Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Installation Of Viscount Dungarvan As Provincial Grand Master For Somerset.
province , and if , as they had heard that day , the installation had gone off in a successful manner , they must not forget that it was due in a great measure to one who had devoted a great part of his life to the Masonic affairs of the province , and w ho had promised him ( Lord Dungarvan ) that support in the future which he had g iven the Prov . G . M . in the past . Under such circumstances he was sure the same harmony would exist in the province as had existed previously .
Bro . R . C . ELSE , D . P . G . M ., thanked the P . G . M . for the kind and very graceful words he had used with regard to him . As they were laying down a new mark in the province he trusted it mi ght not be out of place to mention that for more than a quarter of a century he had been an executive officer of it , without a single day ' s intermission . He had served under three rulers of the province—Deputy Grand Master under Col . Adair , and lastly , but not least , he had been D . P . G . M . to their
illustrious Bro . the kte Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master of England . Not only during that period had he had to conduct the usual duties of a Deputy , but it had been his privilege to manage the affairs of the Charity , the financial measures , and he had installed no less than 350 Worshipful Masters in the chair of K . S ., and by command of the late Pro Grand Master of England he had the honour of consecrating six new lodges in that beautiful province ; but he felt
that he had discharged his duties in a perfectly satisfactory way , as he appeared to have won the confidence , respect , and esteem of his dear brethren of Somerset . After so many years of hard work it did appear to him that on the death of his late chief the time had arrived when he mi ght take a back seat of less responsibility and more freedom . But after some consideration and after an interview with the Prov . Grand Master , and ascertaining the feelings of the
brethren of the province , he felt it would not be a kindness to the Provincial Grand Master or the brethren to swop horses while crossing a stream . That day , therefore , his fourth voyage as first officer commenced under Lord Dungarvan in the good Masonic ship of Somerset . He thought they had such great similarity of views in Masonry that the voyage would be a success in the Craft . But , however that mi ght be , nothing should be wanting on his part to make it a success , and he mi ght speak in the same way for all the brethren
of the province , who were all animated with one feeling , to maintain and up hold the dignity of the province in the future as they had in the past . He congratulated the Prov . Grand Master on having such a brilliant assemblage of Grand Officers , but more especially for the hi gh honour the M . W . Grand Master had conferred upon him by appointing him as Master of one of the most deli ghtful , Charitable , and loyal provinces under the Grand Lodge of England . Might his lordship be blessed with health and strength long to reign over the brethren of the province , and might the G . A . O . T . U . aid and sustain him in his noble task .
Bro . Dr . EGAN , Dist . Grand Master South Africa , Eastern Division , proposed "The Provincial Grand Officers , " pointing out that it was onl y by the hearty co-operation of all that harmony and unity were preserved , which were so essential in Masonry . Wherever he went he found that that was the feeling , and he would give the brethren a hint , which he , as a District Grand Master , had felt was necessary in Masonry , that those who did not get appointments were not to be jealous of those who did . They must believe that the Provincial Grand Master did what was the best for his province .
The PROV . SENIOR and J UNIOR GRAND WARDENS replied , hoping they would justify the Prov . Grand Master ' s choice . Viscount DUNGARVAN proposed "The Worshipful Masters , Past Masters , Officers , and Brethren of the Receiving Lodges , " expressing his approval with all the arrangements .
Bros . WATTS and RADWAY responded . After the toasts of " The Worshipful Masters , Officers , and Brethren of the other Lodges in the Province " and " The Visiting Brethren , " responded to by Bro . ALFRED COOPER , Bro . Col . MONEY , P . G . M . for Surrey , proposed " The Masonic Charities , " and said that those Charities were the practical outcome of the purest ' principles of Masonry , and a lasting memorial in the eyes of the non-Masonic
world , that Masons practised what they preached . Bro . J . MORRISON MCLEOD , Secretary Royal Masonic Institution for Boys in replying , said he quite agreed with Col . Money that the very name of the toast was sufficient to commend it to the brethren without many words from the brother who had to respond to it , especially as he knew that in this good Province of Somerset so much had been done in years past to carry out the
princi ples of the cause of Charity . That province bore a record second to none in this kingdom in the cause of Charity . It was now a province having brethren who had done good work and hard work for the Order . It had been his lot before to lay the special claims of the Institutions before the brethren at the last Provincial Grand Lodge held at Clevedon , and he wanted to assure the brethren
01 this fact—that he appreciated very much indeed the efforts of the brethren who wouId _ serve the office of Steward at the next Festival . He knew they were making a special effort for the Boys' School , and he thanked them for the very handsome vote that day . He trusted that all their efforts in that direction would never be regretted . He thanked the brethren for the toast on behalf of the three Masonic Institutions . The Prov . Grand T yler ' s toast closed the proceedings .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of East Lancashire.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF EAST LANCASHIRE .
ANNUAL MEETING AT BOLTON .
, Jne Provincial Grand Lodge of the Eastern Division of the County of Lancaster , n . eld its annual meeting on Wednesday , the 6 th instant , at Bolton . It is 17 years since the brethren of the province assembled in this flourishing northern town , J ose progress , commercially , numerically , and Masonically , is equally satisfac-° ry . It enjoys the honour of including within its municipal boundaries the oldest
th / " province , the Anchor and Hope Lodge , No . 37 , and with its four other lodges , there is a total membership in Bolton of 278 . The Bolton brethren , moreover , are not mere ornamental Masons . They have always given substant ial support to the Masonic Charities , and deservedly merit , as , indeed , they have en received , the encomiums which the Provincial Grand Master and other rulers
. > -ratt have passed upon them . ' Ihe success of the meeting under notice « as largel y due to the efforts made by the local lodges . hr 14 , 8 atnerin g tQok place in the Baths Assembly Rooms , where nearly 400 the assembIed - The P-G . M ., Bro . Col . Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie , P . G . W ., and UD m , ' ) ers ° f Provincial Grand Lodge , and distinguished visitors , numbering Tu ° ^ 7 ° formed an imposing procession as they entered the hall . n _ / he venerable D . P . G . M .. Bro . G . Mellor . P . G . D .. was unable to be nresent .
"Q his place was taken b y Bro . W . O . Walker , P . G . D ., P . P . G . W . there was a large attendance of brethren . GfUN ° Q C'al ^ rand Lod 8 having been opened , the roll was called by the PROV . vine 1 ! j ECRETARY ) when it was found that 101 out of the 103 lodges in the proe had sent representatives to the meeting . , „ :.. e PROVINCIAL GRAND SECRETARY presented the reoort of the Audit C . nm
G . \\ PP ° lnted to examine the accounts of the Provincial Grand Treasurer ( Bro . The a ^ G ex P Iained that tne Prov - Grand Treasurer was absent in America , and t P counts sh ° wed that the receipts from all sources had amounted to . 61061 , guinea t ^ " liat , ilities llad been discnarged and donations made of 100 R 0 y aj S jA ° . East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Institution , 50 guineas to the 'nstitut ' f ' . Benevolent Institution , a similar amount to the Royal Masonic Hon for Girls , and 100 guineas to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ,
Provincial Grand Lodge Of East Lancashire.
together with a payment of 10 guineas to the East Lancashire Systematic Institution on account of Annuity Fund , there remained a balance to the credit of Provincial Grand Lodge of £ 3 16 . Bro . W . FORREST , P . M ., as one of the auditors , proposed the adoption of the accounts , and said that having examined the books and vouchers they were perfectl y satisfied with the manner in which the accounts had been kept by the Provincial Grand Secretary in the absence of Bro . Hunt .
Bro . J . WRIGLEY , P . M ., seconded , and Bro . T . RIGBY , P . M ., supported the resolution , both these brethren having also acted as Auditors . The motion was passed ; and it was then proposed by the P . G . M ., seconded by Bro . J . H . SILLITOE , and resolved , that the hearty thanks of Provincial Grand Lodge be accorded to the Auditors for their services . Provincial Grand Lodge then proceeded to elect a Treasurer for the ensuing year .
Bro . E . G . HARWOOD , P . P . G . W ., proposed the election of Bro . Job H . Greenhalgh , P . M . 1723 . He spoke in high terms of the Masonic qualities of Bro . Greenhalgh , and of his fitness for the office . Bro . W . O . WALKER , P . G . D ., seconded the motion , and observed that Bro . Greenhalgh had already filled a similar office in Provincial Grand Chapter . Bro . W . SLATER , P . P . G . D ., supported the motion .
There was no other proposition , and Bro . Greenhalgh was elected amid the , cheers of the brethren .
The PROVINCIAL GRAND SECRETARY then read his annual report . He was able , he said , to bear witness to the great benefits which had resulted from the visits of Provincial Grand Officers to the various lodges during the past year . He found from the reports of those brethren that good work was performed by the majority of the lodges in the province , and that the visits made had been very welcome . He learned that discipline in the lodges was well maintained , and that the duties
appertaining to the office of W . M . were better performed than in years gone by , while the W . M . ' s and officers themselves were doing their work with commendable zeal . There was still a want of uniformity in the beautiful ceremonies of the Order , and that could only be remedied by more frequent visits on the part of P . G . Officers . During the past year two lodges had been added to the roll of lodges in the province—the Minnehaha Minstrel Lodge , No . 2363 , and the Manchester Dramatic Lodge , No . 2387—both in Manchester . These made a
total number of 103 lodges in East Lancashire . Last year the gross total of members on the roll of the various lodges was 4397 , and this year it was 4537 ; initiations and joinings numbered 379 , as against 411 last year ; 50 brethren had died , 5 had been excluded from lodges , and brethren in arrears numbered 278 , as against 321 last year . He drew especial attention to this last matter as exhibiting room for improvement , and recommended that a careful expenditure should be initiated in the lodges , the better to enable them to support the Charities of which they were all proud .
The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER said he thought all present , like himself , must . be very gratified to hear the report of the P . G . Secretary on the state of Freemasonry , and the lodges in that important province . It was a most gratifying fact to remember that they had so large a number of subscribing brethren united by the ancient landmarks of the Order , pursuing those grand principles by which they were associated together , and contributing not only to the benefits of their
fellow-creatures , but likewise to their own rational enjoyment . Bolton was a very great centre of Freemasonry in that large and influential province , and the mysteries of the Craft had always maintained a very deep hold upon the brethren . It was the home of the oldest lodge in the province . He was sure that large gathering of brethren manifested that Freemasonry in East Lancashire was no sham but that it entered deeply and sincerely into the hearts and feelings of the
members of the Fraternity . During the past year the Charities had been subscribed to nobly and generously . But while it was their desire to support the great Institutions in London , they wished also to provide for their own family interests in a certain and substantial manner . With that view he had desired several members of the Prov . Grand Lodge to visit the various lodges , and he took that opportunity of thanking them for their
exertions in making these . visits in the interest of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Institution , and also of thanking the members of those different lodges for the kind and courteous way in which those visits had been received . He had acted without any wish to dictate to lodges the manner in which they should dispose of their Charity funds , but he had wished it to be understood that with a very small payment per member the children of all indigent
brethren in the province could be educated out of the Systematic fund , and that in addition the province , by its support of the London Institutions , might still be enabled to p lace on the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys and for Girls any candidates whose circumstances might warrant or demand a superior education to that which could be given to them while they resided at home . He trusted further , and indeed he was very anxious that they should have the means to
support locally aged Freemasons and widows of Masons until they could be elected to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . He desired to point out that by increasing the support given to their local Charities they would assist rather than clog the efforts of the London Institutions . It was 17 years since he had the pleasure of presiding in Provincial Grand Lodge in Bolton , and in that interval 18 or 19 new lodges had been created in the province .
Bro . E . G . HARWOOD , Chairman of the Charity Committee , brought up for confirmation the proceedings of that Committee . It appeared that one aged Mason , one boy , and one girl had been elected to the benefits of the London Institutions . It was , he said , a great mistake that a province like that of East Lancashire should not have at least one boy and one girl coming forward at each
election . On two occasions the province had been without such candidates , and the difficulty presented itself on election day as to how they should utilise the very large number of votes they possessed . If that voting power were properly used , and a solid vote cast , they could elect a candidate on each occasion . He moved the adoption of the report .
Bro . ] . H . SILLITOE , in seconding the motion , suggested that the children educated in connection with the Systematic Institution should be brought before the Charity Committee periodically , and that the Committee should , from amongst their number , select fitting candidates for the London Institutions . They possessed a sufficient number of votes always to be enabled to elect a boy , and he thought with a little assistance they could also elect a girl . The resolution was passed .
Bro . E . G . HARWOOD proposed , in accordance with notice of motion , ' That the sum of . £ 50 be contributed from the Provincial Grand Lodge Fund in aid of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution . " He said they had had a prosperous year , and in the coming year he hoped that prosperity would be increased . Bro . J . J . MEAKIN , P . P . J . G . W ., said he would second the motion if the sum of . £ 150 were substituted for £ 50 . They had a balance in hand of ^ 312 .
Bro . HARWOOD said he should be glad to adopt any course to which the Prov . Grand Lodge might agree . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER said he approved of the suggestion made by Bro . Meakin . The motion was then submitted as amended , and carried unanimously amid
applause , Bro . MEAKIN observing that the course pursued was an exceedingly wise one . Last year the Prov . Grand Master indicated his desire to extend the field of operations in connection with this excellent Institution , and the first thing to be done was to p lace its finances upon a firm and satisfactory basis . The PROV . GRAND MASTER said they had heard it said that the Systematic
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Installation Of Viscount Dungarvan As Provincial Grand Master For Somerset.
province , and if , as they had heard that day , the installation had gone off in a successful manner , they must not forget that it was due in a great measure to one who had devoted a great part of his life to the Masonic affairs of the province , and w ho had promised him ( Lord Dungarvan ) that support in the future which he had g iven the Prov . G . M . in the past . Under such circumstances he was sure the same harmony would exist in the province as had existed previously .
Bro . R . C . ELSE , D . P . G . M ., thanked the P . G . M . for the kind and very graceful words he had used with regard to him . As they were laying down a new mark in the province he trusted it mi ght not be out of place to mention that for more than a quarter of a century he had been an executive officer of it , without a single day ' s intermission . He had served under three rulers of the province—Deputy Grand Master under Col . Adair , and lastly , but not least , he had been D . P . G . M . to their
illustrious Bro . the kte Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master of England . Not only during that period had he had to conduct the usual duties of a Deputy , but it had been his privilege to manage the affairs of the Charity , the financial measures , and he had installed no less than 350 Worshipful Masters in the chair of K . S ., and by command of the late Pro Grand Master of England he had the honour of consecrating six new lodges in that beautiful province ; but he felt
that he had discharged his duties in a perfectly satisfactory way , as he appeared to have won the confidence , respect , and esteem of his dear brethren of Somerset . After so many years of hard work it did appear to him that on the death of his late chief the time had arrived when he mi ght take a back seat of less responsibility and more freedom . But after some consideration and after an interview with the Prov . Grand Master , and ascertaining the feelings of the
brethren of the province , he felt it would not be a kindness to the Provincial Grand Master or the brethren to swop horses while crossing a stream . That day , therefore , his fourth voyage as first officer commenced under Lord Dungarvan in the good Masonic ship of Somerset . He thought they had such great similarity of views in Masonry that the voyage would be a success in the Craft . But , however that mi ght be , nothing should be wanting on his part to make it a success , and he mi ght speak in the same way for all the brethren
of the province , who were all animated with one feeling , to maintain and up hold the dignity of the province in the future as they had in the past . He congratulated the Prov . Grand Master on having such a brilliant assemblage of Grand Officers , but more especially for the hi gh honour the M . W . Grand Master had conferred upon him by appointing him as Master of one of the most deli ghtful , Charitable , and loyal provinces under the Grand Lodge of England . Might his lordship be blessed with health and strength long to reign over the brethren of the province , and might the G . A . O . T . U . aid and sustain him in his noble task .
Bro . Dr . EGAN , Dist . Grand Master South Africa , Eastern Division , proposed "The Provincial Grand Officers , " pointing out that it was onl y by the hearty co-operation of all that harmony and unity were preserved , which were so essential in Masonry . Wherever he went he found that that was the feeling , and he would give the brethren a hint , which he , as a District Grand Master , had felt was necessary in Masonry , that those who did not get appointments were not to be jealous of those who did . They must believe that the Provincial Grand Master did what was the best for his province .
The PROV . SENIOR and J UNIOR GRAND WARDENS replied , hoping they would justify the Prov . Grand Master ' s choice . Viscount DUNGARVAN proposed "The Worshipful Masters , Past Masters , Officers , and Brethren of the Receiving Lodges , " expressing his approval with all the arrangements .
Bros . WATTS and RADWAY responded . After the toasts of " The Worshipful Masters , Officers , and Brethren of the other Lodges in the Province " and " The Visiting Brethren , " responded to by Bro . ALFRED COOPER , Bro . Col . MONEY , P . G . M . for Surrey , proposed " The Masonic Charities , " and said that those Charities were the practical outcome of the purest ' principles of Masonry , and a lasting memorial in the eyes of the non-Masonic
world , that Masons practised what they preached . Bro . J . MORRISON MCLEOD , Secretary Royal Masonic Institution for Boys in replying , said he quite agreed with Col . Money that the very name of the toast was sufficient to commend it to the brethren without many words from the brother who had to respond to it , especially as he knew that in this good Province of Somerset so much had been done in years past to carry out the
princi ples of the cause of Charity . That province bore a record second to none in this kingdom in the cause of Charity . It was now a province having brethren who had done good work and hard work for the Order . It had been his lot before to lay the special claims of the Institutions before the brethren at the last Provincial Grand Lodge held at Clevedon , and he wanted to assure the brethren
01 this fact—that he appreciated very much indeed the efforts of the brethren who wouId _ serve the office of Steward at the next Festival . He knew they were making a special effort for the Boys' School , and he thanked them for the very handsome vote that day . He trusted that all their efforts in that direction would never be regretted . He thanked the brethren for the toast on behalf of the three Masonic Institutions . The Prov . Grand T yler ' s toast closed the proceedings .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of East Lancashire.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF EAST LANCASHIRE .
ANNUAL MEETING AT BOLTON .
, Jne Provincial Grand Lodge of the Eastern Division of the County of Lancaster , n . eld its annual meeting on Wednesday , the 6 th instant , at Bolton . It is 17 years since the brethren of the province assembled in this flourishing northern town , J ose progress , commercially , numerically , and Masonically , is equally satisfac-° ry . It enjoys the honour of including within its municipal boundaries the oldest
th / " province , the Anchor and Hope Lodge , No . 37 , and with its four other lodges , there is a total membership in Bolton of 278 . The Bolton brethren , moreover , are not mere ornamental Masons . They have always given substant ial support to the Masonic Charities , and deservedly merit , as , indeed , they have en received , the encomiums which the Provincial Grand Master and other rulers
. > -ratt have passed upon them . ' Ihe success of the meeting under notice « as largel y due to the efforts made by the local lodges . hr 14 , 8 atnerin g tQok place in the Baths Assembly Rooms , where nearly 400 the assembIed - The P-G . M ., Bro . Col . Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie , P . G . W ., and UD m , ' ) ers ° f Provincial Grand Lodge , and distinguished visitors , numbering Tu ° ^ 7 ° formed an imposing procession as they entered the hall . n _ / he venerable D . P . G . M .. Bro . G . Mellor . P . G . D .. was unable to be nresent .
"Q his place was taken b y Bro . W . O . Walker , P . G . D ., P . P . G . W . there was a large attendance of brethren . GfUN ° Q C'al ^ rand Lod 8 having been opened , the roll was called by the PROV . vine 1 ! j ECRETARY ) when it was found that 101 out of the 103 lodges in the proe had sent representatives to the meeting . , „ :.. e PROVINCIAL GRAND SECRETARY presented the reoort of the Audit C . nm
G . \\ PP ° lnted to examine the accounts of the Provincial Grand Treasurer ( Bro . The a ^ G ex P Iained that tne Prov - Grand Treasurer was absent in America , and t P counts sh ° wed that the receipts from all sources had amounted to . 61061 , guinea t ^ " liat , ilities llad been discnarged and donations made of 100 R 0 y aj S jA ° . East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Institution , 50 guineas to the 'nstitut ' f ' . Benevolent Institution , a similar amount to the Royal Masonic Hon for Girls , and 100 guineas to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ,
Provincial Grand Lodge Of East Lancashire.
together with a payment of 10 guineas to the East Lancashire Systematic Institution on account of Annuity Fund , there remained a balance to the credit of Provincial Grand Lodge of £ 3 16 . Bro . W . FORREST , P . M ., as one of the auditors , proposed the adoption of the accounts , and said that having examined the books and vouchers they were perfectl y satisfied with the manner in which the accounts had been kept by the Provincial Grand Secretary in the absence of Bro . Hunt .
Bro . J . WRIGLEY , P . M ., seconded , and Bro . T . RIGBY , P . M ., supported the resolution , both these brethren having also acted as Auditors . The motion was passed ; and it was then proposed by the P . G . M ., seconded by Bro . J . H . SILLITOE , and resolved , that the hearty thanks of Provincial Grand Lodge be accorded to the Auditors for their services . Provincial Grand Lodge then proceeded to elect a Treasurer for the ensuing year .
Bro . E . G . HARWOOD , P . P . G . W ., proposed the election of Bro . Job H . Greenhalgh , P . M . 1723 . He spoke in high terms of the Masonic qualities of Bro . Greenhalgh , and of his fitness for the office . Bro . W . O . WALKER , P . G . D ., seconded the motion , and observed that Bro . Greenhalgh had already filled a similar office in Provincial Grand Chapter . Bro . W . SLATER , P . P . G . D ., supported the motion .
There was no other proposition , and Bro . Greenhalgh was elected amid the , cheers of the brethren .
The PROVINCIAL GRAND SECRETARY then read his annual report . He was able , he said , to bear witness to the great benefits which had resulted from the visits of Provincial Grand Officers to the various lodges during the past year . He found from the reports of those brethren that good work was performed by the majority of the lodges in the province , and that the visits made had been very welcome . He learned that discipline in the lodges was well maintained , and that the duties
appertaining to the office of W . M . were better performed than in years gone by , while the W . M . ' s and officers themselves were doing their work with commendable zeal . There was still a want of uniformity in the beautiful ceremonies of the Order , and that could only be remedied by more frequent visits on the part of P . G . Officers . During the past year two lodges had been added to the roll of lodges in the province—the Minnehaha Minstrel Lodge , No . 2363 , and the Manchester Dramatic Lodge , No . 2387—both in Manchester . These made a
total number of 103 lodges in East Lancashire . Last year the gross total of members on the roll of the various lodges was 4397 , and this year it was 4537 ; initiations and joinings numbered 379 , as against 411 last year ; 50 brethren had died , 5 had been excluded from lodges , and brethren in arrears numbered 278 , as against 321 last year . He drew especial attention to this last matter as exhibiting room for improvement , and recommended that a careful expenditure should be initiated in the lodges , the better to enable them to support the Charities of which they were all proud .
The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER said he thought all present , like himself , must . be very gratified to hear the report of the P . G . Secretary on the state of Freemasonry , and the lodges in that important province . It was a most gratifying fact to remember that they had so large a number of subscribing brethren united by the ancient landmarks of the Order , pursuing those grand principles by which they were associated together , and contributing not only to the benefits of their
fellow-creatures , but likewise to their own rational enjoyment . Bolton was a very great centre of Freemasonry in that large and influential province , and the mysteries of the Craft had always maintained a very deep hold upon the brethren . It was the home of the oldest lodge in the province . He was sure that large gathering of brethren manifested that Freemasonry in East Lancashire was no sham but that it entered deeply and sincerely into the hearts and feelings of the
members of the Fraternity . During the past year the Charities had been subscribed to nobly and generously . But while it was their desire to support the great Institutions in London , they wished also to provide for their own family interests in a certain and substantial manner . With that view he had desired several members of the Prov . Grand Lodge to visit the various lodges , and he took that opportunity of thanking them for their
exertions in making these . visits in the interest of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Institution , and also of thanking the members of those different lodges for the kind and courteous way in which those visits had been received . He had acted without any wish to dictate to lodges the manner in which they should dispose of their Charity funds , but he had wished it to be understood that with a very small payment per member the children of all indigent
brethren in the province could be educated out of the Systematic fund , and that in addition the province , by its support of the London Institutions , might still be enabled to p lace on the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys and for Girls any candidates whose circumstances might warrant or demand a superior education to that which could be given to them while they resided at home . He trusted further , and indeed he was very anxious that they should have the means to
support locally aged Freemasons and widows of Masons until they could be elected to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . He desired to point out that by increasing the support given to their local Charities they would assist rather than clog the efforts of the London Institutions . It was 17 years since he had the pleasure of presiding in Provincial Grand Lodge in Bolton , and in that interval 18 or 19 new lodges had been created in the province .
Bro . E . G . HARWOOD , Chairman of the Charity Committee , brought up for confirmation the proceedings of that Committee . It appeared that one aged Mason , one boy , and one girl had been elected to the benefits of the London Institutions . It was , he said , a great mistake that a province like that of East Lancashire should not have at least one boy and one girl coming forward at each
election . On two occasions the province had been without such candidates , and the difficulty presented itself on election day as to how they should utilise the very large number of votes they possessed . If that voting power were properly used , and a solid vote cast , they could elect a candidate on each occasion . He moved the adoption of the report .
Bro . ] . H . SILLITOE , in seconding the motion , suggested that the children educated in connection with the Systematic Institution should be brought before the Charity Committee periodically , and that the Committee should , from amongst their number , select fitting candidates for the London Institutions . They possessed a sufficient number of votes always to be enabled to elect a boy , and he thought with a little assistance they could also elect a girl . The resolution was passed .
Bro . E . G . HARWOOD proposed , in accordance with notice of motion , ' That the sum of . £ 50 be contributed from the Provincial Grand Lodge Fund in aid of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution . " He said they had had a prosperous year , and in the coming year he hoped that prosperity would be increased . Bro . J . J . MEAKIN , P . P . J . G . W ., said he would second the motion if the sum of . £ 150 were substituted for £ 50 . They had a balance in hand of ^ 312 .
Bro . HARWOOD said he should be glad to adopt any course to which the Prov . Grand Lodge might agree . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER said he approved of the suggestion made by Bro . Meakin . The motion was then submitted as amended , and carried unanimously amid
applause , Bro . MEAKIN observing that the course pursued was an exceedingly wise one . Last year the Prov . Grand Master indicated his desire to extend the field of operations in connection with this excellent Institution , and the first thing to be done was to p lace its finances upon a firm and satisfactory basis . The PROV . GRAND MASTER said they had heard it said that the Systematic