Consecration Of The Hygeia Lodge, No 2664.

CONSECRATION OF THE HYGEIA LODGE , No 2664 .

This lodge was consecrated at the Holborn Restaurant on the 14 th inst ., by the Grand Secretary , Bro . E . Letchworth , P . G . D ., assisted by Bros . T . H . Gardiner , P . A . G . D . C , as S . W . ; R . Clay Sudlow , P . G . S . B ., as J . W . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg-, P . G . Chap ., as Chap . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C . ; and H . Lovegrove , P . G . S . B ., as I . G . The founders and visitors present were :

Bros . C . W . Raymond , W . H . Watson , T . F . Strutt , W . Boyce , E . Tidman , W . E . Groom , H . Alexander , W . W . West , J . Young , J . W . Metcalf , A . Taylor . C . T . Gardner , W . G . Lacy , J . M . Jones , F . J . Allan , C . J . R . Tijou , P . A . G . P . ; Dr . W . H . Kempster , P . G . Stwd . ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; T . J . Mountain , I . G-2030 ; W . J . Wrightson , W . M . 2416 ; C . Garton , W . M . 192 : T . G . Dee , 370

( S . C . ) ; Evan Ortner , 1044 ; W . Devin , 1679 i c - D - Collins , 1963 ; W . Wiltshire , I . G . 1602 ; J . C . Carpenter , W . M . 1716 ; Snowden Kirk , P . M . 1716 ; H , Junghlut , 1716 ; J . H . Catten , 1687 ; A . O . Side , 1 S 3 ; J . Herrin , 1310 ; G . E . Warn , P . M . 1 S 05 and 299 ; J . Sulley , S . W . 1804 ; A . Dove , 230 S ; J . C , Jackson , P . M . 2512 ; E . Atkins , 1107 ; F . L . Schneider , 2512 ; G . J . Anderson , 7 S 7 ; W . W . Lee , P . M . ; and others .

The lodge was opened , and the CONSECRATING OFFICER addressing the brethren , said it would be unnecessary that he should occupy their time for many moments with any words of his own on this occasion . They had met for a purpose which could not fail to enlist the sympathy and evoke the good wishes of all interested in the welfare of the Order . They were there for the purpose of constituting a new lodge which would be dedicated to the

service of the Almighty . The lodge would bear the name of the Goddess of Health and would be confined to a great extent to the brethren who discharged very important municipal duties , to whom this country was indebted in a great measure for the high standard of health which it enjoys . He hoped this lodge would have before it a very successful career , worthy of the name it bore and of those associated in its foundation .

An oration was delivered by Bro . the Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGG , Dep . P . G . M . Bucks , and the lodge was afterwards constituted and dedicated in the usual form . The Grand Secretary then installed Bro . C . W . Raymond as the first W . M ., and the following officers were afterwards invested : Bros . W . Boyce , I . P . M . and Treas . ; W . H . Watson , S . W . ; T . F . Strutt , J . W . ; E . Tidman , Sec . ; J . M . Jones , S . D . ; W . E . Groom , j . D . ; W . W . West , 1 , G . ; and Williams , Tyler .

The principal officers were elected a Committee to frame the by-laws , and a long list of candidates was read for initiation and joining . A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Consecrating Officers , and they were asked to accept the honorary membership of the lodge . The GRAND SECRETARY returned thanks , and expressed his pleasure , and that of his colleagues , in being present that day .

The lodge was closed , and , after a sumptuous banquet , the usual toasts received hearty recognition . In giving " The Queen and Craft , " the W . M . said it was not his intention to make long speeches , and he hoped others would follow his example . So much had been said of her Majesty in recent times , that he could say nothing except that as Freemasons they gave way to none in their allegiance to the Oueen .

" H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " was proposed by the W . M ., who said that those who attended the meeting at the Albert Hall under the M . W . G . M . must have been impressed with the greatness of Masonry . The W . M . said the next toast was " The Grand Officers , " and the Grand Secretary having left , he was told he could also include the next toast— "The Consecrating Officers . " He would therefore ask them to drink these combined toasts , coupling the name of Bro . Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap .

Bro . Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGG , P . G . Chap ., first apologised for the Grand Secretary , who was extremely sorry he had been obliged to leave . The Grand Secretary was suffering from a slight sunstroke , and his doctor did not wish him to partake of their bountiful hospitality . The Grand Officers were extremely glad to be present , and assist in starting a new lodge , especially where the first W . Master , in his first speech , asked for brevity in their remarks . He had never heard a W . M . make such an excellent speech , and he only hoped it would be well carried out in the execution .

Bro . H . LOVEGROVE , P . G . S . B ., proposed " The Worshipful Master , " and said he was qualified to do so , being connected with the profession to which the W . M . and members belonged , and he thought the sanitary inspectors deserved the full thanks of the people of London . A year or so ago the founders thought their first W . M . would be Sir Benj . Richardson , who carried the sanitary science through many difficulties . They then went from the sublime to the ridiculous by asking him ( Bro . Lovegrove ) to be

their W . M ., but owing to his many engagements he could not accept . They had now a worthy brother as their first W . M ., who had been for many years a member , and was now the Treasurer of the Sanitary Inspectors' Association . Their W . M . was not a novice , for it would be a great misfortune to start a new lodge with a novice as the first W . M . Bro . Raymond was initiated in the All Saints' Lodge , and they would not regret having placed him in the clnir of this lodge . The new lodge had started well , and he hoped it would go on well and prosper .

The WORSHII'FI ' MASTER , in reply , returned thinks , and said he would endeavour to deserve all that had been said of him . They all knew that a short time ago the lines were quite different , but , unfortunately , they lost their President , Sir Benj . Ward Richardson , with the result that the

brother who was to have been S . W . was now their W . M . He had attempted to do the work as far as he could , and asked their forgiveness for any mistake . He would do all he could to carry out his duties in that lod ge and in the interests of Freemasonry in general . He thanked them most sincerely .

The WORSHII ' ' I . MASTER next gave " the Visitors , " who , he said , were in a majority that evening , but in a couple of years he had no doubt it would be otherwise . They would always welcome visitors , and especially the Grand Officers . He coupled with the toast the names of Bros . Tijou , P . A . G . P ., and Garton , W . M . 192 .

Consecration Of The Hygeia Lodge, No 2664.

Bro . C . J . R . TIJOU , P . A . G . P ., said they had thoroughly enjoyed the eloquent consecration and the profuse hospitality . Circumstances combined to make it a record night which they must remember for many years . The W . M . and he had gone side by side in neiehbourine lodges—the

Cochrane and the All Saints . The W . M . had not sacrificed his official position for his Masonic work and possibly might want their sympathy during his year . It was very difficult for the W . M . in the first year of a lodge and he would suggest that the officers have one or two

renearsats under the direction of their W . M . before their first meeting . Bro . GARTON . W . M . 192 , also replied , remarking that the lodge had started under healthy conditions , and he hoped would continue so until time should be no more .

"The Officers , " was next given , and was responded to by Bros . WATSON , S . W ., and TIDMAN , Sec . Bro . WATSON , S . W ., said he was not an old Mason , but was a lover of Masonry . _ He would make himself as perfect as possible . He claimed this lodge as his baby , because some five years ago he suggested the idea .

Bro . TimiAN , Sec , said that if he hatched the egg he was proud of it . He was a Mason of 32 years' standing , but had had no time for Masonry . He thanked them and expressed his pride in their lodge . The Tyler's toast was then given by Bro . WILLIAMS , Tyler , and the pleasant proceedings terminated .

The musical arrangements were conducted by Bro . F . L . Schneider , assisted by Madame L . Harrison , Miss Madeleine Galton , and Bros . Kelson Trueman , and J . W . J osey .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Berks And Oxon.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF BERKS AND OXON .

VISIT TO ALDERMASTON COURT .

Among the notable events which have signalised this notable year must be included the above annual Provincial Grand Mark Lodge , held with unqualified success on Wednesday , the 14 th inst ., under the banner of the Porchester Lodge , No . 27 , Newbury , the oldest jn the province , the W . M . for the current year being Bro . E . Hill , who , with the officers and brethren , was most energetic and painstaking in carrying out the local

arrangements . Since the resignation of the Earl of Jersey , some years ago , when his lordship left England to fill a Colonial Governorship , this province has been presided over by Viscount Valentia , M . P ., who is extremely popular in the Masonic world , as elsewhere , and it was a source of great pleasure and satisfaction to the brethren on Wednesday to be favoured with the presence of their distinguished chief .

The province comprises six lodges , and it is the usual practice to visit each lodge in succession , and a pleasing feature in connection with the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge is that ladies are enabled to join the brethren in their festivities after the transaction of the ordinary business . In fact , there is a growing tendency towards making Masonry attractive to the gentler sex , who are not only admitted to the festivals occasionally held in behalf of

the funds of the great Charitable Institutions of the Order , but also to lodge gatherings known as " ladies' nights . " Hitherto river trips have been generally associated with the Provincial Grand Lodge meetings , but on the present occasion a lovely drive through a picturesque tract of country formed an attractive item in the programme , Bro . Charles E . Keyser , P . M . 27 , having generously invited the brethren and their lady friends to pass the

after part of the day in the charming grounds of Aldermaston Court . The brethren from different parts of the province began to arrive in Newbury between 10 and 11 o ' clock , and the preliminary committees were held at the Municipal Buildings , which had been placed at the service of the brethren , the Town Hall having been fitted up as a lodge room by Bro . J . B . Ingram , and the Council Chamber being appropriated to the use of the P . G . Officers . The bulk of the brethren and ladies , however

reached Newbury by the midday tram , and while the official business was being disposed of the lady visitors , who were received at the Municipal Building by Mrs . Hill , wife of the Worshipful Master , were conducted by Bro . Stephen Knight , jun ., over the Parish Church and other buildings of interest , with which they appeared much pleased . The Porchester Lodge met at 12 o ' clock , and appointed Past Masters Keyser , Cosburn , Head , Harrold , and Bolcher , to receive Lord Valentia and the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge , who walked in procession to the Town Hall , and were accorded the usual honours .

Viscount Valentia having opened the lodge in due form , the anthem " Hail , Kternal , by Whose aid all created things ware m ids " was sung . •Bro . W . RAVENSCROFT , of Reading , the indefatigable Prov . Grand Secretary , read the roll of P . G . L . Officers who severally responded , after which the roll of individual lodges was called .

The minutes of the Prov . G . Lodge , held under the banner of the Jersey Lodge at Maidenhead last year , having been read and confirmed , the Prov . G . Secretary presented his report of the various lodges , which was of a very satisfactory character , showing an increased number of advancements . The report was unanimously adopted , as also was that of the Prov . G . Treasurer , Bro . K . Margrett , the financial position of the Province exhibiting a decided improvement .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER , in complimentary terms , proposed the reelection of Bro . Margrett as Prov . Grand Treasurer , which was seconded by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . J . TOMKINS , and unanimously adopted . The PROV . GRAND SECRETARY read letters of apology for non-attendance from Bros , the Earl of Jersey , C . F . Matier , G . Sec ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , Rev . J . H . Jukes , K . letchworth , W . H . Gardener , and others , who had prior engagements .

Bro . W . B . REED , W . M . of the Leopold Lodge at Reading , invited the Provincial Grand Lodge to assemble in that town next year . The PROV . GRAND MASTER thanked Bro . Reed , and said he felt quite sure that , on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge and the brethren generally , he might safely accept the kind invitation just given . They had a pleasant recollection of the cordial reception they had always met with at Reading , and they would be only too pleased to visit the town next summer .