Province Of North Wales And Shropshire.

PROVINCE OF NORTH WALES AND SHROPSHIRE .

CONSECRATION OF A NEW LODGE AT WREXAM . An interesting " ceremony took place on Tuesday , the 14 th instant , at Wrexham , and was numerously attended by brethren from Cheshire , Shropshire , North Wales , & c . The occasion was the consecration of the Square and Compass Lodge , No . 1336 , by the R . W . Bro . Sir W . W . Wynn , Bart ., M . P ., Prov . G . M . Strange to say , this prosperous

Denbighshire town has never hitherto had an official connection with the Grand Lodge of England , and the circumstances under which the new lodge has been formed are somewhat peculiar . In the early part of last summer a traveller died at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel whose friends were not known to the landlord and could not be communicated with .

It appeared , however , from documents m his possession that the deceased gentleman was a Master Mason belonging to a Birmingham lodge , and on the fact becoming known the brethren of Wrexham mustered in considerable numbers in full Masonic costume and followed the remains of their unknown brother

to the grave . After the funeral the brethren held a meeting at the Wynnstay Arms , when the necessity and advantages of having a lodge in the town were discussed , and from that meeting—chiefly through the exertions of Bros . John Lewis , Walter Jones , and Albert Bury — there has arisen the present

lodge , which promises to be flourishing and important . The petition to Grand Lodge was forwarded in July of last year , and the charter authorising the formation of the new lodge was received in September . Since then the numbers have been gradually increasing , and the consecration took place under

the happiest auspices . The ceremony was performed by R . W . Bro . Sir W . W . Wynn , Bart , M . P ., in his capacity of Prov . Grand Master of North Wales and Shropshire , with the co-operation of Bro . E . G . Willoughby , P . P . G . J . W . Chester , as Installing Master . He was

assisted by the following brethren in constituting the Provincial Grand Lodge : Dr . Goldsbro , P . P . G . S . W . ; P . G . Bentley , P . G . C . ; R . V . Williams , P . G . S . W . ; G . W . Fisher , P . G . C ; J . P . Piatt , P . P . G . J . W . ; William Bulley , P . P . G . J . W . ; & c , & c . The Square and Compass Lodge was duly opened

in the drawing-room of the Wynnstay Arms . The officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge then entered the room and were received with the customary honours . _ The consecration ceremony was performed with due solemnity , amidst the sacred music of the organ and choir .

The following brethren were invested as ofiicers of the new lodge : John Lewis , P . P . G . S . D ., W . M . ; Walter Jones , S . W . ; Albert Bury , J . W . ; J . F . Edisbury , Treas . and Organist ; J . O . Bury , Sec . j Dr . T . Eyton Jones , S . D . ; A . H . Reid , J . D . ; W . Sherratt , I . G . ; and Munro , Tyler .

Amongst the other members present were Bros . G . Bradley , W . Pierce , J . Norman , Caleb Lewis , C . E . Kershaw , Richard Chadwick , H . C . Murless , Wm . Jones , J . Wallis , J . H . Kidd , James Gladstone , J . B . Murless , and H . M . Dymock ; and amongst the visiting brethren were J . E . Williams ( P . M . 425 ) ,

John M'Evoy ( W . M . 721 ) , E . H . Griffiths ( P . G . Sec . Cheshire ) , W . H . Spaull ( W . M . 1124 ) , J . P . Owen ( P . G . P . ) , A . W . Walker ( J . D . 1124 ) , C . Jennings ( P . M . 789 ) , J . L . Evans ( 1124 ) , John Dinnis ( 721 ) , Edward Friend ( 1289 ) , R . V . Evans , H . O . Jones ( P . P . G . S . Cheshire ) , T . E . Hignett ( W . M . 537 ) ,

Wilham Ohphant ( Royal Denbigh ) , S . W . Guerin ( Mersey ) , Charles Dutton ( P . P . G . S . D . Cheshire ) , F . Smith ( P . M . 201 ) , & c „ & c . The Provincial Grand Officers having retired at the conclusion of the inaugural ceremony , the Square and Compass Lodge was duly closed .

A banquet was afterwards held in the ballroom of the hotel , and was attended by nearly a hundred members of the Fraternity . The Provincial Grand Master presided and was supported , on the right by Bro . R . V . Williams , P . G . S . W ., and on the left by Bro . John . Lewis , W . M . 1336 . A sumptuous and

well-served banquet was purveyed by Bro . J . B Murless , and after the removal of the cloth thc usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and heartily responded to . In giving the health of the Earl de Grey and Ripon , G . M ., the Chairman said that although

Masonry knew no creed and no politics , he rejoiced that one of those selected for the Anglo-American Commission to conciliate a matter which might have led to a serious quarrel was one who presided over the Masons of England . ( The toast was drunk with all the honours . )

Musical party : " Hail to the Craft . " The Chairman next gave "The Earl of Zetland and the Prince of Wales , the Past Grand Masters of England , " and expressed his gratification that the heir to the throne should be a member of the Craft . The spread which Freemasonry was making showed that the Order was properly ruled over by the

Province Of North Wales And Shropshire.

authorities of Grand Lodge . ( The toast was warmly honoured . ) Musical party : " God bless the Prince of Wales . " The health of the Earl of Carnarvon , D . G . M ., was next given and cordially received . Bro . LewisW . M . 1336 , then proposed the toast

, of the Provincial Grand Master , and said that they hailed him in a new character in their midst—that of a Mason—and he himself had peculiar gratification in doing so . Twenty years ago Sir Watkin accepted the office of Senior Warden under him when he was Master of the Cestrian Lodge , and he

afterwards installed him as his successor . ( Cheers . ) He had also exalted Sir Watkin to the First Principal ' s chair in the R . A . Chapter at Birkenhead . Bvo . Willoughby , who was present , had initiated him into Masonry , and by a singular coincidence they , along with Bro . Griffith , had acted as Grand Officers at

Shrewsbury , with Lord Combermere , when thenchairman was installed in office as head of the province . When their chairman took office there were only three lodges in North Wales and Shropshire , and now , including the one that day consecrated , ' there were fourteen , and that spoke more

than anything he could say of the manner in which the Provincial Grand Master had discharged his duties . ( Loud cheers . ) The toast was drunk with Masonic honours , and met with a suitable response from the Chairman . Several other toasts followed , the proceedings

throughout being conducted in a most happy and satisfactory manner . The musical performance , which was of unusual excellence ' was produced under the direction of Bro . J . F . Edisbury , Org ., assisted by Bro . Halliday , of Chester , and Messrs . Waite , Ormc , and Bell , of Chester Cathedral .

Province Of Surrey.

PROVINCE OF SURREY .

CONSECRATION OF THE LORNE LODGE , No . 1347-The consecration of this , thc tenth lodge in thc province of Surrey , took place on Tuesday , the 21 st instant , at the Station Hotel , Sutton , Surrey . Bro . Dr . Harcourt , P . P . D . G . M ., opened the lodge , appointing Bros . H . Parsons , W . M . 410 , P . G . S . W .

Surrey , as S . W . ; T . Wood , W . M . 1149 , P . G . J . W . Surrey , as J . W . ; C . Greenwood , P . G , Sec . Surrey , as Secretary ; and C . IL Woodward , P . AI . 463 , P . P . G . J . W ., as I . G . He then proceeded with the all-important ceremony of consecration , and according to ancient custom duly consecrated the

lodge . Bro . C . Greenwood then presented Bro . Richard Peter Atkins , W . M .-designate , P . M . 55 , ancl P . P . G . Reg . Kent , for installation , and Bro . Dr . Harcourt accordingly duly installed him as the first W . M . of thc lodge . The W . M . appointed as his officers :

Bros . J . H . Owens , S . W . ; J . Swainc , J . W . ; E . Farthing , S . D . ; H . Langridge , J . D . ; leaving the other offices open until the next lodge meeting . Bro . C . H . Woodward , in an able manner , gave the addresses . It was carried unanimously that a vote of thanks

be given and entered on the lodge minute-book , and an honorary membership ofthe lodge given , to Bro . Dr . Harcourt for the able manner he had performed the ceremonies of consecration and installation . The same compliment was paid to Bro . C . Greenwood , the ever-popular and deservedly

respected P . G . Sec . of Surrey , for his services rendered . Both of the brethren expressed their thanks for the honour conferred on them . A large number of joining members were proposed , and several candidates for initiation ,

auguring that in a very short time this lodge will be well established . Although the warrant was granted last January , the ceremony of consecration was deferred until Tuesday , the 21 st inst ., in compliment to the illustrious marriage of him whose name the lodge has selected for its title .

After the lodge was closed , the brethren adjourned to a banquet supplied by Bro . Barford , P . M . 55 , of Leytonstone . The dinner was served a la Russe , and well sustained the high reputation enjoyed by Bro . Barford as a public caterer . After the banquet , which pleased all present and gave

universal satisfaction , grace was sung by Bros . G . T . Carter , C . S . Jekyll , W . Dawson , and W . Farmer , and the manner in which the musical arrangements were carried out , both in the lodge and at thc banquet-table , under Bro . Carter ' s management , won golden opinions from all present . The customary toasts were given and received , and wc regret that

want of space compels us to leave out the capital speeches made . The brethren returned to town at an early hour , having agreeably spent one of thc red-letter days in Masonry . Amongst the large number of those present we noticed , besides those already named : Bros . G . Price , P . G . T . Surrey , P . M . 463 ; W . Blenkin , P . P . S . G . W . Surrey , P . M . 370 ; J . C . Chancellor , P . P . G . S . D . Surrey , P . M .

Province Of Surrey.

463 ; G . Snow , P . P . G . S . W . Kent , W . M . 55 ; J . Terry , P . P . G . S . B . Herts , P . M . 228 ; F . Binckes , P . G . S ., Secretary Boys' School ; Frederick Walters , P . M . 73 , W . M . 1 309 ; J . W . M . Dusell , P . M . . 55 , W . M . 463 ; T . Gilruth , P . M . 55 ; T . C . Diverlen , S . W . 55 ; Henry Potter , 55 ; Herbert Potter , 55 ; T . Barford , P . M . 55 ; J . T . Robertson , 55 ; C . W .

Turner , 33 ; J . H . Townend , P . M . 3 6 ; W . Farmer , 25 ; W . Russell , 77 ; C . A . Dunn , S . W . 77 ; R . H . Groombridge , I . G . 183 ; R . Spencer , 183 ; D . S . Potts , P . M . 206 ; H . R . B . Padmore , S . D . 463 * G . T . Carter , P . M . 382 ; W . Hamilton , P . M . 554 * J . W . Forge , 619 ; C . Gale , 1056 ; T . M . Paget , 829 ; C . T . Jekyll , L . Jouds ( Pelican , Hamburg ) , & c .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Reports of Masonic Meetings .

THE CRAFT . METROPOLITAN . Grand Stewards' Lodge . —This lodge held its regnlar meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 15 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . Jabez Tepper , W . M ., and Bros . Frederick Hockley and Charles H . Waters as Acting Wardens ( in the unavoidable absence of Bros . Binckes , S . W ., and Swainston , J . W . ) , when Bro . William

Sutton Gover , W . M . ofthe Grand Masters Lodge , No . 1 , and President of the Board of Grand Stewards , was unanimously elected a member of the lodge , and several qualified biethren were duly proposed and seconded for election as joining members . The Treasurer , Bro . Spencer , P . M ., reported the funds of the lodge to be in a

flourishing condition . The lodge was opened in the second degree , when the W . M . gave the lecture on the tracing-board . After the close of the lodge , the brethren and visitors adjourned to banquet at the Tavern , and spent a happy evening , the Grand Stewards of the year ( not being members ) having been invited to the lodge and banquet . The lodge has now forty-three members .

Domatic Lodge , No . 177 . —The members of this lodge were called to attend tlieir Masonic duties at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on Friday , the roth inst ., Bro . Walford , the recenlly-elected Master , occupying the chair , being supported by his principal officers , Bros . Ferguson ancl Timms . There were present : Past Masters Jirett , G . Purst . ; Carpenter , Heydon . Thompson ( Southern Star ) ,

Foulger , Tanner ( Secretary ) , Elmes . Amongst the other brethren present were : Bros . Kent , C . C ., S . D . ; Everitt , J . D . ; Treadwell , I . G . ; Pulsford , Anscombe , Mather , J . Willing , Smith . Charles Thompson ( S . W , Southern Star ) , & c , & c . The lodge being opened , Bros . Burgess , Essau , Wilton , were passed ; Dyer raised ; ancl after the ballot had been taken , Messrs . Wolff , Chudleigh , and

Gregory were admitted members of the Craft . The following resolution was passed in reference to the untimely death of Bro . Simpson , P . M ..- — "The members of the Domatic Lodge having heard , with deep feelings of regret , of the sudden and untimely death of our respected Bro . Simpson , P . M ., desire to convey to his widow tlieir sincere condolence in her time of trial and

tribulation , trusting that the Great Architect of the Universe will support her in her affliction . " Bro . Simpson was , by his courtesy aud kindness , and not less by his Masonic work , very much respected by the brethren . —A Brother , to the astonishment of nearly the whole of the brethren , proposed that the lodge be removed , and he certainly must have been very ill-advised in so doing , for

it met with but little , if any , support . Bros . Thompson , P . M . ; J . Smith , P . G . P . ; Treadwell , Tanner , Carpenter , and others spoke against it , and expressed themselves highly satisfied with the way in which Messrs . Clemow had catered for them during the past seven years . The feelings of the lodge may be learned from the fact that only two brethren voted for the motion and seventy against

it . It was resolved to hold thc summer festival at Chi gwell on the third Thursday in July . The lodge was then closed , and the biethren adjourned to an excellent banquet . The W . M . gave the usual toasts , and to that of the P . M . ' s he coupled the name of Bro . Thompson , who made a telling speech in response . Later in the evening the chair was taken Bro . Brett , G . Purs ., & c .

Bro . Carles L . Ihompson , 1158 , said : Having the permission of the W . M ., pro tem ., he had much pleasure in proposing a toast , one which he was sure they would all receive with pleasure , for it was " Success to the Masonic Lifeboat Fund , " and after adverting to the recent vote of . £ 50 made by Grand Lodge to that fund , lie said it seemed almost a disgrace that other societies , of far less

importance than the Masonic Craft—in fact Benefit Societies—could boast of one and two lifeboats , and even the Sunday School children had got one , while the body lo which he and the brethren belonged ( the most ancient and honourable society that had ever been in existence ) , had none . ( Hear , hear ) . He begged to couple with the toast the name of their respected Bro . Carpenter , who was

associated with the City of London Lifeboat Fund , and had given much of his time to the subject . —Bro . Carpenter , in returning thanks , said he was much obliged to Bro . Thompson for bringing the subject forward as he had done , and he explainedhowitwas that thc "Cityof London Lifeboat Fund " had been started . He and some of his City friends felt it a great disgrace to thc Masonic body

that they had no Masonic lifeboat ( Hear , hear ) . Some years ago a fund was started , but it failed , and at a sort of club in the city they started the "City Lifeboat Fund , " not in opposition to tlie one holding its meetings at Bro . Forster ' s , Fcncluirch-street , but as a sort of incentive to them . Recently , when spoken to in Grand Lodge by one of the Committee , he expressed his willingness to , and did , vote in favour of the £ y > recently granted by Grand Lodge . He begged to assure Bro . Thompson that there