Provincial Grand Lodge Of Leicestershire And Rutland.

his Royal Highness the Duke of York , K . G ., & c , & c , & c , & c , and the Princess Victoria , & x . ( May ) . We beg you , Sir , on our behalf , to assure her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen of the loyalty and respect entertained by us towards her person and throne . Her Majesty has achieved a long and glorious reign , and we pray that the Great Disposer of Events may grant her many further years of unclouded happiness . To yourself , Most

Worshipful Grand Master , and to H . R . H . the Princess of Wales , we trust that the approaching marriage may bring unalloyed satisfaction as well as brightest hopes for the future . To the bride and bridegroom we wish long life and happiness , and we pray God to bless their union ; and ever to maintain the Royal house of England in honour and prosperity , and the affection of a united people . " Dated at Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , this 3 rd day of July , 1 S 93 .

:- " FERRERS , Provincial Grand Master . " W . KELLY , Past Provincial Grand Master . " S . S . PARTRIDGE , Dep-ily Provincial Grand Master . " E . HOLMES , Provincial Grand Secretary . " The ACTING PROV . GRAND MASTER then proceeded to present an address with a purse of money to Bro . C . Henton Wood , P . P . S . G . W ., on his retirement from the office of Provincial Grand Secretary . In graceful

terms , he expressed the gratitude of the province to Bro ., Wood for the splendid services he had rendered to the Craft during the past eight years , and the universal regret of the brethren , that failing health , compelled him to relinquish the duties of Provincial Grand Secretary . He then read the following address : . "To the Worshipful Brother , the Reverend Charles ltenton Wood , M . A ., P . M ., Past Provincial Grand Secretary , Past Provincial Senor Grand Warden of Leicestershire and

Rutland—. " Worshipful Sir and Brother , "The brethren of the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland , being desirous upon the occasion of your retirement from the office of Provincial Grand Secretary , of marking their high appreciation of the great services rendered by you to the Craft in the province , and , as a small token of their fraternal regard , request your acceptance of this address , with the accompanying testimonial , consisting of a purse of money .

" In ' thus recognising your highly valued services , the brethren desire to record their testimony of the conspicuous zeal and ability displayed by you in the affairs of the province , especially to the efficient and admirable manner in which you have discharged the onerous and responsible duties of your office during the long period of eight years . " Although retiring from active official labour in the province , it is fervently hoped that the Most High will long preserve your life ; that for

many years you may attend the gatherings of the brethren , and that they may . have the benefit and advantage of your great experience and sage counsel . "Signed on behalf of the subscribers , "S . S . PARTRIDGE , Chairman . "E . HOLMES , Secretary . " Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , " 3 rd July , 1893 . "

In reply , Bro . WOOD acknowledged in feeling terms the great help he had received in the discharge of his duties as Prov . Grand Secretary from all ranks of the Craft , and said that failing health alone had compelled him to relinquish the work . He accepted with the deepest gratitude the tokens of esteem from the brethren , and thanked the brethren from his heart for them . He asked that the same good feeling which had been manifested to

him , should be continued to his successor , and said how glad he should be to give any assistance in his power to any member of the Craft . The greatest interest was manifested by the large number of brethren present , in the whole of the business , and special regret was universally expressed , at . the enforced retirement of Bro . Wood . The closing of Provincial Grand Lodge terminated the proceedings .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF MIDDLESEX

The first meeting of the recently formed Grand Lodge of Middlesex was held on Wednesday , 12 th inst ., at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpoolstreet , E . C . The Prov . Grand Master , Col . A . B . Cook , presided , and among the visitors was the Earl of Euston , Pro Grand Master . There were also present Bros . Sir Reginald Hanson , Bart ., M . P ., Deputy Prov .

G . M . ; Fred . Mead , G . Treas . ; G . Gardner , P . G . S . B . ; Geo . Graveley , P . G . S . B . ; Dr . Laurence , P . G . A . D . C . ; Wyndham Hart , G . S . B . ; A . Stewart Brown , G . Stwd . ; W . Fisher , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . ; C . Wood ,

P . P . G . S . B . ; J . M . Klenck , P . P . G . Sec ; C . J . Knightley , P . G . J . W . ; G . J . Thomas , P . G . Ov . ; Clement Trotter , P . G . D . ; T . Clark , P . G . Supt . of Wks . ; C . Handley , P . G . A . D . C . ; Hall Brown , P . G . S . B . ; W . Dickey , Humphreys , West , Scott , Christian , Davis , and others .

The Prov . Grand Lodge was opened by the Prov .. Grand Master , and the officers were saluted . The Pro G . M ., the Earl of Euston , then entered the lodge , and was received in due form . The minutes having been confirmed , the report of the Audit Committee , showing a balance of ^ 26 us . iod ., was read , adopted , and ordered to be entered on the minutes .

Bro . STEWART BROWN proposed the re-election of Bro . G . Gardner as Prov . G . Treas ., and the nomination having been seconded by Bro . C . HANDLEY , was carried unanimously .

The following were appointed as the Prov . Grand officers for the year : Bro . Frederick Lawrence ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ John Handley ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ W . H . B . Scott ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ E . W . Davies ... ... ... Prov . G . S . O . „ J . West ... ... ... ... Prov . G . J . O . „ H . J . Rogers ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ , A . Stewart Brown ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ M . Christian ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex

Bro . Lmzell ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ W . C . Dickey ... ... ... Prov . G . L of VV . „ W . J . Fisher ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ Ki'ihler ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ A . W . Humphreys ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

„ Ric ... ... - ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ W . Puttick ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ C . P . Bellerby ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . " W . D . T Turnpenny | Prov . G . Stwds . ,, Dr . Hartzhorne ... ... ... ) „ W . Gilbert ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The tollowmg were elected on the Committee of General Purposes ; Bros . C . J . Knightley , Geo . Gravejey , M . Christian , and J . M . Klenck , while the Prov . Grand Master appointed the Wardens , Treasurer , and Secretary to act in addition . During the meeting the Provincial Grand Master presented to the Provincial Grand Lodge a handsome sword which had been carried before Bro .

Henry Irving when he plaved the part of " Richelieu . " and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Iiro . Sir Reginald H mson , U-irt ., presented the banner for Provincial Grand Lodge , both gifts being suitably acknowledged , and votes of thanks being passed , on the proposition of Bro . GARDNER , seconded by Bro . LAURENCE . The Provincial Grand Lodge was subsequently closed , the brethren dining together at the hotel , and honouring the customary Mark toasts .

Lord EUSTON made an admirable speech , congratulating the new Prov . Grand Master on the satisfactory start made by Middlesex as a separate district , and also on the general outlook of Mark Masonry in the county . In the course of his remarks the Prov . Grand Master said that everthing had been satisfactorily arranged with Surrey in connection with the division of the former united Mark Province , and he hoped that success would attend their future efforts . Bro . Sir REGINALD HANSON also spoke in congratulatory terms , and added to the general success of the gathering .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Norfolk.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORFOLK .

There was a very large gathering of the Craft at Yarmouth on the 131 I 1 inst ., on the occasion of the annual meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Norfolk . Last year the lodge was held at Norwich , and Yarmouth has not been selected in the regular course since June , 1885 , although on the occasion of the visit of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales to Yarmouth in May ,

1887 , there was a big rallying together of brethren in the ancient borough , and it was then that the foundation-stone of the hospital was laid midst full Masonic pomp and ceremony . Yarmouth , if less central than Norwich , is decidedly popular with the Norfolk Masons , and this popularity was demonstrated on the above date , when seldom has there been such a large attendance of brethren at a Prov . Grand Lodge meeting . .

Lord Suffield , K . C . B ., Prov . Grand Master , conducted his lodge in the elegant Assembly-room of the Town Hall in the afternoon , when he was supported by Bros . Hamon Le Strange , P . G . D ., Dep . Prov . Grand Master ; the Rev . S . F . Creswell , D . D . ; W . Harvey , Prov . G . Treas . ; F . Burton ,

Prov . G . Reg . ; J . Rust , Prov . S . G . W . ; G . Durndell , Prov . G . D . of C . ; C . J . Bullen , Prov . G . S . B . ; S . Bates Bennett , Prov . G . Org . ; H . Buckingham , Prov . Asst . G . Sec . ; and many Past Provincial Officers and brethren . During the afternoon the Prov . Grand Master invested the officers as follows :

Bro . E . E . Ranson , I . P . M . 996 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ R . T . Ruddock , I . P . M . 373 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . A . W . Collis , 11 93 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ E . P . Youell , P . P . S . G . W ., P . P . G . Trcas . Suffolk Prov . G . Treas . „ F . M . Hobblack , W . M 52 ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

,, W . G . Barnard , P . M . 943 ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ F . C . Havers , I . P . M . 93 ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ G . S . Panks , I . P . M . 174 . 1 ... ... Prov . j . G . D . „ G . D . Deuchar , I . P . M . 213 ... ... Prov . G . S . of ' . V . „ G . E . Theobald , I . P . M . 607 ... ... Prov . G . D . C .

„ Albert Smith , W . M . 100 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ H . A . Dewing , I . P . M . 223 7 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ E . J . Parr , P . M . 102 ] Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ H . O . Curson , I . P . M . 1114 ... ... > ,, S . K . Richmond , 100 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org .

„ A . G . Markham , S . W . 943 ... ... Prov . A si . G . Sec . „ R . Francis , I . P . M . 1193 ... ... Prov . G . Pursi . „ A . G . Wright , I . P . M . 1808 ... ... Prov . A-st . G . Pur-l . „ w . E . Hoit , 313 - " - ¦ ; .. -1 ,, Henry Newhouse , 807 ...

" IV ' cv ' r , Prov . G . Slvvd * . „ John H . Skinner , 99 6 ... ... ... | ,, F . E . Smith , 111 4 „ G . C . Maynard , 11 93 ... ... ,.. J „ Ephraim Hollidge ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyle ' After the Provincial Grand Master had closed the Provincial Grand

Lodge , the brethren adjourned to the Priory School Rooms , where they donned their Craft clothing and marched to the parish church , where a short special service was conducted in honour of the occasion . There \ va < a large congregation , and the presence of the brethren aroused a good den of interest .

The pulpit was occupied by Bro . the Rev . Samuel Francis Creswclh D . D ., Prov . Grand Chaplain , and at the close of an eloquent and forcible discourse , a collection was made on behalf of the funds for the rcstorM ><> of the sacred pile . , In the evening a large number ol the brethren , hailing from all P ^' ° Norfolk , attended the banquet , which was served in the Assembly R °

of the Town Hall , in Mr . J . W . Nightingale ' s usually excellent style . The Prov . Grand Master , Lord Suffield , K . C . B ., presided , and he waj supported by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , many of the Present an Past Provincial Grand Officers , and brethren of the Blue .