Aldershot Masonic Hall.

rooms , and dining hall are so arranged that they can be converted into a suite , including a large hall , capable of seating 400 people , with a separate entrance room from New Station-road .

THE MASONIC CLUB . On the first floor will be the Masonic Club , comprising a large reading room , card room , and bar , communicating by lift and staircase with the the kitchen , service room , and wine cellars . There is also a large billiard room for two tables . On the second floor will be the caretaker ' s apartments , the kitchen and scullery . A store room is provided in the gable . The basements will be fitted with cellars , and will have a tradesman's entrance from the street . A lift communicates with the upper part of the building ..

The building , in a word , has been designed to the best advantage . Of its usefulness as a home for the Craft there can be no doubt , and it will also meet a much-needed public want in supplying a hall for meetings , balls , dinners , and other gatherings . The great need that exists in the town for such a building was shown in a striking manner only a few weeks ago when a battalion stationed here had to go to Woking at considerable expense and inconvenience to obtain a hall with suitable accommodation for a ball .

The directors intend to push forward the building as soon as possible , and it is hoped that the bills of quantities will be got out shortly . The cost was to have been about . £ 2500 , but it is expected that the building selected will exceed that sum .

STONE-LAYING CEREMONY . It is hoped that at the stone-laying ceremony a member of the Royal Family and the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., with his official entourage , will be present . It is expected that about eight months will be taken in the building . The hall should , therefore , bs opened in the spring or early summer of 1900 . As both the Panmure and Aldershot Camp Lodges are increasing in numbers , the institution will , no doubt , become an attractive and convenient centre of the Craft , as well as a financial

success . The following lodges will all be worked at the hall : The Panmure , No . 723 ; Aldershot Camp , No . 1331 ; Army and Navy , No . 1971 ; Military ( Mark ) , No . 54 ; Army and Navy ( Mark ) , No . 349 ; Panmure Royal Arch Chapter , No . 723 ; Aldershot Camp Royal Arch Chapter ,

No . 1331 ; Connaught Royal Arch Chapter , No . 1971 ; William Stuart Preceptory , No . 76 ; and Royal Military Rose Croix Chapter , No . 89 . The latter has been specially reconstituted in order that the hall may be the very centre of all grades of the Masonic body , from the " Entered Apprentice " to the illustrious 33 .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Durham.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF DURHAM .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Durham was held at the Masonic Hall , Stockton , on the 16 th inst ., the G . Supt ., Comp . Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., presiding . The chapter was opened in the first instance by Comps . A . S . Fowler , P . P . G . H . ; J . C . Moor , P . P . G . J . ; and W . E . MofTatt , P . P . G . Reg . ; and among the acting officers were .- Comps . R . Hudson , P . G . S . B . Eng ., P . G . S . E .: W . S . Tohson . P . G . S . B T . R . Tnhqon . P . G . S . N . : R .

Hauxwell , P . A . G . Soj . ; Alfred Grundy , P . A . G . Soj . ; William Watson , P . G . S . B . ; Wm . Hodgson , P . G . Std . Br . ; Ernest Lautebach , P . G . D . of C . j R . Madgshon , P . A . G . D . C ; C . T . Johnson , P . A . G . S . E . j ] ohn Joel , P . A . G . S . E . ; and T . Grieve , P . G . Janitor . Upon the dais were the following :

Comps . C . D . Hill Drury , P . G . S . B . Eng ., P . P . G . H . ; W . H . Cowper , P . A . G . S . Eng ., N . and E . Yorks ; W . C . Barron , P . P . G . S . ; Babington Bouiton , P . P . G . H . ; F . H . Bennett , P . P . G . H . ; Charles S . Lane , P . P . G . H . ; W . G . Hetherington , P . P . A . G . S . ; J . Metcalf , P . P . G . R . ; H . Brown , P . P . G . D . of C . ; ] . H . Jackson , P . Z . ; Charles , F . Sutcliffe , P . P . G . R . j and among others present were : ComDS . D . Camernn . P . P . G . R .- T . G . Garriplr P . P . * R . I 1 . P U » r

Burrell , M . E . Z . 124 ; B . S . Beckwith , P . P . G . T . ; R . Stewart , P . P . G . T . ; Hugh Jackson , M . E . Z . 48 ; G . F . Allan , P . P . A . G . S . ; J . H . Hart , P . P . G . O . ; John Holt , P . P . G . S . N . ; Thos . Harrison , M . E . Z . 949 ; G . B . Hall , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; John Grayston , P . S . 240 ; T . B . Grimes , M . E . Z . 240 ; T . Beattie , H . 240 ; J . T . Henderson , I . P . Z . 240 : 1 . Hunter . S . E . 2 . 10 : R . Farmer . S . N . 2 J 0 :

Nicholas Lee , M . E . Z . 80 ; E . H . Tilley , H . 94 ; Wm . Barlow , M . E . Z . 764 ; C . J . Seaman , M . E . Z . 509 ; W . Payner , S . N . 97 ; Charles Cox , H . 97 ; W . I . Malcolm , M . E . Z . 97 ; Thomas Robinson , J . 97 ; R . Jack , M . E . Z . 531 ; W . McBride , H . 531 ; Sir Thomas Richardson , P . Z . 531 j J . J . Newby Taylor , P . Z . 53 i ; John Walton , H . 124 ; J . Rickerby , S . N . 124 ; W . Todd , S . E . in ; and others .

The roll of chapters was called , and reports were given by the principal officers of the several chapters . The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT expressed his pleasure at seeing so large an attendance , and at the steady progress of the numbers within the

province , which now reached 528 , as compared with 503 last year . He made a sympathetic reference to the death of the Earl of Lathom , and referred to the success of the great Charities' demonstration at Durham last April . Comp . T . Harrison was elected Prov . G . Treasurer , and Comps . G . B . Hall and J . C . Moor were appointed as Auditors . The G . Superintendent then invested the following Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year :

Comp . John Holt , 509 ... ... ... Prov . G . H . 11 Sir T . Richardson , 531 ... ... Prov . G . J . 11 R . Hudson ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . S . E . n W . Barlow , 764 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . 11 T . Harrison , 949 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . ., W . J . Malcolm , 97 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . 11 I . Burrell , 124 ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . >• H . J ackson , 48 ... ... .., Prov . 1 st A . G . S . , i N . Lee , So ... ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . 11 T . Henderson , 2 40 ... ... ,.. Prov . G . S . B . 1 . R . Jack , 531 .,. ... .., Prov . G . Std . Br . 11 E . Lautebach ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . 11 D . Anderson , 111 9 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . of C . n J . M . Moore , 12 30 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . 11 C . T . Johnson ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . n 1 \ Grieve ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . The Prov . G . Chapter was afterwards closed .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF LANCASHIRE .

THE EARL OF LATHOM INSTALLED PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER .

At a meeting of the above Provincial Grand Mark Lodge held in Manchester on Tuesday , the 19 th inst ., the Earl of Lathom was installed in the chair of Provincial Grand Mark Master of the Province , in succession to his father , whom he already has succeeded in West Lancashire as head

of the Craft , and of the Royal Arch Masons in that province . The Earl of Euston , Pro Grand Master of England , conducted the ceremonial , in the presence of a crowded gathering , the Freemasons' Hall proving really inadequate to accommodate all who presented themselves for admission , and who numbered upwards of 200 .

Assisting the Pro Grand Master were Bros . C . F . Matier , G . Sec . ; Charles Belton , P . G . M . O . ; and the Rev . J . Pimlett , Prov . G . Chap . Among those also present was Bro . the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., Prov . G . Mark Master of Cheshire .

Provincial Grand Lodge was opened by Bro . J . H . Barrow , P . P . G . W ., and the Pro Grand Master and his officers having entered in procession , the Earl of Lathom was installed with all customary formalities , and afterwards received the congratulations of the brethren . The Prov . G . M . appointed as his Deputy Prov . Grand Master , to succeed the late Bro . Colonel Le Gendre Starkie , Bro . Arthur H . Jefferis ,

P . G . D . The Prov . G . Master then proceeded to invest the remainder of his officers for the coming year in the following order : Bro . L . S . Winsloe , Lebanon ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Geo . E . Marsden , 447 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . ,, Major John Booth , St . John ' s ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ R . Thomson , 156 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ John Milne , 65 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O .

„ the Kev . H . C . Pigot , 479 ... ... ) „ n nu „ the Rev . W . H . Healey , 142 ... . j Prov . G . Chaps . „ Capt . John Barlow , 123 ... ... Prov . G . Treas . ,, W . Goodacre , 359 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ R . Armitage , 393 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ T . R . Wilkinson , 490 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ W . Taberner , 158 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ J . S , Patten , 523 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . of W . „ F . Armstrong , 32 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . W . Clough , 1 S 9 .., ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ J . F . Hindle ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ F . Neill , 466 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br .

,, R . H . Pearson ... .., ... Prov . G . Org . „ John Relph , 143 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec , „ John Coward , 375 ... ... ,,. Prov . G . I . G . ,, E ' . Taylor , 29 6 ... ... ,.. " ) „ A . C . Kay Smith , 1 56 ... ,., ... C Prov . G . Stwds . „ A . R . Albert , 34 ... ... ... j „ W . J . Doran ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

A report was read by Bro . GOODACRE , giving a satisfactory account of the province , and mentioning that the number of brethren had increased to 10 3 , and that there was also an increase in the number of lodges . There was a banquet in the evening .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

St . Luke ' s Lodge , No . 225 . This lodge resumed its duties after the summer recess on Wednesday , the 13 th inst . Unfortunately , however , quite a gloom was cast over the proceedings by the announcement of the death of its genial and beloved S . W ., Bro . Hugh Burton , who had fallen a prey to consumption at the nee of 4 i . Bro . Burton wis a Mason of 2 s

years standing , and had been a joining member of St . Luke ' s Lodge for the past seven years . He was also a member of St . Luke ' s Royal Arch Chapter , and an enthusiastic non-com . of the 1 st Volunteer Battalion Suffolk Regiment . On the proposition of the W . M ., Bro . George W . Seuton , seconded by the J . W ., Bro . Harry Brook , a sincere vote of condolence was passed to the family and recorded on the minutes . During the evening one initiation and four propositions were accepted .

Upton Lodge , No . 1227 . The installation meeting was held on the 14 th instant , at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool-street . The chair was occupied by the W . A 1 . of the past year , Bro . W . A . Bray . The ballot was taken for the admission of four members . They were accepted , and , together with another who had been elected at a previous meeting , admitted members of the Craft . Another member was passed to the Second Degree . Brj . E . M . leffery , P . M ., then assumed the chair , and installed Bro . H . I . Rowberrv as W . M .

of the lodge for the ensuing year . He in turn appointed the following as his officers : Bros . W . J . Carroll , S . W . ; R . F . Thomson , J . W . ; C . Gleseke , P . M ., Treas .: C . I . Free , P . M ., Sec . ; A . IS . Noble , S . I ) . ; G . VV . Flatman , J . D . ; R . S . Chapman . I . G . ; H . Hyde , P . M ., D . C . ; John Baker , A . D . C . ; E . C . Holmes , Org . ; W . J . Hustwayte and C . W . Cooper , Stewards ; and T . Bowler , P . M ., Tyler . A Past Master's jewel was presented to the retiring Mister , and at a later stage of the proceedings he was also the recipient of a ring as a token of respect from the initiates of his year , while another ring was presented to him for his wife .

Whitworth Lodge , No . 1932 . On the 13 th instant , the annual meeting of the above lodge took place in the Masonic Hall , Spennymoor . There was a large attendance of members and visiting brethren from neighbouring lodges . The principal business was the installation of Bro . Robert Hogg , S . W ., as W . M . for the ensuing year , and the appointment and investiture of officers . Bro . Hogg was presented by iiro . H . Brown to the acting W . M ., Bro .

Thompson Raine , who performed the ceremony of installation . Bro . Hogg afterwards invested the following as his officers : Bros . J . M . Chisholm , S . W . ; J . B . Fleming , J . W . ; W . Sanderson , Treas . ; R . P . Fleming , Sec ; R . Brown , D . of C . ; Sam Whitworth , S . D . ; Robert Hedley , J . D . ; George Farthing , Org . ; J . Bethell , I . G . ; J . Ruttcr , j . Sidgwick , and F . Rowland , Stewards ; and R . Richardson , T y ler . The annual banquet was afterwards held in the Town Hall , the new W . M ., Bro . Hogg , presiding , and Bro . I . M . Chisholm occupying the vice-chair .

Alter dinner the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , the proceedings being pleasantly varied by music il contributions from the choir—Broi . Bramley , Charlton , Faithing , and Rowland—and other brethren . Bro , Kippon presided at the piano .