Provincial Grand Lodge Of East Lancashire.

A report was read by the Prov . Grand Secretary giving a satisfactory account of the work of the lodges during the past year . In this Jubilee vear , the Prov . Grand Secretary said , there would be a considerable increase in the number of initiates , and he trusted that the newly-received

members would be of such a character as would bring increased satisfaction to the Craft at large . When the Provincial Grand Master was installed in that room 17 years ago there were 76 lodges , with 3419 subscribing members . Now there were no fewer than 97 lodges , with 4002 subscribing me mbers in the province .

The P ROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER said the report had given him great satisfaction , as it must have done to all the crethren present . It was gratify ing to him to know that the 97 lodges in the province were working according to their ancient rules and landmarks , and in harmony with the precepts sent down by Grand Lodge . He was thankful that the great . spirit of Masonry , which was strongly planted in this large , influential , and wealthy part of her Majesty ' s dominions , was blossoming more than ever in this Jubilee year . ( Applause . )

At the half-yearly meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge at Bolton in November last it was decided to raise a Jubilee fund to be applied to the Charities . It was now decided to ascertain , if possible , the amount such fund would be . The representatives of a large number of lodges stated that as yet their lodges were unprepared to name any specific sums , but , on the other hand , it was announced that 55 lodges vvere intending to give amounts making a total of . £ 1944 . The gratifying intelligence vvas very cordially received .

Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year vvere then invested by the Provincial Grand Master . The following is the list : — Bro . Eustace Hulton , 62 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W .

„ Capt . G . T . Hardman , 283 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ The Rev . J . Watson , 152 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Rev . A . Parkinson , 999 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap .

„ W . Nicholl , 317 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . VV . Hamilton , 12 53 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ John Chadwick , 44 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ Harvey Heywood , 78 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D .

„ J . T . Richardson , 581 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ T . R . Peel , 1147 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ W . S . Barlow , 128 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D .

„ Lawrence Booth , 1252 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ W . H . Cunliffe , 269 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ Godfrey Higham , 1083 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ A . H . Jefferies , 1161 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C .

„ R . Duxbury , 1 773 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ J . Bollard , 126 ... ... ,.. Prov . G . Std . Br . „ Thos . Milton , 210 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ Joseph Clafton , 2 77 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . Newton , 37 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ J . T . Redfern , 42 ... ... ,.. Prov . G . Purst . „ R . Williamson , 10 55 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ R . R . Lisenden ... ... ... "

„ W . Cartwright „ James Rome ... ... ... ... Iu / - > c . J „ E . W . Irving ... - r Prov , G . Stwds . „ W . Bee

„ N . Dumville ... ... ... ,,. _ , „ Thos . Higson ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . The DEPUTY PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER afterwards asked the Provincial Grand'Master ' s acceptance of a life-sized portrait of himself , painted in oils . The artist has produced a faithful likeness of his right worshipful subject , attired in full Masonic clothing , and the work is in the highest

degree satisfactory . Bro . Mellor said he spoke in the name of the 97 lodges of the province , who had subscribed for the picture , when he said that the suavity , urbanity , and generosity of their ri ght worshipful ruler , combined with his firmness in counsel , had gained for Colonel Starkie the esteem and respect of every brother in the province , and that they all hoped he might long live as their Masonic head . ( Applause . )

Bro . SILLITOE , Hon . Secretary of the Presentation Committee , read the text of an illuminated address to Colonel Starkie . This said that in giving the portrait it way the desire of the members of the lodges of the province to evince their grateful appreciation of the admirable , firm , and judicious wanner in which their Provincial Grand Master had discharged the onerous duties of his Masonic office during the past 17 years . His fostering care

nad augmented the power of the benevolent institutions of the province and enlarged the influence of the province among the Masonic Institutions of the country to such an extent that the desire he expressed some years ago was now fulfilled . No child of a Freemason of this province need experience the want of a good education , and generous relief could be administered in all cases of distress and affliction . They prayed that he might be lon g preserved to rule over the province with wisdom and ability . ( A p-1

r'Muac . ¦ P R . W . P . G . M ., who was greeted with loud applause , asked the orethren to accept his heartfelt thanks for their noble gift . When last he wod in that hall in a Masonic assembly he was installed Provincial Grand aster . Since then he did not know that he had ever felt so incapable of r Pressin g his feelings as he did now , when 97 lodges and 4002 members wa - - the ' r affectionate feeling for him in such a manner . Their Order s rising day by day . They were making- their good deeds felt . Their

of th •tltutions > n London vvere pointed to by those who were not members nati ° rder a 3 exam P les oi the Charity that beats in the bosom of the F un ° l \ ( Hear , hear . ) The noble response to the call for a Jubilee Charity l her . K ^ ^ ad ex P eriencecI that da y made him feel proud to be a bro-Prov' ' ^ elt exa ' teci as a man t 0 have the privilege of ruling over the extr ' - This year had been a heavy one to all the lodges . They had had I , ne ° cal 's upon them , and they had responded to them as only East tr ouy j men could respond , and he felt sorry that they should be si h urtller to P 'heir hands in their pockets for anything which mi g ht PV ., ' y ? matter for himself . In again heartilv thanking thpm fnr thk

gift w Sl ° " their feeling , he assured them that as long as he lived their of the r ) "l ecord t 0 him efforts on many grand occasions whicli the principles ( A ] a der led me « to undertake to relieve and help their fellows . a ddre ° * r \ Hine , P . P . J . G . W ., was next presented with an illuminated Charitv ' r " retirement , after a period of 21 years , as Chairman of the a PPointed n - ' t 0 which office Br 0- J" A' Birch ' P P J-G -. has been has be en ' , ~ . lng' the period of Bro . Hine ' s chairmanship a sum of £ 27 , subscribed by the province towards the maintenance of boys and

Provincial Grand Lodge Of East Lancashire.

girls educated at the Royal Masonic Institutions , and in the giving of annuities to aged Freemasons and the support of widows . The following is the address-To Bro . Joseph Lancaster Hine , Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden , Past Provincial Grand Treasurer of the Province of East Lancashire . Dear Sir and Brother ,

The members of the Charity Committee of the Province of East Lancashire and of the General Committee of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution tender you their hearty thanks for the valuable services rendered by you to the Charitable Associations of Freemasonry . Your 21 years' Chairmanship of the Charity Committee has been productive of the most beneficial results , as is evidenced by a greatly improved position upon the Metropolitan Masonic Institutions . The votes of East Lancashire on the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys at the time of your appointment were only icOj whereas at present they amount to upwards ot 2700 .

Your efforts in the year 1 S 69 will not be forgotten , when the sum of £ 2834 was raised in this province for the Boys' Institution , whilst in 1 S 79 , when the R . W . Provincial Grand Master , Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie , presided at the annual Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , the sum of £ 3542 was collected by the Stewards under your Chairmanship , this being the largest amount subscribed by any province previous to that time .

From the formation of the East Lancashiie Systematic Masonic Edusational and Benevolent Institution , you have been Chairman of the General Committee , and the growth of that Institution affords ample testimony of the value of your services . The Manchester and Salford Relief Committee , which for years vvas the only Charitable organisation in the province , owed its formation mainly to you , and its efficient working was secured by your constant aud unremitting supervision .

We take the opportunity of congratulating you upon your entering upon the fortieth year of your membership in the Cralt , and we venture to hope that your active interest and valuable co-operation may be continued to Freemasonry for many years . Presented at a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire , on the nth day of June , 1 SS 7 , pursuant to a resolution of the Charity Committee of the province , and of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Educational Institution , unanimously passed on the 29 th day of March , 1 S 37 . LE GENDRE N . STARKIE , Prov . G . M ., President of the above Institutions .

The presentation having been duly acknowledged by Bro . HINE , £ 50 was voted to the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Benevolent Fund , and Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in due form . A banquet vvas afterwards held at the Town Hall .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Wiltshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WILTSHIRE .

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Wiltshire met at Chippenham on the 12 th inst ., being received by the Lansdowne Lodge , No . 626 , the W . M . of which lodge , Bro . the Rev . Canon Millar , having welcomed Lord Methuen , the P . G . Master , the especial business for which the brethren had been called together , was at once proceeded with . A vote of fifty guineas was made from the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge towards the

Imperial Institute , and a hope was expressed that Wiltshire would be well represented at the great gathering of Freemasons to be held under the presidency of the Prince of Wales , the M . W . Grand Master , at the Albert Hall on the 13 th of June prox . Representatives from all the lodges in the province vvere present , and Lord Methuen vvas supported by Bro . Sir Gabriel Goldney , Bart ., Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and by the following

Officers , besides a large number of Past Masters and brethren : Bros . J . V . Toone , P . S . G . W . ; the Rev . J . A . Lloyd , P . J . G . W . ; the Rev . A . Law , P . G . Chaplain ; J . Sparks , P . G . Reg . ; H . Bevir , P . G . Secretary ; F . S . Hancock , P . S . G . D . ; Edward Noke , P . J . G . D . ; J . A . Randell , P . G . Supt . of Wks . ; J . Chandler , P . G . D . C . ; S . J . Haden , P . A . G . D . C . ; T . Ringer , P . G . Std . Br .: A . J . Beaven , P . G . Swd . Br . ; H . Millington , P . G . Org . ; and G . R . Shemilt , P . G . Purst .

Consecration Of The Regent's Park Lodge, No. 2202.

CONSECRATION OF THE REGENT'S PARK LODGE , No . 2202 .

The want having for some considerable time been experienced of a lodge for the convenience of Masons residing in the neig hbourhood of Regent's Park , and a petition , influentially signed , having been forwarded to the M . W . G . M . to that effect , he was pleased to grant a warrant for a lodge to be called the Regent ' s Park Lodge ,. No . 2202 , to be held at the York and Albany , Gloucester Gate , Regent ' s Park , the consecration of which took place on Monday last .

The ceremony vvas performed by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , assisted by Bros . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg ., as S . W . ; Major George Lambert , P . G . S . B ., as J . VV . ; Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . C , as Chap . ; J . L . Mather , A . G . D . C , as D . C . ; and N . D . Fracis , as l . G . The other brethren present vvere—Bros . D . P . Cama , P . M . 1159 and 2105 , P . G . Treas . ; E . C . Mulvey , 179 and 778 ; J . K . R . Cama , 2105 : C . Sheppard , P . M . 1366 ; Dr . J . Powdrell , 1744 ; H . Jordan ,

M . H . Embley , Dr . N . J . Goodchild , P . M . 704 and 1470 ; J . Passingham , 193 ; N . Goodchild , 704 and 1470 ; W . J . Hall , 193 ; W . H . Hosegood , 1044 ; J . Kew , P . M . 179 ; E . R . Smith , F . J . Goodall , H . Coffin , H . Marsden , A . Giddings , 1194 ; C . Walker , J . Loath , W . E . Lane , G . Lane , H . P . Tabb , T . Bore , F . Palmer , J . P . Poynter , J . Bangs , H . F . Bangs , H . J . Hazel , H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; S . F . Knight Smith , P . M . 1441 ; and F . M . Noakes , 214 S . After the lodge had been formally opened ,

The GRAND SECRETARY , in addressing the biethren on the motive of the meeting , said they vvere met there that day to perform a ceremony which was very important to them all as Masons , it was to perform the ceremony of consecrating a new lodge . Many years ago a lodge was held in that neighbourhood , but for some reason it ceased to exist , consequently that district has been without a lodge for some time . He had , on previous

occasions , explained the great desirability of limiting the number of London lodges . There vvere now about 350 , and unless very good reasons were given , the M . W . G . M . objected to their increase , but considering the large area of that important neighbourhood his Royal Highness gave way , and granted them the warrant . They had , therefore , met to give effect to his letters patent . In Bro . Cama , whom they had chosen as their first W . M .,

they had a good man and a good Mason , who would obey and uphold the laws arid regulations of the Order . They should be careful not to admit anyone unless they were satisfied they were persons of good repute . By observing that rule they vvould in time have perhaps , not a large lodge , but a good working one . He trusted under the able guidance of their W . M ., and his successor , the Regent's Park Lodge would have a successful

career . At the conclusion of the address , Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . Chap ., delivered an eloquent oration on the Nature and Principles of the Institution . The consecration ceremony vvas then proceeded with , and on its completion Bro , D . P . Cama , P . G . Treas ., was installed as W . M . The following