Provincial Grand Lodge Of Gloucestershire.

R . W . White , P . P . J . G . W . ; T . J . Cottle , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Walker , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . L . Bain , P . P . Cl . R . ; G . Norman , P . P . G . R . ; W . R . Porcher , P . P . G . R . ; R . Chandler , P . P S . G . D . ; E . Lawrence ,. P . P . I . G . D . ; F . Moore , P . P . G . D . C . ; H . S . Crump , P . P . G . D . C ; W . E . Hayward , P . P . G . S . B . ; R . P . P . imerov , 1005 ; M . LI . Evans , 416 ; F . W . Waller , 839 ; F . Fenner , 246 ; B . Bonnor , S 39 ; A . Baker , SW . g > o ; J . C Griffith , 82 ; Albany R . Grieve , P . M . 702 ; R . VV . C V . Childe , P . P . G . R . Berks and Oxon , Chapter No . 82 ; C . Naylor , 839 ; J . A . Matthews , K 2 , hens

P . P . G . O . ; G . H . Goold , 403 ; S . Moss , P . M . 493 , P P . S . G . D . ; H . S . St-p , PM . 7-12 . P . P . G . D . C ; S . Bland , P . M . 493 , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . L . Butler . P . M . 246 , P . P . J . G . D . ; Jas . Bruton . P . M . 839 , P . P . S . G . D . ; Dr . Needham , W . M . 839 ; J . Weston , P . M . 839 ; W . C . Ferris , W . M . 1005 ; G . C . P . Pike , 839 ; E . L . Rowe , H . G . Chance , R . P . Sumner , and Rev . J . P . A .. Bowers , of 839 ; F . W . Fisher , P . M . 403 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; L . G . H . Mayer , 839 ; C . Sewell , P . M . 592 ; Dr . T . Partridge , P . M . 702 , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . David , W . M . 702 ; W . E . Edwards , W . M . 493 ; J . Campbell , S . W . 839 ; T . C . R . Taynton , P . M . S 39 ; E . Lea , 1005 ; and many others .

Prov . Grand Lodge having been opened , and the minutes relating to the reredos having been read , Bro . T . NELSON FOSTER proposed a resolution to the effect that the decoration of the reredos be carried out in accordance with the plan approved by the Committee , at a cost not exceeding £ 300 , and he did so as

representing the Royal Gloucestershire Lodge , to which , he asserted , was due the original movement for the erection of the reredos , and which contributed about one-third of the cost . He contended that the experimental colouring had been approved by a general consensus of opinion during the time it had been submitted for inspection . Bro . J . WALKER , M . A ., seconded the resolution .

Bro . G WINNETT proposed an amendment . He contended that the proposed colouring was foreign to the original design of the reredos , and that no idea of its needing so-called improvements was entertained until a few months ago . Bro . F . MOORE seconded the amendment .

The PROV . G . MASTER , who said he had not before expressed an opinion on the subject , confessed to the belief that the proposed decoration was an improvement , and he thanked the Committee for the opportunity it had given of judging the effect by its tentative experiment . Bro . WINTERBOTHAM spoke in favour of Bro . Gwinnett ' s amendment , but on a division the amendment was rejected by a considerable majority , and the orig inal resolution carried .

Provincial Grand Lodge then approved of a report from the Brooksmith Memorial Committee , from which it appeared that , with the exception of 10 guineas purposely left for subscription by Prov . G . Lodge , the lull ' sum required for the erection of a stained glass window to the memory of the late Dep . Prov . G . M . had been raised .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER stated that the Centenary of the Royal Faith and Friendship Lodge , Berkeley , would be celebrated on January 15 th , when Bro . Lord Fitzhardinge would again take office as W . M . of the lodge . The Prov . G . M . is to be Installing Master .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SUSSEX .

An emergency meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex was held on Saturday , the 15 th inst ., at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , for the purpose of electing a Provincial Grand Treasurer and of moving a vote of condolence with the family of the late Bro . R . Crosskey , who for eleven years filled the office of Provincial Grand Treasurer ,

The Deputy Prov . G . Master , Bro . Gerard Ford , P . G . D ., presided , supported by the following Present and Past Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , viz .: — Bros . W . Marchant , P . M . 315 , P . P . S . G . W ., acting Prov . S . G . W . ; J . Farncombe , Prov . J . GW . j F . F . J . Greenfield , Prov . G . Chap . ; R . Pidcock , Prov . G . Reg . ; J . Adames , Prov . S . G . D . ; J . Dennant , Prov . J . G . D . ; Lockwood Hawken , Prov . A . G . D . C ; Col . Mortimer Hancock , Prov . G . S . B . ; H . H . Jordan , Prov . G . S . B . ; G . Cole , Prov . G . Org . ; B . Burfield , Prov . A . G . Sec . ; and many others .

The lodge having been opened , the PROV . G . SECRETARY submitted a report from the Board of Finance . The Board , deeply regretting the loss the province had sustained by the death of the late Bro . Crosskey , recommended that Bro . W . H . Hallett should be appointed to the vacant post . On the motion of Bro . FARNCOMBE , P . J . G . W ., seconded by Bro . VV . MARCHANT , P . P . S . G . W ., Bro . W . H . Hallett , P . P . S . G . W ., was unanimously elected Prov . Treas .

The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER briefly expressed the pleasure which he and all present felt in finding Bro . Hallett willing to undertake the duties of the office . Bro . HALLETT , in responding , said he was much obliged to the brethren for their mark of confidence in him , and would do his utmost , with the kindly promised assistance of Bro . J . M . Reed , in faithfully discharging the duties of the office .

The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER formally invested the newly appointed P . G . Treasurer , and then addressed the brethren as follows : Trie reasons for our assembling to-day in this Special Provincial Grand Lodge of Emergency are of a saddening description , and are based upon an event which is to all of us one of profound sorrow . The loss , by death , of our late highly respected and esteemed colleague , Bro . Robert Crosskey , the P . G .

Treasurer , is an event of much moment , not only as regards his Masonic official position , the duties attaching to which he so conspicuously and admirably performed , but in his more personal capacity as a brother amongst us , in which he displayed , by precept and by example , the highest traditions of our Order . His constant readiness to give his sage counsel , and his unsparing effort towards anything which might conduce to

the well-being ol the Craft , are matters for which we might not only cherish his memory with grateful recollection , but endeavour to hold them up to ourselves as exemplars of what a true Mason should be . To those who knew our lamented brother it would seem superfluous to dilate Upon his many excellences . But to those younger brethren who could not have experienced so much of his high attributes I trust I may not speak in

vain when I add that it may well be an object of ambition to them so to go through the Masonic life , and to attain to that standard of personal virtue which has secured the tribute of attachment we have here come together to express . It was my advantage to know Bro . Crosskey in his own home , and to become aware of the unusually wide influence which he exercised in his town and neighbourhood . The list of his appointments , which

ls a matter of common knowledge , is of itself proof , if proof were wanting , of the great confidence reposed in him . ^ The D . P . G . M ASTER then called upon Bro . C . J . Corder , P . P . S . G . W ., acting Prov . G . D . C , to read the resolution , embodying the vote of condolence , as follows : " We , the Freemasons of the Province of Sussex , assembled in a special Provincial Grand Lodge of Emergency , hereby a sk leave to be permitted to offer to Mrs . Crosskey and the bereaved family

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

this expression of our sympathy upon the much lamented death of our greatly esteemed and respected friend , the late Bro . Robert Crosskey , Prov . Grand Treasurer of this Province , one who , for a series of years , has with so much zeal and ability performed the important duties of that office , and who attached himself to every brother with whom he came in contact by his reliable counsels and his personal geniality . We will not add to these words a recital of the many excellent qualities possessed by our departed

brother . It would , we feel , be unbecoming to do so whilst addressing those who must have possessed a yet more intimate knowledge of them . We have felt impelled to place on record the high estimation and regard in which he was held by the brethren of the Masonic body , and we pray that the Great Architect of the Universe may soiten this blow to the widow and children of our beloved colleague who has been called away . Dated this 15 th of December , 1888 . "

The resolution , feelingly moved by Bro . W . R . WOOD , P . G . Purst ., seconded by Bro . E . W . J . HENNAH , P . P . G . D . of C , and supported by Bro . J . O . MCCARROGHER , P . P . G . Chap ., was unanimously carried . The Provincial Grand Lodge was then duly closed , the brethren dis ° persing to the strains of the " Dead March " in Saul .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Gloucester Shire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF GLOUCESTER SHIRE .

A meeting of this Provincial Grand Chapter was held at the Masonic Hall , Cheltenham , on Tuesday , after a special meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge , elsewhere reported . The Ri ght Hon . Sir M . E . Hicks Beach , as Grand Superintendent , presided , and was supported by the following officers , viz .: Comps . W . R . Porcher , P . Z ., Prov . G . J . ; E . Trinder , Prov . G . S . E . ; J . Bryan , Prov . G . S . N . ; S . Moss , Prin . Soj . ; G . Norman , 1 st Asst . Soj . ; J . Albin Roberts , 2 nd Asst . Soj . ; fas . B . Winterbotham ,

Comp . Winterbotham was appointed S . E . on Comp . Trinder's resignation of that office . A cordial vote of thanks to Comp . Trinder , who had filled the post since Prov . G . Chapter was founded , was passed ! Comp . Winterbotham had therefore acted as Treasurer , and Comp . Walker was appointed to succceed him on his vacating that office . Prov . G . Chapter having been closed , the companions dined together under the presidency of the G . Superintendent .

Treas . ; F . W . Fisher , Reg . ; Dr . Partridge , D . of C . ; and J . A . Matthews , Org . There was a numerous attendance . The following were appointed officers for the ensuing year , viz .: Comp . R . V . Vassar-Smith , P . Z . 82 ... ... Prov . G . H . ,, Baron de Ferrieres , P . Z . S 2 ... ,., Prov . G . J . „ James B . Winterbotham , P . Z . 82 ,,, ... Prov . G . S . E . ,. George Norman , P . Z . 82 ... ,., Prov . G . S . N . „ W . R . Felton , Z . 82 ... ... ... p . G . P . Soj . „ A . Woodward , Z . 493 .... ... ... Prov . G . 1 st A . S . „ J . Albin Roberts , Z . 829 ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . S . „ J . Walker , M . A ., P . Z . 82 and 8 39 ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ ' Rev . Dr . Kynaston , H . 82 ,,. ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Samuel Bland , H . 493 .., ... ... Prov . G . S . B . ,, J . L . Bretherton , H . 839 ,., ... Prov . G . Std . Br . ,, Dr . T . Partridge , 8 39 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ J . A . Matthews , 82 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ Henry Phillips ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

Consecration Of St. Paul's Lodge (E,C.), Limassol, Cyprus.

CONSECRATION OF ST . PAUL'S LODGE ( E , C . ) , LIMASSOL , CYPRUS .

A petition having been signed by 27 brethren—members of lodges from different parts of the universe , e . g ., from Alexandria , Bermuda , Constantinople , India , New Zealand , Halifax ( N . S . ) , and Malta , besides various places in the United Kingdom—praying for a warrant to form a lodge in Limassol , Cyprus , to be called the St . Paul ' s Lodge , the prayer of the petitioners was acceded to by H . R . H . the M . W . G . M .

A house was then rented , due regard having been taken as to its suitability , and on Wednesday , the 2 ist ult ., the ceremony ol consecrating the lodge and installing the officers was carrried out by Bro . Geo . R . Harriott , Past Prov . Grand Master of Wigton and Kircudbright ( S . C ) , who had previously been authorised by the M . W . G . M . to perform the duties of D . G . M . r

The acting D . G . Lodge was opened , when the solemn and impressive ceremony ol consecration and dedication was admiradly carried out by Bro . Harriott , assisted by the brethren selected b y him to act as D . G . Lodge office-bearers , and with full musical honours . The acting D . G . M . then installed and invested the following

officebearers , with the customary charges ; Bros . Henry Silvester , W . M . ; J . P . White , S . W . ; H . Williams , J . W . ; VV . Mackie , Treas . ; E . Hills , Sec . ; W . J . King , S . D . ; F . T . Alshead , J . D . ; C . Berry , Org . ; H . Lockhart , Stwd . ; S . Robbins , I . G . ; and F . Drew , Tyler . The District Grand Lodge was then closed in due form .

Ihe W . M ., Bro . H . Silvester , then opened the St . Paul ' s Lodge for the transaction of some formal regular business connected with the lodge , when , amongst other things , several applications for initiation and affiliation were received , and the lodge was closed in due form . The brethren next assembled at a banquet in the dining hall of the lodge , which is admirably suited to such purposes , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were properly honoured .

The want of a lodge in Cyprus has been long felt . Many Masons have resided in the Island since the British occupation in 1878 , and , together with the brethren amongst the British troops stationed there , have hitherto been debarred from enjoying the benefits ot the Royal Art . All these , now

that a lodge has been established , will once more be able to participate in the most honourable work of Freemasonry , and will work together to make this infant lodge ( a new institution in the Island ) one of the most flourishing under the banner of the M . W . G . M ., and an ornament to the Grand Lodge of England , to which its owes allegiance .

We feel assured that as long as the lodge has the aid and advice of Bro . Harriott , as I . P . M ., the work will be carried out in a Masonic and constitutional manner .

BERKELEY HOTEL ( late St . James ' s ) , 1 , Berkeley-street and 77 , Piccadilly , London , W . First class accommodation for residents , with a Restaurant newlyattached for high class luncheons and dinners , at fixed prices and a la carte C . DIETTE , Manager . —[ ADVT . ] '