Stewards' Lists.

SUMMARY OF THE P ROVINCES .

£ s * d * Bedfordshire 47 5 o Berkshire _ 203 5 o Buckinghamshire Si iS o Cambridgeshire 26 o o Devonshire 21 0 o Durham 1 : 5 10 o

Essex ... _ 80 16 G Gloucestershire 57 17 6 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 72 3 6 Herefordshire ... 22 1 0 Hertfordshire 1426 19 o Kent ... ... _ _ 41 S 4 0 Lancashire ( East Division ) ... 42 o o Lancashire ( West Division ) ... 195 10 o

104 STEWARDS—LONDON 116 STEWARDS—PROVINCES GRAND TOTAL

Stewards' Lists.

I s . d . Middlesex 24 15 6 Monmouthshire 272 8 G Northants and Hunts 13 13 0 Northumberland ... ^ ... 94 10 0 Oxfordshire 132 3 6 Somersetshire 10 10 o

Suffolk G 4 1 0 Surrey 131 14 o Sussex ... _ 177 17 o Warwickshire ... 63 o o Yorkshire ( West Riding ) ... 420 o o Guernsey 57 15 o Cyprus 10 10 0

... £ 4089 , 6 6 ... £ 4215 10 o ... £ 8305 6 6

Analysis Of The Returns.

ANALYSIS OF THE RETURNS .

Our task in reviewing the Returns and fixing their distribution , firstly , as between London and the Provinces , and then , as regards the latter among individual Provinces is comparatively an easy one compared with what it was in the year of the Jubilee . But though the labours ot going through the lists and . noting such as appear to need some special remark is of comparatively small account , it is nevertheless a p leasure to find that , under the circumstances , so considerable a sum has been raised .

LONDON was represented by 104 Stewards , whose lists amounted to £ 4089 16 s . 6 d . Of these the largest was compiled b y a lady—Mrs . James Stephens—who acted as Steward for the Kilburn Lodge , No . 1608 , and had the very great gratification of obtaining the sum of . £ 330 . Last year the same lady , acting independently , was entered for ^ 308 8 s . 6 d . in the Returns for the Jubilee of this Institution , so that Mrs . James Stephens has the satisfaction of knowing that in the last two

years she has been instrumental in enriching the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution to the extent of over £ 640 . We respectfully congratulate her on the success which she has achieved , and we trust that , as this is not the first , so it may not be the last , occasion , on which it may be our privilege to include her in so prominent a position among the Festival Returns of our Institutions . The next in order of amount was Bro . W . H . Cole , who acted as Steward for the Mizpah Lodge , No . 1671 , and compiled the very handsome total

of ^ 200 . Bro . F . H . Gooch , Steward for the Merchant Navy Lodge , No . 781 , which was so splendidly represented by Bro . T . B . Daniel ) , and another at the Jubilee last year , obtained the third p lace with ; £ l 22 , and Bro . H . J . Lardner , of the Peace and Harmony Lodge , No . 60 , was fourth , with ; £ no 5 s . Bro . J . G . Stevens , who is again , after a long term of years , thc Worshipful Master of his mother lodge—the Yarborough , No . 554 , signalised the event b y giving his services as Steward on an occasion when he knew that Stewards

would be greatly needed , and fulfilled his duty by compiling a total ot £ 109 9 s , the next in order being Comp . W . D . Church , representing the Islington Chapter , No . 1471 , whose list amounted to ; £ l 05 14 s . 6 d . The remaining three-figure lists were those of Bro . John Holland , of United Strength , No . 228—Bro . Terry ' s mother lodge ; Bro . A . W . Flack , of No . 1306 ; and Bro . \ V . Frewen Lord , of Derby Allcroft , No . 2168 , who each of them compiled a list of ; £ ioo . Other . strong lists were those of Bro . H . S . Trehearne , No . 657 , for , £ 80 14 s . *; Bro . H .

linsoll , No . 907 , for . £ 90 16 s . 6 d . ; Bro . Maj .-Gen . J . C . Hay , C . B , Friends in jCouncil Lodge , No . 1383 , for . £ 84 ; Bro . C . W . Ragmond , No . 1716 , for . £ 73 15 s . ; Bro . John Bolt , No . 1649 , for . £ 85 ; Bro . Capt . W . Lurcott , No . 2168 , for £ , 91 7 s . ; and Bro . John Barnett , who , in addition to the sum of £ 70 15 s , which he raised as representing No . 2192 , will be found entered under tne Province of Kent for £ 31 ios . as Steward for No . 2205 . The number of lodges and chapters

represented was 66 lodges , two lodges of instruction , and four chapters , and the number of Stewards representing these , including Mrs . James Stephens , 73 , in addition to which there were seven ladies , including Mrs . C . E . Ke ) Ser and 23 brethren Unattached , the total number of London Representatives being 104 , and the total sum raised by them . £ 4089 16 s . 6 d . The Stewards from

THE PROVINCES were somewhat more numerous than those who did duty for London , the sum raised by the 116 brethren who took charge of their interests being £ 4215 ios . As a matter of course , this section of the Craft was , for reasons which have already been explained , considerably below its average strength , the proportion of represented to unrepresented Provinces being , in ordinary years , about three to one , while in this instance it was not much more than one to one , the former , including the Channel

Islands , being 26 in number , while the absentees were 20 . The latter comprised BRISTOL ( 9 lodges ) , which his now been unrepresented at three consecutive Benevolent Festivals , though , as a set off , it must be pointed out that last year , and in 18 91 , it raised upwards of ^ 900 for the Boys' School . For the absence of CHESHIRE ( 45 lodges ) , more than one sufficient apology may be offered . Firstl y , {* gave £ 1050 to the Boys' School in 1891 , and last year £ 1988 ios . to the Benevolent Jubilee , together with such further amounts to the two Schools as raised the

total for the whole year to upwards of , £ 2150 . Secondly , it is busily engaged in raising a good round sum with which to found a Benevolent Institution of its own that shall be subsidiary to this Charity . CORNWALL ( 30 lodges ) , raised /* I 3 ios . in 1892 , of which all but £ 36 15 s . was compiled in support of its respected Provincial Grantl Master , who presided as Chairman at the Jubilee "f this Institution . C UMBERLAND and W ESTMORLAND figured in the Returns at 'ne Benevolent Institution of 1891 , gave £ 265 13 s . to the Boys' School in lune of

n " r > Same * year ' and raised IA 20 by the hands of Bro . G . J . McKay , its present : *• " G . M , for the Benevolent Jubilee . DERHVSHIRE ( 25 lodges ) , after compiling i . 843 17 s . for the Boys' School , and - £ 136 10 s . for the Girls' School—or , together , * : ? °° 7 ; —in 1891 , and , £ 1362 16 s . for the Jubilee in February , ^ 131 5 s . for " Our "iris" in May , and . £ 249 18 s . for "Our Boys" in June , or , together , £ 1743 is . I" 92 , is justly entitled to a rest . DORSETSHIRE ( 13 lodges ) , is not unreasonabl y satisfied with what it achieved last year in behalf of this Institution and the

' ! School , its contribution to the former being slightl y in excess of . £ 500 , We LiiicEsi KiisiiiRE and RUTLAND ( 14 lodges ) , raised £ 388 ios . forthis Charity , th * *^ 8 ^ s- ^ t ' Boys' Institution last year , so that its main contributions will lis year , no doubt , find its way into the coffers of one or other of the Schools . 'SC 01 . NSH 1 KE ( 24 lodges ) , raised £ 660 ss . for the Benevolent Jubilee last ) <* ' * ¦ and / j-S for the Bovs' School in lune . 1801 . NORFOLK 117 tad-res ** * .

Srh 1 " r the benevolent Jubilee last year for ^ , 516 10 s , and at the Boys ' / ao tstival in l 8 '» for £ ^ 5 ss . N ORTH W ALES ( 19 lodges ) , distributed / 22 I 2 S " among l ' le three Charities in 18 92 , this Institution obtaining r A ' 4 s ., lhe Boys' School , ^ , ' 234 3 s ., and the Girls' School the remaining ln J s .. 5 s . *; and NOTTINGHAMSHIRE ( 16 lodges ) , apportioned ^ " 192 8 s . between this ij ; Q 2 j" a"d " le Boys' School—the former being the recipient of £ 162 15 s . —in , 8 ^ ' and raised upwards of . £ 200 for the latter Charity the year previous . In U PW * rl Province of SHROPSHIRE ( 12 lodges ) , raised £ 455 9 s . 6 d . of which arris of , £ 212 was in respect of the Boys' School , and in 1892 a total

Analysis Of The Returns.

° f £ 615 16 s . 6 d ., of which the Jubilee contribution to this Clviriiy was returned as £ 456 15 s . SOUTH WALES ( E AST DIVISION ) gave ^ 189 to the Benevolent and £ 321 15 s . 6 d . to "Our Boys"in 18 92 , while its smaller nei ghbour , SOUTH WALES ( WEST DIVISION ) , , raised £ 193 12 s . 6 d . in 1892 , of which the Boys' School obtained £ 161 7 s . 6 d . and £ 354 is . the year previous , of whicli the "Old People" had the satisfaction of securing ^ 248 and the Boys ' School the balance of £ 106 is . STAFFORDSHIRE ( 29 lodges ) raised ^ 762 2 s .

in 1892 , of which this Charity received . £ 392 10 s ., and £ 761 15 s . fid ., of which the Boys' School share amounted to . £ 452 . WILTSHIRE ( II lodges ) is but a small Province , and having subscribed . £ 530 19 s . in 1 S 92 , out of which £ 483 14 s . was paid over to this Charity , is fully justified in absenting itself on this occasion ; but we have no doubt it will be included among the contributories to one or other of the Schools . As for WORCESTERSHIRE ( 13 lodges ) , its readiness to support our Charities has been too often exemplified to need any

apology . Last year it distributed . £ 489 Ss . among the three Institutions , this Institution having the good fortune to secure . £ 243 12 s , the Girls' School . £ 144 17 s , and the Boys' School . £ 100 16 s . NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE ( 31 lodges ) subscribed £ 717 gs . to the Benevolent Jubilee , and a modest £ 21 to " Our Girls " in 1892 , and £ 274 4 s . for the Old People and £ " 187 for the Boys' School in 18 91 , so that here again we have ample excuse for the non-appearance of this Province in

Wednesday ' s Returns ; while as regards J EKSEV ( seven lodges ) and the ISLE OF MAN ( eight lodges ) , the former raised £ ( 13 for the Benevolent [ ubilee , and the latter £ 52 ios . for the same Festival , and £ 46 2 s . for the Girls' School Festival in the following May , to say nothing of the £ 100 ios . which it raised for the Boys ' School in June , 1891 . Here , then , we have 21 Provinces , with an aggregate of lodges numbering 398 , which took no part in Wednesday ' s celebration , but which , nevertheless , have done admirable service on other and quite recent occasions .

We now give our attention to the represented Provinces , the first , taking them in al phabetical order , being

BEDFORDSHIRE , which has six lodges , and was represented to good purpose by its D . P . G . M ., Bro . Charles E . Prior , M . D ., whose list amounted to . £ 47 5 s . In 1891 the Province raised £ 138 12 s . for the Boys' School , and last year ^ 126 for the Jubilee of this Institution , and £ 26 5 s . for the Girls' School , or together ^ 152 53 . It is worthy of note that Bro . Lord Ampthill , the new Grand Master of the Province , is to be found among the Oxfordshire Stewards as one of the representatives of the Apollo University Lodge , No . 357 , Oxford . Five out of the 14 lodges on the roll of

BERKSHIRE were represented by Stewards , whose lists amounted in the aggregate to ¦ £ 203 ss ., the principal items being ^ 90 6 s . by Bro . E . Prince , of the Etonian Lodge , No . 209 , Windsor , and £$ i 4 s . by Bro . the Rev . N . T . Garry , of the Union Lodge , No . 414 , Reading . Last year , the total subscribed by this Province reached the very large total of £ 954 is . 6 d ., of which this Institution was fortunate

enough to secure £ 661 9 s . 6 d ., while the Girls' and Boys' Schools were respectivel y credited with £ 172 4 s . and £ 120 8 s . In 18 91 the total was £ 385 is ., which is more nearly in keeping with what we look forward to from a Province with so small a contingent of lodges . Its neighbour and quondam associate of the old Province of Berks and Bucks —we allude , of course , to

BUCKINGHAMSHIREhad three of its lodges represented b y two Stewards , Bro . S . Osborn , whose list amounted to £ 18 18 s ., doing duty for lodges Nos . 1894 and 2458 , while the representative of the Carrington , No . 2421 , returned £ 63 , the total being , £ 81 iSs . In 1891 , when Bro . Lord Carrington was installed as Prov . Grand Master , and signalised his accession to that important office by presiding as Chairman at the

Girls School Festival , Buckinghamshire supported him to the extent of £ 300 , the other two Institutions being assisted to the extent of £ 3 6 15 s ., in the case ol the R . M . B . I ., and £ 174 6 s . in that of the Boys' School . Last year it raised the still larger total of £ 705 15 s ., of which this Institution obtained £ 291 18 s . in respect of its Jubilee , the Girls' School . £ 36 151 ., and the Boys' School . £ 377 2 s ., the Carrington Lodge , which sent up two Stewards , contributing largel y to the success of this Return .

Passing on to CAMBRIDGESHIRE , which has but six lodges on its roll , we find that Bro . F . Osmond Carr , Steward for the Isaac Newton University Lodge , No . 859 , Cambridge , compiled a list of £ 26 , which must be set down as satisfactory , considering that the Province figured in the Returns at the Benevolent Jubilee for £ 336 8 s . 6 d ., while at the Boys'School Festival in June , 18 91 , it raised , £ 141 4 s ., and , in the preceding month of May , ^ 85 i 6 s . for the Girls' School . Only one of the 52 lodges in

DEVONSHIRE sent up a Steward on Wednesday , the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 328 , Torquay whose representative , Bro . John Chapman , handed in a sum of ^ 21 * But last year the Province raised ^ 807 18 s . 6 d . for the Jubilee of this Institution , and such further small amounts for the two Schools as served to increase the total for the year to , £ 8 95 13 s . 6 d . In 18 91 the Boys' School was assisted to the extent of £ 408 2 s ., and the Old People b y , £ 63 , making the year ' s contributions in all , £ 471 2 s . The interests of

DURHAM and its 35 lodges were on this occasion entrusted to Bro . F . H . Bennett , who had the satisfaction of compiling the excellent total of £ 115 ios . In 1892 , the amount distributed among the three Charities was £ 1034 , of which the Old People received the lion ' s share in the shape of ^ 520 51 ., while the Girls' School was benefited b y ^ 105 , and the Boys' School by , £ 209 , the same Bro . Bennett being the representative of the Province for the Festival of the last-named Charity , in 1891 the aggregate of the contributions from Durham was ^ 488 14 s . Of the 33 lodges now borne on the roll of

ESSEX , only two sent up Stewards , namely , the Arnold , No . 1 799 , Walton-on-Naze , and the Brooke , No . 2005 , Chingford , Bro . Sutton , as the representative of the former , handing in ^ 15 15 s ., and Bro . Hoddinott for the latter £ 44 is . 6 d . These , with the contribution of Bro . Lennox Browne , who was Steward Unattached , gave a total for the Province of , £ 80 16 s . 6 d . —Bro . W . Shurmur ' s donation being included in the list of another Steward . This is a small sumbut

, the wonder is not that Essex raised so little for this Festival as that it entered an appearance at all . At the Jubilee Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution in February , 1892 , it figured for £ 2318 2 s . 6 d ., in May it raised £ ' 93 4 - for the Girls' Festival , and in June . £ 96 18 s . 6 d . for that of " Our Boys , " the grand total for the year being ^ 2608 5 s . In 1891 the ag ^ reuate reached ^ 1648 , of which the Boys' School had the satisiaction of securing . £ 1265 1 ss . Cd .

Moreover , in June Bro . Lord Brooke , the Grand Master of the Province , nas very kindly promised his services as Chairman at the Buys' School Festival , and we may be sure Essex will strain every nerve in order to support its able and respected chief worthily . Thus , with its contributions in 18 91 and 1892 , amounting together to ji 4 2 s 6 , and a heavy duty to fulfil in June next , the smallness of Wednesday ' s total is easil y to be accounted for .