin , P . P . G . S . N . ; W . Bridgeland , P . P . G . S . B . ; Richard Clowes , P . P . G . R . ; Wm . Shurmur , Z . 2256 ; J . VVilson , acting I . P . Z . 2256 ; J . T . Bailey , Z . 51 ; F . H . Meggy , A . S . 276 ; N . Fortescue , 2256 ; G . L . Glasscock ; VV . Cock , Z . 2005 ; J . Speller , 2254 ; G . W . Knight , N 2256 ; J . H . Clare , N . 1365 ; D . Legg , H . 136 5 ; S . Walker ; T . Humphreys , H . 1437 ; and others .

After the minutes of the last annual meeting , held at Romford , had been confirmed , the PROVINCIAL GRAND SCRIBE E . read a statement showing that at the present time there vvere 185 contributing members , as against 166 last year * while the report of the Auditors showed a very satisfactory condition of finances . The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT , in his address to the companions , remarked that it vvas a matter for congratulation that the chapters under his rule had held their own

during the past year ; while tbe recent accession of the Warner Chapter ( constituted on Nov . 8 ) , had brought into their midst a number of compaions who , he felt sure , would be a source of strength to the Province of Essex . Their position was also likel y soon to be further strengthened by the addition of the Colne Valley Chapter , at Halstead , the warrant for which had quite recentl y been granted b y Grand Chapter ; while there were whispers in the air that another warrant would

shortly be applied for , to the promoters of which he vvas sure they should all give their hearty good wishes . After paying a warm tribute to the memory of the late Comp . Barrett , a member of the Southend Chapter , recentl y deceased , and to Lord Carnarvon , Pro Grand Z ., the Grand Superintendent concluded by congratulating the companions upon the manner in which Royal Arch Masonry vvas conducted by

the various Principals of the chapters , and said he felt that they might look back on the past with thankfulness and forward with full encouragement for the future . Comp . the Rev . T . COCHRANE proposed , and Comp . R . CLOWES seconded , the re-election of Comp . Andrew Durrant as Prov . G . Treasurer , which vvas unanimously carried . The Provincial Grand Officers were then appointed and invested as follows :

Comp . R . Clowes , P . Z . 51 ... ... ... Prov . G . H . „ F . Wood , P . Z . 1000 ... ... ... p rov . G . j „ T . J . Railing , P . Z . 51 , P . G . S . B . Eng . ( seventhyear ) ... Prov . G . S . E . „ Dr . Cock , Z . 2005 ... ... ... p rov . G . S . N . „ J . T . Bailey , Z . 51 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Wm . Shurmur , Z . 2256 ... ... ... Prov . G . Soi .

„ T . Humphreys , H . 1437 ... ... ... Prov . ist A . G . S . „ J . Wilson , acting I . P . Z . 2256 ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . „ R . D . Poppleton , J . 51 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ F . H . Meggy , 276 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ A . Lucking , P . Z . and S . E . 1000 , A . G . Soj . England ... Prov . G . D . C . „ A . W . Martin ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

Ten guineas were voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and a vote of thanks having been passed to the members of the Priory Chapter for the excellent arrangements they had made , the Provincial Grand Chapter was closed . The companions afterwards dined together at the Middleton Hotel , under the genial presidency of the Grand Superintendent . It is understood that the meeting next year will be held at Chingford ,