Provincial Grand Lodge Of Durham.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DURHAM .

Thc Annual Piovincial Grand Locl . ee of the Province of Durham was held on Fiiday , the 14 th inst ., in the Borough Hall of Stockton , when a very laige gathering , of Prov . G . Officers and members took place . " The P . G . Lodge opened at 2 . 30 , when the P . G . M ., the Most Noble the Marquess of

Londonderry , K . P ., ancl theProvincial Officers and visitors were received by the I r " . thren . The Prov . G . Master was supported by Uros . the Rev . Canon Cundill , P . G . T . ; \ V . H . Crookes , P . G . S . ; R . Hudson , P . G . D . of C . ; the Prov . G . Chaplain ; XV . II . Craven , P . G . S . B . ; H . Lawrence , Grange , Leamside ; H . I ? . Wright , Seaham ; N . VV . Apperly , Durham ; F . Binckes , Secretary Royal

Masonic Institution for Boys ; Capt . Young , West Hartlepool ; G . Dudds , M . P . ; and amongst those present were Bros . I . G . Smith , W . M . ; J . Wood , I . P . M . ; M . Corbett , P . M . ; A . D . Davis , P . M . 4 S ; R . Kinmond , W . M . ; J . Lowes , P . M . ; J . Dobson , P . J . W . ; F . Maddison , P . M . ; ] . E . Nelson , S . D . So ; G . C . Watson , W . M . ; T . M . ' Watson , P . M . ; J . J . Clay , P . M . ; J . H .

Leech , S . W . ; C . McNamara , J . VV . ; J . R . Pattison , Hon . Sec . ; J . C . Moor , S . D . 97 ( Freemason ); E . Sutherst , W . M . ; ' G . R . Smart , S . W . ; J . Hudson , J . VV . 94 ; G . Porteous , W . M . ; R . Shadforth , P . M . ; A . T . Munro , I . P . M . ; J . Eggleston , P . M . ; A . Gray , P . M . ; J . G . Kirtsley . S . D . ; " H . Horner ; XV . Liddell , P . M . ; ' R . VV . Halfnight , P . M . 049 ; W . Brandt , W . M . ; T .

Tillman , S . W . ; Rev . J . Brown , nSo ; XV . Coxon , W . M . ; T . Bell , I . P . M . ; S . Kinney , P . M . ; J . Carter , T . 124 ; Rev . J . T . Wilson , W . M . ; T . Coulson , P . M . ; J . Denham , P . VI . ; J . Rodham , P . M . ; G . S . Shotton , S . W . ; J . H . Thompson , J . W . 240 ; J . Ayre , P . P . S . B . ; VV . " Forster , P . P . S . of W . ; R . Oandlish , P . P . S . D . ; J . Sinclair , VV . M . ; H . VV . Emerson . I . P . M . ; J . A . Wells ,

P . M . ; S . Cockburn , P . M . ; J . Richardson , I . ; 1 . Shepherd , J . Slaine , D . Smith , T . Taylor , J . S . Henry , G . Judson , 061 ; E . D . Brown , VV . M . ; T . Brayshay , I . P . M . ; ' Dr . D . H . Watson , S . VV . ; A . G . Rudil . J . VV . 509 ; J . Scarth , VV . M . 940 ; George E . Pybus , W . M . 14 S 0 ; and Cameron , W . M . 1 SG 2 . The whole of the lodges in the province were represented ,

The lodge having been duly opened , thc Prov . G . 'I rcas ., Rro . the Rev . Canon CU . VDILL , read his report , showing the receipts to havc been £ 620 os . 1 id ., including a balance of £ 368 Ss . Mel . brought forward from the previous year , and after the payments of the past year a balance remained In hand of £ 357 6 s . gd . The report was adopted .

Uro . VV . H . CROOKKS , the Prov . Grand Secretary , read the report of thc Fund of Benevolence Committee , that several grants had been proposed to be made to brethren needing relief , and that 100 guineas be given to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , 50 guineas to thc Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and 50 guineas to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , the grants altogether

amounting to £ 280 Bro . R . HUDSON , Chairman of thc Charities Committee , read the report of that Committee , which referred to the labours of the Committee during the past year , and reported that a new scheme was being promoted to advance the education of the children of . deceased Masons in the ? rovince , to supplement those educated at the Masonic nstitutions .

Both reports were passed . Bro . the Most Noble the Marquess of . LONDONDERRY , P . G . M ., then rose to address the lodge , ancl referred to the diffidence he . felt on thc occasion of his installation as Prov . G . M , last year , but if anything could dispel that diffidence , it was the fact that on this , the h ' rst lime he had held the Provincial chair after the office had been conferred upon

him in the neighbourhood of his home and of his early associations—at Stockton—he saw such a large number of brethren assembled . ( Applause . ) If spared in years to come to preside over the lodge , he should do his best to perform thc duties to their satisfaction . He was glad to near the reports of the Committees which had been read , and he thought they might congratulate themselves that

during the last year the Craft had not in any way dcterioated . ( Loud applause . ) It was a source of very great regret to himself that circumstances over which he had no control had prevented him from consecrating the Whitworth Lodge , and that it was inconvenient for the Deputy P . G . M . to attend , owing to indisposition . He hail , however , every reason to be highly indebted to Bro . Fawcett for the kind

manner in which , at short notice , he undertook the duties . Referring to the part he took as Chairman of the Masonic Boys' School Festival , he said he took the opportunity to call down at the Schools , and he was accompanied by the Marchioness . ( Loud applause . ) He took a great interest in what he saw at the Schools , and the Marchioness was cmbucd with the same feelings as himself . He was

extremely pleased with them , the arrangements were very good ; as far as the education was concerned it was efficient ; anel the whole of the undertaking was such that he conceived it to be one of thc best Institutions it had ever been his fate to see . ( Loud applause . ) He was also proud on taking the chair at the festival at Brighton at the large numbers of members and gentlemen who attended the

celebration , where it was a great satisfaction for him to find that the whole accumulated sum given to thc fund of the Boys' Masonic Institution amounted to something like £ 11 , 000 , and he was peculiarly gratified because of thc large contributions from that most important county of Durham . ( Loud applause . ) He trusted that they woulel always find him ready to support any question which would

be for Ihe benefit of the county in general , and the Craft in particular . ( Loud applause . ) Upon the motion of Bro . GROVES , seconded by Bro . WILSON , Bro . thc Rev . Canon Cunhill was re-elected P . O . Treasurer , and acknowledged this renewed token of their confidence . The R . VvV Prov . G . M . then appointed and invested the

following ofiicers : Bro . Sir H . Williamson , Bart . ... Prov . D . G . M . „ Cameron Stranton Prov . G . S . W . „ McCullock Prov . G . J . VV . „ Rev . J . J . Broivn Prov . G . Chap .

„ 1 . Forster Prov . G . Reg . „ XV . II . Crookes Prov . G . Sec . . . 'icy Prov . G . S . D . „ Bradley Prov . G . J . D . ,, l . J . Cfay Prov . G . S . of W . ; , R . Hudson Prov . G . D . C .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Durham.

Bro . Greenwell Prov . G . A . D . C . „ A . T . Munro Prov . G . S . B . ,, R . Dickinson ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, Sinclair ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . ,, J . Thompson Prov . G . Tyler . The investment of these brethren was greeted with loud applause . Uro . BINCKES , Secretary of the Royal Masonic

Institution for Boys , acknowledged the gift of one hundred guineas that day to | the School liy the Fund Committee , and the great interest that the Most Noble the Ma ' rquess of Londonderry and the brethren of the province had taken in the School , the administration of which , he trusted , would always merit their esteem . The lodge was aftewards closed in due form , and an adjournment made to a sumptuous banquet , served at the Freemasons' Hall , at which the P . G . M ., the Marquess of Londonderry , presided . The usual loyal and Masonic toist : were duly honoured .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WEST LANCASHIRE .

The annual meeting of this , the largest Provincial Grand Lodge in thc kingdom , comprising as it does eighty-one lodges , was held on the 12 th inst ., at Blackpool Winter Gardens . Soon after one o ' clock p . m . a Craft lodge was opened in the Skating Rink of the Winter Gardens under

the banner of the Clifton Lodge , 703 . Blackpool , as follows : Bros . H . D . Croft , W . M ' . 17 S , acting VV . M . ; VV . Ncwsomc , P . M . 86 , acting I . P . M . ; Edgar Humphries , VV . M . 220 , acting S . VV . ; W . H . Vermin , VV . M . 249 , acting J . W . ; Jonathan Philips , P . AI . 17 S , acting S . D . ; Sam Tickle , P . M . 220 , acting J . D . ; and C . li . Holmes , P . M . 17 S , acting as I . G . The brethren were then admitted ancl ranged under their respective banners , and

when all were present the scene was very impressive , over Soo being in attendance , clothed in the full insignia of their rank . Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , P . G . M . of the province , was then received in due form , amongst those accompanying him being Bros , the Hon . F . A . Star . ley , D . P . G . M . ; Rev . C . S . Hope , P . G . Chap . ; H . S . Alpass ,

P . G . Sec ; James Piatt , P . P . G . S . D . ; A . H . Whitehead , P . G . S ., J . D . ; H . Longman , P . G . S . of VV . ; E . Simpson , P . G . Purst . ; W . Harrison , P . G . D . C ; Wm . Longmire , A . D . C ; H . Gardner , P . G . S . B . ; Joseph Skeaf , P . G . O . ; H . W . Johnston , P . P . G . J . D . ; J . F . Newell , P . P . G . S . W . ; Edmund Thompson , P . P . G . P . ; Samuel Wylde , P . P . G . S . B . ; G . Remington , P . P . G . J . W . ;

John Wells , P . P . G . D . C ; J . H . Sillitoe , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . J . Greaves , P . P . G . O . East Lancashire ; VV . J . Newman , P . P . G . R . ; R . VV . Woodhall , P . P . G . S . B . Cheshire ; Captain Hargreave , P . G . J . W . East Lancashire ; James Blackie , P . G . P . East Lancashire ; E . C . Cooper , P . P . G . S . B . ; H . Jackson , P . P . G . A . D . C ; R . Whittaker , P . P . G . D . C . East Lancashire ; Edward Sewell , P . P . G . O . ; J . C . Hunter , P . P . G . P . ; P . Ball and XV . H .

Ball , P . G . Tylers ; E . Hartley , P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . T . Callow , P . P . G . T . ; S . E . Ibbs , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . J . Baldwin , P . P . G . S . R . ; Edward Pierpoint , P . P . G . S . D . ; VV . Vines , P . P . G . D . C ; XV . Goodacre , P . P . G . P . Cheshire ; Thomas A . Collinson , P . P . G . D . C . ; W . B . Ackerley , P . P . G . J . VV . ; J . Houlding , P . G . R ., T . Salter , P . G . S . ; C . J . Bannister , P . G . S . B . of Eng . ; John Haves , P . P . G . S . B . ;

G . turner , P . P . G . Treas . ; J . W . Ballard , P . P . G . P . ; W . Brackenbury , P . G . S . ; Rev . H . G . Vernon , P . P . G . C ; Alexander Levi , P . G . J . Griqualand ; J . F . Roberts , P . P . G . D . C . ; T . Armstrong , P . P . G . Treas . ; R . Wylie , P . P . G . S . D . ; John Lunt , P . P . G . D . C ; Reuben Pearson , P . P . G . R . ; Hugh Williams , P . P . G . A . D . C ; Dr . J . K . Smith , P . P . G . R . ; J . E . Jackson , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; VV . Bowden , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . Leather , P . P . G . A . D . C ; D . VV .

Finney , P . P . G . D . C ; J . Pemberton , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; and J . Bowes , P . P . G . J . W . Thc roll of lodges was afterwards called over by the PROV . G . SECRETARY , when it was found that the whole of the eighty-one lodges in this Masonic division were represented , several of them very largely . The minutes of the Prov . Grand Lodge , held 1 SS 0 at Chorley , were read and confirmed .

Ihe accounts of the PROV . G . TREASURER ( Bro . R . Brown , P . M . 241 ) showed that during the year ended the 30 th September last , with previous balances , the sum of ^ , ' 428 ns . iod . had been received for the Charity Fund , £ 780 7 s . 6 d . for the Prov . G . Lodge Fund , £ 1703 is . 1 id . for the Fund of Benevolence—total £ 2914 is . 3 d . The payments included the sum of £ 105 for the West

Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , and £ 105 for thc Koyal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons . It appeared that the sum paid to the VVest Lancashire Masonic { ''durational Institution up to date was £ 2249 5 s . Thc balance at the end of the year was £ 2388 14 s ., invested in dock bonds , the Savings Bank , and the North-western Bank ( Limited ) .

On the motion of Bro . R . WYLIE , P . P . G . S . D ., seconded by Bro . Dr . SMITH , P . G . Reg ., the accounts were unanimously passed . Bro . Dr . SMITH then proposed the re-election of Bro . R . Broivn as the P . G . Treasurer for the ensuing year , and in doing so he said that Bro . Brown had unfortunately been seriously ill for some time—which must be his excuse for

absence that day—but while he had been able to perform his duty everyone must havc been satisfied with the manner in which Bro . Brown had done his work —( hear , hear)—and be thought it would be a well deserved compliment if they again elected him that day . Bro . J OHNSON , P . G . S . D ., seconded the motion , which was carried by acclamation .

Bro . the Earl of Lathom afterwards appointed his officers as follows for the ensuing year : Bro . thc Rt . Hon F . Stanley R . W . D . P . G . M . , N . Beswick-Royds Prov . G . S . W . „ W . A . Clayton Prov . G . J . VV . „ Rev . T . 13 . Spencer ... ... Prov . G . ' Chap . ,, R . Brown ( re-elected ) Prov . G . Treas .

,, 1 . Buxton Prov . G . Reg . ,, H . S . Alpass ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . Sec . „ R . Young Prov . G . S . D . „ R . Washington Prov . G . S . D . „ T . Forrester „ . Prov . G . J . D . „ T . Salter - Prov . G . J . D . „ H . A . Tobias Prov . G . S . of W . „ J . Duncan , jun Prov . G . D . C .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

Bro . J . Preston Prov . G . D . C . „ W . Brackenbury Prov . G . A . D . C . „ W . Bath Prov . G . S . B . ,, J . Skeaf ( re-appointed ) Prov . G . Org . „ H . Crosby ... Prov . G . P . „ Dr . Bailey , Mycock , S . Mattison , 1 , . . Bulmer , and Gotham j Prov > G '

Shvd-Bros . R . Young , P . M . 86 , P . G . S . D . ; Dr . Bailey , P . G . S . ; A . C . Wylie , P . M . 1264 ; J . T . Callow , P . P . G . Treas . ; R . Martin , jun ., P . M . 1182 ; J . Bell , P . P . G . J . D . ; M . Hart , P . M . 724 ; J . F . Newell , P . P . G . J . W . ; Robertson , 1 . Evans , SV . M . 16 75 ; and VV . Newsome , P . M . 86 , who had served the offices of Stewards to London Masonic Charities , were voted charity jewels in recognition of their

services . The sum of £ So was voted in aid of the widows and children of deceased Freemasons . The P . G . SECRETARY then stated that he had nothing special to report with regard to the province during the past year , but he would point out the necessity of the lodges recognising the importance of their securing as many votes

as they possibly could in connection with the Masonic Charities , especially as the other provinces were now wide awake with regard to the matter . On the motion of Bro . A . WYLIE , seconded by Bro . H . S . ALPASS , it was unanimously resolved that the sum of 100 guineas should be voted from the charity fund or the Provincial Grand Lodge Fund , to the Koyal Masonic

Benevolent Institution for the widows of Freemasons . It was also agreed that , on the motion of Bro . R . VVylie , seconded by Bro . Dr . Smith , to vote 100 guineas from the charity fund or Provincial Grand Lodge Fund , to the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution ; and it was resolved that this amount should be vested in the name of the Prov . Grand Lodge . The sum of / . A was voted in aid

of the Hamer Benevolent Fund , in the name of the Prov . Grand Lodge . Bro . H . S . ALPASS , P . G . Sec ., then proposed the following resolution : — That the charity Committee of the province shall be reconstituted , and in future consist of twenty members , six of whom shall be the Prov . Grand Master , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , the Senior and Junior Prov . Grand

Wardens , the Prov . Grand Treasurer and Prov . Grand Secretary for the time being ; the remainder shall be Past Masters , elected by the Prov . Grand Lodge at the annual meeting , not more than seven of whom sliall be from Liverpool , or within a six miles radius of Liverpool ; and seven , members of lodges in other ' parts of the province , for the purpose of recommending to Prov . Grand

Lodge grants cf money from the Charity Fund and Prov . Grand Lodge Fund to thc Masonic Charities , and for promoting the election of candidates from the province on the various Metropolitan Alasonic Institutions . The Committee at its first meeting after each annual meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge shall appoint a Chairman and Vice-Chairman , and thc P . G . Sec . for the time being shall be Secretary to

thc Committee . Past Masters who are to be proposed as members of this Committee , must be nominated by their lodges to the P . G . Sec . ten days previous to the annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge . The Committee shall appoint at its first mtetinga deputation , consisting of two of its members , to be approved of by the Prov . Grand Master , to attend if necessary the election of candidates on the

Metropolitan Masonic Institutions , and their expenses shal be paid out of the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge . The motion , after considerable discussion , was adopted . On the motion of Bro . GOODACRE , P . M . 15 S 8 , the sum of £ 15 was voted from the funds cf the P . G . Lodge to assist the clectii . n of a child of a brother of No . 1588 , on the foundation of tbe Royal Masonic Institution for Girls .

rive P . M . ' s were then elected members of the Committee of the Hamer Fund of Benevolence , and the Secretary , Treasurer , and Auditors were also appointed . The Annual Court of Governors of the VVest Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , was then held , and the usual business was transacted , after which the P . G . Lodge was resumed and closed .

At thc close of the business about 500 brethren dined in the Pavilion Theatre of the Winter Gardens , Bro . the Earl of Latham , P . G . M ., presiding , supported by Bro . Colonel Stanley , P . D . G . M ., and the other officers of the P . G . Lodge . The various loyal and Masonic toasts were given during the evening , anil in proposing " The Health of Bro . H . R . H .

the Prince of Wales , R . W . G . M ., " Bro . the Earl of Lathom said he hoped that in connection with the guild meeting in Preston next year the Prince of Wales would be able to attend , and the Masons of West Lancashire would then have an opportunity of showing what the true standing of the Order was in that part of the kingdom . ( Loud cheers . ) The toastof " The P . G . M . " was received with immense

enthusiasm , and , in response , his lordship said that in no province in England was there to be found a mure united and unanimous body of Masons than that which existed in VVest Lancashire . Other toasts followed , and during the evening a choice musical programme was given . The meeting throughout was of a highly successful character .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF WEST LANCASHIRE .

A meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter of the above province w'as held at thc Winter Gardens , Blackpool , on the 12 th inst ., at the close of the business of the Provincial Grand Lodge , under the presidency of Comp . the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , First Grand Principal . The

following appointments were subsequently made : Comp . the Hon . F . A . Stanley ... Prov . G . H . „ W . A . Clayton pr 0 v . G . J . „ U . S . Alpass Prov . G . S . E . „ John Houlding , 1393 p COv . G . S . N . „ Henry Longman Lancaster , 1051 Prov . G . P . S . „ J . VV . Ballard , 823 Prov . G . ist A . S

» M" Wray , 703 Prov . G . znd A . S „ William Leather , 897 Prov . G . Reg . „ Thomas Tunstall , 148 Prov . G . Swd . B „ John Settle , 1225 Prov . G . Std . B . „ John Wells , 5 S 0 and J 0 S 6 . „ Prov . G . D . of C „ Joseph Skeaf Prov . G . Org . „ John Bowes Prov . G . Treas . „ Alexander Cotter Prov . G .-Stwd .